News from July 2021
Over 81% of Americans feel 'pride' or 'patriotism' as Olympic Games commence, poll finds
By Art Benavidez | Jul 29, 2021
A recent poll shows that Americans are prideful and patriotic when thinking of the U.S. flag as the Olympic Games in Tokyo commence.
Majority of Americans oppose potential vaccine mandates as a result of a 'stream of propaganda from the press,' survey finds
By Karla Florez | Jul 29, 2021
A recently conducted Trafalgar Group survey revealed that the majority of American residents would prefer if the COVID-19 vaccine remained optional, while others support proposed vaccine mandates.
'Texas breeds innovation': Abbott salutes Lone Star ties to Blue Origin spaceflight
By John Suayan | Jul 29, 2021
Patience is a virtue, and it paid off for aviator Wally Funk earlier this month when she finally realized her lifelong dream of traveling to space.
31 Texas beaches have unsafe water quality for at least 1 out of 4 sampling days, study finds
By Austin Journal Reports | Jul 28, 2021
The number of Texas beaches that had hazardous water quality for at least one out of four sampling days in 2020 was 31, according to a new analysis of bacteria data in 29 coastal and Great Lakes States as well as Puerto Rico.
Austin finishes 3rd in ranking of 2021 fastest-growing U.S. metro areas
By Austin Journal Reports | Jul 27, 2021
Austin came in third in a new study by the real estate software company Stessa Inc. that ranked the U.S. metro areas with the greatest economic growth in 2021.
Abbott: Texas Democrats' decision to flee to Washington, D.C. 'inflicts harm on Texans'
By John Suayan | Jul 27, 2021
A group of Texas Democratic lawmakers fled a special session of the state legislature on July 12 called by Gov. Greg Abbott in another effort to thwart Republican-sponsored election integrity legislation.
Despite what critics call 'a childish, desperate move,' Texas Dems continue earning per diems in absentia
By Timothy Stuckey | Jul 26, 2021
Dozens of Texas House Democrats who have left the state in order to prevent the majority-holding Republicans from enacting legislation during a special session convened by Gov. Greg Abbott are still collecting their per diem, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Texas PUC says 'a full overhaul and redesign of this market' is coming
By Timothy Stuckey | Jul 23, 2021
The Texas Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has indicated that the state's electricity infrastructure and market will face significant adjustments in the aftermath of February's widespread outages, according to a report by Energy Wire.
‘The lights are going to stay on’: ERCOT, PUC officials said reliability of power grid is top priority, tests to begin next week
By T.H. Lawrence | Jul 22, 2021
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) failed this winter and people died.
Mayor Adler promoting use of masks in public schools
By Art Benavidez | Jul 22, 2021
With the recent spike in coronavirus cases in the city, Mayor Steven Adler has announced his desire that students mask up when they return to school.
Restrictions returning? That is the question for Austin
By Christina Heath | Jul 22, 2021
The recent increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations throughout Austin and Travis County puts a more probable chance that Stage 4 guidelines will have to return.
Use of force charges dropped; Garza: 'I offer my sincere apologies'
By Christina Heath | Jul 22, 2021
The Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza has dropped charges against Austin Police Department Officer Gregory Gentry that resulted from a March 2019 incident.
Former site of last all-Black high school receives historical marker and new school
By Art Benavidez | Jul 22, 2021
The final all-Black school in the city, L.C. Anderson, is being recognized with a historical marker and a new high school adjacent the old location.
'Texas breeds innovation': Abbott congratulations Funk, Bezos on voyage Blue Origin space flight
By Savannah Howe | Jul 22, 2021
The Blue Origin voyage space mission broke two records in one trip.
Democrats’ decision to flee state an attempt to push 'federal overreach' in Texas
By T.H. Lawrence | Jul 22, 2021
State Sen. Hughes witnessed similar attempt in 2003; says voters are not happy with absent lawmakers
UT Austin statisticians win Mitchell Prize for research on language learning
By Christina Heath | Jul 22, 2021
A team of statisticians from the University of Texas at Austin has received the top award in the field, a Mitchell Prize.
'We hear you, and we're on it,' Austin city officials assure perturbed cyclists
By Savannah Howe | Jul 21, 2021
City officials are working toward making Austin's streets more cyclist-friendly.
Abbott calls for 'hypocritical' Texas Democrat legislators to get back to work after they 'abandoned their responsibilities'
By Christina Heath | Jul 21, 2021
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is speaking out against state Democratic legislators who he claims fled the state for Washington, D.C., in order to avoid voting on new election laws and other bills.
Hand in hand: Price lauds Texas laws to expand telehealth, extend broadband services as 'better use of the technology'
By John Kelly | Jul 21, 2021
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has signed legislation both expanding telehealth and remote patient monitoring and extending broadband services into law.
Save Austin Now anticipates 'overwhelming victory,' more city police officers
By Savannah Howe | Jul 21, 2021
An advocacy group in Austin is working to see more blue in the city soon.