Austin Journal News
Blanco no-hitter powers Astros' first win of 2024 season
By Austin Journal | Apr 2, 2024
The Houston Astros recently celebrated their first victory of the 2024 regular season under new manager Joe Espada, a win that came with an impressive distinction. The team's starting pitcher, Rodel Blanco, registered a no-hitter – the first of the year in Major League Baseball (MLB) – during Houston's 10-0 triumph over the Toronto Blue Jays. The game was held at Minute Maid Park on April 1 and was attended by 27,285 spectators.
Attorney General Ken Paxton Announces Education Partnership Between OAG Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit and Texas State University School of Criminal Justice and Criminology
By Austin Journal | Apr 2, 2024
Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced a partnership between the Office of the Attorney General (“OAG”) and Texas State University (“TXST”) to facilitate educational opportunities and bring more investigative power to solving cold cases. The TXST program, termed the Cold Case Team, is a one-year internship program enabling students in the Texas State University School of Criminal Justice and Criminology to work with the OAG Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit (CCMPU). Attorney General Paxton established the CCMPU in 2021 within the Criminal Investigations Division to...
Attorney General Ken Paxton Announces $6.6 Million Settlement With Intercontinental Terminals Company For Injuries to Natural Resources Resulting From 2019 Deer Park Fire
By Austin Journal | Apr 2, 2024
Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a settlement of over $6.6 million with Intercontinental Terminals Company, LLC (“ITC”) to address natural resource damages resulting from the 2019 fire at the Deer Park facility. Paxton expressed satisfaction with the settlement, stating, “I’m pleased we were able to secure this natural resource damages settlement after the serious destruction caused by the fire at Deer Park. This fire burned for three days, spewing hazardous chemicals into our air, water, and land.”The State of Texas and the United States filed a civil complaint and...
'Texas stands with survivors of sexual assault': Abbott proclaims April as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
By Austin Journal | Apr 1, 2024
On April 1, Gov. Greg Abbott acknowledged the commencement of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month in Texas. A press release from the Office of the Texas Governor confirmed that Abbott, a Republican, has pledged the Lone Star State's support for survivors of sexual assault.
Move More, Sleep Better, UT Study Finds
By Austin Journal | Apr 1, 2024
A new study conducted by an interdisciplinary team of researchers at The University of Texas at Austin has unveiled the strong connection between physical activity, sleep quality, and psychological health. Published in Nature Scientific Reports, the study focused on how daily physical activity impacts sleep stages and emotional well-being over an extended period.The research, which involved 82 young adults, utilized advanced wearable technology to monitor sleep and activity levels. Benjamin Baird, a research assistant professor of psychology and one of the study's...
Austin ISD Teacher of the Year finalists announced
By Austin Journal | Apr 1, 2024
Four educators from Austin ISD have been named as finalists for the prestigious title of Austin ISD Teacher of the Year. The finalists are Paola Arroyo-Forteza from Harris Elementary School, Jill Stockton from Brentwood Elementary School, Coleen Azeez from Webb Middle School, and Cameron Daniel from LBJ Early College High School.These outstanding teachers were selected for their exceptional dedication and contributions to the education community. Ms. Arroyo-Forteza was recognized for her ability to establish trusting relationships and advocate for every student. Ms....
Universal Brain-Computer Interface Lets People Play Games With Just Their Thoughts
By Austin Journal | Mar 29, 2024
AUSTIN, Texas - Engineers at The University of Texas at Austin have developed a groundbreaking brain-computer interface that allows individuals to play games using only their thoughts. The research, aimed at improving the lives of people with motor disabilities, incorporates machine learning capabilities, making it a one-size-fits-all solution.Satyam Kumar, a graduate student involved in the project, highlighted the significance of this new technology, stating, "When we think about this in a clinical setting, this technology will make it so we won’t need a specialized...
UT, ACC, Texas Institute for Electronics to Launch Semiconductor Training Center to Meet Industry Workforce Needs
By Austin Journal | Mar 28, 2024
A new partnership between The University of Texas at Austin, Austin Community College District, and Texas Institute for Electronics (TIE) aims to address the workforce needs of America's semiconductor industry by launching a Semiconductor Training Center in Central Texas. This collaboration seeks to bridge the gap in skilled labor within the semiconductor field by providing comprehensive education and training opportunities.President Jay Hartzell emphasized UT's commitment to advancing the semiconductor industry, stating, "UT has a rich history as a leader in the...
Celebrating 2023-24 Volunteers of the Year
By Austin Journal | Mar 27, 2024
In a heartwarming display of community recognition, the Austin Independent School District (AISD) is celebrating the Volunteers of the Year for 2023-24. These individuals have been acknowledged for their exceptional dedication and support to their respective schools.From Allison Elementary to Zilker Elementary, volunteers like Jessica Herrera and Tomas Ruedas from Allison Elementary, Maria del Carmen Ruiz and Reyna Cruz from Andrews Elementary, and many others have been shining examples of selflessness and commitment to the betterment of their communities.Reflecting on...
Board to discuss Texas Academic Performance Report
By Austin Journal | Mar 27, 2024
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has released the Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) for the 2023-24 school year. The TAPR contains a wealth of performance data and information about districts and schools in the state. As part of the report, performance on the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) for students in grades 3–12 is highlighted, along with student and staff demographic information, enrollment, attendance, and graduation rates, as well as indicators of postsecondary readiness.However, due to ongoing litigation, the TEA did not release...
Annual Spring Climate Survey Launched by Austin ISD for Valuable Feedback
By Austin Journal | Mar 26, 2024
Austin Independent School District (AISD) has announced the launch of their annual spring climate survey, inviting parents and guardians to share their feedback until April 12.According to AISD, "Your insights provide invaluable perspectives on the educational climate, culture, and engagement within Austin ISD." The district emphasizes that "The district does not have access to individual responses or any personal data that could be used to identify a respondent."With a target of achieving an 80% completion rate across all campuses, AISD stresses the importance of...
Austin ISD Police Department Introduces Motorcycle Unit for Enhanced Campus Safety
By Austin Journal | Mar 25, 2024
The Austin ISD police department has unveiled its first motorcycle police unit, a move aimed at significantly improving school safety and community involvement."With the support of our board, our Austin ISD Police force will more than double in size, allowing us the flexibility with scheduling and supporting special events," said Wayne Sneed, Austin ISD police chief.The department's decision to establish the motorcycle unit comes in response to the introduction of Texas House Bill 3 last year, which mandated certain measures to ensure compliance with state regulations...
Critical Reminder about School Bus Safety
By Austin Journal | Mar 25, 2024
In the wake of a tragic bus accident in Bastrop County, the Austin Independent School District is emphasizing the importance of school bus safety. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2022, seven people lost their lives and 51 were seriously injured in crashes involving Texas school buses.One of the main factors contributing to these accidents was driver inattention and speed. In response to concerns about bus safety, the Austin ISD confirmed that all 551 of their buses are equipped with seatbelts, with 91 having lap belts and 460 having lap and...
SB 4 Immigration Law Once Again Blocked from Enforcement
By Austin Journal | Mar 21, 2024
The latest developments regarding the controversial SB 4 immigration law have once again stirred debate and uncertainty. The law, which grants certain powers to local and state law enforcement officials to arrest individuals suspected of entering the state without documentation, faced a new setback as a federal appeals court blocked its enforcement.In a report by , it was highlighted that the U.S. Supreme Court had initially allowed SB 4 to go into effect, only to be met with swift opposition from the federal appeals court. The law, if enforced, would criminalize...
Justin Dyer Named Dean of the School of Civic Leadership
By Austin Journal | Mar 21, 2024
President Jay Hartzell of The University of Texas at Austin has announced the appointment of Justin Dyer as the inaugural dean of the School of Civic Leadership. Dyer, who has been serving as interim dean since the school's launch, brings a wealth of experience to his new role.In a statement, President Hartzell highlighted the importance of Dyer's leadership, stating, “The School of Civic Leadership is building on UT’s longstanding tradition of educating future leaders in Texas and beyond." He further emphasized Dyer's expertise in American political thought and his...
Attorney General Ken Paxton Sues Two More Pornography Companies for Violating Texas Age Verification Law
By Austin Journal | Mar 21, 2024
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued Multi Media, LLC, and Hammy Media, major pornography companies that operate sites such as “Chaturbate” and “xHamster,” for violating HB 1181, a Texas law that requires reasonable age verification measures to protect minors from being exposed to harmful obscene material.According to the Attorney General, these companies failed to implement the necessary age verification systems, leading to minors accessing pornographic content without proper screening. Paxton is now seeking an injunction against the companies to enforce...
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Sues Biden Over Unlawful Ban on LNG Exports
By Austin Journal | Mar 21, 2024
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has taken legal action against the Biden Administration, filing a lawsuit aimed at halting what he deems an unlawful and indefinite ban on approving applications to export liquefied natural gas (LNG). Paxton's move comes in response to the Department of Energy's acknowledgment that the ban has "no factual or legal basis."Joined by Louisiana and fourteen other states, Texas is leading the charge to challenge the constitutionality of the LNG export ban. The lawsuit argues that the ban goes against the Natural Gas Act's presumption in favor...
Machine ‘Unlearning’ Safeguards AI from Copyright and Violent Content
By Austin Journal | Mar 21, 2024
Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have pioneered a groundbreaking approach to address the challenges faced by artificial intelligence encountering copyright-protected and violent content. This innovative method, known as "machine unlearning," is specifically tailored for image-based generative AI and aims to block and eliminate undesirable content without the need to start the training process from scratch.Professor Radu Marculescu from the Cockrell School of Engineering emphasized the significance of this advancement, stating, "When you train these models...
Austin ISD Board Considers Budget Cuts Amidst Legislative Funding Standstill
By Austin Journal | Mar 20, 2024
The Austin ISD Board of Trustees recently met to address potential budget cuts in light of the ongoing legislative inaction on school funding. With a looming $60 million deficit if spending remains the same as last year, the district is facing tough decisions.Despite Texas's significant $33 billion budget surplus, there has been little to no additional per-student funding approved during the last legislative session. This lack of funding increase, coupled with a 17% rise in inflationary costs, has put a strain on Austin ISD's financial situation.Last fiscal year, Austin...
Schools in Austin to Remain Open for Solar Eclipse Viewing
By Austin Journal | Mar 20, 2024
In preparation for the upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8, Austin Independent School District (AISD) has announced that schools will remain open to allow students and staff to witness this historic event firsthand."We’re keeping schools open so we can embrace this historic moment and ensure all students have the opportunity to see the eclipse," stated an unknown spokesperson. Austin is in the path of totality for the eclipse, a phenomenon that is not expected to occur again for more than 300 years.The decision to keep schools open was made in collaboration with...