The Common Law

New Texas laws passed in the 2023 legislative session

"...No More Statewide COVID-19 Mandates. Gov. Greg Abbott imposed all types of statewide COVID-19-related..."

Sept. 8, 2023 Column by Luke Ellis

Texas GOP's Book Bans Are the First Step in Anti-Public Education Crusade

Banning books (for Jesus!)

"...far right and have followed their previous crusades against mask mandates and the accurate teaching of race. They are..."

June 30, 2023 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

Bill of the Week: Bracing for a School Choice Battle

Senate Bill 176 would create "parental empowerment accounts"

"...debates, but attitudes have shifted after COVID shutdowns and mask mandates, an epidemic of mental health crises among students,..."

Feb. 24, 2023 News Feature by Maggie Quinlan

Grassroots Bakers Effect Change, One Cupcake at a Time

From suffrage to City Council races, flour power abounds

"...Kaden as very politically and fairness-minded, having advocated for mask mandates in his classroom during the 2021-22 school year...."

Sept. 2, 2022 Food Feature by Melanie Haupt

Deep-Pocket Donors Fund Right-Wing School Board Candidates in the Austin Suburbs

Drama outside of town

"...Fueled by mask mandates and culture wars reinvigorated by the Texas Legislature,..."

April 29, 2022 News Feature by Morgan O’Hanlon

Closing AISD Middle Schools, One Grade at a Time?

Two historically Black and Latinx middle schools set to lose sixth grade

"...No more mask mandates: At a special called meeting last week, Elizalde..."

March 11, 2022 News Feature by Morgan O’Hanlon

Opinion: Brené Brown – Join Our Union and Take Another Principled Stand

Union organizers argue the UT administration remains beholden to a political leadership that regularly dismisses students' and workers' concerns

"...demanding COVID precautions on campus – specifically vaccine and mask mandates and hazard pay. Members testified to the UT..."

March 4, 2022 Column by Sol Weiner

Round Rock ISD Boils Over as Superintendent Fate Is in Limbo

Board of Trustees punts its final decision

"...Azaiez's resignation along with the conservative culture-war agenda (lifting mask mandates, banning critical race theory, etc.), but they aren't..."

Feb. 25, 2022 News Feature by Morgan O’Hanlon

Round Rock ISD Drama Nears Climax

TEA superintendent investigation results to be revealed this week

"...as Azaiez defied Gov. Greg Abbott's executive order banning mask mandates in public schools by implementing a districtwide mask..."

Feb. 11, 2022 News Feature by Morgan O’Hanlon

Round Rock ISD Considers Recommendation That Superintendent Leave Amid Abuse Allegations

The latest development in a culture-wars-fueled fight against progressive RRISD Board

"...war zone. The district fought this fall to implement mask mandates and other public health protocols on campuses. The..."

Jan. 7, 2022 News Feature by Morgan O’Hanlon

Top Austin Headlines of 2021: Abbott’s Anti-Mask Moves Spur Revolts

July 29: Gov. Greg Abbott issues executive order GA-38, which prohibits local governments from mandating face masks to combat the spread of COVID-19

"...GA-38 executive order banning local governments from mandating face masks, even as the highly transmissible Delta variant and vaccine..."

Dec. 17, 2021 News Feature by Beth Sullivan

Top 10 Local Political Quotes of 2021

Some spoke truth to power and others introduced foot to mouth

"...Livingston on Texas A.G. Ken Paxton's challenge over Austin's mask rule (April 2)..."

Dec. 17, 2021 News Feature

Austin Police Live by Their Own COVID Rules, It Seems

A closer look at vaccine and mask policies among Austin's first responders

"...against severe illness should one become infected. And wearing masks and face coverings indoors reduces transmission of the virus,..."

Oct. 1, 2021 News Feature by Austin Sanders

The Common Law

School mask mandate – what’s the current state of the law?

"...I'm super confused. I know that AISD has a mask mandate. But I also know that Governor Abbott doesn't..."

Sept. 3, 2021 Column by Luke Ellis

Six-Week Abortion Ban Leads List of Bad New Texas Laws

Parade of horribles comes courtesy of the 87th Texas Legislature

"...which is now threatening school boards with violence over mask mandates instead. But Texas law now contains broad provisions..."

Sept. 3, 2021 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

Austin Heightens COVID Guidelines for Special Event Permits

Attendee screening, distancing provisions take effect Monday

"...six feet of distance between all attendees; and implementing “mask zones” in outdoor event areas where distancing is not..."

Aug. 29, 2021 News Post by Beth Sullivan

Back-to-School Brings New COVID-19 Records

Let there be masks

"...the wake of Texas' summer surge, and a statewide masking order was in place, so transmission among and within..."

Aug. 27, 2021 News Feature by Beth Sullivan

Public Notice: Good News!

Masks, vaccinations, skateboarders all get reprieves

"...and allowing Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins to require masks or face coverings in Dallas County "to address the..."

Aug. 27, 2021 News Column by Nick Barbaro

No Mask, No Vax, No Entry? The Battle Between Local and State Leaders Continues.

Texas officials meddle with local COVID measures

"...Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Andy Brown issued mandates last week requiring face masks at all public schools,..."

Aug. 20, 2021 News Feature by Beth Sullivan

Public Notice: Texas vs. Austin vs. COVID-19

In the courts and schools and bars, the battle rages

"...about last week, fighting school districts to stop their masking requirements as the fall semester begins, and even as..."

Aug. 20, 2021 News Column by Nick Barbaro

Austin Requires Masks in All Public Schools, Including Colleges

Local orders push back against Abbott’s ban on mask mandates

"...this week Austin and Travis County ordered that face masks are required at all public schools, as well as..."

Aug. 13, 2021 News Post by Beth Sullivan

Austin ISD Mandates Masks for Back to School

Austin joins Texas districts in defying Abbott's COVID-19 orders

"...in defying Gov. Greg Abbott's COVID-19 orders and requiring masks for students, teachers, staff, and visitors when in-person learning..."

Aug. 13, 2021 News Feature by Beth Sullivan

Headlines / Quote of the Week

"...Mask Up, It's Back to School: Next Tuesday, Aug. 17,..."

Aug. 13, 2021 News Feature

COVID-19 Update: ICU Bed Availability Drops to All-Time Low

And then there were two

"...local entities are barred from requiring vaccinations and face masks. Earlier this week, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins was..."

Aug. 13, 2021 News Feature by Beth Sullivan

Public Notice: Being Brave

School districts set to defy Abbott's political posturing

"...made the surprise announcement that AISD would implement a mask mandate for all school facilities, effective this week. Her..."

Aug. 13, 2021 News Column by Nick Barbaro

Austin Officially Enters Stage 5, Highest Level of COVID Precautions

Fully vaxxed? Mask up. And if you’re not? Get vaxxed already.

"...also recommends should dine outdoors with precautions like face masks. While under Stage 5, it’s strongly recommended that low-risk..."

Aug. 5, 2021 News Post by Beth Sullivan

Musicians Get Sinking Feeling as Fall Festivals Loom and COVID Surges

Will the beat go on? (Outside? Behind a mask?)

"...anniversary weekend programming would be at reduced capacity, with masks required indoors and recommended outdoors...."

Aug. 6, 2021 News Feature by Kevin Curtin

Vaccine or Ventilator? You Decide

As COVID-19 surges, the unvaxxed overwhelm Austin hospitals – again

"...had always leaned toward "individual responsibility" and away from mandates, but they included provisions to address local surges and..."

Aug. 6, 2021 News Feature by Beth Sullivan

Headlines / Quote of the Week

"...any COVID-19 safety precautions, including restaurant capacity limits and mask mandates at public schools. On Wednesday, Texas surpassed New..."

Aug. 6, 2021 News Feature

As COVID Surges, AISD to Offer Virtual School

Remote option for K-6 students too young for vaccine

"...recommendations of an essentials-only lockdown for unvaccinated Austinites and masks indoors for everybody – in her email to staff..."

July 30, 2021 News Feature by Clara Ence Morse

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