News from November 2021


U.S. team studies what drives amphibian extinctions

Emerging infectious diseases, in particular chytridiomycosis, are responsible for drastic declines in amphibian diversity around the world. Determining the factors that influence these pathogens and how they spread can help scientists understand the dynamics involved.



Georgetown dad fighting cancer 'grateful' to watch son's last high school football game

A Georgetown father and cancer patient was grateful that he was able to see his son's last high school football game, KVUE reported.


Swiss device creates jet fuel from air

A solar-powered system for generating liquid hydrocarbon fuels from the hydrogen and carbon dioxide contained in air is currently in operation on a rooftop of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich.



City of Austin Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors met Nov. 4

City of Austin Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors met Thursday, Nov. 4.


City of Austin Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors will meet Dec. 2

City of Austin Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors will meet at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 2.


City of Austin City Council will meet Dec. 1

City of Austin City Council will meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1.


City of Austin City Council will meet Dec. 2

City of Austin City Council will meet 10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 2.


Texas scores 77 out of 100 in financial transparency study

Texas earned a score of 77 out of a possible 100 points in a ranking by the Chicago-based policy institute Truth in Accounting (TIA), putting the state in a tie for 28th place among the 50 states.


International team offers strategy to reduce risk of vaccine-resistant COVID-19 variants

An increase in COVID-19 vaccinations brings with it the risk that a vaccine-resistant strain could still emerge.


City of Austin Audit and Finance Committee met Oct. 27

City of Austin Audit and Finance Committee met Wednesday, Oct. 27.


'Our city's greatest present challenges': Austin City Council calls special session over housing shortage

The housing supply is so tight in Austin, the city council has called a special session Nov. 30 to discuss the situation.


Austin Police Department working to 'have a police force that reflects the community'

The Austin Police Department is increasing its efforts to increase the diversity of the force, including Asian Pacific Islanders, KVUE reported.


City of Austin City Council met Oct. 14

City of Austin City Council met Thursday, Oct. 14.



Five things that may surprise you about ACA plans in Texas

Right now, we are in the open enrollment period to purchase health insurance through an ACA marketplace for 2022 coverage.


Texas on course to boost spending by 5% in fiscal year 2021

Texas is poised to increase its expenditures by 5% during the current fiscal year, more than 11 points below the 16.2% average rate for all 50 states, according to a new study from the National Association of State Budget Officers.


Vandegrift knocks off undefeated Cibolo Steele to advance in state tourney

A battle between two of the state’s top football teams turned into a one-sided affair with Vandegrift shutting out then-undefeated Cibolo Steele in the state tournament 38-0.