Ali Linan

Austin

Reporter at CNHI

Recovering journalist | Dual-Degree Master's Student | Public Affairs & Business Administration | UT Austin — LBJ, McCombs | Forte, Consortium Fellow

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Articles

Federal dollars to help Oklahoma in broadband, water, public transit projects

Jan 17, 2024 | enewscourier.com | Ali Linan

Federal funding will help Oklahoma expand broadband, clean water and public transportation access throughout the state, state officials say. Oklahoma will receive about $1.4 billion over five years from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021. Of that, $797.4 million has been earmarked for broadband expansion through the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment, or BEAD, Program.
Cost of dementia on the rise

Dec 19, 2023 | sentinel-echo.com | Ali Linan

AUSTIN — Every 65 seconds, someone in America develops Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. With it comes the average lifetime cost of $392,000. Advocates are sounding the alarm on the rising cost of care for those with dementia, where the annual average out-of-pocket cost of care is $7,424, more than 10% of household income, according to Alzheimer’s Association data.
Abbott calls fourth special session on school choice, border security

Nov 9, 2023 | heraldbanner.com | Ali Linan

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott is trying once again to get school choice and border security legislation passed. Abbott called a fourth special session Tuesday, directing lawmakers to consider bills related to establishing an education savings account and stronger border enforcement. The call comes after both chambers ended in a stalemate on these topics earlier Tuesday.
Federal broadband funding to help Missouri expand access to every resident

Nov 3, 2023 | joplinglobe.com | Ali Linan

Federal infrastructure funding is expected to help Missouri expand broadband access to every resident, state officials say. Missouri is slated to receive about $2.7 billion over five years from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021, the third largest allotment given to any state. Of that, $1.7 billion has been earmarked for broadband expansion through the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment, or BEAD, Program.
Abbott expands third special session call

Nov 1, 2023 | heraldbanner.com | Ali Linan

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott expanded the third session call Tuesday to include additional school finance, such as teacher pay raises, school safety and special education, as well as a phase out of the state’s standardized test known as STAAR. The third called session began Oct. 9, when Abbott directed state lawmakers to consider COVID-19 mandates, border security and school choice.
Texas Senate allocated $1.54B to border wall, adds funding for Colony Ridge

Nov 1, 2023 | heraldbanner.com | Ali Linan

AUSTIN — The Texas Senate approved $1.54 billion in additional funding to build a wall along the Texas-Mexico border as well as increase law enforcement at the Colony Ridge development in Liberty County. Senate Bill 6, by state Sen Joan Huffman, R-Hosuton, received a 17-11 vote on Tuesday. It dedicates $1.5 billion to the border wall and $40 million to Colony Ridge. It now heads to the House. “Our work to secure the border is far from over,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said.
Federal dollars to help Oklahoma in broadband, water, public transit projects

Oct 31, 2023 | stwnewspress.com | Ali Linan

Federal funding will help Oklahoma expand broadband, clean water and public transportation access throughout the state, state officials say. Oklahoma will receive about $1.4 billion over five years from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021. Of that, $797.4 million has been earmarked for broadband expansion through the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment, or BEAD, Program.
Federal infrastructure money to bring more Texans online

Oct 29, 2023 | weatherforddemocrat.com | Ali Linan

AUSTIN — Roughly 7 million of the state’s 30 million residents don’t have access to broadband internet, but the recent influx of federal and possible state funding, which is pending voter approval, for broadband access has the potential to close that gap significantly. Texas is slated to receive about $35.44 billion over five years from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021, the largest allotment given to any state.
Texas House advances border security bills

Oct 26, 2023 | heraldbanner.com | Ali Linan

AUSTIN — The Texas House passed three border security bills on Wednesday and into Thursday, as part of the third special session. House members went well into the morning Thursday discussing border security bills that would dedicate money to a border wall and give law enforcement officers border enforcement capabilities, among other things. “Texas has every right to secure our border and protect ourselves,” said state Rep. David Spiller, R-Jacksboro, a sponsor of one of the bills.
Texas House bans COVID mandates, increases fines

Oct 26, 2023 | heraldbanner.com | Ali Linan

AUSTIN — The Texas House voted to ban COVID-19 vaccine mandates and raise noncompliance fines on Wednesday. The Texas House voted 90-57 in favor of the measure that will prohibit a private employer from adopting or enforcing certain COVID-19 vaccine mandates. In addition, the House approved an amendment that would include a $50,000 fine for violators up from the initial $10,000. The bill will now return to the Senate to vote on the changes made by the House.