U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has previously spread vaccine misinformation, said Sunday during a visit to Gaines County, that the MMR vaccine is the “most effective way to prevent the spread of measles.”
This statement comes after a measles outbreak in West Texas resulted in the deaths of two children and after years of sowing doubt about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, despite overwhelming evidence that contradicted his claims.
Kennedy was in Texas to visit the family of 8-year-old Daisy Hilderbrand who died last week. Hildebrand was not vaccinated and had no known underlying health conditions.
The death comes about five weeks after unvaccinated 6-year-old Kayley Fehr died from measles, the first such death in the country in a decade. Fehr’s parents said that their stance on vaccination did not change after their daughter’s death.
The West Texas outbreak has sickened 481 people, most of whom are unvaccinated children.
Fueled by misinformation and distrust stemming from opposition to COVID-era mandates, vaccine skepticism is eroding public health efforts. In Gaines County, only 82% of kindergarteners are fully vaccinated against MMR, falling significantly short of the 95% threshold experts say is necessary to prevent measles outbreaks.
While acknowledging the vaccine’s efficacy, Kennedy continues to emphasize “personal choice” regarding vaccination.
Hours after his initial post seeming supporting the MMR vaccine, Kennedy promoted unorthodox, unproven treatments for the disease in another post.
Despite the official elimination of measles in the U.S. in 2000 thanks to a robust vaccination program, declining vaccination rates are jeopardizing this achievement.
Austin Public Health leaders are working to manage an ongoing budget crisis caused by federal funding cuts that have destabilized programs across the city. (Austin Monitor)
One person is dead and two others were injured after a vehicle rescue in West Austin Sunday afternoon.
More than 24,000 runners competed in the 48th edition of the Statesman Capitol 10,000 on Sunday.
Two competing bills in the Texas Legislature aim to tackle the issue of reforming the funding structure of the Austin Firefighters Retirement Fund. (Austin Monitor)
Hundreds gathered on the steps of the Texas Capitol Saturday to voice their opposition to a proposed statewide school voucher program, which many believe could undermine public education.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is pushing hard for school choice and the voucher program. He posted to social media several times Sunday on the matter.
The list of the best places to work in Austin is out. (Austin Business Journal)
A recently submitted report to county economic development officials details Tesla’s plans for a “riverfront eco-park” featuring hike and bike trails, waterfront access, and a Tesla expo and sports complex with soccer, baseball, basketball, and tennis facilities. The report projects that this “ecological paradise” in southeast Austin will benefit approximately 20,000 households.
The project’s completion timeline remains unspecified. (KUT 90.5)
Lake Travis authorities released information regarding a fire there Saturday evening.
A medical emergency at the Perry-Castañeda Library on the University of Texas at Austin campus Saturday night resulted in the death of an individual not affiliated with the university. University police responded to the PCL at 5:16 p.m. The cause of death has not been released, and the person was pronounced dead at the scene. (Austin American-Statesman)
Mustang Ridge police arrested a felon Thursday night after a brief chase.
WEATHER
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
At least 20 weather-related deaths have been reported since the start of the storms, including at least 10 in Tennessee and others across Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky and Arkansas.
The Texas Legislature is considering bills that transit officials warn could hamper public transportation in the Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth regions. (Texas Tribune)
The Texas Supreme Court will be ending the state-run program providing illegal aliens with defense attorneys. (Texas Scorecard)
Dallas is looking to hire new police and fire chiefs.
A Korean-based 3D mapping software company is the latest to move its headquarters to Texas.
Cupix Inc., whose U.S. headquarters was in Silicon Valley, is now in Williamson County, about 25 miles north of Austin. (Houston Chronicle)
A recent report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas indicates that Texas local businesses have experienced slower revenue growth since late last year sparked by uncertainty surrounding President Donald Trump’s tariff policies and growing concerns about a potential recession. (Texas Tribune)
Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating cereal company Kellogg’s for potentially violating Texas consumer protection laws by misrepresenting product ingredients.
— The owner of two North Texas car dealerships talks about how he’s preparing his business and employees for President Trump’s tariffs and the impact on consumers.
— Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson are lobbying lawmakers for big bucks to lure movie and TV show producers to Texas.
— The new Texas Democratic Party Chairman details his plans to rebuild ahead of the 2026 elections.
SPORTS
COLLEGE BASEBALL: Catcher Rylan Galvan launched a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th inning, lifting No. 5 Texas to a 4-3 win over No. 3 Georgia on Sunday afternoon at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
Texas swept the weekend series. (Texas Longhorns)
With the victory, Texas posted its fifth weekend sweep of the year and eighth straight conference win.
The Longhorns will wrap up their five-game homestand on Tuesday, as Texas welcomes Houston Christian to UFCU Disch-Falk Field. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
MLB: Jonah Heim’s walk-off single with two outs in the ninth inning to center field scored Josh Smith and the Texas Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 on Sunday for their fifth consecutive win. (Yahoo! Sports)
Jose Altuve drove in the go-ahead run with a single in the 10th inning after Yordan Alvarez tied it with a two-run homer in the ninth and the Houston Astros rallied from an early six-run deficit to beat the Minnesota Twins 9-7 on Sunday. (Yahoo! Sports)
NBA: The Dallas Mavericks had the day off yesterday while the San Antonio Spurs lost and the Houston Rockets won.
All three teams are idle tonight.
NHL: Marco Rossi scored on a power play 58 seconds into overtime for the Minnesota Wild, who stopped a four-game losing streak by beating the Dallas Stars 3-2 on Sunday. (Yahoo! Sports)
An F4 tornado struck Haskell, Texas in May of 1962 that leveled nearly every structure in town.
