1 00:00:08,420 --> 00:00:10,499 The University of Texas at Austin is 2 00:00:10,500 --> 00:00:11,939 restructuring departments in the 3 00:00:11,940 --> 00:00:13,439 College of Liberal Arts. 4 00:00:13,440 --> 00:00:15,059 The decision was announced today, 5 00:00:15,060 --> 00:00:16,519 but it's a move that students and 6 00:00:16,520 --> 00:00:17,819 staff have been worried about for 7 00:00:17,820 --> 00:00:19,559 months. We're gonna have more about 8 00:00:19,560 --> 00:00:21,619 the departments affected, 9 00:00:21,620 --> 00:00:23,379 and police in Austin are still using 10 00:00:23,380 --> 00:00:25,299 license plate reader data, months 11 00:00:25,300 --> 00:00:26,979 after city council ended using the 12 00:00:26,980 --> 00:00:29,019 technology on grounds of privacy 13 00:00:29,020 --> 00:00:29,939 concerns. 14 00:00:29,940 --> 00:00:31,859 How and when APD says they're using 15 00:00:31,860 --> 00:00:33,879 the data and the tech's future use 16 00:00:33,880 --> 00:00:35,819 here in Austin, that is coming up 17 00:00:35,820 --> 00:00:37,439 on today's show. 18 00:00:37,440 --> 00:00:39,339 The Austin Signal is a production 19 00:00:39,340 --> 00:00:41,419 of KUT News, hosted by 20 00:00:41,420 --> 00:00:42,519 Jerry Quijano. 21 00:00:42,520 --> 00:00:44,479 Plus, 30,000 people 22 00:00:44,480 --> 00:00:46,139 are gearing up for this weekend's 23 00:00:46,140 --> 00:00:47,199 Austin Marathon. 24 00:00:47,200 --> 00:00:48,759 It's gonna be an especially big deal 25 00:00:48,760 --> 00:00:50,719 for one man who was left paralyzed 26 00:00:50,720 --> 00:00:53,219 after a snowboarding accident. 27 00:00:53,220 --> 00:00:54,619 Come hear his story. 28 00:00:54,620 --> 00:00:56,619 That's coming up next, right here on 29 00:00:56,620 --> 00:00:57,620 Austin Signal. 30 00:01:06,540 --> 00:01:08,479 Howdy out there, this is 31 00:01:08,480 --> 00:01:09,399 Austin Signal. 32 00:01:09,400 --> 00:01:11,039 Thank you for tuning in to listener 33 00:01:11,040 --> 00:01:12,959 powered public radio. 34 00:01:12,960 --> 00:01:14,819 This is KUT News. 35 00:01:14,820 --> 00:01:16,959 I'm your host, Jerry Kikano. 36 00:01:16,960 --> 00:01:19,219 It's Thursday, February 12th. 37 00:01:19,220 --> 00:01:21,239 Thank you, for making us part of 38 00:01:21,240 --> 00:01:22,240 your day. 39 00:01:23,080 --> 00:01:24,899 The city of Austin ended a 40 00:01:24,900 --> 00:01:26,459 controversial program last year that 41 00:01:26,460 --> 00:01:28,339 had cameras up across the city, 42 00:01:28,340 --> 00:01:30,199 helping to find people by reading 43 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:31,639 license plates. 44 00:01:31,640 --> 00:01:33,299 But months later, the Austin Police 45 00:01:33,300 --> 00:01:35,279 Department still has access to 46 00:01:35,280 --> 00:01:36,589 the technology. 47 00:01:36,590 --> 00:01:38,529 KUT's Andrew Weber reports that 48 00:01:38,530 --> 00:01:40,589 one city council member wants to 49 00:01:40,590 --> 00:01:42,290 close this surveillance loophole. 50 00:01:43,760 --> 00:01:45,219 Austin ended its license plate 51 00:01:45,220 --> 00:01:47,019 reader program after a lot of 52 00:01:47,020 --> 00:01:48,419 pushback from residents. 53 00:01:48,420 --> 00:01:49,919 They said the cameras made by Flock 54 00:01:49,920 --> 00:01:52,039 Safety constantly scan license 55 00:01:52,040 --> 00:01:53,719 plates and those scans are 56 00:01:53,720 --> 00:01:55,479 accessible to any law enforcement 57 00:01:55,480 --> 00:01:57,139 agency with access. 58 00:01:57,140 --> 00:01:58,779 They argued that could enable 59 00:01:58,780 --> 00:02:00,079 deportations by immigration 60 00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:02,139 authorities or lead to wrongful 61 00:02:02,140 --> 00:02:03,279 arrests. 62 00:02:03,280 --> 00:02:04,719 Mackenzie Rine, an attorney and 63 00:02:04,720 --> 00:02:06,519 privacy advocate, likened the system 64 00:02:06,520 --> 00:02:08,379 of cameras across the city to a 65 00:02:08,380 --> 00:02:10,339 mouth that constantly needs 66 00:02:10,340 --> 00:02:11,979 feeding. And the only way to protect 67 00:02:11,980 --> 00:02:13,839 protect us, is to refuse to feed the 68 00:02:13,840 --> 00:02:14,909 surveillance system entirely. 69 00:02:14,910 --> 00:02:16,809 She and others urged the city to 70 00:02:16,810 --> 00:02:18,749 end its contract with Flock, and it 71 00:02:18,750 --> 00:02:20,189 did. The Austin Police Department 72 00:02:20,190 --> 00:02:22,049 removed the dozens of cameras around 73 00:02:22,050 --> 00:02:23,929 the city. It was the largest city 74 00:02:23,930 --> 00:02:24,889 to do so. 75 00:02:24,890 --> 00:02:26,069 Cut to last week. 76 00:02:26,070 --> 00:02:28,029 Concern tonight from Austinites over 77 00:02:28,030 --> 00:02:29,609 government surveillance and how 78 00:02:29,610 --> 00:02:31,529 federal law enforcement may be 79 00:02:31,530 --> 00:02:32,929 using local tech. 80 00:02:32,930 --> 00:02:33,269 Thanks so much. 81 00:02:33,270 --> 00:02:35,189 That's a KXAN piece on concerns 82 00:02:35,190 --> 00:02:37,249 about, you guessed it, flock cameras 83 00:02:37,250 --> 00:02:38,589 in North Austin. 84 00:02:38,590 --> 00:02:40,049 Those cameras are operated by the 85 00:02:40,050 --> 00:02:41,589 Texas Department of Public Safety on 86 00:02:41,590 --> 00:02:43,189 its North Lamar campus. 87 00:02:43,190 --> 00:02:44,729 The city can't regulate those, but 88 00:02:44,730 --> 00:02:46,569 it got me curious whether data 89 00:02:46,570 --> 00:02:48,229 from those cameras could be shared 90 00:02:48,230 --> 00:02:49,889 with the Austin Police Department. 91 00:02:49,890 --> 00:02:51,629 The answer is yes. 92 00:02:51,630 --> 00:02:52,689 But that's not something the 93 00:02:52,690 --> 00:02:54,449 department told Mike Siegel. 94 00:02:54,450 --> 00:02:55,969 He's the Austin City Council member 95 00:02:55,970 --> 00:02:58,069 who pushed APD to end its license 96 00:02:58,070 --> 00:02:59,019 plate reader program. 97 00:02:59,020 --> 00:03:00,439 I think it's a violation of the 98 00:03:00,440 --> 00:03:01,889 intent of council policy. 99 00:03:01,890 --> 00:03:03,749 When the city started its program, 100 00:03:03,750 --> 00:03:05,709 it required APD to divulge who 101 00:03:05,710 --> 00:03:07,609 it was sharing its data with and 102 00:03:07,610 --> 00:03:09,529 when it requested data from other 103 00:03:09,530 --> 00:03:10,449 departments. 104 00:03:10,450 --> 00:03:11,829 That's important, Siegel says, 105 00:03:11,830 --> 00:03:13,249 because those guardrails prevented 106 00:03:13,250 --> 00:03:14,729 the Austin police department from 107 00:03:14,730 --> 00:03:17,049 sharing data in certain situations. 108 00:03:17,050 --> 00:03:18,669 You couldn't search the system for 109 00:03:18,670 --> 00:03:20,149 abortion crimes, right? 110 00:03:20,150 --> 00:03:21,409 You couldn't search it for 111 00:03:21,410 --> 00:03:23,629 possession of marijuana offenses. 112 00:03:23,630 --> 00:03:25,509 It seriously curtailed 113 00:03:25,510 --> 00:03:27,529 how the tool could be used, so that 114 00:03:27,530 --> 00:03:28,589 should be respected. 115 00:03:28,590 --> 00:03:30,569 But Round Rock and Sunset Valley 116 00:03:30,570 --> 00:03:32,469 police shared data from their flock 117 00:03:32,470 --> 00:03:34,429 cameras with Austin Police within 118 00:03:34,430 --> 00:03:36,089 the last month, according to their 119 00:03:36,090 --> 00:03:38,289 publicly available logs, without 120 00:03:38,290 --> 00:03:40,409 the oversight the city intended. 121 00:03:40,410 --> 00:03:42,269 APD told KUT that they do request 122 00:03:42,270 --> 00:03:43,849 access from other law enforcement 123 00:03:43,850 --> 00:03:46,069 agencies for investigations. 124 00:03:46,070 --> 00:03:48,069 But after KUT asked about the data 125 00:03:48,070 --> 00:03:49,849 sharing, the department said it may 126 00:03:49,850 --> 00:03:51,689 re-evaluate its policy. 127 00:03:51,690 --> 00:03:53,209 For Siegel, the incident highlights 128 00:03:53,210 --> 00:03:55,329 the need for a more comprehensive 129 00:03:55,330 --> 00:03:57,599 policy on surveillance technology. 130 00:03:57,600 --> 00:03:59,279 Siegel and other council members 131 00:03:59,280 --> 00:04:00,879 passed a measure called the Trust 132 00:04:00,880 --> 00:04:02,959 Act last week that would require 133 00:04:02,960 --> 00:04:04,919 formal agreements on data collection 134 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:06,959 and some city approval for 135 00:04:06,960 --> 00:04:07,879 APD. 136 00:04:07,880 --> 00:04:09,439 After speaking with KUT, Siegel said 137 00:04:09,440 --> 00:04:11,279 he plans on closing the gap 138 00:04:11,280 --> 00:04:12,819 in the city's current regulations 139 00:04:12,820 --> 00:04:15,079 requiring APD to better document 140 00:04:15,080 --> 00:04:17,099 how it requests data from other 141 00:04:17,100 --> 00:04:17,969 agencies. 142 00:04:17,970 --> 00:04:19,669 So I expect the council will clarify 143 00:04:19,670 --> 00:04:21,528 this issue when we adopt a 144 00:04:21,529 --> 00:04:23,629 final surveillance use policy to 145 00:04:23,630 --> 00:04:24,729 ensure that our police are not 146 00:04:24,730 --> 00:04:26,629 relying on a loophole to use 147 00:04:26,630 --> 00:04:28,149 surveillance tech that our community 148 00:04:28,150 --> 00:04:29,419 has clearly projected. 149 00:04:29,420 --> 00:04:30,799 Mackenzie Ryan, the activist we 150 00:04:30,800 --> 00:04:32,599 heard earlier who spoke out against 151 00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:35,079 flock cameras way back last June, 152 00:04:35,080 --> 00:04:36,779 said the department's loophole was 153 00:04:36,780 --> 00:04:37,409 inevitable. 154 00:04:37,410 --> 00:04:39,429 I mean, I can't say it's, like, 155 00:04:39,430 --> 00:04:40,449 surprising to me at all. 156 00:04:40,450 --> 00:04:42,409 This constantly happens. 157 00:04:42,410 --> 00:04:44,069 This is the inherent problem with 158 00:04:44,070 --> 00:04:44,749 surveillance. 159 00:04:44,750 --> 00:04:46,689 Ryan says surveillance firms like 160 00:04:46,690 --> 00:04:49,249 Flock often ask for forgiveness, 161 00:04:49,250 --> 00:04:51,189 not permission, and that opaque data 162 00:04:51,190 --> 00:04:53,449 sharing like this is commonplace. 163 00:04:53,450 --> 00:04:54,909 She says cities and counties are 164 00:04:54,910 --> 00:04:56,209 often on their back foot when it 165 00:04:56,210 --> 00:04:58,229 comes to ensuring people's privacy. 166 00:04:58,230 --> 00:05:00,009 The first step you should ever have 167 00:05:00,010 --> 00:05:01,709 before you're implementing any of 168 00:05:01,710 --> 00:05:03,410 this should be, 169 00:05:04,470 --> 00:05:06,369 how do you ensure that this 170 00:05:06,370 --> 00:05:07,409 is not abused? 171 00:05:07,410 --> 00:05:09,389 How do you insure that people's 172 00:05:09,390 --> 00:05:10,789 data is protected, that their 173 00:05:10,790 --> 00:05:11,679 privacy is protected? 174 00:05:11,680 --> 00:05:13,739 Ryan says she supports the city's 175 00:05:13,740 --> 00:05:14,519 trust act. 176 00:05:14,520 --> 00:05:16,019 She says it's a step forward to 177 00:05:16,020 --> 00:05:17,699 protect Austinites from unwanted 178 00:05:17,700 --> 00:05:18,719 surveillance. 179 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:20,799 But she hopes the city keeps asking 180 00:05:20,800 --> 00:05:22,919 questions of security firms like 181 00:05:22,920 --> 00:05:23,739 Flock. 182 00:05:23,740 --> 00:05:24,740 I'm Andrew Weber. 183 00:05:25,740 --> 00:05:27,619 And Andrew is joining us now here 184 00:05:27,620 --> 00:05:29,139 live on the show for more discussion 185 00:05:29,140 --> 00:05:30,039 about this story. 186 00:05:30,040 --> 00:05:31,099 Welcome, Andrew. Thanks for having 187 00:05:31,100 --> 00:05:32,779 me, Jerry. So I know we were talking 188 00:05:32,780 --> 00:05:34,299 a little bit about Austin police 189 00:05:34,300 --> 00:05:35,699 here, but I wanted to ask and circle 190 00:05:35,700 --> 00:05:37,279 back to the flock cameras being used 191 00:05:37,280 --> 00:05:39,259 by the Department of Public Safety 192 00:05:39,260 --> 00:05:40,319 up on North Lamar. 193 00:05:40,320 --> 00:05:41,179 What do you know about those? 194 00:05:41,180 --> 00:05:42,039 What did you find through your 195 00:05:42,040 --> 00:05:42,679 investigation? 196 00:05:42,680 --> 00:05:44,819 Yeah, I reached out to DPS about 197 00:05:44,820 --> 00:05:46,019 those because they're on the DPS 198 00:05:46,020 --> 00:05:47,259 campus, like I said in the story. 199 00:05:48,300 --> 00:05:50,819 It's part of a big network of 200 00:05:50,820 --> 00:05:52,639 these flock cameras that 201 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:54,959 DPS maintains across the city. 202 00:05:54,960 --> 00:05:56,699 And the way they sort of, the 203 00:05:56,700 --> 00:05:58,039 preemption that they have is that 204 00:05:58,040 --> 00:05:59,679 these are state-owned roads. 205 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:01,259 North Lamar Boulevard is a state 206 00:06:01,260 --> 00:06:03,259 road. So they're allowed 207 00:06:03,260 --> 00:06:05,219 to put these cameras up there. 208 00:06:05,220 --> 00:06:07,239 It's not exactly where that data is 209 00:06:07,240 --> 00:06:09,739 going because, like this, 210 00:06:09,740 --> 00:06:11,679 like can share that with 211 00:06:11,680 --> 00:06:13,129 any department. 212 00:06:13,130 --> 00:06:14,449 It's not immediately clear if 213 00:06:14,450 --> 00:06:15,909 they're sharing it with APD they 214 00:06:15,910 --> 00:06:17,729 told me that I had to file a 215 00:06:17,730 --> 00:06:19,709 public records request to 216 00:06:19,710 --> 00:06:21,769 get that list of Agencies 217 00:06:21,770 --> 00:06:23,269 that they share with and I filed 218 00:06:23,270 --> 00:06:24,469 that and we're waiting on it and 219 00:06:24,470 --> 00:06:25,989 we'll report when I get that. 220 00:06:25,990 --> 00:06:25,990 Yeah 221 00:06:25,991 --> 00:06:27,469 Yeah, yeah, if you if and when you 222 00:06:27,470 --> 00:06:28,889 get that back we will bring it here 223 00:06:28,890 --> 00:06:30,789 on Austin signal Okay, I wanted 224 00:06:30,790 --> 00:06:33,189 to turn now to City Council We 225 00:06:33,190 --> 00:06:35,229 had a KUT City Hall reporter Luz 226 00:06:35,230 --> 00:06:36,969 Modena Lozano in a few weeks ago 227 00:06:36,970 --> 00:06:38,309 Maybe last week talking about 228 00:06:38,310 --> 00:06:40,089 something similar has council 229 00:06:40,090 --> 00:06:41,709 considered any use of any other 230 00:06:41,710 --> 00:06:43,249 technologies like this prior to 231 00:06:43,250 --> 00:06:44,779 these flock cameras 232 00:06:44,780 --> 00:06:46,539 Yeah, I was actually talking with 233 00:06:46,540 --> 00:06:47,619 Ben, our editor, about that. 234 00:06:47,620 --> 00:06:49,719 Today, it's sort of same genre, 235 00:06:49,720 --> 00:06:50,799 different artists. 236 00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:52,059 Luz has been covering live view 237 00:06:52,060 --> 00:06:53,939 cameras. Those are AI cameras 238 00:06:53,940 --> 00:06:56,259 that can sort of 239 00:06:56,260 --> 00:06:58,919 predict behavior and log it. 240 00:06:58,920 --> 00:07:00,819 And that's a big, big, 241 00:07:00,820 --> 00:07:02,939 sort of sticking 242 00:07:02,940 --> 00:07:04,399 point with a lot of folks is that 243 00:07:04,400 --> 00:07:05,639 there's a lot going on here and 244 00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:06,779 there's lot of data. 245 00:07:06,780 --> 00:07:08,019 And it's not necessarily secure 246 00:07:08,020 --> 00:07:09,020 data. 247 00:07:09,660 --> 00:07:10,679 That's one thing that they're 248 00:07:10,680 --> 00:07:11,979 looking at. They're looking biometric 249 00:07:11,980 --> 00:07:14,309 stuff as well within the trust 250 00:07:14,310 --> 00:07:16,229 uh, and these sort 251 00:07:16,230 --> 00:07:18,429 of sites that are these sort of 252 00:07:18,430 --> 00:07:20,449 devices that mimic, um, 253 00:07:20,450 --> 00:07:21,449 like a cell tower. 254 00:07:21,450 --> 00:07:23,509 So it pings somebody's phone and 255 00:07:23,510 --> 00:07:25,109 then police or investigators can 256 00:07:25,110 --> 00:07:27,049 get, get somebody's data from, from 257 00:07:27,050 --> 00:07:28,249 a phone. 258 00:07:28,250 --> 00:07:29,949 Okay, I want to circle back lastly 259 00:07:29,950 --> 00:07:31,629 to Councilmember Mike Siegel and the 260 00:07:31,630 --> 00:07:33,709 trust act Obviously, this is 261 00:07:33,710 --> 00:07:35,569 something that is constantly in 262 00:07:35,570 --> 00:07:37,189 conversation here in Austin and in 263 00:07:37,190 --> 00:07:38,629 other places across the country 264 00:07:38,630 --> 00:07:40,569 Should we can expect these kinds 265 00:07:40,570 --> 00:07:42,709 of conversations to continue at 266 00:07:42,710 --> 00:07:43,710 City Hall? 267 00:07:44,170 --> 00:07:46,269 Yes, uh, this, you know, 268 00:07:46,270 --> 00:07:48,269 this came after a week after the 269 00:07:48,270 --> 00:07:50,169 trust act passed and Siegel said he 270 00:07:50,170 --> 00:07:52,169 wants to sort of fast track a 271 00:07:52,170 --> 00:07:54,089 sort of correction to this loophole 272 00:07:54,090 --> 00:07:56,399 in that as they go forward. 273 00:07:56,400 --> 00:07:57,879 Alrighty, we have been speaking with 274 00:07:57,880 --> 00:07:58,759 Andrew Weber. 275 00:07:58,760 --> 00:07:59,799 He is KUT's Government 276 00:07:59,800 --> 00:08:01,279 Accountability Reporter. 277 00:08:01,280 --> 00:08:02,459 We're gonna have a link to his 278 00:08:02,460 --> 00:08:04,079 reporting in today's podcast, Show 279 00:08:04,080 --> 00:08:06,619 Notes, and at kut.org 280 00:08:06,620 --> 00:08:07,919 slash signal. 281 00:08:07,920 --> 00:08:08,899 Andrew, thank you very much. 282 00:08:08,900 --> 00:08:09,900 Thank you, Terry. 283 00:08:14,620 --> 00:08:16,299 Higher education has been in the 284 00:08:16,300 --> 00:08:18,239 crosshairs of Texas politics for 285 00:08:18,240 --> 00:08:20,159 several years, with the state laws 286 00:08:20,160 --> 00:08:22,179 being passed targeting DEI 287 00:08:22,180 --> 00:08:24,039 and education, and an effort 288 00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:25,739 from Governor Greg Abbott, who said 289 00:08:25,740 --> 00:08:27,619 in October to, quote, 290 00:08:27,620 --> 00:08:29,499 end indoctrination and return to 291 00:08:29,500 --> 00:08:32,239 education fundamentals, end quote. 292 00:08:32,240 --> 00:08:33,619 This morning, the University of 293 00:08:33,620 --> 00:08:35,058 Texas at Austin announced its 294 00:08:35,059 --> 00:08:36,739 restructuring the College liberal 295 00:08:36,740 --> 00:08:38,439 arts, a college that was home to 296 00:08:38,440 --> 00:08:40,369 ethnic and gender studies. 297 00:08:40,370 --> 00:08:41,849 For more about this, we are speaking 298 00:08:41,850 --> 00:08:43,808 with QUT's education reporter, 299 00:08:43,809 --> 00:08:45,489 Greta Diaz-Gonzalez-Vasquez. 300 00:08:45,490 --> 00:08:46,669 Greta, thanks for talking with us. 301 00:08:46,670 --> 00:08:47,849 Thank you for having me, Jerry. 302 00:08:47,850 --> 00:08:49,129 So tell us a little bit about what 303 00:08:49,130 --> 00:08:50,929 this consolidation looks like and 304 00:08:50,930 --> 00:08:53,099 about these affected departments. 305 00:08:53,100 --> 00:08:54,859 Yeah. So seven departments were 306 00:08:54,860 --> 00:08:55,759 affected in total. 307 00:08:55,760 --> 00:08:57,239 And I want to be clear that these 308 00:08:57,240 --> 00:08:59,439 departments will no longer exist. 309 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:01,619 So it's the African and African 310 00:09:01,620 --> 00:09:03,919 diaspora studies, American studies, 311 00:09:03,920 --> 00:09:05,359 Mexican, American and Latina 312 00:09:05,360 --> 00:09:07,179 studies, and women's gender 313 00:09:07,180 --> 00:09:09,279 and sexuality studies will be, those 314 00:09:09,280 --> 00:09:11,179 four will be consolidated into a new 315 00:09:11,180 --> 00:09:13,059 department of social and cultural 316 00:09:13,060 --> 00:09:15,019 analysis. And then there's other 317 00:09:15,020 --> 00:09:16,899 three, which is French and Italian. 318 00:09:16,900 --> 00:09:17,729 That's one. 319 00:09:17,730 --> 00:09:19,729 Germanic Studies and Slavic 320 00:09:19,730 --> 00:09:21,369 and Eurasian Studies, those will 321 00:09:21,370 --> 00:09:22,929 become the Department of European 322 00:09:22,930 --> 00:09:25,329 and Eurasian Studies. 323 00:09:25,330 --> 00:09:27,149 This information was given 324 00:09:27,150 --> 00:09:29,009 to 325 00:09:29,010 --> 00:09:30,269 the heads of departments this 326 00:09:30,270 --> 00:09:32,369 morning, and we first heard it from 327 00:09:32,370 --> 00:09:34,089 faculty from those departments, and 328 00:09:34,090 --> 00:09:35,909 then UT President Jim Davis sent 329 00:09:35,910 --> 00:09:37,489 an email to the community announcing 330 00:09:37,490 --> 00:09:39,730 these changes later in the day. 331 00:09:40,990 --> 00:09:42,409 On top of the departments being 332 00:09:42,410 --> 00:09:44,189 consolidated, Davis also said 333 00:09:44,190 --> 00:09:45,749 curriculums will be reviewed and 334 00:09:45,750 --> 00:09:47,799 they will determine which minors 335 00:09:47,800 --> 00:09:49,699 majors and courses will be 336 00:09:49,700 --> 00:09:51,559 offered once this restructure 337 00:09:51,560 --> 00:09:52,109 is done. 338 00:09:52,110 --> 00:09:53,969 Okay yeah, lots of department names, 339 00:09:53,970 --> 00:09:55,009 we're going to have a link to the 340 00:09:55,010 --> 00:09:56,969 reporting in our show notes, it's at 341 00:09:56,970 --> 00:09:59,029 kut.org slash signal as 342 00:09:59,030 --> 00:10:00,969 well. So they gave this news about 343 00:10:00,970 --> 00:10:02,149 what was changing, what was their 344 00:10:02,150 --> 00:10:03,729 reasoning behind the changes. 345 00:10:03,730 --> 00:10:05,189 So faculty from the affected 346 00:10:05,190 --> 00:10:06,529 departments told us they kept 347 00:10:06,530 --> 00:10:07,849 hearing it was a matter of 348 00:10:07,850 --> 00:10:10,129 efficiency and fragmentation and 349 00:10:10,130 --> 00:10:11,829 in his letter later in the day, 350 00:10:11,830 --> 00:10:12,969 Davis also said that the 351 00:10:12,970 --> 00:10:15,049 restructuring was needed or is 352 00:10:15,050 --> 00:10:17,409 needed because an evaluation 353 00:10:17,410 --> 00:10:19,349 of the college revealed that there 354 00:10:19,350 --> 00:10:20,589 was quote, significant 355 00:10:20,590 --> 00:10:22,389 inconsistencies and fragmented 356 00:10:22,390 --> 00:10:24,529 across the college's departments. 357 00:10:24,530 --> 00:10:26,369 He has also talked a lot 358 00:10:26,370 --> 00:10:28,209 about balanced and challenging 359 00:10:28,210 --> 00:10:29,989 educational experience for UT 360 00:10:29,990 --> 00:10:31,309 students and that was something else 361 00:10:31,310 --> 00:10:33,209 that was mentioned in this letter. 362 00:10:33,210 --> 00:10:35,269 Okay well this news was 363 00:10:35,270 --> 00:10:37,189 announced today but this is 364 00:10:37,190 --> 00:10:38,609 something that department chairs and 365 00:10:38,610 --> 00:10:40,089 students in these programs kind of 366 00:10:40,090 --> 00:10:42,119 had they seen this coming correct. 367 00:10:42,120 --> 00:10:43,419 Yes, yes. 368 00:10:43,420 --> 00:10:44,979 They saw it coming. Back in October, 369 00:10:44,980 --> 00:10:46,939 the UT system began auditing 370 00:10:46,940 --> 00:10:49,199 courses related to gender studies. 371 00:10:49,200 --> 00:10:50,739 And that same month, department 372 00:10:50,740 --> 00:10:52,899 chairs were sent, 373 00:10:52,900 --> 00:10:54,639 they got an email saying that there 374 00:10:54,640 --> 00:10:56,599 was a new committee had been created 375 00:10:56,600 --> 00:10:58,399 that would help a potential 376 00:10:58,400 --> 00:10:59,739 restructure of the college. 377 00:10:59,740 --> 00:11:01,279 And they were told that some units 378 00:11:01,280 --> 00:11:03,179 would lose autonomy, but they didn't 379 00:11:03,180 --> 00:11:04,719 have many details. 380 00:11:04,720 --> 00:11:06,119 And the committee that was created 381 00:11:06,120 --> 00:11:07,819 was not allowed to talk about what 382 00:11:07,820 --> 00:11:10,289 was happening behind closed doors. 383 00:11:10,290 --> 00:11:12,209 Okay, well, this is a process that's 384 00:11:12,210 --> 00:11:14,189 going to be playing out over months 385 00:11:14,190 --> 00:11:16,129 into the future, but there 386 00:11:16,130 --> 00:11:17,569 are still students who are in these 387 00:11:17,570 --> 00:11:18,689 programs. What does it mean for 388 00:11:18,690 --> 00:11:19,939 those students? 389 00:11:19,940 --> 00:11:21,759 So faculty say at least 800 390 00:11:21,760 --> 00:11:23,619 students will be affected, 391 00:11:23,620 --> 00:11:25,179 and they say because of bureaucracy 392 00:11:25,180 --> 00:11:27,159 and their attention will 393 00:11:27,160 --> 00:11:29,579 be taken away from students. 394 00:11:29,580 --> 00:11:30,979 And David said in his letter that 395 00:11:30,980 --> 00:11:32,879 students currently enrolled will 396 00:11:32,880 --> 00:11:35,079 be able to continue their degrees as 397 00:11:35,080 --> 00:11:37,119 changes are happening, but 398 00:11:37,120 --> 00:11:38,879 it's still unclear what will happen 399 00:11:38,880 --> 00:11:39,579 after. 400 00:11:39,580 --> 00:11:41,599 Okay, well again, we have more on 401 00:11:41,600 --> 00:11:43,359 this story at KUT.org. 402 00:11:43,360 --> 00:11:44,619 A lot has been unfolding this 403 00:11:44,620 --> 00:11:45,779 morning. Greta, you've been 404 00:11:45,780 --> 00:11:47,519 reporting a lot, speaking with a lot 405 00:11:47,520 --> 00:11:48,719 of people from the university as 406 00:11:48,720 --> 00:11:50,259 well as a lot faculty members. 407 00:11:50,260 --> 00:11:51,079 What have you been hearing from 408 00:11:51,080 --> 00:11:51,629 them? 409 00:11:51,630 --> 00:11:52,869 Yeah, so I've been talking to 410 00:11:52,870 --> 00:11:54,449 faculty in the last few months since 411 00:11:54,450 --> 00:11:55,989 October leading up to this 412 00:11:55,990 --> 00:11:57,649 announcement, and they have been 413 00:11:57,650 --> 00:11:59,389 worried about what this means, of 414 00:11:59,390 --> 00:12:00,229 course, for students. 415 00:12:00,230 --> 00:12:01,969 That's their main reason of being 416 00:12:01,970 --> 00:12:04,149 here, but also their 417 00:12:04,150 --> 00:12:06,029 research in terms of bureaucracy, 418 00:12:06,030 --> 00:12:07,889 how much more staff will have. 419 00:12:07,890 --> 00:12:09,229 And of course they're also worried 420 00:12:09,230 --> 00:12:11,189 about this means in terms 421 00:12:11,190 --> 00:12:12,610 in terms of potential layoffs. 422 00:12:13,870 --> 00:12:15,229 Also this morning I talked to Karma 423 00:12:15,230 --> 00:12:16,449 Chavez, who teaches in the 424 00:12:16,450 --> 00:12:18,009 Department of Mexican American and 425 00:12:18,010 --> 00:12:20,449 Latina studies and 426 00:12:20,450 --> 00:12:21,029 this is what 427 00:12:21,030 --> 00:12:22,489 she told me. 428 00:12:22,490 --> 00:12:24,169 So we're seeing a nationwide trend 429 00:12:24,170 --> 00:12:26,009 in attacks on 430 00:12:26,010 --> 00:12:27,669 ethnic and gender studies and 431 00:12:27,670 --> 00:12:28,949 attacks on American studies 432 00:12:28,950 --> 00:12:30,869 departments that those on the 433 00:12:30,870 --> 00:12:32,929 political right view as 434 00:12:32,930 --> 00:12:34,989 providing a view of 435 00:12:34,990 --> 00:12:36,349 both history and contemporary 436 00:12:36,350 --> 00:12:39,049 society that they don't like because 437 00:12:39,050 --> 00:12:41,029 it provides an analysis of 438 00:12:41,030 --> 00:12:43,189 this specifically around issues like 439 00:12:43,190 --> 00:12:45,149 race, gender, sexuality, 440 00:12:45,150 --> 00:12:46,219 ethnicity. 441 00:12:46,220 --> 00:12:47,499 Okay, you got the last question 442 00:12:47,500 --> 00:12:48,859 before you get out of here. 443 00:12:48,860 --> 00:12:50,519 This move was announced today. 444 00:12:50,520 --> 00:12:52,259 Is this a done deal, or is there any 445 00:12:52,260 --> 00:12:54,039 recourse for students and faculty in 446 00:12:54,040 --> 00:12:55,369 these departments? 447 00:12:55,370 --> 00:12:57,549 This seems to be a done deal. 448 00:12:57,550 --> 00:12:59,269 We don't know the exact timeline of 449 00:12:59,270 --> 00:13:00,869 this. UT said they don't have an 450 00:13:00,870 --> 00:13:01,870 exact timeline. 451 00:13:02,850 --> 00:13:04,609 As I said, UT has not been very 452 00:13:04,610 --> 00:13:05,769 communicative regarding these 453 00:13:05,770 --> 00:13:07,809 changes up until now. 454 00:13:07,810 --> 00:13:09,989 So staff, faculty, 455 00:13:09,990 --> 00:13:12,109 students, they don't know a lot, 456 00:13:12,110 --> 00:13:14,389 and they're feeling the uncertainty. 457 00:13:14,390 --> 00:13:15,769 We've seen protests in the last few 458 00:13:15,770 --> 00:13:17,469 months, and I can imagine we'll 459 00:13:17,470 --> 00:13:19,109 continue to see them now that the 460 00:13:19,110 --> 00:13:20,429 announcement is official, and we'll 461 00:13:20,430 --> 00:13:21,119 keep an eye. 462 00:13:21,120 --> 00:13:23,139 Okay well we will have this story in 463 00:13:23,140 --> 00:13:24,819 our podcast show notes so you can 464 00:13:24,820 --> 00:13:27,259 find more at KUT.org slash Signal. 465 00:13:27,260 --> 00:13:29,259 I know you have an interview after 466 00:13:29,260 --> 00:13:30,879 this interview right now to continue 467 00:13:30,880 --> 00:13:32,699 reporting on this story so we will 468 00:13:32,700 --> 00:13:34,279 continue to bring you that reporting 469 00:13:34,280 --> 00:13:36,539 here on Austin Signal and 470 00:13:36,540 --> 00:13:37,919 everywhere that you get news from us 471 00:13:37,920 --> 00:13:40,519 on the KUT app online at Kut.org 472 00:13:40,520 --> 00:13:42,679 all these good places. 473 00:13:42,680 --> 00:13:44,699 This is listener powered public 474 00:13:44,700 --> 00:13:46,719 radio and we have more Austin Signal 475 00:13:46,720 --> 00:13:48,539 coming up after this break. 476 00:13:48,540 --> 00:13:49,540 Stay with us. 477 00:13:57,960 --> 00:14:00,979 This is Austin Signal, welcome back. 478 00:14:00,980 --> 00:14:02,879 30,000 people are expected to 479 00:14:02,880 --> 00:14:04,299 run in this Sunday's Austin 480 00:14:04,300 --> 00:14:05,599 Marathon. 481 00:14:05,600 --> 00:14:07,619 People of all ages and all abilities 482 00:14:07,620 --> 00:14:09,579 testing themselves on the 483 00:14:09,580 --> 00:14:11,859 notoriously hilly course. 484 00:14:11,860 --> 00:14:13,959 And for one 24-year-old runner, 485 00:14:13,960 --> 00:14:16,399 it's an especially big deal. 486 00:14:16,400 --> 00:14:18,379 KUT's Katie McAfee has 487 00:14:18,380 --> 00:14:19,849 his story. 488 00:14:19,850 --> 00:14:22,389 Max Crone was never a big runner. 489 00:14:22,390 --> 00:14:23,869 He grew up in Wisconsin playing 490 00:14:23,870 --> 00:14:25,369 football and basketball with his 491 00:14:25,370 --> 00:14:26,769 older brothers. 492 00:14:26,770 --> 00:14:28,349 But all of that changed four years 493 00:14:28,350 --> 00:14:29,249 ago. 494 00:14:29,250 --> 00:14:30,729 Crone, was about to start his junior 495 00:14:30,730 --> 00:14:32,129 year in college. 496 00:14:32,130 --> 00:14:33,489 He was on track to graduate with a 497 00:14:33,490 --> 00:14:35,489 finance degree, but something about 498 00:14:35,490 --> 00:14:37,129 that didn't feel right. 499 00:14:37,130 --> 00:14:38,409 He decided to take a break from 500 00:14:38,410 --> 00:14:39,849 school. He moved out to 501 00:14:39,850 --> 00:14:41,159 Breckenridge, Colorado. 502 00:14:41,160 --> 00:14:43,219 Not a whole lot of people were 503 00:14:43,220 --> 00:14:45,259 in favor of that decision, 504 00:14:45,260 --> 00:14:47,359 but I guess in 505 00:14:47,360 --> 00:14:49,399 some way they ended up 506 00:14:49,400 --> 00:14:50,359 right. 507 00:14:50,360 --> 00:14:52,499 Crone had an easy routine at West. 508 00:14:52,500 --> 00:14:54,159 Wake up, go to work at a local 509 00:14:54,160 --> 00:14:56,079 Mexican restaurant, clock out, 510 00:14:56,080 --> 00:14:57,339 and hit the slopes. 511 00:14:57,340 --> 00:14:59,219 He spent a lot of his free time 512 00:14:59,220 --> 00:15:01,039 skiing and snowboarding. 513 00:15:01,040 --> 00:15:02,719 I just, I always wanted to be a ski 514 00:15:02,720 --> 00:15:03,399 bum. 515 00:15:03,400 --> 00:15:05,739 Then he had an off day. 516 00:15:05,740 --> 00:15:07,579 It was sunny and unseasonably 517 00:15:07,580 --> 00:15:08,499 warm. 518 00:15:08,500 --> 00:15:09,659 Cron was snowboarding with some 519 00:15:09,660 --> 00:15:10,979 friends down a blue diamond. 520 00:15:10,980 --> 00:15:12,739 That's a tough course. 521 00:15:12,740 --> 00:15:13,859 They hit a fork in the road. 522 00:15:13,860 --> 00:15:15,679 And they went right, 523 00:15:15,680 --> 00:15:17,639 I went left, and we 524 00:15:17,640 --> 00:15:18,959 just kind of lost each other. 525 00:15:18,960 --> 00:15:20,819 I saw them kind of disappear 526 00:15:20,820 --> 00:15:22,989 behind a big wall of trees. 527 00:15:22,990 --> 00:15:24,849 Krohn was alone, racing 40 528 00:15:24,850 --> 00:15:26,809 miles an hour down the mountain. 529 00:15:26,810 --> 00:15:28,449 Then he tried doing a trick, one 530 00:15:28,450 --> 00:15:29,909 where you pop off the nose of the 531 00:15:29,910 --> 00:15:31,369 board and catch some air. 532 00:15:31,370 --> 00:15:33,369 It's called a nollie, but 533 00:15:33,370 --> 00:15:34,199 it didn't work. 534 00:15:34,200 --> 00:15:36,159 The nose of my board stuck into the 535 00:15:36,160 --> 00:15:38,099 snow because it was a 536 00:15:38,100 --> 00:15:39,159 warmer day. 537 00:15:39,160 --> 00:15:41,399 The snow was a little bit softer. 538 00:15:41,400 --> 00:15:43,819 It grabbed the front of my bird as 539 00:15:43,820 --> 00:15:45,679 I was propelling off the nose. 540 00:15:47,180 --> 00:15:49,579 And yeah, I just, I went flying. 541 00:15:49,580 --> 00:15:51,439 Felt like I was in the air forever. 542 00:15:51,440 --> 00:15:53,799 He flew maybe 100 feet and 543 00:15:53,800 --> 00:15:55,429 landed on his neck. 544 00:15:55,430 --> 00:15:56,549 The first thing that went through my 545 00:15:56,550 --> 00:15:59,329 head was did I just die, 546 00:15:59,330 --> 00:16:01,189 you know, because from 547 00:16:01,190 --> 00:16:03,889 that point there was no sensation, 548 00:16:03,890 --> 00:16:05,629 no function, no nothing. 549 00:16:07,740 --> 00:16:09,019 Krohn doesn't know how much time 550 00:16:09,020 --> 00:16:10,279 passed while he was lying in the 551 00:16:10,280 --> 00:16:11,339 snow. 552 00:16:11,340 --> 00:16:12,979 He tried calling for help, but no 553 00:16:12,980 --> 00:16:14,399 words came out. 554 00:16:14,400 --> 00:16:15,779 Eventually, he says someone found 555 00:16:15,780 --> 00:16:16,279 him. 556 00:16:16,280 --> 00:16:18,279 They tended to me and 557 00:16:18,280 --> 00:16:20,159 they got ski patrol involved 558 00:16:20,160 --> 00:16:22,099 and from that 559 00:16:22,100 --> 00:16:23,899 point it was just going to a bunch 560 00:16:23,900 --> 00:16:24,919 of hospitals. 561 00:16:24,920 --> 00:16:26,419 He was brought to the intensive care 562 00:16:26,420 --> 00:16:27,199 unit. 563 00:16:27,200 --> 00:16:29,019 Doctors confirmed he was paralyzed 564 00:16:29,020 --> 00:16:30,409 from the neck down. 565 00:16:30,410 --> 00:16:32,229 My mom called me on the phone. 566 00:16:32,230 --> 00:16:34,489 I was like, okay, jeez. 567 00:16:34,490 --> 00:16:36,689 I wish she didn't call me right now, 568 00:16:36,690 --> 00:16:37,929 but because I knew that she was 569 00:16:37,930 --> 00:16:38,930 devastated. 570 00:16:43,470 --> 00:16:45,849 Crone spent eight days in the ICU. 571 00:16:45,850 --> 00:16:47,769 He did start to regain some feeling, 572 00:16:47,770 --> 00:16:49,369 but the doctors were careful not to 573 00:16:49,370 --> 00:16:51,349 say if he'd ever be the same again. 574 00:16:51,350 --> 00:16:52,809 There's a video from the day after 575 00:16:52,810 --> 00:16:53,729 the accident. 576 00:16:53,730 --> 00:16:55,270 Can you squeeze my fingers? 577 00:16:56,670 --> 00:16:58,489 A physical therapist asks him 578 00:16:58,490 --> 00:16:59,749 to spread his fingers out. 579 00:16:59,750 --> 00:17:00,899 I have a harder time on this side. 580 00:17:00,900 --> 00:17:02,460 Yeah, really hard time. 581 00:17:03,470 --> 00:17:04,470 He can't. 582 00:17:06,869 --> 00:17:08,809 But Crohn says he stayed positive. 583 00:17:08,810 --> 00:17:10,229 He developed a mantra while he was 584 00:17:10,230 --> 00:17:11,289 recovering. 585 00:17:11,290 --> 00:17:12,999 Goal or highest potential. 586 00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:14,999 What can I do every single day 587 00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:16,858 to grow and 588 00:17:16,859 --> 00:17:19,059 to try to get the best 589 00:17:19,060 --> 00:17:21,578 possible odds for a good recovery? 590 00:17:21,579 --> 00:17:23,639 Months of physical therapy followed. 591 00:17:23,640 --> 00:17:25,059 First, he practiced sitting in a 592 00:17:25,060 --> 00:17:27,338 wheelchair and propelling his legs. 593 00:17:27,339 --> 00:17:28,899 Then he practiced standing. 594 00:17:28,900 --> 00:17:30,559 Then standing with his eyes closed 595 00:17:30,560 --> 00:17:32,099 without falling over. 596 00:17:32,100 --> 00:17:33,579 Once he could do that, he was ready 597 00:17:33,580 --> 00:17:35,119 to learn how to walk again. 598 00:17:35,120 --> 00:17:36,839 He'd put on a big, bulky harness 599 00:17:36,840 --> 00:17:38,939 attached to a track on the ceiling, 600 00:17:38,940 --> 00:17:40,779 then one foot in front of the 601 00:17:40,780 --> 00:17:42,659 other. He says it was like being 602 00:17:42,660 --> 00:17:44,079 right-handed and having to write 603 00:17:44,080 --> 00:17:45,249 with your left hand. 604 00:17:45,250 --> 00:17:46,849 For the rest of your life until you 605 00:17:46,850 --> 00:17:48,559 perfect writing with your left hand. 606 00:17:48,560 --> 00:17:50,279 After three months, Cron was walking 607 00:17:50,280 --> 00:17:52,099 again, mostly supervised 608 00:17:52,100 --> 00:17:54,299 trips from the couch to the fridge, 609 00:17:54,300 --> 00:17:56,119 but he kept improving, more and 610 00:17:56,120 --> 00:17:57,339 more each day. 611 00:17:57,340 --> 00:17:58,639 He was learning how to move again, 612 00:17:58,640 --> 00:18:00,239 and he didn't want to take that for 613 00:18:00,240 --> 00:18:01,199 granted. 614 00:18:01,200 --> 00:18:02,389 He got an idea. 615 00:18:02,390 --> 00:18:04,069 I was like, you know what, I'm gonna 616 00:18:04,070 --> 00:18:05,039 do a triathlon. 617 00:18:05,040 --> 00:18:07,639 He signed up for a sprint triathlon. 618 00:18:07,640 --> 00:18:09,359 It's a half mile of swimming, 12 619 00:18:09,360 --> 00:18:11,359 miles of biking, and a little over 620 00:18:11,360 --> 00:18:12,839 three miles of running. 621 00:18:12,840 --> 00:18:14,419 It's generally considered a 622 00:18:14,420 --> 00:18:15,899 beginner-friendly race, but 623 00:18:15,900 --> 00:18:17,839 remember, Crohn is still deep in 624 00:18:17,840 --> 00:18:19,299 recovery at this point. 625 00:18:19,300 --> 00:18:20,689 I asked him why he signed up. 626 00:18:20,690 --> 00:18:22,769 I really don't know why other than 627 00:18:22,770 --> 00:18:24,789 just to prove to myself that I 628 00:18:24,790 --> 00:18:25,509 can. 629 00:18:25,510 --> 00:18:27,009 A year and a half after his injury 630 00:18:27,010 --> 00:18:28,549 in Breckenridge, he finished the 631 00:18:28,550 --> 00:18:29,869 sprint triathlon. 632 00:18:29,870 --> 00:18:31,149 After that, he says 633 00:18:31,150 --> 00:18:32,969 I kind of got the runner's 634 00:18:32,970 --> 00:18:33,439 bug. 635 00:18:33,440 --> 00:18:34,859 He signed up for a marathon in 636 00:18:34,860 --> 00:18:36,139 Madison, Wisconsin. 637 00:18:36,140 --> 00:18:37,739 His friends and family weren't 638 00:18:37,740 --> 00:18:39,259 really supportive of this. 639 00:18:39,260 --> 00:18:40,499 He had never run more than four 640 00:18:40,500 --> 00:18:41,599 miles before. 641 00:18:41,600 --> 00:18:43,939 A marathon is 26.2 642 00:18:43,940 --> 00:18:45,009 miles. 643 00:18:45,010 --> 00:18:46,589 Everybody was kind of convinced me, 644 00:18:46,590 --> 00:18:48,329 well, you've never even ran a half 645 00:18:48,330 --> 00:18:49,489 marathon before. 646 00:18:49,490 --> 00:18:50,409 You've never done this, you never 647 00:18:50,410 --> 00:18:51,829 done that. And I was like, well, 648 00:18:51,830 --> 00:18:52,869 like, the point is it to do 649 00:18:52,870 --> 00:18:54,449 something that I know I can do. 650 00:18:54,450 --> 00:18:56,329 His goal was to finish. 651 00:18:56,330 --> 00:18:57,869 That was his conservative goal, 652 00:18:57,870 --> 00:18:58,549 anyway. 653 00:18:58,550 --> 00:18:59,749 I had in the back of my mind, I 654 00:18:59,750 --> 00:19:01,289 would love to go sub four. 655 00:19:01,290 --> 00:19:03,209 I ended up with four hours 656 00:19:03,210 --> 00:19:04,439 and nine seconds. 657 00:19:04,440 --> 00:19:05,779 Now Krohn is determined to break 658 00:19:05,780 --> 00:19:08,039 four hours in the Austin Marathon. 659 00:19:08,040 --> 00:19:09,319 He signed up for it after moving 660 00:19:09,320 --> 00:19:10,319 here in November. 661 00:19:10,320 --> 00:19:11,799 He trains almost every day after 662 00:19:11,800 --> 00:19:13,719 work and he has sort of an unusual 663 00:19:13,720 --> 00:19:15,039 way of training. 664 00:19:15,040 --> 00:19:16,819 Typically, marathon runners run four 665 00:19:16,820 --> 00:19:17,959 to five days a week. 666 00:19:17,960 --> 00:19:19,699 One of those is a long run. 667 00:19:19,700 --> 00:19:21,499 You start around six miles and then 668 00:19:21,500 --> 00:19:23,239 build your way up to at least 18 669 00:19:23,240 --> 00:19:25,159 miles before race day. 670 00:19:25,160 --> 00:19:26,199 Not Krohne. 671 00:19:26,200 --> 00:19:27,899 He mostly does strength training. 672 00:19:27,900 --> 00:19:29,299 The farthest he's run before this 673 00:19:29,300 --> 00:19:31,599 race is 13 miles. 674 00:19:31,600 --> 00:19:32,379 On the treadmill. 675 00:19:32,380 --> 00:19:33,619 Without music. 676 00:19:36,170 --> 00:19:37,869 But he has a good reason for this. 677 00:19:37,870 --> 00:19:39,729 My C3 and C4 678 00:19:39,730 --> 00:19:41,589 vertebrae are now fused, 679 00:19:41,590 --> 00:19:43,889 and if you fall and 680 00:19:43,890 --> 00:19:46,209 that breaks, that could be 681 00:19:46,210 --> 00:19:48,169 a full sever of the spinal cord 682 00:19:48,170 --> 00:19:50,029 and that could put you in 683 00:19:50,030 --> 00:19:51,030 a wheelchair for good. 684 00:19:52,500 --> 00:19:54,399 Looking back at videos from Krohn's 685 00:19:54,400 --> 00:19:55,979 recovery, it's hard to believe he's 686 00:19:55,980 --> 00:19:58,539 the same guy taking on a 26.2 687 00:19:58,540 --> 00:19:59,879 mile race. 688 00:19:59,880 --> 00:20:01,859 In one video, he tries taking a 689 00:20:01,860 --> 00:20:02,899 step down a flight of stairs. 690 00:20:04,260 --> 00:20:06,329 No, that'll hurt. 691 00:20:08,220 --> 00:20:09,759 Alright, we'll try that again. 692 00:20:12,129 --> 00:20:14,249 It's painfully slow. 693 00:20:14,250 --> 00:20:15,829 Watching him on the treadmill now, 694 00:20:15,830 --> 00:20:17,089 you would never know he once 695 00:20:17,090 --> 00:20:18,609 struggled with that one step. 696 00:20:21,390 --> 00:20:23,589 I always tell people my 697 00:20:23,590 --> 00:20:25,049 snowboarding injury was the most 698 00:20:25,050 --> 00:20:26,309 important thing that's ever happened 699 00:20:26,310 --> 00:20:28,389 to me. And I've learned more 700 00:20:28,390 --> 00:20:30,509 from that than I've 701 00:20:30,510 --> 00:20:31,510 learnt from anything else. 702 00:20:35,350 --> 00:20:36,990 I'm Katie McAfee in Austin. 703 00:20:44,880 --> 00:20:46,799 It is Black History Month all 704 00:20:46,800 --> 00:20:48,639 February long, and Myles 705 00:20:48,640 --> 00:20:50,759 Bloxdon from our sister station KUTX 706 00:20:50,760 --> 00:20:52,339 has been telling the stories of 707 00:20:52,340 --> 00:20:54,579 Black excellence here in Austin. 708 00:20:54,580 --> 00:20:56,679 Today we're learning more about a 709 00:20:56,680 --> 00:20:58,619 life insurance salesman and former 710 00:20:58,620 --> 00:21:00,659 college football who became 711 00:21:00,660 --> 00:21:02,999 a chronicler of Black Austin 712 00:21:03,000 --> 00:21:04,000 life. 713 00:21:07,580 --> 00:21:08,659 Tommy Lee T. 714 00:21:08,660 --> 00:21:11,039 L. Wyde was born on July 27, 715 00:21:11,040 --> 00:21:13,019 1937, in Point Blank, 716 00:21:13,020 --> 00:21:13,979 Texas. 717 00:21:13,980 --> 00:21:15,639 He grew up playing football, 718 00:21:15,640 --> 00:21:17,099 excelling at the sport and earning a 719 00:21:17,100 --> 00:21:18,579 scholarship to Bishop College in 720 00:21:18,580 --> 00:21:20,459 Marshall, Texas, where he graduated 721 00:21:20,460 --> 00:21:21,879 with a degree in business 722 00:21:21,880 --> 00:21:23,059 administration. 723 00:21:23,060 --> 00:21:24,919 But Wyde's education extended far 724 00:21:24,920 --> 00:21:26,279 beyond the classroom. 725 00:21:26,280 --> 00:21:27,899 He came of age during the height of 726 00:21:27,900 --> 00:21:29,839 the civil rights movement, a period 727 00:21:29,840 --> 00:21:31,479 that shaped his understanding of 728 00:21:31,480 --> 00:21:33,239 collective strength and the 729 00:21:33,240 --> 00:21:34,679 importance of community. 730 00:21:34,680 --> 00:21:36,679 And in 1962, Two 731 00:21:36,680 --> 00:21:38,239 years before the Civil Rights Act 732 00:21:38,240 --> 00:21:40,119 was signed into law, he moved to 733 00:21:40,120 --> 00:21:41,959 Austin, Texas, carrying with 734 00:21:41,960 --> 00:21:43,679 him both formal training and lived 735 00:21:43,680 --> 00:21:45,719 experience that would soon shape 736 00:21:45,720 --> 00:21:47,140 his life's work. 737 00:21:48,620 --> 00:21:50,359 Upon arriving in the capital city of 738 00:21:50,360 --> 00:21:52,239 Texas, Wyatt recognized the 739 00:21:52,240 --> 00:21:54,219 beauty of East Austin as a thriving 740 00:21:54,220 --> 00:21:56,139 hub of black businesses, culture, 741 00:21:56,140 --> 00:21:57,259 and community. 742 00:21:57,260 --> 00:21:58,679 He felt compelled to tell the 743 00:21:58,680 --> 00:22:00,439 stories of the people who built and 744 00:22:00,440 --> 00:22:02,039 sustained this vibrant area. 745 00:22:02,040 --> 00:22:04,039 At a time when positive media 746 00:22:04,040 --> 00:22:06,649 coverage of black life was rare. 747 00:22:06,650 --> 00:22:08,629 Motivated by that vision, he 748 00:22:08,630 --> 00:22:10,669 founded the Villager Newspaper 749 00:22:10,670 --> 00:22:12,829 in 1973 alongside 750 00:22:12,830 --> 00:22:14,849 his then-wife Barbara and a close 751 00:22:14,850 --> 00:22:16,829 friend with a mission to spotlight 752 00:22:16,830 --> 00:22:18,929 the positive stories of Black 753 00:22:18,930 --> 00:22:19,930 Austin. 754 00:22:20,970 --> 00:22:22,489 Accessibility was central to that 755 00:22:22,490 --> 00:22:23,929 mission. From his very first 756 00:22:23,930 --> 00:22:25,769 publications, the Villagers was free 757 00:22:25,770 --> 00:22:27,149 to the community. 758 00:22:27,150 --> 00:22:28,989 Wyatt also believed the newspaper 759 00:22:28,990 --> 00:22:30,329 should be a platform where the 760 00:22:30,330 --> 00:22:31,889 community could speak for itself. 761 00:22:31,890 --> 00:22:33,989 So over time, he hired black 762 00:22:33,990 --> 00:22:34,769 reporters. 763 00:22:34,770 --> 00:22:36,449 Students, and community members to 764 00:22:36,450 --> 00:22:38,589 help tell these stories, documenting 765 00:22:38,590 --> 00:22:40,629 black life, leadership, 766 00:22:40,630 --> 00:22:42,569 culture, arts, and politics across 767 00:22:42,570 --> 00:22:44,490 Austin and Central Texas. 768 00:22:46,960 --> 00:22:48,599 The Villager quickly became the 769 00:22:48,600 --> 00:22:50,379 go-to newspaper for Austin's black 770 00:22:50,380 --> 00:22:51,479 community. 771 00:22:51,480 --> 00:22:52,819 While its circulation numbered in 772 00:22:52,820 --> 00:22:54,639 the thousands, its reach extended 773 00:22:54,640 --> 00:22:56,659 far beyond the printed page. 774 00:22:56,660 --> 00:22:57,839 The newspaper was passed 775 00:22:57,840 --> 00:22:59,839 hand-to-hand through barbershops, 776 00:22:59,840 --> 00:23:01,399 schools, grocery stores, and 777 00:23:01,400 --> 00:23:02,759 black-owned businesses. 778 00:23:02,760 --> 00:23:04,579 The newspaper became one of the most 779 00:23:04,580 --> 00:23:06,439 influential voices in black 780 00:23:06,440 --> 00:23:07,479 Austin. 781 00:23:07,480 --> 00:23:09,099 Wyatt often said the community 782 00:23:09,100 --> 00:23:11,119 needed a voice, and he made that 783 00:23:11,120 --> 00:23:13,179 belief his mission. 784 00:23:13,180 --> 00:23:15,219 His community work even extended 785 00:23:15,220 --> 00:23:16,889 outside of the villager. 786 00:23:16,890 --> 00:23:18,929 Over the years, he didn't just cover 787 00:23:18,930 --> 00:23:20,869 East Austin, he became a civic 788 00:23:20,870 --> 00:23:22,929 leader, serving on multiple boards 789 00:23:22,930 --> 00:23:24,829 and commissions, including the East 790 00:23:24,830 --> 00:23:27,129 11th Street Village Association. 791 00:23:27,130 --> 00:23:28,509 He launched initiatives like the 792 00:23:28,510 --> 00:23:30,609 Youth Brigade to support children's 793 00:23:30,610 --> 00:23:32,389 education and became a trusted 794 00:23:32,390 --> 00:23:34,630 advocate for East Austin residents. 795 00:23:37,060 --> 00:23:38,959 More than 50 years later, 796 00:23:38,960 --> 00:23:40,819 The Villager remains a light in the 797 00:23:40,820 --> 00:23:41,679 community. 798 00:23:41,680 --> 00:23:43,499 Even as technology transformed the 799 00:23:43,500 --> 00:23:45,459 journalism landscape, Wyde 800 00:23:45,460 --> 00:23:47,419 remained committed to print, once 801 00:23:47,420 --> 00:23:49,359 saying, people still keep scrapbooks 802 00:23:49,360 --> 00:23:50,339 of articles. 803 00:23:50,340 --> 00:23:51,759 We continue to do the work for the 804 00:23:51,760 --> 00:23:52,679 people. 805 00:23:52,680 --> 00:23:54,559 And that work continues. 806 00:23:54,560 --> 00:23:56,219 The Villagers still covers 807 00:23:56,220 --> 00:23:57,959 everything connected to Black Austin 808 00:23:57,960 --> 00:24:00,019 and continues to play a vital role 809 00:24:00,020 --> 00:24:02,299 in shaping the city's music scene, 810 00:24:02,300 --> 00:24:03,979 spotlighting local musicians and 811 00:24:03,980 --> 00:24:05,529 national artists. From neighborhood 812 00:24:05,530 --> 00:24:08,949 events all the way to the Grammys. 813 00:24:08,950 --> 00:24:10,069 Tommy Lee T.L. 814 00:24:10,070 --> 00:24:12,029 Wyatt passed away on January 10th 815 00:24:12,030 --> 00:24:14,309 of this year at the age of 88, 816 00:24:14,310 --> 00:24:16,409 but his presence remains, 817 00:24:16,410 --> 00:24:17,869 living on in the stories he 818 00:24:17,870 --> 00:24:20,429 preserved, the voices he amplified, 819 00:24:20,430 --> 00:24:21,789 and the community he believed 820 00:24:21,790 --> 00:24:24,009 deserved to be seen, heard, 821 00:24:24,010 --> 00:24:25,109 and remembered. 822 00:24:25,110 --> 00:24:27,149 His legacy continues on through 823 00:24:27,150 --> 00:24:29,169 The Villager, the newspaper he 824 00:24:29,170 --> 00:24:31,349 founded to ensure Black Austin 825 00:24:31,350 --> 00:24:32,990 would always have a voice. 826 00:24:35,780 --> 00:24:37,839 Bad self Say 827 00:24:37,840 --> 00:24:38,989 it loud 828 00:24:38,990 --> 00:24:40,849 For more on Tommy Lee T.L. 829 00:24:40,850 --> 00:24:43,829 Wyatt, visit KUTX.org. 830 00:24:43,830 --> 00:24:45,009 I'm Miles Bloxson. 831 00:24:45,010 --> 00:24:46,329 This is Austin Signo. 832 00:24:48,410 --> 00:24:50,389 And I'm your host Jerry Kehannel, 833 00:24:50,390 --> 00:24:51,749 thank you for being with us. 834 00:24:51,750 --> 00:24:53,709 We'll be back with you tomorrow at 835 00:24:53,710 --> 00:24:54,849 one o'clock. 836 00:24:54,850 --> 00:24:56,430 This is Austin Signal.