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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Austin. Written by Nicole Cobler and Asher Price.

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ERCOT prepping for winter electric demand

The grid operator has been closely watched since mass outages in 2021.

News

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's vice-presidential chances

A prolific fundraiser, the border governor is a Trump loyalist.

Politics

Texas kids losing Medicaid insurance in overwhelmed system

Lapsed coverage means kids miss emergency medical care.

Texas' strongest THC gummy hits the market

It's 50% stronger than the strongest legal edibles previously available.

Health

Nearly 306,000 Texas children could lose child care as federal funds expire

It's the highest total in the country according to the Century Foundation.

Education

This weekend, Texas will fall off a &quot;child care cliff&quot; when pandemic-era federal relief funding for the<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" industry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/15/child-care-daycare-costs-states-parents" data-vars-content-id="640f4ed6-5161-43c6-ac41-e0aeb5467e9b" data-vars-headline="Nearly 306,000 Texas children could lose child care as federal funds expire" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/15/child-care-daycare-costs-states-parents" target="_self"> industry</a> runs out.Driving the news: Without intervention, nearly 306,000 Texas children are expected to lose child care — the highest total in the country, according to an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://tcf-ccs-map.netlify.app/assets/factsheets/Child%20Care%20State%20Fact%20Sheet%20-%20Texas.pdf" data-vars-content-id="640f4ed6-5161-43c6-ac41-e0aeb5467e9b" data-vars-headline="Nearly 306,000 Texas children could lose child care as federal funds expire" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tcf-ccs-map.netlify.app/assets/factsheets/Child%20Care%20State%20Fact%20Sheet%20-%20Texas.pdf" target="_blank">analysis</a> by the Century Foundation.

UT researchers develop COVID "lab-on-a-chip"

The device could reshape testing for people who live far from medical centers.

A team of University of Texas researchers is trying to reshape COVID testing for people who live far from medical centers.The big picture: Researchers developed a small, lightweight device that can differentiate between COVID-19 and the flu using saliva as a sample material.

COVID cases rise after holiday gatherings

The county's 7-day positivity rate is at nearly 19%.

COVID

Travis County wastewater monitoring shows a jump in new COVID cases, following predictions from health officials that holiday gatherings could spread the virus.By the numbers: Although the CDC lists Travis County&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="community level as low" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fscience%2Fcommunity-levels.html" data-vars-content-id="3bbebbed-4763-4a85-8755-6bcacdb74782" data-vars-headline="COVID cases rise after holiday gatherings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fscience%2Fcommunity-levels.html" target="_blank">community level as low</a>, the county&#x27;s seven-day positivity rate was just above 20% and COVID hospitalizations had increased by 65% week over week, as of the end of the year, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the latest data available" data-vars-click-url="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?list_select_state=Texas&amp;data-type=CommunityLevels&amp;list_select_county=48453" data-vars-content-id="3bbebbed-4763-4a85-8755-6bcacdb74782" data-vars-headline="COVID cases rise after holiday gatherings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?list_select_state=Texas&amp;data-type=CommunityLevels&amp;list_select_county=48453" target="_blank">the latest data available</a>.

Illustration of a pattern of covid cells.

COVID-19, flu and RSV cases rise in Austin area

Holiday gatherings will continue to increase new flu, RSV and COVID-19 cases.

Texas hospitals — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="already vulnerable from the COVID-19 pandemic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/12/01/texas-hospitals-at-risk-closure" data-vars-content-id="9f6c2de3-9cdc-4622-94a2-c4eb7d753db6" data-vars-headline="COVID-19, flu and RSV cases rise in Austin area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/12/01/texas-hospitals-at-risk-closure" target="_self">already vulnerable from the COVID-19 pandemic</a> — are again being inundated as the flu and other respiratory diseases spike across the state.Driving the news: The number of patients visiting Travis County clinics for influenza-like symptoms surged in October. It&#x27;s the earliest the flu season has started since at least 2018.

Illustration of a thermometer shaped like an upwards arrow, with the mercury rising.

Increasing number of Texas hospitals at risk of closure, report finds

Hospital revenue is no longer covering the cost of patient care.

While the coronavirus pandemic often feels like it&#x27;s in the rearview mirror, Texas hospitals are still grappling with its aftermath.Driving the news: Nearly twice as many Texas hospitals, or almost 1 in 10, are at risk of closure since before the pandemic, a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tha.org/Documents/Nov22/2022-Covid-19-Impact-Report.pdf" data-vars-content-id="0f689318-5eb6-4f47-8e67-fa7b16fc163e" data-vars-headline="Increasing number of Texas hospitals at risk of closure, report finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tha.org/Documents/Nov22/2022-Covid-19-Impact-Report.pdf" target="_blank">new report</a> from the Texas Hospital Association reveals.

Illustration of a question mark with a dot shaped like a medical cross

COVID absent from campaign messaging in Texas

"There isn't much to be gained either way on this issue."

Texans are still testing positive for the coronavirus, but candidates up and down the ballot are staying far away from talking about masks, vaccines and other pandemic topics that were a staple of campaigning over the last two years.The big picture: Dwelling on COVID could seem out of touch with an electorate that is now more concerned about the rising cost of groceries than about mask wearing.

Illustration of a combination word balloon and covid particle, with the covid prongs retracting.

Long COVID is costing Texans thousands of dollars

Texans with long COVID pay roughly $5,000 more on average than other Americans in the first six months after their diagnosis.

Long COVID is costing Texans thousands of dollars more than the rest of the country, according to new data from health care company <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nomi Health" data-vars-click-url="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220830005323/en/Long-COVID-Outpaces-Diabetes-in-2022-Employer-Health-Care-Costs-Nomi-Health-Research-Finds" data-vars-content-id="81f5825d-6af3-4ba5-8927-a9c35c102fc5" data-vars-headline="Long COVID is costing Texans thousands of dollars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220830005323/en/Long-COVID-Outpaces-Diabetes-in-2022-Employer-Health-Care-Costs-Nomi-Health-Research-Finds" target="_blank">Nomi Health</a>.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Long COVID symptoms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/07/what-we-know-long-covid" data-vars-content-id="81f5825d-6af3-4ba5-8927-a9c35c102fc5" data-vars-headline="Long COVID is costing Texans thousands of dollars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/07/what-we-know-long-covid" target="_self">Long COVID symptoms</a> can vary and include brain fog, fatigue, organ damage, chest and joint pains, loss of senses of smell and taste, cough, headache, and gastrointestinal and cardiac issues.

Return-to-work stagnates

Even as pandemic slows, in-office work is far from pre-pandemic heights.

Two-and-a-half years since the start of the pandemic, return-to-work numbers appear stagnant in Austin.<ul><li>Figures are way up from a nadir in the early days of COVID, but still far off pre-pandemic heights.</li></ul>

Ascension Seton nurses vote to unionize

The clash between workers and bosses is now coming to an ER near you.

More than two-thirds of nurses at Ascension Seton Medical Center voted to unionize this week, becoming the largest private-sector hospital in Texas to do so.Why it matters: Against a backdrop of global economic unrest, the clash between workers and bosses is now coming to an ER near you.

Illustration of hands in medical gloves holding red picket signs, forming a red cross symbol. 

Austin's 24-hour diners meet match in COVID

"There's not enough nightlife yet and it's hard to get staff."

In the long fallout from COVID, we&#x27;ve mourned that some Austin round-the-clock eateries — long among the most popular spots in town — have been shortening their hours … or closing down altogether. Why it matters: Dining out is about community, and the 24-hour spots represented something vital about Austin, where students, musicians and cops could reliably break bread together — or at least in adjacent booths.

Illustration of a clock with chef's knives for hands.

George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress

The House is slated to vote to expel Santos on Friday.

Politics & Policy

Ahead of a vote that could make him the first House lawmaker to be expelled in more than 20 years, Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) is introducing an expulsion resolution on Thursday targeting a House lawmaker from his own state. Why it matters: Santos — who faces an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="uphill battle in a vote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" target="_self">uphill battle in a vote</a> to remove him from office following a scathing House Ethics report — is seeking an expulsion vote on Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jamaal Bowman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" target="_self">Jamaal Bowman</a> (D-N.Y.), who pulled a fire alarm in one of the House office buildings.

George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers

Rep. Robert Garcia encouraged fellow Democrats to support Republicans' expulsion measure.

House Democrats and Republicans finally have something they agree on: booting Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" data-vars-content-id="4eec0a24-5338-46c4-8b6e-5526cda73c0f" data-vars-headline="George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) from Congress.Driving the news: In an email sent to Democratic congressional offices on Thursday, Rep. Robert Garcia&#x27;s (D-Calif.) office advocated for Republicans&#x27; resolution to expel the embattled Long Islander.

GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early

Multiple GOP lawmakers expect former House Speaker <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kevin McCarthy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" data-vars-content-id="dbdacc28-b2ed-40c2-a4cb-3bf4792a4d9b" data-vars-headline="GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" target="_self">Kevin McCarthy</a> (R-Calif.) to step down from his seat before the end of the year, Axios has learned.Why it matters: The potential exit of McCarthy — who privately told donors he is looking to &quot;get the hell out,&quot; according to a source familiar with the conversation — could leave the House GOP with an even narrower majority.

Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social

Trump warned that his indictments have opened up a "very big and dangerous Pandora's Box."

Former President Trump has spent the last 24 hours on Truth Social unleashing a torrent of grievances, vengeful promises and links to online conspiracy theories about his political rivals.Why it matters: Trump&#x27;s online rhetoric has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="frequently dipped into violent extremism" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" data-vars-content-id="4ce9173c-4439-425e-8986-ec54c92037e6" data-vars-headline="Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" target="_self">frequently dipped into violent extremism</a> since he left office, escalating as his legal troubles have mounted. Public fatigue and the pro-Trump echo chamber created by Truth Social have at times softened the shock value of the GOP front-runner&#x27;s daily musings.

Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote

Santos is the first Republican to be expelled from the House.

The House on Friday voted to expel Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) over his many fabrications on the 2022 campaign trail and his two federal indictments.Why it matters: The vote makes Santos just the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sixth lawmaker" data-vars-click-url="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" target="_blank">sixth lawmaker</a> – and first Republican – to be expelled from the House in U.S. history.

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