1 00:00:08,350 --> 00:00:10,149 Texas hemp businesses can keep 2 00:00:10,150 --> 00:00:11,849 selling their cannabis flour and 3 00:00:11,850 --> 00:00:13,629 concentrate products, at least for 4 00:00:13,630 --> 00:00:15,289 now. That's after a Travis County 5 00:00:15,290 --> 00:00:16,709 judge blocked key parts of the 6 00:00:16,710 --> 00:00:18,329 state's new hemp regulations, while 7 00:00:18,330 --> 00:00:20,749 a lawsuit against those rules and 8 00:00:20,750 --> 00:00:22,529 increased fees plays out. 9 00:00:22,530 --> 00:00:24,009 We've got the latest updates on the 10 00:00:24,010 --> 00:00:26,069 state hemp market, and there is just 11 00:00:26,070 --> 00:00:27,529 one bidder for the contract to take 12 00:00:27,530 --> 00:00:29,669 operational control of three Austin 13 00:00:29,670 --> 00:00:31,169 ISD middle schools. 14 00:00:31,170 --> 00:00:32,569 The move is being made in an effort 15 00:00:32,570 --> 00:00:34,269 to avoid a state takeover. 16 00:00:34,270 --> 00:00:35,329 We're gonna talk about the 17 00:00:35,330 --> 00:00:36,899 significance of the sole bidder. 18 00:00:36,900 --> 00:00:39,079 That's coming up on today's show. 19 00:00:39,080 --> 00:00:40,959 The Austin Signal is a production 20 00:00:40,960 --> 00:00:43,079 of KUT News, hosted by 21 00:00:43,080 --> 00:00:44,139 Jerry Quijano. 22 00:00:44,140 --> 00:00:45,819 Plus, a new memoir from an 23 00:00:45,820 --> 00:00:47,379 Austin-based author is a reflection 24 00:00:47,380 --> 00:00:49,379 on home, family, and her Jewish 25 00:00:49,380 --> 00:00:50,199 faith. 26 00:00:50,200 --> 00:00:51,719 We're gonna have that conversation 27 00:00:51,720 --> 00:00:53,699 and a whole lot more. 28 00:00:53,700 --> 00:00:55,659 It's all coming up next, and it's 29 00:00:55,660 --> 00:00:57,520 right here on Austin Signal. 30 00:01:07,780 --> 00:01:09,599 Howdy out there, you are listening 31 00:01:09,600 --> 00:01:11,339 to Austin Signal. 32 00:01:11,340 --> 00:01:13,199 I'm your host, Jerry Econol. 33 00:01:13,200 --> 00:01:15,359 May the 4th it is. 34 00:01:15,360 --> 00:01:16,619 Thank you for tuning in and starting 35 00:01:16,620 --> 00:01:18,459 the week with community powered 36 00:01:18,460 --> 00:01:20,079 public radio. 37 00:01:20,080 --> 00:01:23,099 This is KUT News. 38 00:01:23,100 --> 00:01:24,379 Well, we've seen action this month 39 00:01:24,380 --> 00:01:26,339 on two separate cases regarding the 40 00:01:26,340 --> 00:01:28,179 sale and legality of hemp products 41 00:01:28,180 --> 00:01:29,219 here in Texas. 42 00:01:29,220 --> 00:01:30,639 In one, a Travis County judge 43 00:01:30,640 --> 00:01:32,659 granted a temporary injunction 44 00:01:32,660 --> 00:01:34,559 that would allow Texas retailers to 45 00:01:34,560 --> 00:01:36,819 continue selling smokeable hemp for 46 00:01:36,820 --> 00:01:38,229 the time being. 47 00:01:38,230 --> 00:01:39,809 Meanwhile, the Texas Supreme Court 48 00:01:39,810 --> 00:01:41,949 lifted a different temporary 49 00:01:41,950 --> 00:01:43,889 injunction against the Department 50 00:01:43,890 --> 00:01:45,829 of State Health Services, that 51 00:01:45,830 --> 00:01:47,489 move effectively clearing the way 52 00:01:47,490 --> 00:01:49,569 for the department to classify the 53 00:01:49,570 --> 00:01:52,569 psychoactive compound Delta-8-THC 54 00:01:52,570 --> 00:01:55,329 as a controlled substance. 55 00:01:55,330 --> 00:01:56,609 Confused by it all? 56 00:01:56,610 --> 00:01:58,669 Well, you're not the only one out 57 00:01:58,670 --> 00:02:00,629 there. Luckily, KUT's Nathan 58 00:02:00,630 --> 00:02:02,449 Bernier has been following all 59 00:02:02,450 --> 00:02:03,529 of these developments. 60 00:02:03,530 --> 00:02:05,089 He joins us now to explain. 61 00:02:05,090 --> 00:02:06,609 Welcome back to the show, Nathan. 62 00:02:06,610 --> 00:02:07,889 And thanks for having me, Jerry. 63 00:02:07,890 --> 00:02:09,668 Okay, first let's get clear on the 64 00:02:09,669 --> 00:02:11,849 legality of hemp in the first place. 65 00:02:11,850 --> 00:02:13,289 Marijuana is still and has been 66 00:02:13,290 --> 00:02:15,209 illegal in Texas, so how are 67 00:02:15,210 --> 00:02:17,209 retailers able to sell these 68 00:02:17,210 --> 00:02:18,249 hemp products? 69 00:02:18,250 --> 00:02:18,959 The short answer is 70 00:02:18,960 --> 00:02:20,719 hemp and marijuana are just legal 71 00:02:20,720 --> 00:02:22,959 categories for cannabis. 72 00:02:22,960 --> 00:02:24,819 Texas legalized hemp in 2019 after 73 00:02:24,820 --> 00:02:26,299 the federal farm bill. 74 00:02:26,300 --> 00:02:28,499 So under Texas law, hemp is just 75 00:02:28,500 --> 00:02:31,979 cannabis with no more than 0.3% 76 00:02:31,980 --> 00:02:33,719 Delta 9 THC, which is the main 77 00:02:33,720 --> 00:02:34,879 psychoactive ingredient. 78 00:02:34,880 --> 00:02:35,939 Anything with more than zero point 79 00:02:35,940 --> 00:02:37,679 three percent Delta 9 is classified 80 00:02:37,680 --> 00:02:39,259 as marijuana. 81 00:02:39,260 --> 00:02:40,619 But cannabis contains lots of other 82 00:02:40,620 --> 00:02:41,699 compounds. 83 00:02:41,700 --> 00:02:42,799 Two important ones for our 84 00:02:42,800 --> 00:02:44,839 conversation, Jerry, are THCA 85 00:02:44,840 --> 00:02:46,249 and Delta 8. 86 00:02:46,250 --> 00:02:48,189 So THCA occurs 87 00:02:48,190 --> 00:02:50,069 naturally in cannabis and converts 88 00:02:50,070 --> 00:02:52,049 to Delta 9 when heated or smoked. 89 00:02:52,050 --> 00:02:53,249 That's how Texas hemp shops have 90 00:02:53,250 --> 00:02:54,809 been able to sell flour and 91 00:02:54,810 --> 00:02:56,549 concentrates that are essentially 92 00:02:56,550 --> 00:02:57,569 cannabis. 93 00:02:57,570 --> 00:02:58,869 Delta 8 is different. 94 00:02:58,870 --> 00:03:00,709 It occurs naturally only in trace 95 00:03:00,710 --> 00:03:02,609 amounts, but businesses have been 96 00:03:02,610 --> 00:03:04,529 manufacturing Delta 8 products by 97 00:03:04,530 --> 00:03:06,349 converting hemp-derived CBD 98 00:03:06,350 --> 00:03:08,609 into something mind-altering. 99 00:03:08,610 --> 00:03:10,029 So both products grew out of the 100 00:03:10,030 --> 00:03:12,089 2019 hemp law, but now they're 101 00:03:12,090 --> 00:03:13,249 being treated differently by the 102 00:03:13,250 --> 00:03:14,009 courts. 103 00:03:14,010 --> 00:03:14,909 There have been a lot of 104 00:03:14,910 --> 00:03:15,929 developments in the Texas hemp 105 00:03:15,930 --> 00:03:17,389 market. Let's talk about these most 106 00:03:17,390 --> 00:03:19,629 recent ones that happened on Friday. 107 00:03:19,630 --> 00:03:20,989 First with this Travis County court 108 00:03:20,990 --> 00:03:22,929 order, smokeable hemp products can 109 00:03:22,930 --> 00:03:24,949 continue to be sold in Texas. 110 00:03:24,950 --> 00:03:26,189 What did the judge have to say? 111 00:03:26,190 --> 00:03:27,349 What were her reasons for this 112 00:03:27,350 --> 00:03:28,449 injunction? 113 00:03:28,450 --> 00:03:30,629 Okay, so Judge 114 00:03:30,630 --> 00:03:32,469 Lytle granted a temporary injunction 115 00:03:32,470 --> 00:03:34,629 that blocks key parts of the new 116 00:03:34,630 --> 00:03:36,669 state hemp rules while the lawsuit 117 00:03:36,670 --> 00:03:37,849 plays out. 118 00:03:37,850 --> 00:03:39,989 The biggest thing she blocked, 119 00:03:39,990 --> 00:03:41,829 two things really, the state's new 120 00:03:41,830 --> 00:03:43,769 total Delta-9 THC calculation 121 00:03:43,770 --> 00:03:46,049 and that formula counted THCA 122 00:03:46,050 --> 00:03:48,229 toward the legal THC 123 00:03:48,230 --> 00:03:49,429 limit. 124 00:03:49,430 --> 00:03:51,249 So, effectively banning 125 00:03:51,250 --> 00:03:53,029 smokable forms of hemp like flour 126 00:03:53,030 --> 00:03:53,949 and concentrate. 127 00:03:53,950 --> 00:03:56,209 Hemp businesses argued that 128 00:03:56,210 --> 00:03:58,189 went too far, 129 00:03:58,190 --> 00:04:00,069 that the agency exceeded its 130 00:04:00,070 --> 00:04:00,989 authority. 131 00:04:00,990 --> 00:04:03,349 And the judge also blocked, 132 00:04:03,350 --> 00:04:05,189 this was a big win for the 133 00:04:05,190 --> 00:04:06,949 Hemp businesses, sharply higher 134 00:04:06,950 --> 00:04:09,309 licensing and registration fees. 135 00:04:09,310 --> 00:04:11,249 And Judge Lytle blocked related 136 00:04:11,250 --> 00:04:13,429 transport restrictions and a daily 137 00:04:13,430 --> 00:04:15,289 penalty structure that treats 138 00:04:15,290 --> 00:04:17,469 each day of some violations 139 00:04:17,470 --> 00:04:18,528 as a separate violation. 140 00:04:18,529 --> 00:04:20,449 So she really gave the plaintiffs 141 00:04:20,450 --> 00:04:21,469 pretty much everything they were 142 00:04:21,470 --> 00:04:22,369 asking for. 143 00:04:22,370 --> 00:04:23,989 Her reasoning was that Hemp 144 00:04:23,990 --> 00:04:26,119 businesses did show a probable 145 00:04:26,120 --> 00:04:27,179 right to relief, which in plain 146 00:04:27,180 --> 00:04:28,959 English means she found they're 147 00:04:28,960 --> 00:04:30,139 likely to show that the state 148 00:04:30,140 --> 00:04:31,939 exceeded its authority and violated 149 00:04:31,940 --> 00:04:33,779 rulemaking procedures and 150 00:04:33,780 --> 00:04:35,779 raised constitutional problems with 151 00:04:35,780 --> 00:04:37,199 these fees and penalties. 152 00:04:37,200 --> 00:04:38,819 And that order applies broadly 153 00:04:38,820 --> 00:04:40,399 across the whole hemp industry, not 154 00:04:40,400 --> 00:04:42,879 just to the plaintiffs that sued. 155 00:04:42,880 --> 00:04:44,659 But it also does not block all the 156 00:04:44,660 --> 00:04:46,039 new rules. There's some consumer 157 00:04:46,040 --> 00:04:47,459 safety provisions that remain in 158 00:04:47,460 --> 00:04:49,239 place, like age restrictions and 159 00:04:49,240 --> 00:04:51,119 labeling requirements and a 160 00:04:51,120 --> 00:04:52,039 requirement for child-resistance. 161 00:04:52,040 --> 00:04:53,479 And packaging. 162 00:04:53,480 --> 00:04:54,599 The other development came from the 163 00:04:54,600 --> 00:04:55,619 Texas Supreme Court. 164 00:04:55,620 --> 00:04:56,939 They lifted a temporary injunction 165 00:04:56,940 --> 00:04:58,059 against the Department of State 166 00:04:58,060 --> 00:04:59,039 Health Services. 167 00:04:59,040 --> 00:05:00,299 Can you give us some background on 168 00:05:00,300 --> 00:05:01,999 that and what this move from the 169 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:03,999 court effectively, what is it doing? 170 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:05,719 Yeah, so this was a separate case 171 00:05:05,720 --> 00:05:08,119 about Delta 8 THC, 172 00:05:08,120 --> 00:05:09,419 not to be confused with Delta 9. 173 00:05:09,420 --> 00:05:11,339 Delta 8 is typically a little 174 00:05:11,340 --> 00:05:12,839 less psychoactive, it's sometimes 175 00:05:12,840 --> 00:05:14,519 referred to as diet weed for that 176 00:05:14,520 --> 00:05:17,419 reason. And so back in 2021, 177 00:05:17,420 --> 00:05:18,299 Department of State Health Services 178 00:05:18,300 --> 00:05:20,319 said Delta 8THC in any 179 00:05:20,320 --> 00:05:22,239 concentration was a Schedule 1 180 00:05:22,240 --> 00:05:23,999 controlled substance. 181 00:05:24,000 --> 00:05:25,759 Delta 8 businesses sued, among the 182 00:05:25,760 --> 00:05:27,399 plaintiffs is Austin-based hometown 183 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:29,239 hero, and they got a 184 00:05:29,240 --> 00:05:30,939 temporary injunction that allowed 185 00:05:30,940 --> 00:05:32,959 Delta 8 sales to continue while that 186 00:05:32,960 --> 00:05:34,039 case worked its way through the 187 00:05:34,040 --> 00:05:35,859 courts. Well, on Friday, the 188 00:05:35,860 --> 00:05:37,419 Texas Supreme Court reversed that 189 00:05:37,420 --> 00:05:38,379 injunction. 190 00:05:38,380 --> 00:05:40,199 And it said that the 191 00:05:40,200 --> 00:05:42,059 DSHS commissioner does have 192 00:05:42,060 --> 00:05:44,059 broad authority over the 193 00:05:44,060 --> 00:05:45,639 civil schedules of these controlled 194 00:05:45,640 --> 00:05:46,719 substances. 195 00:05:46,720 --> 00:05:48,539 But the justices drew 196 00:05:48,540 --> 00:05:49,979 a distinction here that I think is 197 00:05:49,980 --> 00:05:50,980 important. 198 00:05:51,340 --> 00:05:53,179 They drew a between trace 199 00:05:53,180 --> 00:05:55,099 naturally occurring Delta 8 200 00:05:55,100 --> 00:05:57,359 in the hemp plant and manufacture 201 00:05:57,360 --> 00:05:59,359 Delta 8 products with higher Delta 202 00:05:59,360 --> 00:06:01,039 8 levels. The court said the hemp 203 00:06:01,040 --> 00:06:03,279 law does not clearly legalize 204 00:06:03,280 --> 00:06:05,299 manufactured Delta 8 from 205 00:06:05,300 --> 00:06:06,739 hemp-derived CBD. 206 00:06:06,740 --> 00:06:09,059 But the justices said naturally 207 00:06:09,060 --> 00:06:10,839 occurring Delta 8 in these very 208 00:06:10,840 --> 00:06:13,499 trace amounts, it is lawful. 209 00:06:13,500 --> 00:06:15,099 And so that's an important nuance. 210 00:06:15,100 --> 00:06:16,299 Another thing to understand about 211 00:06:16,300 --> 00:06:18,299 the case is the Texas Supreme Court 212 00:06:18,300 --> 00:06:19,999 did say these businesses have 213 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:21,939 standing to sue and said 214 00:06:21,940 --> 00:06:23,539 they did not have to, the quote is, 215 00:06:23,540 --> 00:06:24,529 bet the farm. 216 00:06:24,530 --> 00:06:26,229 By violating the law and risking 217 00:06:26,230 --> 00:06:27,789 severe penalties before going to 218 00:06:27,790 --> 00:06:28,569 court. 219 00:06:28,570 --> 00:06:29,689 But the standing just means that 220 00:06:29,690 --> 00:06:31,189 they can bring the lawsuit. 221 00:06:32,390 --> 00:06:34,329 So that can move forward, but the 222 00:06:34,330 --> 00:06:36,269 injunction protecting Delta 8 223 00:06:36,270 --> 00:06:37,289 sales is gone. 224 00:06:37,290 --> 00:06:39,789 And that could also apply to other 225 00:06:39,790 --> 00:06:42,049 manufactured cannabinoids 226 00:06:42,050 --> 00:06:43,989 like THCP, which is 227 00:06:43,990 --> 00:06:46,819 very potent, among others. 228 00:06:46,820 --> 00:06:48,239 On the surface, Nathan, it seems to 229 00:06:48,240 --> 00:06:50,399 me that these actions are sort of 230 00:06:50,400 --> 00:06:52,099 contradictory, maybe possibly even 231 00:06:52,100 --> 00:06:53,499 canceling each other out. 232 00:06:53,500 --> 00:06:55,359 It seems pretty indicative of the up 233 00:06:55,360 --> 00:06:56,639 and down nature of the hemp market 234 00:06:56,640 --> 00:06:58,359 right now in Texas. 235 00:06:58,360 --> 00:06:59,499 What have you heard from hemp 236 00:06:59,500 --> 00:07:00,399 businesses out there? 237 00:07:00,400 --> 00:07:01,979 Where do they stand and what comes 238 00:07:01,980 --> 00:07:02,749 next? 239 00:07:02,750 --> 00:07:04,389 Well yeah, I mean these rulings on 240 00:07:04,390 --> 00:07:05,909 the surface do seem contradictory, 241 00:07:05,910 --> 00:07:07,149 but they involve different products 242 00:07:07,150 --> 00:07:08,589 and different legal questions. 243 00:07:08,590 --> 00:07:11,189 So the Travis County ruling is about 244 00:07:11,190 --> 00:07:13,769 things and factors including THCA, 245 00:07:13,770 --> 00:07:15,469 which occurs naturally in cannabis 246 00:07:15,470 --> 00:07:17,689 and converts to Delta 9 when heated. 247 00:07:17,690 --> 00:07:19,029 The Texas Supreme Court ruling is a 248 00:07:19,030 --> 00:07:21,749 about manufactured Delta 8 products. 249 00:07:21,750 --> 00:07:23,529 Some call them synthesized or 250 00:07:23,530 --> 00:07:25,669 semi-synthesized Delta 8, 251 00:07:25,670 --> 00:07:27,129 which are typically made by 252 00:07:27,130 --> 00:07:29,289 chemically converting CBD into 253 00:07:29,290 --> 00:07:31,089 a more concentrated Delta 8. 254 00:07:31,090 --> 00:07:32,909 So where things stand right now... 255 00:07:32,910 --> 00:07:34,789 THCA flour and concentrates 256 00:07:34,790 --> 00:07:36,309 can remain on shelves because of 257 00:07:36,310 --> 00:07:37,570 that Travis County injunction, which 258 00:07:37,571 --> 00:07:39,049 is likely to be appealed by the 259 00:07:39,050 --> 00:07:40,009 state. 260 00:07:40,010 --> 00:07:42,289 Manufactured Delta-8 products are 261 00:07:42,290 --> 00:07:44,769 on much shakier ground because 262 00:07:44,770 --> 00:07:46,389 the Texas Supreme Court removed the 263 00:07:46,390 --> 00:07:47,789 injunction that had protected those 264 00:07:47,790 --> 00:07:48,789 sales. 265 00:07:48,790 --> 00:07:50,429 That's KUT's Nathan Bernier. 266 00:07:50,430 --> 00:07:51,329 We're gonna have a link to his 267 00:07:51,330 --> 00:07:52,809 latest reporting in today's show 268 00:07:52,810 --> 00:07:54,309 notes. Nathan, thank you for 269 00:07:54,310 --> 00:07:55,969 explaining all of this. 270 00:07:55,970 --> 00:07:56,970 Thank you so much, Jerry. 271 00:08:07,750 --> 00:08:09,449 The Austin Independent School 272 00:08:09,450 --> 00:08:11,549 District relinquished controls of 273 00:08:11,550 --> 00:08:13,089 three failing middle schools as a 274 00:08:13,090 --> 00:08:15,289 move to avoid state takeover of 275 00:08:15,290 --> 00:08:17,169 the entire school district. 276 00:08:17,170 --> 00:08:18,549 So what does the future look like 277 00:08:18,550 --> 00:08:20,429 for these three Austin middle 278 00:08:20,430 --> 00:08:21,329 schools? 279 00:08:21,330 --> 00:08:22,889 Joining us now to talk more is 280 00:08:22,890 --> 00:08:24,929 Acacia Coronado, education reporter 281 00:08:24,930 --> 00:08:26,229 for Austin Current. 282 00:08:26,230 --> 00:08:27,529 Acacia, welcome back to Austin 283 00:08:27,530 --> 00:08:29,489 Signal. Thanks for having me. 284 00:08:29,490 --> 00:08:31,289 So let's go back and talk a little 285 00:08:31,290 --> 00:08:32,529 bit of background for those who 286 00:08:32,530 --> 00:08:34,308 might not be familiar. Or why is the 287 00:08:34,309 --> 00:08:35,699 Austin School District looking? 288 00:08:35,700 --> 00:08:37,538 For someone to take over, 289 00:08:37,539 --> 00:08:39,428 so to speak, these schools. 290 00:08:39,429 --> 00:08:40,749 Yeah, so they're going to give 291 00:08:40,750 --> 00:08:42,609 operational control to 292 00:08:42,610 --> 00:08:44,609 Texas Council for International 293 00:08:44,610 --> 00:08:46,469 Studies because the three 294 00:08:46,470 --> 00:08:48,329 schools have had 295 00:08:48,330 --> 00:08:50,189 four quote 296 00:08:50,190 --> 00:08:51,709 unquote failing accountability 297 00:08:51,710 --> 00:08:53,709 ratings under the state's 298 00:08:53,710 --> 00:08:55,349 accountability rating system for 299 00:08:55,350 --> 00:08:56,289 academics. 300 00:08:56,290 --> 00:08:58,309 And so if they 301 00:08:58,310 --> 00:09:00,409 reach a fifth failing accountability 302 00:09:00,410 --> 00:09:02,609 rating, then state 303 00:09:02,610 --> 00:09:04,409 law says that the education 304 00:09:04,410 --> 00:09:06,229 commissioner could either close 305 00:09:06,230 --> 00:09:08,229 the schools or a point of. 306 00:09:08,230 --> 00:09:10,589 Appoint a board of managers to 307 00:09:10,590 --> 00:09:12,089 lead the school district instead of 308 00:09:12,090 --> 00:09:13,379 the elected school board. 309 00:09:13,380 --> 00:09:14,699 And this process has been playing 310 00:09:14,700 --> 00:09:16,199 out over the course of the school 311 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:18,299 year. When is the deadline for 312 00:09:18,300 --> 00:09:20,239 the Austin School District to sort 313 00:09:20,240 --> 00:09:22,269 of hand over these schools? 314 00:09:22,270 --> 00:09:24,209 So they already voted 315 00:09:24,210 --> 00:09:26,249 to enter 316 00:09:26,250 --> 00:09:28,049 into a contract with Texas Council 317 00:09:28,050 --> 00:09:29,669 for International Studies. 318 00:09:29,670 --> 00:09:31,509 And then from there, 319 00:09:31,510 --> 00:09:33,889 they submitted an application to 320 00:09:33,890 --> 00:09:36,089 the TEA for benefits under 321 00:09:36,090 --> 00:09:38,509 the SB 1882 program, 322 00:09:38,510 --> 00:09:40,449 which would then pause that 323 00:09:40,450 --> 00:09:42,449 accountability rating for two years 324 00:09:42,450 --> 00:09:44,269 if approved as one of the benefits 325 00:09:44,270 --> 00:09:46,689 and allow that vendor to 326 00:09:46,690 --> 00:09:48,609 improve the academic rating of the 327 00:09:48,610 --> 00:09:50,009 schools over the next to school 328 00:09:50,010 --> 00:09:51,859 years. And that 329 00:09:51,860 --> 00:09:53,559 partnership would begin to take 330 00:09:53,560 --> 00:09:55,559 effect in the coming school 331 00:09:55,560 --> 00:09:55,949 year. 332 00:09:55,950 --> 00:09:57,669 Okay, so I believe a bidding for 333 00:09:57,670 --> 00:09:59,489 that vendor position has opened 334 00:09:59,490 --> 00:10:01,029 up and you've been reporting on that 335 00:10:01,030 --> 00:10:02,029 at Austin current. 336 00:10:02,030 --> 00:10:03,779 What have you found? 337 00:10:03,780 --> 00:10:05,779 So in January, we requested 338 00:10:05,780 --> 00:10:08,059 to know who had proposed 339 00:10:08,060 --> 00:10:09,939 a bid to have 340 00:10:09,940 --> 00:10:11,299 the operational control of these 341 00:10:11,300 --> 00:10:12,639 schools. 342 00:10:12,640 --> 00:10:14,639 We were under the impression that 343 00:10:14,640 --> 00:10:16,559 that call for quality schools 344 00:10:16,560 --> 00:10:18,659 had already closed in 345 00:10:18,660 --> 00:10:19,539 October. 346 00:10:19,540 --> 00:10:21,459 And so we submitted a request to 347 00:10:21,460 --> 00:10:23,099 know, who had bid. 348 00:10:23,100 --> 00:10:25,039 We were denied that request 349 00:10:25,040 --> 00:10:26,419 and sent to the Texas Attorney 350 00:10:26,420 --> 00:10:28,339 General for ruling because 351 00:10:28,340 --> 00:10:29,319 the school district said that they 352 00:10:29,320 --> 00:10:31,219 were still taking bids and 353 00:10:31,220 --> 00:10:32,999 TEA let us know in a statement at 354 00:10:33,000 --> 00:10:34,979 the time that it's kind of up to the 355 00:10:34,980 --> 00:10:36,659 school district how and when they 356 00:10:36,660 --> 00:10:38,559 take the bids to determine 357 00:10:38,560 --> 00:10:40,259 who can take operational control of 358 00:10:40,260 --> 00:10:41,699 a school when they're seeking this 359 00:10:41,700 --> 00:10:43,059 kind of partnership. 360 00:10:43,060 --> 00:10:44,659 So we waited for the attorney 361 00:10:44,660 --> 00:10:46,539 general to rule on whether or 362 00:10:46,540 --> 00:10:48,499 not this was releasable and 363 00:10:48,500 --> 00:10:50,339 that ruling came a couple 364 00:10:50,340 --> 00:10:52,219 of weeks ago. And so this 365 00:10:52,220 --> 00:10:54,059 actually comes after 366 00:10:54,060 --> 00:10:55,799 the school district had already 367 00:10:55,800 --> 00:10:57,619 voted to give 368 00:10:57,620 --> 00:10:59,299 that operational control to Texas 369 00:10:59,300 --> 00:11:00,789 Council for International Studies. 370 00:11:00,790 --> 00:11:01,929 Did you find that there were any 371 00:11:01,930 --> 00:11:03,669 other bidders besides Texas Council 372 00:11:03,670 --> 00:11:04,809 for International Studies? 373 00:11:05,940 --> 00:11:07,499 According to the paperwork that we 374 00:11:07,500 --> 00:11:08,679 received, there were no other 375 00:11:08,680 --> 00:11:10,899 bidders to take operational control 376 00:11:10,900 --> 00:11:11,839 of the three schools. 377 00:11:11,840 --> 00:11:14,319 And why is that significant? 378 00:11:14,320 --> 00:11:16,319 So according to education experts, 379 00:11:16,320 --> 00:11:18,339 it is really difficult 380 00:11:18,340 --> 00:11:20,479 to find an 381 00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:23,039 outside operator that is willing to 382 00:11:23,040 --> 00:11:24,919 take on a school for 383 00:11:24,920 --> 00:11:26,839 academic improvement because of the 384 00:11:26,840 --> 00:11:29,099 tight turnaround deadline and 385 00:11:29,100 --> 00:11:31,239 the fact that they only have two 386 00:11:31,240 --> 00:11:33,139 years to get 387 00:11:33,140 --> 00:11:34,319 the school to a passing 388 00:11:34,320 --> 00:11:36,199 accountability rating to avoid 389 00:11:36,200 --> 00:11:38,169 the possibility of a takeover again. 390 00:11:38,170 --> 00:11:39,429 Okay, so as you mentioned, the 391 00:11:39,430 --> 00:11:40,869 school has already voted. 392 00:11:40,870 --> 00:11:42,129 So once these middle schools 393 00:11:42,130 --> 00:11:44,289 actually are taken over control 394 00:11:44,290 --> 00:11:46,149 of, what if anything is actually 395 00:11:46,150 --> 00:11:47,589 gonna change in the hallways of 396 00:11:47,590 --> 00:11:48,919 those schools? 397 00:11:48,920 --> 00:11:51,139 So as far as we know, the 398 00:11:51,140 --> 00:11:52,979 operational control means 399 00:11:52,980 --> 00:11:55,039 that they're gonna have a say on 400 00:11:55,040 --> 00:11:56,699 staffing, they're going to have a 401 00:11:56,700 --> 00:11:58,279 stay on the principal, they're to 402 00:11:58,280 --> 00:12:00,219 have us say on the academics of the 403 00:12:00,220 --> 00:12:01,759 school while the school district 404 00:12:01,760 --> 00:12:03,279 still does some of the day-to-day 405 00:12:03,280 --> 00:12:05,119 things like busses and food 406 00:12:05,120 --> 00:12:06,649 service and things like that. 407 00:12:06,650 --> 00:12:08,289 And do we know when that is going to 408 00:12:08,290 --> 00:12:09,819 actually begin? 409 00:12:09,820 --> 00:12:11,179 Texas Council for International 410 00:12:11,180 --> 00:12:12,779 Studies is set to take the 411 00:12:12,780 --> 00:12:13,999 operational control of the three 412 00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:15,879 schools by next school year. 413 00:12:15,880 --> 00:12:16,799 All right, we have been speaking 414 00:12:16,800 --> 00:12:18,219 with Acacia Coronado. 415 00:12:18,220 --> 00:12:19,819 She is the education reporter for 416 00:12:19,820 --> 00:12:22,019 Austin Current, a partner with KUT 417 00:12:22,020 --> 00:12:24,119 News and Austin Signal in 418 00:12:24,120 --> 00:12:26,039 the coverage of the city of Austin. 419 00:12:26,040 --> 00:12:27,279 Acacia, always great to talk with 420 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:27,589 you. 421 00:12:27,590 --> 00:12:29,039 Thanks so much. 422 00:12:29,040 --> 00:12:31,179 And thank you for spending part of 423 00:12:31,180 --> 00:12:33,339 your sunny Monday here with 424 00:12:33,340 --> 00:12:35,179 KUT News and with 425 00:12:35,180 --> 00:12:36,479 Austin Signal. 426 00:12:36,480 --> 00:12:38,319 No rain to start the week 427 00:12:38,320 --> 00:12:40,019 here in the Austin area, but the 428 00:12:40,020 --> 00:12:41,499 National Weather Service is giving 429 00:12:41,500 --> 00:12:43,479 us some rain chances beginning late 430 00:12:43,480 --> 00:12:45,699 tomorrow night into Wednesday 431 00:12:45,700 --> 00:12:47,339 and all the way through Friday, 432 00:12:47,340 --> 00:12:49,619 maybe even a shower on the weekend. 433 00:12:49,620 --> 00:12:51,459 We'll keep you updated on the 434 00:12:51,460 --> 00:12:53,359 latest right here on Austin 435 00:12:53,360 --> 00:12:55,239 Signal, we'll be back after 436 00:12:55,240 --> 00:12:56,240 a moment. 437 00:12:59,420 --> 00:13:01,539 This is Austin's Signal, welcome 438 00:13:01,540 --> 00:13:02,539 back. 439 00:13:02,540 --> 00:13:04,359 When Joanne Borelowitz was 440 00:13:04,360 --> 00:13:06,019 10, her father told her that they 441 00:13:06,020 --> 00:13:07,259 would have to leave their home in 442 00:13:07,260 --> 00:13:09,479 South Africa because Jews did 443 00:13:09,480 --> 00:13:10,659 not belong. 444 00:13:10,660 --> 00:13:12,599 South Africa couldn't 445 00:13:12,600 --> 00:13:14,599 ever be home for them. 446 00:13:14,600 --> 00:13:16,279 Borelowitz grew up anxious about the 447 00:13:16,280 --> 00:13:18,339 meaning of home, and she reflects on 448 00:13:18,340 --> 00:13:20,259 that anxiety in her new memoir, 449 00:13:20,260 --> 00:13:22,319 Somewhere I Belong, a story of 450 00:13:22,320 --> 00:13:24,399 country, family, home, Jewish 451 00:13:24,400 --> 00:13:26,399 identity. These days, 452 00:13:26,400 --> 00:13:28,099 Joanne is an art historian who calls 453 00:13:28,100 --> 00:13:29,419 Austin home. 454 00:13:29,420 --> 00:13:30,799 And she spoke with Texas standards 455 00:13:30,800 --> 00:13:33,409 David Brown about her memoir. 456 00:13:33,410 --> 00:13:34,989 Tell us a little bit more about your 457 00:13:34,990 --> 00:13:36,909 family's eventual departure from 458 00:13:36,910 --> 00:13:38,469 South Africa. 459 00:13:38,470 --> 00:13:40,029 You were considerably older than 460 00:13:40,030 --> 00:13:41,969 ten, but that stuck with 461 00:13:41,970 --> 00:13:42,599 you. 462 00:13:42,600 --> 00:13:44,739 Well, we all left separately, 463 00:13:44,740 --> 00:13:46,699 actually. The first to leave was my 464 00:13:46,700 --> 00:13:48,599 youngest sister, who moved to 465 00:13:48,600 --> 00:13:50,279 the UK. 466 00:13:50,280 --> 00:13:51,859 Let's see, I moved next. 467 00:13:51,860 --> 00:13:53,699 I married and came to 468 00:13:53,700 --> 00:13:55,499 California with my husband. 469 00:13:55,500 --> 00:13:57,859 I'd been accepted into Stanford, 470 00:13:57,860 --> 00:13:59,859 and he'd had a job offer. 471 00:13:59,860 --> 00:14:01,699 And then my parents 472 00:14:01,700 --> 00:14:03,699 and my youngest brother 473 00:14:03,700 --> 00:14:04,559 left next. 474 00:14:04,560 --> 00:14:06,179 They all went to Israel. 475 00:14:06,180 --> 00:14:08,019 And the one who remained in 476 00:14:08,020 --> 00:14:10,099 South Africa was the first 477 00:14:10,100 --> 00:14:12,129 of my two brothers, the first born. 478 00:14:12,130 --> 00:14:13,729 He was finishing his medical 479 00:14:13,730 --> 00:14:15,869 training and then he also 480 00:14:15,870 --> 00:14:17,399 moved to Israel. 481 00:14:17,400 --> 00:14:19,719 You felt that it was necessary 482 00:14:19,720 --> 00:14:21,419 to move, and I'm wondering if you 483 00:14:21,420 --> 00:14:23,269 can say more about that. 484 00:14:23,270 --> 00:14:25,529 From about the 1960s 485 00:14:25,530 --> 00:14:27,789 onward, liberal inclined 486 00:14:27,790 --> 00:14:29,869 South Africans left 487 00:14:29,870 --> 00:14:31,029 South Africa. 488 00:14:31,030 --> 00:14:33,229 We could see the writing on, yeah. 489 00:14:33,230 --> 00:14:34,929 The writing was on the wall. 490 00:14:34,930 --> 00:14:36,369 It wasn't going to get any better. 491 00:14:36,370 --> 00:14:38,269 There was going to be some kind of 492 00:14:38,270 --> 00:14:39,449 revolution. 493 00:14:39,450 --> 00:14:41,429 There'd been overthrows of colonial 494 00:14:41,430 --> 00:14:43,769 governments along to 495 00:14:43,770 --> 00:14:45,769 our north in various parts 496 00:14:45,770 --> 00:14:47,009 of Africa. 497 00:14:47,010 --> 00:14:47,909 So. 498 00:14:47,910 --> 00:14:49,429 We made plans to leave. 499 00:14:49,430 --> 00:14:51,429 I mean, plans take a long time 500 00:14:51,430 --> 00:14:52,469 to implement. 501 00:14:52,470 --> 00:14:54,449 My father had a business, 502 00:14:54,450 --> 00:14:57,149 my grandparents were still alive, 503 00:14:57,150 --> 00:14:58,989 so things took a while, but 504 00:14:58,990 --> 00:15:00,849 eventually, over the course of the 505 00:15:00,850 --> 00:15:03,319 70s, we all left. 506 00:15:03,320 --> 00:15:05,099 I wanted you to dig in a little bit 507 00:15:05,100 --> 00:15:06,959 deeper about why your 508 00:15:06,960 --> 00:15:08,999 father said what he did and 509 00:15:09,000 --> 00:15:10,819 how, what sort of mark that left 510 00:15:10,820 --> 00:15:12,920 on you and your siblings. 511 00:15:14,120 --> 00:15:16,019 Well, you know, I think Jews 512 00:15:16,020 --> 00:15:17,919 are kind of sensitive 513 00:15:17,920 --> 00:15:19,839 to threats of imminent 514 00:15:19,840 --> 00:15:21,879 danger, particularly since, 515 00:15:21,880 --> 00:15:23,279 you, know, what happened in Nazi 516 00:15:23,280 --> 00:15:25,099 Germany, and some Jews 517 00:15:25,100 --> 00:15:27,079 didn't leave, just kind of ignored 518 00:15:27,080 --> 00:15:28,399 the signs on the wall. 519 00:15:28,400 --> 00:15:31,059 And my father was always someone, 520 00:15:31,060 --> 00:15:33,119 he loved history, he consumed 521 00:15:33,120 --> 00:15:34,939 history books, and he was 522 00:15:34,940 --> 00:15:36,459 sure there was going to be a bloody 523 00:15:36,460 --> 00:15:37,319 revolution. 524 00:15:37,320 --> 00:15:39,119 There actually wasn't. 525 00:15:39,120 --> 00:15:40,559 You know, my father had a kind of 526 00:15:40,560 --> 00:15:42,279 apocalyptic bent. 527 00:15:42,280 --> 00:15:45,019 He dreaded the 528 00:15:45,020 --> 00:15:46,179 cataclysm. 529 00:15:46,180 --> 00:15:48,699 So he was determined to get us out. 530 00:15:48,700 --> 00:15:51,279 And there was a fairly large exodus 531 00:15:51,280 --> 00:15:53,359 around the 70s, particularly 532 00:15:53,360 --> 00:15:55,379 after the riots in 533 00:15:55,380 --> 00:15:57,359 Sharpeville when police mowed 534 00:15:57,360 --> 00:15:59,739 down children and 535 00:15:59,740 --> 00:16:01,839 the racial tensions 536 00:16:01,840 --> 00:16:03,859 in South Africa became more acute 537 00:16:03,860 --> 00:16:06,059 and to deal with them, the apartheid 538 00:16:06,060 --> 00:16:08,259 government clamped down even 539 00:16:08,260 --> 00:16:09,349 more. 540 00:16:09,350 --> 00:16:11,169 Rigorously on the racial 541 00:16:11,170 --> 00:16:13,449 laws, thinking that more oppression 542 00:16:13,450 --> 00:16:15,409 would kill things and in fact 543 00:16:15,410 --> 00:16:17,769 of course that is not what happens. 544 00:16:17,770 --> 00:16:19,589 You moved to California, as you 545 00:16:19,590 --> 00:16:22,789 say, with your husband in the 1970s, 546 00:16:22,790 --> 00:16:24,629 and I would imagine there would be a 547 00:16:24,630 --> 00:16:26,209 considerable amount of culture 548 00:16:26,210 --> 00:16:27,349 shock. 549 00:16:27,350 --> 00:16:29,649 Oh yeah, for me it was enormous. 550 00:16:29,650 --> 00:16:31,649 My ex-husband had lived in 551 00:16:31,650 --> 00:16:33,789 California, so he 552 00:16:33,790 --> 00:16:35,809 already loved it, but 553 00:16:35,810 --> 00:16:38,009 I was terribly lonely. 554 00:16:38,010 --> 00:16:40,249 I knew nobody, had no family, 555 00:16:40,250 --> 00:16:41,529 I was pregnant. 556 00:16:41,530 --> 00:16:43,349 So even my body was very 557 00:16:43,350 --> 00:16:44,609 different to me. 558 00:16:44,610 --> 00:16:46,449 Even driving on 559 00:16:46,450 --> 00:16:48,429 the different side of the road in 560 00:16:48,430 --> 00:16:50,309 a behemoth vehicle when I'd 561 00:16:50,310 --> 00:16:52,489 had a little Volkswagen bug 562 00:16:52,490 --> 00:16:54,349 in South Africa, everything 563 00:16:54,350 --> 00:16:56,969 was like shocking. 564 00:16:56,970 --> 00:16:58,789 That's a big part of your 565 00:16:58,790 --> 00:17:01,429 book, Finding Home in Your Faith. 566 00:17:01,430 --> 00:17:03,429 What was that process like and 567 00:17:03,430 --> 00:17:06,189 how deliberate and deliberative 568 00:17:06,190 --> 00:17:07,348 was it? 569 00:17:07,349 --> 00:17:09,108 I'm thinking of people who may be 570 00:17:09,109 --> 00:17:10,828 listening and may not be feeling at 571 00:17:10,829 --> 00:17:12,949 home with any faith or 572 00:17:12,950 --> 00:17:15,029 may be feeling very much 573 00:17:15,030 --> 00:17:17,189 out of sync with where 574 00:17:17,190 --> 00:17:19,489 they find themselves now in Texas, 575 00:17:19,490 --> 00:17:20,219 for example. 576 00:17:20,220 --> 00:17:22,139 Well, I grew up 577 00:17:22,140 --> 00:17:24,139 in a very secular Jewish 578 00:17:24,140 --> 00:17:24,939 family. 579 00:17:24,940 --> 00:17:27,039 I would say that my father was 580 00:17:27,040 --> 00:17:30,039 almost rabidly anti-religious, 581 00:17:30,040 --> 00:17:32,139 but because everyone in 582 00:17:32,140 --> 00:17:34,379 South Africa was kind of 583 00:17:34,380 --> 00:17:36,659 forced into their ghetto, 584 00:17:36,660 --> 00:17:38,159 there was a tremendous amount of 585 00:17:38,160 --> 00:17:40,239 anti-Semitism in my hometown of 586 00:17:40,240 --> 00:17:41,899 Durban, a kind of polite 587 00:17:41,900 --> 00:17:43,999 anti-semitism from the Anglo 588 00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:45,619 community. 589 00:17:45,620 --> 00:17:47,579 So we moved mainly with 590 00:17:47,580 --> 00:17:49,819 Jewish people, So we were Jewish, 591 00:17:49,820 --> 00:17:52,729 but... Very, very secular. 592 00:17:52,730 --> 00:17:54,289 My parents have never been 593 00:17:54,290 --> 00:17:56,189 religious, but I'm not 594 00:17:56,190 --> 00:17:57,669 sure if it was partly in rebellion 595 00:17:57,670 --> 00:17:59,569 against my father, but I began 596 00:17:59,570 --> 00:18:01,509 to be attracted to 597 00:18:01,510 --> 00:18:03,869 the rich history of my people. 598 00:18:03,870 --> 00:18:05,909 And the more I got into it, the more 599 00:18:05,910 --> 00:18:07,969 wanted to get into it. 600 00:18:07,970 --> 00:18:09,929 So it was some conflict with my 601 00:18:09,930 --> 00:18:12,049 parents. My mother would ask me, 602 00:18:12,050 --> 00:18:13,869 are you becoming from, which means 603 00:18:13,870 --> 00:18:15,789 like ultra-orthodox, don't 604 00:18:15,790 --> 00:18:17,569 wear a shaital, which you know is a 605 00:18:17,570 --> 00:18:19,419 wig, to cover your hair. 606 00:18:19,420 --> 00:18:21,299 And so, you 607 00:18:21,300 --> 00:18:23,279 know, I sort of had that to contend 608 00:18:23,280 --> 00:18:25,239 with, but there are so 609 00:18:25,240 --> 00:18:27,199 many shades and so many ways of 610 00:18:27,200 --> 00:18:28,439 being Jewish. 611 00:18:28,440 --> 00:18:30,279 So, you now, I love my community 612 00:18:30,280 --> 00:18:31,379 here. 613 00:18:31,380 --> 00:18:32,759 I study Torah. 614 00:18:32,760 --> 00:18:34,719 I'm actually enrolled to start 615 00:18:34,720 --> 00:18:36,839 in the summer and 616 00:18:36,840 --> 00:18:38,819 at the Spurs Institute to 617 00:18:38,820 --> 00:18:40,339 do a master's degree in Jewish 618 00:18:40,340 --> 00:18:41,899 studies. It's not that I need 619 00:18:41,900 --> 00:18:43,759 another degree, but I 620 00:18:43,760 --> 00:18:44,699 love to study. 621 00:18:44,700 --> 00:18:46,599 And this is a subject that 622 00:18:46,600 --> 00:18:48,229 is so dear to my heart. 623 00:18:48,230 --> 00:18:50,289 There's a sense of place that many 624 00:18:50,290 --> 00:18:52,129 of us have and for many 625 00:18:52,130 --> 00:18:54,249 folks that's perfectly sufficient. 626 00:18:54,250 --> 00:18:56,109 We can spend our lifetimes finding 627 00:18:56,110 --> 00:18:58,289 that place that feels like 628 00:18:58,290 --> 00:18:59,829 home and I think that that's 629 00:18:59,830 --> 00:19:01,889 something that this book will really 630 00:19:01,890 --> 00:19:03,889 bring to a lot of people is that, 631 00:19:03,890 --> 00:19:05,889 you know, that ongoing search 632 00:19:05,890 --> 00:19:08,369 for home and the meaning of home. 633 00:19:08,370 --> 00:19:10,189 But for you a 634 00:19:10,190 --> 00:19:12,169 big dimension of that it seems 635 00:19:12,170 --> 00:19:14,269 is your own 636 00:19:14,270 --> 00:19:17,229 personal journey into understanding 637 00:19:17,230 --> 00:19:19,289 What it means to be Jewish 638 00:19:19,290 --> 00:19:21,169 and I'm curious if you can say 639 00:19:21,170 --> 00:19:23,459 more about about that 640 00:19:23,460 --> 00:19:25,519 You know, I think all of us from, 641 00:19:25,520 --> 00:19:27,299 you know, the middle of the 20th 642 00:19:27,300 --> 00:19:29,219 century on through now have a 643 00:19:29,220 --> 00:19:31,299 sense of alienation from the 644 00:19:31,300 --> 00:19:33,359 world, which is very different 645 00:19:33,360 --> 00:19:35,259 from when people felt that 646 00:19:35,260 --> 00:19:37,239 the world was very ordered and 647 00:19:37,240 --> 00:19:38,859 they had a place in the world and 648 00:19:38,860 --> 00:19:40,199 they knew their place. 649 00:19:40,200 --> 00:19:42,619 We're all deracinated, 650 00:19:42,620 --> 00:19:44,459 we're all uprooted in various 651 00:19:44,460 --> 00:19:46,639 ways. I mean, people lose connection 652 00:19:46,640 --> 00:19:48,559 to their families and so on. 653 00:19:48,560 --> 00:19:50,759 So I think everybody has 654 00:19:50,760 --> 00:19:52,939 some kind of longing for home. 655 00:19:52,940 --> 00:19:54,819 Now, home can be a 656 00:19:54,820 --> 00:19:56,099 physical place. 657 00:19:56,100 --> 00:19:58,019 I learned very early on in my 658 00:19:58,020 --> 00:19:59,839 life that the place that I thought 659 00:19:59,840 --> 00:20:01,919 was home, a physical was not 660 00:20:01,920 --> 00:20:03,999 home. So, 661 00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:05,839 the places where I have felt most 662 00:20:05,840 --> 00:20:07,819 that I could breathe a huge 663 00:20:07,820 --> 00:20:09,879 sigh of relief and feel connection 664 00:20:09,880 --> 00:20:11,739 have been in 665 00:20:11,740 --> 00:20:13,479 two synagogues that I have been a 666 00:20:13,480 --> 00:20:14,639 part of. 667 00:20:14,640 --> 00:20:16,759 I just feel connected back 668 00:20:16,760 --> 00:20:19,549 through all the history to... 669 00:20:19,550 --> 00:20:21,509 Way, way, way back when, 670 00:20:21,510 --> 00:20:24,309 I feel a sense of relief, 671 00:20:24,310 --> 00:20:26,609 like, yes, this is my place. 672 00:20:26,610 --> 00:20:28,649 It sounds like this was cathartic 673 00:20:28,650 --> 00:20:30,469 though, and I'm curious as you 674 00:20:30,470 --> 00:20:31,909 think about people reading your 675 00:20:31,910 --> 00:20:33,349 memoir, what are you hoping that 676 00:20:33,350 --> 00:20:34,350 they... 677 00:20:35,470 --> 00:20:37,249 Of course, I hope people will think 678 00:20:37,250 --> 00:20:39,469 about where they're at home. 679 00:20:39,470 --> 00:20:40,329 You know, one of the important 680 00:20:40,330 --> 00:20:42,229 things about writing a memoir is 681 00:20:42,230 --> 00:20:44,049 that you get to write your 682 00:20:44,050 --> 00:20:44,849 own narrative. 683 00:20:44,850 --> 00:20:46,569 You don't get to be scripted by 684 00:20:46,570 --> 00:20:47,889 somebody else. 685 00:20:47,890 --> 00:20:49,709 So I think some 686 00:20:49,710 --> 00:20:51,929 of my fumbling towards my 687 00:20:51,930 --> 00:20:54,189 truth comes through in my memoir. 688 00:20:54,190 --> 00:20:55,929 I hope that people will be prompted 689 00:20:55,930 --> 00:20:58,249 to reflect on their own stories 690 00:20:58,250 --> 00:21:00,149 and how they might like to tell 691 00:21:00,150 --> 00:21:01,709 it, even if they don't write a 692 00:21:01,710 --> 00:21:03,749 memoir. But, um, just 693 00:21:03,750 --> 00:21:05,489 think about their own stories in 694 00:21:05,490 --> 00:21:06,490 different ways. 695 00:21:08,340 --> 00:21:10,159 That was Austin-based author 696 00:21:10,160 --> 00:21:12,059 Joanne Burelowitz talking with 697 00:21:12,060 --> 00:21:13,959 Texas standards David Brown about 698 00:21:13,960 --> 00:21:15,799 her new memoir, Somewhere I 699 00:21:15,800 --> 00:21:17,979 Belong, a story of country, 700 00:21:17,980 --> 00:21:20,399 family, home, and Jewish identity. 701 00:21:20,400 --> 00:21:21,579 We're going to have a link to more 702 00:21:21,580 --> 00:21:23,519 from that conversation in 703 00:21:23,520 --> 00:21:24,520 today's show notes. 704 00:21:32,980 --> 00:21:35,179 And that is it for us today on 705 00:21:35,180 --> 00:21:36,179 Austin Signal. 706 00:21:36,180 --> 00:21:37,719 Thank you for making us part of your 707 00:21:37,720 --> 00:21:39,679 Monday. But before we let you get 708 00:21:39,680 --> 00:21:41,559 out of here, KUT wrapped 709 00:21:41,560 --> 00:21:43,859 up the first ever KUT Festival 710 00:21:43,860 --> 00:21:45,859 this weekend. My, what a success it 711 00:21:45,860 --> 00:21:47,499 was. Thanks to all of you who came 712 00:21:47,500 --> 00:21:48,339 out. 713 00:21:48,340 --> 00:21:49,779 We had a great time. 714 00:21:49,780 --> 00:21:50,939 Hopefully you were able to make it 715 00:21:50,940 --> 00:21:52,539 out there to the east side, but if 716 00:21:52,540 --> 00:21:54,239 you weren't, if you had other plans, 717 00:21:54,240 --> 00:21:55,759 don't worry. We have tons of 718 00:21:55,760 --> 00:21:57,639 coverage from the fest over 719 00:21:57,640 --> 00:21:59,689 at kut.org. 720 00:21:59,690 --> 00:22:01,609 And of course on the KUT 721 00:22:01,610 --> 00:22:03,229 app and hopefully in the future 722 00:22:03,230 --> 00:22:04,809 we'll be bringing you some of the 723 00:22:04,810 --> 00:22:06,169 audio from some of the panels that 724 00:22:06,170 --> 00:22:08,489 were featured there at the fest. 725 00:22:08,490 --> 00:22:10,889 Lots to share with you from that. 726 00:22:10,890 --> 00:22:12,229 And taking a little peek into 727 00:22:12,230 --> 00:22:13,629 tomorrow's show. 728 00:22:13,630 --> 00:22:15,649 Right now, the simple text off air 729 00:22:15,650 --> 00:22:17,529 is the only thing on the InfoWars 730 00:22:17,530 --> 00:22:18,709 website. 731 00:22:18,710 --> 00:22:19,969 KUT's government accountability 732 00:22:19,970 --> 00:22:21,509 reporter Andrew Weber will be 733 00:22:21,510 --> 00:22:23,849 joining us with the latest updates 734 00:22:23,850 --> 00:22:25,929 of what is going on with Alex Jones 735 00:22:25,930 --> 00:22:27,129 and Info Wars. 736 00:22:27,130 --> 00:22:28,130 Plus 737 00:22:29,310 --> 00:22:31,309 KUT's Art Beat brings us 738 00:22:31,310 --> 00:22:33,309 the story of Shakespearean troops' 739 00:22:33,310 --> 00:22:35,229 search for a new home as one of the 740 00:22:35,230 --> 00:22:37,049 few Elizabethan theaters left 741 00:22:37,050 --> 00:22:39,089 in the country is shuttered. 742 00:22:39,090 --> 00:22:41,069 A whole lot more coming tomorrow, 743 00:22:41,070 --> 00:22:42,669 maybe I'll be able to talk properly 744 00:22:42,670 --> 00:22:43,949 tomorrow, who knows? 745 00:22:43,950 --> 00:22:45,449 You're going to have to tune in to 746 00:22:45,450 --> 00:22:47,869 find out because this is live radio, 747 00:22:47,870 --> 00:22:49,569 this is Austin Signal. 748 00:22:49,570 --> 00:22:51,029 Thank you for tuning in, we'll be 749 00:22:51,030 --> 00:22:53,089 back at the same time tomorrow and 750 00:22:53,090 --> 00:22:54,090 we'll talk to you then.