Jessica Mahoney

The cuts could take effect on January 1st and would make Texas’ Medicaid spending on par with other states. But therapy providers worry it could leave many patients without services.

According to Stephanie Goodman, spokesperson with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the organization reviews its rates from time to time.

"Recently we looked at our therapy rates and found out that in Texas, for some reason, we’re paying substantially higher than other states.”

Physical, occupational, and speech therapy services would all be affected, including both out-patient and in-home care. Mary Hennigan with the Texas Occupational Therapy Association says it should come as no surprise that those types of treatment are expensive.

Try Out the City's Website

The City of Austin is unveiling its new website. The site isn’t live yet, but interested Austinites can attend a user testing session to try it out. The city wants to hear what you like, and what you don’t like about its new website. The sessions start today at 811 Barton Springs Road from 6 to 8 p.m.

Tour of WTP4

AISD Public Hearing

The Austin Independent School District is holding a public hearing on its Facilities Master Plan tonight. Last week the AISD Board adopted the framework to guide how it manages its facilities, but the Board still hasn’t decided on a few key issues. There has been opposition to some parts of the plan, including a proposal to add in-district charter schools at some struggling campuses. Tonight’s hearing runs from 6 – 8 p.m. at AISD’s headquarters on West 6th Street. Speakers are limited to two minutes each, and can sign up in the Board Auditorium until 6:15 p.m.

Primary Ballot Filing Begins

School Board Meeting

The Austin Independent School District is meeting tonight. The Board will vote on whether or not to adopt the Facility Master Plan. KUT has reported extensively on the FMP Framework in the past. Other items on the agenda include  budgetary approval, a discussion of how the new statewide testing system (STARR) will be used to determine students' end of year grades, and some school facilities improvements.

KUT News recently spoke with Superintendent Carstarphen about the possibility of adding in-district charter schools. The Board will vote on whether or not to partner with IDEA Public Schools, a Texas charter school operator, on December 12.

Longhorns vs. Aggies - The End of an Era?

Last night, a private plane carrying Oklahoma State Women's Basketball Head Coach Kurt Budke and Assistant Coach Miranda Serna crashed in Arkansas, killing everyone on board. The cause of the crash is not yet known.

Both the Longhorns and the OSU Cowgirls are in the Big 12. The Longhorns last played the Cowgirls in early March of last year, losing 37 - 52.

Texas Head Coach Gail Goestenkors posted this message of condolences on her Twitter:

The Texas Women's Basketball family sends our condolences to Oklahoma State. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Cowgirls more than ever.

 The next scheduled game between the two teams is scheduled for January 7th.

Rick Perry's Reaction to "Oops" Moment

Rick Perry's "oops" moment last night has provided plenty of fodder for the pundits.  In a rare post-debate appearance, the candidate appeared to be in deep damage control.

Perry tweeted to his followers on Twitter last night saying:

Today, NPR, the Center for Public Integrity (CPI) and StateImpact launched a new series investigating air pollution and regulation across the country. The series is entitled, "Poisoned Places: Toxic Air, Neglected Communities." StateImpact has more on the project on its website.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has granted a request to stay the execution of death row inmate Henry 'Hank' Skinner. The decision comes after two letters were filed on Skinner's behalf.

Skinner's defense attorneys sent a letter to Governor Rick Perry, requesting he hold off Skinner's execution long enough to conduct DNA testing. The Innocence Project sent a similar letter to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

An earthquake hit outside of Oklahoma City on Saturday night. The magnitude 5.6 quake was the strongest in Oklahoma history. The US Geological Survey has released an initial report on the quake, but has not yet given an official cause.

This Wednesday, don't be alarmed if you turn on your radio or TV and hear an Emergency Alert System test. The test will be run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association.

The Texas drought has been in effect for about a year now, give or take a month depending on whom you ask.

This map shows the areas of Loop 360 that would be affected by any changes.

As many commuters know well, traffic can be miserable in Austin. In 2010 INRIX, a traffic and congestion software research company, ranked the Austin metro area 26th for worst congestion nation-wide. Here is one commuter's video of sitting in traffic on Texas State Highway Loop 360:

Occupy Austin

More than 30 members of Occupy Austin were arrested on Saturday night for disobeying a new city law prohibiting the distribution of food from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. All were released on Sunday. Occupy Austin has released a statement on their website. They plan to hold a benefit concert tonight at 9 p.m. by City Hall to raise money for bail bonds.

The Texas Civil Rights Project has come out against the arrests, saying they were an "overreaction" and a "waste of tax payers' money." Here is their full response.

Court Redistricting

Today three federal judges in San Antonio will hold a hearing on the new state redistricting maps. The maps were created last spring by the legislature and signed into law this summer by Governor Perry. The state of Texas is being represented by Attorney General Greg Abbot, who says the new district lines should bolster minority representation. Opponents to the maps say they are discriminatory and will stifle minority representation.

World Series

The Texas Rangers lost to the St. Louis Cardinals, 10-9 in 11 inning last night. The two are now tied in the World Series, 3-3. That forces a Game 7 of the World Series tonight in St. Louis. This is the first time in nine years that a World Series has gone gone to a seventh and deciding game.

Execution of San Antonio Man

Perry to Push for Balanced Budget Amendment

Just a day before delivering a speech on his proposal for a flat income tax and plan to balance the federal budget, Gov. Rick Perry has released details in an Op-Ed in the Wall Street Journal. Perry will reveal more about the plan in a South Carolina speech today. KUT's Ben Philpott is on the road with the Perry campaign.

AISD Meeting

The Austin Independent School Board met last night to discuss issues of overcrowding in some North Central Austin schools. The Board also announced its unanimous decision to join a lawsuit against the state regarding how public education is funded in Texas. KUT's Nathan Bernier has more here.