Family Sacrifice Opens Potential Olympic Lane for UT Swimmer Licon

byLauren Barash

Will Licon, who left home at age 16 to realize his potential as a swimmer, will soon compete for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.

Aerial Acrobats Do Their Dancing in the Air

byWes Scarborough

For the past 11 years, the aerial acrobats of the Blue Lapis Light dance company have gamboled across the sides of Austin’s mightiest high rises, transformed abandoned warehouses into performance sites, and even turned a bridge into a stage.

For Ride-Hailing Companies, College Students Are a Rich Pool for Drivers

byAustin Hamby

The students become part of the so-called “gig economy,” in which people are free agents working under contract.

#2016…The First Social Media Election

byEmily Gibson

Social media makes it easier for politicians to connect with voters on a personal level, strengthening the bond between candidate and citizen and streamlining the process of organizing, advertising and collecting contributions for campaigns.

Out of the Shadows: Wicca Grows in Austin and Beyond

byQiling Wang

The number of self-identified Wiccans in the United States has increased to 342,000 in 2008 from 134,000 in 2001, according to a survey. Wicca’s growth follows the rise in unconventional religions.

Correcting Gender on IDs a Painful Hurdle for Transgender Texans

bySwathi Narayanan

Texas is one of 19 states with no statutory guidelines on changing the gender on driver licenses and birth certificates.

Austin Olympic Hopefuls Won’t Let Zika Threaten Their Medal Dreams

byAaron Schnautz

The chance to compete in the Olympics outweighs fears of contracting the virus at the Summer Games for some aspiring competitors.

Farewell to First Downs: Coach Chooses Family over Football

bySydney Fedora

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor assistant football coach Cody Fredenberg thought he was destined for a life in football. Being unable to spend enough time with his family made him realize he was wrong.

Better Than Bud? Home Brewing Is Growing in Austin and Nationwide

byDestinee Reyes

It can take weeks to make a batch. But for amateur brewers, nothing is as good as the beer they make at home.

UT Campus Call Boxes Are Rarely Used to Report Dangerous Situations

byMiranda Mason

The University of Texas campus has 172 call boxes so people can call for help in an emergency. But in most cases, police responding to the calls find no one there.

Petitions Draw Attention to UT Area Homeless

byDavid Glickman

Haruka Weiser’s killing has given fresh currency to a six-month-old petition to discourage homeless people from congregating near campus, with signatures going past 2,800. But a counter-petition in defense of the homeless has collected 1,880 signatures.

Austin Restaurants Are at Forefront of No-Tipping Movement

byCate Malek

Jam Sanitchat is one of a small but growing group of restaurant owners who believe tipping leads to low, unstable wages for workers and causes unnecessary guesswork for customers.

Company Trains Civilians to Take Out Active Shooters

byEstefania Espinosa

Against a backdrop of more frequent mass shootings across the country, Combative Weapon Solutions founder and chief executive Lee Vernon, 42, an Austin firefighter, saw a need for tactical training for people who could fight back.

Texas Lags Behind in Screening New Moms for Depression

byAnna Casey

An estimated 79,000 women in Texas experience PPD each year. While the state has taken steps to increase awareness about PPD among expectant mothers and healthcare professionals, it does not require depression screenings.

On Court and Off, Duncanville Pair Builds Bond through Basketball at Texas

byJasmine C. Johnson

UT women’s basketball players Ariel Atkins and Tasia Foman have been friends since they were 7, through different teams and shared championships.

The End of Volleyball Is a New Beginning for Kat Brooks

byLauren Barash

“You identify yourself as an athlete for so long,” said the standout player for Texas. “But there is so much more of my life to live.”

Military Moms Breathe Easier as Pentagon Extends Maternity Leave

byTravis Putnam Hill

Pentagon’s new policy is designed to attract and retain women. Expanded paternity leave could be next.

Music Therapy – Still Experimental?

byWes Scarborough

Despite decades of research showing that the therapy helps patients, music therapists struggle to achieve professional status at the state level.

Austin Record Stores Thrive with National Vinyl Resurgence

byAaron Schnautz

“The vinyl resurgence is not a hipster flash in the pan. It’s for real,” says one Austin record store owner.

For Gay Spouses, the First Tax Season Together Is Cause for Celebration

byDestinee Harrison

Same-sex couples who married after Supreme Court’s landmark ruling last summer look forward to enjoying the economic advantages of matrimony.