Austin Public Health facing 'uncertainty and instability' amid ongoing funding losses
Austin Public Health continues to face instability for its programs and employees as some of the department's extensive federal funding remains at risk or is being reduced.
APH has reported on its federal grant cuts throughout this year, and recently launched a website tracking the impacts of those changes. Public Health Director Adrienne Sturrup told City Council this week that the department remains in a period of "uncertainty and instability" related to millions of dollars for services and staff.
Several community-facing programs could be limited as grant funding winds down or is canceled. Sturrup said APH still remains prepared to confront a public health crisis, but that the department will likely face staffing challenges and less specialized response.
Preservation Austin announces participating businesses for Legacy Business Month
The 2025 Legacy Business Month participants have been announced, showcasing popular local destinations including Mozart’s Coffee Roaster and Room Service Vintage.
How it works: Starting Oct. 1, community members can pick up a free Legacy Business Month Passport from Wheatsville Co-op’s North and South locations or Zilker Taproom. Throughout the month, passport holders can visit participating businesses, support them with a purchase and receive a stamp in their passport.
Participants will have the opportunity to win prizes including two music passes to SXSW, spa experiences at Ottine Mineral Springs and gift cards and merch from participating businesses. Preservation Austin will host its kick-off party on Oct. 2 at Zilker Taproom from 6-9 p.m.. where Zilker Brewing Company will be serving limited edition Legacy Business Month beer.
Alpha School showcases expedited student learning through artificial intelligence alongside state, federal leaders
Austin-based private school Alpha School is aiming to expedite learning for more students using artificial intelligence at new academies opening across the country.
What happened: On Sept. 9, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Alpha School in Austin alongside Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath. Alpha School co-founder MacKenzie Price highlighted how the school is using AI to personalize and improve students’ education.
What they're saying:“It's the most exciting thing I've seen in education in a long time,” McMahon said about Alpha School. “I'm incredibly enthusiastic about this.”
How it works: Students complete their academic learning in two hours each day using an AI platform known as 2 Hour Learning. Price said the Alpha School model enables students to learn twice as fast as they would in a traditional school setting.
The update: Alpha School opened several new academies across the United States this school year, including a K-3 school in Plano and K-8 school in Fort Worth. The company is planning to open an academy in Houston this winter.
Cellphone ban, library materials: 8 new Texas laws impacting public schools
When Texas students returned to school in August, some substantial changes awaited them.
The overview:
House Bill 2 increases state funding for public schools by $8.4 billion.
House Bill 1481 prohibits students from using cellphones and other personal communication devices throughout the school day.
Senate Bill 12 requires parental consent for students to receive "medical, psychiatric and psychological treatment" on campus.
Senate Bill 13 gives parents and school boards more oversight of library materials.
House Bill 6 gives teachers more discretion to remove repeatedly disruptive or violent students from class.
Senate Bill 10 requires most schools to display donated posters of the Ten Commandments in classrooms.
Senate Bill 11 allows districts to set aside time for students and staff to pray or read religious texts at school.
Senate Bill 965 codifies school employees' rights to "engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty."
The context: The sweeping changes come after lawmakers passed what state leaders have called “transformative” education laws during this year’s regular legislative session, which ended June 2.
