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Saturday, April 19, 2025

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.