As Fewer Americans Attend Church, 2 Austin Congregations Highlight Religion’s Uncertain Future

byKatrina L. Spencer

Two Austin churches — one largely white, the other largely Black — demonstrate the uneven realities of the city’s Protestant Christian congregations during a time when most Americans have stopped going to church. COVID-19 lockdowns exacerbated the decline in churchgoing and, when institutions reopened, many people simply didn’t return. It’s created an unpredictable landscape that churches are navigating.

Reporting Texas TV – April 25, 2024

byReporting Texas TV Staff

Journalism students at the University of Texas at Austin produced their sixth and final newscast of the Spring 2024 semester on April 25. This week reporters covered student-led efforts to provide reliable transportation to grocery stores, the impact of S.B. 17 on a UT student group’s annual powwow, an etiquette class offered by an Austin […]

Youth Learn Etiquette at Wesley United Methodist Church

byMahlah Freeman

AUSTIN, Texas – A local church is blending faith-based principles with modern manners in its etiquette class. Wesley United Methodist Church’s youth ministry started an annual etiquette class in 2016. The class was originally aimed at girls ages 12-17 but became co-ed in 2018. The age range expanded this year to include younger children. “They […]

UT’s Native American Indigenous Collective Hosts Powwow Off Campus Due to S.B. 17

byJulia Mahavier

AUSTIN, Texas – After months of preparation, UT’s Native American Indigenous Collective (NAIC) hosted its annual all-day powwow at the Delores Duffie Recreation Center in East Austin. A powwow is a gathering for Native American and First Nations communities to come together and honor their cultures through song, dance, chants, food and socializing. In previous […]

Texas Is a National Leader in Human Trafficking Cases. Experts Say the Issue Is Often Misunderstood.

byMichelle Lavergne 

Texas is a national leader in trafficking cases. More than 3,500 victims in Texas established contact with the National Human Trafficking Hotline in 2021, according to hotline statistics. These numbers are exceeded only by California. 
Experts say the geographical and population size of the Lone Star State contribute to its high number of trafficking cases. They also say the issue is often misunderstood and disappointedly used by some politicians to make political hay.

New Transportation Service Helps UT Students Access Fresh Groceries

byEvelyn Martinez

AUSTIN, Texas – UT’s Food Security Agency launched a pilot shuttle program to help students who lack reliable transportation get to grocery stores near campus. “(Food insecurity) is something that we all need to deal with,” program organizer Erica Howard said. “It’s not a ‘them’ issue, it’s an ‘us’ issue, and we all need to […]

For Identical Twin R&B Duo, Big Dreams Come with Big Plans for Giving Back

byAnissa Sanchez

The Austin-based identical twin R&B duo THEBROSFRESH may be on the verge of stardom.
Torrence and Thurman Thomas, 34, have yet to sign a deal with a record label, but they regularly fill popular Austin music venues such as C-Boy’s and Continental Club, and they have inked contracts as brand ambassadors with Nike and Volkswagen.
Torrence, who plays bass and sings, envisions achieving success as a staircase. At the very top of it sits their goal of selling out stadiums and mentoring others to do the same.
“We’re stepping towards it,” Torrence said.

Longhorns Play Last Orange and White Game as Members of the Big 12

byCampbell Choate

AUSTIN, Texas — Although rain was on the radar all day Saturday, Texas football fans still cheered on the Longhorns at the annual Orange and White game. The game is an exhibition scrimmage where the team splits into two sides that play against each other. One team wears home jerseys and the other wears away. […]

Leaders in Austin music industry featured in UT podcast before SXSW

byGuido Peluffo

    As Austin prepares for a busy spring festival season, there’s a music festival podcast emerging from students at the Moody College of Communication at UT. The “Keep Austin Live!” podcast is featuring two huge names in their upcoming episode highlighting the history and weirdness of South by Southwest. “A bunch of us who […]

Behind the Truck Doors Spotlight: Yapa Artisan Empanadas

byAlishba Javaid

Produced by Arianna Suniga, hosted by Mackenzie Sullivan Yapa opened its food truck steps away from the Perry-Castañeda Library at the University of Texas in August 2023. The black-and-white food truck serves nine varieties of artisan empanadas Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Raul Escobar, the director of operations and business development behind […]

Arts Education Groups Are Struggling. Austin Is Looking for Ways to Help.

byIsabella McGovern

In late 2023, 19 Austin arts education organizations received a total of $475,000 thanks to the Arts Education Relief Grant, Austin’s first arts education grant program. But gaps in funding for the arts remain, and groups focused on education are looking for new sources for money.

Beyond Brisket: The intricacies of Texas barbecue

byAislyn Gaddis

To some, barbecue might just be a food, but to many Texans, especially Kathleen McElroy, it is so much more than that. “I’m so obsessed with barbecue,” said McElroy, a University of Texas journalism professor and self-proclaimed barbecue lover. She joined host Ivy Fowler on the newest episode of the “Bless Your Heart” podcast, produced […]

Child-free Texans Raise Voices Despite Stigmatized Life Choice

byKatrina L. Spencer

Sending a message to his more than 40,000 followers on social media platform X in March, Houstonian Adrian C. Jackson told the world he had made a major life decision. “Might as well make this a public journey to inform & encourage other men,” he tweeted March 10. “The appointment is booked. I’m going through with it. I’m getting a vasectomy.”
Jackson is one of an increasing number of child-free Texans who intend to remain so. 

Reporting Texas TV – April 18, 2024

byReporting Texas TV Staff

Journalism students at the University of Texas at Austin produced their fifth newscast of the Spring 2024 semester on April 18. This week reporters covered the development of sustainable sequins for fashion design, the UT women’s tennis team’s pursuit of a third national championship in four years, the 20th annual Fusebox Festival, the nearly century-old […]

Crawfish Kickoff Festival Serves More Than 10,000 Pounds

byCashmir Khawaja

AUSTIN, Texas — Thousands of hungry crawfish enthusiasts gathered in the center of Republic Square for the second annual Crawfish Kickoff Festival. This year’s event delivered a flavorful celebration of Cajun culture, community and crustaceans. The unmistakable aroma of Cajun spices greeted attendees as they entered. Banners and lively music instantly transported guests to the […]

Historic ABC Kite Fest Returns to Zilker Park

byLogan Dubel

AUSTIN, Texas – Kites of all shapes and sizes took flight against the backdrop of Austin’s skyline on Sunday. While the city’s horizon may look unrecognizable compared to when the ABC Kite Fest began, the soaring spectacles still remain an Austin tradition. The Exchange Club of Austin founded the festival in 1929. Kites first launched in […]

Texas Longhorns Women’s Tennis Seniors Prepare for Final Games

byTori Garcia

AUSTIN, Texas — With the start of the NCAA Championship tournament only a few weeks away, the seniors on the University of Texas women’s tennis team have many emotions as they enter the postseason. Charlotte Chavatipon and Malaika Rapolu are finishing their fourth and final year in a burnt-orange jersey. “I wish I honestly had […]

The Contemporary Austin Hosts Interactive Exhibit and a Show for 20th Annual Fusebox Festival

byHaley Pacheco

AUSTIN, Texas — To commemorate 20 years of Fusebox, The Contemporary Austin hosted a live performance alongside an interactive gallery experience featuring works by Fusebox artists on April 12 at The Jones Center. Founded by a group of artists in 2005, Fusebox showcases local and international artists in several venues and spaces across the city. […]

UT Researchers and Students Bring Sustainable Sequins to Austin

byMelody Jones

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Science and Natural History Museum opened an exhibit to showcase sequined garments that use a sustainable sequin developed by scientists at the University of Texas. Professors from the College of Natural Sciences curated Particles of Color, which opened April 6. UT senior textiles and apparel major Taryn Lam joined the […]

Reporting Texas TV – April 11, 2024

byReporting Texas TV Staff

Journalism students at the University of Texas at Austin produced their fourth newscast of the Spring 2024 semester on April 11. This week reporters covered the 2024 CMT Awards, the total solar eclipse, an eclipse-themed showcase of ongoing NASA missions, the Cedar Park Kite Festival, a celebration of the Tejano singer Selena, an exhibition of […]