McAllen Business Weathers COVID-19 Pandemic

byMarco Ramirez

McALLEN, TX – Randy Helmcamp has owned and operated Fiesta Cleaners for 25 years. But these last few weeks have been the most challenging for his small business. “There are so many unknowns here,” Helmcamp said. “The biggest unknown is ‘When are we over the hump?’ And that keeps changing.” While city policies to contain […]

Emergency fund helps UT students make ends meet after COVID-19 setbacks

byMercedes Gonzales

AUSTIN, TX — As the University of Texas at Austin goes into its third week of online classes, some students are dealing with financial situations that make it hard to focus on classes.  Students have lost their jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic and struggle to pay rent and get groceries. Some have experienced their […]

Guides of Texas Find A New Path Online

byFaith Castle

AUSTIN, TX— After the University shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Guides of Texas created a “new guide” to maintain their positions with the University. The Guides of Texas, a group of students who lead campus tours, found themselves out of work after University President Greg Fenves closed operations on Mar. 13. To […]

Mental Illness In The Pandemic

byCarli Rappaport

AUSTIN, TX – “I feel very disassociated with everything going on around me,” Sloan Wyatt said. “I mean, days go on but I never really feel present.” Wyatt is a Sophomore at UT Austin, and has experienced panic attacks since she was fourteen. She is one of the many Americans with mental illness, who are […]

Pre-Pandemic Politics: Democratic Socialism and the Youth Vote

byJennifer Martinez

Until his decision in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak to drop out of the presidential race, Bernie Sanders continuously captured the youth vote in the 2020 Democratic primaries, including a 65% backing from voters under 30 in Texas. Primary election results before the country was ensnared by the COVID-19 outbreak show his democratic socialist […]

Presidential Politics Dominated Forty Acres Before Pandemic

bySamantha Hall

Before a global pandemic pierced mosts Americans’ imaginations, the nation wondered if the youth vote, including students at the University of Texas, would turn out for the presidential election. With this backdrop, for the first time in decades, Texas had a major voice in determining the Democratic nominee. And in typical fashion, Travis County took […]

Reporting Texas TV Newscast April 9, 2020

byKate West

Austin — Reporting Texas TV students are spread throughout Texas and multiple states to bring viewers the latest on how COVID-19 is impacting the University of Texas community.

Prayer in the Pandemic: Faith in West Campus Forced to Adapt

byRyan Chandler

AUSTIN — Amid unprecedented rates of COVID-19 infections in Austin, religious organizations across faiths in West Campus have shut their doors and transitioned online to keep their communities together. Associate pastor at St. Austin Catholic Parish Rev. Rich Andre, C.S.P. delivers mass every day to an empty hall, the pews only accompanied by his iPhone […]

Caven-Clark Field Still Used Amid Campus Closures

byNataleah Small

AUSTIN — Although the University of Texas at Austin is closed due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19, members of the Austin community are continuing to exercise at the Caven-Clark Field. There is signage posted stating that the facility is closed, but because the field is in an open area, people have easy access […]

UT Student Organizations Remain Active Despite COVID-19

byAshleigh Osburn

AUSTIN, TX — Students are involved in more than 1,100 organizations on campus and are finding unique ways to stay connected amid the changes brought by COVID-19.   Texas Belles, an event planning organization on campus, gives its members event planning experience and the opportunity to connect with outside event industry professionals. By moving online, members […]

Make Your Own Mask (no sewing required)

byLaura Laughead

HOUSTON — Whether on your doctor or your neighbor or even your own face, masks are everywhere since the CDC urged Americans to wear them at all times in public last week. But stores have been sold out for weeks as healthcare workers face mask shortages across the country.  Here’s how some Houstonians are getting […]

UT Students’ Website to Help Shoppers During COVID-19

byMason Carroll

Cities around the country are under stay-at-home orders, including Austin, because of COVID-19. While people are staying inside for the most part, it has not stopped buyers from hoarding supplies, leaving grocery store shelves empty. Teri Masters is a San Antonio resident who searched store to store for groceries during quarantine. While she needed supplies, […]

To Go Alcohol Brings Business to Local Texas Restaurants

byAlaina Hayden

AUSTIN — Among numerous changes that come with the COVID-19 pandemic, Texans may be surprised to see something interesting on their local restaurant menu.  As of Mar. 18, restaurants are allowed to sell beer, wine and mixed drinks to go, as long as they are accompanied by food. Previously, in accordance with Texas Alcoholic Beverage […]

Voices of Eden: Texas Town Looks to Future in Time of COVID-19

byHope Lenamon, Cat DeLaura, Aimée Knight, Tyler Lewis and Nataleah Small

Eden and other rural areas that were once mainstays of the Lone Star State are falling victim to increased urbanization. As people move to cities for better jobs, education, housing and recreational opportunities, it becomes increasingly difficult for rural towns to remain viable places to live. Against this backdrop, residents are now dealing with the repercussions of COVID-19. Here are their stories.

Telemedicine Helps Drive AISD Student Access to Affordable Healthcare

byNatalie Venegas

  The Austin Independent School District’s decision to roll out telemedicine across campuses should benefit low income communities, health experts said. “Telehealth is not a replacement, but is another resource nurses can use to increase access to healthcare for families,” Spinner said. “It is helping to make healthcare for common conditions that kids have and […]

Brooke Community Mourns Its School

bySamantha Hall

There was nothing unusual about this year’s Brooke Elementary School Valentine’s dance at first glance. The “Roaring ‘20s” themed celebration was held in the school’s cafeteria. The decorations evoked the themes and aesthetic of  The Great Gatsby. Were it not for the white tablecloth-covered booth set up near the cafeteria’s entrance, it would have appeared […]

Reporting Texas TV Takes its Newscast Online

byKate West

Austin — Reporting Texas TV students transitioned to online classes the week of March 30th. After students spent the first half of the semester learning how to produce a newscast inside a TV studio, students were forced to switch gears and produce the newscast remotely. Some worked from their parent’s homes – others from their […]

Austin Educators look beyond Texas’ African American studies course

byJennifer Martinez

WATCH: UT students talk about African American History African American heritage runs deep in Texas. From the horror of slavery to the civil rights movement and beyond, Texas’ African American population has played a critical role in the state’s economic and cultural development. Yet Texas’ publication education system has downplayed African American history in its […]

Texas Schools Failing to Teach Sex Ed

byLindsey Logan

Texas students often arrive on college campuses ill equipped to navigate the sexual freedom that comes with their newfound independence. Critics place the blame on inconsistent, confusing and contradictory approaches to sex education in the state’s public schools. Karen Rayne, assistant professor of instruction at the University of Texas at Austin, said she believes because […]

Fees For Travis County Parks Change

byCarli Rappaport

AUSTIN – Instead of paying per vehicle, Travis County Parks will now make individuals pay per person. Drew Pickle, the West District Manager for Travis County Parks, said this move will help with data collection. “Part of the reason for the importance of that is not only to help us understand how many people are […]