by Sahar Chmais Hays CISD is urging students to attend their classes so the district does not lose millions of dollars in state funds. If in-person attendance in the last six weeks of this school year is not greater than in-person attendance from last October, Hays CISD could lose up to $7 million, ...

By Sahar Chmais For those looking for their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine without making an appointment, Hays County Local Health Department (HCLHD) has partnered with Live Oak Health Partner Community Clinic to provide that option. On April 15, 19, 20 and May 3 and 4, the Live Oak Clinic, loca...

by Nick VinZant It started with the number of COVID-19 cases. The coronavirus spread to every corner of the nation, but people of color were affected more — more likely to contract the virus, more likely to be hospitalized and more likely to die. Then came the layoffs. In one year, the unemployment ...

By Megan Wehring HAYS COUNTY -- World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is being recognized on March 24 in Hays County. In 2019, TB infected 1,159 residents in Texas which is a 2.7% increase from 2018. Eighty-six cases were reported in seven out of 30 counties that make up Region 7; Travis County reported 44, H...

By Sahar Chmais and Megan Wehring The masks that came on one year ago are coming off — but that will not erase the changes the COVID-19 pandemic brought to Hays County. In a matter of one year, the virus took its toll on every household in its own unique way. COVID-19 affected the future of all resi...

By Sahar Chmais  Since Governor Greg Abbott announced that he will remove the mask mandate, many parents were left worried about how it would affect schools. After one day of the announcement, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) came up with a solution – masks will remain mandatory.  Nothing in the TEA...

By Sahar Chmais In a tougher than normal budget year, State Rep. (D-45) Erin Zwiener has been appointed as the vice chair of the appropriations subcommittee Article 3, handling the education budget for PreK-12 and university students. This time-consuming position is not her only role – Zwiener is al...

by Sahar Chmais and Cyndy Slovak-Barton Alex Villalobos, Hays County top aide to the commissioners court, resigned this week, according to Pct. 4 County Commissioner Walt Smith. No formal announcement was made, but Smith said Villalobos was pursuing other options. Villalobos told the  Hays Free Pres...

Staff Report Following Governor Greg Abbott's  Executive Order (GA-34) to lift the mask mandate in Texas, Hays County officials encourage residents to continue practicing safety precautions as COVID-19 has not disappeared. Effective on Wednesday, March 10, all businesses of any type may open to 100%...

By Sahar Chmais From questions on whether taking the COVID-19 vaccine will alter a person’s DNA to new masking suggestions, two moderators with four doctors brought forth some answers. Hays County representatives are making an effort to keep residents connected and updated on COVID-19 information. D...