Austin, TX
Hurricane Beryl is gone, but political storms remain: This Week in Texas Politics
Political storms remain after Hurricane Beryl
A lot of political headlines this week in Texas were overshadowed by Hurricane Beryl and the power crisis in Houston the storm left behind. But that’s not to say some political storms didn’t spin up. FOX 7 Austin’s Chief Political Reporter Rudy Koski and our panel of analyst take a look at This Week in Texas Politics.
AUSTIN, Texas – A lot of political headlines this week in Texas were overshadowed by Hurricane Beryl and the power crisis in Houston the storm left behind. But that’s not to say some political storms didn’t spin up.
FOX 7 Austin’s Chief Political Reporter Rudy Koski and our panel of analyst take a look at This Week in Texas Politics.
RUDY KOSKI: This week in Texas politics, we saw a hurricane get political, and a state House committee chairman accused the Attorney General of blowing hot air. Let’s get the headlines from our panel, and we’ll start first with Brian Smith from Saint Edward’s University. Brian, what’s your headline for the week.
BRIAN SMITH: After serving as acting governor? Does Dan Patrick want the job full time?
RUDY KOSKI: Brad Johnson with the Texan News. What’s your headline for the week?
BRAD JOHNSON: Literal and political hurricanes hit Texas.
RUDY KOSKI: And political analyst Mark Wiggins. Your headline?
MARK WIGGINS: Is the dam breaking on Biden’s candidacy?
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RUDY KOSKI: Attorney General Ken Paxton this week claimed that his enemies at the state House are planning an impeachment redo. But the chairman of the House General Investigation Committee, Andrew Murr, called Paxton’s claim a “farfetched fantasy,” and the hearing next week is on an unrelated matter. Brad, you were monitoring this situation. What’s your take?
BRAD JOHNSON: It’s a lot of smoke and mirrors. There’s absolutely nothing of the belief that it’s about Paxton. The committee announced it was going to meet earlier this month. Set for next week. There are a few, standing tasks in front of the committee, and it’s going to be one of those things that they address. But this is a political move by Paxton. You know, it comes alongside the federal probe, going on with the grand jury right now. But it’s a good move. Political move on his part. You know, either he gets to say we caught you guys, and you, you called an audible, or we caught you guys, and you still went forward with it.
RUDY KOSKI: There was a lot of huffing and puffing over a bill that was filed by Texas Congressman Chip Roy that says non-citizens cannot vote in federal elections. Now, that already is the law. But it gets a little fuzzy when it comes down to registering to vote. The bill is targeted for a presidential veto, but there’s a lot of Democrats now on the record against this idea. So, Brian, did the GOP just score win regardless of what happens to that bill?
BRIAN SMITH: Well, we know Immigration’s going to be a huge issue. The Democrats now, 198 Democrats, I think, are on the record saying they voted against it. But legitimately, we’re right back where we started.
RUDY KOSKI: Dallas congress woman Jasmine Crockett joined the effort by squad leader AOC to impeach conservative Supreme Court Judges Thomas and Alito. You know, a snowball forming in Houston right now seems to have a better chance than that effort. So what’s the benefit, Mark by, you know, being the first Texas Democrat to join on this effort?
MARK WIGGINS: Yeah. You’re right. I mean, it is going nowhere. But they’re wanting to highlight the very real and very gross ethical compromises that have plagued the court. I mean, Justices receiving millions of dollars and gifts, yachts from people with business before the court. And to this day, the court has done nothing to police itself.
Hurricane Beryl: Houston storm recovery
As state officials accused President Biden of trying to turn the crisis into a political issue, the top executives from several power providers were in Austin for a special storm response hearing before the Public Utility Commission.
RUDY KOSKI: A new political poll has come out by the University of Houston. The Trump campaign still has a nine point lead on Team Biden. There’s no bump by the trials. There’s no bump from the big debate that took place. And no bump for RFK Jr, who was hoping to get at least a blip out of this. So, Brad, are you surprised by that? Or are you more surprised that, you know, Collin Allred has kind of has closed the gap on Ted Cruz?
BRAD JOHNSON: But I think the biggest takeaway here is already undecided. Numbers are pretty high and remain pretty high. So that’s ground to gain for him, but also ground to lose.
BRIAN SMITH: From this poll his best takeaway is this, he has the highest favorables of any candidate. Meaning when you look at the difference between people who hate you, people who love you, he’s actually at a positive. We’re most of our candidates here in Texas are negative.
MARK WIGGINS: You know, I think what we’re looking at is most Texans still don’t know who Colin Allred is. I’d suggest that the poll results here are more reflective of where Texans are on Ted Cruz.
Hurricane Beryl aftermath
Pressure is mounting on Houston’s power utility as millions still don’t have electricity nearly four days after Hurricane Beryl made landfall
RUDY KOSKI: Hurricane Beryl got political earlier in the week. President Biden claimed that, federal aid was slow to get to Texas because he wasn’t able to reach Governor Greg Abbott or other state leaders. After the storm hit. Abbott and Lieutenant Governor and Chief Nim Kidd storming back, calling the president a liar. Brian, you know, there’s a lot of pushback into all this, and it all comes at a time in regards to the president’s mental capacity. So does it all play into that.
BRIAN SMITH: Right now, for Biden, the bar is so high. Any semblance of what I’m doing right now, any small mistake flub, miscue is going to raise questions about his capability for office.
MARK WIGGINS: But we’ve seen it in past disasters. Politicians aren’t afraid to make federal aid political when the White House and the governor are from different parties. And, you know, I just think that’s an unfortunate commentary on the state of our politics.
BRAD JOHNSON: And one thing, it was kind of an on goal because it took a little bit of heat off Abbott for not being here in the States when this disaster struck.
Gov. Abbott speaks on Biden’s claim
A “bizarre unforced error” is how Governor Greg Abbott described President Biden’s claim that federal hurricane aid to Texas was delayed because state leaders were unavailable to take his call.
RUDY KOSKI: All right. Let’s wrap it up with one word, and we’ll start off with Mark. Mark, what’s your word for the week?
MARK WIGGINS: Decision.
BRAD JOHNSON: Outages.
BRIAN SMITH: CenterPoint.
RUDY KOSKI: And that is This Week in Texas Politics.
Austin, TX
Bradlink’s President: Helen Callier to Speak at the University of Texas Austin Readiness Training Program for HUB’s Graduation
AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bradlink LLC’s president – Helen Callier will speak at the University of Texas at Austin signature IC2 Institute’s Readiness Training Program (RTP) Graduation for Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB’s). Helen leads an award-winning SBA small business and industry recognized government contracting firm that provides technical services to various local agencies including Austin Independent School District (AISD).
This training program for HUB’s provides Regional Technical Assistance Resources, reviews government databases to register in and presents information on government contracting. The final session and graduation are designed to motivate the mostly start-up companies to propose and position their firms to win government contracts.
With 20 years of proven industry experience in government contracting, Bradlink is branded as a trailblazer and innovator in providing technical solutions on transit, education and healthcare projects.
Callier says, “It’s truly a privilege to share my firm’s story, insights, and tips on obtaining government contracts with other small businesses. Texas is a great place to start and grow a small business and the sessions the HUB’s have attended place them in a strong position.”
Bradlink’s achievements have been marked by notable projects such as working as a Prime on the 2022 $2.44 billion AISD Bond Program, supporting key projects at Austin Bergstrom Airport, and serving as BIM Lead for the CMAR on the Houston Airport System Hobby International $470 million 7-gate Expansion project.
“We’re excited that our Leader has been invited again to speak during UT Austin’s IC2 Institute’s RTP last session and graduation this year. I believe Helen’s business insights will motivate members of the co-hort to execute their growth plans as there are lots of opportunities in Texas to pursue.” Moruf Jimoh, Technical Manager of Bradlink LLC
Bradlink’s President, Helen Callier, has been a driving force in the company’s success. In 2025, Bradlink received numerous industry awards including from the Greater Houston Business Procurement Forum, Tri-County Regional Black Chamber of Commerce and recognized by the Regional Hispanic Contractors Association. Also, in 2023, her influential expertise earned her a prominent spot on page 49 of the SBA Small Business National Resource Guide, showcasing her as a thought leader in the industry.
About Helen Callier
Helen Callier (AKA), B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Prairie View A&M University and graduate on the Goldmans Sachs 10KSB Program, is President of Bradlink LLC, a Technical Services firm and Founder of PermitUsNow, an industry recognized building permitting and expediting firm headquartered in Texas. Recognized as HBJ’s Women Who Mean Business, SBA Women Business Champion, former State of Texas Commissioner of Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and serving as an Advisory Board Tri-County Regional Black Chamber of Commerce. Helen is known as a point guard in the business community. She is a regular blogger for SubContractors USA News, a published author, dynamic speaker and a valuable contributor in the business community in Texas.
About Bradlink LLC
Bradlink LLC, with offices in Houston, Austin and Dallas, Texas, is a technical services firm, with over two decades of experience, provides program management, building design, permit expediting, construction oversight, and facilities support services primarily to government agencies. Clients of Bradlink include the Houston Airport System, JACOBS, Atkins Realis’, Hensel Phelps, Austin ISD, EXP US, and USACE.
Media Contact:
Len Cal
2813129981
[email protected]
SOURCE Bradlink LLC
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Children’s Hospital has launched Austin’s first pediatric medical helicopter, expanding critical care transport services for children across Central Texas.
The Kangaroo Crew helicopter can reach distances of up to 120 nautical miles and is equipped with advanced medical technology and staffed by clinicians who provide ICU-level care during transport, according to the hospital system.
“This investment reflects our commitment to bringing the highest level of specialized care closer to families, reducing distance as a barrier when every minute matters,” said Dr. Jeffrey Shilt, president of Austin and Central Texas for Texas Children’s.
Texas Children’s Hospital has launched Austin’s first pediatric medical helicopter, expanding critical care transport services for children across Central Texas. (Photo: Texas Children’s)
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Texas Children’s is the first pediatric hospital system to operate its own helicopter in Austin. The aircraft serves patients throughout Central Texas and West Texas.
The addition of the Austin helicopter brings Texas Children’s total to two Kangaroo Crew helicopters. The helicopter program launched in February 2025 at Texas Children’s in Houston and has transported hundreds of critically ill patients.
The expansion was funded through donations to Texas Children’s, including contributions from Texas Children’s Ambassadors.
“Through the support of our Ambassadors and other generous donors, we are able to invest in innovations like this helicopter that make an immediate, meaningful difference for families across Central Texas and beyond,” said Ben Renberg, chief development officer of the Office of Philanthropy at Texas Children’s.
A new helicopter will take to the skies over Central Texas on Tuesday. Texas Children’s Hospital has added a helicopter to its Kangaroo Crew intensive care transport team, which previously used only ambulances to bring patients to its Austin facility.
The team will be able to travel 120 nautical miles to pick up a patient. The hospital, which opened almost two years ago, has launched programs that are attracting patients from across Texas and around the country, said Dr. Jeff Shilt, the president of Texas Children’s in Austin. “Having a helicopter for a pediatric hospital is really a differentiator for us.”
The $15 million investment makes Texas Children’s the only hospital — pediatric or adult — in Austin with a dedicated helicopter. The other hospitals use STAR Flight.
The air transport program will expand this summer with a larger helicopter that will seat four in the bay instead of three and fly up to 200 nautical miles. That will take this helicopter beyond Waco, Brownwood, San Antonio and College Station, where this current helicopter can go, to near Dallas, San Angelo, Corpus Christi and Beaumont. Texas Children’s also has a plane that is based in Houston that can carry patients who are much further than 200 nautical miles.
The helicopter also will be used locally when traffic on MoPac Boulevard or Interstate 35 would make an ambulance trip longer than 30 minutes to an hour.
The helicopter’s crew of four pilots, critical care nurses and respiratory therapists is based at the Georgetown Executive Airport, which is seven minutes of flying time to the hospital in North Austin.
Each time the helicopter takes off, a respiratory therapist and a registered nurse travels with it. The medical team has been trained in trauma care and has multiple certifications. They also can bring a patient-specific specialized doctor or nurse practitioner if needed. There is a seat for a guardian to ride with their child.
Inside the helicopter is a miniature intensive care unit with ventilators, monitors and oxygen tanks that can be moved in and out to stabilize a patient in a hospital, during the flight and after landing at the Texas Children’s helipad until the patient is connected to hospital machines.
“We take the ICU to them, stabilizing them and bring them back to a higher level of care,” said Kelley Young, a respiratory therapist with 19 years of critical care team experience working in a helicopter.
The patients are strapped into a sled that is tied down to the helicopter. That sled can be put onto a gurney to take the patient in and out of the helicopter. For smaller patients, such as babies, there are parts that are added to secure them to the sled.
The team is prepared for an emergency, including each having a survival kit on them and an additional one in the helicopter.
“We do a lot of training and a lot of simulations,” said John Samluk, a critical care nurse with the team.
They also can talk to everyone in the helicopter using headsets and call to hospital staff at either end of the journey to relay or receive updates.
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