Austin, TX

New trade school at Austin homeless shelter hopes to give purpose, jobs to residents

Published

1 year ago

November 2, 2024

Press Room

New trade school at Austin homeless shelter

An Austin emergency shelter is taking a different approach to the city’s homeless problem.

AUSTIN, Texas – An Austin emergency shelter is taking a different approach to the city’s homeless problem.

Instead of focusing solely on putting a roof over people’s heads, The Other Ones Foundation will start teaching some of its residents how to change tires, install an HVAC system, or fix a car.

“This is about finding purpose,” said Chris Baker, the founder of The Other Ones Foundation

For Baker, it’s purpose that’s driving this project.

“I dropped out of high school when I was in 9th grade,” said Baker. “I spent a couple years doing all kinds of stuff that high school dropouts do.”

Now on the other side of homelessness, he stands before a crowd Friday.

“All I wanted to do was to build sets,” said Baker. “That was what my dream was.”

So he returned for his high school diploma, then a bachelor’s degree in theater, and eventually his first job at a homeless shelter.

“Which leads to that, which leads to this,” said Baker.

It’s an invisible string of circumstances that finally leads him to Friday’s opening of the John Paul DeJoria Skill Center.

“The room we’re in right now is everything from taking apart every part of an automobile to understanding an engine,” said John Paul DeJoria, who donated a $350,000 grant for the project.

The center is an expansion of the Esperanza Community, an emergency homeless shelter in East Austin. Here, residents can learn the skills required for jobs like HVAC, auto-mechanics, plumbing, and other trades.

“It changes your life,” DeJoria. “You’re back in society, you have money, you have safety, you have a place to stay, and you are like everybody else.”

The first instructors will come from Austin Community College.

ACC, The Rework Project, and the Texas Workforce Solutions Capital Area will cover the tuition of eligible students.

Travis Co. expands housing for homeless

The Travis County Commissioners Court has approved two contracts with local nonprofits to expand housing for the homeless.

“Central to our work at Austin Community College is loving our students to success, this is what it looks like,” said Donald Tracy, interim director of continuing education at ACC.

A ribbon cutting opened the center with a round of applause and a word from Austin’s mayor.

“It’s not just about recruiting jobs, it’s about putting Austinities, including the most vulnerable Austinites, in the jobs that are being created,” Mayor Kirk Watson.

This skill center is what Chris Baker thinks he was meant to do all along.

“If life is about finding purpose, found it,” said Baker.

And he hopes this place will help someone else find their purpose too.

“Everyone needs a purpose and no matter what your challenges are in life, there’s always something for you to have a purpose,” said DeJoria.

Source link

Click to comment

Austin, TX

Austin weather: Intense storms in West Texas could make it to Hill Country

Published

7 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

Austin weather: Intense storms in West Texas could make it to Hill Country

AUSTIN, Texas – We will be on storm watch tonight.

Local perspective:

More of the same today with a cloud/sun mix, warm, humid and breezy conditions.

Highs heading for the 80s with wind gusts of 15 to 25 mph.

The backstory:

The West Texas dryline will be the storm machine. This is where the Gulf moisture meets up with dry air coming off the mountains.

As the two different air masses collide the air will be forced up.

The heating of the day and upper low will provide even stronger lift to generate numerous and more intense storms in West Texas.

There is a chance a few of the storms will survive their journey away from the dryline and reach the Hill Country starting this evening and overnight.

By the time they enter Central Texas, most of the storms will drop below severe limits.

The highest threat of severe weather remains west of the Hill Country.

What’s next:

Could we get redevelopment with the storms late on Wednesday?

The jury is still out because not all the models agree, so we will have to play the wait and see game.

The next game-changers will be a stronger Western Low and a cold front with bite to it entering the picture this weekend.

Expecting increasing rain chances on Saturday followed by a cooler and drier breeze the rest of the weekend.

What you can do:

Track your local forecast for the Austin area quickly with the free FOX 7 WAPP.

The design gives you radar, hourly, and 7-day weather information just by scrolling.

Our weather alerts will warn you early and help you stay safe.

The Source: Information from meteorologist Zack Shields.

WeatherAustin

Source link

Austin, TX

Texas AG to investigate Austin Police’s new policies related to ICE warrants, city says

Published

19 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

Texas AG to investigate Austin Police’s new policies related to ICE warrants, city says

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson expressed concern Monday about two items on the Austin Transit Partnership Board agenda later this week, one to negotiate an office lease in a downtown office building for up to $32 million for roughly 8 years and another to furnish the space for $15 million. READ MORE: https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/inappropriate-mayor-pushes-back-on-47m-light-rail-office-relocation-plan/

Source link

Austin, TX

George Strait Delivers Epic Return to Austin Stage – Austin Today

Published

1 day ago

April 13, 2026

Press Room

George Strait Delivers Epic Return to Austin Stage – Austin Today

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The dazzling stage lights and shattered disco ball textures evoke the electrifying energy of a George Strait concert, where the country legend continues to captivate audiences even as his legendary career nears its end.Austin Today

George Strait thrilled fans with an unforgettable concert at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, delivering a set packed with his signature No. 1 hits. The country music legend’s return to the stage after nearly four years left some wondering how much longer he plans to continue performing, as Strait has hinted at retirement in the past.

Why it matters

As one of the most influential and successful country artists of all time, George Strait’s concerts have become must-see events for his devoted fanbase. This performance in Austin showcased Strait’s enduring popularity and artistry, even as he nears the end of his legendary career.

The details

Strait’s concert at the Moody Center on Thursday night was his first at the venue since April 2022. The show featured a hit-filled setlist that had the capacity crowd singing along. Strait shared a video on Instagram teasing the performance, writing ‘What a night Austin, TX! Who’s ready to do it again on Saturday?’ While the video didn’t show any full performances, it did include a snippet of Strait singing his 2024 single ‘Three Drinks Down’.

Strait last performed at the Moody Center in April 2022.
He is scheduled to play another show at the Moody Center on Saturday, April 13, 2026.

What they’re saying

“I have maybe five good years to sing my songs for you, folks…it’s been around 50 now. And I still love it just as much as I ever did.”

— George Strait

What’s next

Strait is scheduled to perform another show at the Moody Center in Austin on Saturday, April 13, 2026, giving fans another chance to see the country legend in action.

The takeaway

George Strait’s epic return to the Moody Center stage in Austin underscores his enduring popularity and artistry, even as he nears the end of his legendary career. Fans cherished the opportunity to witness the ‘King of Country Music’ deliver a hit-filled set, leaving them to wonder how much longer they’ll be able to see Strait perform live.

Source link