Never miss a story
Sign up for our free daily morning email...
...and afternoon text update
×
austonia newsletter
Get connected with our daily update
Most viewed
(Christa McWhirter)
Trump supporters gather in front of the Texas Capitol while the U.S. Capitol building was breached.
While 2020 gave us at least two weeks of relative sanity before COVID-19 struck, 2021 started out in utter chaos.
Despite New Year's Day being relatively quiet for the American people, a break from the madness would turn out to be short lived. Here's a look at what the new year has brought so far:
<p><strong>Day 2</strong></p><p>On day two of the new year, University of Texas fans got news that <a href="https://austonia.com/tom-herman-fired" target="_self">Head Football Coach Tom Herman</a> had been fired. And only moments later, it was announced that Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian would replace Herman as head coach.<em><strong> </strong></em></p><p>The announcement came as a shock to many after they just watched the Texas Longhorns beat the Colorado Buffalos in a 55-23 bowl victory and finished the season with a 7-3 record. In December, Texas Athletics Director Chris Del Conte had also <a href="https://twitter.com/Jake_M_Garcia/status/1337847769185333249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1337847769185333249%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kvue.com%2Farticle%2Fsports%2Fncaa%2Flonghorns%2Ftexas-longhorns-tom-herman-keeps-coach-job%2F269-e544d73c-e0fe-4e98-912e-ded5127b05e5" target="_blank">confirmed Herman would keep his job.</a></p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="e7d71f6c086215d17a928b45b06fc819" id="77490"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1345410804011708417"><div style="margin:1em 0">https://t.co/w0BcDoAJXM https://t.co/fqLa3dr1E0</div> — Chris Del Conte (@Chris Del Conte)<a href="https://twitter.com/_delconte/statuses/1345410804011708417">1609605906.0</a></blockquote></div><p><strong>Day 4</strong><br/></p><p>On Jan. 4, the city experienced the <a href="https://austonia.com/cedar-fever-reaches-high" target="_blank">second-highest levels</a> of cedar pollen in the past 25 years. This can be stressful because, while there are some key differences—primarily the lack of fever in the so-called "cedar fever"—pollen allergies and COVID-19 have similar symptoms such as congestion, runny nose, headache, fatigue and change in smell or taste.</p><p><strong>Day 5</strong></p><p>In week one of the new year, the U.S. has experienced massive spikes in positive covid cases. Hospitals are maxing out their ICU beds, <a href="https://communityimpact.com/austin/central-austin/coronavirus/2021/01/05/top-local-health-authority-says-austin-area-icus-are-on-track-to-exceed-capacity-in-the-coming-weeks/" target="_blank">a joint statement</a> from Ascension Seton, Baylor Scott & White Health and St. David's HealthCare revealed on Tuesday said that 2,473 staffed beds within all three healthcare systems are 79% occupied, and the 483 ICU beds are 88% occupied.</p><p><strong><span></span>Day 6</strong><br/></p><p>Congress' met to certify the election results with some senators prepared to claim voter fraud, including Texas Senator <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/01/02/cruz-johnson-9-other-gop-senators-say-they-will-not-vote-certify-electors-unless-audit-is-conducted/" target="_blank">Ted Cruz</a>.<span></span></p><p>Trump supporters descended upon Washington D.C. in the thousands for the "Save America" <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/01/02/cruz-johnson-9-other-gop-senators-say-they-will-not-vote-certify-electors-unless-audit-is-conducted/" target="_blank">rally at The Ellipse</a> where President Donald Trump told the crowd to march down the road to the nation's Capitol building.</p><p>Protesters across the country gathered in front of their own state Capitol buildings, including hundreds of people who congregated in front of the <a href="https://austonia.com/trump-austin-rally-2021" target="_blank">Texas Capitol chanting, "Stop the steal!"</a><br/></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="e2221e9b6c75025880e8eef05800f302" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="2f657" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTI2OTAwMy9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0NzM0Njk0MH0.RKYCHc1xTQW3x98dEe4rFOLal0l1h6LB9h_bmvO7HvU/img.jpg?width=980"/>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Signs from the Trump rally at the Texas Capitol on Jan 6.</small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">Christa McWhirter</small></p><p>By mid-afternoon, the U.S. Capitol building was breached for the first time since 1812 by protesters in D.C. in what is being labeled by lawmakers across the country as an insurrection. Four people were killed in the riot—including <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/congress-electoral-college-tally-live-updates/2021/01/08/954842931/what-we-know-about-the-capitol-police-officer-who-died" target="_blank">one Capitol building police officer</a>.</p><p><strong>Day 7</strong></p><p>Austin's Ending Community Homelessness Coalition announced they would <a href="https://austonia.com/austin-homelessness-count-2021" target="_blank">not move forward with the homeless count</a> for this year, following many other cities that have cited COVID-19 concerns.</p><p>Also on Jan. 7, the U.S. recorded for the first time a one-day death count of <a href="https://www.kut.org/covid-19/2021-01-08/u-s-records-more-than-4-000-dead-in-1-day-from-covid-19-a-grim-new-record" target="_blank">4,000 due to COVID-19</a>. In Texas, the first case of the more contagious COVID-19 strain was identified in a <a href="https://austonia.com/harris-county-new-coronavirus-strain" target="_blank">Harris County resident</a>. </p><p><strong></strong>Despite so much chaos at the beginning of 2021, one new Austinite seems to be doing well for himself. Tesla CEO Elon Musk was officially named the <a href="https://austonia.com/austin-elon-musk-richest-person" target="_self">richest man in the world</a>. The South African entrepreneur recently surpassed Jeff Bezos' worth of $187 billion when his worth rose to $188.5 billion.</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a82a3a075a3afeb5c95b9745eb140613" id="319ad"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1347204459147902978"><div style="margin:1em 0">@teslaownersSV How strange</div> — Elon Musk (@Elon Musk)<a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/statuses/1347204459147902978">1610033547.0</a></blockquote></div><p>Some say it feels like 2020 never ended with all that's happened in just one full week of the new year.<br/></p>
Keep Reading
Show less
Popular
(Heather McKenzie/Austonia)
Hundreds gathered Saturday for the Women's March in downtown Austin from Wooldridge Square to the Texas Capitol.
<p>The event was part of a national movement for women to march against President Donald Trump's nomination for Supreme Court to fill the late Ruth Bader Ginsberg's seat. The Austin march was organized on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/4569586953083758/?active_tab=discussion" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.</p>
<p>Prior to the march, the event featured multiple speakers, including Democratic House of Representative candidates, Wendy Davis and Julie Oliver. </p>
<p>"Four years ago we were on the precipice of electing the first woman president," Davis said referring to Hillary Clinton's candidacy. "Little did we know at the time that a nightmare was about to begin," she added.</p>
<p>According to the national <a href="https://www.facebook.com/womensmarchonwash/photos/a.1361065283906747/3707481439265108/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Women's March Facebook page</a>, the organization planned to host over 425 in-person and virtual events on Saturday. This is the second Women's March that the group has hosted in 2020. Similar marches took place in other central Texas locations, including Georgetown and Bastrop. </p>
<p>The Women's March coincided with a dynamic day of activism in Austin, as the March for Trump and the Climate of Hope and Peace for Armenia events also descended on the Texas Capitol throughout the day. </p>
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDUyODQ4MS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyNTQzMzgwOH0.c9vv2K9aUFWcWfCIa6mDNYxYa1LYWhgTyhLDIvQHxDI/img.jpg?width=980" id="53ee2" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="9f8ee1c3f3242a43fed2daf255192df9" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="3520" data-height="1980" />
(Heather McKenzie/Austonia)
From Your Site Articles
Keep Reading
Show less
On the first day of early voting, Austin Police reports no issues despite long lines
13 October 2020
Assistant Police Chief Joe Chacon briefs reporters Tuesday afternoon about the first day of early voting in Austin and department plans for managing potential election-related unrest in the coming weeks.
The Austin Police Department reports no issues that required their attention during the first day of early voting, Tuesday.
<p>Amid <a href="https://austonia.com/early-voting-travis-county" target="_self">long lines and record voter registration efforts</a>, Austin Assistant Police Chief Joe Chacon told reporters Tuesday afternoon that no patrol officers have been dispatched to polling sites so far. </p>
<p>Police officials and city leaders expressed concern this week <a href="https://austonia.com/austin-protest-election-week" target="_self">about election-related unrest</a>. But so far, Chacon said there have been no specific threats in Austin that raise concern.</p>
<p> "Austin Police Department will be prepared if something comes up," Chacon said. </p>
<p>The department is "adequately staffed" for election patrol efforts, Chacon said, despite no additional staffing made available. </p>
<p>APD will not provide an active role in site security, with no officers assigned or stationed to actively monitor polling sites, Chacon said. Instead, polling judges are located at each site and have been trained when it might be necessary to contact authorities.</p>
<p>Patrol officers have been made aware of polling location sites and will manage long lines that potentially become a safety hazard for voters and passing motorists.</p>
<p>"However, they are not there to take any action other than that," Chacon said.</p>
<p>Early voting runs from Oct. 13-30 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Election Day voting takes place 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 3. </p>
<p><strong>More on voting:</strong></p>
<h2><a href="https://austonia.com/travis-county-early-voting-2020" target="_self">Here's where you can vote early in Travis County</a></h2>
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDUwNjk0OC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxNDE0MDkxOX0.LO36rxXIBv6gr3diP978TaghyKYjXPrD216Z4q2xUYg/img.jpg?width=980" id="518b2" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="7133def5c8ac35112b61935c14476be2" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />Here's where you can vote early in Travis County(Emma Freer/Austonia)
From Your Site Articles
- 5 things Austin learned about voting in a pandemic - austonia ›
- College athletes get Election Day off led by Chris Bosh - austonia ›
- Austonia's 2020 voter guide: polling places, interesting races ... ›
- Where to vote early in Travis County in the 2020 election - austonia ›
- 20 candidates will vie for five Austin City Council seats this November ›
- Austin businesses reward you for voting early in Travis County - austonia ›
Keep Reading
Show less
Several arrested, video streamer attacked during downtown Austin protest for Breonna Taylor
24 September 2020
(Laura Figi/Austonia)
Hiram Garcia, on the right with a white mask, talks to a protester after he is shoved to the ground for live streaming.
After a Kentucky grand jury ruled not to charge two of the three police officers involved in the killing of Breonna Taylor, protesters across the country took to the streets, including at the Texas Capitol and Austin City Hall to stand against the decision.
<p>The protest, titled "Justice for Breonna Taylor—Solidarity with Louisville," started at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The protest was not organized by a specific group or person, though groups like the Mike Ramos Brigade, a local anti-police organization with ties to antifa, and Back the Blue, a pro-police organization, were present.</p><p>Protester Ellie A., who was not affiliated with any group, said she was there to protest for what matters.</p><p>"Black lives matter," Ellie said. "That is not apparent from the things that happen in our world."</p><p>Shortly after the protest began, a group of protesters attacked Hiram Garcia, an independent streamer who often films protests and "history in the making," by shoving Garcia and his camera to the floor. Some protesters yelled and suggested he leave the protest. </p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="5489f343d934e9a702a23162e2250d33" id="ae9c0"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1308931333129895937"><div style="margin:1em 0">A fight has broken out against Hiram Garcia, an independent streamer. Protesters became physical and tried to knock… https://t.co/MSCmkMy0Ay</div> — Laura Figi (@Laura Figi)<a href="https://twitter.com/figlet__/statuses/1308931333129895937">1600908523.0</a></blockquote></div><p>Garcia, who streams on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ImHiram/videos/2476267032669707/" target="_blank">Facebook Live</a>, said he has been attending protests since May 30 and said people are quick to recognize him.<br/></p><p>"They just don't want me here, that's it," Garcia said. "The problem is I'm an unbiased host."</p><p>Protest attendee, who goes by the name Shera, has been protesting for racial justice since May and said she has faced dangerous situations, such as being pepper sprayed. Shera said Garcia was generally accepted at first, but while he elects to remain neutral, he has gained a right-wing audience he has yet to denounce.</p><p>"(Garcia has) talked to the cops in a way that a lot of the protesters don't like, or just giving them airtime (on the livestream) and loving them—pretty much speaking propaganda," Shera said. "It's okay if they don't want him here but getting physical like that … is just completely uncalled for."</p><p>About 45 minutes into the protest, protesters took to West Cesar Chavez Street and blocked traffic. Shortly after, they were followed by multiple police cars, who ordered them to clear out the roads under threat of arrest.</p><p>Groups of protesters continued to march through the streets, as several people were arrested. One protester was arrested on 3rd Street and San Jacinto, seen being patted down with zip-tied wrists.</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="1e884ae11332299f212f033562714939" id="2c229"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1308941191304667137"><div style="margin:1em 0">Here on 2nd Street and San Jacinto, a protester is being arrested. An officer said she was being arrested for “thro… https://t.co/xKcMdeYi60</div> — Laura Figi (@Laura Figi)<a href="https://twitter.com/figlet__/statuses/1308941191304667137">1600910873.0</a></blockquote></div><p>Several protesters were arrested for class B and C misdemeanors, according to the Austin Police Department. <br/></p><p>Shera said the protests were meant to show solidarity with Louisville and Breonna Taylor, and the ruling was disappointing. </p><p>"We are not done," Shera said. "We are still waiting for a lot of justice to be served for the police that have hurt all of the protesters that are out here."</p><p><br/></p><p><strong>More on protesters:</strong> </p>
<h2><a href="https://austonia.com/austins-protests-black-lives-matter" target="_self">Austin's amateur sleuths spotlight police violence at BLM protests</a></h2>
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzUzOTgwOC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxODM0MzE5Nn0.GBHEX3p_Uk-5P5k9Cvruky5cgNzGjUlyxiebHdGEuko/img.jpg?width=980" id="50f2f" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="6f981b902a169704e2ece727fbbf84ba" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />Austin's amateur sleuths spotlight police violence at BLM protests
From Your Site Articles
- Austin police will no longer use 'less lethal' bean bag ammunition at ... ›
- Protesters injured by Austin police bean bag rounds - austonia ›
- Manley: Two protesters shot by APD with 'less lethal' rounds remain ... ›
- Mounted officers from the Austin Police Department clash with ... ›
- Austin protesters clash with police after Garrett Foster's death ... ›
- Austin braces for election-week unrest - austonia ›
- Austin police prepare for election-week protests - austonia ›
- Election protests could test new Austin police policies - austonia ›
- Protest recap: Austinites rally after election results - austonia ›
- Mike Ramos' mother sues for wrongful death by police - austonia ›
Keep Reading
Show less
