Ban on Heading for Youth Soccer Stirs Controversy

byAmanda Atwell

New rules are designed to reduce concussions in young players. But critics say they delay proper training of a crucial skill of the game.

Researchers Enlist Snake Venom in Anti-Cancer Campaign

bySamantha Ketterer

At Texas A&M’s Natural Toxins Research Center, researchers test snake venom against different types of cancer cells, including various kinds of melanomas and carcinomas, hoping to find ways to block the cells’ growth.

Research on Boozing Bugs Aims to Find Breakthroughs on Alcoholism Treatment

byCate Malek

The drinking habits of fruit flies can help science understand how humans become addicted to alcohol.

Texan Is the Stuff of Legends in the Taxidermy World

byDestinee Reyes

Joe Kish can make dead animals come alive again — even elephants and crocodiles. In the taxidermy industry, he’s regarded as a pioneer.

Concussions End Texas Cheerleader’s Career, Altering a Life Once Active and Pain-free

bySydney Fedora

Kaitlyn Behnke lives with constant headaches and tires easily. Six concussions changed the arc of her life.

Olympic Golf Course in Brazil Shows the World a Turf from Texas

byCody McCrary

The grass on the Olympic golf course in Rio de Janeiro was developed at a turf farm in South Texas.

Like Father, Like Wrestling Son – But Better

byTaylor Tillson

By setting a new overall record of 109 wins and four losses in just three years in the state wrestling championship, Jack Skudlarczyk passed the overall high school record of 108 wins and three losses his father Perry set in the mid-1980s.

Austin Gives Music On Hold a Novel Spin

byTravis Putnam Hill

Playing local music while callers are on hold with the city was intended to promote Austin performers. But even the bands on the playlist are in the dark about the program.

Dean of Texas Acupuncturists Set to Needle Lawmakers Again

byQiling Wang

Two decades after leading Texas acupuncturists’ struggle for professional recognition, Lisa Lin is at the forefront of efforts to make sure only licensed and well-trained acupuncturists are allowed to practice.

Childhood Kite Hobby Became a Lifelong Passion for Austinite and His Family

byQiling Wang

Richard Robertson made his first kite at age 8. Eighty years later, he’s still at it, with more than 200 kites stored in his garage.

Effective Parenting Program Aims to Reduce Truancy in Travis County

bySwathi Narayanan

College friends Grady Paris and Yvonne Williams teamed up to create the workshop that aims to helps truant youth stay in school and their parents avoid possible criminal penalties.

As East Austin Changes, The Villager Perseveres as a Voice for African-Americans

byDestinee Harrison

‘Austin has changed a lot,’ publisher Tommy Wyatt said. ‘They moved all the black folks out. But this hasn’t affected our readership.’

As Stringers Replace Photojournalists, New App Finds a Niche

byEmily Gibson

The app, which allows news stations to post assignments and users to respond with photos and videos, illustrates the growth of citizen journalism at a time when traditional jobs in photojournalism are declining.

UT Researchers Use Laser Light to Fight Depression, Anxiety

byKate Thackrey

A student’s sharp eye leads to a non-invasive technique for dealing with mood disorders.

Where There’s a Wheel, There’s a Way

byAnna Casey

Jimmy Agnew of Austin uses the unicycle to teach kids life skills.

Austin Food Stylists Are Skilled at Making Dishes Ready for Their Close-Ups

byTravis Putnam Hill

Food stylists play an important but often unrecognized role in food advertising. Great taste does not translate easily to photographs. Many foods wilt or crumble from the handling and time required to capture just the right shot. Food stylists employ equal parts visual artistry, culinary craft and trickery to make food look good for the camera.

Rap Becomes the Medium for a Protest Song About Austin’s Gentrification

byDestinee Harrison

Lench Martinez no longer recognizes the city he grew up in. The demolition of an East Austin pinata store inspired him to compose a reality rap about how growth and gentrification have pushed out minorities.

At Brunches and Happy Hours, Black Gays Discover Camaraderie in Austin

byBrianna Walker

Beyond Brothas organizes events where black gay men can find a sense of community. Membership has grown to about 75 in just over a year.

With One Tragic Exception, All UT Missing Persons Have Been Found Quickly

bySamantha Ketterer

Almost every missing person case on campus involved students who had failed to tell their roommates or friends that they would be staying elsewhere overnight, according to the UT Police Department.

Austin Choir Brings Serenity to People at the End of Their Lives

byDestinee Reyes

Members of the Austin Threshold Choir send female choirs to sing to people who are dying.