News from February 2022
UK researchers challenge ‘nearly neutral theory’ of DNA evolution
By Laurence Hecht | Feb 23, 2022
All organisms have some portion of their DNA that does not code for proteins, but the amounts vary greatly. Bacteria average about 2% non-coding DNA, while in humans the non-coding DNA comes to 98% of the total.
'We are thrilled to keep building on our record growth': American Airlines to launch two new nonstop flights from AUS
By John Suayan | Feb 23, 2022
Fort Worth-based American Airlines has added two new nonstop flights from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
City of Austin City Council will meet March 3
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Feb 23, 2022
City of Austin City Council will meet at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 3.
Austin ranked 8th most hardest-working U.S. city
By Austin Journal Reports | Feb 22, 2022
Austin came in eighth among 116 largest American cities in a study by the personal finance website WalletHub that ranked each city’s work ethic based on indicators such as the average hours worked per week and the share of workers with multiple jobs.
TikTok reportedly leases downtown Austin space
By Art Benavidez | Feb 22, 2022
A Chinese-based social video platform will open up operations in Austin, according to recent reports.
'Congratulations': Pflugerville Panthers take top spot at Cheer America Cheer Bowl Nationals
By Andy Nghiem | Feb 22, 2022
The Pflugerville High School Panthers cheerleading squad recently emerged victorious at the Cheer America Cheer Bowl Nationals in Galveston.
'Both party platforms call for eliminating corporate welfare': Expiring Chapter 313 provisions have reduced tax revenue by $10.8 billion
By Timothy Stuckey | Feb 22, 2022
Texas Chapter 313 provisions are currently scheduled to terminate by the end of 2022 after legislation to extend them failed to clear the Senate's last session, according to a report by the Lone Star Standard.
'This is not just about Russia and Ukraine': Texans with Ukrainian ties worry about Putin's next move
By John Suayan | Feb 22, 2022
As tensions between Russia and Ukraine heat up, Texans with Ukrainian ties worry about Russian President Vladimir Putin's next move.
'It's hard not to cry': Austin girls team captain dazzles crowd with rendition of national anthem
By John Suayan | Feb 22, 2022
While sporting events at all levels nationwide open with the singing of the “Star Spangled Banner,” the performance before a girls basketball playoff game between Austin High and Vandegrift had a unique feel to it.
'I'm a normal guy': UT senior moves on to 'Jeopardy!' finals
By John Suayan | Feb 22, 2022
"Who is Lady Chatterley?" By uttering that question in the final moments of the semifinals of Jeopardy's national college championship a few days ago, University of Texas senior finance and economics major Jaskaran Singh secured the opportunity to compete for the ultimate prize.
'There cannot be trust if there is no accountability': 19 Austin police officers indicted in connection with May 2020 protests
By John Suayan | Feb 22, 2022
Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza on Feb. 18 announced that a grand jury has indicted 19 Austin Police Department officers in connection with the May 2020 racial injustice protests that occurred in the Texas state capital.
St. David's HealthCare to invest $1 billion in new hospitals
By John Suayan | Feb 22, 2022
St. David's HealthCare will invest $1 billion to fund the construction of two hospitals in Central Texas.
Austin City Council recognizes February as 'Winter Storm Uri Remembrance Month'
By Trina Thomas | Feb 22, 2022
The Austin City Council passed a resolution recognizing the rest of February as "Winter Storm Uri Remembrance Month."
Korean scientists design magnetically controlled capsule to deliver drugs for gastrointestinal cancer
By Marjorie Hecht | Feb 21, 2022
Korean scientists have designed a magnetically controlled wireless capsule that can efficiently and non-invasively deliver treatment drugs to patients who have gastrointestinal cancer.
'It doesn’t really make sense': State leaders call for anti-China policy despite billions of Texas dollars already invested in the country
By Andy Nghiem | Feb 19, 2022
Texas lawmakers are calling for the state to adopt an anti-China approach, but the state has already invested billions in the country.
'Error from our operating staff': Austin Water three-day boil blamed on employee error
By John Kelly | Feb 18, 2022
Former Austin Water executive director Greg Meszaros blamed the recent three-day boil water notice on a staff error at the state capital.
Austin’s I-35 segment ranks 27th in new truck bottleneck study
By LGIS News Service | Feb 18, 2022
The portion of I-35 in Austin came in 27th among the 100 top truck bottlenecks ranked by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) based on big rigs’ GPS data.
A vote by Justice Scott Walker could cost him his bid for re-election
By Solange DeLisle | Feb 18, 2022
Justice Scott Walker has found himself in a tough fight for re-election in the March primary after he recently voted in favor of a Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruling that removed authority from the state Attorney General to prosecute election violations.
Abbott leads in polls, but some GOP members disagree with Trump endorsement
By Bob Martin | Feb 18, 2022
Gov. Greg Abbott was recently given a major endorsement for the upcoming GOP gubernatorial primary: former President Donald Trump.