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 Erika Pernis
The Travis County Juvenile Detention Center pictured on July 18, 2024.

Travis County Juvenile Probation Department proposes expansion of youth juvenile facility

Erika Pernis, Senior News Reporter July 23, 2024

The Travis County Juvenile Probation Department proposed a $250-300 million expansion of its juvenile detention complex in South Austin last month. Department leaders proposed the expansion at the Travis...

Mayor Kirk Watson speaks during the City Council’s budget presentation by City Manager T.C. Broadnax on July 12, 2024.

Mayor Kirk Watson calls for extended timeline for comprehensive climate, infrastructure bond

Erika Pernis, Senior News Reporter July 19, 2024

The Austin City Council adopted a resolution on July 18 calling for a comprehensive bond package to address climate and infrastructure improvements to be voted on by November 2026. On June 28, Mayor...

Austin’s Joint Sustainability Committee proposes fee to fund green initiatives

Austin’s Joint Sustainability Committee proposes fee to fund green initiatives

Erika Pernis, Senior News Reporter July 15, 2024

The Joint Sustainability Committee passed a resolution Monday proposing a new climate fee to help the city of Austin reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fund sustainability projects. According to the...

Fallo de la Corte Suprema prohíbe los campamentos para personas sin hogar en todo el país

Fallo de la Corte Suprema prohíbe los campamentos para personas sin hogar en todo el país

Erika Pernis and Amy DonJuan July 11, 2024

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 9 de julio por Erika Pernis y fue traducido al español por Amy DonJuan. La Corte Suprema de Estados Unidos confirmó un fallo el 28...

Supreme Court ruling bans homeless encampments nationwide

Supreme Court ruling bans homeless encampments nationwide

Erika Pernis, Senior News Reporter July 9, 2024

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a ruling on June 28 allowing governments to prohibit and fine people experiencing homelessness from camping and sleeping on public property. The case, Grants Pass v....

City of Austin invests in more shaded structures citywide

City of Austin invests in more shaded structures citywide

Erika Pernis, Senior News Reporter July 7, 2024

Several shaded structures are under construction in public recreational areas within Austin to make the city more heat resilient. Between May 1 and June 22, Austin-Travis County EMS reported 246 heat-related...

The UT Tower on May 10, 2024.

New School of Civic Leadership set to open application, offer classes next school year

Erika Pernis, Senior News Reporter July 5, 2024

The new School of Civic Leadership will begin offering general education and signature courses for the 2024-2025 school year.  The School of Civic Leadership aims to prepare students for leadership...

The entrance to Bartholomew Pool on June 30, 2024.

City implements pilot program to reduce entry fees at regional pools

Erika Pernis, Senior News Reporter July 4, 2024

Austin Parks and Recreation implemented a pilot program to reduce regional pool entry fees this summer to make the city’s pools more accessible and increase attendance. Walnut Creek Pool waived its...

Austin Water outlines new water conservation initiatives in progress report

Austin Water outlines new water conservation initiatives in progress report

Erika Pernis, Senior News Reporter July 1, 2024

Austin Water outlined specific water conservation goals and timelines in its June progress report presentation to the Water and Wastewater Commission and the Resource Management Commission. The progress...

A police officer warns protesters to make space as an organizer is held down and zip-tied on UTs Main Mall during the pro-Palestine student walkout on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

Letters from American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, student protesters address University disciplinary notices

Matthew Gomez and Erika Pernis June 25, 2024

A group of arrested student protesters and the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas wrote letters to the University in response to the disciplinary notices sent to students arrested during April’s...

La policía de Austin implementa una iniciativa de sin rechazo durante todo el verano para mejorar la efectividad de las leyes de DWI

La policía de Austin implementa una iniciativa de “sin rechazo” durante todo el verano para mejorar la efectividad de las leyes de DWI

Erika Pernis and Amy DonJuan June 21, 2024

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 18 de junio de 2024 por Erika Pernis y fue traducido al español por Amy DonJuan. El Departamento de Policía de Austin inició su...

Members of an encampment on April 29 link arms as police officers work their way through the crowd in attempt to disperse the circle on UT Austins campus.

UT sends second wave of student conduct disciplinary notices to pro-Palestine protesters

Matthew Gomez and Erika Pernis June 20, 2024

The University sent out a second round of disciplinary notices on June 14 to students arrested during April’s pro-Palestine protests. This week’s notices mirrored the previous letters said senior...

University, City of Austin collaborative projects future climate of Austin in report

University, City of Austin collaborative projects future climate of Austin in report

Erika Pernis, Senior News Reporter June 20, 2024

The City of Austin is projected to see hotter and more extreme temperatures, longer heat waves and fewer periods of colder weather due to climate change over the next century, according to the first report...

Austin Police implement summer-long ‘no refusal’ initiative to better enforce DWI laws

Austin Police implement summer-long ‘no refusal’ initiative to better enforce DWI laws

Erika Pernis, Senior News Reporter June 18, 2024

The Austin Police Department kicked off its Drive Sober Summer No Refusal Initiative on June 1 to give police officers the ability to better enforce driving while intoxicated laws. The initiative will...

Texas district judge dismisses Attorney General Ken Paxton’s lawsuit against Austin’s marijuana ordinance

Texas district judge dismisses Attorney General Ken Paxton’s lawsuit against Austin’s marijuana ordinance

Erika Pernis, Senior News Reporter June 16, 2024

A Travis County judge dismissed Attorney General Ken Paxton's lawsuit on Wednesday that challenged an ordinance decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana in Austin and other Texas cities.  Austin...

An employee stands outside Wheatsville Co-op on Guadalupe Street on Thursday.

Wheatsville Co-op closing Guadalupe Street location after 43 years

Erika Pernis and Ren Leija June 13, 2024

Wheatsville Food Co-Op, Austin’s cooperatively-owned grocery store and market, announced the closure of its Guadalupe Street location after four decades of service in a special edition newsletter. General...

City’s Office of Sustainability prepares investment plan to fund Austin’s environmental goals

City’s Office of Sustainability prepares investment plan to fund Austin’s environmental goals

Erika Pernis, Senior News Reporter June 10, 2024

The Austin City Council received a memo on May 21 from the city’s Office of Sustainability outlining an investment plan for projects to help Austin meet its climate and sustainability goals. The sustainability...

La oficina de ayuda financiera hace actualizaciones a el portal de ayuda financiera

La oficina de ayuda financiera hace actualizaciones a el portal de ayuda financiera

Erika Pernis and Jessica Nino April 25, 2024

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 22 de  abril por Erika Pernis y fue traducido al español por Jessica Nino. La oficina de becas y ayuda financiera anunció actualizaciones...

University financial aid office makes updates to financial aid portal

University financial aid office makes updates to financial aid portal

Erika Pernis, General News Reporter April 22, 2024

The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid announced updates to the financial aid system on April 9 to make financial aid management in upcoming semesters more user-friendly.  The updated financial...

Una bola de fuego que respira: UT presencia el primer eclipse solar total desde el año 1397

‘Una bola de fuego que respira’: UT presencia el primer eclipse solar total desde el año 1397

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 8 de abril del 2024 por Erika Pernis, Emma Nguyen, Matthew Gomez y Pili Saravia, y fue traducido al español por Desiree Marquez. Miles...

‘Breathing ball of fire’: UT witnesses first total solar eclipse since 1397

‘Breathing ball of fire’: UT witnesses first total solar eclipse since 1397

Thousands of viewers, from the UT community and beyond, gathered on campus Monday to watch the first total solar eclipse in Austin since 1397. 11:00 “Here Comes the Sun'' by The Beatles blared...

University, City of Austin to collect, donate recycled solar eclipse glasses

University, City of Austin to collect, donate recycled solar eclipse glasses

Erika Pernis, General News Reporter April 8, 2024

With potentially thousands of people coming to campus to view the total solar eclipse on Monday, the University is taking steps to ensure all of the almost 100,000 purchased glasses are recycled afterward,...

Pedestrians walk in front of the food trucks on 21st Street on Wednesday.

Austin City Council passes resolution, may allow for on-site food truck inspections

Erika Pernis, General News Reporter April 3, 2024

The Austin City Council passed a resolution on March 21 that could streamline annual permitting processes by bringing inspectors to food trucks. The resolution allows the city to explore options...

Autonomous vehicle company, Waymo, expected to roll out commercial ride-booking services in Austin later this year

Autonomous vehicle company, Waymo, expected to roll out commercial ride-booking services in Austin later this year

Erika Pernis, General News Reporter March 25, 2024

Another autonomous vehicle company will roll out its commercial ride-hailing services to the Austin community later this year.  Last year, Waymo, an autonomous vehicle company subsidized by Google,...

Las continuas mejoras en la infraestructura causan congestión en las carreteras entre Austin y San Antonio

Las continuas mejoras en la infraestructura causan congestión en las carreteras entre Austin y San Antonio

Erika Pernis and Hannah Garza March 20, 2024

Nota del editor: Este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 19 de marzo por Erika Pernis y fue traducido al español por Hannah Garza.  Las constantes mejoras en la carretera y la infraestructura...

Continuous infrastructure improvements cause highway congestion between Austin, San Antonio

Continuous infrastructure improvements cause highway congestion between Austin, San Antonio

Erika Pernis, General News Reporter March 19, 2024

Constant highway and infrastructure improvements on the Interstate 35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio have caused traffic congestion in the area, affecting students who drive on it frequently. Austin...

Students propose affordable in-house materials shop in School of Architecture for project supplies

Students propose affordable in-house materials shop in School of Architecture for project supplies

Erika Pernis, General News Reporter March 6, 2024

The Senate of College Councils passed a resolution from the Undergraduate Architecture Student Council on Thursday advocating for the investment and creation of an affordable in-house material shop for...

Disability activists (from left to right) Fabiola Amaya, Ashley Richardson-Minnitt, Joe Tate and Angela Standridge educate students on making their organizations more inclusive on Tuesday.

El Gobierno Estudiantil celebra el apoyo a la discapacidad, un panel de accesibilidad para organizaciones estudiantiles

Erika Pernis and Dieter Kingwergs March 3, 2024

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 28 de febrero del 2024 por Erika Pernis y fue traducido al español por Dieter Kingwergs. La Agencia de Inclusión de discapacidades...

Disability activists (from left to right) Fabiola Amaya, Ashley Richardson-Minnitt, Joe Tate and Angela Standridge educate students on making their organizations more inclusive on Tuesday.

Student Government holds disability advocacy, accessibility panel for student organizations

Erika Pernis, General News Reporter February 28, 2024

UT Student Government’s Disabilities Inclusion Agency hosted a panel on Tuesday discussing inclusivity and accessibility within student organizations. Hosted in the Student Services Building,...

Moderator Leland Murphy, a UT graduate student and Youth Organizing Fellow with Americans United for Separation of Church and State, guides a discussion between Ash Hall of the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, Zohaib Qadri, Austin City Council Member and Rick McClatchy from Americans United of San Antonio about Texas Senate Bill 763 allowing public schools to employ or accept as volunteers chaplains.

Panel discusses the protection of separation of church and state in Texas public schools

Erika Pernis, General News Reporter February 24, 2024

Community members convened at a panel at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs on Friday to discuss the importance of separation of church and state in Texas public schools. The panel, “Chaplains...

Kennedy Cortez, one of the Directors of Operations for UT’s Native American & Indigenous Collective on Sunday.

La demora en la aprobación de un curso de estudios nativos genera preocupación en la comunidad

Erika Pernis and Iñaki Zamarripa February 14, 2024

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 12 de febrero del 2024 por Erika Pernis y fue traducido al español por Iñaki Zamarripa. El Consejo de Educación del Estado de Texas...

Kennedy Cortez, one of the Directors of Operations for UT’s Native American & Indigenous Collective on Sunday.

Delay of Native Studies course approval raises community concerns

Erika Pernis, General News Reporter February 13, 2024

The Texas State Board of Education delayed the approval of curriculum standards for a high school Native Studies course. The proposed course, Ethnic Studies: American Indian/Native Studies, is designed...

Attendee Sarah Ruiz discusses with a colleague at the LightSound workshop at the Physics, Math, and Astronomy building on Jan. 19. My husband and I are big advocates of science and science education. Ruiz said. We love the observatory and we were excited to have a volunteer opportunity where we can create things and promote accessibility.

University hosts workshop to help low-vision community experience eclipses

Erika Pernis, General News Reporter February 2, 2024

UT’s Department of Astronomy hosted workshops on Jan. 28 and 29 to build devices that convert light into sound in order to help the low-vision community experience solar eclipses. The LightSound Project,...

2024 to be ‘Year of AI’ at UT

2024 to be ‘Year of AI’ at UT

Erika Pernis, General News Reporter January 23, 2024

UT designated 2024 as the “Year of AI” to highlight the University’s achievements in artificial intelligence research and to set the stage for future developments. In the coming months, the University...

College of Liberal Arts to kick off Common Read program next semester

College of Liberal Arts to kick off Common Read program next semester

Erika Pernis, General News Reporter November 5, 2023

The College of Liberal Arts will kick off its Common Read program, a book club for all liberal arts students with a twist, next semester. This year’s text, “All We Can Save,” is an anthology written...

Business owners express concern over I-35 expansion project

Business owners express concern over I-35 expansion project

Erika Pernis and Julian Petzold October 26, 2023

Every morning, assistant director Jaime Cano warmly welcomes hundreds of families into Escuelita del Alma, a daycare and preschool center decorated with care and full of well-loved toys and cherished memories.  The...

El ayuntamiento aprueba la aceptación de la subvención para la reducción de la contaminación climática

El ayuntamiento aprueba la aceptación de la subvención para la reducción de la contaminación climática

Erika Pernis and Hannah Garza October 23, 2023

Nota del editor: Este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 19 de octubre por Erika Pernis y fue traducido al español por Hannah Garza.  El concejo municipal de Austin aprobó el 21 de septiembre...

City Council approves acceptance of Climate Pollution Reduction Grant

City Council approves acceptance of Climate Pollution Reduction Grant

Erika Pernis, General News Reporter October 19, 2023

Austin City Council approved $1 million from the Environmental Protection Agency for the first part of the two-phase Climate Pollution Reduction Grant, aimed to help curb air pollution effects on Sep....

Dr. James Pennebaker in his office at the Seay Psychology Building on October 4th, 2023

American Academy of Art and Sciences recognizes three UT professors

Erika Pernis, General News Reporter October 8, 2023

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences inducted three UT professors from the College of Liberal Arts on Sept. 30 for their expertise and leadership in their fields.  While honoring members across...

Assistant professor Dr. Lief Fenno works in the lab in Dell Medical School on Oct. 2nd, 2023. He was granted $1 million to further his psychiatric research.

UT lab receives $1 million grant to advance psychiatric treatment research

Erika Pernis, General News Reporter October 3, 2023

Fenno Lab received a $1 million grant from the W.M. Keck Foundation to continue their research on creating molecular tools to personalize psychiatric treatments to patient needs. Emma Babaian, a neuroscience...

UHS program offers free virtual drop-in meal planning sessions

UHS program offers free virtual drop-in meal planning sessions

Erika Pernis, General News Reporter September 27, 2023

University Health Services is offering free virtual weekly drop-in meal planning sessions for students on Fridays to advise them on how to maintain a balanced diet while in college. Jennifer Barnoud,...

Clinical psychology doctoral students to lead free mindfulness group

Clinical psychology doctoral students to lead free mindfulness group

Erika Pernis, General News Reporter September 20, 2023

The UT Psychology Training Clinic is offering a free mindfulness group this semester led by clinical psychology doctoral students.  Abby deSteiguer, clinical psychology doctoral student and co-leader...

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