Also in this issue, we’ve got a Q&A with a TPWD veterinarian covering how bird flu might impact Texas wildlife and what we can do to stay safe + mitigate harm.

For my first-ever cover story, I wrote about the reintroduction of bighorn sheep to El Paso’s Franklin Mountains State Park. Find this issue (detailing the very involved, alien-abduction-style sheep capture process) at a newsstand near you

Join millions who have switched to Grok.

Remember how Enchanted Rock added 630 acres last year? Turns out that was just the tip of the iceberg. The beloved state park is set to nearly triple in size thanks to a purchase finalized last week. Read more at @TPWmagazine .

Job Opp: @TPWmagazine needs an experienced publisher to help get our stories to the eyes of more readers. Join a small-but-mighty team passionate about the outdoors and storytelling. Monthly pay is 6,250 + excellent state benefits. Apply by Oct 2:

RT @rosecahalan: "The sun came out and baked the mud into drier clay as I rode throughout the morning," writes @mcohanlon. "It gleamed off….

Thrilled to say I’m coming back to being a full-time reporter covering my actual DREAM beat. On Monday, I start my new role writing for @TPWmagazine about the wildlife, landscapes, adventure sports, and all else that makes Texas a great place to go outside.

Last week I was featured on the Dark Outdoors podcast for a story I wrote way back in 2021. Loved talking to Chester and learning about this cool podcast at the intersection of my 2 main interests.

Never seen the redbuds bloom this early in Austin.

I was on the radio yesterday talking about a piece I wrote last week for @newrepublic. If you missed, check it out here:

RT @newrepublic: As the first prospective students check out the University of Austin campus, big questions remain about whether the school….

RT @newrepublic: By attempting to impeach state Attorney General Ken Paxton, establishment Republicans in the Texas senate are making a ris….

Here’s why you should pay attention to the outcome of the Paxton impeachment trial - even if you’re not in Texas.

2023 @twsafari training has begun! I’ll be paddling this year in the 3-man boat with the two women pictured. This’ll be my second time doing “the world’s toughest canoe race.” Last year I was a team captain. Now for the hard part: what should our team name be?

Taking a lil break from full-time freelancing. Monday, I start a new job handling policy and political comms for @TXRealtors! Super excited to work with a great team and see the TX Capitol from a new lens. I’ll still be writing+pitching stories (veering away from politics tho).

As districts in suburban districts like Lake Travis announce raises in the 5-7% range for next school, staff are asking for an equivalent raise rather than the usual 2% (traditionally dependent on meeting enrollment goals, which weren’t met last yet).

As the @AustinISD board of trustees goes into a regularly scheduled meeting, protestors led by @EdAustin_TX and @AustinVoices rally outside district headquarters asking for increased staff raises

RT @BeckyShaheen: @mcohanlon @AustinChronicle School counselors are carrying the load, but we can only do so much. We provide short-term, b….

@AustinChronicle AISD is novel for providing these services thru the district in the first place. The qualm parents + administrators have is that students came to rely on the services before the disruption; they don't understand why the change happened in the first place.

@AustinChronicle School counselors, administrators told me that under the previous provider therapists were available on campus. Now, they're having trouble booking appointments. The disruption in services is happening amid probably the worst mental health crisis in modern history.

AISD signed a multimillion $ contract with a new mental health service provider midway thru the pandemic. That new provider has failed to take advantage of that $; data shows a huge service disruption from the former provider. New from @AustinChronicle .