Reporting Texas TV – April 1, 2021

byReporting Texas TV Staff

Journalism students from Moody College at the University of Texas made their first newscast of the semester on April 1, 2021. This week student journalists report on University Health Services efforts to vaccinate students, reaction to The Eyes of Texas History Committee’s report, how small businesses are faring one year into the COVID-19 pandemic, and […]

Austin Small Business Revenue Has Long Term Impacts After Pandemic, Study Shows

byAshley Miznazi

AUSTIN, Texas — Researchers at the Cockrell School of Engineering hope to shed light on the impacts the pandemic had on Austin’s lifestyle and economy after a year. Their findings showed small businesses were hit hard. There are 40% fewer businesses open than pre pandemic days. For small businesses able to stay open, revenue dropped […]

Hays County’s Indigenous Community Continues Struggle for Recognition

byBrooke Nevins

Hays County Commissioners Court raised the ire of critics by failing to reappoint members of its historical commission during a meeting earlier this year, a move that effectively dissolved a committee that represented the interests of Tejano and Indigenous groups.  The criticism came from citizens after the court did not reappoint members of the Hays […]

Advocates: Austin Must Shift to Financially Responsible, Long-Term Approach to Homelessness

byCaitlin Davis

At the corner of Goodness Way and Peaceful Path sits a garden, park and dozens of chickens within a permanent housing community for those experiencing chronic homelessness. The hills are covered in colorful tiny homes with decorative flags and lights hanging from welcoming entryways. Formerly homeless men and women gather around a singer playing the […]

Austin Braces for 2021 Legislative Outcomes

byAngelo Gaunichaux

As the 87th Texas Legislature approaches mid-session, Governor Greg Abbott’s battle with Austin City Council over police funding is reaching a boiling point as a number of bills take aim at local governments’ control over police funding.  Last August, Austin City Council members unanimously passed the city’s 2021 budget, cutting one-third of the Austin Police […]

A League Together

byConnor Zimmerlee and Haley Riley

For the past year, soccer for many has been a perpetual COVID-19 red card, a harsh penalty suspending play for players for only trying to do the right thing during a pandemic. On March 15 of last year, the city of Austin implemented a lockdown that prohibited gatherings of more than 250 people. For the […]

“La Copita” Ushers in New Rivalry Between Austin and San Antonio

byAndrés Garcia

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas soccer fans are gearing up for the inaugural matchup between Austin FC and San Antonio FC. The game will take place April 1 as part of “La Copita,” a preseason tournament consisting of several Division 1 and 2 professional soccer clubs from all over Texas. San Antonio FC, formerly the San […]

UHS Encourages Students to Sign Up for Vaccine as Texas Opens Qualifications

byLibby Cohen

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Department of State Health Services announced that anyone over the age of 16 is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine starting this week. The new qualifications greatly expand who can receive a vaccine in Austin through the University of Texas at Austin, as campus serves as a vaccine hub for […]

UT Professor Releases Independent Report Countering the Eyes of Texas History Committee

byDominique LaVigne

AUSTIN, Texas — The Eyes of Texas History Committee released its report about the university alma mater on March 9, but some found it less than satisfactory.  Professor Alberto Martinez spent 15 days researching the song’s history to write an independent report on The Eyes of Texas after the official committee concluded the song was not […]

How the UT Campus Cats Survived the Winter Storm

byAshley Miznazi

AUSTIN, Texas – The daily ringing of the University of Texas tower bells at 6 p.m. prompts a big black and white cat to inch his way out of the bushes for dinner. Domino has called UT home for more than ten years.  “He is a lot of people’s surrogate pet. I think he is […]

Riverside Students Want UT to Provide More Aid in the Aftermath of the Storm 

byDominique LaVigne

AUSTIN, Texas – The University of Texas at Austin’s Student Emergency Services paid out over $16,000 during the week of the winter storm, but students living in the Riverside neighborhood continue to struggle in the storm’s aftermath.  Water flooded the apartment of UT student Taeana Fisher on Feb. 15. “I think the pipes just busted […]

Changing the Planet One Utensil at a Time

byMaggy Wolanske

AUSTIN, Texas – Displeased with the immense amount of plastic being thrown away in their dining hall, two UT students launched a social media campaign on Instagram. Isabel Webb Carey and Michael Dobrowski launched @realonesreuse to advocate for the reduction of plastic used in UT dining facilities. The Instagram account has 300 followers with posts […]

Extreme Temperatures Devastate Austin Succulents

byKenny Jones

AUSTIN, Texas – February’s winter storm devastated thousands of succulents throughout Austin due to prolonged exposure to subfreezing temperatures. Workers at East Austin Succulents proactively housed as many succulents as could fit in their greenhouses, but the storm still destroyed about 10% of their inventory.  The extended freeze expanded moisture stored in succulents and burst […]

Crisis of Hunger Looms During Winter Storm

byClark Dalton

AUSTIN, Texas – When University of Texas at Austin student Ramray Wong opened his fridge only to find empty shelves, he immediately grew concerned. “I was feeling a bit anxious,” Wong said. “I didn’t have a stock of food in my room. If I wanted food I had to go out and get it.” Going […]

As Governor Abbott Reopens Texas, Service Workers and Public Health Experts Worry

byAndrés Garcia

AUSTIN, Texas — Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order March 2 that lifted statewide mask-wearing and business capacity mandates. The executive order, which went into effect March 10, made Texas one of 15 states without any statewide COVID regulations in place. The executive order was met with mixed reception.   University of Texas Public Health […]

Quarters Complex Residents Displaced by Renovations

byBrynne Herzfeld

AUSTIN, Texas – Renovations to the privately-owned Quarters apartment complexes have removed students from their units, leaving the students struggling to receive answers from the complex management.  Though renovations began in early 2020, UT student and resident Jennifer Tran was not informed of the planned renovations when she signed her lease. She learned about the […]

UT Students and Faculty Helped the Community Survive the Winter Storm

byLibby Cohen

AUSTIN, Texas — The outpouring of support from the University of Texas at Austin community during the February winter storm brought a bright spot to what was a terrible week for most. An unprecedented winter storm rocked the state of Texas, leaving millions without power, water, and many times both. UT students were not exempt from […]

One Year Later, a Small Texas Town Reflects on the Pandemic

byBenton Graham

In the spring of 2020, Reporting Texas set out to cover the plight of small towns in a changing Texas by reporting on the town of Eden in Concho County. Then COVID-19 struck. We pivoted to looking at how Eden was dealing with the pandemic. Eight months later, we checked back in with residents.

The Future of Free Range Kids in Texas 

byMadi Donham

A state senator wants to rewrite the Texas Family Code to give parents more leeway in how they supervise their children. Supporters of the proposed change say narrowing the definition of neglect will reduce the workload for Child Protective Services and liberate families — especially poor families. Child advocates disagree.

Black Texans Reflect on Racial Justice after a Singularly Difficult Year

During February, March and April, Reporting Texas correspondents will share interviews with Black Texans from different parts of the state, different professions and different perspectives. Subjects will discuss the state of the fight for racial justice and how they think Texans can best move forward after a trying year. Check back for updates.