Quantcast

Austin News

Saturday, December 21, 2024

Mary Lou Lang News

DFPS trafficking report 'shows Texas is not living up to its obligation to the children in its care'

By Mary Lou Lang | Jun 16, 2021

A recent report found that thousands of children in the Texas foster care system went missing in 2020 and that many were victimized and subjected to sex trafficking.

Medium andrewbrown1200

Center for Families and Children director: 'No one-size-fits-all model' in state for foster care

By Mary Lou Lang | Mar 24, 2021

A recent university report shows that Texas' move to a community-based child foster care system needs improvement, and one analyst said the paper provides detailed recommendations for changes.

Medium eutmu3gxyam42zd

Exelon challenges PUC's orders to reset electric prices to $9,000 M/wh during storm

By Mary Lou Lang | Mar 19, 2021

An energy provider is challenging the legal authority of the Public Utility Commission of Texas orders to reset electric prices to $9,000/Mwh during the February winter storm.

Medium nikkipressley

Texas human trafficking cases surge, even during pandemic

By Mary Lou Lang | Mar 4, 2021

Human trafficking cases in Texas continue to rise and reports indicate that arrests increased 251% last year. The COVID-19 pandemic did not hinder the industry but presented even more challenges.

Medium maxresdefault

Chincanchan supports police funding cuts, controversial rezoning plan

By Mary Lou Lang | Nov 3, 2020

David Chincanchan, candidate for the open Austin City Council District 2 seat, supports cutting police funding, repealing the homeless camping ban and a controversial rezoning plan.

Medium fuentes

Progressive Fuentes supports police budget cuts, $7 billion transit plan

By Mary Lou Lang | Nov 3, 2020

Vanessa Fuentes, a candidate for the open seat on Austin City Council in District 2, supports police budget cuts, a repeal of the ban on homeless camping and favors the $7 billion transit plan.

Medium jimmy

Finance records: Flannigan OKs cases represented by lobbying firm that donated to his re-election

By Mary Lou Lang | Oct 23, 2020

Austin City Council member Jimmy Flannigan has received significant donations from a lobbying firm for his re-election campaign and has voted in favor of real estate cases that firm has represented, according to campaign finance reports.

Medium mailinvoting

Austin residents to vote on two transportation funding measures

By Mary Lou Lang | Oct 14, 2020

Voters in Austin on Election Day will decide on two ballot measures that will fund transportation improvements. One includes a new property tax for transit expansion and the other will allow the city to borrow funds for sidewalk and street repairs.

Medium adobestock 332459920

More Texans expect to partially work from home when pandemic ends

By Mary Lou Lang | Oct 13, 2020

Working from home has become the norm during COVID-19 and many in central Texas think they will continue this trend following the pandemic, at least occasionally, according to a new survey.

Medium steveflores

Round Rock ISD superintendent says district's reopening plan designed to be 'flexible' as year continues

By Mary Lou Lang | Sep 21, 2020

The Round Rock Independent School District welcomed back some students and teachers earlier this month for in-person instruction as part of a two-phased reopening to ensure everyone is kept safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Medium heywoodsanders

San Antonio professor: 'There are other pressing public needs right now' than convention centers

By Mary Lou Lang | Sep 18, 2020

The convention industry's future is bleak with so much uncertainty on travel and the economy due the to COVID-19 pandemic, one analyst says.

Medium 5f55dde71f938

Leander ISD's reopening slated to hit phase two next week

By Mary Lou Lang | Sep 18, 2020

With a phased-in approach of returning to students to classes, Leander ISD reported that everyone has been helpful in complying with protocols in place to ensure a safe in-person learning environment.

Medium johnkunz

Waterloo Records owner says pandemic has decimated Austin's music industry

By Mary Lou Lang | Sep 18, 2020

The Austin music industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and one record store owner who closed in March said he has seen many businesses shutter for good.

Medium tomleonard

Eanes ISD returns 25% of students to in-person classes

By Mary Lou Lang | Sep 17, 2020

Some Eanes ISD students returned to school on Sept. 8, but this school year is much different than past years.

Medium kevinrussell

Shinyribs front man on Austin's music industry: 'There should be a comprehensive plan to save the soul of our city'

By Mary Lou Lang | Sep 16, 2020

A front man for a longtime local band was set to have his best year ever, but then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, creating staggering losses for him and Austin's music industry.

Medium school800

In-person teaching 'is in the public health interest,' CDC director says

By Mary Lou Lang | Aug 14, 2020

Reopening schools for in-person instruction in Texas and nationwide has been a hotly debated issue, but the Centers for Disease Control believes it is the best course of action for students despite the continued presence of COVID-19.