#covid19

Expanded telehealth is coming to an end

A Texas couple chose midwife care over a hospital, and now their baby is in foster care. Why this story is sounding alarm bells for many across the state.

Changes are coming to telehealth with the end of a federal pandemic order – and some patients will have to return to in-person medical care.

A bill in the Texas Legislature could lead to fines for some Texans who report pollution concerns.

Texas is home to millions of bats. But according to a new report out this week, more than half of North America’s bats are in peril if action isn’t taken to protect them.

The latest on Texas’ winter freeze

As temperatures plummet with a major cold front bearing down on the lone star state, down into the teens in many parts, we continue to monitor conditions across Texas. Eric Berge of Houston’s Space City Weather joins us with an overview, the dangers ahead, and when we can expect to thaw out from this last big chill of 2022. Also a rethink of ways to address the mental health crisis. And the week in politics with the Texas Tribune. These stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: June 13, 2022

Less than democrats hoped for but more than they expected, that’s how a new bipartisan gun safety deal, led in part by Texas Senator John Cornyn, is being characterized by some. We’ll hear what’s in it and what isn’t. Also, the tight market for homes in Austin and elsewhere in Texas; would-be homebuyers might be surprised what they’re up against. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: April 20, 2022

In 2013 she made a name for herself with a filibuster against proposals to restrict abortion. In 2022, Wendy Davis is back in the headlines. The latest today on the Texas Standard.
Despite many unsuccessful challenges to SB8, former State Senator Wendy Davis is front and center in a legal challenge against a law that effectively bans abortions in Texas. We’ll hear how this legal effort differs from previous challenges.
Back to the future for DeLorean? This time it’s with a big Texas twist and a battery boost.
Also must see TV for Texans? The co-founders of a Texas based television festival on what to watch.

Texas Standard: February 18, 2022

Nineteen indictments of Austin police officers in what appears to be one of the biggest indictments of a single police department in connection with the racial justice demonstrations of 2020. Also, the week in politics with the Texas Tribune. These stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 11, 2022

The Texas attorney general files a legal challenge against the Biden administration’s plans for a minimum wage hike. Also, why are witnesses being instructed not to talk about race as they come before a Dallas grand jury to testify about police actions in the George Floyd protests? Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 7, 2022

A Texas official takes on listener questions about new vote-by-mail rules. Also, the energy implications of last week’s winter storm and the lingering psychological impacts of the winter storm of 2021. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: January 27, 2022

With news of Stephen Breyer’s retirement, a Texas legal scholar offers an inside look at who might be on President Biden’s short list for the supreme court. Also, a new commodity for Texas farmers and ranchers that could help save the world; why so few are currently buying in. Plus, Omar Gallaga with some choice words about the Wordle craze. These stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: January 26, 2022

Who’ll take the place of Eddie Bernice Johnson? Why the race for Texas’ 30th congressional seat is one to watch as primary season closes in. Also, amid growing concerns about police traffic stops turning confrontational, and sometimes deadly, a Texas town tries a different approach: tickets via text message. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard.

Texas Standard: January 24, 2022

Austin has ’em, so does San Antonio–now, almost five years after Hurricane Harvey, Harris County officials are looking into massive underground tunnels to help with flooding. Also, why Texas is one of only four states where employment numbers have bounced back to pre-pandemic levels. And, Austin-based author on her new book exploring the Mexican American experience in Texas. Those stories and more, today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: January 21, 2022

What, exactly, does Governor Abbott’s newly unveiled “Parental Bill of Rights” really mean for Texas public schools? Also, many renters in Hays county brace themselves as federal dollars for a covid rent relief program disappear. Those stories, the week in politics, and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: January 20, 2022

Confusion and widespread rejections of mail-in ballot applications statewide as a registration day approaches. Also, Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir on the early impact of changes to voting laws. And why the world’s only binational professional baseball team may say bye-bye for good to its Laredo home. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: January 19, 2022

Central and southern Texas braces for its first winter storm event of 2022 as emergency teams in Bastrop struggle with a wildfire and evacuations. Plus, a wave of resignations from Texas school superintendents. Also, Texas experts offer a projection of when Omicron may peak in Texas. Join us for all this and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: August 9, 2021

With the Delta COVID variant spreading and a gubernatorial mask mandate in place what are local officials to do? Some say mandate masks anyway. More today on the Texas Standard. A battle over mask mandates and why the issue could end up in court. Also, what parents are thinking about a return to school. Vaccine mandates at the federal level, why enforcing them is proving to be a challenge. The great bitcoin migration from China and why many miners are coming to Texas to dig for virtual gold.
And growing up in the Lone Star State–two authors look for a common thread that binds some of the best known figures of modern Texas history. Those stories and a whole lot more.

Texas Standard: August 6, 2021

As the Delta COVID variant spreads rapidly nationwide, what’s the big picture looking like for Texas? A new model provides some answers. That and more today on the Texas Standard.
A spike in COVID cases or something more? Researchers at the University of Texas have a better idea of the Delta variant’s trajectory- and we’ll hear what they’re projecting.
An increase in migrants and asylum seekers reaching a tipping point in McAllen as city leaders begin building shelters, calling it as matter of public safety. We’ll hear more.
And the new official Texas state fungi? No, it’s not some guy named McConaughey, we’re talking mushrooms- and a whole lot more.

Texas Standard: August 5, 2021

As front line workers warn of the spread of the Delta variant, a top Texas pediatric doctor intensifies warnings about back to school. That today on the Texas Standard.
The latest from the pediatrician in chief at Texas Children’s Hospital says 80% of new hospital admissions are COVID related. We’ll hear an update.
Also, the close of a special session brought to an early standstill. What comes next? And will anything change?
And, the threat to cutoff capitol pay- if you’ve put in the work, aren’t you entitled to the money, period? Yes. Unless there’s a loophole, and a Texas law professor says there is one. Those stories and more.

Texas Standard: August 4, 2021

Back to school? How’s that going to work with Texas now a top state for the spread of a new COVID variant. That and more on today’s Texas Standard.
Rates of COVID infection are back up near pandemic highs in Texas and younger and unvaccinated people appear to be more vulnerable to the Delta variant. And schools are scrambling to get ready. We’ll talk with reporters in Dallas and El Paso and get the latest.
Also, Governor Abbott’s executive order restricting the transportation of migrants is dealt a blow by a federal judge. And what is it that makes Texas gymnast Simone Biles the greatest of all time. Those stories and more.

Texas Standard: August 3, 2021

A call out for more nurses to respond to a health care crisis in the coastal bend as hospital reach a critical point in caring for COVID patients. More today on the Texas Standard.
As many parts of Texas sound the alarm over the rapid spread of the Delta Variant, local officials scramble to come up with answers. We’ll hear from the judge of Nueces County issuing an all cal for nurses, and from a doctor in Temple who says she’s seeing more severe cases among pregnant women than at any time in the pandemic. Also, an effort to deal with food insecurity through food literacy. And the search for true history of the battle of Medina. All those stories and more.

Is the Pandemic Over for Austin Music?

We ask the question, “Is the Pandemic Over For Austin Music?” You’ll hear from public health experts, a musician, a fan, a venue owner and a venue manager about what whether or not the CDC’s change in mask guidance for vaccinated individuals coupled with the big reopening in Austin music venues that took place on Memorial Day weekend signals the end of the pandemic for Austin’s music scene.

In this episode you’ll hear from:

Jason R. Pickett, MD, FACEP, FAEMS: Deputy Medical Director for Austin
Matt Lara: Public Information Officer – City of Austin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
The Teeta: Austin based hip-hop artist
Sabrina Mikan RN, PhD: Music fan
Steve Sternshein: Managing Partner of Heard Presents and Owner of Empire Control Room and Garage
Jeanette Gregor — Venue Manager for Mohawk and Co-founder of The Amplified Sound Coalition.

Let us know your thoughts! Take the Pause/Play Survey!

Austin hip-hop Artist the Teeta — AUSTIN, TX. May 28, 2021. The Teeta in East Austin. Michael Minasi/KUTX

You can listen to Jason Pickett’s podcast here: https://atcomd.wordpress.com/category/podcasts/

You can follow Sabrina Mikan on @lovefromatx on Instagram.

AUSTIN, TX. May 27, 2021. Sabrina Mikan. Michael Minasi/KUTX

The Art of LiveStreaming

We’re looking at the art of live streaming. You’ll hear the different ways people are approaching it and what it could mean for the future of the Austin music community.

In this episode you’ll hear from singer and Songwriter Kevin McKinney, Myf Mars from Hotel Free TV, photographer Ismael Quintanilla lll, Jason Reece from …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead, Evan and Dustin Bozarth & Grego Loboz from Purple Bee TV, Sean Green and Eric Heirt from Safe House, Sarah Keilers aka Dossey and Drew Dunavan from Love and Lightstream

This episode has music from, Kevin McKinney, Sweet Spirit, Sasha and the Valentines, Jaime Ospina, Pelvis Wrestley, …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, David Shabani, Jagtronica and Dossey.

Links:

Kevin McKinney Music

Hotel Free TV

Hotel Free TV’s Patreon.

Ismael Quintanilla’s I Am Here All Day

…And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead

Purple Bee TV

Safe House

Love and Lightstream

Listen to music from this episode