May 13, 2021Ready for AnythingBy Jennifer Xia It was mid-February and the house smelled like Christmas. The power had gone out and Maria Valdez needed light. …Journalism4 min readJournalism4 min read
Dec 22, 2020For Something GoodIn elementary school, whenever I had a test or if my dad had an important job interview, my mom would ask me to get on my knees and pray for something good before I went to sleep. …Personal Narrative3 min readPersonal Narrative3 min read
Dec 17, 2020Despite new barriers, organizers in Texas boost voter turnoutNovember 12, 2020 By Jennifer Xia, Dex Parra and Tori Duff Record levels of voter turnout during a pandemic could not have happened without the work of volunteers. With COVID-19 restrictions, voters faced unprecedented challenges casting their ballots. States changed their rules on absentee voting and voting dates, sparking protests…Voting6 min readVoting6 min read
Dec 17, 2020Increased funding to redirect crisis calls to mental health responders rather than the policeOctober 22, 2020 AUSTIN, Texas — Mackenzie Ulam volunteers at a crisis text line and has stayed up with people as they contemplated ending their life. Ulam knows the weight of her words in those moments. “You have people texting in, ‘Are you going to call 911 on me because…Journalism4 min readJournalism4 min read
Dec 17, 2020First-generation students face greater academic and social pressures during pandemicOctober 7, 2020 AUSTIN, Texas — Anthony Carreón donated plasma to make ends meet during college. As a first-generation student, he knew his mom already worked two jobs and had to pay his younger brother’s sports and band fees. …Journalism4 min readJournalism4 min read
Dec 11, 2020“Sorry, we’re open” became “Sorry, we’re closed” but Magnolia Cafe’s memories live onDecember 3, 2020 Kent Cole had two rules. The name had to have the word “cafe” and egg puns weren’t allowed. The Magnolia Cafe, which would become an Austin staple for more than 30 years, became another victim of COVID-19 in April. The cafe started with a naming contest. Co-owners…Restaurant5 min readRestaurant5 min read
Nov 11, 2020A Longing for the MundaneHolidays in my family have never been colored by the chaos of kids running barefoot through the kitchen or the murmur of adults gossiping over beer and sunflower seeds at the dining table. They have always been in fours, threes or twos. Fours in elementary school. Threes when my sister…Self Improvement3 min readSelf Improvement3 min read
