Austin’s Top News – August 7, 2020

Austin's Top News from News Radio KLBJ

Mixed reaction towards Austin schools reopening plan

Reaction has been mixed to the Austin school district’s decision to begin class on September 8th and push for a full eight weeks of online learning. While many support the idea, many others say the district is not doing the students or parents any favors. Last night’s vote pushes back the original plan’s start date by three weeks. 10 minutes will also be added to each school day to meet the TEA’s required number of instructional hours for each year. 

Round Rock residents respond to postponed election 

Several Round Rock residents stand before the City Council, criticizing its decision to twice postpone the election, including the second time into May of next year. The council had voted to delay because of coronavirus fears. Lillian Butler, a resident of Round Rock, claims the council was just trying to take the easy way out. 

“I honestly don’t believe you meant to do what you did, to be interpreted to some kind of takeover or evil voter suppression. I think you were just lazy,” says Butler.

The council has decided to reschedule the election once again at another meeting later this month. The attorney general has ruled that that election has to be held in November.

COVID-19 update

For the first time in weeks, Travis County has fewer than 300 people in the hospital for coronavirus. The numbers dropped by 11 from a day ago and now are down to 297. ICU beds are also slowly freeing up. Just under 500 more recoveries have been recorded now, totaling 20,525. There have been 22,256 confirmed cases since March.

55 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized in Williamson County this morning, reflecting a decline of six from a day ago. But even with that drop in COVID patients, the county’s hospital bed capacity has dropped down to 27% today. It was at 30% yesterday, and that does further back up the county’s announcement this week that even amid the pandemic, capacity has really not differed much from pre-COVID years. Active cases have dropped steadily all week, and recoveries have steadily climbed. As of today, 5,359 of the 6,058 confirmed cases have recovered. 

Nursing home visitations return

Some welcome news has come this week for Texas families. Visitation is being allowed once again at nursing homes and long term care facilities. Diana Ramirez, with the Texas Assisted Living Association, calls it a good first step.

“We’re glad that the governor and the agency has recognized what isolation brings. It can be just as devastating as COVID,” says Ramirez.

For months, family members have been unable to visit their loved ones. This new change allows for visitation outside of nursing homes and limited indoor visitation and long term care facilities. 

No athletic competitions for St. Edwards

There will be no athletic competition for St. Edward’s University this fall. The school has cancelled all sports for the semester. That includes volleyball, women’s soccer and women’s lacrosse, but not men’s or women’s basketball, typically those are played in the winter. Earlier this year, six varsity sports programs were permanently done away with because of the virus.

Legalizing marijuana in Texas 

Legalizing marijuana in Texas is being talked about seriously as a remedy to the states projected $4.6 billion revenue shortfall. 

“We could raise three billion on cannabis. It’s right there, right there in front of us.” State Representative Roland Gutierrez is working on an omnibus bill 24 pages so far. It would make recreational marijuana legal for those over 21 in Texas. His $3 billion revenue estimate comes from studying the 10 other states and District of Columbia that have already legalized it.

“We’re six times the size of Colorado. They’re doing $300 million in taxation then we should be able to do three billion in biennium.” Gutierrez says it will create revenue jobs, help farmers and put money back into education. 

“Why we’re not doing it is beyond me,” says Gutierrez.

Advocate groups fear for Austin’s future with less police

More Austin groups of concern that Austin police will lose out on officer spots and funding in the coming upcoming budget. Sex trafficking victims advocate Michelle Taylor with The Austin 20 calls the proposed losses preposterous.

“Decreasing the number of police officers on the streets; we are going to significantly reduce the ability to help these young trafficking victims. The actions the city council is considering would lead young girls vulnerable and enslaved sex trafficking and that’s not something that I feel like I could live with,” sats Taylor

The Austin 20 is joined by another group called Austin Moms, who also fears the loss of 100 police officers would leave the area’s most vulnerable children risk. 

This news and more on News Radio KLBJ:

https://omny.fm/shows/klbjam-flash-briefing-1/am-newscast-8-7-20


The Business of Business : Austin is a weekly podcast with the goal of providing practical advice for SMB owners and managers on a variety of topics including advertising and marketing, operations, tech, news and trends, management and finance. The podcast is hosted by KLBJ-AM veteran Kenny Rahmeyer and features a conversation with a subject matter expert. Click here to learn more.

The Business of Business ATX Texas Mutual Kenny Rahmeyer in studio

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