Now in Session: The
87th Legislature gaveled in Tuesday at the
Texas State Capitol amid heightened security following last week s attack on the U.S. Capitol building. A small gathering of protesters – some armed militia, some anti-vaxxers – were also on hand. Read our Lege preview.
Field Hospital Activated: As Central Texas continued surge in cases and hospitalizations puts pressure on area hospitals, an
alternate care site at the
Austin Convention Center opened on Tuesday to deal with overflow. Read more.
Vaccine Town Halls:
Austin Public Health is conducting virtual town halls in English (Jan. 13, viewable on APH s Facebook page and ATXN) and Spanish (Jan. 14, viewable on the Univision 62 Facebook page, website, and app) to discuss
The killing of
Mike Ramos by police last spring was a direct result of the racism that has permeated policing in Austin, according to a lawsuit filed on behalf of his mother last week.
Brenda Ramos suit, prepared by
Rebecca Webber of the Hendler Flores law firm, asks for a jury trial and damages for the loss of her only son.
Mike Ramos, a Black and Latinx 42-year-old, died on April 24 after officers were summoned to his Southeast Austin apartment complex. A resident had called 911 to complain that a man was holding a gun to a woman s head as the couple did drugs inside a car. Several police units responded to the call, blocking the parking lot exit. Eight officers then pulled their weapons and ordered Ramos out of the car.