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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

Aaron Sullivan, News Desk Editor

Aaron is a journalism and theater junior from Bastrop, Texas. He previously covered the city of Austin, its government and its politics. Outside of journalism, Aaron enjoys traveling, photography and hanging out with his cat, Magic.

All content by Aaron Sullivan
Passengers take the escalator to collect their luggage at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Oct. 27.

Passengers take the escalator to collect their luggage at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Oct. 27.

Kendrick Shu, 36, talks to his 2-year-old son, Alder, about flowers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center on Saturday, Oct. 12.

[Photo] Lady Bird Johnson’s Wildflower Center starts developments for growth in facilities

October 16, 2024

Kendrick Shu, 36, talks to his 2-year-old son, Alder, about flowers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center on Saturday, Oct. 12.

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

[Photo] Demolition of Social Work building begins despite opposition from preservation group

October 7, 2024

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

A stray cat sits outside of San Jacinto Residence Hall on Sept. 15, 2024.

‘A helping hand’: Students start new organization to take care of West Campus stray cats

Aaron Sullivan, News Desk Editor September 15, 2024

A group of 20 students is actively working to establish a new University-affiliated organization to care for stray cats in West Campus, with plans to support a pre-existing staff-run organization and other...

A student visits the ID Center inside the Flawn Academic Center on Sept. 3, 2024.

University increases fee for student identification cards

Aaron Sullivan, News Desk Editor September 5, 2024

The University increased the price of student identification cards, effective Sept. 1. New school IDs and replacement IDs both cost $10 prior to Sept 1. After the increases, a student’s first ID costs...

A person bikes on Guadalupe Street on April 17, 2024.

La ciudad de Austin prohíbe estacionar en los carriles de bicicletas y refuerza su vigilancia

Aaron Sullivan and Sofia Estrada Ferrufino April 22, 2024

Nota del editor: Este artículo fue originalmente publicado el 22 de abril del 2024 por Aaron Sullivan y traducido al español por Sofia Estrada Ferrufino.  El municipio de la ciudad de Austin...

A person bikes on Guadalupe Street on April 17, 2024.

City of Austin bans parking in bike lanes, provides extra enforcement

Aaron Sullivan, Senior News Reporter April 22, 2024

The Austin City Council ratified a resolution on April 4 banning parking cars in bike lanes, along with approving enforcement of it through new means and equipment. The resolution specifically directs...

The University of Texas tower on April 7, 2024.

La primera mujer piloto de las fuerzas aéreas de EE.UU. dará el discurso de graduación del 2024

Aaron Sullivan and Desiree Marquez April 17, 2024

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 15 de abril del 2024 por Aaron Sullivan y fue traducido al español por Desiree Marquez. La General actualmente retirada de División...

The University of Texas tower on April 7, 2024.

U.S. Air Force’s first female fighter pilot to give 2024 commencement address

Aaron Sullivan, Senior News Reporter April 15, 2024

Retired Maj. Gen. Jeannie M. Leavitt, a UT alumna and the U.S. Air Force’s first female fighter pilot will give the commencement address at the University-wide graduation ceremony on May 11, the...

City of Austin hires T.C. Broadnax Jr. as city manager

City of Austin hires T.C. Broadnax Jr. as city manager

Aaron Sullivan, Senior News Reporter April 15, 2024

The Austin City Council hired T.C. Broadnax Jr. as Austin’s next city manager on April 4. The council fired former city manager Spencer Cronk for his mismanagement of last year’s winter storm. Interim...

CapMetro considera combinar las rutas de los autobuses del campus

CapMetro considera combinar las rutas de los autobuses del campus

Aaron Sullivan and Arianna Lopez April 12, 2024

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 10 de abril de 2024 por Aaron Sullivan y fue traducido al español por Arianna Lopez.  La junta directiva de CapMetro tuvo una junta...

The south end of the state Capitol on Congress Avenue, on March 23, 2023.

Lieutenant governor announces legislative priorities for state Senate

Aaron Sullivan, Senior News Reporter April 12, 2024

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced his legislative charges to the Texas Senate on Thursday, setting its policy priorities for the next legislative session. The charges, laid out in a 15-page document, give...

State Rep. Ron Reynolds, chair of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, speaks at a press conference on Senate Bill 17 on Wednesday. Behind him plays a video of Rep. John Kuempel saying no staff would lose their jobs due to the bill; 66 UT employees were impacted by the University's SB 17 related layoffs, according to the Texas Conference of the AAUP.

Texas Association of University Professors confirms at least 66 staff members terminated in DCCE mass firings

Aaron Sullivan, Senior News Reporter April 10, 2024

The University fired 66 staff members in its mass firing on April 2, the president-elect of the Texas Conference of the American Association of University Professors confirmed at a joint press conference...

CapMetro considers combining campus bus routes

CapMetro considers combining campus bus routes

Aaron Sullivan, Senior News Reporter April 10, 2024

CapMetro’s Board of Directors held a public hearing on Wednesday to understand how proposed changes to two of the University’s shuttle routes would impact service to students, faculty and staff. The...

Travis County announces mental health jail diversion program

Travis County announces mental health jail diversion program

Aaron Sullivan, Senior News Reporter April 8, 2024

Travis County officials introduced the county’s new mental health diversion program to the city of Austin’s Public Health Committee on April 3 after initially announcing it in late February. “(The...

El lado oscuro del eclipse: Austin verá aumento en viajes, trafico y disminución de energia solar

El lado oscuro del eclipse: Austin verá aumento en viajes, trafico y disminución de energia solar

Este artículo fue publicado por primera vez el 5 de abril por Aaron Sullivan, Ren Lejia y Christian DeBrady, y traducido al español por Sofia Estrada Ferrufino. El aeropuerto de Austin se prepara...

The dark side of the eclipse: Austin to see increased travel, traffic, decreased solar energy

The dark side of the eclipse: Austin to see increased travel, traffic, decreased solar energy

Aaron Sullivan, Ren Leija, and Christian DeBrady April 5, 2024

Austin airport prepares for wave of travelers  Austin-Bergstrom International Airport officials urged passengers to stay vigilant when traveling this weekend for the solar eclipse on April 8.  The...

People walk along the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail on Thursday.

El Consejo Municipal modifica el código de la ciudad, permitiendo el mantenimiento flexible del camino Butler

Aaron Sullivan and Maryella Diaz March 27, 2024

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 25 de marzo de 2024 por Aaron Sullivan y fue traducido al español por Maryella Diaz. El consejo municipal de Austin aprobó cambios...

People walk along the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail on Thursday.

City Council amends city code, allowing flexible maintenance of Butler Trail

Aaron Sullivan, Senior News Reporter March 25, 2024

The Austin City Council approved city code changes on March 7, allowing more legal wiggle room to maintain the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail around Lady Bird Lake. The City Council initiated...

‘Give a little bit of water’: Danish artist unveils larger-than-life troll at Pease Park

‘Give a little bit of water’: Danish artist unveils larger-than-life troll at Pease Park

Aaron Sullivan, Senior News Reporter March 18, 2024

In an alcove of trees, a crowd patiently watched a team of Danish artists on Friday as they added the finishing touches to their newest sculpture. The team’s lead artist, Thomas Dambo, introduced the...

City of Austin cancels collaborative study on homelessness strategies

City of Austin cancels collaborative study on homelessness strategies

Aaron Sullivan, Senior News Reporter March 8, 2024

Austin canceled a comprehensive study of the city’s and its partners’ solutions for addressing homelessness in the greater Austin area, Interim City Manager Jesús Garza informed the Austin City Council...

Tomar medidas hoy, para el mañana: El ayuntamiento de Austin reorganiza su plan de inversión en el cambio climático

Tomar medidas hoy, para el mañana: El ayuntamiento de Austin reorganiza su plan de inversión en el cambio climático

Aaron Sullivan, Ren Leija, and Desiree Marquez March 4, 2024

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 29 de febrero del 2024 por Aaron Sullivan y Ren Leija, y fue traducido al español por Desiree Marquez. El consejo municipal de Austin...

Alcalde preocupado sobre las revisiones del plan climático de Austin Energy

Alcalde preocupado sobre las revisiones del plan climático de Austin Energy

Aaron Sullivan and Diana Villagomez March 4, 2024

Nota del editor: Este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 1 de marzo por Aaron Sullivan y fue traducido al español por Diana Villagomez. El Alcalde Kirk Watson expresó preocupación en un...

Mayor concerned over Austin Energy’s climate plan revisions

Mayor concerned over Austin Energy’s climate plan revisions

Aaron Sullivan, Senior News Reporter March 1, 2024

Mayor Kirk Watson expressed concern in a Feb. 16 newsletter about Austin Energy’s climate protection plan and its proposals to wean the city off of generating electricity with fossil fuels by 2030. Austin...

Taking steps today, for tomorrow: Austin City Council reorganizes climate change investment plan

Taking steps today, for tomorrow: Austin City Council reorganizes climate change investment plan

Aaron Sullivan and Ren Leija February 29, 2024

The Austin City Council approved a resolution on Feb. 15 authorizing the reorganization of the city’s current climate initiatives to make them more manageable — a change the Council said is “urgent”...

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

Austin Transit Partnership applies for federal money to construct Guadalupe transit mall

Aaron Sullivan, Senior News Reporter February 15, 2024

The Austin Transit Partnership began working on an environmental review earlier this year to qualify its Project Connect light rail development — including the potential transformation of Guadalupe Street...

El grupo Miakan-Garza continúa la espera de que UT devuelva sus restos ancestrales

El grupo Miakan-Garza continúa la espera de que UT devuelva sus restos ancestrales

Aaron Sullivan and Sofia Estrada Ferrufino February 14, 2024

Nota del editor: Este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 12 de febrero de 2024 por Aaron Sullivan y fue traducido al español por Sofia Estrada Ferrufino. El presidente Jay Hartzell prometió...

Texas Attorney General sues city of Austin for lenient marijuana laws

Texas Attorney General sues city of Austin for lenient marijuana laws

Aaron Sullivan, Senior News Reporter February 14, 2024

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit on Jan. 31 against the city of Austin for its lenient marijuana possession ordinance, arguing that it violates the Texas Local Government Code. The...

Miakan-Garza Band continues wait for UT to return ancestors’ remains

Miakan-Garza Band continues wait for UT to return ancestors’ remains

Aaron Sullivan, Senior News Reporter February 12, 2024

President Jay Hartzell promised in 2020 to return Indigenous human remains in the University’s archaeology collection. The Miakan-Garza Band placed a new repatriation request on Jan. 26 after recent...

Students walk along Guadalupe Street in front of Dirty Martin's on Monday.

Dirty Martin’s saved with light rail project redesign amid lawsuit

Aaron Sullivan, Senior News Reporter February 12, 2024

The Austin Transit Partnership recently cut Dirty Martin’s Place from its acquisition list, saving the nearly century-old West Campus burger joint from plans to build a light rail line on Guadalupe Street. The...

University, City of Austin plan highway caps for more space as part of I-35 expansion

University, City of Austin plan highway caps for more space as part of I-35 expansion

Aaron Sullivan, Senior News Reporter February 7, 2024

The University is currently working on a plan to build a series of highway caps connecting its campus to the other side of Interstate 35 after the highway undergoes expansion. The city of Austin expects...

Austin city councilwoman Kathie Tovo on the west mall at The University of Texas at Austin, February 1, 2024.

UT professor, former city council member announces bid for mayor

Aaron Sullivan, Senior News Reporter February 2, 2024

Kathie Tovo, an adjunct professor and former city council member who represented West Campus, announced her bid for mayor on Jan. 18. Tovo was the first candidate to announce her campaign for the 2024...

UT alumna, Texas’ first Black female judge dies at 96

UT alumna, Texas’ first Black female judge dies at 96

Aaron Sullivan, Senior News Reporter January 29, 2024

Judge Harriet Murphy, the first Black woman to hold a permanent judgeship in Texas and a generous alumna of the University of Texas School of Law, died on Jan. 17 at 96. Murphy grew up in Atlanta, Georgia,...

Austin-area animal shelters look for fosters during freezing temperatures

Austin-area animal shelters look for fosters during freezing temperatures

Aaron Sullivan, Senior News Reporter January 23, 2024

Hundreds of cats and dogs found warm homes last week as freezing temperatures rolled into town and the area’s animal shelters called for help. Austin Pets Alive had approximately 200 dogs in need...

Pedestrians walk in front of the Austin Playhouse on Jan. 16, 2024.

West Campus, UT professor’s theater companies receive millions in city funding

Aaron Sullivan, Senior News Reporter January 16, 2024

A West Campus theater company received a $4.5 million investment last month to fund the construction of a new theater in northeast Austin.  The investment is part of the Austin Economic Development...

Texas Volleyball’s Devin Kahahawai and Keonilei Akana (center) hosted a lū’au for their teammates on a trip to Hawaii in March. “They just had a lot of fun,” Akana said. “We got up and danced, and they really appreciated being able to be a part of where we’re from.”

Texas volleyball’s Keonilei Akana, Devin Kahahawai embrace Hawaiian culture an ocean away

Aaron Sullivan, General Copy Staffer November 29, 2023

Keonilei Akana and Devin Kahahawai were barely teammates six years ago. They met for the first time at varsity volleyball tryouts at a school exclusively for Native Hawaiian students. Now, they’re roommates...

El ex director J. Tinsley Oden reflexiona sobre 50 años de carrera, instituto de primer nivel en UT

El ex director J. Tinsley Oden reflexiona sobre 50 años de carrera, instituto de primer nivel en UT

Aaron Sullivan and Hannah Garza August 10, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 3 de agosto por Aaron Sullivan y fue traducido al español por Hannah Garza. Sin que J. Tinsley Oden lo supiera, su pasión por la...

Former director J. Tinsley Oden reflects on 50-year career, top-tier institute at UT

Former director J. Tinsley Oden reflects on 50-year career, top-tier institute at UT

Aaron Sullivan, General News Reporter August 3, 2023

Unbeknownst to J. Tinsley Oden, his passion for computational science as a graduate student at Oklahoma State would lay the groundwork for a world-renowned institute at UT. He cranked numerical algorithms...

‘No es un humano. Es un robot’: investigadores de UT concluyen que la IA debe desarrollar habilidades de pensamiento crítico para ser una herramienta efectiva

‘No es un humano. Es un robot’: investigadores de UT concluyen que la IA debe desarrollar habilidades de pensamiento crítico para ser una herramienta efectiva

Aaron Sullivan and Karen Flores July 5, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 29 de junio por Aaron Sullivan y fue traducido al español por Karen Flores. “Las llaves del gabinete está en la mesa”. Espera,...

UT RTF professor records Barton Creek’s history with new website

UT RTF professor records Barton Creek’s history with new website

Aaron Sullivan, Seniors News Reporter July 3, 2023

Radio-Television-Film professor Karen Kocher created the Barton Creek Time Stream, a multimedia educational website dedicated to telling the history of Barton Creek’s conservation efforts. Looking...

‘It’s not a human. It’s a robot’: UT researchers conclude AI must develop critical thinking skills to be effective tool

‘It’s not a human. It’s a robot’: UT researchers conclude AI must develop critical thinking skills to be effective tool

Aaron Sullivan, General News Reporter June 29, 2023

“The keys to the cabinet is on the table.” Wait — that doesn’t sound right.  Artificial intelligence like ChatGPT must develop social skills and world knowledge to avoid mistakes human...

‘Levanta cada voz y canta’: la comunidad celebra el 19 de junio en Eastwoods Park

‘Levanta cada voz y canta’: la comunidad celebra el 19 de junio en Eastwoods Park

Aaron Sullivan and Jessica Nino June 24, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 19 de junio por Aaron Sullivan y fue traducido al español por Jessica Nino. Ayer por la noche, la comunidad se reunió en Eastwoods...

‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’: Community celebrates Juneteenth at Eastwoods Park

‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’: Community celebrates Juneteenth at Eastwoods Park

Aaron Sullivan, General News Reporter June 19, 2023

Yesterday evening, the community gathered at Eastwoods Park near UT to celebrate Juneteenth with speeches, barbecues and educational displays organized by the University’s Institute for Urban Policy...

Former UT journalism director Kathleen McElroy to direct Texas A&M’s new journalism program

Former UT journalism director Kathleen McElroy to direct Texas A&M’s new journalism program

Aaron Sullivan, General News Reporter June 19, 2023

Journalism professor Kathleen McElroy is leaving UT to become the director of Texas A&M University’s new journalism program, according to a June 13 press release from Texas A&M.  According...

Estudio de UT encuentra disminución en la calidad de la atención médica reproductiva después de Roe v. Wade

Estudio de UT encuentra disminución en la calidad de la atención médica reproductiva después de Roe v. Wade

Aaron Sullivan and Alyssa Ramos June 14, 2023

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 8 de junio por Aaron Sullivan y fue traducido al español por Alyssa Ramos. La calidad de la atención brindada a pacientes que experimentan...

UT’s Johnson Wildflower Center hosts inaugural Pride Day event

UT’s Johnson Wildflower Center hosts inaugural Pride Day event

Aaron Sullivan, General News Reporter June 11, 2023

Yesterday at the inaugural Pride Day event at UT’s Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, the wildflowers weren’t the only ones showing off their colors. Gardening enthusiasts, local community members...

UT study finds decline in reproductive healthcare quality post-Roe v. Wade

UT study finds decline in reproductive healthcare quality post-Roe v. Wade

Aaron Sullivan, General News Reporter June 8, 2023

The quality of care provided to patients experiencing pregnancy complications, often treated by abortion, has decreased since the reversal of Roe v. Wade, according to a study published on May 15 by...

Graduating seniors are leaving their mark, but not in the way you think

Graduating seniors are leaving their mark, but not in the way you think

Aaron Sullivan, General News Reporter April 20, 2023

While people associate graduation with caps and gowns, it's also become synonymous with increased trash on UT’s campus. As the semester ends, confetti, streamers and champagne corks collect around Littlefield...

Graduate film student Tania Cattebeke Laconich wins first Moody College of Communication photojournalism contest

Graduate film student Tania Cattebeke Laconich wins first Moody College of Communication photojournalism contest

Aaron Sullivan, General News Reporter April 2, 2023

The Moody College of Communication opened its second photojournalism gallery exhibit on Thursday, where a collection of photos from graduate film student Tania Cattebeke Laconich is displayed after her...

Borgs’ arrival raise alcohol safety questions

Borgs’ arrival raise alcohol safety questions

Aaron Sullivan, General News Reporter February 23, 2023

In their college days, our parents tapped kegs in fraternity backyards. For millennials, jungle juice was a staple for any good rager. Now, Gen Z is modernizing drinking with borgs, or blackout rage gallons. Borgs...

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick gives a speech at the Texan Capital on Feb 18, 2022. He addressed critical race theory and pledged to eliminate tenure for new hires at Texas public universities.

Dan Patrick’s plan to end tenure has yet to come to fruition, but some Texas lawmakers are targeting class curriculum

Aaron Sullivan, General News Reporter February 12, 2023

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced last February that ending tenure in public universities would be a “top priority” this legislative session, but Texas lawmakers have yet to file a bill attempting to...

Austin Public Health announces campaign to increase parents’ vaccine confidence

Austin Public Health announces campaign to increase parents’ vaccine confidence

Aaron Sullivan, General News Reporter February 10, 2023

Austin Public Health announced in a Jan. 27 press release its “Be Your Child’s Hero” campaign, an effort to build parental confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine’s safety and efficacy. The announcement...

UT requests $48 million in ‘exceptional items’ funding from state, including nuclear reactor research project

UT requests $48 million in ‘exceptional items’ funding from state, including nuclear reactor research project

Aaron Sullivan, General News Reporter February 9, 2023

UT requested $48.2 million to fund several special projects in addition to its baseline funding ahead of Texas’ 88th Legislative Session, which started Jan. 10. Each state agency, including public...

Moody opens new photojournalism gallery to feature the work of students and professionals

Moody opens new photojournalism gallery to feature the work of students and professionals

Aaron Sullivan, General News Reporter January 29, 2023

The Moody College of Communication opened a new photojournalism gallery on Tuesday featuring the work of California-based social activist, photojournalist and Moody College Fellow David Bacon. Bacon’s...

Moody students ‘serve’ content at professional tennis tournament on campus

Moody students ‘serve’ content at professional tennis tournament on campus

Aaron Sullivan, General News Reporter November 15, 2022

Moody students put the skills they learn in the classroom to the test by covering a men’s pro tennis open last week at the Texas Tennis Center. The Greenview Development and Majestic Realty Open,...

Austin Mayor candidates speak at the LBJ Presidential Library on Oct. 28, 2022. Candidates discussed their stances on current issues.

Austin mayoral candidates share platforms at LBJ Library

Aaron Sullivan, General News Reporter October 31, 2022

Candidates running for Austin mayor held a forum Friday at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library to present their platforms to voters. Austin’s current mayor, Steve Adler, cannot run for reelection...

The Texas Longhorn Band reveals their new bass drum Big Bertha ll during the UT vs. Iowa State game on Oct. 15, 2022.

Longhorn Band retires Big Bertha after 100 years, unveils Big Bertha II

Aaron Sullivan, General News Reporter October 25, 2022

The Longhorn Band unveiled Big Bertha II, a replacement for the band's iconic 8-foot diameter drum, on her predecessor's 100th birthday at UT’s football game against Iowa State on Oct. 15. A University...

Texas Congressman introduces act to increase transparency for students transferring colleges

Texas Congressman introduces act to increase transparency for students transferring colleges

Aaron Sullivan, News Reporter October 18, 2022

A proposed federal measure called the Transparency for Transfer Students Act could require universities to post transfer deadlines, financial aid information and a list of all schools from which credits...

East Riverside-Oltorf council candidates introduce themselves to voters

East Riverside-Oltorf council candidates introduce themselves to voters

Aaron Sullivan, General News Reporter October 10, 2022

Six candidates running to replace District 3 council member Sabino “Pio” Renteria held a community forum at the Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center on Thursday to present their platforms to voters. District...

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Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin