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Matthew McConaughey featured on the cover of People Magazine… in a photo taken by his kids

It turns out, Austin's beloved actor Matthew McConaughey isn't the only talent in the family as his children are already entering the creative business.
McConaughey was featured on this month's People Magazine cover in a photo taken by none other than his kids. In fact, the magazine featured a whole spread taken by his 12-year-old son, Levi.
Matthew McConaughey Opens Up about Raising Creative Kids (They Even Took People's Cover Photo!) https://t.co/HmazyiQVabpic.twitter.com/USQvFr0bSr
— People (@people) October 14, 2020
In the spread, the 50-year-old actor discusses his joy in fatherhood, telling People, becoming a father was "ahead of any dreams of a career or vocation or fame or wealth. Being a father was the paramount."
McConaughey told People that quarantine has, in a sense, been a blessing on his children, Levi, 10-year-old Vida and 8-year-old Livingston, and encouraged them to delight in and hone their creative abilities.
The actor, who wears many hats from UT professor to novelist, told People that all three children have become quite good at snapping his photo, but they each have their own varied and independent interests, and he is proud that they are becoming self-reliant.
"The only thing I ever knew I wanted to be was a father and it's remained the pinnacle for me," McConaughey told People. "Being a dad was always my only dream."
Fatherhood is something McConaughey talks about in his new memoir, "Greenlights," which will be featured at the Texas Book Festival this year. The book comes out Oct. 20, but is currently available for preorder.
More on McConaughey:
- Matthew McConaughey's new book joins Texas Book Festival ... ›
- Austin FC fans to host Matthew McConaughey in memers-only Q n A ... ›
- Matthew McConaughey offers himself and UT football to raise funds ... ›
- McConaughey talks to former Longhorn Emmanuel Acho - austonia ›
- Minister of Culture Matthew McConaughey talks preserving Austin culture on Joe Rogan podcast - austonia ›
- Matthew McConaughey may consider a run for Texas governor - austonia ›
- Matthew McConaughey and Will Ferrell go head to head in Austin FC vs. LAFC - austonia ›
- Texans vote McConaughey in latest governor poll - austonia ›
- Matthew McConaughey reportedly mulls run for Texas governor - austonia ›
- McConaughey to start the engines at Sundays NASCAR race in Austin - austonia ›
- Most Austin voters support Matthew McConaughey for governor - austonia ›
- Matthew McConaughey, Emmanuel Acho join forces for public Q&A - austonia ›
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(Shutterstock)
For years Austin has been one of the top 5 places to live in the U.S., according to an annual ranking from U.S. News and World Report. But this year, Austin dropped out of the top 10.
The publication ranked Austin at No. 13, down from No. 5 last year, No. 3 in 2020 and No. 1 in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Cities ranking in the top this year were No. 1 Huntsville, Alabama, No. 2 Colorado Springs and No. 3 Green Bay, Wisconsin.
So why did it rank lower this year?
The hot housing market is part of the reason. The report states "Austin offers a lower value than similarly sized metro areas when you compare housing costs to median household income."
Still, Austin was the highest-ranked Texas city on the list. Adding to its desirability are its live music capital roots and the growing tech scene. The next Texas area on the list was Dallas-Fort Worth coming in at No. 32.
U.S. News says it analyzed 150 metro areas in the U.S. to make the list based on the quality of life, the job market, the value of living there and people's desire to live there.
- Austin named best city in Texas on U.S. News Best Places to Live ... ›
- Austin drops in WalletHub's 2021 Happiest Places to Live study ... ›
- Austin ranks in best cities for veteran to live in the U.S. - austonia ›
- Austin vs. Houston: what Texas city is best to live in? - austonia ›
- Top 5 in-demand neighborhoods in the Austin metro - austonia ›
(Pexels)
Austin parents and grocery store shelves are feeling the effects of a nationwide baby formula shortage.
Caused mostly by a February recall due to contamination issues, followed by the Abbott Nutrition factory closure in Michigan, the shortage has left Austin shelves barren. However, earlier this week, U.S. officials announced a plan with the facility to restart production.
In the meantime, local parents in crisis have turned toward the Mother’s Milk Bank to keep their babies fed.
HEB on East 7th has been picked clean of formula and is limiting purchases. (Laura Figi/Austonia)
The milk bank—which takes donations from lactating mothers and dispenses milk to babies in the NICU—has been helping feed upwards of 30 families in need as the formula supply tightens.
According to the bank’s executive director Kim Updegrove, Mother’s Milk Bank has seen an uptick in calls from parents with healthy babies in need of help since the shortage began.
“We aren't used to hearing from families with healthy infants,” Updegrove said. “They're typically very upset, angry, frustrated, sobbing—it's scary to not be able to feed your infants. So in the past few weeks, those calls have been significantly increasing.”
Mothers are only able to donate if they are within a year postpartum, so Updegrove said they are constantly bringing on and retiring donors. While donors had been on a 30% decline leftover from 2021 when the shortage began, Updegrove said the shortage has led to mass community interest and more than 90 prospective donors in just the past few days.
“We and other milk banks are experiencing significant interest from the community—becoming milk donors and helping to turn around this crisis,” Updegrove said. “Every infant needs to be fed, every one of us can relate to that need, and we need to make sure as a community that it happens.”
Whole Foods downtown was also cleaned out of typical formula. (Laura Figi/Austonia)
While you may still be able to find formula at places like Whole Foods—which currently has goat milk, soy and plant-based formula in stock—Updegrove said it might not be what a baby needs.
Updegrove said it is best to buy types that say “infant formula,” as they are FDA approved and will provide the nutrients, vitamins and minerals a baby needs. Plant-based, homemade, non-cow's milk or diluting formula may not provide the same nutritional value.
As the community navigates the shortage, Updegrove said the most important way to help out is to not panic buy or stockpile.
“This is a crisis for families,” Updegrove said. “This is the time for the community to gather together and figure out what everyone can do to help families with young infants.”