1 00:00:08,380 --> 00:00:10,219 No doubt you or someone you know 2 00:00:10,220 --> 00:00:12,139 uttered the phrase, we needed this 3 00:00:12,140 --> 00:00:14,139 rain over the last few days, but up 4 00:00:14,140 --> 00:00:15,619 in Williamson County, the rain was 5 00:00:15,620 --> 00:00:17,079 enough to cause some flash flooding 6 00:00:17,080 --> 00:00:19,419 and warrant some evacuations. 7 00:00:19,420 --> 00:00:20,299 We're gonna hear from some of the 8 00:00:20,300 --> 00:00:22,259 residents impacted by the floods and 9 00:00:22,260 --> 00:00:24,079 how it differed from last summer's 10 00:00:24,080 --> 00:00:25,559 flooding. And a central Austin 11 00:00:25,560 --> 00:00:26,939 building that was home for decades 12 00:00:26,940 --> 00:00:28,899 to a Sears has new life as a 13 00:00:28,900 --> 00:00:30,079 one-stop shop. 14 00:00:30,080 --> 00:00:31,379 But instead of lawn mowers and 15 00:00:31,380 --> 00:00:33,179 washing machines, folks can now have 16 00:00:33,180 --> 00:00:35,139 many of their health needs met. 17 00:00:35,140 --> 00:00:36,679 More about that transformation 18 00:00:36,680 --> 00:00:38,569 coming up on today's show. 19 00:00:38,570 --> 00:00:40,469 The Austin Signal is a production 20 00:00:40,470 --> 00:00:42,589 of KUT News, hosted by 21 00:00:42,590 --> 00:00:43,749 Jerry Quijano. 22 00:00:43,750 --> 00:00:45,709 Plus, an Austin author's new book is 23 00:00:45,710 --> 00:00:48,489 all about a midlife reinvention. 24 00:00:48,490 --> 00:00:49,949 Okay, okay, more like middle school 25 00:00:49,950 --> 00:00:51,689 reinvention, but hey, those feelings 26 00:00:51,690 --> 00:00:53,449 are still real. 27 00:00:53,450 --> 00:00:55,729 Those stories and a whole lot more, 28 00:00:55,730 --> 00:00:57,790 up next, here on Austin Signal. 29 00:01:07,560 --> 00:01:09,139 Howdy out there, you are listening 30 00:01:09,140 --> 00:01:11,039 to Austin Signal here on 31 00:01:11,040 --> 00:01:13,099 community powered public radio. 32 00:01:13,100 --> 00:01:15,019 This is KUT News, I'm your 33 00:01:15,020 --> 00:01:17,359 host, Jerry Gechannel. 34 00:01:17,360 --> 00:01:19,479 It is Wednesday, April 22nd, 35 00:01:19,480 --> 00:01:21,139 and it seems like most of the rain 36 00:01:21,140 --> 00:01:22,619 that's been sticking around the area 37 00:01:22,620 --> 00:01:24,639 for the past few days is finally 38 00:01:24,640 --> 00:01:26,279 moving past us. 39 00:01:26,280 --> 00:01:27,979 Meteorologist Avery Tomasko says 40 00:01:27,980 --> 00:01:29,479 more than 4 inches of rain have 41 00:01:29,480 --> 00:01:31,259 fallen in Austin this month, making 42 00:01:31,260 --> 00:01:34,479 it the rainiest April since 2019. 43 00:01:34,480 --> 00:01:36,279 Up in Williamson County, residents 44 00:01:36,280 --> 00:01:38,299 of three separate mobile home parks 45 00:01:38,300 --> 00:01:39,939 are settling in after being 46 00:01:39,940 --> 00:01:41,799 evacuated from their homes Tuesday 47 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:44,019 because of flash flooding. 48 00:01:44,020 --> 00:01:45,339 These are the same RV parks that 49 00:01:45,340 --> 00:01:46,739 were heavily damaged during last 50 00:01:46,740 --> 00:01:48,479 July's deadly storms. 51 00:01:48,480 --> 00:01:50,479 As KUT's Kaylee Hunt reports, 52 00:01:50,480 --> 00:01:51,699 neighbors say they were better 53 00:01:51,700 --> 00:01:53,799 prepared this time around. 54 00:01:53,800 --> 00:01:55,759 Elizabeth Tamez and her husband have 55 00:01:55,760 --> 00:01:57,659 lived at the Shady River RV Park 56 00:01:57,660 --> 00:01:59,459 along the San Gabriel River in 57 00:01:59,460 --> 00:02:01,519 Georgetown for five years. 58 00:02:01,520 --> 00:02:03,539 She expected Tuesday to be like any 59 00:02:03,540 --> 00:02:04,999 other rainy day. 60 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:07,159 But then the rain didn't stop for 61 00:02:07,160 --> 00:02:09,138 hours and hours. 62 00:02:09,139 --> 00:02:10,918 Tamezz had just returned home from a 63 00:02:10,919 --> 00:02:12,399 doctor's appointment when a 64 00:02:12,400 --> 00:02:13,759 sheriff's deputy from Williamson 65 00:02:13,760 --> 00:02:15,319 County approached her and told her 66 00:02:15,320 --> 00:02:16,919 she needed to prepare to leave the 67 00:02:16,920 --> 00:02:18,879 RV park. The San Gabriel 68 00:02:18,880 --> 00:02:21,119 was rising and fast. 69 00:02:21,120 --> 00:02:23,099 Tamez says she immediately began to 70 00:02:23,100 --> 00:02:24,859 prepare to evacuate. 71 00:02:24,860 --> 00:02:26,479 We talked as she carefully stacked 72 00:02:26,480 --> 00:02:28,259 planters of flowers on top of each 73 00:02:28,260 --> 00:02:30,699 other underneath a pop-up canopy. 74 00:02:30,700 --> 00:02:32,679 She hoped to use them as a sort of 75 00:02:32,680 --> 00:02:33,999 protective barrier for other 76 00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:34,739 belongings. 77 00:02:34,740 --> 00:02:36,199 I love my plants. 78 00:02:36,200 --> 00:02:37,999 I love them. 79 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:40,199 So unfortunately, I'm using them 80 00:02:40,200 --> 00:02:42,019 just to protect my other 81 00:02:42,020 --> 00:02:43,699 value items. 82 00:02:44,860 --> 00:02:46,159 So we'll see. 83 00:02:46,160 --> 00:02:48,239 Maybe it's not gonna be major 84 00:02:48,240 --> 00:02:50,059 this time, but 85 00:02:50,060 --> 00:02:50,939 you never know. 86 00:02:50,940 --> 00:02:51,969 It's better to be safe. 87 00:02:51,970 --> 00:02:53,849 Then sorry." Tamez 88 00:02:53,850 --> 00:02:55,429 says she and her husband were out of 89 00:02:55,430 --> 00:02:57,269 town when the RV park flooded during 90 00:02:57,270 --> 00:02:59,449 last July's deadly storms. 91 00:02:59,450 --> 00:03:00,569 They had lost many of their 92 00:03:00,570 --> 00:03:02,229 belongings, including three 93 00:03:02,230 --> 00:03:03,289 vehicles. 94 00:03:03,290 --> 00:03:04,929 But like many residents, they 95 00:03:04,930 --> 00:03:06,589 decided to return to the park after 96 00:03:06,590 --> 00:03:08,039 it was cleaned up. 97 00:03:08,040 --> 00:03:09,919 This is a beautiful place to live, 98 00:03:09,920 --> 00:03:11,759 it's beautiful, it is 99 00:03:11,760 --> 00:03:12,999 a gorgeous neighborhood. 100 00:03:13,000 --> 00:03:14,819 We feel safe, 101 00:03:14,820 --> 00:03:16,739 safe, love, I mean we are 102 00:03:16,740 --> 00:03:18,779 a community, it isn't another place 103 00:03:18,780 --> 00:03:19,859 you live. 104 00:03:19,860 --> 00:03:21,769 We are family here. 105 00:03:21,770 --> 00:03:23,229 Shauna Thayer and her teenage 106 00:03:23,230 --> 00:03:25,149 daughter also returned to the Shady 107 00:03:25,150 --> 00:03:27,249 River RV Park on Tuesday after 108 00:03:27,250 --> 00:03:29,429 hearing about the evacuation. 109 00:03:29,430 --> 00:03:30,889 The pair lives a couple miles down 110 00:03:30,890 --> 00:03:32,569 the road, and they were here after 111 00:03:32,570 --> 00:03:34,169 last year's summer storms to help 112 00:03:34,170 --> 00:03:36,269 with cleanup and recovery. 113 00:03:36,270 --> 00:03:38,389 Thayer says compared to last July, 114 00:03:38,390 --> 00:03:39,029 Tuesday's evacuation was a bit more difficult. 115 00:03:39,030 --> 00:03:41,429 Was quote so much more efficient. 116 00:03:41,430 --> 00:03:42,849 I think this time everyone knew to 117 00:03:42,850 --> 00:03:44,149 take it seriously. 118 00:03:44,150 --> 00:03:45,949 Law enforcement and county services 119 00:03:45,950 --> 00:03:47,709 showed up incredibly quickly and 120 00:03:47,710 --> 00:03:49,109 have been really efficient. 121 00:03:49,110 --> 00:03:50,349 Thayer says most residents 122 00:03:50,350 --> 00:03:52,009 voluntarily chose to evacuate. 123 00:03:53,020 --> 00:03:54,179 An incredible number of strangers 124 00:03:54,180 --> 00:03:55,799 showed up to help people get to 125 00:03:55,800 --> 00:03:56,599 safety. 126 00:03:56,600 --> 00:03:58,219 It was so traumatic last year and 127 00:03:58,220 --> 00:04:00,039 then so much went into recovery 128 00:04:00,040 --> 00:04:02,339 and so many lives fell apart. 129 00:04:02,340 --> 00:04:03,899 It was great to be able to get ahead 130 00:04:03,900 --> 00:04:05,419 of it this time and to watch the 131 00:04:05,420 --> 00:04:07,019 entire community take it seriously 132 00:04:07,020 --> 00:04:08,939 and be so efficient in their 133 00:04:08,940 --> 00:04:09,969 response. 134 00:04:09,970 --> 00:04:11,809 Officials say in total, 20 135 00:04:11,810 --> 00:04:13,649 families were evacuated from three 136 00:04:13,650 --> 00:04:15,569 RV parks on Tuesday. 137 00:04:15,570 --> 00:04:17,229 All of them were able to return to 138 00:04:17,230 --> 00:04:19,129 their homes the same day. 139 00:04:19,130 --> 00:04:20,689 I'm Kaylee Hunt in Williamson 140 00:04:20,690 --> 00:04:21,419 County. 141 00:04:21,420 --> 00:04:22,939 And Kaylee is joining us now here on 142 00:04:22,940 --> 00:04:24,559 Austin Signal to tell us more about 143 00:04:24,560 --> 00:04:26,199 the flooding that she saw yesterday. 144 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:27,339 Kaylee, thanks for your reporting 145 00:04:27,340 --> 00:04:28,329 and thanks for being here. 146 00:04:28,330 --> 00:04:29,309 Thanks for having me, Jerry. 147 00:04:29,310 --> 00:04:30,949 So you were near the San Gabriel 148 00:04:30,950 --> 00:04:32,889 River yesterday, near 149 00:04:32,890 --> 00:04:34,189 one of those RV parks that was being 150 00:04:34,190 --> 00:04:35,409 evacuated. Tell us a little bit 151 00:04:35,410 --> 00:04:36,949 about what you saw out there. 152 00:04:36,950 --> 00:04:38,009 Yeah, I mean, one of the first 153 00:04:38,010 --> 00:04:39,929 things I did when I arrived at the 154 00:04:39,930 --> 00:04:41,609 Shady River RV Park in Georgetown 155 00:04:41,610 --> 00:04:43,749 was go and look at the river, 156 00:04:43,750 --> 00:04:45,629 which is, it's about a few 157 00:04:45,630 --> 00:04:47,689 hundred yards away from the actual 158 00:04:47,690 --> 00:04:49,569 campers and homes. 159 00:04:49,570 --> 00:04:51,449 And I can tell you that as someone 160 00:04:51,450 --> 00:04:53,489 who grew up and lives currently 161 00:04:53,490 --> 00:04:55,369 in the area, the water was 162 00:04:55,370 --> 00:04:57,209 rushing a lot faster than normal 163 00:04:57,210 --> 00:04:59,449 and it was a lot higher as well, 164 00:04:59,450 --> 00:05:00,969 the water levels. 165 00:05:00,970 --> 00:05:02,609 And it was even beginning to 166 00:05:02,610 --> 00:05:04,469 slightly swell over the river bank 167 00:05:04,470 --> 00:05:06,249 on the side where the RV park is 168 00:05:06,250 --> 00:05:07,209 located. 169 00:05:07,210 --> 00:05:08,550 And while I was out there, I 170 00:05:08,551 --> 00:05:10,349 actually ran into one of the 171 00:05:10,350 --> 00:05:12,329 residents, a gentleman, and he 172 00:05:12,330 --> 00:05:13,929 told me that the last time he saw 173 00:05:13,930 --> 00:05:15,749 the river that high was during last 174 00:05:15,750 --> 00:05:17,969 July's deadly storms, the one that 175 00:05:17,970 --> 00:05:19,649 heavily damaged their park. 176 00:05:19,650 --> 00:05:21,569 And so he told him he 177 00:05:21,570 --> 00:05:23,689 immediately gathered his stuff 178 00:05:23,690 --> 00:05:25,409 and moved out, moved him to higher 179 00:05:25,410 --> 00:05:27,149 ground after hearing about the flash 180 00:05:27,150 --> 00:05:27,639 flood warning. 181 00:05:27,640 --> 00:05:29,339 Yeah, and a flash flood warning is 182 00:05:29,340 --> 00:05:30,760 going to get anybody amped up, I 183 00:05:30,761 --> 00:05:31,761 would imagine. 184 00:05:32,860 --> 00:05:34,839 Where were they at, generally, 185 00:05:34,840 --> 00:05:36,879 and just their levels of rushing 186 00:05:36,880 --> 00:05:38,079 or their levels of anxiety 187 00:05:38,080 --> 00:05:39,439 yesterday, what could you sense from 188 00:05:39,440 --> 00:05:40,440 the residents who were there? 189 00:05:41,460 --> 00:05:43,339 Yeah, I think there was quite a 190 00:05:43,340 --> 00:05:44,340 bit of anxiety, 191 00:05:45,840 --> 00:05:48,259 a lot of urgency, 192 00:05:48,260 --> 00:05:49,099 I would say. That's how I would 193 00:05:49,100 --> 00:05:51,739 describe it. Everybody was 194 00:05:51,740 --> 00:05:53,559 just moving with a very 195 00:05:53,560 --> 00:05:55,759 big sense of urgency because, you 196 00:05:55,760 --> 00:05:57,579 know, a lot these folks returned to 197 00:05:57,580 --> 00:05:59,639 the RV park after having lost 198 00:05:59,640 --> 00:06:01,819 their homes and belongings last 199 00:06:01,820 --> 00:06:04,039 summer. And so, 200 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:06,499 they were very anxious and 201 00:06:06,500 --> 00:06:08,579 very much ready 202 00:06:08,580 --> 00:06:10,169 to get their stuff. 203 00:06:10,170 --> 00:06:11,699 Out of the danger zone in time. 204 00:06:11,700 --> 00:06:13,339 Yeah, and evacuations were ordered 205 00:06:13,340 --> 00:06:15,759 at those three RV parks. 206 00:06:15,760 --> 00:06:17,679 What does that actually look like 207 00:06:17,680 --> 00:06:19,679 whenever evacuations 208 00:06:19,680 --> 00:06:21,279 are being required of these RV 209 00:06:21,280 --> 00:06:22,369 parks? 210 00:06:22,370 --> 00:06:23,289 Yeah, well, the first thing you 211 00:06:23,290 --> 00:06:25,249 notice is there's going to be like a 212 00:06:25,250 --> 00:06:27,929 big law enforcement presence. 213 00:06:27,930 --> 00:06:29,269 You know, I was thinking back to 214 00:06:29,270 --> 00:06:30,449 last summer when I tried to drive 215 00:06:30,450 --> 00:06:31,629 down there, the roads were actually 216 00:06:31,630 --> 00:06:32,809 blocked off. 217 00:06:32,810 --> 00:06:34,109 That's how fast the water was 218 00:06:34,110 --> 00:06:35,209 moving. 219 00:06:35,210 --> 00:06:36,749 This time around I was able to 220 00:06:36,750 --> 00:06:38,929 actually get into the RV park. 221 00:06:38,930 --> 00:06:41,689 There were sheriff's deputies and 222 00:06:41,690 --> 00:06:43,089 folks from the constable's office 223 00:06:43,090 --> 00:06:44,849 going around to each of the 224 00:06:44,850 --> 00:06:47,089 residents, knocking on doors, 225 00:06:47,090 --> 00:06:48,829 telling folks, you know, hey, you 226 00:06:48,830 --> 00:06:50,649 don't have to leave, but... 227 00:06:50,650 --> 00:06:53,409 Be prepared, the water's rising, 228 00:06:53,410 --> 00:06:54,949 might wanna start moving your things 229 00:06:54,950 --> 00:06:55,950 out. 230 00:06:56,650 --> 00:06:58,769 And yeah, so just busy, you know, 231 00:06:58,770 --> 00:07:00,049 that's how I would describe it. 232 00:07:00,050 --> 00:07:01,409 Yeah, you were out there along with 233 00:07:01,410 --> 00:07:03,949 KUT videographer Michael Manassi. 234 00:07:03,950 --> 00:07:05,289 In the video they all shared that we 235 00:07:05,290 --> 00:07:06,909 saw some water rescue teams. 236 00:07:06,910 --> 00:07:08,289 Were those actually employed or was 237 00:07:08,290 --> 00:07:10,329 that just a precautionary measure? 238 00:07:10,330 --> 00:07:11,269 Yeah, that's right. 239 00:07:11,270 --> 00:07:13,069 We were able to video those just as 240 00:07:13,070 --> 00:07:14,070 they arrived. 241 00:07:15,090 --> 00:07:16,269 Yeah, officials confirmed that those 242 00:07:16,270 --> 00:07:17,949 teams were basically only stationed 243 00:07:17,950 --> 00:07:19,549 there as a precaution. 244 00:07:19,550 --> 00:07:21,089 So yeah, luckily no water rescues 245 00:07:21,090 --> 00:07:22,269 were needed yesterday. 246 00:07:22,270 --> 00:07:23,809 We heard from a few folks who were 247 00:07:23,810 --> 00:07:25,449 affected by the evacuations in your 248 00:07:25,450 --> 00:07:26,569 story, what else did you hear from 249 00:07:26,570 --> 00:07:27,549 the residents while you were out 250 00:07:27,550 --> 00:07:28,550 there? 251 00:07:29,310 --> 00:07:30,109 Gosh. 252 00:07:30,110 --> 00:07:31,729 Well, you know, one of the things 253 00:07:31,730 --> 00:07:34,129 that struck me was just how 254 00:07:34,130 --> 00:07:36,389 people just talked 255 00:07:36,390 --> 00:07:38,389 about how lovely that place is 256 00:07:38,390 --> 00:07:39,649 to live. 257 00:07:39,650 --> 00:07:41,549 You know, they acknowledged that 258 00:07:41,550 --> 00:07:42,909 some people would probably question 259 00:07:42,910 --> 00:07:45,289 why they keep coming back to 260 00:07:45,290 --> 00:07:47,149 that space, knowing that it's in 261 00:07:47,150 --> 00:07:48,989 a flood zone and has this 262 00:07:48,990 --> 00:07:51,009 history and, you, know, 263 00:07:51,010 --> 00:07:53,289 the lady Elizabeth Tamez that, you 264 00:07:53,290 --> 00:07:54,290 heard in the story. 265 00:07:55,860 --> 00:07:57,859 You know, she, she they lost like 266 00:07:57,860 --> 00:08:00,199 three vehicles last summer. 267 00:08:00,200 --> 00:08:02,019 So, um, but yeah, she says it's her 268 00:08:02,020 --> 00:08:03,379 home. It's a community. 269 00:08:03,380 --> 00:08:04,599 Yeah, you could hear the passion in 270 00:08:04,600 --> 00:08:06,559 her voice that she wanted to stay no 271 00:08:06,560 --> 00:08:07,479 matter what. 272 00:08:07,480 --> 00:08:08,879 Okay, we're gonna have a link to 273 00:08:08,880 --> 00:08:10,139 Kaylee's reporting in today's show 274 00:08:10,140 --> 00:08:11,319 notes. Before you get out of here, 275 00:08:11,320 --> 00:08:13,319 though, Kaylee, you are the 276 00:08:13,320 --> 00:08:14,999 Williamson County reporter for KUT. 277 00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:15,939 I know you have been doing some 278 00:08:15,940 --> 00:08:17,739 reporting on a data center that was 279 00:08:17,740 --> 00:08:19,439 planned for Hutto residents asked 280 00:08:19,440 --> 00:08:21,359 the city to rezone the land and 281 00:08:21,360 --> 00:08:22,459 they pulled that request. 282 00:08:22,460 --> 00:08:23,559 Can you give us an update on what's 283 00:08:23,560 --> 00:08:24,579 happening there? 284 00:08:24,580 --> 00:08:27,399 Yeah, so that project has 285 00:08:27,400 --> 00:08:29,639 effectively ended as 286 00:08:29,640 --> 00:08:31,619 of them withdrawing 287 00:08:31,620 --> 00:08:32,759 their application. 288 00:08:32,760 --> 00:08:34,279 The company called Zydeco 289 00:08:34,280 --> 00:08:35,759 Development, they're based here in 290 00:08:35,760 --> 00:08:36,579 Austin. 291 00:08:36,580 --> 00:08:38,439 They wanted to rezone this 292 00:08:38,440 --> 00:08:40,418 piece of land to allow for heavy 293 00:08:40,419 --> 00:08:42,119 industrial development. 294 00:08:42,120 --> 00:08:44,058 Right now, it's zoned with the 295 00:08:44,059 --> 00:08:45,840 city as multi-family residential. 296 00:08:47,080 --> 00:08:48,639 And so, yeah, several community 297 00:08:48,640 --> 00:08:51,359 members opposed that request, 298 00:08:51,360 --> 00:08:52,719 raising concerns about noise, 299 00:08:52,720 --> 00:08:54,699 impacts on the local power grid. 300 00:08:54,700 --> 00:08:56,939 And the possible long-term risks of 301 00:08:56,940 --> 00:08:58,759 what they 302 00:08:58,760 --> 00:09:00,359 think having a data center would 303 00:09:00,360 --> 00:09:02,419 have on their homes. 304 00:09:02,420 --> 00:09:03,899 And so, yeah, they were actually in 305 00:09:03,900 --> 00:09:05,659 the process of filing a formal 306 00:09:05,660 --> 00:09:07,679 protest against the company 307 00:09:07,680 --> 00:09:09,559 when they withdrew their rezoning 308 00:09:09,560 --> 00:09:10,839 request last week. 309 00:09:10,840 --> 00:09:12,799 I have reached out to Zydeco 310 00:09:12,800 --> 00:09:14,839 just to get a sense from their 311 00:09:14,840 --> 00:09:15,959 side of things about why they 312 00:09:15,960 --> 00:09:17,559 withdrued their application and have 313 00:09:17,560 --> 00:09:18,749 not heard back yet. 314 00:09:18,750 --> 00:09:20,369 Okay, we'll have links to both of 315 00:09:20,370 --> 00:09:23,809 those stories at KUT.org, 316 00:09:23,810 --> 00:09:25,229 and you can find more from us at 317 00:09:25,230 --> 00:09:26,649 Kut.org. 318 00:09:26,650 --> 00:09:28,029 Kaley, thanks for your reporting, 319 00:09:28,030 --> 00:09:29,030 thank you for your time. 320 00:09:33,610 --> 00:09:35,229 A long-time Austinites will remember 321 00:09:35,230 --> 00:09:37,049 that for decades, a Sears department 322 00:09:37,050 --> 00:09:38,989 store stood as the 323 00:09:38,990 --> 00:09:40,849 centerpiece of the Hancock Center at 324 00:09:40,850 --> 00:09:42,809 41st and Red River streets. 325 00:09:42,810 --> 00:09:44,769 It stood vacant since 2019, but this 326 00:09:44,770 --> 00:09:46,349 week the building is reopening its 327 00:09:46,350 --> 00:09:47,989 doors, this time as a community 328 00:09:47,990 --> 00:09:49,669 health care hub for low-income 329 00:09:49,670 --> 00:09:50,749 residents. 330 00:09:50,750 --> 00:09:51,989 Central Health, Travis County's 331 00:09:51,990 --> 00:09:53,409 local public health district, will 332 00:09:53,410 --> 00:09:55,389 begin offering its phase of 333 00:09:55,390 --> 00:09:57,189 services at the center starting this 334 00:09:57,190 --> 00:09:58,429 Friday. 335 00:09:58,430 --> 00:09:59,869 KUT's health care reporter Olivia 336 00:09:59,870 --> 00:10:01,429 Aldridge is here to tell us more. 337 00:10:01,430 --> 00:10:02,430 Howdy Olivia. 338 00:10:03,140 --> 00:10:04,959 So tell us a little bit about 339 00:10:04,960 --> 00:10:06,979 this facility, what sort of services 340 00:10:06,980 --> 00:10:09,129 is it providing, and to whom? 341 00:10:09,130 --> 00:10:10,849 This will be the new flagship 342 00:10:10,850 --> 00:10:12,609 location for Central Health, which 343 00:10:12,610 --> 00:10:14,449 is the public hospital district in 344 00:10:14,450 --> 00:10:15,529 Travis County. 345 00:10:15,530 --> 00:10:16,749 That's an organization that's 346 00:10:16,750 --> 00:10:18,489 responsible for providing healthcare 347 00:10:18,490 --> 00:10:20,569 to low-income residents here. 348 00:10:20,570 --> 00:10:22,409 It's by far Central Health's biggest 349 00:10:22,410 --> 00:10:24,209 location, and it's going to kind of 350 00:10:24,210 --> 00:10:26,009 become this major hub for them. 351 00:10:26,010 --> 00:10:28,469 So the first floor of this building, 352 00:10:28,470 --> 00:10:30,329 this 200,000 square foot building, 353 00:10:30,330 --> 00:10:32,089 there's clinical space. 354 00:10:32,090 --> 00:10:33,769 That's where folks will be able to 355 00:10:33,770 --> 00:10:35,789 get primary care, certain kinds of 356 00:10:35,790 --> 00:10:37,229 specialty care. 357 00:10:37,230 --> 00:10:38,869 Even dentistry and pharmacy 358 00:10:38,870 --> 00:10:40,709 services, and then later on the 359 00:10:40,710 --> 00:10:42,309 second floor is also going to be the 360 00:10:42,310 --> 00:10:43,709 main administrative building for 361 00:10:43,710 --> 00:10:45,089 Central Health and two of its 362 00:10:45,090 --> 00:10:46,389 partner organizations. 363 00:10:46,390 --> 00:10:48,329 So this is going to be kind of a 364 00:10:48,330 --> 00:10:49,949 one-stop shop for lots of different 365 00:10:49,950 --> 00:10:52,189 things. This was, as I said, 366 00:10:52,190 --> 00:10:53,509 a former Sears. Tell us a little bit 367 00:10:53,510 --> 00:10:54,929 about the organizations that are 368 00:10:54,930 --> 00:10:56,169 going to part of this facility 369 00:10:56,170 --> 00:10:57,679 moving forward in the future. 370 00:10:57,680 --> 00:10:59,239 Yeah, so Central Health, Community 371 00:10:59,240 --> 00:11:01,719 Care, and then Sendero Health Plans, 372 00:11:01,720 --> 00:11:03,439 which is Central Health's insurance 373 00:11:03,440 --> 00:11:04,939 affiliate that offers health plans 374 00:11:04,940 --> 00:11:06,479 on the Affordable Care Act 375 00:11:06,480 --> 00:11:07,699 Marketplace. 376 00:11:07,700 --> 00:11:09,559 At the opening celebration, um, 377 00:11:09,560 --> 00:11:10,599 Travis County Commissioner, Brigid 378 00:11:10,600 --> 00:11:11,699 Shea was like, you know, it's 379 00:11:11,700 --> 00:11:13,059 fitting that this used to be a Sears 380 00:11:13,060 --> 00:11:14,739 store because this is now sort of a 381 00:11:14,740 --> 00:11:17,219 one-stop shop for, as you said, 382 00:11:17,220 --> 00:11:18,499 for not shopping, but care. 383 00:11:18,500 --> 00:11:20,489 Um And 384 00:11:20,490 --> 00:11:22,209 Central Health CEO Pat Lee talked a 385 00:11:22,210 --> 00:11:23,889 lot about the value of having these 386 00:11:23,890 --> 00:11:25,989 three partners in the same space, 387 00:11:25,990 --> 00:11:27,169 Community Care, by the way, being 388 00:11:27,170 --> 00:11:28,909 kind of the clinical partner. 389 00:11:28,910 --> 00:11:30,929 Because if you're using the services 390 00:11:30,930 --> 00:11:32,369 from one, then you're likely to be 391 00:11:32,370 --> 00:11:33,889 getting services from all three. 392 00:11:33,890 --> 00:11:35,609 It's also significant in another 393 00:11:35,610 --> 00:11:37,669 way, because over the past couple 394 00:11:37,670 --> 00:11:38,969 of years, there's been a lot of 395 00:11:38,970 --> 00:11:40,589 friction between Central Health and 396 00:11:40,590 --> 00:11:42,569 Community Care about their 397 00:11:42,570 --> 00:11:44,409 leadership structure and what their 398 00:11:44,410 --> 00:11:45,530 relationship would be. 399 00:11:46,690 --> 00:11:48,249 With this opening, they're kind of 400 00:11:48,250 --> 00:11:49,729 presenting a unified front and 401 00:11:49,730 --> 00:11:51,509 saying we're here as part of a 402 00:11:51,510 --> 00:11:53,069 shared effort to serve the lower 403 00:11:53,070 --> 00:11:54,989 income population that we're charged 404 00:11:54,990 --> 00:11:55,990 with. 405 00:11:56,250 --> 00:11:58,089 Yeah, that's some of the 406 00:11:58,090 --> 00:11:59,289 things you've been reporting on for 407 00:11:59,290 --> 00:12:00,189 a while, some of the things that we've 408 00:12:00,190 --> 00:12:01,769 talked about here on Austin Signal. 409 00:12:01,770 --> 00:12:02,809 And this project has been something 410 00:12:02,810 --> 00:12:04,809 you've been reporting for a bit 411 00:12:04,810 --> 00:12:05,769 now. 412 00:12:05,770 --> 00:12:07,129 So you mentioned this first round or 413 00:12:07,130 --> 00:12:08,829 this first phase of services is set 414 00:12:08,830 --> 00:12:10,109 to begin Friday. 415 00:12:10,110 --> 00:12:11,729 What is the timeline for expanded 416 00:12:11,730 --> 00:12:13,739 services at this new facility? 417 00:12:13,740 --> 00:12:15,719 Yep, so on Friday, we'll see the 418 00:12:15,720 --> 00:12:17,099 new location for the David Powell 419 00:12:17,100 --> 00:12:18,539 Clinic run by Community Care 420 00:12:18,540 --> 00:12:19,699 opening. 421 00:12:19,700 --> 00:12:21,439 That's a clinic that provides 422 00:12:21,440 --> 00:12:22,899 treatment for HIV. 423 00:12:24,060 --> 00:12:25,619 The pharmacy services and lab 424 00:12:25,620 --> 00:12:27,479 services will also open everything 425 00:12:27,480 --> 00:12:29,719 else from primary care to secondary 426 00:12:29,720 --> 00:12:31,319 care to all that administrative 427 00:12:31,320 --> 00:12:32,579 stuff. 428 00:12:32,580 --> 00:12:34,979 Dentistry should be coming sometime 429 00:12:34,980 --> 00:12:36,889 in 2027. 430 00:12:36,890 --> 00:12:37,929 All right, we have been speaking 431 00:12:37,930 --> 00:12:39,429 with Olivia Aldridge. 432 00:12:39,430 --> 00:12:41,469 She is KUT's healthcare reporter and 433 00:12:41,470 --> 00:12:42,709 we'll have a link to her reporting 434 00:12:42,710 --> 00:12:44,869 in today's podcast, Show Notes. 435 00:12:44,870 --> 00:12:45,870 Olivia, thank you. 436 00:12:58,980 --> 00:13:00,639 This is Austin Signal. 437 00:13:00,640 --> 00:13:01,999 Thank you for making us part of your 438 00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:02,779 Wednesday. 439 00:13:02,780 --> 00:13:04,439 We've got more for you coming up 440 00:13:04,440 --> 00:13:06,259 after a break, but before we 441 00:13:06,260 --> 00:13:08,079 let you go, just wanted to remind 442 00:13:08,080 --> 00:13:10,079 you that we are a bit more than 443 00:13:10,080 --> 00:13:11,939 a week away from the first ever 444 00:13:11,940 --> 00:13:13,479 KUT Fest. 445 00:13:13,480 --> 00:13:15,319 Plenty of the KUT voices that you've 446 00:13:15,320 --> 00:13:16,899 heard here on Austin Signal, just 447 00:13:16,900 --> 00:13:18,599 like Olivia Aldridge, are gonna be 448 00:13:18,600 --> 00:13:20,869 out at the Fest hosting some panels. 449 00:13:20,870 --> 00:13:22,669 And just hanging around with the 450 00:13:22,670 --> 00:13:24,589 community. This is our first ever 451 00:13:24,590 --> 00:13:25,769 fest. I don't know if I mentioned 452 00:13:25,770 --> 00:13:27,489 that. So we're trying to do it up 453 00:13:27,490 --> 00:13:29,509 big. We have Aaron Franklin, lots of 454 00:13:29,510 --> 00:13:31,189 great folks from the community, KUT 455 00:13:31,190 --> 00:13:32,169 for Kids. 456 00:13:32,170 --> 00:13:33,649 So much to check out. 457 00:13:33,650 --> 00:13:35,629 You can find out more at 458 00:13:35,630 --> 00:13:37,389 kut.org. 459 00:13:37,390 --> 00:13:38,769 Again, that's happening next Friday 460 00:13:38,770 --> 00:13:39,889 and Saturday. 461 00:13:39,890 --> 00:13:41,529 So include us in your plans and 462 00:13:41,530 --> 00:13:43,069 we'll see you out there. 463 00:13:43,070 --> 00:13:44,569 This is Austin Signal. 464 00:13:44,570 --> 00:13:46,149 We'll be back after a moment. 465 00:13:59,800 --> 00:14:00,799 Welcome back. 466 00:14:00,800 --> 00:14:02,959 This is Austin Signal. 467 00:14:02,960 --> 00:14:04,679 Before she moved from Austin to 468 00:14:04,680 --> 00:14:06,299 Rhode Island, everybody knew Lacey 469 00:14:06,300 --> 00:14:08,239 as one half of an inseparable 470 00:14:08,240 --> 00:14:10,239 duo with her best friend Grace. 471 00:14:10,240 --> 00:14:11,959 Lacey is ready to reinvent herself 472 00:14:11,960 --> 00:14:13,719 at her new school, but middle school 473 00:14:13,720 --> 00:14:15,579 never works out exactly as you 474 00:14:15,580 --> 00:14:17,239 plan it. Ain't that the truth? 475 00:14:17,240 --> 00:14:19,139 This is the plot of the new middle 476 00:14:19,140 --> 00:14:21,099 school novel When You're Brave 477 00:14:21,100 --> 00:14:22,719 Enough by Austin author Rebecca 478 00:14:22,720 --> 00:14:23,819 Benheim. 479 00:14:23,820 --> 00:14:25,119 The Texas Standards' Laura Rice 480 00:14:25,120 --> 00:14:27,859 spoke with her about the new novel. 481 00:14:27,860 --> 00:14:29,779 Middle school can be 482 00:14:29,780 --> 00:14:31,599 the worst, 483 00:14:31,600 --> 00:14:33,579 but I'm curious what drew you to 484 00:14:33,580 --> 00:14:35,139 tell a middle grade story 485 00:14:35,140 --> 00:14:36,140 specifically. 486 00:14:36,970 --> 00:14:38,789 First of all, I really loved the 487 00:14:38,790 --> 00:14:40,649 middle school age before I left to 488 00:14:40,650 --> 00:14:41,969 write full-time. 489 00:14:41,970 --> 00:14:43,569 I actually taught sixth grade 490 00:14:43,570 --> 00:14:45,509 English for years and I really miss 491 00:14:45,510 --> 00:14:47,409 it. But the reason that I decided 492 00:14:47,410 --> 00:14:49,209 to write a queer middle grade novel 493 00:14:49,210 --> 00:14:51,229 specifically is that I had my first 494 00:14:51,230 --> 00:14:53,249 crushes on girls when I was 495 00:14:53,250 --> 00:14:55,169 around early middle school. 496 00:14:55,170 --> 00:14:57,029 And that's also the time that I 497 00:14:57,030 --> 00:14:58,649 first learned what the word lesbian 498 00:14:58,650 --> 00:15:00,869 meant because this girl in 499 00:15:00,870 --> 00:15:02,809 my school spread this rumor 500 00:15:02,810 --> 00:15:04,649 about these girls who were lesbians 501 00:15:04,650 --> 00:15:06,239 and I asked what that meant. 502 00:15:06,240 --> 00:15:08,199 And she said, they worship the devil 503 00:15:08,200 --> 00:15:10,219 and I should steer clear from them 504 00:15:10,220 --> 00:15:12,039 as a new student because they 505 00:15:12,040 --> 00:15:13,579 might corrupt me. 506 00:15:13,580 --> 00:15:15,539 And I didn't actually end up 507 00:15:15,540 --> 00:15:17,519 coming out until I was 20. 508 00:15:17,520 --> 00:15:19,799 So I realized that this was 509 00:15:19,800 --> 00:15:22,339 actually a really normal experience. 510 00:15:22,340 --> 00:15:24,179 Studies show that people, 511 00:15:24,180 --> 00:15:25,839 queer kids and teens usually realize 512 00:15:25,840 --> 00:15:27,739 they're queer or trans by the 513 00:15:27,740 --> 00:15:28,979 start of early adolescence. 514 00:15:28,980 --> 00:15:31,139 And they usually are also hearing 515 00:15:31,140 --> 00:15:33,699 a lot of negative messaging about 516 00:15:33,700 --> 00:15:36,049 being LGBTQ plus. 517 00:15:36,050 --> 00:15:37,929 So I think about this time in my 518 00:15:37,930 --> 00:15:39,429 life a lot, I think of my queer 519 00:15:39,430 --> 00:15:40,869 students, and I really wanted to 520 00:15:40,870 --> 00:15:42,769 write a story where a girl 521 00:15:42,770 --> 00:15:44,609 has a crush on her best friend and 522 00:15:44,610 --> 00:15:46,969 it's not this worst nightmare, 523 00:15:46,970 --> 00:15:49,069 hide this forever situation, it 524 00:15:49,070 --> 00:15:51,369 becomes this beautiful first 525 00:15:51,370 --> 00:15:52,370 chance at love. 526 00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:55,039 Well, you love middle 527 00:15:55,040 --> 00:15:56,359 schoolers as a teacher. 528 00:15:56,360 --> 00:15:58,719 Did you love that experience as 529 00:15:58,720 --> 00:16:00,399 a young teen yourself though? 530 00:16:00,400 --> 00:16:01,579 That sounds like that was probably 531 00:16:01,580 --> 00:16:02,999 really hard. 532 00:16:03,000 --> 00:16:05,099 Yeah, it definitely was hard. 533 00:16:05,100 --> 00:16:07,019 It just, it was a lot of being in 534 00:16:07,020 --> 00:16:09,818 my head and just being, 535 00:16:09,819 --> 00:16:11,559 I guess, worried that people could 536 00:16:11,560 --> 00:16:13,229 see through me. 537 00:16:13,230 --> 00:16:15,269 Well, your character Lacey is in the 538 00:16:15,270 --> 00:16:17,129 school musical, worried about her 539 00:16:17,130 --> 00:16:18,269 first kiss. 540 00:16:18,270 --> 00:16:20,129 Were you a theater kid growing up 541 00:16:20,130 --> 00:16:21,469 or what drew you to that part of the 542 00:16:21,470 --> 00:16:22,159 story? 543 00:16:22,160 --> 00:16:24,179 Yes. I was obsessed with musical 544 00:16:24,180 --> 00:16:25,959 theater growing up and I was 545 00:16:25,960 --> 00:16:26,839 terrible at it. 546 00:16:26,840 --> 00:16:28,739 So one thing I really wanted to 547 00:16:28,740 --> 00:16:30,679 do is have a 548 00:16:30,680 --> 00:16:31,879 character who gets the lead role 549 00:16:31,880 --> 00:16:33,239 because I always wondered what that 550 00:16:33,240 --> 00:16:34,379 would feel like. 551 00:16:34,380 --> 00:16:36,719 But I also based 552 00:16:36,720 --> 00:16:38,559 it off of the play or I 553 00:16:38,560 --> 00:16:40,719 had the musical Bye Bye Birdie 554 00:16:40,720 --> 00:16:42,559 in the book because I 555 00:16:42,560 --> 00:16:43,979 was in Bye Bye birdie in fourth 556 00:16:43,980 --> 00:16:45,479 grade and then I was Bye Bye Birdie 557 00:16:45,480 --> 00:16:47,619 again in eighth grade. 558 00:16:47,620 --> 00:16:48,759 And when I was in it in 559 00:16:48,760 --> 00:16:51,129 eighth-grade, the 560 00:16:51,130 --> 00:16:53,349 couple, Rosie and Albert, 561 00:16:53,350 --> 00:16:55,149 kissed in the final performance. 562 00:16:55,150 --> 00:16:57,029 And I was terrified 563 00:16:57,030 --> 00:16:58,769 thinking, what if I, when I'm an 564 00:16:58,770 --> 00:17:00,229 eighth grader, have to do that and I 565 00:17:00,230 --> 00:17:02,129 don't like the person who's my 566 00:17:02,130 --> 00:17:03,169 co-lead? 567 00:17:03,170 --> 00:17:05,068 And so that fear stayed with me and 568 00:17:05,069 --> 00:17:06,389 I gave it to Lacey. 569 00:17:08,290 --> 00:17:09,789 You know, we always love to talk 570 00:17:09,790 --> 00:17:11,769 about Texas connections in 571 00:17:11,770 --> 00:17:12,629 books. 572 00:17:12,630 --> 00:17:14,049 Lacey makes sort of the opposite 573 00:17:14,050 --> 00:17:16,009 move that you did from Austin 574 00:17:16,010 --> 00:17:17,249 to the East Coast. 575 00:17:17,250 --> 00:17:19,169 You came from the East coast to 576 00:17:19,170 --> 00:17:20,348 Austin. 577 00:17:20,349 --> 00:17:22,368 I'm curious how Texas peeks through 578 00:17:22,369 --> 00:17:23,369 in your narrative. 579 00:17:24,319 --> 00:17:26,358 Yes, I really love the 580 00:17:26,359 --> 00:17:29,039 Texas scenes in this book. 581 00:17:29,040 --> 00:17:30,919 So Lacey, when she moves, 582 00:17:30,920 --> 00:17:32,879 she's so excited to be in Rhode 583 00:17:32,880 --> 00:17:34,739 Island, to start over, to 584 00:17:34,740 --> 00:17:36,639 not be known as this super 585 00:17:36,640 --> 00:17:39,419 eager, strange girl, Grace's friend. 586 00:17:39,420 --> 00:17:41,359 But then her memories from 587 00:17:41,360 --> 00:17:43,259 Texas come back to her with this 588 00:17:43,260 --> 00:17:44,739 dreamlike quality. 589 00:17:44,740 --> 00:17:46,579 There's a scene where they're at 590 00:17:46,580 --> 00:17:47,999 the South Congress Bridge watching 591 00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:49,779 the bats, and there's another scene 592 00:17:49,780 --> 00:17:51,659 in Barton Springs where they are 593 00:17:51,660 --> 00:17:52,719 playing a game and they're 594 00:17:52,720 --> 00:17:53,549 pretending. 595 00:17:53,550 --> 00:17:55,449 To drown and then save each other, 596 00:17:55,450 --> 00:17:57,049 but then she starts actually getting 597 00:17:57,050 --> 00:17:58,969 scared and Grace is the 598 00:17:58,970 --> 00:18:00,749 only one who can tell it's for real 599 00:18:00,750 --> 00:18:02,889 and helps her breathe through that. 600 00:18:02,890 --> 00:18:04,809 So she's slowly realizing that 601 00:18:04,810 --> 00:18:06,669 her feelings for Grace are more 602 00:18:06,670 --> 00:18:08,289 complicated than she thought through 603 00:18:08,290 --> 00:18:10,249 these memories of being in Texas. 604 00:18:11,780 --> 00:18:13,759 What do you hope that readers of 605 00:18:13,760 --> 00:18:15,799 all ages get out of your book if 606 00:18:15,800 --> 00:18:16,800 they pick it up? 607 00:18:17,990 --> 00:18:19,409 That's a great question. 608 00:18:19,410 --> 00:18:21,069 I feel like I have different hopes 609 00:18:21,070 --> 00:18:23,469 for different readers. 610 00:18:23,470 --> 00:18:25,409 My biggest dream for this book is 611 00:18:25,410 --> 00:18:27,329 that it gets into the hands of 612 00:18:27,330 --> 00:18:29,209 queer kids and teens who need 613 00:18:29,210 --> 00:18:31,089 to see someone like them 614 00:18:31,090 --> 00:18:33,089 having a happy ending and not 615 00:18:33,090 --> 00:18:35,029 just in 20 years 616 00:18:35,030 --> 00:18:37,069 but right there in middle school. 617 00:18:38,090 --> 00:18:39,829 But I also hope other people read 618 00:18:39,830 --> 00:18:41,969 this book. I hope other kids 619 00:18:41,970 --> 00:18:43,929 and teams read it and 620 00:18:43,930 --> 00:18:46,229 kind of 621 00:18:47,790 --> 00:18:49,909 peers might be dealing with, 622 00:18:49,910 --> 00:18:51,949 thinking about what their futures 623 00:18:51,950 --> 00:18:53,949 could look like, and, 624 00:18:53,950 --> 00:18:55,769 you know, that them being 625 00:18:55,770 --> 00:18:57,449 queer or trans is not this 626 00:18:57,450 --> 00:18:59,309 inhibiting, negative, hard 627 00:18:59,310 --> 00:19:01,449 thing. It can also be this beautiful 628 00:19:01,450 --> 00:19:03,669 thing that opens them up to 629 00:19:03,670 --> 00:19:05,369 a more authentic life, a more 630 00:19:05,370 --> 00:19:07,369 creative way of living, 631 00:19:07,370 --> 00:19:09,669 and a lot of happiness and love. 632 00:19:09,670 --> 00:19:11,629 And then I also hope adults read 633 00:19:11,630 --> 00:19:13,929 this book. Um, 634 00:19:13,930 --> 00:19:15,129 there are a lot of misconceptions 635 00:19:15,130 --> 00:19:16,969 about queer kids right now 636 00:19:16,970 --> 00:19:18,789 and I just would 637 00:19:18,790 --> 00:19:20,609 love adults to read this and 638 00:19:20,610 --> 00:19:22,449 be reminded that these 639 00:19:22,450 --> 00:19:24,229 are just kids, just like any other 640 00:19:24,230 --> 00:19:26,649 kid who are trying to 641 00:19:26,650 --> 00:19:28,089 figure out how to make their way in 642 00:19:28,090 --> 00:19:29,090 the world. 643 00:19:29,950 --> 00:19:31,349 And you know, sometimes making 644 00:19:31,350 --> 00:19:33,129 mistakes, sometimes changing their 645 00:19:33,130 --> 00:19:34,949 mind, but that they deserve 646 00:19:34,950 --> 00:19:36,889 all the support and agency 647 00:19:36,890 --> 00:19:39,029 and love and 648 00:19:39,030 --> 00:19:41,049 patience that you would give any 649 00:19:41,050 --> 00:19:42,050 kid. 650 00:19:42,360 --> 00:19:44,559 Well, I think that that gets to a 651 00:19:44,560 --> 00:19:46,379 question I was gonna struggle 652 00:19:46,380 --> 00:19:48,679 to ask, which is about how 653 00:19:48,680 --> 00:19:50,619 Texas has been not 654 00:19:50,620 --> 00:19:53,039 always so receptive of 655 00:19:53,040 --> 00:19:55,459 books like this about 656 00:19:55,460 --> 00:19:57,819 queer kids or for queer kids, 657 00:19:57,820 --> 00:19:58,939 right? I mean, there's the debate 658 00:19:58,940 --> 00:20:00,979 over what is available in 659 00:20:00,980 --> 00:20:02,339 school libraries. 660 00:20:02,340 --> 00:20:03,899 What are your thoughts as this brand 661 00:20:03,900 --> 00:20:05,579 new book of yours that you've poured 662 00:20:05,580 --> 00:20:07,479 your heart into is might face 663 00:20:07,480 --> 00:20:08,640 that sort of controversy? 664 00:20:10,530 --> 00:20:12,389 This is, it's really hard for me to 665 00:20:12,390 --> 00:20:14,249 think about, because I really, 666 00:20:14,250 --> 00:20:15,849 like I said, my biggest dream is to 667 00:20:15,850 --> 00:20:17,749 get into the hands of actual 668 00:20:17,750 --> 00:20:19,589 queer kids and teens. 669 00:20:19,590 --> 00:20:21,409 And it is already getting 670 00:20:21,410 --> 00:20:22,470 some backlash. 671 00:20:24,010 --> 00:20:25,689 I have been, you know, posting about 672 00:20:25,690 --> 00:20:27,509 it online as a debut author does. 673 00:20:27,510 --> 00:20:29,329 And I've gotten a lot 674 00:20:29,330 --> 00:20:31,329 of really negative messages from 675 00:20:31,330 --> 00:20:33,109 people hoping to ban it in the 676 00:20:33,110 --> 00:20:34,789 future. I hope that doesn't happen. 677 00:20:34,790 --> 00:20:36,029 I hope they forget about it. 678 00:20:36,030 --> 00:20:37,869 But my thoughts 679 00:20:37,870 --> 00:20:40,009 are that I just 680 00:20:40,010 --> 00:20:41,929 wish that the people doing this 681 00:20:41,930 --> 00:20:43,809 would read these books and not just 682 00:20:43,810 --> 00:20:45,789 mine, other amazing queer middle 683 00:20:45,790 --> 00:20:47,389 grades like the Queen B's of Tybee 684 00:20:47,390 --> 00:20:49,729 County, which is about a 685 00:20:49,730 --> 00:20:51,569 southern basketball star 686 00:20:51,570 --> 00:20:53,629 seventh grade boy who ends 687 00:20:53,630 --> 00:20:55,529 up moving to or 688 00:20:55,530 --> 00:20:56,669 going to his grandma's for the 689 00:20:56,670 --> 00:20:58,689 summer and then learning drag 690 00:20:58,690 --> 00:21:00,749 and doing drag for the first time. 691 00:21:00,750 --> 00:21:02,589 Like these, I just want them to 692 00:21:02,590 --> 00:21:04,489 read these book and understand that 693 00:21:04,490 --> 00:21:06,609 this isn't about something 694 00:21:06,610 --> 00:21:08,479 that corrupt kids. 695 00:21:08,480 --> 00:21:10,659 These are not books about sex. 696 00:21:10,660 --> 00:21:12,299 These are books about kids being 697 00:21:12,300 --> 00:21:13,939 kids and kids figuring out who they 698 00:21:13,940 --> 00:21:16,959 are. And there is nothing negative 699 00:21:16,960 --> 00:21:19,459 or inappropriate about 700 00:21:19,460 --> 00:21:20,259 these books. 701 00:21:20,260 --> 00:21:22,139 And I'm really trying to do all 702 00:21:22,140 --> 00:21:23,459 I can to fight this. 703 00:21:23,460 --> 00:21:24,899 I recently testified at the State 704 00:21:24,900 --> 00:21:26,659 Board of Education meeting. 705 00:21:26,660 --> 00:21:27,939 There's another meeting coming up 706 00:21:27,940 --> 00:21:29,919 that I'm hoping to go to to 707 00:21:29,920 --> 00:21:32,119 just hopefully 708 00:21:32,120 --> 00:21:33,939 let our lawmakers know 709 00:21:33,940 --> 00:21:36,029 that most Texans 710 00:21:36,030 --> 00:21:38,049 want kids to be able to read any 711 00:21:38,050 --> 00:21:39,789 age appropriate book that publishers 712 00:21:39,790 --> 00:21:41,989 say are for their age range 713 00:21:41,990 --> 00:21:43,829 and that there's nothing dangerous 714 00:21:43,830 --> 00:21:45,009 about these books. It's actually 715 00:21:45,010 --> 00:21:47,009 dangerous to censor them and 716 00:21:47,010 --> 00:21:49,269 give kids the message that they 717 00:21:49,270 --> 00:21:51,049 don't belong and that who they are 718 00:21:51,050 --> 00:21:53,049 is not okay. That's what causes 719 00:21:53,050 --> 00:21:54,949 mental health struggles in 720 00:21:54,950 --> 00:21:56,329 these queer kids and teens. 721 00:21:57,480 --> 00:21:58,879 That was the voice of Austin-based 722 00:21:58,880 --> 00:22:00,819 author Rebecca Benheim speaking to 723 00:22:00,820 --> 00:22:02,639 Texas Standard's Laura Rice 724 00:22:02,640 --> 00:22:04,639 about Benheim's new novel, 725 00:22:04,640 --> 00:22:06,619 When You're Brave Enough, which is 726 00:22:06,620 --> 00:22:08,339 out now. 727 00:22:08,340 --> 00:22:10,459 That is it for today's 728 00:22:10,460 --> 00:22:12,119 show. Thank you for spending some 729 00:22:12,120 --> 00:22:13,159 time with us. We're going to have 730 00:22:13,160 --> 00:22:14,799 links to the stories that we shared 731 00:22:14,800 --> 00:22:16,859 with you in the podcast show notes, 732 00:22:16,860 --> 00:22:18,819 and you can find more over at 733 00:22:18,820 --> 00:22:21,019 kut.org slash 734 00:22:21,020 --> 00:22:21,799 signal. 735 00:22:21,800 --> 00:22:23,719 And there's always lots more news to 736 00:22:23,720 --> 00:22:25,519 be found. You can keep up with us on 737 00:22:25,520 --> 00:22:26,709 the KUT app. 738 00:22:26,710 --> 00:22:30,809 And online at KUT.org. 739 00:22:30,810 --> 00:22:32,289 Rayna Sevilla is our technical 740 00:22:32,290 --> 00:22:33,789 director, Alexa Hart is our 741 00:22:33,790 --> 00:22:35,869 producer, and Kristen Cabrera is 742 00:22:35,870 --> 00:22:37,649 our managing producer. 743 00:22:37,650 --> 00:22:38,929 I'm your host, Jerry Kihono. 744 00:22:38,930 --> 00:22:40,509 We'll be back at the same time 745 00:22:40,510 --> 00:22:42,689 tomorrow. We'll talk to you then. 746 00:22:42,690 --> 00:22:44,089 This is Austin Signal. 747 00:22:44,090 --> 00:22:45,309 Have a wonderful day.