Lisa Dreher

UT-Austin students are caught in the crosshairs of the rallies, social commentary and mobilization efforts to move a typically nonvoting population to the polls.

Austin is a dense city, so freshmen and other incoming UT students biking or trying the new Lime and Bird dockless scooters need to know how to navigate campus and downtown.

On Tuesday, the Austin Police Department arrested two males involved in a physical altercation on 24th Street and Rio Grande Street.

In the aftermath of its lab’s closure, the Austin Police Department will now send a majority of its faulty DNA cases to the University of North Texas Health Science Center to determine if retesting must be done.  

Year in Review

About 50 people blocked the entrance to the State Insurance Building on Monday and demanded Gov. Greg Abbott veto the bill he has vowed to sign once it reaches his desk.

The Austin City Council decided Thursday to continue a program that will assist residents with personalized commuting routes by bus, bike or carpool in an effort to eliminate cars and reduce traffic congestion.

Protesters chanted “traitor” and “show us your taxes” as they demanded President Donald Trump release his tax returns during a protest at the state Capitol on Saturday afternoon.

A federal judge struck down a Texas voter identification law Monday for the second time, saying it intentionally discriminated against minority voters.

A new 20-unit apartment complex may come to the West Campus area next year if the city approves it on Monday.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said Tuesday the original and revised travel bans under President Donald Trump are within his authority as they are a matter of national security.

U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke said its time for a new senator to represent Texas.

Austin Mayor Steve Adler said Thursday it is unclear whether Austin is a sanctuary city since Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly told him the federal government cannot define the term.

The U.S. Census released a revised report last Thursday saying Austin officially exceeded 2 million residents in 2016, and not 2015.

On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, introduced a bill that would simplify the financial aid application process and broaden students’ eligibility.

Federal judge panel says three Texas congressional districts discriminate against minority voters.

Plan set for next 10 years will implement more frequent bus routes and cost an additional $9 million.

Former Texas Democratic Party chairman Mike Collier retired his seat to challenge Patrick in 2018

A U.S. district court judge heard arguments Tuesday over whether a Texas law requiring government-issued identification to vote is discriminatory, but without the U.S. Department of Justice’s backing. 

Thousands showed solidarity in Austin as part of national campaign against physical and political divides.

In the 1970s, then UT undergraduate Jack Randall befriended a freshman percussionist in the Longhorn Band who frequented barbecue joints as a drummer in a country western band. 

 Second time judge asks for more evidence and a delay to remove Planned Parenthood from the state’s Medicaid program.  

 Paxton asks appeals court to reverse position President Trump’s travel ban  

About 50 gathered at State Capitol for global movement advocating against emotional and physical abuse.

Activists chanted against supposed detainments of undocumented immigrants in Austin in front of the J.J. Pickle Federal Building on Friday afternoon.

Prosecutors said Collin County is too biased for a fair jury for Paxton’s fraud case in May.

UT immigration lawyers say wall would keep out refugees.

Homebuilders, environmentalists debated over whether solar panels are cost-efficient

Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez said she would not turn over undocumented immigrants in local jails to federal agents without warrant

Abbott emphasizes education funding, securing the border and anti-abortion rights

Marchers protest Roe v. Wade decision anniversary 44 years ago.

Protest follows detainment of immigrants at airports across the country.

Austin City Council held its first meeting, discussing live music hours and abortion.

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump gave executive orders to build a wall between the United States and Mexico and to defund sanctuary cities that protect undocumented immigrants.

Austin’s streets were crowded again Saturday as tens of thousands joined the global Women’s March movement the day after inauguration protests swarmed the city.

Austin plans to form an LGBTQ Commission.

Arguments over Texas' plan to kick Planned Parenthood out of the state's Medicaid program.  

Students march in remembrance of civil rights leader.

Austin immigration attorney Jose “Chito” Vela III kicked off his campaign for House District 46 on Thursday evening, even though Rep. Dawnna Dukes was present when the legislative session was gaveled in.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will face trial for criminal fraud charges beginning May 1, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced his 2018 campaign for lieutenant governor and dismissed any notions he would challenge Gov. Greg Abbott Monday morning.

State Rep. Dawnna Dukes said she will return to the Legislature next week despite previously announced plans to retire, the Austin American-Statesman reported Saturday

Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced Thursday legislation requiring transgender individuals to use public restrooms and changing facilities based on the sex reflected on their birth certificate.

Representatives from each of the three UT legislative student organizations discussed the need for public and higher education funding, rising tuition rates and action concerning undocumented students for the upcoming legislative session during a panel discussion Thursday night.

The defense attorney for Meechaiel Criner, the 18-year-old charged with the murder of UT dance freshman Haruka Weiser in April, said he is waiting for DNA results that have been delayed by the Austin Police Department’s DNA lab backlog. 

As an outgoing member of the AISD Board of Trustees and mother of two children, Democrat and newly elected state House Rep. Gina Hinojosa calls upon the UT students she now represents to demand that state lawmakers take funding for public education — especially higher-ed — more seriously.

A poll recently released by The University of Texas and The Texas Tribune shows a majority of Texas voters unfavorably view the Black Lives Matter movement and believe transgender individuals must use the bathroom which aligns with their birth gender as opposed to their gender identity. 

According to APD officials, there are 722 pending sexual assault cases and 588 involving unprocessed rape kits since 2014.

Many UT students idly shuffled along the early voting line last week, but international student Marielisa Figuera Saggese’s friends back home are taking to Venezuela’s streets, pushed back by their own police.

Counties across Texas are breaking early voting records, with more than 17 percent of Travis County’s registered voters casting ballots in the first three days of early voting for the Nov. 8 election.

Austin City Council will negotiate possibly awarding two 12-month company contracts with Concept, Development and Planning and Texas Zero Waste Strategies to promote recycling sustainability efforts Thursday night.

Over 500 Austin restaurant employees will receive back wages after an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division revealed employers violated labor and wage laws.

The flames thickened the already humid air as their warm, orange glow illuminated cheering and smiling faces of students, faculty, alumni and other members of the University community marching toward the UT Tower Wednesday night in preparation of Saturday’s football game against Oklahoma.

Newly elected first-year representatives differ on political approaches.

Fossil Free Texas president Matthew Chovanec said he takes UT’s motto, “What starts here changes the world,” very seriously when it comes to combating climate change.

About one in five people report having a disability, and of the types of disabilities, the most commonly reported are invisible and go unnoticed to the human eye, according to the University’s Services for Students with Disabilities office.

Longhorn Advocates, a mentorship program through Student Government and Texas Exes, is urging students from all over the state to apply to represent the University in legislative work. 

“On Influence,” an exhibit in the Perry–Castañeda Library, showcases stories written by University faculty, describing the personal experiences that shaped their careers.