Assignment Five - Hometown Feature News

  Big City News

In a big city, there is an endless stream of feature news that flows through the local radio stations, newspapers, and television broadcasts. Feature news is considered to be the fun side of what is covered, the more heartwarming or even mysterious stories of what is happening around town. In Austin Texas, feature news pops up frequently, whether its who's supporting the local police department, or who the longhorns are going to beat this next weekend, the feel good stories seem to never end.

The local college is always brining in feature news for the big city, maybe you've heard of them, the University of Texas. As a proud longhorn fan, I had to make their introduction dramatic. As the coronavirus has affected the entire world, and sports were on fault for what felt like years, were pretty excited to have them back. The Austin American Statesman has been covering the UT football coaches since early September. On September 7th, an article was realized covering the status of the team. It read, "Big 12 coaches are ready, able, and sanitized." This article covered how the coaches and staff planned to attack the unknown of this season. Coaches stated that "There are no long-range plans. We're planning for this week. That's about it." They are right on schedule with the rest of the world it seems like, as almost everyone has no idea what is to come and long term plans seem so far out of reach.

As students and athletes, the new football season may seem like the biggest hit for them, the city of Austin is suffering too. Being on of the few schools still allowing fans in the stands, the University of Texas isn't facing much change, but the city is missing the rush of game day. Without a packed stadium, overflowing parking lots, and rowdy bars, down town Austin has taken a major economic hit.  With fan attendance limited to 25% capacity and restaurants and bars facing similar restrictions. The local hot spots are feeling the economic toll it is taking. However, "the fact that the game is taking place at all constitutes something of a ray of sunshine for a downtown hospitality district that has been hammered by the pandemic."

In a time where it is so easy to let confusion and fear of the unknown take over, Austin Texas remains positive with their feature news. Keeping things light with the upcoming season and coverage of how the coaches are tackling the pandemic, no pun intended  offered a light at the end of the tunnel for sports fans who have been facing withdrawals. Although the city knows there will be an economic impact faced with the game day regulations, a positive spin keeps things in good spirits. In a city where there can easily be a stream of negative news, they're finding diamonds in the rough when the community needs it most.