Stories by Andy Jechow, KUT
City urges high-risk people to avoid gatherings as Austin moves to Stage 5 Covid precautions
Lee esta historia en español. Austin and Travis County are back at the highest stage of Austin Public Health’s Covid-19 community risk guidance as the omicron variant of the coronavirus has caused a surge of new infections and hospitalizations. The…
Public Health • By Andy Jechow, KUT • Jan 7, 2022
Thousands of free masks and hand sanitizer will be given out in Travis County's Covid-19 hot spots
Lee esta historia en español. Tens of thousands of face masks and bottles of hand sanitizer will be distributed for free in coronavirus hot spots in the Austin area, public health officials announced Wednesday. The distribution events, the first of…
Public Health • By Andy Jechow, KUT • Sep 4, 2020
Austin health official expects city's face-covering guidance will become a requirement
The interim medical director and health authority for Austin-Travis County says he expects a recommendation for Austinites to wear fabric face coverings when they’re outside the home to become a requirement. Dr. Mark Escott said Monday that having people cover…
Public Health • By Andy Jechow, KUT • Apr 7, 2020
Updated: Austin closes bars, prohibits dining in at restaurants and limits gatherings in response to COVID-19
Restaurants are limited to drive-thru and pick-up service, bars must close, and indoor and outdoor gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited in Austin effective noon Tuesday. Critical infrastructure, like grocery stores, pharmacies, government buildings, schools and hospitals, are…
Public Health • By Andy Jechow, KUT • Mar 17, 2020
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State Sen. Kirk Watson stepping down in April to lead Hobby School of Public Affairs
State Sen. Kirk Watson, who has represented Austin in the Texas Senate since 2007, announced he’s resigning this spring to become the founding dean of the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston. In a letter to Gov.…
Texas State Legislature • By Andy Jechow, KUT • Feb 19, 2020
Odd smell in Austin's tap water likely caused by zebra mussels, city says
If you think your tap water smells strange today, you’re not alone. South and Central Austin residents began noticing the unusual smell Thursday morning. Austin Water initially said work on a waterline was to blame, but in an afternoon update,…
