News by Karen Kidd | Austin News

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Austin group supports Senate-passed legislation to ensure Texas grid reliability

By Karen Kidd | Apr 27, 2021

Legislation that would be have major implications for Texas' energy grid's reliability, which passed the state Senate last week, will force renewable energy sources into the stability of traditional suppliers, according to an Austin-based research and educational institution policy director.

Texas attorney general backs 'complete authority' for PUC to roll back $16 billion in storm-driven power bills

By Karen Kidd | Mar 23, 2021

Attorney General Ken Paxton's opinion last week, siding with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and, apparently, against Gov. Greg Abbott over how to deal with $16 billion in huge electric bills from last month's extreme weather crisis, has tossed the debate back into the state's Public Utility Commission's (PUC) lap.

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Report: DFPS 'unable or unwilling' to share information for mandated evaluation

By Karen Kidd | Mar 20, 2021

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is "unable or unwilling" to provide necessary information in a legislative-mandated report released earlier this month, according to the study, which the department's head criticized.

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Texas House balks at Senate's fast-track bill to roll back $16 billion in post-storm electric bills

By Karen Kidd | Mar 18, 2021

The Texas House is in no hurry to rubber-stamp legislation rushed through the Senate on Monday to reverse $16 billion in huge electric bills sent out following last month's extreme weather crisis.

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Austin's Nate Paul Initiative donating 10,000 meals through Feeding Texas

By Karen Kidd | Feb 24, 2021

The CEO of an Austin real estate holding company announced during the state's weather emergency last week that he would partner with an area hunger advocacy group to provide 100,000 meals.

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Austin pushes back against ERCOT request to shed more power in electrical outage crisis

By Karen Kidd | Feb 17, 2021

The city of Austin is resisting a request by the state corporation that controls Texas' electric power grid that the city and other providers shed power amid the ongoing power outages that could become worse, an Austin newspaper reported earlier Tuesday.

Black Star Co-op manager calls on legislature to clarify path to COVID-19 reopening

By Karen Kidd | Jan 14, 2021

State representatives need to figure out how to cut the Gordian Knot of reopening the Texas economy in a way that protects businesses, their employees, and public health – but that's only the short answer, a popular Austin brew pubs' manager said.

Mitte Foundation treasurer admits scant knowledge of foundation's finances in deposition

By Karen Kidd | Nov 23, 2020

The Roy F. and Joann Cole Mitte Foundation treasurer admitted under oath earlier this month that he knows little about the foundation's finances and that he "felt good" about his secretary handling those details.

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Austin billionaire Robert Smith agrees to pay $139 million in tax fraud plea deal

By Karen Kidd | Oct 29, 2020

The Austin billionaire who said he would pay off the Morehouse College Class of 2019's student debt won't do time over tax fraud allegations after agreeing to a plea deal earlier this month.

Finance reports: 2 Austin councilmen receive more than $36,000 from lobbying firm, developers

By Karen Kidd | Jul 30, 2020

Casar, Flannigan receive contributions from similar sources

U.S. renewable energy sources overtake coal during pandemic, Reactive Technologies director says

By Karen Kidd | Jul 14, 2020

Electricity from renewable sources has surpassed coal-driven power during the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S., Reactive Technologies Commercial Director Chris Kimmett said during a recently published Q&A.

Hearing date not yet set over Texas AG's human trafficking investigation into Austin private school

By Karen Kidd | May 19, 2020

A hearing date has not yet been set in the Texas Attorney General’s Office accusations that an Austin private school's founder intentionally withheld information and records in a human trafficking investigation.

Pandemic, personal tragedy leaves furloughed Austin man 'feeling helplessness'

By Karen Kidd | May 7, 2020

For furloughed Premier Parking employee Shane Williams, the COVID-19 pandemic is not simply a global health crisis that threw him out of work. It also has exacerbated a personal tragedy in his family.

SAFE Alliance adapts to help trafficking victims and survivors amid pandemic

By Karen Kidd | May 4, 2020

Austin-area human trafficking victims advocates have found new ways to help and reach victims in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, according to recent news report.

Austin hotel general manager urges Rep. McCaul to stop lenders' COVID-19 'vulture tactics'

By Karen Kidd | Apr 11, 2020

Lenders are using "vulture tactics" to prey on borrowers struck hard by the COVID-19 pandemic's economic impact, an Austin hotel general manager said in a recent letter to his congressional representative.

Company official: 'Parking, driving must be recognized as an industry in need of assistance'

By Karen Kidd | Apr 9, 2020

Jim Rogers was a teenager when he started his career in the parking and driving industry.

COVID-19 brings complications for human trafficking victims, Austin-area advocate says

By Karen Kidd | Mar 25, 2020

Already first in the nation for human trafficking, victims in Texas are facing some unique challenges in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, an Austin-based victims' advocate said during a recent interview.

Two Austin hotel workers provide face to those furloughed due to COVID-19 crisis

By Karen Kidd | Mar 22, 2020

Austin young professional, fresh out of college and now a COVID-19 furlough, remains hopeful

Human trafficking happens 'where there's lots of money,' victim advocate says

By Karen Kidd | Mar 13, 2020

Human trafficking doesn't just happen on the so-called "wrong side of town" in Texas, an advocate for victims said in a story recently published by the Community Impact Newspaper.

Texas Restaurant Association provides restroom signage to combat human trafficking

By Karen Kidd | Feb 1, 2020

A statewide restaurant group is stepping up in the fight against human trafficking with signage and other resources to help Texas restaurants reach out to victims and provide help.

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