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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

Laura Rivera, Senior News Reporter

Laura is a journalism sophomore from Austin, Texas. She is currently a senior news reporter covering campus life and research. In her free time, she enjoys taking photos and trying new restaurants.

All content by Laura Rivera
Arthur P. Watson House is pictured on Dec. 2, 2024. Built in 1853, the house was home to Arthur P. Watson and Robert Garrett, an openly gay couple who threw social gatherings for the Austin community and created a safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community.

UT to begin process to determine preservation viability for historic Watson Chateau

Laura Rivera, Senior News Reporter December 2, 2024

The University will begin a process to determine if preservation is viable for the Watson Chateau, an LGBTQ+ landmark, according to a Nov. 13 meeting between UT and preservation activists.  The Arthur...

UT launches Center on Municipal Capital Markets to train students on public works funding

UT launches Center on Municipal Capital Markets to train students on public works funding

Laura Rivera, Senior News Reporter November 14, 2024

The University launched a new center on Oct. 29 aiming to train students to raise capital to fund public works projects. The new initiative, called the Center on Municipal Capital Markets, joined the...

University of Tennesee Professor of Law Wendy Bach presents research of a national study tracking the criminalization of pregnancy at the UT School of Law on Nov. 4, 2024.

UT Law School hosts Reproductive Justice Colloquium, discusses pregnancy criminalization after Roe v. Wade overturn

Laura Rivera, Senior News Reporter November 6, 2024

A law professor from the University of Tennessee discussed pregnancy criminalization at the School of Law as part of her ongoing research on Monday. Professor Wendy Bach spoke about “Pregnancy As...

Items left unattended inside the PCL on Nov. 4, 2024.

Ante el aumento de reportes de robos, la PCL advierte a los estudiantes sobre dejar pertenencias desatendidas.

Laura Rivera  and Sara Solano Aguirre November 6, 2024

Este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 4 de Noviembre del 2024 por Laura Rivera y fue traducido al español por Sara Solano Aguirre. Los robos reportados han incrementado en la biblioteca...

Items left unattended inside the PCL on Nov. 4, 2024.

Amid rise in reported thefts, PCL warns students about leaving belongings unattended

Laura Rivera, Senior News Reporter November 4, 2024

Reported thefts increased at the Perry-Castañeda Library last month, according to UT Police Department data obtained by the Texan.  As of Oct. 30, there were 17 reported thefts at the PCL this...

Government junior Guiliana Sodaro helps put a wristband on a UT student at Voterpalooza on Oct. 25, 2024.

Voterpalooza celebrates start of early voting, informs students how to vote

Laura Rivera, Senior News Reporter October 27, 2024

Students received election information and advice on Oct. 25 at the Turtle Pond during Voterpalooza, an event that celebrated the start of early voting earlier that week. Nonpartisan student organization...

Chair and internal director Kayla Quilantang, speaks at UT Tenants' town hall event on October 17th. This event focused on receiving student feedback on housing. Namratha Thrikutam, chair-elect and external outreach director, is sitting alongside her.

“Los estudiantes son una población vulnerable”: el Sindicato de Inquilinos de la Universidad de Texas organiza una asamblea para mejorar la normativa y las prácticas de renta con la ciudad de Austin

Laura Rivera and Desiree Marquez October 24, 2024

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 14 de octubre del 2024 por Laura Rivera y fue traducido al español por Desiree Marquez.  El 17 de octubre, la Unión de Inquilinos...

University of Texas law professor Steven Collis speaks to audience during Scrutinizing Universities' Responses to the Campus Protests panel at Townes Hall on Monday.

UT School of Law hosts panel discussing First Amendment rights, implications of campus protests

Laura Rivera, Senior News Reporter October 23, 2024

Law professionals discussed First Amendment rights on Monday in relation to nationwide Israel and Palestine protests on college campuses in April and May. The event, called "Scrutinizing Universities...

Chair and internal director Kayla Quilantang, speaks at UT Tenants' town hall event on October 17th. This event focused on receiving student feedback on housing. Namratha Thrikutam, chair-elect and external outreach director, is sitting alongside her.

‘Students are a vulnerable population:’ UT Tenants’ Union hosts town hall to improve leasing regulations, practices with city of Austin

Laura Rivera, Senior News Reporter October 22, 2024

The UT Tenants’ Union held a town hall on Oct. 17, where members recommended a series of changes to improve lease regulations and practices near the University.  The Union hosted the town hall...

The tower is pictured on Sept. 15, 2024.

Restauración de UT Tower afectará el estacionamiento y las fotos de graduación

Laura Rivera and Daniela Capistran October 21, 2024

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 19 de octubre por Laura Rivera y fue traducido al español por Daniela Capistran. Un esfuerzo de $70 millones para restaurar el exterior...

A "For Lease" sign is draped on Torchy's Tacos at the corner of 28th and Guadalupe streets on Oct. 17, 2024 as the restaurant is set to close after 16 years of service.

Torchy’s Tacos on Guadalupe Street closes in November

Laura Rivera, Senior News Reporter October 17, 2024

The Torchy’s Tacos location on Guadalupe Street will close on Nov. 19 after 16 years of service. The business’ lease will expire in November. The company decided not to renew its contract due to...

The tower is pictured on Sept. 15, 2024.

UT Tower restoration effort to affect parking, graduation photos

Laura Rivera, Senior News Reporter October 17, 2024

A $70 million effort to restore the exterior of the Main Tower will start in November and is expected to last three years, President Jay Hartzell announced in an email on Oct. 4.  The restoration...

Fabiola Amaya is pictured at Littlefield Fountain on Oct. 3, 2024. Amaya started a petition to expedite UT Austin's progress towards compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act after suffering an injury using a restroom on campus.

Student starts petition to improve restroom accessibility on campus for disabled community

Laura Rivera, Senior News Reporter October 10, 2024

Fabiola Amaya started a petition on Sept. 21 calling for the University to improve restroom accessibility for disabled students. The petition now has over 600 signatures, with 16 on-campus organizations...

Construction fences stand in front of the Steve Hicks School of Social Work Building on Monday, Oct. 7.

Demolition of Social Work building begins despite opposition from preservation group

Laura Rivera, Senior News Reporter October 7, 2024

The University began demolition of the Steve Hicks School of Social Work on Sept. 23 to build a new football training facility.  Prior to housing the School of Social Work, the building was home to...

The UT Title IX Office recruited students on Sept. 16 to work for its new Peer-to-Peer Education program.

Nuevo programa Peer-to-Peer provee entrenamiento de Title IX para organizaciones estudiantiles

Laura Rivera and Sofia Estrada Ferrufino October 2, 2024

Nota del editor: Este artículo fue originalmente publicado el 30 de septiembre del 2024 por Laura Rivera y traducido al español por Sofia Estrada Ferrufino. La Oficina de Title IX de UT reclutó...

The UT Title IX Office recruited students on Sept. 16 to work for its new Peer-to-Peer Education program.

New Peer-to-Peer program provides Title IX training for student organizations

Laura Rivera, Senior News Reporter September 30, 2024

The UT Title IX Office recruited students on Sept. 16 to work for its new Peer-to-Peer Education program, which will educate student organizations about Title IX policies and procedures to foster a...

A new UT science institute will use artificial intelligence to research unanswered questions about the formation of the universe starting Oct. 1.

New CosmicAI Institute will use artificial intelligence to research origins of universe

Laura Rivera, Senior News Reporter September 30, 2024

A new UT science institute will use artificial intelligence to research unanswered questions about the formation of the universe starting Oct. 1.  At the institute, called CosmicAI, University faculty...

A team of UT researchers discovered a class of antimicrobials called microcins that are capable of combating strains of bacteria that cause cholera, according to a study published Sept. 10.

Investigadores de UT encuentran antimicrobianos que pueden combatir el cólera

Laura Rivera and Maria Fernanda Castro September 25, 2024

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 23 de septiembre por Laura Rivera y fue traducido al español por Maria Fernanda Castro. Un equipo de investigadores de UT descubrió...

A team of UT researchers discovered a class of antimicrobials called microcins that are capable of combating strains of bacteria that cause cholera, according to a study published Sept. 10.

UT researchers find antimicrobials that can combat cholera

Laura Rivera, Senior News Reporter September 23, 2024

A team of UT researchers discovered a class of antimicrobials called microcins that are capable of combating strains of bacteria that cause cholera, according to a study published Sept. 10.  Microcins...

Barista Mia Cortina serves customers at the new Lucky Lab Coffee location at the G. B. Dealey Center for New Media on Sept. 5, 2024.

Lucky Lab Coffee Co. replaces O’s Campus Cafe and Catering in Moody College of Communication, starts expansion into greater Austin area

Laura Rivera, Senior News Reporter September 5, 2024

Lucky Lab Coffee Co. opened two new stores in Moody College of Communication buildings at the beginning of the fall semester, expanding the business’s operations further on UT’s campus.  The new...

Texas Athletics opens new broadcast, video production center, expands sports media opportunities for students

Texas Athletics opens new broadcast, video production center, expands sports media opportunities for students

Laura Rivera and Tyler Pullum September 2, 2024

Texas Athletics opened a new broadcast and video production center on Aug. 13 inside the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The space features four new production control rooms, a central server room,...

A single CapMetro e-bike remains at UT's BikeShare station at the corner of Dean Keaton Street and Whitis Avenue on August 29, 2024.

CapMetro BikeShare rebrand rolls out new e-bikes, expands rental locations

Laura Rivera, Senior News Reporter August 29, 2024

CapMetro began the rollout of its revamped all-electric bike system last month, which includes an all-electric bike fleet, more docking stations and a new rental app. All stations are expected to be fully...

A pedestrian crosses the street on  San Jacinto Boulevard on UT's campus on Sunday, August 25, 2024.

City of Austin to improve transit, safety on Trinity Street, San Jacinto Boulevard

Laura Rivera, Senior News Reporter August 25, 2024

A new $1 million construction project implementing a series of public transit enhancements began mid-August to improve safety and transit on Trinity Street and San Jacinto Boulevard.  These improvements,...

The Steve Hicks School of Social Work on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024.

Texas Historical Commission votes to begin state landmark process for School of Social Work

Laura Rivera, General News Reporter August 5, 2024

The Texas Historical Commission voted on July 26 to begin the State Antiquities Landmark designation process for the Steve Hicks School of Social Work, possibly protecting it from demolition until a thorough...

UT engineers create new carbon storage method to fight climate change

UT engineers create new carbon storage method to fight climate change

Laura Rivera, General News Reporter July 29, 2024

UT engineers shared their findings on a more efficient way to store carbon in a research paper published July 8 in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. The method can be used in more parts of the...

MoveOutATX organiza estaciones de donación para mudanzas y promueve la sostenibilidad

MoveOutATX organiza estaciones de donación para mudanzas y promueve la sostenibilidad

Laura Rivera and Dieter Kingwergs July 29, 2024

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 26 de julio del 2024 por Laura Rivera y fue traducido al español por  Dieter Kingwergs. MoveOutATX, un evento anual para que los...

MoveOutATX hosts donation stations for moving out, promotes sustainability

MoveOutATX hosts donation stations for moving out, promotes sustainability

Laura Rivera, General News Reporter July 26, 2024

MoveOutATX, an annual event for students to donate unwanted items, is set to take place every day from July 27-31 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in West Campus. Started in 2017, the event aims to help students...

Pedestrians cross Guadalupe Street at 26th Street in Austin, Texas on Feb. 15, 2024.

New Texas law no longer requires vehicle safety inspections

Laura Rivera, General News Reporter July 19, 2024

A new Texas law that no longer requires safety inspections for non-commercial vehicles goes into effect  Jan. 1, but drivers will still need to take their vehicles for regular emissions tests in the state’s...

The Drag on Guadalupe Street pictured on July 2, 2024. The vivacious streets of West Campus are empty over the summer months as students are away.

Business owners on The Drag work to keep business afloat during summertime

Laura Rivera, General News Reporter July 15, 2024

Businesses along The Drag struggle when summer comes around and students leave town. Low sales and record-high rents on Guadalupe Street worsen these businesses’ problems along a once lively commercial...

Luisa Mao's JACKAL Robot tests different movement algorithms in Anna Hiss Gymnasium on July 1.

UT student teaches AI robot how to differentiate terrains

Laura Rivera, General News Reporter July 4, 2024

Junior Luisa Mao shared her findings on a robot’s ability to differentiate terrains with artificial intelligence in a new research paper she completed on June 6 that now awaits official publication.  Mao...

Waterloo Tower Apartments in West Campus on Saturday.

Los precios de alquiler en Austin han disminuido este último año, según muestran los datos

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 24 de junio del 2024 por Laurel Pinchback y Laura Rivera, y fue traducido al español por Dieter Kingwergs. Los precios de alquiler...

Waterloo Tower Apartments in West Campus on Saturday.

Austin rent prices declined this past year, data shows

Laurel Pinchback and Laura Rivera June 24, 2024

Austin rent prices have been on the decline since last year, according to a June 11 report by Realtor.com.  In the study, analysts evaluated property rent prices for studio, one and two-bedroom...

Autonomous vehicle company Zoox to begin test driving in Austin

Autonomous vehicle company Zoox to begin test driving in Austin

Laura Rivera, General News Reporter June 17, 2024

Zoox, an autonomous car company owned by Amazon, announced June 5 that it will begin test-driving its vehicles in Austin in July.  According to Zoox’s website, the company currently operates in San...

Third-year psychology major Cooper Madison plays pickleball while using a wheelchair on Monday. The DCC, in partnership with Austin Adapted Sports, leads the sessions every Monday evening at Whitaker Fields.

UT Disability Cultural Center hosts summer adapted tennis sessions

Laura Rivera, General News Reporter June 16, 2024

The UT Disability Cultural Center held its first summer adapted tennis session on Monday at Charles Alan Wright Fields at the Berry M. Whitaker Sports Complex.  The annual sessions are hosted in partnership...

Woffie's coffee shop in the Jesse H. Jones Communication Center is pictured on Sunday.

Woffie’s, Cappy’s Cafes to shutdown early May

Laura Rivera, General News Reporter April 22, 2024

Cappy’s and Woffie’s cafes, two of O’s Campus Cafe and Catering stores on campus, will close operations within the Moody College of Communication on May 2.  Joe Sauta, owner of O’s Campus Cafe,...

Disability rights advocate Nancy Crowther speaks about the history of disability rights in the United States and Texas on Tuesday. A UT alumni, Crowther fought for equal access on campus and helped Capital Metro create one of the first accessible bus fleets.

Disability History Night speakers reflect on civil rights, accessibility on campus

Laura Rivera, General News Reporter April 17, 2024

UT alumni and disability-rights advocates discussed their experiences attending the University and highlighted civil rights progress on Tuesday during Disability History Night.  The event, hosted by...

(From left to right) Alice Woods, Zohaib Qadri and Gregory Anderson speak about changes and concerns for the development of Austin on April 4, 2024.

‘We want you to stay’: Future of Austin Development Panel discusses changes to the city

Laura Rivera, General News Reporter April 8, 2024

City leaders discussed recent housing and transportation changes in Austin during the Future of Austin Development Panel last Thursday.  The panel, hosted by the UT Governmental Relations Agency, featured...

Un investigador de UT descubre que los modelos de lenguaje tienen dificultad con la competencia lingüística funcional

Un investigador de UT descubre que los modelos de lenguaje tienen dificultad con la competencia lingüística funcional

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 3 de abril del 2024 por Laura Rivera y fue traducido al español por Citlali Martinez Hernandez. Los modelos de lenguaje, una forma...

UT researcher finds large language models struggle with functional linguistic competence

UT researcher finds large language models struggle with functional linguistic competence

Laura Rivera, General News Reporter April 3, 2024

Large language models, a form of artificial intelligence, struggle to perform functional linguistic competence, according to a March 19 study co-authored by an assistant professor of linguistics at...

Mellon Foundation awards associate professor grant for digital humanities work

Mellon Foundation awards associate professor grant for digital humanities work

Laura Rivera, General News Reporter March 26, 2024

An associate English professor received a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Public Knowledge program for her pilot project focused on collecting and organizing historical information earlier this...

E-bike injuries increase while helmet use declines, study finds

E-bike injuries increase while helmet use declines, study finds

Laura Rivera, General News Reporter March 5, 2024

E-bike injuries increased while helmet use declined over the span of five years, according to a study published on Feb. 21 in Jama Surgery.  Researchers analyzed over 1,000 cases of e-bike injuries...

Ingenieros aeroespaciales de UT ayudan a diseñar un módulo de aterrizaje lunar

Ingenieros aeroespaciales de UT ayudan a diseñar un módulo de aterrizaje lunar

Laura Rivera and Mariana Flores-Sosa February 23, 2024

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 21 de febrero  por Laura Rivera  y fue traducido al español por Mariana Flores-Sosa. Un profesor de ingeniería aeroespacial de UT...

UT aerospace engineers help design moon lander

UT aerospace engineers help design moon lander

Laura Rivera, General News Reporter February 21, 2024

A UT aerospace engineering professor and his research team designed a guidance algorithm that will help a moon lander reach its destination on Feb. 22.  The IM-1 Nova-C Lander, built by aerospace...

Food Security Agency to start grocery shuttle system for students

Food Security Agency to start grocery shuttle system for students

Laura Rivera, General News Reporter February 14, 2024

A student government agency will begin a pilot shuttle system in the spring that takes students from campus to the grocery store during the weekend.  The Food Security Agency ensures students have...

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