Austin, TX

Election 2024: Strong turnout in Texas for early voting

Published

3 months ago

October 31, 2024

Election 2024: Strong turnout in Texas for early voting

Early voting in Texas

Strong early voting turnout continued Wednesday, as more Central Texans opted to head to the polls ahead of Election Day.

TEXAS – Strong early voting turnout continued on Wednesday, as more Central Texans opted to head to the polls ahead of Election Day.

“It does look like this is going to be a relatively high turnout election in Texas,” said Joshua Blank with the Texas Politics Project at UT Austin.

“Higher turnout is good because it means people are supporting the system,” said Dr. Brian Smith, a political science professor at St. Edward’s University.

In Travis, Williamson and Hays Counties, significantly more people turned out in the first week of early voting this year, compared to 2020. Although COVID and population growth affect that comparison, there’s no doubt this year’s numbers are high.

“This has been such a nasty, divisive election at the presidential level that people have made up their mind, and they want to cast their votes sooner rather than later,” said Smith.

Large number of people turnout for early voting

In Travis County, the vote count may be coming from a large number of first-time voters. There is also a possibility some of those casting a ballot now haven’t voted in a while.

In Texas, some experts say that could spell an advantage for Republicans.

“So far, the data from early voting indicates that significantly more voters with a Republican primary voting history have voted than voters with a Democratic primary voting history. And that gap is unlikely to be erased,” said Blank.

Part of that equation could be people turning out who haven’t voted in a while.

“There’s been a lot of discussion lately about Trump’s ability to turn out low-propensity voters, people who are unlikely to vote, and his appeal among these voters,” said Blank.

MORE ELECTION 2024 COVERAGE

Other factors could help Democrats, though. Looking at Travis County, more young people and first-time voters are making their voices heard this year, with 18- to 25-year-olds showing the largest increase in registration.

“When we look at first time voters, this often helps the Democrats. They tend to do better with younger voters or voters who are new to the system,” said Smith.

In its latest poll, the Texas Politics Project delved into what issues are motivating Texans to show up.

“Voters told us that the economy and prices were driving them to the polls. This is an issue that most voters feel on a daily basis,” said Blank. “Abortion remains a concern, but more so for Democratic voters.”

46K in Travis Co. vote on first day of early voting

Around five percent of registered voters in Travis County cast their ballot on the first day of early voting Monday.

That same poll showed former President Donald Trump leading Vice President Kamala Harris by five points in the presidential race in Texas. In the race for U.S. Senate, it showed Sen. Ted Cruz, leading Democratic challenger Rep. Colin Allred by seven points.

“There’s no indication in our polling or any of the other polling at this point, along with what we’ve seen in early voting turnout to date indicate a Democratic surprise here in Texas,” said Blank.

Eight early voting locations in Travis County will have extended hours Thursday and Friday. They’ll be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. for the last two days of early voting. Those locations are:

Austin Permitting and Development Center

Ben Hur Shrine
Carver Branch Library
Lakeway Activity Center
Pflugerville Rock Gym
Southpark Meadows
Travis County Clerk
UT Union

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Austin, TX

Resolution Economics Expands its Financial Advisory Services Practice with Addition of Austin, Texas office

Published

6 hours ago

January 28, 2025

Press Room

Resolution Economics Expands its Financial Advisory Services Practice with Addition of Austin, Texas office

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Resolution Economics, LLC (“Resolution Economics” or “ResEcon”) announced today that it has expanded its services and geographic footprint through the opening of its new Austin, Texas office. Jeff Andrien, M.B.A., Partner, will lead the new office, which will be part of the Financial Advisory Services (“FAS”) practice group.

Resolution Economics (PRNewsfoto/Resolution Economics, LLC)

Now in its 27^th year, Resolution Economics is a leading specialty consulting firm providing economic and statistical analysis and regulatory compliance advice to companies, law firms, non-profits, universities, and others. The firm has expertise in labor and employment matters, finance/forensic accounting analysis, valuations, artificial intelligence bias audits, and life sciences. ResEcon’s Financial Advisory Services team provides analysis in a wide range of consulting situations to help companies understand their internal compliance circumstances and provides expert assistance and testimony in a variety of commercial dispute settings.

Mr. Andrien holds an M.B.A. from the University of Texas. Joining Mr. Andrien as a Director in Austin is Prateek Shah, M.P.A, CPA. Mr. Andrien, Mr. Shah and their Austin-based team bring more than 25 years’ experience analyzing damages issues pertaining to antitrust, intellectual property, marketing, securities, other commercial damages, as well as valuations for businesses and law firms. They have authored numerous expert reports and testified as expert witnesses in state and federal courts throughout the United States. Mr. Andrien and Mr. Shah teach undergraduate and graduate level courses in finance at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas.

“While our work is nationwide, we are thrilled to have an on-the-ground presence in the thriving business market of Texas,” said Ali Saad, Managing Partner at ResEcon.

“Resolution Economics has long been known for its consistent high quality, thoughtful and innovative work,” said Mr. Andrien. “We are delighted to join such a well-respected group and expand the firm’s reach.”

J. Duross O’Bryan, head of ResEcon’s FAS practice group said: “We know there are many opportunities for Jeff and his team to provide their significant experience in the valuation and damages area. This is a good fit for both of us and we are very excited to have them join our team.”

The Austin office is located at 15918 W Courtyard Drive, Suite 250A, Austin, TX 78730

Resolution Economics is a portfolio company of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (LLCP).

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Austin, TX

2 confirmed cases of measles reported in Texas

Published

17 hours ago

January 28, 2025

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2 confirmed cases of measles reported in Texas

Measles in Texas

The Texas Department of State Health Services has confirmed the first cases of measles in the state since 2023.

AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Department of State Health Services has confirmed the first cases of measles in the state since 2023. Health officials say those two reported cases are in Houston.

There have not been any confirmed cases in Central Texas, but Austin Public Health is asking residents to be proactive.

What is measles?

The backstory:

Measles is a highly contagious and, in some cases, deadly disease. Symptoms develop 7–14 days after infection, according to health officials.

“You could experience a very high fever, cough or runny nose, things like that, watery red eyes. A few days later, you’ll start to get a rash, and so that rash will start to look like white spots on the inside of your cheeks and then a rash that usually starts on your face and spreads down your body,” says Chief State Epidemiologist Varun Shetty.

Chief state epidemiologist Varun Shetty says measles is an airborne disease.

“Measles spreads through coughs and sneezes. It can stay in a room for up to two hours. Someone could get measles just simply by being in the room where someone who is sick had it. If you are not protected with the vaccine,” says Shetty.

Why you should care:

This month, the Houston Health Department identified two cases of measles associated with international travel.

Health officials said to prevent the spread of the disease, getting vaccinated is recommended.

“Typically, the vaccine that you receive from your doctor is called the MMR vaccine. It stands for measles, mumps, and rubella. It’s a two-dose vaccine. Two doses of this vaccine are highly effective at protecting against measles. In fact, it prevents 97% of cases of measles,” says Shetty.

Shetty says if you are not vaccinated, and you are exposed to the disease, take the proper precautions to protect yourself and the public.

“The most important thing is to isolate yourself, stay away from other people so you can reduce the risk of spreading it to others. Then we would recommend you to call your doctor on the phone ahead of time and let them know that you’re concerned about that so that you can arrange a safe way to get evaluated and get tested and then follow those doctor’s instructions,” says Shetty.

Health officials say those most at risk are pregnant women, children and those with weak immune systems.

The Source: Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin’s Tan Radford

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Austin, TX

How many immigrants have been arrested? See which Texas cities had ICE raids this weekend

Published

1 day ago

January 27, 2025

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How many immigrants have been arrested? See which Texas cities had ICE raids this weekend

Within a week of Donald Trump’s second term as president, several raids were conducted by ICE agents throughout Texas as well as the rest of the U.S. Upon entering office last Monday, Trump delivered on a campaign promise and issued an executive order to “protect the American people against invasion.” His administration has said the aggressive deportation efforts would prioritize “violent offenders.”

The Drug Enforcement Agency, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted with the Texas operations.

An ICE spokesperson confirmed the raids in North Texas in an emailed statement to Texas Public Radio:

“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement along with our federal law enforcement partners began conducting enhanced targeted operations today in North Texas and the state of Oklahoma to enforce U.S. immigration law and preserve public safety and national security by keeping potentially dangerous criminal aliens out of our communities.“

How many undocumented immigrants have been arrested?

Beginning Thursday, Jan. 23, ICE has reported single-day U.S. statistics for the number of individuals arrested and charged with a crime as well as those detained.

Jan. 23: 538 arrests, 373 detainers lodged
Jan. 24: 593 arrests, 449 detainers lodged
Jan. 25: 286 arrests, 421 detainers lodged
Jan. 26: 956 arrests, 554 detainers lodged

Similar operations occurred in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey and New York, according to various news reports.

It is unclear how many of these arrests and detainments occurred in Texas. However, several cities across the Lone Star State saw these “enhanced targeted operations” on Sunday.

Where did the ICE raids happen in Texas?

Officials have yet to confirm how many undocumented immigrants were apprehended in Texas Sunday. However, local news outlets suggest the following areas have been subjected to the raids: