Lily Kepner
@lilykepner
Higher education reporter @statesman. Words in @BostonGlobe @GBH @USATODAY @dailyfreepress @BUSpark • Journalism @COMatBU '23. Pronouns: she/her.
NEW: Records show that UT lost $47M in research grants under the Trump Administration’s cut - with more than 60 projects paused or terminated entirely. Beyond humanities, climate change, susceptibility to fake news & mental health projects were impacted. statesman.com/story/news/edu…
I went to Marble Falls on Friday to meet the family, friends and colleagues of Fire Chief Michael Phillips, who was washed away by powerful floodwaters during a rescue on July 5. The town honored him in the most Texas way possible: at the rodeo. statesman.com/story/news/loc…
Two days after regents named @JimDavis_UT finalist for @UTAustin president, he & @JohnCornyn talked research, intelligence programs & "ending DEI initiatives." SB 17 from 2023 is often considered the toughest state DEI ban on universities, but doesn't limit courses or research.
Great conversation with @UTAustin Interim President @JimDavis_UT about his vision for enhancing science & research, ending DEI initiatives, & recruiting students to the university’s top-tier intelligence programs. #HookEm
The first breath of the bagpipes rose like smoke into still air. They wailed the notes of “Amazing Grace” as mourners honored a man lost to the Central Texas floods: Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Phillips. Via @statesman's @baylisswagner: statesman.com/story/news/loc…
UT AAUP: "We regret that the Board of Regents did not include faculty in a consideration of finalists for the position of President of the University of Texas at Austin, and urge the Board to take the views of faculty and all stakeholders seriously as the process moves forward.”
Our statement: “The AAUP supports collaborative decision-making in administrative hiring, as has been customary at UT Austin until recently. This allows the perspectives of various stakeholders, including faculty, to be heard. 1/ statesman.com/story/news/edu…
NEW: Catastrophic flooding wreaked havoc on the Travis County area July 5, taking at least 17 lives, leveling homes and destroying neighborhoods. I reviewed alerts, interviews and devastated areas to learn how the floods unfolded that night. Here is a timeline of what happened
A timeline of the flooding that ravaged Central Texas on July 5 statesman.com/story/news/202…
UT System policy states a presidential search advisory committee should interview & recommend candidates to board, but it allows for an "alternative process" where regents can advance a candidate first. Hartzell was appointed under this process too. More: statesman.com/story/news/edu…
NEW:UT System Regents advance interim president @JimDavis_UT as a finalist for @UTAustin President under the Regents’ Rule 20201 Section 1.9 which allows for an alternative selection process with a special committee's review. Jay Hartzell was selected through this process in 2020
The UT Board of Regents has named @JohnZerwasMD sole finalist for UT System Chancellor and @JimDavis_UT sole finalist for @UTAustin President—both unanimously supported. “Among the top responsibilities of the board of regents is to ensure UT institutions have the best leadership…
.@statesman's Sunday edition remembered the people lost to flooding in the Austin area over the July 4 weekend.
NEW: Gov. @GregAbbott_TX vetoed a unanimously-passed 2019 bill that would have allowed Texans to sign up for local emergency warning systems while obtaining or renewing a driver's license. Experts say it could have helped during the floods. #txlege statesman.com/story/news/pol…
TODAY: @utsystem will meet at 1:30 p.m. to potentially name a finalist to the Chancellor search and discuss personnel matters related to @UTAustin presidential search. Interim President @JimDavis_UT has held the post since February & John Zerwas is interim Chancellor as of June.
The front pages of the @HoustonChron, @ExpressNews + @Statesman are all dedicated to the same story today: Remembering the lives lost to the catastrophic Kerr County floods.
🚨Important message from organizers: DO: (1) Sign up to help with a volunteer organization (listed in story) (2) Wear long pants, gloves, reflective vest, closed toed shoes (3) Keep volunteering, donating in weeks to come DON’T: (1) Self Deploy (2) Bring kids (3) Block roadway.
'Don't self deploy': Texas volunteers urged not to interfere with search and rescue efforts statesman.com/story/news/202…
NEW: People want to help, but volunteers say congestion hurts search & rescue, threatens safety locally. Org leaders talk to me about where help is most needed, how to safely help and how to sign up through relief orgs. “Do not self deploy,” one says. statesman.com/story/news/202…
I’m here in Kerrville to cover President Donald Trump’s visit in the wake of devastating floods. He’s expected to speak with families of victims and observe emergency crews’ work to recover the more than 160 people currently missing. #txlege
Ahead of his Kerrville visit, President Donald Trump greenlights Gov. Abbott's request for FEMA assistance for the flooding in Travis, Williamson, Burnet, San Saba and Tom Green counties statesman.com/story/news/loc… via @lilykepner #txlege
NEW: In Austin-area trailer parks hit by floods, the uninsured aren’t yet guaranteed federal aid. FEMA requires counties meet damage thresholds before they can be included— but that doesn’t make the wait any less agonizing. W/ @Maryamahm92 @HeathKeri statesman.com/news/local/art…
Wow, so much love was shared by our community today - we’re at a loss for words. ❤️ Please be sure to support other local businesses that are contributing to the cause today such as: Veracruz Kerbey Lane Cafe Moonshine Grill
With @pterrys donating 100% of profits today to flood relief, the line at the Capital Plaza location in Austin stretches out of the parking lot and into the street. ❤️