Texas Businesses Confused After Governor Bans Vaccine Mandates

byCassidy Ellison

AUSTIN, Texas — On Monday, Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order that bans Texas businesses from mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for its employees or customers.  There is a $1,000 maximum fine for those who do not comply with the order. Abbott’s new order came a month after the Biden administration issued an executive order […]

Goodbye Trucks, Hello Cars: Co-Op Food Court to Become Parking Lot

byJake Herman

AUSTIN, Texas — Local food trucks are looking for a new place to park after the University Co-Op announced it is closing the food court behind its Guadalupe Street retail store. In a letter sent Sept. 23, Co-Op Chief Operating Officer Kristen Huffman informed food truck owners that they will have to vacate the lot […]

Q2 Stadium Hosts First World Cup Qualifier in Texas

byJaxie Pidgeon

AUSTIN, Texas – Q2 Stadium in Austin hosted the first World Cup Qualifying match in Texas on Oct. 7 as the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) faced Jamaica. Thanks to Ricardo Pepi’s two goals in the second-half, the USMNT grabbed a 2-0 victory. The USMNT is hoping to bounce back by making it to the […]

Contactless Food Option Offers Safer Alternative for UT Students

byMegan Fee

AUSTIN, Texas – Students at The University of Texas at Austin have experienced crowded restaurants in West Campus for months throughout the pandemic, but a new food option offers a contactless alternative.  “Sometimes, the line [at one of my favorite restaurants] is backed all the way out to the door, and it’s not spaced out, […]

Reporting Texas TV – May 6, 2021

byReporting Texas TV Staff

Journalism students from Moody College at the University of Texas made their sixth  and final newscast of the semester on May 6, 2021. This week student journalists report on preparations for the spring commencement ceremony and the return to in-person classes for the fall, efforts to protect Austin’s bats, and concerns about gerrymandering as the […]

UT Prepares for its First In-Person Commencement Since 2019

byDominique LaVigne

AUSTIN, Texas — In January, The University of Texas at Austin announced plans to host its first in-person graduation ceremony since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Unlike traditional UT graduation ceremonies in front of the UT Tower, the spring commencement will take place at Darrell K. Royal Stadium on May 22 at 8 p.m. […]

Texas Redistricting Prompts Gerrymandering Concerns

byClark Dalton

AUSTIN, Texas — As a result of the 2020 census, Texas gained two congressional seats due to its population growth.  The state will have 38 seats in the House of Representatives in the 2022 election and 40 electoral votes for the 2024 presidential election. New York and California each lost one seat and one elector. […]

Protecting Palm Trees to Protect Bats

byMaggy Wolanske

AUSTIN, Texas — After a year in which they were scorned as the source of the coronavirus, bats continue to have a rough time in 2021. Many of the mammals are losing their Austin homes. The Austin Bat Refuge works to protect the local bat population and ensure the animals are loved. Co-founders Lee Mackenzie […]

UT Plans for an In-Person Fall Semester

byBrynne Herzfeld

AUSTIN, Texas —With more than 100,000 vaccine doses distributed by the UT vaccination hub, returning to campus for in-person classes seems more and more likely. Terrian Spurs, a junior communications and leadership major, expected to return to campus in March 2020 after a two-week Spring Break. Instead, she finished her sophomore year at home in […]

Reporting Texas TV – April 29, 2021

byReporting Texas TV Staff

Journalism students from Moody College at the University of Texas made their fifth newscast of the semester on April 29, 2021. This week student journalists report on an upcoming Austin vote that could ban camping and soliciting, student efforts to warn others of UT professors who violated sexual misconduct rules, a nurse’s fight against her […]

Houston Nurse Crowdfunds to Take Hospital to Court Over Vaccine Layoffs

byKenny Jones

HOUSTON, Texas — Several Houston Methodist Hospital employees are resisting their boss’s order to receive COVID-19 vaccines by June 7. Dr. Marc Boom, Houston Methodist’s President and CEO, announced April 15 that all employees must comply with the vaccination deadline or face suspension and eventual termination.  “The process [to decide to require COVID-19 vaccines] was […]

Vaccinations Open Possibilities for Child Care Workers and Families

byAshley Miznazi

AUSTIN, Texas — For many college students, child care provides a stream of income with flexibility for school and internships. When people began to shut their doors to strangers during the pandemic, both child care workers and families had to adjust.  Adrienne Anderson has a 7-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old son. She regularly hires people […]

UT Students Warn Peers About Professors with Sexual Misconduct Violations

byANDRÉS GARCIA

AUSTIN, Texas — With summer and fall registration underway, some students at the University of Texas are warning their peers of classes taught by professors who violated the school’s sexual misconduct policies.  Sophomore Kaya Epstein posted a Twitter thread that identified professors with university-documented records of sexual misconduct who will teach in the fall 2021 […]

Prop B Seeks to Ban Camping and Soliciting

byLibby Cohen

AUSTIN, Texas — One item on the ballot for many Travis County voters in the May 1 special election seeks to ban people from camping and soliciting money on public streets in Austin. Supporters of Proposition B say it will make the city a safer place for the housed and the unhoused. Opponents argue that […]

Reporting Texas TV – April 22, 2021

byReporting Texas TV Staff

Journalism students from Moody College at the University of Texas made their fourth newscast of the semester on April 22, 2021. This week student journalists report on local reaction to the fatal shooting of a Black man by police in Minnesota, Austin voters considering a change to the current mayor and city manager system, Earth […]

UT Theatre Festival Goes Online Because of COVID

byBrynne Herzfeld

AUSTIN, Texas — When COVID-19 halted performances in front of live audiences, UT Department of Theatre and Dance students and faculty showcased their creations in a new and safe way.  The 2021 edition of the Cohen New Works Festival, a biennial celebration of student work, took place April 12 through 16. Begun in 2007, this […]

UT Students Struggle to Cope with Police Killings of Young People of Color

byDominique LaVigne

AUSTIN, Texas — In the last two weeks, police killed at least four young people of color: Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, Adam Toledo in Chicago, Anthony Thompson in Knoxville, and Ma’Khia Bryant in Columbus, Ohio. All of the victims were under 21 years of age. The deaths coincided with the trial of Derek […]

Upcoming Austin Election Includes Proposal for “Strong Mayor” System

byClark Dalton

AUSTIN, Texas — A proposition on the May 1 municipal election ballot seeks to change Austin’s city government to a “strong mayor” system, which would make the mayor Chief Executive Officer. Proposition F is one of eight propositions for voters to decide May 1. Early voting started this week. The mayor would have more responsibilities […]

Celebrating Earth at UT

byMaggy Wolanske

AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas Campus Environmental Center (CEC) is working on multiple events to get students excited for Earth Month.  Activities include a seed swap, campfire chats, UT Farm Stand, microfarm workshops, and an art contest.  “The Office of Sustainability, in general, celebrates Earth Month, so that’s why we have so much programming […]

Reporting Texas TV – April 15, 2021

byReporting Texas TV Staff

Journalism students from Moody College at the University of Texas made their third newscast of the semester on April 15, 2021. This week student journalists report on the governor’s opposition to Covid-19 vaccine passports, disruptions to STAAR testing, and the return of live music to the Live Music Capital of the World.