Austin, TX
Focus at Four: Texas Ethics Commission to require social media influencers to disclose payment for political commentary
AUSTIN, Texas (KBTX) – Social media and influencers are now being more closely scrutinized when it comes to campaign spending. When you see a political ad on TV or in the newspaper, you know it was financed by someone. But what about your online feed?
This week, the Texas Ethics Commission voted to require social media personalities to disclose when they are paid to post or repost political advertisements.
Joining KBTX to discuss the topic is Daron Shaw, a Distinguished Teaching Professor, and Frank C. Erwin, Jr. Chair of State Politics at the University of Texas at Austin.
He says the requirement is taking care of a loophole that social media left in the political sphere for elections.
“The key distinction is actually one that is actually derived from federal election campaigns, but it has an application at the state level and that is what we call an in-kind contribution. If I perform a service for you, you are a candidate for office and I perform a service for you, that constitutes an an in-kind contribution, something for your campaign. But those laws have not been specified or updated, to take into account, how do we think of an influencer who is paid to say, ‘Hey go to this guy’s event, it’s happening in Austin this next weekend, it’s going to be great, it’s going to be lit, it’s going to be so awesome.’ Well, if you pay that person to do that, then essentially they are performing a service for you which is in kind to an in-kind contribution. So what TEC is trying to accomplish here, is to close what I think is increasingly seen as a loophole to state-wide campaign finance regulations,” said Shaw.
Watch the entire interview in the video above.
Shaw says campaign finance law is always evolving, and that there are two extremes on this issue in the public policy debate going on right now.
“There are people who think that we ought to have much more regulation, that we should really kind of curtail and monitor the existence of money in politics. There are other people who believe money will find its way into politics, and what is critical is disclosure, and making information about these connections, who is paying what, making that transparent to the public so that people can make a judgment,” said Shaw.
Copyright 2024 KBTX. All rights reserved.
Austin, TX
FOX 7 Weekend – May 2-3
From street fairs to cultural celebrations, Austin is packed with action this weekend! Check out the best local spots for free food, live music, and family fun. FOX 7 Austin’s Amanda Salinas shares the details all in the FOX 7 Weekend.
Austin, TX
Austin Shower Glass Expands Custom Shower Glass Services to Meet Growing Demand in Austin, TX
AUSTIN, TX – April 30, 2026 – As residential design trends continue to evolve across Austin, homeowners are placing greater emphasis on modern, functional bathroom spaces. Austin Shower Glass is responding to this shift by expanding its custom shower glass services to support increasing demand for tailored, design-focused glass installations throughout the region.
The growing preference for clean, open bathroom layouts has led to a rise in demand for frameless and custom shower glass solutions. Austin Shower Glass operates within this evolving market by providing installations designed to enhance both visual appeal and everyday usability. The company’s approach aligns with broader industry trends that prioritize minimalism, natural light, and efficient use of space.
As more homeowners in Austin and surrounding areas invest in bathroom upgrades, custom shower glass has become a central feature in modern remodeling projects. Rather than relying on standard designs, many homeowners are choosing solutions that are measured and fabricated specifically for their spaces, allowing for greater flexibility and a more refined finish.
Within this context, Austin Shower Glass offers services that include custom shower glass installation, shower glass replacement, and tailored glass solutions for a wide range of bathroom layouts. Each project is approached with attention to detail, focusing on precise measurements, secure installation, and long-term performance.
“Homeowners today are prioritizing both design and functionality when upgrading their bathrooms,” said a company representative. “Custom shower glass allows for a more personalized solution that enhances the overall feel of the space while supporting daily use.”
Austin’s continued population growth and ongoing residential development have contributed to increased demand for modern interior upgrades, including custom glass installations. Austin Shower Glass serves this demand by delivering professional shower glass solutions tailored to the needs of homeowners across the area.
For more information about custom shower glass services in Austin, TX, visit https://austinshowerglass.com/ or click here to get directions.
About Austin Shower Glass
Austin Shower Glass is an Austin, Texas-based company specializing in custom shower glass installation, shower glass replacement, and modern glass solutions for residential spaces. The company focuses on delivering high-quality, precision-based installations designed to enhance both functionality and design.
Media Contact
Company Name: Austin Shower Glass
Contact Person: Stefan F.
Email: Send Email
Phone: +17374653141
Address:12600 Hill Country Blvd R-275
City: Bee Cave
State: Texas
Country: United States
Website: https://austinshowerglass.com/
Austin, TX
Camp Mystic drops summer reopening plan over outrage by families and Texas lawmakers
AUSTIN, Texas — Camp Mystic on Thursday halted plans to reopen this summer on the Texas river where floodwaters killed 25 girls and two teenage counselors, backing down in the face of outraged families and investigations that accused the all-girls Christian camp of dangerous safety and operational deficiencies.
The decision, a striking reversal of the camp owners’ determination to reopen, follows weeks of testimony in court hearings and legislative investigations. Those hearings laid bare the camp’s lack of detailed planning for a flood emergency, reliance on poorly trained staff and missed chances for an evacuation that came too late as floodwaters ripped through the camp over the July 4 weekend last year.
“We never imagined a world without our daughters, and no decision made now can change that,” Matthew Childress, father of 18-year-old counselor Chloe Childress who died, said in a statement.
The camp’s owner, Dick Eastland, also died in the flooding.
“No administrative process or summer season should move forward while families continue to grieve, while investigations continue and while so many Texans still carry the pain of last July’s tragedy,” Camp Mystic said in a statement.
A spokesperson for the Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed Thursday that the camp has withdrawn its application.
The decision was praised by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who opposed the camp’s reopening while investigations were ongoing.
“I am thankful to hear that, today, the Eastland family withdrew their application,” Patrick said in a statement. “Given the tragic circumstances, this is the correct decision to protect Texas campers and to allow time for all investigations to be completed.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has not weighed in publicly on whether the camp should reopen, noted in a statement Thursday that the result of ongoing investigations into Camp Mystic by the Department of State Health Services and the Texas Rangers “will be made public as soon as possible.”
The families of the victims packed the court and legislative hearings, often wearing “Heaven’s 27” pins with photographs of their daughters. They listened to the details of missed flood warning signs, the descriptions of the flood and the decision to leave the girls in their cabins until it was too late. The testimony included video of the raging floodwaters as a girl repeatedly screamed for “help!” somewhere in the distance.
Edward Eastland, one of the camp directors and a member of the Eastland family that owns and operates the 100-year-old camp on the banks of the Guadalupe River, offered a tearful public apology to the victims’ families on Tuesday.
“We tried our hardest that night. It wasn’t enough to save your daughters,” Eastland said, with the victims’ families sitting behind him. “I’m so sorry.”
Still, Camp Mystic seemed determined to reopen. Camp officials invited journalists and lawmakers to review safety improvements at the camp, promised that no camp activities would take place in the low-lying area that was devastated and impressed that hundreds of families wanted to return, underscoring how special a place it was for generations of Texans.
A least 850 campers signed up to return this year. Reports that so many families were prepared to send their daughters back this summer caused divisions within the close-knit community of Mystic alumni.
All told, the destructive flooding killed at least 136 people along a several-mile stretch of the river, raising questions about how things went so terribly wrong.
Texas health regulators have said they are investigating hundreds of complaints against the camp’s owners. The Texas Rangers are also looking into allegations of neglect, according to the Texas Department of Safety, although the scope of the state’s elite investigations unit was not immediately clear.
The camp, established in 1926, did not evacuate as the storm rolled in and was hit hard when the river rose from 14 feet to 29.5 feet within 60 minutes.
Vertuno and Murphy write for the Associated Press. Murphy reported from Oklahoma City.
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