Stories by Olivia Aldridge, KUT
CommUnityCare announces new CEO following leadership conflict with Central Health
CommUnityCare, a chain of clinics that serve low-income Austinites, has a new CEO after a monthslong leadership conflict with its public partner, Central Health. With the hiring announcement, the two organizations signaled they had come to a common understanding of…
Public Health • By Olivia Aldridge, KUT • Jun 3, 2025
Second measles case reported locally, Austin Public Health says
A Travis County adult is isolating after testing positive for measles, Austin Public Health officials announced Friday. It is the second confirmed local case of the virus this year. APH representatives said the sick individual may have been exposed to the virus…
Public Health • By Olivia Aldridge, KUT • Apr 28, 2025
UT Austin professors fear Trump administration's funding cuts will derail life-saving research
Andrea Gore, a professor of pharmacology and toxicology at UT Austin, knew from a young age that she wanted to be a scientist. She said she always loved watching birds and bugs. “Even as a kid, I would watch the…
Public Health • By Olivia Aldridge, KUT • Apr 21, 2025
Amid ongoing measles concerns, Austin ISD’s vaccination rate is below target for its youngest students
As a measles outbreak in West Texas continues to raise concerns throughout the state, Austin ISD’s vaccination rate for incoming kindergarteners remains well below pre-pandemic levels. Public health experts say around 95 percent of the population needs to be vaccinated…
Public Health • By Olivia Aldridge, KUT • Mar 3, 2025
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What does homelessness in Austin look like in 2025? A new census will shed some light.
Lee esta historia en español On a single night in late January, volunteers from around the city will conduct a census of Austin’s most vulnerable residents, counting as many people experiencing homelessness as possible. This biennial point-in-time count is overseen…
Austin • By Olivia Aldridge, KUT • Jan 8, 2025
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sues nonprofit that serves homeless in South Austin
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued an Austin nonprofit that serves people experiencing homelessness. The lawsuit accuses Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center of fostering drug use, violence and other activities that endanger nearby residents. Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center has operated out of Sunrise Community…
Courts • By Olivia Aldridge, KUT • Nov 27, 2024
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Central Health sends 2025 fiscal year budget to Travis County for final approval
Central Health leadership gave preliminary approval Wednesday to a $884 million budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year. The budget will go before Travis County commissioners for a final vote in September. As Travis County’s public hospital district, Central Health is…
Budget • By Olivia Aldridge, KUT • Aug 26, 2024
Requests for abortion pills surged amid threats to reproductive rights, UT-based study shows
Advance requests for abortion medication surged when the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade was leaked, a new study has found. The study in JAMA Internal Medicine looked at requests for the abortion medications mifepristone and misoprostol from the telemedicine service…
Public Health • By Olivia Aldridge, KUT • Jan 8, 2024
Huston-Tillotson University wants to improve maternal health outcomes by training more doulas
Huston-Tillotson University is launching a program that will train doulas, midwives and lactation consultants in an effort to combat Texas’ high maternal mortality rates, especially among Black women. The historically Black university announced the new partnership with Blue Cross and…
Public Health • By Olivia Aldridge, KUT • Sep 20, 2023
Central Health approves budget with a Hail Mary provision to halt layoffs at Integral Care
Travis County’s public hospital district, Central Health, voted Wednesday to approve its Fiscal Year 2024 budget, which includes a last-minute line item giving $7 million in emergency funding to Integral Care. Central Health’s budget still needs final approval from Travis…
Budget • By Olivia Aldridge, KUT • Sep 8, 2023
Integral Care, Austin's largest mental health care provider, approves 48 layoffs in next budget
Integral Care, the mental health authority for Austin-Travis County, voted Thursday to approve a budget that eliminates nearly 10 percent of its positions. Along with the 48 individuals who were identified for layoffs, 67 vacant positions were also cut. Employees…
Budget • By Olivia Aldridge, KUT • Sep 5, 2023
Austin officials urge precautions to prevent new mpox surge
Austin Public Health is warning residents to be vigilant about preventing the spread of mpox, concerned about the potential for a resurgence of the virus. After months without any new cases detected, the health department confirmed a single new case…
