Austin, TX

New law to make small change to Texas’ near-total abortion ban

Published

1 year ago

August 5, 2023

New law to make small change to Texas’ near-total abortion ban

AUSTIN, Texas — Today, Texas has one of the strictest abortion bans in the country. Under state law, abortions are legal if the patient’s life is at risk, but some doctors say that’s not clearly defined. State law says doctors who perform abortions could face life in prison and fines of up to $100,000. That’s why Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, worked with a bipartisan group of lawmakers to clarify the law.

What You Need To Know

Texas has one of the strictest abortion bans in the country

Under state law, abortions are legal if the patient’s life is at risk, but some doctors say that’s not clearly defined. State law says doctors who perform abortions could face life in prison and fines of up to $100,000

Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, worked with a bipartisan group of lawmakers to clarify the law so that doctors “would not have to be concerned about liability for using their medical judgment”

The new legislation says doctors have protection against prosecution when they treat PPROM, short for previable premature rupture of membranes, which is when a woman’s water breaks early, perhaps before the baby is viable

“The purpose of [House Bill] 3058, the new bill, was to ensure that there was an affirmative defense for physicians, that they would not have to be concerned about liability for using their medical judgment,” she said.

The new legislation says doctors have protection against prosecution when they treat PPROM. Short for previable premature rupture of membranes, PPROM is when a woman’s water breaks early, perhaps before the baby is viable. It can be fatal if untreated. Doctors were already allowed to perform an abortion in cases of ectopic pregnancies.

“This will give cover in just those two specific instances,” Rep. Howard said. “So the concerns that physicians have had in other instances, I think, will still be there.”

Some conservatives think the law was already clear, but say the clarifying legislation was needed to make sure doctors know they can provide care to mothers who need it.

“Unfortunately, it has been kind of necessary to add reinforcement or clarification on the exceptions for the abortion law,” said Mary Elizabeth Castle, the director of government relations for Texas Values. “We’re very happy that we’re able to provide this clarification to let women know that we care about them as well, and the life of the baby.”

Rep. Howard disagrees with those who say the abortion law was clear enough for doctors to follow.

“I heard that from some of my Republican colleagues in particular, that it was clear, and my retort to them was, ‘It may be clear to you. You’re not a physician,’” she said. “[Physicians] are saying it is not clear; the hospitals are saying it is not clear. So, I appreciate that some of my colleagues believe in their own minds that it’s clear from their perspective. Those who are actually put in the position of having to make these decisions are saying it is not clear. And what their concern is that they are having to wait for women to start dying before they can intervene. And that is wholly unacceptable and obviously goes against everything that the physicians have been trained to do.”

Although many Democrats say they will keep fighting for reproductive rights, Castle says there’s a “consensus in the pro-life community and amongst pro-life legislators that we are going to keep our pro-life laws as tight and as close to the original as possible.”

“Some people are pro-abortion because they’re confused,” she says. “They don’t know exactly what the law means, so I think there’s a lot of support for the clarification and my hope is that, truly, we’re seeing more people becoming pro-life, regardless of party.”

The exception for PPROM was added at a time when more than a dozen Texans are suing the state over its abortion law. Amanda Zurawski, the lead plaintiff, says she was denied abortion care when she experienced PPROM. Due to an infection, she can no longer have children naturally.

“All pregnant people in Texas and in other states where abortion is banned deserve better,” Zurawski said in July. “These are fundamental human rights we’re talking about, vital to our lives, freedom, health and safety. We need to get them back.”

The plaintiffs want more clarity around the exceptions and seek the right to an abortion when an unborn child is unlikely to sustain life after birth.

Ultimately, Rep. Howard would like to see abortion rights restored in Texas.

“The whole point here is to trust women and families to make their own decisions about these very, very personal things,” Rep. Howard said. “I’m just very disappointed that we feel like we can determine 100% of the time what should or shouldn’t be done. These are individual decisions.”

Rep. Howard says adding clarifications this year bodes well for future modifications to the law.

“But unfortunately, we’re a part-time legislature,” she said. “It’s not going to happen anytime soon.”

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Austin, TX

PEAK6 to Relocate Global Headquarters to Austin, Texas

Published

26 minutes ago

December 27, 2024

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PEAK6 to Relocate Global Headquarters to Austin, Texas

CHICAGO, Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — PEAK6 Investments LLC (“PEAK6”) today announced that, effective January 1, 2025, it will move its global headquarters from its current location in Chicago, Illinois to the company’s existing office in Austin, Texas, which it established in 2021. PEAK6 affiliates PEAK6 Group LLC, PEAK6 Strategic Capital LLC, PEAK6 APX Holdings LLC and PEAK6 LLC will also relocate their global headquarters to Austin. PEAK6 will maintain its office in Chicago.

PEAK6 Logo (PRNewsfoto/PEAK6)

“Texas has been a cornerstone of PEAK6’s growth for over a decade,” said PEAK6 Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Matt Hulsizer, who continued, “With the majority of our talented workforce now based in Texas and Austin emerging as our largest office, moving our headquarters was an important decision to be closer to our team. We’re excited for the next chapter of PEAK6 that will be written from our new headquarters.”

Austin’s unique blend of creativity, technology and culture provides the ideal environment for PEAK6. The city’s highly educated workforce, business climate, and strong entrepreneurial spirit have enabled us to attract top talent and drive innovation.

About PEAK6

PEAK6 uses technology to find a better way of doing things. The company’s first tech-based solution was developed in 1997 to optimize options trading, and over the past two decades, the same formula has been used across a range of industries, asset classes, and business stages to consistently deliver superior results. Today, PEAK6 seeks transformational opportunities to provide capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs and forward-thinking businesses.

PEAK6’s core brands include PEAK6 Capital Management, PEAK6 Strategic Capital, Apex Fintech Solutions, We Insure, FOCUS, Zogo, Evil Geniuses and Poker Power.

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View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/peak6-to-relocate-global-headquarters-to-austin-texas-302339437.html

SOURCE PEAK6 Investments

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Austin, TX

Texas vs Arizona State: Teams prepare for Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl

Published

9 hours ago

December 27, 2024

Press Room

Texas vs Arizona State: Teams prepare for Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl

article

AUSTIN, TEXAS – DECEMBER 21: A view of fireworks and the scoreboard following the game between the Clemson Tigers and Texas Longhorns in the Playoff First Round Game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Austin, Texas. Tex

AUSTIN, Texas – On Wednesday, the Texas Longhorns and the Arizona State Sun Devils will square off in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

The New Year’s Day match-up will be the first football game of 2025.

The last time the Horns and Sun Devils played on the field was in 2007 when Texas beat Arizona 52-to-34 in the Holiday Bowl.

“This is the first time that we’ll host Texas true blue blood in college football into the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl, and if they win, Texas would be the first team in the history of college football to win all six New Year’s Six Bowl games,” said Gary Stokan, President and CEO of Peach Bowl, Inc.

Texas has never played in the Peach Bowl, and Arizona has never played in the CFP. It will be a game of firsts for both teams. The Sun Devils have only played in the Peach Bowl once before, in 1970, when they beat North Carolina.

8-year-old Longhorns fan wins tickets to CFP game

8-year-old Texas Longhorns fan Liam Ransom and his father will be at DKR on Saturday after winning a contest to get tickets.

“They created the Fiesta Bowl out of that experience of the 1970 Peach Bowl,” said Stokan. “So interesting history there, and interesting history can be made with both teams moving along to the semifinal, the first CFP playoff.”

It will be the 57th Peach Bowl, and tickets to the annual game have sold out yearly since sometime in the 1990s.

“We were founded back in 1968, and it is the ninth-oldest bowl game in college football history, but only the first bowl game founded for charity,” said Stokan.

Stokan said the Peach Bowl and Chick-fil-A teamed up this year to give out scholarships to both universities, each receiving $100,000. The endowed scholarship will help fund tuition for students attending UT or ASU from Atlanta.

“We’ve given $64 million to charity since 2002, which makes us the most charitable organization in the country,” said Stokan.

The Longhorns will return to Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the second time this season, and fans are upset that the beloved mascot has been banned from the sidelines.

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“Unfortunately, we hate it, but, you know, we’re not able to house Bevo similar to what the SEC championship did, so we apologize to all the Texas fans,” said Stokan.

The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl President said he had answered more interview questions about Bevo than football.

“I’m not sure whether Texas fans are more interested in Bevo or the game,” said Stokan.

The stadium staff said they cannot accommodate the nearly one-ton steer.

While the Peach Bowl is already sold out, some people feel this same restriction could affect Bevo’s game attendance for a possible national title game.

If Texas wins the Peach Bowl and their semifinal game, the Longhorns would return to Atlanta on January 20 for the national championship.

The Source: Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin’s Katie Pratt

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Austin, TX

Where in Austin to see free live music that doesn’t suck

Published

17 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

Where in Austin to see free live music that doesn’t suck

Austinites, new and old, often hear that the city is no longer the live music capital of the world, but that claim should be taken with a grain of salt. There are plenty of spots in ATX to hear free live music that’s good — as long as you know where to look.

The Capital City was first dubbed the “Live Music Capital of the World” in August 1991. According to Visit Austin, the title was justified by the number of music venues per capita in the city. ATXToday reports there are over 250 venues in Austin where live music is played, proving there’s no shortage of spots offering live entertainment.

However, not every venue allows residents and visitors to Austin to enjoy quality live music without some sort of cover charge. This is when it pays to know the Capital City like the back of your hand.

9 places in Austin to see free live music

While there are countless bars, coffee shops, restaurants and music venues in Austin offering free live music, not all of it passes as “good.”

What’s the point of hitting up a cover-free spot if the live entertainment is soul-crushingly bad?

Below are nine spots to see quality live music in Austin for free.

Reminder: If you’re enjoying free live music somewhere, show the artists some support! Most have tip jars and/or signs with their Venmo username near the stage.

Banger’s Sausage House and Beer Garden

Pros: Spacious beer garden with indoor and outdoor seating, covered outdoor stage for live entertainment, a stellar sound system that funnels live music inside (even in the bathrooms) quality local acts that get guests on their feet during Sunday brunch and beyond, attentive service and an expansive food and drink menu.

Address: 79 Rainey St., Austin, Texas.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

View Banger’s live music calendar here.

Mama Dearest

Pros: Backwoods-themed bar with eclectic and borderline eerie decor, decent sound system for listening to live music, indoor-outdoor seating, food truck, all of the vibes. Misting fans on outdoor patio in the summer, heaters in winter.

Address: 515 Pedernales St., Austin, Texas.

Hours: 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday-Friday; noon to 2 a.m. Saturday-Sunday.

Mama Dearest often will share its live music offerings on Instagram. Check the bar’s IG here.

Austin Beer Garden and Brewing Co.

Pros: Free live music on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, delicious pizza and sandwiches, various drink options (beer, wine, seltzer and more!), dog-friendly, children welcome.

Address: 1305 W. Oltorf St., Austin, Texas.

Hours: Closed Monday; 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; noon to midnight Saturday; noon to 10 p.m. Sunday.

View ABGB’s live music calendar here.

The Elephant Room

Pros: Centrally located venue offering live jazz music nightly, no cover charge on Sunday, Monday or before 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, intimate setting, attentive service.

Address: 315 Congress Ave., Austin, Texas.

Hours: 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday-Friday; 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday; 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday.

View the live music calendar here.

Armadillo Den

Pros: Spacious, casual friendly service, free live music, good sound system, numerous food trucks on-site. Kids are welcome until 6 p.m. Monday-Friday. Otherwise, the Armadillo Den is for those ages 21 and older.

Address: 10106 Menchaca Road, Austin, Texas.

Hours: 4 p.m. to midnight Monday-Wednesday; noon to 12:30 a.m. Thursday; noon to 2 a.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday; noon to midnight Sunday.

View Armadillo Den’s live entertainment calendar here.

Jester King Brewery

Pros: Live music on weekends at a brewery that doubles as a ranch where goats not only live but also thrive alongside their trusted canine companion. Jester King also has delicious bites and funky beers to choose from, forts for kids to climb on and ample space.

Address: 13187 Fitzhugh Road, Austin, Texas.

Hours: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Browse Jester King’s live music calendar here.

Blind Pig Pub

Pros: Live music every day of the week in the heart of Dirty Sixth, indoor and outdoor stages, open-air rooftop patio. For a chiller experience on weekends, visit the Blind Pig before 9 p.m.

Address: 317 E. Sixth St., Austin, Texas.

Hours: 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday-Tuesday; 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesday-Friday; 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday.

Austin Garden & Studio at Inn Cahoots

Pros: The Garden at Austin Garden & Studio often hosts live music on the outdoor stage. Musical genres vary, but the sound quality is superb. There also is a food truck on-site and yard games to play.

Address: 1209 E. Sixth St., Austin, Texas.

Hours: Doors open at 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.

Browse the December 2024 schedule here, and view the 2025 schedule here.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Icehouse

Pros: Located in the heart of West Sixth where bars and restaurants are plentiful, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot offers stellar sound quality, a covered bar and stage for chilly or rainy nights, strong drinks, fast service and more.

Address: 701 W. Sixth St., Austin, Texas.

Hours: 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday-Friday; 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, noon to 2 a.m. Sunday.

Check Whiskey Tango Foxtrot’s Facebook and Instagram pages for up-to-date information on live music offerings.

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