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Around Texas 

1. South Texans demand more dementia research

Experts say Latinos are 1.5 times more likely than non-Hispanic whites to develop dementia. However, Hispanics are still not represented in research. 

The South Texas Dementia Project is led by a council made up of patients, caregivers and researchers. They have taken platicas, or community chats, to 10 South Texas cities impacted by dementia to help determine priorities for how to better attack the issue. Rio Grande City is particularly important. 

Starr County — where Rio Grande City is located — is 97% Hispanic and has the highest rates of dementia in the country. 

2. Texas cities talk about dealing with autonomous vehicles during emergency situations

As first responders were responding to a mass shooting on Austin’s West 6th Street on March 1, a bystander recorded a driverless vehicle blocking an ambulance heading to the scene.

Despite an officer being able to move the vehicle, officials called the ambulance blockage another moment where autonomous vehicles (AVs) had not operated how they were supposed to. The AV was operated by Waymo, a company that has a strong presence in the capital city since initial testing in 2015.

3. Austin mayor describes ‘symbiotic’ relationship with UT at SXSW

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson talked about his administration’s “laser focus” on affordability and housing and many other topics at the South by Southwest Conference and Festival (SXSW) on Friday afternoon. He spoke at a panel called “Cities and Colleges Powering Innovation, Culture & Community” and was joined by Knoxville, Tenn., Mayor Indya Kincannon and Tuscaloosa, Ala., Mayor Walt Maddox.

Around The Nation

1. U.S.-China trade talks open in Paris, paving the way for Trump-Xi summit

2. American flag raised at U.S. Embassy in Venezuela for the 1st time since 2019

3. Trump seeks to close $1.6 trillion revenue gap with raft of new tariffs

Deep in the Heart of Texas

“Eat More Pie” sign inside the Texas Pie Company. (Spectrum News 1/Todd Boatwright)

Texas woman turns pie into a sweet business

When you own your own business, you wear a lot of hats. In Albertson’s case, she’s the boss and baker. She also wears a crown, so to speak. Albertson is known as the Texas Pie Queen.

“Who told you that?! Yes, I have been called that. I don’t call myself that. I’m very modest when it comes to stuff like that. I’m just a baker,” she said.

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The Hits and Air New Zealand are running a contest to send one lucky winner and a friend on a trip to Austin, Texas. The prize includes roundtrip airfare with Air New Zealand and United Airlines, as well as tickets to the iHeart Country Festival happening on May 3rd.

Why it matters

This contest provides an exciting opportunity for listeners to experience the vibrant music and culture of Austin, one of the top travel destinations in the United States.

The details

To enter, listeners need to listen for a ‘boarding call’ running across the day on The Hits radio station. When they hear the cue, they need to call 0800 The Hits to get entered into the drawing. The winner will receive roundtrip airfare to Austin, Texas, provided by Air New Zealand and their alliance partner United Airlines, as well as tickets to the iHeart Country Festival.

• The contest is running from March 15, 2026 onwards.
• The iHeart Country Festival is happening on May 3, 2026.

What’s next

Listeners need to listen for the ‘boarding call’ on The Hits radio station and call 0800 The Hits to enter the contest.