SARAH ECKHARDT

College recruiters warn that the brain drain could harm the competitiveness of Texas colleges and the overall economy.

Housing advocates, builders and real estate experts agree that the state simply isn’t building enough homes to keep up with its booming population and economic growth.

The State Commission on Judicial Conduct had admonished Eckhardt in 2020 for her actions as Travis County judge.

Ten years ago, the state led in requiring meningitis vaccines for students under 22 enrolling in college. Now, in the middle of a pandemic, lawmakers are more skeptical of a COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

Editor's note: In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to miss the major headlines, let alone San Antonio's must-read stories. According to the San Antonio Police Department, a 16-year-old was riding an electric scooter with a friend around 1:45 a.m. on Monday, June 1, when he felt something strike his lower leg. The victim was transported to San Antonio Medical Center with non-threatening injuries, and SAPD says the suspect remains unknown. This story from the Express-News chronicles how Farias' life was saved by a respiratory therapist who just happened to be her own daughter. Search for man last seen in Canyon Lake continuesThe search for a Houston man last seen in Canyon Lake is entering its fourth day.

The Texas Senate on Thursday approved a bill to ban homeless encampments throughout Texas — a response to the city of Austin lifting a similar local ban two years ago that was recently reinstated by voters.

The vote comes only weeks after Austin residents voted to reinstate a local public camping ban — two years after it was lifted.

Greg Abbott's office, after a rocky confirmation hearing Monday at the Texas Capitol. AdToward the end of the questioning, state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin, asked Yancy if he had "any regrets with regard to your public discourse." He is not unknown in Texas politics — he ran for Texas Senate in 2010. AdNext up was Sen. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, who asked Yancy about the anti-Reid tweet. Gutierrez asked Yancy if it was fair to say he "misspoke [or] overreached" with the tweet.

“There’s not a good answer for this, that’s the problem,” Rep. Michelle Beckley, D-Carrollton, told The Texas Tribune last week. “I think they’re doing the best that we can given the situation there,” King said of the House rules. She said the House rules were inadequate and that she would like to see “stronger social distancing” and more plexiglass dividing people on the floor. So it’s very unfortunate.”In the Texas Senate, meanwhile, the rules are more stringent. Through a spokesperson, Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, who authored the Senate rules regarding COVID-19 precautions, said he was not involved in any discussions with the Texas House.

Former Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt at The Texas Tribune Festival in 2018 Thomas Meredith for The Texas TribuneFormer Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt is set to succeed former state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, in the Texas Senate after state Rep. Eddie Rodriguez said Monday he is dropping out of the race. Eckhardt and Rodriguez, both Democrats, were poised to face off in a special election runoff for the seat. "For that reason," he wrote, "I have decided to forego the runoff for Senate and focus my efforts on winning a Democratic majority and promoting an aggressive, progressive agenda in the Texas House." Eckhardt and Rodriguez finished first and second, respectively, in the six-way race on July 14. Greg Abbott had not yet set a date for the runoff.

Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt speaks at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 29, 2018. Thomas Meredith for The Texas TribuneFormer Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt was leading the way Tuesday night in the special election to replace former state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, though it remained unclear whether she would be able to avoid a runoff. Eckhardt, who needs 50% of the vote to win the election outright, was hovering around that figure Tuesday night. Rodriguez touted his 18 years in the Texas House, arguing that his relationships there will serve him well in the Senate. His district includes all of Bastrop County, most of Austin and northern Travis County.

Former Travis County Judge and Senate District 14 candidate Sarah Eckhardt said she questions why Gov. And if she were in Abbotts position, Eckhardt said shed rely on the same metrics. She is now assisting interim Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe. Leaving her post in county leadership, Eckhardt plans to bring facets of Travis County's emergency responses to the state level, she said. But Eckhardt refuted those criticisms, pointing to Travis County's "seasoned" emergency response team and her deep-seated commitment to the county.

EL PASO County Judge Ricardo Samaniego said his community isnt ready for the second phase of Texas reopening and he has data to back up his opinion. On May 1, when some state restrictions were lifted, El Paso County had 961 positive cases and 22 deaths. "Its well thought out, a lot of the tactics that [the governor] is using make a lot of sense, but its extremely premature for El Paso," Samaniego said. El Paso also borders New Mexico and Chihuahua, Mexico, where the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise. El Paso Mayor Dee Margo said hes also concerned about a spike in cases now that restrictions are being lifted and agreed that El Paso isn't ready for additional reopening.

Austin, Travis County extend stay-at-home orders to May 8, mandates face coveringsAustin and Travis County officials extended their "Stay Home, Work Safe" order until May 8 on Monday. Austin and Travis County officials extended their "Stay Home, Work Safe" order until May 8 on Monday. Photo: HANDOUT / National Institutes Of Health / AFP Via Getty Images Photo: HANDOUT / National Institutes Of Health / AFP Via Getty Images Image 1 of / 48 Caption Close Austin, Travis County extend stay-at-home orders to May 8, mandates face coverings 1 / 48 Back to GalleryAustin and Travis County officials on Monday extended the "Stay Home, Work Safe" orders until May 8. In a news release from Travis County, local officials said they will begin enforcement efforts if there is not widespread compliance. As of Monday, there are 856 positive COVID-19 cases in Travis County, according to the county's website.

An event flag for SXSW blows in the wind after the music and tech festival was canceled over growing concerns related to the coronavirus outbreak in Austin, Texas, U.S. March 6, 2020. REUTERS/Sergio Flores(Reuters) - The South by Southwest music, technology and film festival in Austin, Texas, was canceled on Friday, adding to a growing list of events being suspended around the world over concerns about the spreading coronavirus outbreak. Known as SXSW, the annual showcase of pop culture had been scheduled to run March 13 to 22. SXSW began 33 years ago as a music festival but evolved to also highlight technology, video games, TV shows and movies. And the Ultra Music Festival, one of the worlds largest dance music festivals and set for this month in Miami, was canceled.

(Reuters) - South by Southwest (SXSW) music and tech festival in Austin, Texas has been canceled over growing concerns related to the coronavirus outbreak, event organizers, city and county officials said on Friday. There are no confirmed coronavirus cases in Austin, and it is not a panic decision, Travis county judge Sarah Eckhardt said. The companies that canceled plans to attend the festival include AT&Ts WarnerMedia (T.N), Netflix (NFLX.O), Apple (AAPL.O), Amazon Studios (AMZN.O), Facebook (FB.O) and Twitter (TWTR.N). Some of the conferences that have been canceled include Googles I/O and Facebook Incs (FB.O) F8. The city of Austin recorded a benefit of $355.9 billion as a result of the SXSW festival in 2019, according to an estimate by the events organizers.

(Reuters) - South by Southwest (SXSW) music and tech festival in Austin, Texas has been canceled over growing concerns related to the coronavirus outbreak, event organizers, city and county officials said on Friday. There are no confirmed coronavirus cases in Austin, and it is not a panic decision, Travis county judge Sarah Eckhardt said. The companies that canceled plans to attend the festival include AT&Ts WarnerMedia, Netflix, Apple, Amazon Studios, Facebook and Twitter. Some of the conferences that have been canceled include Googles I/O and Facebook Incs F8. The city of Austin recorded a benefit of $355.9 billion as a result of the SXSW festival in 2019, according to an estimate by the events organizers.