1 00:00:08,490 --> 00:00:10,389 The city of Austin is being sued by 2 00:00:10,390 --> 00:00:11,969 a group of Travis County property 3 00:00:11,970 --> 00:00:13,789 owners after reversing course on 4 00:00:13,790 --> 00:00:14,909 an agreement that would have 5 00:00:14,910 --> 00:00:17,169 released nearly 170 properties 6 00:00:17,170 --> 00:00:19,089 from the city's jurisdiction. 7 00:00:19,090 --> 00:00:20,349 We'll hear more on that. 8 00:00:20,350 --> 00:00:22,129 And we're approaching one year since 9 00:00:22,130 --> 00:00:23,889 the devastating 4th of July floods 10 00:00:23,890 --> 00:00:25,609 that claimed the lives of more than 11 00:00:25,610 --> 00:00:27,169 100 Central Texans. 12 00:00:27,170 --> 00:00:28,969 A new podcast after the flood takes 13 00:00:28,970 --> 00:00:31,329 a deeper look at the disaster's 14 00:00:31,330 --> 00:00:32,499 lasting impact. 15 00:00:32,500 --> 00:00:34,379 The Austin Signal is a production 16 00:00:34,380 --> 00:00:36,419 of KUT News, hosted by 17 00:00:36,420 --> 00:00:37,969 Miles Bloxen. 18 00:00:37,970 --> 00:00:40,209 Looking for your next great read? 19 00:00:40,210 --> 00:00:41,729 The Fill Guide to Austin's Summer 20 00:00:41,730 --> 00:00:43,689 Reading Bingo Challenge is happening 21 00:00:43,690 --> 00:00:45,589 right now and we've got a couple of 22 00:00:45,590 --> 00:00:47,069 book recommendations to help fill 23 00:00:47,070 --> 00:00:48,149 your card. 24 00:00:48,150 --> 00:00:50,009 Plus, tattoo shops across Austin are 25 00:00:50,010 --> 00:00:52,189 finding it increasingly difficult to 26 00:00:52,190 --> 00:00:53,569 keep their doors open. 27 00:00:53,570 --> 00:00:55,389 That's coming up today on 28 00:00:55,390 --> 00:00:56,390 Austin Signal. 29 00:01:07,400 --> 00:01:09,319 Hi Austin, it's Tuesday, June 30 00:01:09,320 --> 00:01:10,879 23rd, 2026. 31 00:01:10,880 --> 00:01:13,039 I'm Miles Blox and this is 32 00:01:13,040 --> 00:01:14,019 Austin Signal. 33 00:01:14,020 --> 00:01:15,499 Thank you so much for being here 34 00:01:15,500 --> 00:01:16,839 with us. 35 00:01:16,840 --> 00:01:18,659 The City of Austin is being sued by 36 00:01:18,660 --> 00:01:20,299 a group of property owners in Travis 37 00:01:20,300 --> 00:01:22,379 County who say the City wrongfully 38 00:01:22,380 --> 00:01:24,199 backed out of letting them de-annex 39 00:01:24,200 --> 00:01:26,059 from Austin's extraterritorial 40 00:01:26,060 --> 00:01:27,299 jurisdiction. 41 00:01:27,300 --> 00:01:28,699 The plaintiffs filed the suit in 42 00:01:28,700 --> 00:01:30,739 federal court earlier this month. 43 00:01:30,740 --> 00:01:31,899 They say the city promised to 44 00:01:31,900 --> 00:01:34,179 release the roughly 170 properties 45 00:01:34,180 --> 00:01:35,879 from the TJ. 46 00:01:35,880 --> 00:01:37,759 Designation only to come back 47 00:01:37,760 --> 00:01:40,219 and say the releases were invalid. 48 00:01:40,220 --> 00:01:41,879 Here to explain is Shawn 49 00:01:41,880 --> 00:01:43,839 Hemmesmeyer, staff writer at 50 00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:45,739 Austin Business Journal. 51 00:01:45,740 --> 00:01:47,739 Shawn, welcome to Austin Signal. 52 00:01:47,740 --> 00:01:49,009 Thanks for having me on. 53 00:01:49,010 --> 00:01:50,809 Before we get into this legal saga, 54 00:01:50,810 --> 00:01:52,489 can you explain what exactly an 55 00:01:52,490 --> 00:01:54,489 extraterritorial jurisdiction 56 00:01:54,490 --> 00:01:55,979 is? 57 00:01:55,980 --> 00:01:57,859 Yeah, an ETJ is 58 00:01:57,860 --> 00:02:00,039 essentially a territory 59 00:02:00,040 --> 00:02:02,199 that is outside of the city limits 60 00:02:02,200 --> 00:02:04,299 of any particular 61 00:02:04,300 --> 00:02:06,519 city in Texas, and 62 00:02:06,520 --> 00:02:08,799 they're ideally used for 63 00:02:08,800 --> 00:02:10,580 expansion territory for cities. 64 00:02:11,700 --> 00:02:13,599 And while a property might be 65 00:02:13,600 --> 00:02:15,439 in a city's ETJ, 66 00:02:15,440 --> 00:02:17,679 it doesn't have to pay city taxes, 67 00:02:17,680 --> 00:02:19,479 and it doesn t get city services, 68 00:02:19,480 --> 00:02:21,699 but it does face extra 69 00:02:21,700 --> 00:02:23,759 regulations from cities because 70 00:02:23,760 --> 00:02:25,679 The idea is ETJs will 71 00:02:25,680 --> 00:02:27,080 eventually become part of cities. 72 00:02:28,200 --> 00:02:30,299 So basically it's an area that 73 00:02:30,300 --> 00:02:31,919 could eventually become a part of a 74 00:02:31,920 --> 00:02:32,899 city in Texas. 75 00:02:32,900 --> 00:02:34,679 Okay and what about like the legal 76 00:02:34,680 --> 00:02:35,959 saga that's going on right now 77 00:02:35,960 --> 00:02:37,339 because there's people that are not 78 00:02:37,340 --> 00:02:38,299 happy. 79 00:02:38,300 --> 00:02:40,139 Yeah, yeah. So I reported on 80 00:02:40,140 --> 00:02:42,259 a lawsuit over the city of Austin 81 00:02:42,260 --> 00:02:44,759 being sued from 82 00:02:44,760 --> 00:02:46,879 basically the 83 00:02:46,880 --> 00:02:48,279 plaintiffs in the lawsuit accused 84 00:02:48,280 --> 00:02:50,399 the city, of doing 85 00:02:50,400 --> 00:02:52,599 a flip-flop on releasing 86 00:02:52,600 --> 00:02:54,599 about 170 properties in 87 00:02:54,600 --> 00:02:56,579 kind of Western Travis County from 88 00:02:56,580 --> 00:02:58,319 the city's ETJ. 89 00:02:58,320 --> 00:03:00,479 And the lawsuit basically says 90 00:03:00,480 --> 00:03:03,239 that the city 91 00:03:03,240 --> 00:03:05,259 said these 170 properties were 92 00:03:05,260 --> 00:03:07,239 released from Austin's 93 00:03:07,240 --> 00:03:08,099 ETj. 94 00:03:08,100 --> 00:03:09,939 But due to a 95 00:03:09,940 --> 00:03:12,019 exception in Texas state 96 00:03:12,020 --> 00:03:14,359 law around military sites that 97 00:03:14,360 --> 00:03:16,359 those releases were improper. 98 00:03:16,360 --> 00:03:18,419 And then the city said those past 99 00:03:18,420 --> 00:03:20,299 releases for those 170 properties 100 00:03:20,300 --> 00:03:21,159 were void. 101 00:03:21,160 --> 00:03:23,079 And so now those 170 property are 102 00:03:23,080 --> 00:03:25,019 back in Austin's ETJ and 103 00:03:25,020 --> 00:03:27,659 face additional regulations from 104 00:03:27,660 --> 00:03:29,519 the city of Austin on like what 105 00:03:29,520 --> 00:03:30,959 can be developed and what can happen 106 00:03:30,960 --> 00:03:32,819 on those 170 properties. 107 00:03:32,820 --> 00:03:33,959 All right. 108 00:03:33,960 --> 00:03:35,259 And at the core of this back and 109 00:03:35,260 --> 00:03:36,359 forth, there's a little known 110 00:03:36,360 --> 00:03:38,219 military installation called the 111 00:03:38,220 --> 00:03:39,839 Bee Caves Armory. 112 00:03:39,840 --> 00:03:41,399 What is this facility and what does 113 00:03:41,400 --> 00:03:43,179 it have to do with Austin's move to 114 00:03:43,180 --> 00:03:45,359 say, actually, you aren't 115 00:03:45,360 --> 00:03:47,509 released from the ETJ. 116 00:03:47,510 --> 00:03:49,549 Yeah, the Bee Caves Armory is 117 00:03:49,550 --> 00:03:51,469 basically used as a site 118 00:03:51,470 --> 00:03:53,549 for the 71st Troop Command 119 00:03:53,550 --> 00:03:56,469 in like the Texas National Guard. 120 00:03:56,470 --> 00:03:58,289 And the exception in 121 00:03:58,290 --> 00:04:00,629 the state law around ETJ 122 00:04:00,630 --> 00:04:02,669 releases, it says that 123 00:04:02,670 --> 00:04:04,689 a property within 124 00:04:04,690 --> 00:04:06,749 five miles of a military site 125 00:04:06,750 --> 00:04:08,929 can't be released from 126 00:04:08,930 --> 00:04:10,889 any city's ETJ. 127 00:04:10,890 --> 00:04:11,890 So, 128 00:04:13,110 --> 00:04:14,989 basically, the existence of the 129 00:04:14,990 --> 00:04:16,828 Bee Cave's armory prevents a lot of 130 00:04:16,829 --> 00:04:18,759 properties. In western travis county 131 00:04:18,760 --> 00:04:20,419 from being released from austin's 132 00:04:20,420 --> 00:04:22,299 etj And the 133 00:04:22,300 --> 00:04:23,779 b caves armory is a very little 134 00:04:23,780 --> 00:04:24,979 known military site. 135 00:04:24,980 --> 00:04:26,159 It doesn't really do much. 136 00:04:26,160 --> 00:04:27,839 It. Doesn't take up a lot of land 137 00:04:29,700 --> 00:04:31,619 and the Attorney that I 138 00:04:31,620 --> 00:04:33,259 spoke to representing the plaintiffs 139 00:04:33,260 --> 00:04:34,839 of this lawsuit said that most 140 00:04:34,840 --> 00:04:36,659 people in that area Really didn't 141 00:04:36,660 --> 00:04:37,919 know about the b. 142 00:04:37,920 --> 00:04:39,419 Caves armory until you know the past 143 00:04:39,420 --> 00:04:40,159 year or two 144 00:04:40,160 --> 00:04:42,139 And is it a distance thing, like how 145 00:04:42,140 --> 00:04:43,739 close these properties actually are 146 00:04:43,740 --> 00:04:45,819 to this base or this, you know, 147 00:04:45,820 --> 00:04:47,019 B caves armory? 148 00:04:47,020 --> 00:04:48,899 Yeah, a property 149 00:04:48,900 --> 00:04:50,759 within five miles of 150 00:04:50,760 --> 00:04:52,239 the Bee Caves Armory, or really any 151 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:54,539 other military site, 152 00:04:54,540 --> 00:04:56,879 are prevented from leaving 153 00:04:56,880 --> 00:04:58,779 any city's ETJ, or 154 00:04:58,780 --> 00:05:00,729 in this case, Austin's ETj. 155 00:05:00,730 --> 00:05:02,609 Okay, so let's rewind back. 156 00:05:02,610 --> 00:05:04,129 What kicked off this saga? 157 00:05:04,130 --> 00:05:06,069 You report it may have something to 158 00:05:06,070 --> 00:05:08,029 do with the billboards? 159 00:05:08,030 --> 00:05:10,409 Yeah, yeah, so I 160 00:05:10,410 --> 00:05:12,589 first heard about this issue 161 00:05:12,590 --> 00:05:14,709 from a group of citizens 162 00:05:14,710 --> 00:05:16,529 who were concerned about a 163 00:05:16,530 --> 00:05:19,049 company called Media Choice placing 164 00:05:19,050 --> 00:05:21,310 billboards up on B Caves Road. 165 00:05:22,330 --> 00:05:24,889 And under Austin's 166 00:05:24,890 --> 00:05:26,769 ETGA regulations, these citizens 167 00:05:26,770 --> 00:05:28,889 said that those billboards 168 00:05:28,890 --> 00:05:30,549 weren't allowed to go up because B 169 00:05:30,550 --> 00:05:32,449 Cave Road is a scenic roadway 170 00:05:32,450 --> 00:05:33,989 and billboards aren't allowed under 171 00:05:33,990 --> 00:05:35,410 Austin's ETGA regulations. 172 00:05:36,520 --> 00:05:38,419 And so they tried 173 00:05:38,420 --> 00:05:40,559 to get the cities of Austin's 174 00:05:40,560 --> 00:05:42,859 attention and the city of Austin did 175 00:05:42,860 --> 00:05:44,899 issue a code violation for 176 00:05:44,900 --> 00:05:46,299 one of the billboards that did get 177 00:05:46,300 --> 00:05:47,759 put up. 178 00:05:47,760 --> 00:05:49,459 And basically after that code 179 00:05:49,460 --> 00:05:51,819 violation came up, the 180 00:05:51,820 --> 00:05:54,079 company behind these billboards, 181 00:05:54,080 --> 00:05:55,939 Media Choice, they took steps 182 00:05:55,940 --> 00:05:57,439 to try and get that property with 183 00:05:57,440 --> 00:05:59,259 the billboard released 184 00:05:59,260 --> 00:06:01,219 from Austin's ETJ and then the 185 00:06:01,220 --> 00:06:03,639 citizens around 186 00:06:03,640 --> 00:06:05,259 that were concerned about these 187 00:06:05,260 --> 00:06:06,179 billboards. 188 00:06:06,180 --> 00:06:07,919 They found out about the Bee Caves 189 00:06:07,920 --> 00:06:09,899 Armory. They brought up that 190 00:06:09,900 --> 00:06:11,299 to the city of Austin. 191 00:06:11,300 --> 00:06:13,199 And then after that was 192 00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:15,039 brought up to the City, the City 193 00:06:15,040 --> 00:06:17,239 sent out those letters saying those 194 00:06:17,240 --> 00:06:19,219 ETSGA releases to the 170 195 00:06:19,220 --> 00:06:20,579 properties were void. 196 00:06:20,580 --> 00:06:22,399 Yeah. Speaking of the city 197 00:06:22,400 --> 00:06:24,379 of Austin, what 198 00:06:24,380 --> 00:06:26,259 have they had to say about 199 00:06:26,260 --> 00:06:27,539 this whole thing? 200 00:06:27,540 --> 00:06:29,119 Like the fact that they invalidated 201 00:06:29,120 --> 00:06:30,489 these releases. 202 00:06:30,490 --> 00:06:32,329 Um, yeah, they really haven't 203 00:06:32,330 --> 00:06:34,229 told me much, uh, 204 00:06:34,230 --> 00:06:36,229 other than that they will, you 205 00:06:36,230 --> 00:06:38,109 know, respond to the lawsuit in 206 00:06:38,110 --> 00:06:39,629 the proper manner. 207 00:06:39,630 --> 00:06:41,769 And, um, at this point, 208 00:06:41,770 --> 00:06:43,649 I would say that 209 00:06:43,650 --> 00:06:45,529 they probably just want 210 00:06:45,530 --> 00:06:47,389 to kind of keep these properties 211 00:06:47,390 --> 00:06:49,569 in their ETJ because from 212 00:06:49,570 --> 00:06:51,809 their interpretation of state 213 00:06:51,810 --> 00:06:53,689 law that, you know 214 00:06:53,690 --> 00:06:55,609 these properties aren't able to be 215 00:06:55,610 --> 00:06:56,789 released from its ETJ. 216 00:06:56,790 --> 00:06:58,729 So we'll see what happens as 217 00:06:58,730 --> 00:07:00,259 this case evolves. 218 00:07:00,260 --> 00:07:02,219 Um, and as you know, the lawsuit 219 00:07:02,220 --> 00:07:04,279 proceeds through the court system. 220 00:07:04,280 --> 00:07:05,539 But at this point, the city of 221 00:07:05,540 --> 00:07:06,859 Austin hasn't said much, but I'd 222 00:07:06,860 --> 00:07:08,259 imagine that they want to keep these 223 00:07:08,260 --> 00:07:10,789 170 properties in their ETJ. 224 00:07:10,790 --> 00:07:12,169 Sean, what do you think comes next? 225 00:07:13,370 --> 00:07:15,349 Um, you know, we'll really see. 226 00:07:15,350 --> 00:07:17,929 I think it comes down to 227 00:07:17,930 --> 00:07:19,769 basically how 228 00:07:19,770 --> 00:07:21,769 important that military site is 229 00:07:21,770 --> 00:07:23,269 and what, and really how important 230 00:07:23,270 --> 00:07:25,349 the bee caves armory is. 231 00:07:25,350 --> 00:07:27,309 I think once, you have the law 232 00:07:27,310 --> 00:07:29,269 that was created to dictate how 233 00:07:29,270 --> 00:07:31,309 these ETJ releases was going. 234 00:07:31,310 --> 00:07:32,569 I don't think they really envisioned 235 00:07:32,570 --> 00:07:33,609 this happening. 236 00:07:33,610 --> 00:07:35,629 And I don't think the military site 237 00:07:35,630 --> 00:07:37,469 exception was really meant for 238 00:07:37,470 --> 00:07:38,589 the beecaves armory. 239 00:07:38,590 --> 00:07:39,590 So. 240 00:07:40,100 --> 00:07:42,059 I guess it really remains to be 241 00:07:42,060 --> 00:07:43,939 seen on what happens next, 242 00:07:43,940 --> 00:07:45,539 but I think this was just kind of 243 00:07:45,540 --> 00:07:47,919 like an unintended consequence of 244 00:07:47,920 --> 00:07:50,019 how this law was passed, but 245 00:07:50,020 --> 00:07:51,859 you know, I'd imagine that these 170 246 00:07:51,860 --> 00:07:54,099 property owners will, 247 00:07:54,100 --> 00:07:55,359 for the most part, would still want 248 00:07:55,360 --> 00:07:57,619 to be released from the ETJ because 249 00:07:57,620 --> 00:07:59,519 then they would have to only 250 00:07:59,520 --> 00:08:01,239 follow Travis County regulations, 251 00:08:01,240 --> 00:08:03,219 which allow for kind 252 00:08:03,220 --> 00:08:05,379 of a lot more to happen, 253 00:08:05,380 --> 00:08:07,479 looser standards and all that, 254 00:08:07,480 --> 00:08:08,879 So, yeah, it'll be interesting to 255 00:08:08,880 --> 00:08:09,729 see how it goes. 256 00:08:09,730 --> 00:08:10,969 We've been speaking with Sean 257 00:08:10,970 --> 00:08:11,849 Himmersmeyer. 258 00:08:11,850 --> 00:08:13,049 He's a staff writer for Austin 259 00:08:13,050 --> 00:08:14,189 Business Journal. 260 00:08:14,190 --> 00:08:16,049 Sean, thanks so much for coming in. 261 00:08:16,050 --> 00:08:17,050 Yeah, no thank you. 262 00:08:24,410 --> 00:08:26,369 We're approaching one year since the 263 00:08:26,370 --> 00:08:28,229 devastating 4th of July floods that 264 00:08:28,230 --> 00:08:30,129 claimed the lives of more than 100 265 00:08:30,130 --> 00:08:31,709 Central Texans. 266 00:08:31,710 --> 00:08:33,689 At Camp Mystic alone, 25 young 267 00:08:33,690 --> 00:08:35,489 girls, two counselors, and the 268 00:08:35,490 --> 00:08:37,709 camp's owner lost their lives. 269 00:08:37,710 --> 00:08:39,788 As families continue to seek answers 270 00:08:39,789 --> 00:08:41,428 and questions about accountability 271 00:08:41,429 --> 00:08:43,689 remain, the Texas newsroom 272 00:08:43,690 --> 00:08:45,769 in collaboration with Frontline PBS 273 00:08:45,770 --> 00:08:47,669 is taking a deeper look at the 274 00:08:47,670 --> 00:08:49,429 disaster and its aftermath. 275 00:08:49,430 --> 00:08:51,829 The new podcast, After the Flood, 276 00:08:51,830 --> 00:08:53,279 premieres tomorrow. 277 00:08:53,280 --> 00:08:55,119 Joining us is Dominic 278 00:08:55,120 --> 00:08:57,119 Anthony Walsh, senior reporter 279 00:08:57,120 --> 00:08:59,039 from Houston Public Media. 280 00:08:59,040 --> 00:09:00,899 Dominic, thanks so much for 281 00:09:00,900 --> 00:09:03,119 joining us on Austin Signal. 282 00:09:03,120 --> 00:09:04,329 Hey, thanks for having me. 283 00:09:04,330 --> 00:09:06,209 Of course, so this project has 284 00:09:06,210 --> 00:09:08,569 been a long time in the making, 285 00:09:08,570 --> 00:09:10,389 right? But who's all working on this 286 00:09:10,390 --> 00:09:11,390 podcast? 287 00:09:12,030 --> 00:09:14,289 Well, the entire Texas newsroom, 288 00:09:14,290 --> 00:09:15,989 which is pretty much all the big NPR 289 00:09:15,990 --> 00:09:17,929 stations in Texas, Houston 290 00:09:17,930 --> 00:09:19,849 Public Media, of course, KUT 291 00:09:19,850 --> 00:09:21,689 in Austin, KERA in North 292 00:09:21,690 --> 00:09:23,649 Texas, and Texas Public Radio in 293 00:09:23,650 --> 00:09:24,869 San Antonio. 294 00:09:24,870 --> 00:09:26,709 So, right after the 295 00:09:26,710 --> 00:09:28,669 flood, Houston Public media sent 296 00:09:28,670 --> 00:09:30,749 me over, and 297 00:09:30,750 --> 00:09:32,629 I know over at KUT, 298 00:09:32,630 --> 00:09:34,869 Cately Hunt was covering the 299 00:09:34,870 --> 00:09:36,949 Sandy Creek community over near 300 00:09:36,950 --> 00:09:38,969 Austin, and TPR 301 00:09:38,970 --> 00:09:40,649 of course also had folks over, and 302 00:09:40,650 --> 00:09:42,319 over the next couple of weeks. 303 00:09:42,320 --> 00:09:43,779 Public radio reporters from across 304 00:09:43,780 --> 00:09:45,819 the state were headed to the area. 305 00:09:45,820 --> 00:09:47,739 And in the years since, you know, 306 00:09:47,740 --> 00:09:50,639 we've kept coming back to 307 00:09:50,640 --> 00:09:52,899 Kerr County and with 308 00:09:52,900 --> 00:09:54,819 KUT and Kaylee Hunt to Sandy 309 00:09:54,820 --> 00:09:55,799 Creek. 310 00:09:55,800 --> 00:09:57,739 And so, yeah, big team of reporters 311 00:09:57,740 --> 00:09:59,659 reporting over a 312 00:09:59,660 --> 00:10:01,459 very long period of time. 313 00:10:01,460 --> 00:10:03,079 Seems like you have an all-star team 314 00:10:03,080 --> 00:10:04,539 there for this podcast. 315 00:10:04,540 --> 00:10:06,279 What did you all set out to do with 316 00:10:06,280 --> 00:10:07,779 this podcast when you first 317 00:10:07,780 --> 00:10:09,819 originally started the concept 318 00:10:09,820 --> 00:10:10,799 and you thought about it and you 319 00:10:10,800 --> 00:10:11,879 were like, okay, we're putting this 320 00:10:11,880 --> 00:10:12,880 together. 321 00:10:13,390 --> 00:10:14,769 I mean, the idea was to really 322 00:10:14,770 --> 00:10:17,169 follow that year-long arc, 323 00:10:17,170 --> 00:10:19,369 you know, not just the immediate 324 00:10:19,370 --> 00:10:20,829 aftermath and, you know people 325 00:10:20,830 --> 00:10:22,769 grappling with the destruction, 326 00:10:22,770 --> 00:10:24,829 but also the slow recovery 327 00:10:24,830 --> 00:10:26,929 process for folks who 328 00:10:26,930 --> 00:10:28,849 lost loved ones, the grief 329 00:10:28,850 --> 00:10:30,649 that they're going through. 330 00:10:30,650 --> 00:10:32,969 And in the case of 331 00:10:32,970 --> 00:10:35,149 the camp mystic 332 00:10:35,150 --> 00:10:37,209 parent that we talked to, Matthew 333 00:10:37,210 --> 00:10:38,549 Childress, the father of a 334 00:10:38,550 --> 00:10:40,489 counselor, Chloe, who died in the 335 00:10:40,490 --> 00:10:42,509 flood. Also, this arc 336 00:10:42,510 --> 00:10:44,609 from grief 337 00:10:44,610 --> 00:10:46,589 through advocacy and 338 00:10:46,590 --> 00:10:48,729 pushing for new camp safety laws, 339 00:10:48,730 --> 00:10:50,709 both here in Texas and beyond. 340 00:10:50,710 --> 00:10:52,209 So, you know, there are all these 341 00:10:52,210 --> 00:10:53,929 arcs that different people kind of 342 00:10:53,930 --> 00:10:55,489 followed right after the flood. 343 00:10:55,490 --> 00:10:57,089 And what we wanted to do is really, 344 00:10:57,090 --> 00:10:59,029 you know, see where they 345 00:10:59,030 --> 00:11:00,769 landed and where they are about a 346 00:11:00,770 --> 00:11:01,589 year later. 347 00:11:01,590 --> 00:11:03,489 And, of course, you know, we also 348 00:11:03,490 --> 00:11:05,929 asked some accountability questions. 349 00:11:05,930 --> 00:11:07,689 Is Kerr County actually more 350 00:11:07,690 --> 00:11:09,819 prepared for another flood? 351 00:11:09,820 --> 00:11:12,059 With the camp safety laws? 352 00:11:12,060 --> 00:11:14,199 Are camps actually complying 353 00:11:14,200 --> 00:11:15,999 and does this actually make 354 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:18,719 meaningful change for camp safety? 355 00:11:18,720 --> 00:11:20,619 And so both the 356 00:11:20,620 --> 00:11:22,219 arc of people, but also these 357 00:11:22,220 --> 00:11:24,179 accountability questions, those are 358 00:11:24,180 --> 00:11:25,959 kind of the main prongs that we're 359 00:11:25,960 --> 00:11:27,219 really pushing for with this 360 00:11:27,220 --> 00:11:28,549 podcast. 361 00:11:28,550 --> 00:11:30,049 Nice. And I know there's a lot of 362 00:11:30,050 --> 00:11:31,949 hard work going into this. 363 00:11:31,950 --> 00:11:33,289 What were some of the challenging 364 00:11:33,290 --> 00:11:34,970 aspects of putting this together? 365 00:11:36,230 --> 00:11:37,629 Well, I would say one of the big 366 00:11:37,630 --> 00:11:39,609 challenges we've had is no one 367 00:11:39,610 --> 00:11:41,469 in the Kerr County government will 368 00:11:41,470 --> 00:11:43,629 actually talk to us. 369 00:11:43,630 --> 00:11:45,849 So, you know, we've been able to 370 00:11:45,850 --> 00:11:47,689 chat with a local official in 371 00:11:47,690 --> 00:11:49,929 one of the towns, Ingram, 372 00:11:49,930 --> 00:11:52,109 and he is a 373 00:11:52,110 --> 00:11:54,849 central voice to our final episode, 374 00:11:54,850 --> 00:11:56,989 talking about one of the few local 375 00:11:56,990 --> 00:11:59,229 changes that were made to try to 376 00:11:59,230 --> 00:12:01,189 prepare for a flood in the future 377 00:12:01,190 --> 00:12:03,549 at the local municipal ordinance 378 00:12:03,550 --> 00:12:04,550 level. 379 00:12:05,030 --> 00:12:06,569 You know, in terms of getting folks 380 00:12:06,570 --> 00:12:08,529 from Kerr County or even 381 00:12:08,530 --> 00:12:10,709 the city of Kerrville on the record, 382 00:12:10,710 --> 00:12:12,629 we haven't had much much luck 383 00:12:12,630 --> 00:12:14,469 beyond, you know statements 384 00:12:14,470 --> 00:12:15,969 from the city of Kerrrville. 385 00:12:15,970 --> 00:12:16,969 And then when it comes to Kerr 386 00:12:16,970 --> 00:12:19,029 county, really nobody is talking, 387 00:12:19,030 --> 00:12:20,929 even responding to multiple 388 00:12:20,930 --> 00:12:23,209 messages and requests for 389 00:12:23,210 --> 00:12:25,209 answers to a list of questions 390 00:12:25,210 --> 00:12:26,669 that we have. 391 00:12:26,670 --> 00:12:28,609 So that's been one of the 392 00:12:28,610 --> 00:12:30,789 big challenges, I would say is 393 00:12:30,790 --> 00:12:32,729 kind of the inability to 394 00:12:32,730 --> 00:12:34,569 really get an in with Kerr 395 00:12:34,570 --> 00:12:35,419 County. 396 00:12:35,420 --> 00:12:36,539 Why do you think that is? 397 00:12:38,140 --> 00:12:40,079 Well, you know, it's 398 00:12:40,080 --> 00:12:41,699 hard to say. 399 00:12:41,700 --> 00:12:43,619 I don't know exactly what's 400 00:12:43,620 --> 00:12:45,559 going on behind the scenes 401 00:12:45,560 --> 00:12:47,279 in terms of why they're not engaging 402 00:12:47,280 --> 00:12:49,799 with news media. 403 00:12:49,800 --> 00:12:51,799 In the immediate aftermath of the 404 00:12:51,800 --> 00:12:53,619 flood, Kerr 405 00:12:53,620 --> 00:12:55,519 County Sheriff Larry Letha was 406 00:12:55,520 --> 00:12:57,399 available at news conferences, 407 00:12:57,400 --> 00:12:59,299 but Kerr county judge Rob Kelly 408 00:12:59,300 --> 00:13:01,339 was notably absent. 409 00:13:01,340 --> 00:13:03,259 And so the first time that we 410 00:13:03,260 --> 00:13:05,179 really heard meaningful answers to 411 00:13:05,180 --> 00:13:07,419 accountability questions, were 412 00:13:07,420 --> 00:13:09,559 in state legislative 413 00:13:09,560 --> 00:13:11,519 hearings in the months 414 00:13:11,520 --> 00:13:12,959 after the flood. 415 00:13:12,960 --> 00:13:14,779 And since then, we've 416 00:13:14,780 --> 00:13:16,059 tried to get in touch. 417 00:13:16,060 --> 00:13:18,139 We've sent multiple inquiries and 418 00:13:18,140 --> 00:13:20,899 they've gone largely unanswered. 419 00:13:20,900 --> 00:13:22,719 So from a reporting 420 00:13:22,720 --> 00:13:24,839 perspective, it is tough, but of 421 00:13:24,840 --> 00:13:26,659 course we still do the story 422 00:13:26,660 --> 00:13:29,079 even if those in power aren't 423 00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:30,080 participating. 424 00:13:30,740 --> 00:13:31,739 Absolutely. 425 00:13:31,740 --> 00:13:33,179 Tell us about this first episode 426 00:13:33,180 --> 00:13:34,180 that drops tomorrow. 427 00:13:35,280 --> 00:13:37,099 Yeah, so with the first 428 00:13:37,100 --> 00:13:39,159 episode, we're really focused 429 00:13:39,160 --> 00:13:41,999 on the day of the flood. 430 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:43,799 So this is where we meet Matthew 431 00:13:43,800 --> 00:13:45,939 Childress, the father of Chloe, 432 00:13:45,940 --> 00:13:47,919 that Camp Mystic counselor, 433 00:13:47,920 --> 00:13:49,939 and kind of just follow his first 434 00:13:49,940 --> 00:13:52,319 day of realizing 435 00:13:52,320 --> 00:13:54,319 that his daughter is unaccounted for 436 00:13:54,320 --> 00:13:56,419 and making the long drive from 437 00:13:56,420 --> 00:13:58,899 Houston with his wife Wendy over 438 00:13:58,900 --> 00:14:00,049 to Kerr County. 439 00:14:00,050 --> 00:14:01,309 And then of course we also meet 440 00:14:01,310 --> 00:14:03,189 locals and visitors to 441 00:14:03,190 --> 00:14:05,349 Kerr County who recount, 442 00:14:05,350 --> 00:14:06,569 you know, they were actually on the 443 00:14:06,570 --> 00:14:08,089 ground as the flood was happening. 444 00:14:09,110 --> 00:14:10,809 They recount that early morning 445 00:14:10,810 --> 00:14:12,829 chaos and some 446 00:14:12,830 --> 00:14:14,709 of the tragedy that they saw with 447 00:14:14,710 --> 00:14:15,989 their own eyes. 448 00:14:15,990 --> 00:14:17,749 So that's really what episode one is 449 00:14:17,750 --> 00:14:18,609 all about. 450 00:14:18,610 --> 00:14:20,639 It's called The Day of. 451 00:14:20,640 --> 00:14:22,459 And this tragedy was all 452 00:14:22,460 --> 00:14:23,559 over the news. 453 00:14:23,560 --> 00:14:25,779 What do you hope people get out of 454 00:14:25,780 --> 00:14:28,159 listening to the podcast versus 455 00:14:28,160 --> 00:14:29,859 just hearing about it on the news? 456 00:14:31,170 --> 00:14:33,229 Yeah, so I think when it comes 457 00:14:33,230 --> 00:14:35,149 to it being on the news, 458 00:14:35,150 --> 00:14:36,089 you know, of course it was a 459 00:14:36,090 --> 00:14:38,149 national news story, but 460 00:14:38,150 --> 00:14:40,189 a lot of the national outlets leave 461 00:14:40,190 --> 00:14:42,129 after a couple of weeks, and now 462 00:14:42,130 --> 00:14:43,049 we're coming up on the one-year 463 00:14:43,050 --> 00:14:44,809 anniversary, so there will probably 464 00:14:44,810 --> 00:14:46,769 be one- year anniversary 465 00:14:46,770 --> 00:14:48,169 stories from some of the National 466 00:14:48,170 --> 00:14:49,029 outlets. 467 00:14:49,030 --> 00:14:51,189 But I think one of the things that's 468 00:14:51,190 --> 00:14:52,689 unique about the way the Texas 469 00:14:52,690 --> 00:14:54,309 newsroom is approaching this is 470 00:14:54,310 --> 00:14:56,449 we've actually been there throughout 471 00:14:56,450 --> 00:14:58,249 the course of the year, talking to 472 00:14:58,250 --> 00:14:59,719 folks, visiting. 473 00:14:59,720 --> 00:15:01,999 And so I think kind of that 474 00:15:02,000 --> 00:15:03,989 hyper local reporting 475 00:15:03,990 --> 00:15:05,859 that then zooms out to kind of the 476 00:15:05,860 --> 00:15:07,139 system level, looking at what's 477 00:15:07,140 --> 00:15:09,019 going on with the state government 478 00:15:09,020 --> 00:15:10,899 and the response, I think 479 00:15:10,900 --> 00:15:12,719 it's a unique and 480 00:15:12,720 --> 00:15:14,699 very personal and intimate way 481 00:15:14,700 --> 00:15:16,579 to tell this story. 482 00:15:16,580 --> 00:15:18,299 Well, thanks for telling this story. 483 00:15:18,300 --> 00:15:19,599 We've been speaking with Dominic 484 00:15:19,600 --> 00:15:21,599 Anthony Wash, senior reporter 485 00:15:21,600 --> 00:15:23,339 at Houston Public Media. 486 00:15:23,340 --> 00:15:24,959 Dominic, thanks so much for talking 487 00:15:24,960 --> 00:15:26,319 with us. 488 00:15:26,320 --> 00:15:27,969 Thanks for having me. 489 00:15:27,970 --> 00:15:29,529 And now for a check-in with some 490 00:15:29,530 --> 00:15:30,549 headlines. 491 00:15:30,550 --> 00:15:32,409 State lawmakers are meeting at the 492 00:15:32,410 --> 00:15:34,329 Capitol today to hear concerns about 493 00:15:34,330 --> 00:15:35,329 data centers. 494 00:15:35,330 --> 00:15:36,729 The Texas House of Representatives 495 00:15:36,730 --> 00:15:38,689 Committee on Natural Resources is 496 00:15:38,690 --> 00:15:40,909 currently taking public comment on 497 00:15:40,910 --> 00:15:42,649 data centers and their water and 498 00:15:42,650 --> 00:15:44,329 electricity usage. 499 00:15:44,330 --> 00:15:45,889 We'll have an update for you on that 500 00:15:45,890 --> 00:15:47,789 hearing once it wraps up over at 501 00:15:47,790 --> 00:15:49,909 kut.org. 502 00:15:49,910 --> 00:15:51,269 And one of the suspects allegedly 503 00:15:51,270 --> 00:15:53,009 involved in a shooting spree last 504 00:15:53,010 --> 00:15:54,909 month across Austin is now facing 505 00:15:54,910 --> 00:15:56,369 a terrorism charge. 506 00:15:56,370 --> 00:15:59,009 17-Year-old Christian Mondragon 507 00:15:59,010 --> 00:16:01,009 faces 20 separate charges 508 00:16:01,010 --> 00:16:02,929 and cannot post bail, 509 00:16:02,930 --> 00:16:04,549 according to public records. 510 00:16:04,550 --> 00:16:06,349 Two other juveniles were arrested in 511 00:16:06,350 --> 00:16:07,689 connection with the spree. 512 00:16:07,690 --> 00:16:09,509 They have not been named and it's 513 00:16:09,510 --> 00:16:11,429 unclear whether they also 514 00:16:11,430 --> 00:16:13,669 face terrorism charges. 515 00:16:13,670 --> 00:16:15,309 Barton Springs is open once again 516 00:16:15,310 --> 00:16:17,129 after being closed for more than a 517 00:16:17,130 --> 00:16:19,229 week. The pool reopened early this 518 00:16:19,230 --> 00:16:20,749 morning after shutting down last 519 00:16:20,750 --> 00:16:22,609 week when heavy rains cause the 520 00:16:22,610 --> 00:16:23,789 facility to flood. 521 00:16:23,790 --> 00:16:25,969 Washing trash and debris into 522 00:16:25,970 --> 00:16:26,989 the pool. 523 00:16:26,990 --> 00:16:28,489 Meanwhile, Deep Eddy Pool is closed 524 00:16:28,490 --> 00:16:30,389 all week for repairs. 525 00:16:30,390 --> 00:16:32,149 You're listening to Austin Signal. 526 00:16:32,150 --> 00:16:33,150 We'll be right back. 527 00:16:37,340 --> 00:16:39,499 You're listening to Austin Signal. 528 00:16:39,500 --> 00:16:40,919 My name is Lee Walden, and I'm the 529 00:16:40,920 --> 00:16:42,960 Hayes County reporter here at KUT. 530 00:16:45,420 --> 00:16:47,119 The Field Guide to Austin Summer 531 00:16:47,120 --> 00:16:49,519 Reading Bingo Challenge is underway. 532 00:16:49,520 --> 00:16:50,719 And if you need a few book 533 00:16:50,720 --> 00:16:52,739 recommendations to get you started, 534 00:16:52,740 --> 00:16:54,339 here are two of my favorite reads 535 00:16:54,340 --> 00:16:55,340 from the last year. 536 00:16:57,780 --> 00:16:59,459 Calling Gets Promoted and Dooms the 537 00:16:59,460 --> 00:17:01,379 World is a fun and hilarious book 538 00:17:01,380 --> 00:17:02,999 by author Mark Waddell. 539 00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:04,439 It will have even the most cynical 540 00:17:04,440 --> 00:17:06,719 nihilist rooting for mankind. 541 00:17:06,720 --> 00:17:08,399 It's easy for me to worry about 542 00:17:08,400 --> 00:17:10,419 being a little evil these days, 543 00:17:10,420 --> 00:17:11,899 but reading this book was a bomb 544 00:17:11,900 --> 00:17:13,799 against that feeling for so many 545 00:17:13,800 --> 00:17:14,838 reasons. 546 00:17:14,839 --> 00:17:16,419 It is a great distraction, but the 547 00:17:16,420 --> 00:17:18,159 main character is actually doing 548 00:17:18,160 --> 00:17:20,019 evil but funny things, 549 00:17:20,020 --> 00:17:22,078 and it still makes a brilliant for 550 00:17:22,079 --> 00:17:23,539 human empathy. 551 00:17:23,540 --> 00:17:24,879 If you've been looking for a 552 00:17:24,880 --> 00:17:26,899 queer... Dark-humored, easy 553 00:17:26,900 --> 00:17:28,359 summer read, this is it. 554 00:17:32,790 --> 00:17:34,609 The next book on my list is 555 00:17:34,610 --> 00:17:36,589 Gulp, Adventures on the Alimentary 556 00:17:36,590 --> 00:17:38,289 Canal by Mary Roach. 557 00:17:38,290 --> 00:17:39,469 As someone who fundamentally 558 00:17:39,470 --> 00:17:41,109 believes that the human body is a 559 00:17:41,110 --> 00:17:42,869 horror, it's telling that I loved a 560 00:17:42,870 --> 00:17:44,589 book all about the digestive tract 561 00:17:44,590 --> 00:17:46,889 so much to have read it twice. 562 00:17:46,890 --> 00:17:48,129 Roach is one of the funniest 563 00:17:48,130 --> 00:17:49,909 non-fiction writers I've read. 564 00:17:51,610 --> 00:17:53,249 Gulp is the book for you if you find 565 00:17:53,250 --> 00:17:54,549 yourself wondering about things 566 00:17:54,550 --> 00:17:56,209 like, are there different kinds of 567 00:17:56,210 --> 00:17:58,049 saliva? And could human beings 568 00:17:58,050 --> 00:17:59,469 survive on kibble? 569 00:17:59,470 --> 00:18:01,249 Though, I would not recommend 570 00:18:01,250 --> 00:18:02,510 reading this book while you eat. 571 00:18:06,390 --> 00:18:08,209 You can find more about the KUT 572 00:18:08,210 --> 00:18:09,769 field guide to Austin, summer 573 00:18:09,770 --> 00:18:11,729 reading bingo challenge, like how to 574 00:18:11,730 --> 00:18:13,609 get your own bingo card in today's 575 00:18:13,610 --> 00:18:16,410 podcast notes and at KUT.org. 576 00:18:18,830 --> 00:18:20,729 I'm Lee Walden and this is Austin 577 00:18:20,730 --> 00:18:21,730 Signal. 578 00:18:28,080 --> 00:18:30,019 Tattoo artists in the Austin area 579 00:18:30,020 --> 00:18:31,999 say a lack of affordability, 580 00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:33,559 rapid development, and the economic 581 00:18:33,560 --> 00:18:35,439 fallout from the pandemic are 582 00:18:35,440 --> 00:18:36,699 hitting them hard. 583 00:18:36,700 --> 00:18:38,999 For KUT's art beat, Joe Ament 584 00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:40,899 spoke with local tattooers 585 00:18:40,900 --> 00:18:42,720 who are struggling to stay open. 586 00:18:45,440 --> 00:18:45,959 Rise and shine! 587 00:18:45,960 --> 00:18:47,939 Shine tattoos sits off a 588 00:18:47,940 --> 00:18:49,839 quiet back road in Kyle, not 589 00:18:49,840 --> 00:18:51,519 far from the bluffs of the Blanco 590 00:18:51,520 --> 00:18:52,459 River. 591 00:18:52,460 --> 00:18:54,399 The shock is in a mostly undeveloped 592 00:18:54,400 --> 00:18:55,999 area of Hays County. 593 00:18:56,000 --> 00:18:57,319 The building is surrounded by 594 00:18:57,320 --> 00:18:58,959 prairies, ranchland, and gravel 595 00:18:58,960 --> 00:19:00,919 paths lined with native Texas 596 00:19:00,920 --> 00:19:02,380 wildflowers and plants. 597 00:19:04,810 --> 00:19:06,769 Inside Rise and Shine, it's calm 598 00:19:06,770 --> 00:19:07,849 and cozy. 599 00:19:07,850 --> 00:19:09,749 Drawings and paintings done by the 600 00:19:09,750 --> 00:19:11,389 owners, Brandon Smith and Becca 601 00:19:11,390 --> 00:19:13,729 Bosma Smith, cover the walls. 602 00:19:13,730 --> 00:19:15,709 It doesn't feel like a tattoo shop, 603 00:19:15,710 --> 00:19:17,630 maybe more like an art studio. 604 00:19:18,850 --> 00:19:20,889 That is, until you hear the 605 00:19:20,890 --> 00:19:22,889 sound of the tattoo machine. 606 00:19:22,890 --> 00:19:24,709 Brandon is finishing up a large arm 607 00:19:24,710 --> 00:19:26,489 piece on a regular client. 608 00:19:26,490 --> 00:19:28,289 He specializes in American 609 00:19:28,290 --> 00:19:30,089 traditional and Japanese style 610 00:19:30,090 --> 00:19:32,029 tattooing, but his work is 611 00:19:32,030 --> 00:19:33,909 also inspired by the states flora 612 00:19:33,910 --> 00:19:34,699 and fauna. 613 00:19:34,700 --> 00:19:37,039 A lot of the work I do out here is 614 00:19:37,040 --> 00:19:39,119 based on my experience as 615 00:19:39,120 --> 00:19:40,559 a trail builder and a Hays County 616 00:19:40,560 --> 00:19:42,619 master naturalist. 617 00:19:42,620 --> 00:19:44,099 You know, I've applied those skills, 618 00:19:44,100 --> 00:19:46,139 you know, just to the grounds around 619 00:19:46,140 --> 00:19:48,039 us. You know a lot of that to me 620 00:19:48,040 --> 00:19:50,079 is slow art and is 621 00:19:50,080 --> 00:19:51,499 the same as tattooing. 622 00:19:51,500 --> 00:19:53,059 You know it just takes time to see 623 00:19:53,060 --> 00:19:55,159 these, you know lay these lines down 624 00:19:55,160 --> 00:19:56,719 and watch things kind of grow in 625 00:19:56,720 --> 00:19:58,679 around it and watch it fill in. 626 00:19:58,680 --> 00:20:00,579 Brandon and Becca are married. 627 00:20:00,580 --> 00:20:02,039 They were tattooing together at a 628 00:20:02,040 --> 00:20:03,959 shop in downtown San Marcos for more 629 00:20:03,960 --> 00:20:05,679 than a decade before opening their 630 00:20:05,680 --> 00:20:06,679 own studio. 631 00:20:06,680 --> 00:20:09,179 I just wanted something 632 00:20:09,180 --> 00:20:11,039 closer to nature and 633 00:20:11,040 --> 00:20:12,979 something calmer and a place 634 00:20:12,980 --> 00:20:14,999 where people could feel relaxed 635 00:20:15,000 --> 00:20:17,099 while they're getting tattooed 636 00:20:17,100 --> 00:20:20,379 and I 637 00:20:20,380 --> 00:20:21,939 think we found that. 638 00:20:21,940 --> 00:20:24,000 I hope that we can keep it. 639 00:20:26,840 --> 00:20:28,879 Rise and Shine is in a small part 640 00:20:28,880 --> 00:20:30,399 of southwest Kyle currently 641 00:20:30,400 --> 00:20:32,379 untouched by development, but that 642 00:20:32,380 --> 00:20:33,859 will be changing soon. 643 00:20:33,860 --> 00:20:35,459 Sprawling residential communities 644 00:20:35,460 --> 00:20:37,399 and commercial developments nearby 645 00:20:37,400 --> 00:20:38,799 are growing fast. 646 00:20:39,800 --> 00:20:41,619 Soon, Hays County will be expanding 647 00:20:41,620 --> 00:20:43,559 the roads in the area to accommodate 648 00:20:43,560 --> 00:20:45,219 increased traffic. 649 00:20:45,220 --> 00:20:46,939 A new road will be built right in 650 00:20:46,940 --> 00:20:48,659 front of the four acres of land Rise 651 00:20:48,660 --> 00:20:49,999 and shine it's on. 652 00:20:50,000 --> 00:20:51,459 And so it's going to go through this 653 00:20:51,460 --> 00:20:53,400 beautiful farmland 654 00:20:54,879 --> 00:20:56,999 and rip up stuff and 655 00:20:57,000 --> 00:20:58,459 put a bunch of concrete where 656 00:20:58,460 --> 00:21:00,219 concrete doesn't need to be with the 657 00:21:00,220 --> 00:21:01,709 river right there. 658 00:21:01,710 --> 00:21:03,469 Becca says their landlord is 659 00:21:03,470 --> 00:21:05,289 considering selling the spot to 660 00:21:05,290 --> 00:21:06,929 escape the construction. 661 00:21:06,930 --> 00:21:08,489 She says they're worried about what 662 00:21:08,490 --> 00:21:11,129 could change with new management. 663 00:21:11,130 --> 00:21:12,609 Highway construction in the Austin 664 00:21:12,610 --> 00:21:14,569 area has displaced other tattoo 665 00:21:14,570 --> 00:21:16,069 artists too. 666 00:21:16,070 --> 00:21:18,209 In 2024, True Blue Tattoo 667 00:21:18,210 --> 00:21:20,269 on Airport Boulevard closed due 668 00:21:20,270 --> 00:21:23,209 to the I-35 expansion project. 669 00:21:23,210 --> 00:21:24,869 In recent months, other well-known 670 00:21:24,870 --> 00:21:26,929 shops like Moon Tattoo in Northeast 671 00:21:26,930 --> 00:21:28,909 Austin and Rock of Ages 672 00:21:28,910 --> 00:21:30,669 on South Lamar announced their 673 00:21:30,670 --> 00:21:31,579 closures. 674 00:21:31,580 --> 00:21:33,419 Moon Studio just celebrated its 675 00:21:33,420 --> 00:21:35,219 10-year anniversary, but then its 676 00:21:35,220 --> 00:21:36,319 rent went up. 677 00:21:36,320 --> 00:21:37,819 Amanda Ray was a tattoo artist 678 00:21:37,820 --> 00:21:38,559 there. 679 00:21:38,560 --> 00:21:40,439 I think in order for tattooists 680 00:21:40,440 --> 00:21:41,939 to survive, like everyone kind of 681 00:21:41,940 --> 00:21:43,359 needs to increase their rates so 682 00:21:43,360 --> 00:21:45,039 that it becomes like an accepted. 683 00:21:46,550 --> 00:21:48,529 Ray says tattooers across 684 00:21:48,530 --> 00:21:49,889 the country are still struggling 685 00:21:49,890 --> 00:21:51,369 with the economic fallout of 686 00:21:51,370 --> 00:21:52,589 COVID-19. 687 00:21:52,590 --> 00:21:53,849 She says the cost of certain 688 00:21:53,850 --> 00:21:55,609 supplies like gloves increased 689 00:21:55,610 --> 00:21:57,509 significantly during the pandemic 690 00:21:57,510 --> 00:21:59,729 and haven't gone down a whole lot. 691 00:21:59,730 --> 00:22:01,369 Inflation has also increased the 692 00:22:01,370 --> 00:22:03,749 cost for tattoo machines and ink. 693 00:22:03,750 --> 00:22:05,449 The pandemic forced at least one 694 00:22:05,450 --> 00:22:07,669 tattoo shop in Austin to close. 695 00:22:07,670 --> 00:22:09,389 Scott Ellis started tattooing in 696 00:22:09,390 --> 00:22:11,149 Austin in the mid 90s. 697 00:22:11,150 --> 00:22:13,049 In 2006, he opened his own 698 00:22:13,050 --> 00:22:14,729 shop on the east side called Triple 699 00:22:14,730 --> 00:22:15,589 Crown. 700 00:22:15,590 --> 00:22:17,409 There's almost nothing about 701 00:22:17,410 --> 00:22:20,209 tattooing that I don't love except 702 00:22:20,210 --> 00:22:21,769 maybe like mopping the floor or 703 00:22:21,770 --> 00:22:22,639 something like that 704 00:22:22,640 --> 00:22:24,459 Trained in the 90s by a carny 705 00:22:24,460 --> 00:22:27,039 biker he calls Notorious Ed, 706 00:22:27,040 --> 00:22:28,719 Ellis has become a who's who in 707 00:22:28,720 --> 00:22:30,179 American traditional and Japanese 708 00:22:30,180 --> 00:22:31,539 style tattooing. 709 00:22:31,540 --> 00:22:33,419 He's particularly well known in the 710 00:22:33,420 --> 00:22:35,419 Austin scene for his elaborate back 711 00:22:35,420 --> 00:22:36,679 pieces. 712 00:22:36,680 --> 00:22:38,259 Ellis says things were going well 713 00:22:38,260 --> 00:22:40,079 for Triple Crown up until around 714 00:22:40,080 --> 00:22:41,169 the pandemic. 715 00:22:41,170 --> 00:22:43,129 Yeah, I mean, I never really fancied 716 00:22:43,130 --> 00:22:44,549 myself much of a businessman. 717 00:22:44,550 --> 00:22:46,829 I mean I'm an artist and 718 00:22:46,830 --> 00:22:49,889 I focus 719 00:22:49,890 --> 00:22:52,389 more on that, but in 720 00:22:52,390 --> 00:22:54,069 my opinion, the shop was greatly 721 00:22:54,070 --> 00:22:55,769 successful for a long time. 722 00:22:55,770 --> 00:22:58,269 Not long before the 2020 lockdowns, 723 00:22:58,270 --> 00:22:59,529 Ellis and his family moved to 724 00:22:59,530 --> 00:23:01,269 Prague, where his wife is from. 725 00:23:01,270 --> 00:23:02,929 They wanted to continue to run the 726 00:23:02,930 --> 00:23:05,009 shop in Austin while living abroad. 727 00:23:05,010 --> 00:23:06,569 They also wanted to open a studio 728 00:23:06,570 --> 00:23:07,339 there. 729 00:23:07,340 --> 00:23:09,179 It got like it got harder and 730 00:23:09,180 --> 00:23:10,559 harder especially through COVID to 731 00:23:10,560 --> 00:23:12,359 come back often enough to really 732 00:23:12,360 --> 00:23:14,139 take care of the place properly. 733 00:23:14,140 --> 00:23:16,539 The year after COVID tattooing 734 00:23:16,540 --> 00:23:18,359 got really hard for a lot 735 00:23:18,360 --> 00:23:20,499 of people especially in the U.S. 736 00:23:20,500 --> 00:23:22,079 The Austin location stayed open 737 00:23:22,080 --> 00:23:24,499 until 2024, but ultimately 738 00:23:24,500 --> 00:23:26,119 Ellis couldn't weather the economic 739 00:23:26,120 --> 00:23:27,609 impact of the pandemic. 740 00:23:27,610 --> 00:23:29,749 It kind of came down to, 741 00:23:29,750 --> 00:23:30,909 there wasn't really a choice, 742 00:23:30,910 --> 00:23:32,089 essentially. You know, it was kind 743 00:23:32,090 --> 00:23:33,649 of like, we have to, we have to go 744 00:23:33,650 --> 00:23:35,079 ahead and do this. 745 00:23:35,080 --> 00:23:36,759 Ellis and his family stayed in 746 00:23:36,760 --> 00:23:38,139 Prague and opened a Triple Crown 747 00:23:38,140 --> 00:23:39,999 there. He says it's much more 748 00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:41,799 affordable to run a business and to 749 00:23:41,800 --> 00:23:43,719 live in the Czech Republic. 750 00:23:43,720 --> 00:23:45,579 Tattooing in Austin, Ellis says, 751 00:23:45,580 --> 00:23:47,579 is really popular, but the city has 752 00:23:47,580 --> 00:23:49,559 become oversaturated with tattoo 753 00:23:49,560 --> 00:23:51,499 shops that can make it harder for 754 00:23:51,500 --> 00:23:53,279 businesses to stand out and for 755 00:23:53,280 --> 00:23:55,619 clients to decide where to go. 756 00:23:55,620 --> 00:23:57,579 I remember, even in the 757 00:23:57,580 --> 00:23:59,439 90s, the thing 758 00:23:59,440 --> 00:24:01,579 that a lot of musicians said was, 759 00:24:01,580 --> 00:24:03,599 you know, Austin's a great town 760 00:24:03,600 --> 00:24:05,459 for music if you're a 761 00:24:05,460 --> 00:24:07,059 music fan. 762 00:24:07,060 --> 00:24:09,259 If you're musician, it's 763 00:24:09,260 --> 00:24:12,079 super f***ing hard because there's 764 00:24:12,080 --> 00:24:14,179 a thousand bands in 765 00:24:14,180 --> 00:24:16,139 every neighborhood and yeah, 766 00:24:16,140 --> 00:24:17,239 there's lot of clubs, there are a 767 00:24:17,240 --> 00:24:19,579 lot opportunities, but you're 768 00:24:19,580 --> 00:24:20,879 a little fish in a small pond 769 00:24:20,880 --> 00:24:22,639 always, you now, and in some ways, 770 00:24:22,640 --> 00:24:23,859 tattooing is I don't like that as 771 00:24:23,860 --> 00:24:24,860 well. 772 00:24:25,470 --> 00:24:27,689 Back at Rise and Shine and Kyle, 773 00:24:27,690 --> 00:24:29,229 Becca and Brandon announced last 774 00:24:29,230 --> 00:24:30,509 month they have to leave their 775 00:24:30,510 --> 00:24:31,829 current location. 776 00:24:31,830 --> 00:24:33,509 For now, they'll be guest tattooing 777 00:24:33,510 --> 00:24:35,409 at their old shop Classic Tattoo 778 00:24:35,410 --> 00:24:37,289 in downtown San Marcos. 779 00:24:37,290 --> 00:24:38,769 They hope they can lease a small 780 00:24:38,770 --> 00:24:40,469 apartment space for their shop in 781 00:24:40,470 --> 00:24:41,529 that city. 782 00:24:41,530 --> 00:24:43,609 For KUT's Artbeat, I'm Jill Aiment 783 00:24:43,610 --> 00:24:44,610 in Austin. 784 00:24:46,470 --> 00:24:48,549 And that's it for us today on Austin 785 00:24:48,550 --> 00:24:50,389 Signal. Thanks for joining us and 786 00:24:50,390 --> 00:24:51,549 we'll talk to you tomorrow. 787 00:24:52,790 --> 00:24:56,489 Thank you.