Central Health announced it was buying land for a new health and wellness center in southeast Travis County at the end of August, marking another step in the health care district’s efforts to improve access to care in the underserved area. The 2.5-acre site is one of three new centers planned for the so-called Eastern […]
Marisa Charpentier, KUT
Posted inAustin
Buses will take Hurricane Laura evacuees back home Friday, Austin says
Some Hurricane Laura evacuees who came to the Austin area can return home, Central Texas officials said just after 4 p.m. Thursday. Many evacuees in the area came from Galveston, which is no longer under a mandatory evacuation order. Evacuation mandates have also been lifted in other counties near the Gulf Coast including Hardin, Chambers […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Austin police release two people who fired handguns in deadly incident during protest
Both people who opened fire during an incident that led to the death of a man at a Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Austin on Saturday night have been released after questioning. Both shooters reported themselves to police, according to Austin Police Chief Brian Manley. One shooter is believed to be the driver of […]
Posted inPublic Health
Gov. Abbott issues order requiring Texans to wear face coverings in public
People in Texas counties with more than 20 COVID-19 cases will be required to wear face coverings when in public starting Friday — and those who don’t could be fined. Gov. Greg Abbott signed an executive order Thursday mandating people wear face coverings over the nose and mouth when inside businesses or other spaces open […]
Posted inAustin
With Abbott’s green light, Austin will require businesses to enforce mask rules
While the governor has said Texans can’t face penalties for not wearing face coverings, cities and counties can apparently mandate that businesses require their customers to wear masks. Austin Mayor Steve Adler issued an order Wednesday requiring businesses to start doing so by next week. “Wearing masks is important, to our health and to opening […]
Posted inPublic Health
Austin-area Covid-19 hospitalizations hit one-day record, seven-day average now tops 20
A record of 30 new Covid-19 hospital admissions was reported in the Austin area Sunday evening. The seven-day moving average of new admissions increased to 20.6. Austin Public Health has been warning that the average – which has been rising since June 9 – needs to remain below 20. Otherwise the area will move into […]
Posted inAustin
Water parks, adult sports programs, mall food courts can reopen this month
Water parks, recreational sports programs for adults, driver education programs and food-court dining areas in malls can reopen this month with certain occupancy restrictions and health protocols, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday. Water parks can open at 25 percent occupancy starting Friday. Interactive components of water parks, like video arcades or child play areas, must […]
Posted inAustin
Texas attorney general warns some Austin-Travis County Covid-19 orders are ‘unlawful’
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sent a letter to Austin Mayor Steve Adler and outgoing Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt on Tuesday saying some of the requirements in their local public health orders are unlawful and “likely to confuse residents.” Paxton sent similar letters to leaders in Dallas County, Bexar County and the city of […]
Posted inAustin
Gov. Abbott says Texas salons and barbershops can reopen Friday
Hair salons, barbershops, nail salons and tanning salons may reopen starting Friday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced. Gyms, nonessential manufacturers and businesses that work out of office buildings will be allowed to reopen May 18, with certain restrictions. “Our ability to show we can coexist with Covid-19 depends on ongoing efforts and good hygiene to continue […]
Posted inPolice
Officer-involved shooting in Southeast Austin spurs investigation and protests
The Travis County District Attorney’s Office and Austin’s Office of Police Oversight are investigating an officer-involved shooting that took place Friday night in Southeast Austin. Local organizations have deemed the shooting, which resulted in the death of a 42-year-old man, unjustified, and members of the community protested the incident on Saturday. After receiving a 911 […]
Posted inAustin
Abbott orders statewide limits on nonessential activity, but won’t call it a ‘stay-at-home’ order
Gov. Greg Abbott issued an order Tuesday requiring Texans to limit personal interactions that could lead to the spread of Covid-19. The order states schools will remain closed until at least May 4. People may still leave their homes to access essential services like providers of groceries or medicine and to go outside for exercise. […]
Posted inPublic Health
Austin Public Health is setting up two facilities to house nursing home residents with Covid-19
Austin Public Health announced Monday that its new nursing home task force is setting up sites to house nursing home residents who test positive for Covid-19. The city says these isolation facilities will give Covid-19 patients who don’t need hospitalization a safe place to recover while staying away from other nursing home residents and staff. […]