Texas’ Suicide Hotline, Overburdened and Underfunded, Could Get Support from a Proposed Bill.

byMadeline De Figueiredox

Each month, thousands of Texans reach out for support in difficult moments by dialing 988, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. But, for some, their calls are met with long wait times and multiple transfers to out-of-state centers. Texas faces a $7 million shortfall in funding for the 988 system, which officials say has left […]

Texans Rally in Defense of Science and Against Trump Administration Cuts

byMadeline De Figueiredo

Hundreds gathered in front of the Texas Capitol for a “Stand Up to Science” rally Friday, demanding the defense of scientific integrity, expanded funding and the protection of diversity in research. The rally, one of 32 in cities across the country, was organized in response to the Trump administration’s cuts to scientific funding, the removal […]

Reporting Texas TV – March 6, 2025

Journalism students at the University of Texas at Austin produced their mock newscast for the Spring 2025 semester. Our mission is to empower students with hands-on journalism experience while providing our audience with insightful coverage of campus events, local news, and issues that matter most. By fostering a collaborative environment, we cultivate the next generation […]

Black Artistry Takes the Spotlight at Culture Shock

byNia Armstrong

The University of Texas Culture Shock Committee hosted its annual Culture Shock talent show at the William C. Powers, Jr. Student Activity Center (WCP) on Feb. 20. Culture Shock showcased 13 acts including slam poetry, musicians, dances and featured two performances by Black Fraternities Omega Psi Phi Inc. and Kappa Alpha Phi Inc. This year’s […]

Local Foundation Holds Charity Event on Three-Year Anniversary of Russia-Ukraine War

byAle de la Fuente

Liberty Ukraine Co-founder Tonya Levchuk united the Ukrainian and Austin community after a tense first few weeks of President Donald Trump’s second term. The Liberty Ukraine Foundation held a charity event titled “Defenders of Freedom” downtown on Feb. 23. The night featured homemade traditional food and live entertainment from singers such as Texas native Bria […]

Art Show Explores Intersection of Politics, Art

byAreebah Bharmal

Paintings and photographs lined the walls of the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs lobby Feb. 18 for the “Art is Activism: Visions of Liberation art show.” The event explored the intersection of politics and art and touched on themes such as freedom and liberation. “Today is about letting artists have that space to […]

Student Engineers Develop Firefighting Robot as Wildfire Fears Rise

byElijah Carll

According to a 2024 CoreLogic risk report, Austin ranks as the fifth most at-risk city for wildfire destruction nationwide. That same year, wildfires burned 1.3 million acres in Texas, and with high winds sweeping across the state Tuesday, officials with the National Weather Service warned of “potentially historic” wildfire risk. At a small workshop inside […]

Austin Marathon To Provide Record Boost To Local Economy

byGABRIELLA VUKMAN

With tens of thousands of sneakers pounding the pavements in Austin this February, local businesses geared up for what could be the city’s biggest winter spike in revenue yet. The Austin marathon, “a 31 year-old tradition” is heavily entrenched in the city’s lore and culture. Each year the marathon attracts thousands of people from all […]

National Boycott Targets Corporations

byNicholas Pantaleoni

While companies continue to announce record profits, consumers across the country are feeling the strain of rising prices. As layoffs increase and prices soar, a growing movement calls for action. Consumers make efforts to boycott corporations like Amazon, Walmart and Target.  Target,  announced a staggering $25.7 billion  profit in 2024, setting a new record for […]

Local Musicians, Venue Owners Hope City Office Drives Opportunity for Austin Music Scene

byJoseph Sweeney

The City of Austin created the Office of Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment on Feb. 14 as a new way of attracting tourism and stimulating collaboration between the city’s creative sectors. Prior to the ACME office, five separate city departments existed to promote local music, special events, cultural centers, heritage centers, cultural arts and art […]

Texas Lawmakers Want to Make ‘Spring Forward’ a Thing of The Past

byGrace Gates

Daylight saving time rings in the summer months for 48 states, but some Texas lawmakers are working to end the historic practice of changing clocks twice a year.  In 2023, a bill proposing year-round daylight time passed overwhelmingly in the state House but stalled in the Senate. For this year’s session, lawmakers have once again […]

‘Not My President’s Day’ protests take place at Texas State Capitol, across U.S

byGracie Kirschner

Protests have erupted across the United States since President Donald Trump took office this January. Austin is no stranger to these protests, and President’s Day was no exception.  On a day meant to celebrate our nation’s leaders, thousands of protesters gathered at the Texas State Capitol to protest the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s influence […]

Student Government Approves Plan to Make Printing Easier, Cheaper

byRebecca Butler

Responding to student frustrations about the cost of on-campus printing, the University of Texas’ Student Government voted Tuesday night to give students a $2 printing allowance each semester.
The pilot program, which will be implemented over the next few years, aims to change UT’s longstanding printing system that results in financial strain for some students

Outnumbered Texas Democrats Gear Up to Fight School Vouchers

byJasmine Wright

Texas Democrats say funding for public schools is at risk in the current legislative session because Gov. Greg Abbott’s years-long drive for private school vouchers has its best chance ever of succeeding. Texas Democratic lawmakers lost several key seats during the 2024 election cycle and now face face five months of negotiations with Republican counterparts. […]

Big Medium, creator of the Austin studio tour, goes dark after 22 years

byShunya Carroll

The future of the Austin studio tour is uncertain after the event’s founder and organizer, the arts nonprofit Big Medium, announced its closure last week. “The gaps are massive,” said Shea Little, a founding member of Big Medium. “There are a lot of artists, a lot of creativity, but not a lot of opportunities for […]

Yes, She Did: Houston Educator Funds Scholarship for First-Gen Students

bySarah Gonzales

When Yurisa Garcia comes home from her full-time job as a high school counselor, it’s time to get to work on her other priority: helping students pay for college.
To honor the legacy of her late father, Severo, Garcia took his mantra “sí se puede,” which translates to “yes we can” in English, and created a scholarship to give back to first-generation college students like herself. 

Austin Schools’ Low Vaccination Rate Draws Concern Amid Measles Outbreak

byMadeline de Figueiredo

Travis County is ramping up its vaccination efforts, particularly for schoolchildren, as neighboring Hays County warned Sunday of possible measles exposure in San Marcos. 

Pflugerville Neighbors, Officials Concerned About Mysterious Homeland Security Facility

byAlex Lamb

Behind a gas station and row of small businesses near a Pflugerville neighborhood sits a freshly renovated warehouse boxed on three sides by tall blue fencing and shiny new razor wire. 
Leaders of the Austin chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation say they have information the facility will be used as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center as the new Trump administration ramps up deportations. They received photos of the interior of the building showing holding cells and what appears to be an interrogation room. 
“We want answers from the local leaders who are supposed to know about this,” said Peishi Cheng, a PSL representative who spoke during a Feb. 1 protest.

With New Swim Coach, Longhorns Say They’re Having Fun, Ready to Return to National Glory

byLuke Lawhorn

Bob Bowman took over for longtime Texas swim coach Eddie Reese last April after nine years at Arizona State and winning the men’s national championship last season. Though his primary role is the men’s head coach, Bowman is serving in a newly created position as the director of swimming and diving, meaning he oversees the women’s side as well. 
Veteran swimmers like Sticklen have felt his influence across both teams. 
“Having Bob here and having his energy and competitiveness and the fire that he brings, it does seep over in our side,” Emma Sticklen said. “I always think that we are a better team when both teams are having fun.”

Plonsky’s Decades of Dedication to Texas Athletics to be Honored in Sports Hall of Fame

byLuke Lawhorn

Chris Plonsky, UT’s executive senior associate athletics director, is set to be inducted this month into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in Waco for her 48 years in college athletics, including 37 at Texas.