Austin, TX
When will Austin transit officials \ngive riders what they want? | Letters
Kudos for publishing the opinion by Barbara Epstein April 7, “What we need is public transit that actually works.” I believe she speaks for many. Officials could listen. When will they?
Susan Kleinman, Austin
The characteristics of success for a
bus system that’s worth modeling
Re: April 7 commentary, ‘What we need is public transit that actually works, April 7’
Barbara Epstein mentioned frequent service as the key to a successful bus system in Curitiba, Brazil. In addition to frequency, in Curitiba riders pay before boarding, just as on Austin’s Red Line. This allows Curitiba buses to have wide doors which permit rapid entry and exiting. The other key is bus-only lanes for the entire route. These two features allow buses to actually move faster than cars.
This model has been widely adopted, including in Mexico City and Ciudad Juárez.
Felipe Rosales, Austin
Border problems and the blame game grow
as agency marks its centennial anniversary
The Border Patrol will observe its 100-year anniversary this year. It was created due to emigration problems that existed then.
During this period the American people have elected 9 Republican and 8 Democratic presidents, and the emigration problems have escalated while the political blame game continues tearing our country apart.
Ramiro “Ray” Martinez, New Braunfels
No zero-sum game: Our economy is
stronger because of immigration
Immigrants work tirelessly to build this country, performing dangerous and demanding jobs. There’s no clearer indicator than last month’s Baltimore bridge collapse where six fathers, husbands, brothers, and uncles died while (repairing) the infrastructure of our nation. The sacrifices immigrants make for our country each and every day should be celebrated, not criminalized or demonized.
It’s time to cut through the noise and tell the truth about immigration: Our economy and country are stronger because of it. Some leaders would have us think it’s a zero-sum game when our country takes in immigrants, but that’s not true..
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the U.S. economy will grow by an extra $7 trillion over the next ten years thanks to immigrants. Moreover, in 2021 immigrants paid $524.7 billion in taxes. That’s money that fuels our nation’s K-12 schools, Medicaid, and Social Security.
Gisela Reyna, Austin
The U.S. should bill source countries
for the costs of illegal immigration
Source countries for migrants shouldThe governments of Mexico and other mass migration-source countries should be billed by the U.S. government annually for the costs to U.S. taxpayers of coping with their unlawfully-present citizens in our country. If these governments are going to argue against U.S. immigration enforcement in the U.S. Court of Appeals, they should help pay the freight.
Richard J. Douglas, Spring
Trump on abortion? Whichever way
is the most likely to win re-election
Trump’s position on abortion has been as changeable as Texas weather. In 1999, he said on “Meet the Press” that he was “very pro-choice…I hate the concept of abortion.” Over the last 25 years, he’s been all over the map. Should it be up to the states or the federal government? How does the base feel?
In Tina Turner’s song, “What’s Love Got to do With It” there is this line: “What’s love, but a second-hand emotion?”
Most people base their position on their moral values – something Trump lacks. To him, morality is a “second-hand emotion.” His decision depends on which position is most likely to win him reelection.
Carl Lloyd, San Antonio
Texans respect military history. The
Doolittle Raiders deserve our respect.
April 18th marks the 82nd anniversary of the Doolittle Raiders attack on Japan. Thirteen Texans were among 80 B-25 bomber airmen who flew off of the USS Hornet. No other state had as many. Texas high school history students are not taught about the mission that took place 132 days after Pearl Harbor.
Texans respect the military. Installations across Texas train service members. Nearly 1.5 million veterans call Texas home. The National Medal of Honor Museum will open in Arlington. National cemeteries in Dallas, El Paso, Kerrville, and Houston provide a final resting place for Texas heroes.
We don’t teach Texas students about the mission that jolted Japan’s military and began America’s comeback in the Pacific. Not including the Doolittle Raiders in our state’s public school history curriculum helps students forget about their heroics.
Alan E. Mesches, Frisco
Clarification
An editorial about free tuition at Austin Community College in Wednesday’s edition should have noted that $6.8 million in state funding nearly doubled ACC net revenue for fiscal year 2023-24.
How to submit a letter to the editor
Send letters of no more than 150 words by using our online form at https://bit.ly/3Crmkcf or send an email to letters@statesman.com.
We welcome your letters on all topics. Include your name and city of residence; we do not publish anonymous letters.
An outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness that can cause explosive diarrhea, has been confirmed in Texas, prompting health officials to urge extra precautions when handling fresh produce.
The Texas Department of State Health Services has confirmed 48 cases of cyclosporiasis across 10 Texas counties. State health officials say there have been no deaths linked to the outbreak so far.
There are no reported cases in Southeast Texas at this time, and Port Arthur officials say they have not received any reported cases from area hospitals or health care providers. Still, health officials say now is the time to take extra precautions.
Judith Smith, Port Arthur’s director of health services, said cyclosporiasis is caused by “a microscopic parasite that is usually found in contaminated food and contaminated water.”
Smith said contamination typically stems from floodwater or sewage water when produce is harvested, allowing parasites to transfer to produce long before it reaches consumers.
“I have not heard of an outbreak like this. It’s been a while. It might have been 2023, 2024, and so, you know, and of course, Texas is not immune,” Smith said.
Smith said foods that are eaten raw can pose a higher risk. “Those foods that are not cooked are the ones that really make you more at risk,” she said.
Health officials recommend washing raw produce, including lettuce, cilantro, raspberries and basil. They also recommend cleaning cutting boards, refrigerating fresh goods and throwing away any remaining produce after experiencing symptoms.
Symptoms can include watery diarrhea, fatigue, lack of appetite and a low-grade fever. “Those individuals that may have that watery diarrhea or really just more than two to three days should seek medical attention,” Smith said.
Testing can confirm the parasite, and early treatment can help prevent more serious complications, especially for children and elderly relatives. Health care experts recommend contacting a health care provider as soon as possible if persistent stomach cramps and other symptoms develop after eating fresh produce.
The Texas Longhorns are less than two months away from starting their regular season slate of the 2026 schedule.
Just like last season, the Longhorns have been given unrealistic expectations by some, but will look to avoid the slow start that had everyone counting them out in September. On paper, the Longhorns should be a lot better than they were last season.
A national championship run should be on the table for head coach Steve Sarkisian and his team. One of the reasons that is a possibility is due to the Longhorns have something in common with previous national championship winners.
Legacy Year
Last season, the college football world was enamored by the Indiana Hoosiers. A program that no one saw ever winning the national championship, was hoisting the trophy at the end of the season.
Now, the Hoosiers had a talented roster from top to bottom. But the play of starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza was the leading factor in this team reaching the mountaintop.
Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning has the chance to make that same impression this season. After his first full season as the starting quarterback in Austin last year, there is a growing confidence that Manning is going to be on another level in 2026.
Last season, Manning threw for 3,163 yards and 26 touchdown passes. If you were to compare those numbers to Mendoza’s last season, the Hoosiers quarterback threw for 3,535 yards and an impressive 41 touchdown passes.
Those numbers make it clear that Manning will have to elevate his performance this season. With a revamped offensive line, the Longhorns quarterback may have the time to rival the numbers of Mendoza from this past season.
But another key piece to the Longhorns’ 2026 roster is a massive wide receiver addition.
It’s going to take the whole village, and Coach Sarkisian went out and got one of the most talented wide receivers in the transfer portal with Cam Coleman.
Coleman had two solid years with the Auburn Tigers and now will look to be the deep field threat for Manning and the Longhorns. The junior receiver’s addition to the roster could take this offensive unit to being one of the top units in the country.
All championship teams have a quarterback who could lead them to victory. Manning could very well be the next elite quarterback to hold a national championship trophy.
Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram for the latest news.
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
Join several Austin labor unions and community members to honor Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s life and the countless immigrants who have been impacted by ICE.
The community vigil will take place at the Wildflower Church on Saturday, July 11th starting at 6 PM. All are welcome to bring flowers and candles as we honor the loss of life and grieve the separation of families.
Community Vigil Details
🗓️ July 11, 2026 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM
🗺️ 1314 E Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704
🚗 Public transit and rideshare encouraged! Limited parking available and overflow parking may be available at Travis High School.
Please consider donating to the family’s GoFundMe if you are able: https://bit.ly/atx4lorenzo
-
San Francisco, CA5 minutes agoClassical music series helps reconnect downtown San Francisco community
-
Dallas, TX10 minutes agoDallas police officers, paramedics recall saving woman stuck in a ravine for days;
-
Boston, MA20 minutes agoRed Sox win 7th straight game just hours after landing in New York
-
Denver, CO25 minutes agoOne tree at a time: Denver nonprofit works to close shade gap as heat dome threatens neighborhoods
-
Seattle, WA32 minutes agoVIDEO: West Seattle Summer Fest 2026 day 1, evening report
-
San Diego, CA35 minutes agoThe World’s Number One Wellness Retreat is Right in Our Backyard
-
Milwaukee, WI40 minutes agoFestivalgoers say Milwaukee’s summer events fill a gap in downtown entertainment
-
Atlanta, GA47 minutes agoAtlanta mentoring program brings ‘Save Our Sons Tour’ to Jacksonville’s Duval Day
