Latest News from Austin Journal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...

Semiconductor Master’s Program Will Offer Hands-on Experience in Rapidly Growing Industry

A new master’s degree program at The University of Texas at Austin is set to address the increasing demand for semiconductor scientists and engineers, providing students with the opportunity to play a pivotal role in advancing the semiconductor industry. The program, slated to commence in the fall of 2025, will offer a Master of Science in Engineering with a major in semiconductor science and engineering, in collaboration between the Cockrell School of Engineering and College of Natural Sciences.President Jay Hartzell expressed, “This program fits squarely within our...

Celebrating Youth Art Month at Austin ISD

Art is the heartbeat of expression, and at Austin ISD, we're excited to celebrate our incredibly talented students and the powerful impact of art in our schools. In a statement, the Council for Art Education emphasized the importance of championing the power of creativity in education.The Districtwide Student Exhibition, hosted at the Performing Arts Center until March 30, is showcasing a diverse range of artwork from paintings to sculptures, inviting everyone to come and be inspired by the students' creativity.Thanks to the support of sponsors like Reagan Outdoor...

Surviving a Volcanic Supereruption May Have Facilitated Human Dispersal Out of Africa

Researchers working in the Horn of Africa have uncovered evidence showing how Middle Stone Age humans survived in the wake of the eruption of Toba, one of the largest supervolcanoes in history, some 74,000 years ago. The behavioral flexibility of these Middle Stone Age people not only helped them live through the supereruption but may have facilitated the later dispersal of modern humans out of Africa and across the rest of the world.Excavations at a Middle Stone Age archaeological site, Shinfa-Metema 1, in the lowlands of northwest Ethiopia revealed a population of...

Texas Continues To Face Child Care Accessibility Crisis

Texas is currently facing a significant child care accessibility crisis, as highlighted in a recent policy brief by researchers at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin. Steven Pedigo, a professor and director of the LBJ Urban Lab, emphasized the importance of addressing this issue, stating, "Improving access to affordable, quality child care is essential for maintaining economic development and enhancing the well-being of our Texas communities."The challenges in the Texas child care system are stark. The average cost for infant care in the...

Attorney General Ken Paxton Sues Colony Ridge for Fraudulent Practices That Enabled Major Problematic Real Estate Development to Flourish

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued the Colony Ridge development in Liberty County for deceptive trade practices, fraud in real estate transactions, and other violations of Texas and federal law.Colony Ridge is a sprawling real estate development northeast of Houston that has expanded quickly in recent years. In an October 2023 letter to Members of the United States Congress and fellow Texas leadership, Attorney General Paxton noted that the development’s rapid growth has presented major problems. He expressed concerns, stating, "The development appears to be...

Tanks of the Triassic: New Crocodile Ancestor Identified

A new study led by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin has identified a new species of ancient crocodile ancestor, shedding light on the evolutionary history of these creatures. The research, published in The Anatomical Record, focuses on a well-preserved aetosaur specimen named Garzapelta muelleri.William Reyes, a doctoral student at the UT Jackson School of Geosciences and the lead researcher, highlighted the significance of the find, stating, "We have elements from the back of the neck and shoulder region all the way to the tip of the tail." Reyes also...

Attorney General Ken Paxton Prevails at SCOTUS Allowing Texas Immigration Law to Take Effect

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has achieved a significant legal victory as the Supreme Court of the United States rejected emergency motions filed by the Biden Administration and other groups attempting to halt the implementation of Texas’s recent immigration law, SB 4.The Supreme Court's decision to deny the emergency motions has cleared the way for Texas to enforce SB 4 immediately, following the vacation of an administrative stay previously granted. This development allows Texas to proceed with the law's enforcement while the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth...

Austin ISD Celebrates Pride Week