Jamil Donith
Verified
(She/Her)
- Multimedia Journalist, Spectrum News 1 Texas (Dallas Fort Worth)
- Multimedia Journalist, Freelance
- Multimedia Journalist, Freelance
Austin, Honolulu, Portland, West Palm Beach
As seen in:
Spectrum News 1 Texas (Dallas Fort Worth),
Yahoo News Taiwan,
PBS,
Spreaker,
WCPO-TV (Cincinnati, OH),
WPEC-TV (West Palm Beach, FL),
NewsBreak,
Spectrum News,
Spectrum News Austin,
Spectrum News 1 (San Antonio, Texas),
Spectrum News 13
and
Covers:
General assignment, but special interests are in investigations, social justice, environmental, housing issues, women and LGBTQIA rights, marine conservation, diving, travel, and international issues.
Doesn't Cover:
There's nothing I can't handle.
Freelance Multimedia Journalist. 🎥 Traveler. ✈️ Mermaid. 🐠 Nomad. 🌎 @Cronkite_ASU Alum. Oregonian. Former Minnesotan, Tulsan, Floridian, and Austinite.
Articles by Jamil Donith
Top Ten Reasons Why You Should Join a PADI Club Trip
08/25/2023 - The author, second from right, with other PADI Club members after completing their PADI Advanced Diver certification and then diving the Blue Hole. Courtesy, Jamil Donith As a multimedia journalist and avid jet setter who often travels and works by herself, I recently found a new way to travel solo.
San Antonio begins busing influx of migrants to Austin as Title 42 ends
SAN ANTONIO — Migrants are heading to Austin from San Antonio as Title 42 officially ends Thursday, May 11.
Housing choice vouchers are worth less and needed more than ever in Texas
AUSTIN, Texas — Rent in the Austin area increased by 18.3% from February 2020 to February 2022, but the value of housing choice vouchers increased by only 6.7% over that same period.
Texas legislation restricting drag shows casts shadow on family events
TEXAS — Lawmakers could soon pass a bill that prohibits people under 18 years old from attending drag shows. Senate Bill 12, which aims to restrict drag shows on certain public property, has passed through the Senate and is now in a House committee. If this law passed, hosting a drag show in a place where children are present would be a criminal offense with fines up to $10,000.
Texas gun rights on trial in Garrett Foster's murder case
AUSTIN, Texas — The ongoing murder trial of an Uber driver who shot and killed a Black Lives Matter protester in 2020 after driving into a crowd of demonstrators is putting Texas’ open carry laws under a microscope.
Landlords fight bill to allow renters to terminate leases after outage
AUSTIN, Texas — Giving power to renters when the power is out is the goal of a bill in the Texas Legislature. If passed, the bill would allow renters more rights in the event of a utility outage.
2 years later, some Texans still dealing with winter storm damage
AUSTIN, Texas — As Texans reflect on the two-year anniversary of 2021’s deadly February freeze, there are some families who are still living with the disaster.
More than 150k without power in Travis County, highest in the state
AUSTIN, Texas — Nearly 160,000 customers in Travis County still don’t have electricity as of Thursday. That’s around 30% of the population, and more than any other county in Texas, a national outage reporting website shows. Austin Energy’s outage map shows these power losses are widespread, affecting almost every community in the region.
Legislation aims to help Texas school buses go electric
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas school districts might be getting some major help in going green. A bill in the Texas Legislature is looking to ramp up resources to provide electric school buses. Austin ISD is the first school district in Texas to go completely electric with its school buses by 2035, but it's already set to add three electric buses come September. This move is to better the planet and people.
Texans with ADHD continue to face unprecedented drug shortages
AUSTIN, Texas — Texans are still scrambling to find medications for ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, as a worldwide shortage continues with no end in sight. Manufactures and the FDA attribute supply shortages and increased demand as the reason for this lack of drugs, but Spectrum News 1 Texas found there’s more to the story.
New Texas overdose tracker app fills gaps in state data and response
AUSTIN, Texas — Drug overdoses have become a major issue throughout the nation and right here in Texas, but a lot of the data we have today doesn’t give us the full story.
Austin pastor preaches politics in and out of church
AUSTIN, Texas — Prayer and politics. Two things that are controversial in tandem, but at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Austin, Pastor Jim Rigby is all about combining church and state.
High diesel prices in Texas impacting farmers and food costs
TEXAS — Higher diesel prices are driving up costs at the grocery store. AAA numbers show diesel costs hit a record high in June 2022 at $5.326 a gallon. Now it’s around $4 a gallon in Texas.
LGBT community fights for basic rights
By Jamil Donith Texas PUBLISHED 6:06 PM CT Jan. 10, 2023 PUBLISHED 6:06 PM CST Jan. 10, 2023
'This year has been the worst:' Some Texas honey beekeepers reporting increase in bee colony losses in 2022
Recommend Entertainment Politics Health Sports Lifestyle Crime & Safety Society Technology Science Education World
Texas honey beekeepers say 2022 worst year for colony losses Original
AUSTIN, Texas — Bees aren’t just for making honey, these insects are among the most lucrative workers in the United States, contributing at least $15 billion to the economy annually, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, honeybee populations have been drastically declining for years.
Maternal morbidity rates on the rise in Texas, especially for Black women
TEXAS — Giving birth in Texas has become increasingly dangerous, according to a new report. The CDC reports the national maternal morbidity rate in 2020 was 23.8 deaths per 100,000 deliveries. The 2020 rate in Texas was 72.7, and for Black women it's much higher.
Central Texas students preparing for STEM careers
AUSTIN, Texas — As tech jobs continue to boom in Texas, the diversity of that sector's workforce continues to lag.
Gay couples concerned about marriage rights after overturn of Roe v. Wade
SAN ANTONIO — The decision to overturn Roe v. Wade also has implications for other privacy rights, including same-sex marriage. In the SCOTUS opinion, several justices referenced a former case law on marriage equality. What You Need To Know Some people are concerned about rights like same-sex marriafe after SCOTUS overturned Roe v. Wade One couple decided to tie the knot as soon as possible An attorney says says the reversal of Roe v.
Daughter of Austin business owners asks TikTok for help; video goes viral
AUSTIN, Texas — Angelica Song had no idea when she posted a video on TikTok pleading with her followers to help her parents' restaurant from closing down that it would go viral. But it’s not only attracting attention, it’s sparking a new conversation about the impacts Austin’s rapid growth are having on small businesses.
Uninsured, underinsured tornado survivors could lose out on federal funds
TEXAS — Texans hit by the spring tornadoes are still waiting to find out if they will qualify for disaster aid. FEMA has yet to declare the spring storms a disaster, and local relief efforts are lacking funds. Some of the worst damage from the tornadoes was in rural communities and communities of color. This also happens to be where many homeowners are underinsured or don’t have insurance at all.
Austin Code Department opens public survey to fix rental registry failures
AUSTIN, Texas — The increasing amount of storm damage in Texas has exposed unsafe living conditions at apartments that were supposed to be monitored by the government. A rental registry program in Austin is now making necessary changes to crack down on property owners with a history of neglect, and the city wants you to help fix its failures.
Trade schools address labor shortages affecting storm repairs
AUSTIN, Texas — Millions of dollars in tornado damages need repairing in Texas. The Texas Insurance Council reports there are roughly 3,500 claims and an estimate of $32 million in tornado damages. However, homeowners could be waiting a while for those fixes as the state grapples with a labor shortage. The recent storms have brought to light the lack of labor workers in the state. Now, trade schools are addressing the shortage of electricians to making sure homeowners are not left in the dark.
Texas sustainable tech and fashion come together at SXSW
While SXSW brings talent all the across the globe, there are plenty of creatives representing Texas at this year’s event too, and some you might not expect.
Civil rights groups fight gender-affirming child abuse investigations
AUSTIN, Texas — Parents of transgender children are in a state of fear as the courts decide whether investigating gender-affirming care as child abuse can continue. What You Need To Know Gov.
Abortion providers resume case against SB8 at Texas Supreme Court
AUSTIN, Texas — The battle over abortion rights back in court. Texas’ controversial near-total ban on abortion is now in front of the state Supreme Court.
Abortion advocates prepare for Texas Supreme Court hearing on SB8
AUSTIN, Texas — The legal battle over abortion rights is continuing in Texas. After going back and forth through the federal and state courts, the controversial “Heartbeat act” will go before the Texas Supreme Court again on Thursday.
Businesses still 'weathering the storm' a year after February freeze
SAN MARCOS, Texas — Many Texans are still feeling the effects of last year’s deadly freeze. The recovery is long from over for those who suffered economic loss from the winter storm.
Texas conservatives sing Donald Trump’s praises at rally
CONROE, Texas — While former President Donald Trump was the main event at the "Save America Rally" in Conroe, Texas, Saturday, it was also a chance for state Republicans to capture more votes. The event, which came about a month ahead of Texas’ primary election, featured a lineup of conservative candidates hoping to gain momentum and support at the polls. What You Need To Know Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, state Attorney General Ken Paxton and Lt. Gov.
Conroe prepares for first Trump rally in Texas since 2019
CONROE, Texas — All eyes will be on Conroe this weekend as former President Donald Trump holds his Save America rally. The town of nearly 90,000 people is in Montgomery County, the reddest county in the state. The event hopes to draw excitement for Republican candidates in the upcoming primary elections.
Holocaust Remembrance Day shines spotlight on antisemitism
AUSTIN, Texas — Holocaust Remembrance Day is Jan. 27. It’s the 77th anniversary of the Auschwitz liberation, marking the end of the Holocaust, the state sanctioned killing of over 6 million Jews.
Housing nonprofits struggle to meet increased demand for affordable
AUSTIN, Texas — The City of Austin made major steps to improve its growing housing crisis. On Thursday, the city council approved several proposals to make it easier and cheaper to build new homes and renovate current affordable housing.
Black businesses face more gentrification in East Austin
AUSTIN, Texas — Gentrification at the forefront of the housing crisis is happening right now in Austin. A record number of people are moving into the city from out of town, increasing prices and pushing the most vulnerable populations out of their homes. Recently, city leaders held a public meeting to respond to the lack of housing stock that is forcing communities of color to leave their neighborhoods at alarming rates.
Jewish community fights antisemitism with Festival of Lights
AUSTIN, Texas — Jews across Texas are taking a stance against antisemitism this Hanukkah in the wake of recent hate acts. In the last few months, there have been numerous antisemitic incidents in Central Texas.
More damages and management changes at East Austin apartment
AUSTIN, Texas — Tenants are dealing with more damages and disputes with management at an East Austin apartment complex. Mount Carmel Village families went months without gas and then were displaced for another three months during repairs.
Texas allocates zero of more than $16 billion in federal funds to housing
AUSTIN, Texas — Texans are fighting back over lawmakers failing to use federal dollars to fund housing. Texas received more than $16 billion from the American Rescue Plan, and zero of that went into programs for housing insecurity, homelessness or rent relief.
Significant housing reform passes to protect renters' rights
AUSTIN, Texas — A dispute with renters and landlords has led to significant housing reform in Travis County that has statewide implications. Rosemont at Oak Valley residents still displaced because of storm damage repairs finally got a win after months of voicing concerns about conditions at the property.
CDC funds research to examine gun violence as health epidemic
AUSTIN, Texas — The increase of gun violence nationwide has caught the attention of medical experts. For the first time, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is dedicating funds to researchers investigating gun violence as a health epidemic.
'It’s like a bigger pandemic': BIPOC face higher rates of gun violence
AUSTIN, Texas — Communities of color are facing an uphill battle when it comes to shooting deaths in our nation. While gun violence is on the rise nationwide, it’s significantly worse for BIPOC.
Museum dedicated to Halloween's haunted history opens in Central Texas
AUSTIN, Texas — Halloween is one of the biggest holidays in the United States, but there are very few places dedicated to preserving and celebrating its haunted history, until now. The creators of Scream Hollow Wicked Halloween Park have been in the spooky business for more than 20 years. This Halloween, they’re putting their passion for the holiday’s history on display, which dates back more than 6,000 years.
Clinical trials in Texas lead to approval of COVID therapeutic treatments
AUSTIN, Texas — Vaccinations are the frontline defense against COVID-19, and infusion centers to treat COVID are popping up across the state. There are more options becoming available to Texans in the fight against the virus, and some of the major research into these treatments is happening right here in Texas. Mike Woods lives in Austin, but he spent a lot of time traveling for work.
San Marcos to become home to multipurpose medical marijuana facility
SAN MARCOS, Texas — The latest medical marijuana laws are making it easier for Texans to access cannabis treatment, and one town in Central Texas is paving the way for even more access in the future. A plot of land in San Marcos will be the home of a more than 60,000 square-foot campus for medical marijuana to better meet the needs of Central Texans using medicinal cannabis. Liz Grow is one of those patients. She lives about 20 miles from San Marcos.
Central Texas law enforcement experiences major spike in COVID deaths
TEXAS — COVID-19 is currently the leading cause of death for law enforcement in the U.S. Numbers from the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial Fund show that from January to June of 2020 76 of the 155 nationwide line-of-duty deaths were a result of the virus. Here is Texas, statewide data shows there have been hundreds of police officer COVID deaths, with a major spike in the last few months in Central Texas.
Texas implementing new regulations as renters struggle with storm damages
AUSTIN, Texas — It’s been seven months since February’s deadly freeze and the damage remains. What You Need To Know Rosemont at Oak Valley is just one of numerous apartment complexes still dealing with damages in the Austin area Kecia Prince was forced to move out of her apartment because of water damage and mold.
Teens face added hurdles with controversial ‘Heartbeat Act’
AUSTIN — One of the strictest bans on abortion has now been a law for more than two weeks in Texas and one of the disparities the Heartbeat Act is exposing is teenagers’ access to reproductive rights.
Special training for therapists help veterans with PTSD
TEXAS — This September is a heavy month for veterans in the United States. There’s the current crisis in Afghanistan and the 9/11 anniversary which trigger a lot of trauma for those who served in the military. It’s also suicide prevention month and veterans have one of the greatest risks for suicide.
An inside look at the redrawing of city, state redistricting maps
AUSTIN, Texas — Every 10 years, U.S. census data gets an update, and so does our state and local political landscape. Right now, maps are being redrawn to match population growth and demographic changes across the state including the 10 districts in Austin. So why does moving lines around on a map matter and how does this vital democratic process really work? Errol Hardin looks at maps for hours every day. He’s not a cartographer, but for him, this is a passion.
Since Texas 'Heartbeat Act,' advocacy groups are overwhelmed
TEXAS — The last week has been a stressful one for anyone working in women’s health care. Abortion clinics and advocacy groups are overwhelmed with calls from Texas women in need of abortions since Senate Bill 8, also know as the “Heartbeat Act,” became law in Texas on Sept. 1.
Austin schools to require masks after court’s ruling
AUSTIN, Texas — Students and staff in Austin are going about their first day of school preparations as usual, despite an ongoing legal battle with the governor and several other districts.
Texas startup turns old wood into new energy
AUSTIN, Texas — The world’s leaders are desperately trying to come up solutions to save the Earth. The United Nation’s recent climate change report has renewed those efforts. Austin, Texas, is at the forefront of that conversation. The city’s goal is to be zero waste by 2040. To help achieve that goal, city leaders hosted a competition for sustainable small businesses. The creators of Locoal Charcoal are the winners. Co-founder Petey Peterson sounds like a scientist more than a business owner.
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