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Hundreds of Austin residents speak on cuts to police budget at Austin City Council hearing
24 July 2020
(Charlie L. Harper III/Austonia)
A marathon hearing on the next Austin budget, held virtually on Thursday, included testimony from hundreds of residents voicing concern that only $11 million was cut from the Austin Police Department's $400 million allocation, KUT reports.
The number was far short of the $100 million in cuts requested in the wake of protests against police violence.
200 out of the 286 speakers that we managed to note asked for the minimum $100 million APD budget cut proposed by… https://t.co/zRThGY5tjL— ATXJusticeCoalition (@ATXJusticeCoalition)1595566053.0
The Austin Police Association and others are pushing back, saying that the department needs funding in order to continue to enforce the law.
As #atxcouncil discusses what @Austin_Police services to pass to other agencies or whether or how the budget should… https://t.co/dqtHMEkEcX— Austin Police Association (@Austin Police Association)1595524920.0
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(Tom Madison)
Six weeks into the federal COVID-19 vaccine rollout, the number of Ausinites who have received a shot—or two—is growing, with recipients reporting immense relief and sharing happy selfies.
<p><span style="background-color: initial;">But it's not all smiles. As many encounter long waitlists, tech glitches and mixed messages in search of a shot, some who have received the vaccine feel guilty. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: initial;"></span>Austonia spoke to six individuals about their vaccine experience, including how they found their appointments, whether they experienced any side effects and how being vaccinated has affected their lives. </p><p><br/></p>
Carly Hatchell, 25
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTUwNzk1NC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0MjE1ODcyM30.1Z8vDzZp-2FpKTXQAGAS4PE3Zmy5i7IGq5LBhTFQwvU/img.png?width=1200&coordinates=0%2C420%2C0%2C420&height=800" id="ec5ec" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="784f573e7e59226846176634e901f648" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1200" data-height="800" />(Carly Hatchell)
<p>Like most early vaccine recipients in Texas, Carly Hatchell is a frontline healthcare worker. As a psychiatric research associate at Dell Medical School and Dell Children's Medical Center, she received her shot from UT Health Austin, the medical school's clinical arm, which was the first provider in Travis County to receive doses from the state.</p><p>Hatchell received her first shot on Dec. 18, during the initial week of the rollout, and her second shot earlier this month. "I was very clear on my decision," she told Austonia. "Public health is a big interest to me. I actually served as a contact tracer earlier on in the pandemic."</p><p>Other than some soreness in her arm, she didn't experience any other side effects.<br></p><p>Hatchell described her vaccine experience as bittersweet, mostly because although she is now protected most people around her are not. "I have parents (in Houston) who are retired and older, and I know it's really difficult for them," she said. "I kind of wish I could share my dose with them."</p><p>Until most people are vaccinated, Hatchell is planning on operating as though she isn't. "I do feel confident that I am at less risk," she said. "But I haven't reduced my precautions just because we don't yet have the data (about long-term protections)."</p>Tom Madison, 43
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTUwODE0Ni9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0OTg4MTkzMX0.Iy6vqa1O2lVbX-0wE1pmCFn6zBYgxDUJfop9XNu60GM/img.jpg?width=980" id="6e343" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="0c8732e6c36a94506fc53df3dd2ce2d7" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="480" data-height="600" /><p>Tom Madison is a lieutenant in the Austin Fire Department and the husband of Austin City Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison, who has lupus and is a breast cancer survivor, putting her at high risk of death from COVID.</p><p>Because of Madison's job, where he runs the risk of exposure on every shift, he moved out of <a href="https://austonia.com/austin-fire-coronavirus" target="_blank">his family's home in March</a>. Now that he has received both shots of the vaccine, he feels safer—but is still cautious. </p><p>"I'm still staying in the trailer next to the house," he said. "So we're still social distancing from one another because (Austin-Travis County Interim Health Authority) Dr. (Mark) Escott told my wife that we should do it until she gets vaccinated." </p><p>In the meantime, Madison has helped administer vaccines at the Delco Center, where Austin Public Health has hosted mass distribution events. "It was a huge operation," he said. "People waited in line for hours. When they go in there, they were so appreciative. It was nice to see."</p>Nancy Kahn, 64
<p>Nancy Kahn is a nurse who works for a very small company that wasn't able to provide her access to a vaccine. So she began searching for an appointment anywhere she could find one, including a pharmacy in New Braunfels that she heard had one vial—with 10 doses—for healthcare workers. After waiting on the phone for an hour, she snagged a spot at Austin Regional Clinic. "I got lucky," she said. </p><p>Kahn's husband falls in the 1B group as someone who is over 65 years old and who has had cancer twice. So far, she has enrolled him in three waitlists. "He's number 3,000 at one place. He's 600 at another place," she said. "At ARC, I don't know what number."</p><p>Still, Khan is optimistic. "I've got a sister in Arizona and a brother in Illinois," she said. "There's no talk of 1B (eligibility in those states). So it could be worse."</p>Stephanie E., 35
<p>Stephanie E., who works for a law enforcement agency with a no-media policy and asked that her last name not be used, was surprised when her employer offered her a vaccine because she has worked from home the entirety of the pandemic. "There was a lot of guilt," she said. "But I'm also 35 weeks pregnant now. It's not likely they were going to give my dose to a teacher or anything, so I went ahead and did it."</p><p>E.'s midwife and maternal-fetal medicine doctor told her they couldn't encourage or discourage her from getting vaccinated because of the limited data. But she wasn't concerned. "If Dr. Fauci gets it, then it seems safe," she said, adding that she feels better about her upcoming hospital stay—when she'll give birth—knowing that she has an extra layer of protection.</p><p>Now vaccinated, E. hasn't let down her guard. With three kids at home, including an 11-month old, she and her husband continue to be cautious, avoiding visits with even extended family. "They're going to meet two babies at once," she said.</p>Capri Conlon, 29
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTUwNzk2NC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2ODI3MTkyNH0.yLnRFz4NuS0DXcco02pQngPC-2cP_LW2N7oAWuset4Q/img.jpg?width=1200&coordinates=0%2C635%2C0%2C635&height=800" id="2c42c" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="d4c1cb0bcd2dd03ece42f6e712bcd37d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1200" data-height="800" /><p>Capri Conlin is a nurse practitioner for Dell Children's Hospital. Last month, her employer sent out a sign-up link to all eligible employees, but Conlin's name was accidentally left off of it. Luckily, it was a quick fix and she received her first shot on the same day as Hatchell, in mid-December. "There's finally a light at the end of the tunnel," she said after receiving her second shot. "It feels surreal." </p><p>Conlin's patients are children and most of them are immunocompromised. As a result, she has changed her way of life to ensure she doesn't put any of them at risk of contracting COVID-19. </p><p>"Getting the vaccine, it just felt like a big relief," she said. "I just know going into my patients' room I'm not putting them at risk anymore."</p>Lynne Wiesman, 61
<p>Wiesman is a professor at Austin Community College, where she teaches American sign language interpreting. Before the pandemic, she also worked often as an interpreter in area hospitals. </p><p>Although the state of Texas did not include interpreters in group 1A, a local agency successfully advocated for interpreters to be prioritized in Travis County because of their work on the front lines. </p><p>As a result, Wiesman was able to make an appointment to get vaccinated after someone shared the number for a triage nurse at ARC on a private FB page for interpreters. "I do anticipate going back to (work in) hospitals," she said. </p><p>But first Wiesman needs her second shot, which is scheduled for early February. "They've assured us (there will be enough doses)," she said. "That's the only thing that I have a slight concern about." </p><p>Wiesman opted out of taking a photo of herself having received the vaccine. She says she didn't want to rub it in the face of less privileged people who wish to be vaccinated. </p>From Your Site Articles
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(CC)
Turns out, celebrities enjoy Stubb's BBQ just as much as the rest of Austin. Recent Texas transplants Joe Rogan and Elon Musk were spotted along with Dave Chappelle and other celebrities at the popular Texas venue for a night on the town.
<p>To prove it, Rogan posted a photo of himself surrounded by a VIP entourage: comedians Michelle Wolf, Donnell Rawlings, Mohammed Amer and Ron White; musician and Musk's partner Grimes, Austin restaurateur CK Chin and photographer Mathieu Bitton.</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f0f48772ef0041e3a0a8c8ca976956c0" id="9fad4"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
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</div></blockquote></div><p>It is unclear when the pictures were taken since most of the group posted the photo yesterday, though Rawlings made his post three days ago. However, Rogan and Chappelle's last show at the venue was on Friday. The photos were taken at Stubb's backstage, according to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CKIJ581HlOY/" target="_blank">White's post</a>.<br/></p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="d64b93e47d0145c6387f7921d75aa975" id="7c50c"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
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</div></blockquote></div><p>This is not the first time Rogan, Chappelle and Musk have been seen together. Rogan and Chappelle have teamed up for several joint comedy shows, first at Big Laugh Comedy in November, then at a series of shows for Stubb's.<br/></p><p>Musk has famously appeared on Rogan's podcast on more than one occasion. The Tesla CEO can be expected around Austin more as his newest Gigafactory in Southeast Travis County comes to life.</p><p>Safe to say, this probably won't be the last time we see the group together. </p>
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With the first overall pick, Austin FC is likely to choose Clemson midfielder Philip Mayaka, a promising Generation adidas signee.
As Major League Soccer's only expansion team this season, Austin FC will receive first pick in all three rounds of the MLS SuperDraft on Thursday.
<p>The draft, which features 171 college seniors, Generation Adidas players and select eligible players, will be a chance for Austin FC to round out its roster with some younger players before their inaugural season. Generation Adidas players are younger college players who signed with Adidas so they can go pro earlier. </p><p>Because of a deal made with the Montreal Impact in the Expansion Draft, the team will also have the 11th pick in the first round.</p><p>With the first choice, Austin FC will have a chance to nab Philip Mayaka, a Clemson midfielder and Generation Adidas signee who is widely regarded as the No. 1 choice. Other top contenders include Wake Forest forward Calvin Harris, Washington defender Ethan Bartlow and New Hampshire defender Josh Bauer.</p><p>While MLS teams' own development academies provide direct access to young players and the Expansion Draft often packs more star power, the SuperDraft has produced several league legends since its creation in 2000. Some past SuperDraft picks include 2012 MLS Most Valuable Player Chris Wondolowski and Andre Shinyashiki, who earned 2019 Rookie of the Year honors after signing with the Colorado Rapids.</p><p>With big names Diego Fagundez and Matt Besler already in the mix, the SuperDraft will provide an opportunity for Austin FC to add in rookies with both immediate starting power and the potential to grow with the new program.</p><p>The club has already reached 17 players in its roster, with six defenders, four midfielders, four forwards and three goalkeepers. An MLS club can have up to 30 active players on their roster.</p><p>The first round of the draft will broadcast live on <a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/" target="_blank">mlssoccer.com</a> at 1 p.m., giving the chance for fans to watch the team make both the first and 11th pick. The final two rounds will be tracked live on mlssoccer.com's <a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft/2021/tracker" target="_blank">SuperDraft tracker</a> and will be updated on all Austin FC social media.</p>
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