Unemployment fraud
The number of people trying to steal unemployment benefits has blown up over the last 12 months here in Texas. Going from 1,100 in 2019 to 373,000 since the pandemic began. Texas Workforce Commission Spokesman James Bernsen is warning you to protect your identity.
“This is really kind of their super bowl of fraud attempts because they see this with so much money out there, they’re hoping to get in and steal your money,” says Bernsen.
Bernsen says crooks are going after unemployment benefits because so many more people are filing for them and they’re counting on people just not paying attention.
Revitalizing Downtown Austin
Pop up stores and events partnerships and parks. These are the Downtown Austin Alliance’s plans to revitalize the city’s core, The Downtown Austin Alliance’s Molly Alexander says they are also taking advantage of sidewalks and streets to give musicians artists and more a place to be and thereby help bring back foot traffic to downtown.
COVID-19 vaccines
Texas is set to receive more than 1.7 million doses of the COVID vaccine this week, including some from Johnson & Johnson. That shot was reauthorized on Friday. There have been at least 15 cases of blood clots in women who got that shot. Dr. Peter Hotez with the Baylor College of Medicine.
“It is a rare condition but when you break it down by women in their thirties, it’s about one in 80,000, one in 90,000,” says Hotez.
He says women in their thirties may prefer to get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is one shot only, which is good for college students, the homebound and the homeless and any population in which getting a second dose could be difficult.
Murder on Research Blvd.
Not much is known about a murder Sunday night in North Austin in the 8100 block of Research. Austin Police Officer Juan Asencio says they were called to the scene after multiple gunshots were heard.
“Advised that he had heard multiple gunshots and had found a male in the middle of the street. Austin. Police officers responded to the scene. Once they arrived on scene, they did find a male laying in the middle of the road,” says Ascensio.
Asencio says there are few witnesses and not a lot of information to go on at this point.
Permitless carry
Religious groups are coming out against a proposed new gun law in Texas. Constitutional or permit less carry would allow anyone who has a gun to carry it. Andy Lewis with the United Methodist Church of North Texas says that’s just too dangerous.
“A major problem we have in society is that guns are seen as a way of solving problems. Training is needed to assure that they do not simply put innocent people at risk,” says Lewis.
Lewis is part of a network of faith leaders who are opposing the push for permit less carry.
College athletes bill
A bill that would allow college athletes to benefit financially from their name, image or likeness has passed the Texas Senate. State Senator Royce West joined in voting for the bill because similar legislation already passed in other states.
“We want to make certain that our universities, large and small, have a level playing field to be able to recruit the best volleyball players, women basketball players, football players in the country. This gives Texas the opportunity to do that,” says West.
This legislation still needs House approval and then the Governor’s signature.
This news and more on News Radio KLBJ:
https://omny.fm/shows/klbjam-flash-briefing-1/am-newscast-4-26-21
