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Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

All content by Chase Karacostas
Karacostas_30Spring2020

Workaholic finally breaks up with the Texan, will only miss the Tea

Chase Karacostas May 8, 2020

How do you write about the end? How do you encapsulate four years in a place that gave you every high and low you never expected? I’m not entirely sure, but I know it wasn’t perfect. My time...

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Butler School professor Dan Welcher resigned after sexual harassment, misconduct violations

Chase Karacostas March 30, 2020

Editor’s note: This story is about sexual harassment and misconduct. It contains graphic images and descriptions. Composition professor Dan Welcher resigned on March 2 shortly before the University...

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Afraid to speak up: Culture of silence surrounded UT music professor’s conduct for years

Chase Karacostas December 5, 2019

The allegations of sexual misconduct by composition professor Dan Welcher detailed in an article by VAN Magazine earlier this semester were shocking to some in the Butler School of Music. But for others...

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Composition professor leaves music school following sexual misconduct allegations

Chase Karacostas October 1, 2019

Update 9:22 p.m.:  Composition professor Dan Welcher said in an email to The Daily Texan that he has not yet heard from the Office for Inclusion and Equity, the College of Fine Arts or the Butler...

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Legislative session ends, UT receives small increase in state funding

Chase Karacostas May 29, 2019

The 86th legislative session ended Monday, and UT got a modest increase in funding, mirroring the last legislative session two years ago. The University received a 4% raise in funding from the state...

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State Rep. Mary González awarded University of Texas Ph.D as she finishes fourth legislative session

Chase Karacostas May 18, 2019

Whenever there's a lull on the Texas House floor, state Rep. Mary González immediately pulls out her textbooks to cram in some last-minute studying. Just like any other UT student, she has finals...

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UT’s switch to Workday came with more than a few hiccups, but they were to be expected

Brenna Hinshaw and Chase Karacostas May 8, 2019

Editor’s Note: The names of students in this article were changed for fear of alienating their managers. It’s affected every corner of campus, and few people have anything good to say about...

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U.S. Senate to roll out bill to raise tobacco age

Chase Karacostas May 1, 2019

With the Texas Legislature just weeks away from passing a bill to raise the age limit for tobacco purchase and consumption to 21, the United States Senate is preparing to propose the same measure...

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Students unlikely to benefit from swap of property tax cap for sales tax increase, experts say

Chase Karacostas April 25, 2019

Students are unlikely to see any benefits and could even be hurt by the state’s proposal to counterbalance the property tax rate cap with an increase in the state sales tax, experts say. However,...

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Air Force veteran MJ Hegar announces 2020 Senate run against John Cornyn

Chase Karacostas April 24, 2019

MJ Hegar, the Air Force veteran who narrowly lost a Congressional race in Round Rock last year, announced Tuesday she would challenge incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in 2020.  A previously unknown...

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President Greg Fenves approves changes to athletics council that critics said would damage student representation

Jackson Barton and Chase Karacostas April 10, 2019

UT President Gregory Fenves recently approved a policy some students have said would hurt their voice and influence on the Intercollegiate Athletics Council. Current and former members of the Council...

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Proposed changes to council overseeing athletics department could dilute student voices

Chase Karacostas April 1, 2019

UT President Gregory Fenves is reviewing a proposal that some say would hurt student representation on the Intercollegiate Athletics Council, one of the most powerful advisory committees on campus. Students...

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Beto O’Rourke makes his run for president official with kick-off rally in Austin

Chase Karacostas March 31, 2019

With the Texas Capitol as his backdrop, former Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke greeted a crowd of thousands Saturday night in Austin to officially launch his bid for president. “This democracy...

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Family of Nicky Cumberland backs anti-hazing legislation in emotional testimony at Texas Capitol

Chase Karacostas March 21, 2019

State Rep. Angie Chen Button dabbed away tears as Shawn Cumberland described how his son Nicky died from injuries sustained in a car crash as he left a Texas Cowboys initiation event. “I’m...

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Beto O’Rourke announces presidential bid, two candidates from Texas now vying for Democratic nomination

Chase Karacostas March 14, 2019

Former Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke told an El Paso TV station on Wednesday that he is officially running for president. The announcement came via text, according to the station. O’Rourke...

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Former UT President Bill Powers dies at 72

Chase Karacostas March 10, 2019

Severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings caused UT to cancel its spring commencement in 2015, but students gathered the next day to host a makeshift ceremony.  Despite it being entirely unplanned,...

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Changes in funding force AIDS Services of Austin to relocate free STD test clinic near campus

Chase Karacostas March 5, 2019

Every time Tony Hernandez went to get STD testing by himself, he got nervous and his hands would sweat. Sometimes it even felt like he was about to receive a death sentence. “But the Q made me...

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The “bathroom bill” as it was may be dead, but lawmakers say new anti-LGBTQ+ issues could be on the horizon

Chase Karacostas February 25, 2019

Texas lawmakers in 2017 spent weeks fighting over various iterations of the so-called “bathroom bill.” But weeks into this year’s legislative session, there has been barely a whisper...

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Hey, Curious Campus: What’s Beto O’Rourke planning for 2020? A run for president, or Senate?

Chase Karacostas February 22, 2019

One after another, Democrats are launching their bids for the Party’s 2020 nomination. But 2018 Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke is still mulling whether to run as he makes his way around the...

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First-time freshman international student enrollment drops nationally and at UT

Chase Karacostas February 14, 2019

Correction: This story has been updated to accurately reflect the University's enrollment numbers. The Texan regrets this error. UT’s enrollment of international students who are first-time...

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Bill could force undocumented students to pay out-of-state tuition, quadrupling cost of UT

Chase Karacostas February 7, 2019

A bill filed by state Rep. Kyle Biedermann could take away undocumented students’ ability to pay in-state tuition at Texas colleges and universities.  If it passes, the cost of tuition for...

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Higher education commissioner to resign after 15 years

Chase Karacostas February 5, 2019

Higher education commissioner Raymund Paredes said he never lost sight of the students he was working to support in his 15 years on the job, even when it meant testifying to lawmakers at the Capitol...

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New campaign to combat opioid epidemic neglects major solutions, experts say

Chase Karacostas January 31, 2019

With the United States likely to have one million fatalities from the opioid crisis by 2020, Attorney General Ken Paxton launched a campaign to educate Texans on the dangers of prescription painkillers....

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Dell Med unveils $300 million redesign of Austin State Hospital, state mental health care

Chase Karacostas January 29, 2019

The Dell Medical School unveiled its nearly $300 million plan to remodel Austin State Hospital, the oldest psychiatric facility in the state. Austin State Hospital first opened in 1861 and has expanded...

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Government shutdown could soon affect financial aid applications, University of Texas research

Chase Karacostas January 23, 2019

The government shutdown could affect federal student financial aid applications and, down the line, federally funded research projects at UT-Austin. The federal Department of Education oversees...

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Federal judge blocks Trump administration from adding citizenship question to 2020 census

Chase Karacostas January 22, 2019

A federal judge in New York has barred the Trump administration from adding a citizenship question to the 2020 census, calling the Commerce Department’s decision a “veritable smorgasbord”...

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What a drag: Moojo, Austin Pizza, Jamba Juice and Fat Sal’s — some of the Drag’s staples — close permanently

Chase Karacostas January 22, 2019

The Drag, UT’s ever-changing food and shopping scene, has lost four more staples over winter break — Moojo, Fat Sal’s, Jamba Juice and Austin’s Pizza. But Kokodak, a new restaurant,...

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Federal judge blocks Trump administration from adding citizenship question to 2020 census

Chase Karacostas January 15, 2019

A federal judge in New York has barred the Trump administration from adding a citizenship question to the 2020 census, calling the Commerce Department’s decision a “veritable smorgasbord”...

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Julián Castro, former San Antonio mayor and HUD secretary, announces run for president

Chase Karacostas January 12, 2019

Julián Castro, former Housing and Urban Development secretary, declared his candidacy for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination Saturday morning. The former San Antonio mayor made his announcement...

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‘A historical abomination’: State Preservation board votes to remove Confederate plaque from Capitol

Chase Karacostas January 11, 2019

The State Preservation Board voted this morning to remove a Confederate plaque from the Capitol that was placed there 60 years ago. The six-member board – made up of the governor, lieutenant governor,...

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Moojo’s, Austin’s Pizza — two of the Drag’s staples — close permanently over winter break

Chase Karacostas January 11, 2019

The Drag, UT’s ever-changing food and shopping scene, has lost two more staples – Moojo’s and Austin’s Pizza. The ice cream sandwich and pizza shops closed over winter break....

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UT System begins laying off employees to cut costs, refocus administrative functions

Chase Karacostas January 9, 2019

UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken laid off approximately 65 employees this week as part of a plan to reduce costs across the 700-person administrative branch that oversees UT-Austin and 13 other institutions. The...

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Dennis Bonnen unanimously elected Texas House speaker, succeeding long-time leader Joe Straus

Chase Karacostas January 8, 2019

State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, was elected speaker of the Texas House of Representatives by a unanimous vote on Tuesday, just hours into the session’s opening day. Bonnen is replacing...

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Sen. Charles Schwertner steps down from chairmanship following inconclusive University of Texas harassment investigation

Chase Karacostas January 5, 2019

State Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, has told Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the Senate leader, he wants to give up his chairmanship of the Health and Human Services Committee. This follows an inconclusive...

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New scooter rules, regulations likely coming to University of Texas campus in 2019

Chase Karacostas December 22, 2018

A group of campus officials released a set of recommendations this week to increase regulations on commercial scooters around campus, including “aggressive” impounding of scooters violating...

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UT student reports sexual assault at Jester West Dormitory

Chase Karacostas December 17, 2018

A UT student reported a non-stranger sexual assault that occurred at 5 p.m. Sunday, according to a campus-wide safety alert email.  UTPD is actively investigating the incident, according to the...

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Free speech group files lawsuit accusing UT-Austin of stifling student First Amendment rights

Chase Karacostas December 16, 2018

Speech First, a national group that advocates for free speech on college campuses, filed a federal lawsuit this week accusing UT-Austin of stifling students’ free speech rights. The lawsuit specifically...

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Texas Democrat files bill that alerts colleges if transfer students have history of sex offenses

Chase Karacostas December 14, 2018

A state legislator filed a bill yesterday which would provide colleges with more information about transfer students with a history of sexual misconduct or violence. House Bill 524 would require “specific...

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Attorney general Jeff Sessions resigns at President Trump’s request

Chase Karacostas November 7, 2018

Attorney general Jeff Sessions resigned at President Donald Trump’s request just one day after the midterm election. Sessions’ departure has been forecast by news outlets for months. Matthew...

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Austin could reach 52 percent renewable energy by 2021

Chase Karacostas November 5, 2018

Austin plans to reach 52 percent renewable energy production by 2021 thanks in part to a solar contract approved by the City Council in October that may also reduce electricity rates.  This latest...

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Semester in Review: looking back, looking forward

CRIME: Looking forward Meechaiel Criner’s trial is set to begin July 9. Criner was indicted by a grand jury for capital murder in connection with the 2016 death of dance freshman Haruka Weiser. Looking...

Texas sues federal government to end DACA

Chase Karacostas May 2, 2018

Fulfilling a threat made last summer against the Trump administration, Texas has filed a lawsuit to force the federal government to end DACA. DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is the...

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Lori Brown honors son by advocating for safer UT

Chase Karacostas and Maria Mendez May 1, 2018

Walking on campus in April, Lori Brown remembered her son Harrison Brown’s first year at UT. “Harrison had a moped down here,” Lori said with a laugh in the AT&T Center parking...

May 1, 2017: Campus remembers

Chase Karacostas May 1, 2018

A year ago today, as students were starting their last week of classes, UT was suddenly robbed of its sense of security. Three people were injured and one was killed in an on-campus stabbing that tore...

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Residents of Goodall Wooten dormitory told they must leave by May 16

Meara Isenberg and Chase Karacostas April 26, 2018

The Goodall Wooten is a plain, high-rise dormitory building located on The Drag. It’s known by residents as “The Woo,” and many who pass by it barely even notice it’s there.  Some...

Federal judge orders Trump administration to begin accepting new DACA applications, with 90-day delay

Chase Karacostas April 25, 2018

A federal judge in Washington D.C. has ordered the Trump administration to begin accepting applications for DACA, which protects young immigrants brought to the country illegally from deportation, with...

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Travis County breaks voter registration record, Texas may soon have online voting

Chase Karacostas April 23, 2018

Travis County now has the highest total number of registered voters ever in the county with more than 740,000 people registered. The county broke its record last month when it surpassed the previous...

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Never fear, UT turtles will stay here

Chase Karacostas and Maria Mendez April 19, 2018

Students were sent into a frenzy Tuesday as horror-film-esque rumors circulated — the turtle pond and the BOT greenhouse might be demolished. However, the turtle pond and greenhouse are not going...

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Beyond the label: How one student is breaking down misconceptions

Chase Karacostas and Jacqueline Briddell April 16, 2018

As most UT students power walk to class with headphones in their ears and textbooks in hand, finance junior Amie Jean carefully navigates her way through the crowds on Speedway with her sidekick Alfred,...

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Nation’s top doctor advises Americans carry life-saving opioid overdose reversal drug

Chase Karacostas April 11, 2018

The U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams released a public health advisory last week urging more Americans to carry the life-saving drug naloxone if they or others they know are at risk of an opioid overdose. Naloxone,...

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Gay dating app Grindr will remind users to get tested for HIV regularly

Chase Karacostas April 9, 2018

The gay dating app Grindr, which claims to have more than 3 million daily users, now offers a feature for users to receive reminders to get HIV tested every 3–6 months. The reminders debuted late...

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UT pharmacy professor Richard Morrisett found dead in South Austin home Thursday afternoon

Chase Karacostas and Anna Lassmann April 6, 2018

Update (2:56 p.m.): The Travis County Sheriff’s office said they went to Morrisett’s house Thursday as part of a welfare check. The check was called in by the University after Morrisett...

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Fenves strengthens policy for disciplining employees for criminal conduct

Chase Karacostas April 5, 2018

The University is strengthening its policy to discipline employees for crimes committed off campus, according to an email this morning from UT President Gregory Fenves. The decision comes two months...

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Border wall plans likely to destroy wildlife, further threaten endangered species, biologists say

Chase Karacostas April 5, 2018

With efforts to construct a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border ramping up, several UT biologists wrote a letter saying the proposed wall could destroy rare habitats along the border, cost the state millions...

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CapMetro unveils ‘high-capacity transit’ improvements

Chase Karacostas April 2, 2018

After releasing a few details earlier this month, CapMetro has unveiled its near-complete vision for increasing high-capacity transit routes throughout the Austin area. Some Austinites hope this brings...

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State could cut higher education funding in 2019

Chase Karacostas March 29, 2018

With low starting budget projections and large bills for Hurricane Harvey aid and Medicaid, higher education funding may be in danger of being cut when the state Legislature reconvenes next year. State...

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Student body presidential candidates barred from campaigning by Election Supervisory Board

Chase Karacostas March 22, 2018

Update (1:00 p.m.): The Election Supervisory Board has released the resolutions regarding the moratoriums issued against student body president candidates Guneez Ibrahim and Colton Becker. Becker’s...

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Voting wait time at FAC for primaries 14 times longer than Travis County as a whole

Chase Karacostas March 22, 2018

On primary election day earlier this month, the average wait time for the Flawn Academic Center polling booth was 42 minutes — 14 times longer than the average for all of Travis County.   This...

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Despite this year’s increase, voter turnout usually falls with Student Government runoff elections

Chase Karacostas March 20, 2018

Between the initial Student Government executive alliance vote this month and the special election that followed, voter turnout increased by 31 percent. Historically, however, voter turnout has decreased...

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5th Circuit upholds majority of “anti-sanctuary cities” law, for now

Chase Karacostas March 19, 2018

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals decided last week to mostly uphold Senate Bill 4, the “anti-sanctuary cities law,” for now. Several cities, including El Paso, Austin and Houston, sued the...

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Cruz and O’Rourke sweep their respective primaries

Chase Karacostas March 7, 2018

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke are projected to win by wide margins in the Republican and Democratic primaries, respectively, according to initial voting precinct reports. Cruz,...

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Dean of Students orders new executive alliance election to be held this week

Chase Karacostas March 6, 2018

Update (12:30 pm): Guneez Ibrahim, whose executive alliance with Hannah McMorris garnered over 30 percent of the votes last week, said she feels validated by the decision to hold a new election. But,...

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Colton-Mehraz executive alliances dispels rumors on social media, address harmful campaign environment

Chase Karacostas March 6, 2018

In a Facebook post Monday, Colton Becker, who won the Student Government executive alliance election last week, attempted to dispel the rumors of sending sexually harassing messages and nude SnapChat photos...

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Guneez–Hannah executive alliance addresses campaign environment on social media

Chase Karacostas March 6, 2018

Student body president candidate Guneez Ibrahim released a message on her social media platforms Saturday addressing the way she and her running mate Hannah McMorris were harassed throughout their campaign. The...

DACA remains despite Trump’s early March deadline to end program

Chase Karacostas March 6, 2018

When Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election, many of the so-called “Dreamers” — who were protected from deportation by an Obama-era policy — knew their days in the U.S....

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Student Government Supreme Court declares executive alliance results invalid

Chase Karacostas March 5, 2018

Editor's note: We are continually updating this story as more information is made available. Update (7:01 p.m.): J.B. Bird, director of media relations at UT, said the Dean of Students is currently...

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Colton-Mehraz alliance elected student body president and vice president

Chase Karacostas March 3, 2018

Highlights - Colton-Mehraz alliance elected student body president and vice president  - Colton-Mehraz, Guneez-Hannah campaigns both issued Class B violations Friday afternoon -...

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House District 46 incumbent Dawnna Dukes faces stiff opposition in next week’s primary

Chase Karacostas March 2, 2018

House District 46, which lies east of Interstate 35, has been ruled for 24 years by one individual, Dawnna Dukes. Now she faces five challengers, two of which might be formidable obstacles in next week’s...

Primary ballot candidate explainer

Chase Karacostas February 27, 2018

The upcoming primary election has become increasingly contentious as Republican officeholders retire in droves while Democrats run for every single U.S. House seat in Texas for the first time in years....

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Supreme Court rejects appeal for direct review of DACA, for now

Chase Karacostas February 27, 2018

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the Obama-era policy that protects 700,000 immigrants from deportation, potentially delaying for months a final decision on the fate of so-called “Dreamers.” The...

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What’s going on with the U.S. Senate race? Here’s how things are shaping up.

Chase Karacostas February 26, 2018

Texas’ U.S. Senate primaries have boiled down to two names: Republican incumbent Ted Cruz and Democrat Beto O’Rourke, each leading the pack in their respective races. O’Rourke, a three-term...

Texas lawmakers discuss potential changes to higher education funding

Chase Karacostas February 22, 2018

A group of lawmakers encouraged higher education leaders to develop ideas to improve state post-secondary education funding systems on Wednesday. The Joint Interim Committee on Higher Education Formula...

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The Daily Texan breaks down primaries ballot

Chase Karacostas February 20, 2018

Early voting for the March 2018 primary begins today, and there are a few offices on the ballot that might be a little confusing for a first, second or even third-time voter. To prepare you for the...

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Opioid crisis continues despite declaration as public health emergency

Chase Karacostas February 19, 2018

After nearly 10 months in office, President Donald Trump declared a 90–day “Public Health Emergency” to combat the opioid crisis. However, the emergency ended three weeks ago with some...

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African studies chair at center of debate over renaming Austin schools with ties to Confederacy

Chase Karacostas February 15, 2018

Ted Gordon, a UT professor and AISD board member, spent the last month at the forefront of a debate over potentially renaming five schools named after members of the Confederacy. The controversy began...

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University asks court to dismiss lawsuit regarding sexual assault

Chase Karacostas February 14, 2018

The University asked a federal court on Monday to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a male student who has been accused of sexual assault in a Title IX case. The student, referred to in the case as John Doe,...

City releases refined construction plan for Guadalupe, East Riverside

Chase Karacostas February 12, 2018

Austin might spend more than $100 million on construction improvements to the heavily student-populated transit corridors Guadalupe Street and East Riverside Drive, according to recommendations released...

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UT Ph.D student Dale Mantey running as a Democrat for Congress against Bill Flores

Chase Karacostas February 8, 2018

Ph.D. student Dale Mantey is running as a Democrat for Congress in District 17 against Republican incumbent Bill Flores. Mantey, who has never run for office before, announced his decision to run last...

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University House lacked legal grounds to terminate student leases, expert says

Chase Karacostas February 5, 2018

There is almost no reason University House could have legally terminated student leases as they did late last year, Sylvia Holmes, associate director of UT legal services, said. Two weeks ago, The Daily...

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Student accused of sexual assault sues UT Austin ahead of hearing

Chase Karacostas February 2, 2018

An unnamed student accused of sexual assault is suing UT ahead of a Title IX hearing set for next week. The hearing will decide if he should be punished with a potential two-year suspension. The student,...

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Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visits campus, speaks to students

Chase Karacostas February 2, 2018

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, a UT alumnus, acknowledged the country’s role in supporting drug cartels and laid out the nation’s plans to root out corruption in Latin America during a visit...

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University House claims overbooking was ‘one-time’ error. It wasn’t.

Chase Karacostas January 29, 2018

When advertising sophomore Jacob Sepulveda signed his fourth and last lease with University House for the 2017–18 term, he thought UH had learned from their mistakes. For Sepulveda, who had spent...

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University House overbooks and terminates student leases

Raga Justin and Chase Karacostas January 23, 2018

Plan II freshman Rylan Maksoud had barely adjusted to dorm life when he signed a lease in September to live at the apartment complex University House the following year. Four months later, he received...

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Thousands rally at Capitol, City Hall for President Trump’s impeachment, Women’s March

Chase Karacostas and Brianna Stone January 21, 2018

On the one year anniversary of President Donald Trump taking office, more than 1,000 people rallied together to call for his impeachment. The Impeachment Rally began Saturday morning at City Hall with...

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Austin’s new College Student Commission to formalize lobbying voice for students

Chase Karacostas January 19, 2018

The City Council passed an ordinance last month, creating a permanent College Student Commission to give students a greater voice in affecting city policy. Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo sponsored the resolution...

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Department of Justice to request Supreme Court review of DACA injunction

Chase Karacostas January 18, 2018

The Department of Justice announced Tuesday it will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review last week’s federal injunction that temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from...

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Mayor Adler kicks off re-election campaign

Chase Karacostas January 16, 2018

Mayor Steve Adler launched his re-election campaign Sunday afternoon less than a week after former Councilwoman Laura Morrison announced she was running against him. Hundreds gathered at the dance hall...

China Policy Center declines funding from group tied to Chinese Communist Party

Chase Karacostas January 15, 2018

UT recently rejected a donation from a foundation involved with the Chinese Communist Party. Following an internal review and a request from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, UT President Gregory Fenves declined...

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Former first lady of Texas Rita Clements dies at 86

Chase Karacostas January 8, 2018

Rita Clements, former first lady of Texas, died Saturday morning from complications due to Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Dallas Morning News. A UT alumna, Rita Clements graduated cum laude...

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Dunkin’ Donuts opens on Drag

Chase Karacostas January 2, 2018

It actually happened. A Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins hybrid opened last month near the intersection of Guadalupe and 24th Streets next door to Einstein Bros. Bagels. There’s been...

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UT student sexually assaulted at Clark Field

Chase Karacostas December 31, 2017

A UT student was sexually assaulted early Sunday morning at Clark Field. UT Police Department Spokeswoman Cindy Posey said the assailant was not a UT student. The student went to the hospital after...

Looking forward

Student Government Campaigns for Student Government positions will take place in the spring as candidates announce their intent to run at the start of the semester and continue until voting takes place...

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Semester in review

From President Donald Trump visiting Austin to the Speedway bricks being ripped up, here are some of the top moments during the fall.  Hurricane Harvey Many students’ semesters were stalled...

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Return of Uber and Lyft had no effect on DWI arrests

Chase Karacostas December 11, 2017

The absence and subsequent return of Uber and Lyft had almost no effect on the number of DWI arrests in Austin each month, according to monthly Austin Police Department data from March 2016 to October...

System report shows Texas ranks 47th in the country for HPV vaccinations

Chase Karacostas December 7, 2017

For medical professor David Lakey, getting his three daughters vaccinated for HPV, which causes 3 percent of all cancers in women and 2 percent in men, was a no-brainer. Yet, many in Texas remain unvaccinated,...

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Dallas County Sheriff announces gubernatorial candidacy

Chase Karacostas December 6, 2017

Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez announced and officially filed her candidacy for governor of Texas Wednesday morning. Valdez made the announcement at the Texas Democratic Party Headquarters in downtown...

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City releases Guadalupe Street improvement recommendations

Chase Karacostas December 5, 2017

Anyone who has ever glanced at the Drag knows that trying to get anywhere along it — no matter the time — is likely to be the most stressful part of their day. Cramped lanes, poor road conditions,...

U.S. Supreme Court rejects same-sex marriage benefits case

Chase Karacostas December 5, 2017

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday left in place a Texas ruling that declared marriage licenses do not guarantee the right to spousal benefits with employee insurance plans for same-sex couples. The ruling...

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Congress is now halfway to deadline for DREAM Act legislation

Chase Karacostas December 4, 2017

Edilsa Lopez’s work permit runs out today. She managed to get her Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals renewal in on time, and now all she has to do is wait a few days for her new permit. For...

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Chase Karacostas