SUMMARY: KXAN’s “Preventing Disaster” investigation highlighted a deadly car crash into an Austin hospital ER, sparking city council discussions on safety barriers called bollards. These barriers could prevent such crashes, but many medical facilities resist their implementation due to aesthetic concerns. In response to the investigation, Austin’s City Council is considering an ordinance to require bollards at new hospitals and emergency rooms. While bollards are shown to be effective, critics argue the scope should extend to other public facilities. The measure, supported by local lawmakers, aims to prevent similar incidents, despite pushback from medical centers and some council members.

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SUMMARY: Hiro Industries, co-founded by Tero Isokauppila and Miki Agrawal, seeks to tackle the plastic waste crisis using dirty diapers as a surprising resource. With billions of pounds of baby poop available, the company aims to develop fungi that can consume plastic found in these diapers. Diapers, which take about 500 years to decompose and contribute significantly to landfill waste, can serve as breeding grounds for these fungi. Hiro Industries has launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund this project, offering an at-home science kit to demonstrate how fungi break down plastic. The biodegradable diaper is set to launch in February 2025.

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SUMMARY: Tony Earls, charged with the murder of 9-year-old Arlene Alvarez, will appear in court today. His defense attorney seeks the removal of the special prosecutor, arguing for the case to be dismissed on grounds of justified shooting. Arlene was killed on Valentine’s Day 2022 while riding in her family’s car, as Earls shot at a robbery suspect. Initially charged with aggravated assault, he was released after a grand jury declined to indict him in July 2022. New evidence led to murder charges in April 2023, and his bond was recently lowered to $75,000. The Alvarez family will confront Earls in court.

Earlier this year, Earls was charged with murder in the girl’s death. His defense attorney is calling for the special prosecutor in this case to be removed.

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