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Morning Briefing Texas March 16
Good morning, Texas. Here’s what you need to know today.
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Introducing Spectrum News+
Watch the latest news and more local stories from across the country.
Introducing Spectrum News+
Watch the latest news and more local stories from across the country.
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)
“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.
AUSTIN, Texas — Iranian-American demonstrators gathered at the Texas Capitol on Saturday as part of a global week of action calling for a free Iran.
Organizers said the demonstration was one of many being held around the world this week. Sholeh Zendehdel, one of the demonstrators, said the global week of action was called by Iran’s exiled crown prince, Reza Pahlavi, who has lived outside the country since the 1979 revolution.
The group has held regular rallies in Austin for months protesting Iran’s current government. Demonstrators are calling on the U.S. government to stop negotiating with Iranian officials and to continue pushing for regime change.
“We just want to say, President Trump, please finish the job,” Zendehdel said. “All along, we’re hoping this whole negotiation isn’t just part of politics, and it doesn’t happen. We just need to get this done.”
Organizers said they plan to continue rallying and advocating for a free Iran as they press the U.S. to halt negotiations with Iran’s government.
To help families get moving together, South Texas Health System will host its 6th Annual Transform Your Life Health & Wellness Fair in just two weeks!
Join us on Saturday, July 18, at Tres Lagos North Park (@treslagosmcallen) in McAllen (@cityofmcallen) for a free morning of fitness, wellness and family fun, featuring:
💃 Zumba, yoga, pickleball and more
🍳 Healthy cooking demonstrations and food samples
🧘 Meditative and wellness activities
✅ Fun for all ages
For complete event details, visit https://sthsactive.com/ or the Facebook Events page at the link in our bio.”.
AUSTIN, Texas — Austin is losing several well-known street murals after the Texas Department of Transportation ordered the city to cover them, saying they violate state guidelines.
The city coated over multiple murals on Thursday, including the “Black Artists Matter” mural on East 11th Street and the Texas mural on Guadalupe Street near the University of Texas at Austin campus. People who live in Austin said the changes feel like a loss of culture and identity.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE | City of Austin memo lays out street art that may have to be removed under Abbott order
“Kind of ridiculous. It wasn’t hurting anybody,” said Orion Sun, an East Austinite.
Landry Knowles, an Austinite, said, “It makes me feel really sad and angry.”
In some places, remnants of the murals could still be seen beneath the street coating.
The directive to cover what were described as “political ideologies” came from TxDOT earlier this summer under the direction of Gov. Greg Abbott. In a letter to the city, TxDOT said “the current markings are not acceptable and do not fully comply with the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (TMUTCD) and related federal guidance.”
Austin Transportation and Public Works confirmed it covered the murals on Thursday.
For some residents, the change went beyond paint on pavement.
“It gave the place character. Now, it’s just another black street,” Sun said.
Knowles said the Texas mural “was a symbol of school pride,” she said. “The fact that it’s covered up, it erases part of the school’s identity.”
Knowles also said, “It erases creativity.”
Sun added, “It removes the uniqueness.”
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Some Austinites said they are hopeful new artwork will be created to replace what is now buried under the street coating.
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