Blanton Museum hosts weekly Zoom meetings amid COVID-19 pandemic

byNataleah Small

Austin – The Blanton Museum, an art museum housed on the University of Texas at Austin campus, has temporarily closed its doors due to the spread of COVID-19. However, it is keeping the museum experience alive by making some of its resources available online.  “As soon as we learned that the museum was going to […]

UT Students Found ‘Project Protect’ to Fundraise for Protective Equipment

byRyan Chandler

Austin – Clinicians at the Pediatric Associates of Austin are counting the days until they run out of personal protective equipment. With a nationwide shortage of masks, shields and gloves triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic, the clinic only has enough equipment to last them until the end of May. They know the virus will be […]

Coronavirus and the Wedding Industry: One Texas Wedding Planned in 24 Hours

byAshleigh Osburn

AUSTIN- On March 19, Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order declaring there be no more than 10 people gathered together at one time.  Haleigh Winters from Texas, planned her wedding in 24 hours so she could get married before the executive order was in effect.  “That was really hard on us, because we had […]

Pandemic Brings a Breath of New Life

byAlaina Hayden

HOUSTON – During both World Wars, Americans were called to duty to help their country. Some were called to war and some were called to work. Some were able to help in their own backyards.  “Our food is fighting! A garden will make your rations go further,” a Victory Garden poster slogan exclaimed to the […]

Reporting Texas TV Newscast – April 16, 2020

Austin, TX – This week on Reporting Texas TV, reporters examined how COVID-19 is impacting University of Texas students with getting emergency funds, help for mental health and businesses impacted statewide.

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 […]

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 […]