A Georgetown police officer has been placed on leave after a video of him tripping students went viral.
Rohan Gupta/ YouTube
Another week, another viral video of police behaving badly. Though the latest isn't from the Austin Police Department (they're still dealing with this weekend's dog shooting incident turned public relations nightmare), our neighbors to the north are garnering national outrage after a video of a police officer purposefully tripping and pushing local high school students went viral.
Officer George Bermudez, a member of the Georgetown Police Department, was providing security for a Vandegrift High School girls soccer game at a Georgetown athletics complex on Saturday, April 19. The school, technically located in Austin but part of the Leander School District, was playing Wiley's Wiley East High School for the state championship.
The Lady Vipers went on to win the game, clinching the first statewide title ever for Vandegrift, and as students began to pour onto the field in celebration, Officer Bermudez can be seen tripping, pushing and pulling students as they attempt to join the festivities.
Public outrage was swift after local media outlets began publishing the video alongside eyewitness accounts. In response to the criticism, the Georgetown Police Department announced Monday afternoon that the officer in question has been suspended and placed on paid administrative leave.
Footage of the scene was caught by Vandegrift student Rohan Gupta, who uploaded it to YouTube. Though it seems from the video that the officer was attempting to restrain the crowd, it's unclear why Bermudez resorted to kicking and tripping the students.
The police officer will remain on leave as the Georgetown Police Department conducts an investigation.
Austin PBS announced new seasons and programs for 2024-2025 at its second annual Made In Austin event.
There's plenty to see in Austin; Just take a walk around any older neighborhood and you'll find at least a few hidden gems. But sometimes discovery just feels better from the couch. Austin PBS is ready to help with a slate of new programming for 2024-2025, including both original shows and "local initiatives."
Also known as KLRU-TV, Austin PBS is best known for its widely renowned Austin City Limits music series, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. It also airs other popular programs that aren't nationally famous, like Central Texas Gardener and Taco Mafia — both returning with new material this year.
Most notable in the mass announcement is the launch of a new multi-platform news show, airing weekly beginning later in 2024. Fans of Decibel, an existing hyperlocal, "community-led journalism project" that focuses on local social issues in historical context, will likely enjoy this new project, which according to the press release "build[s] upon" the former's reporting. It will cover topics within politics, education, economy, and culture, among other areas.
The CultureMap Austin team has also been looking forward to seeing Faders Up: The John Aielli Experience hit the schedule after watching the documentary at South by Southwest. This emotional story celebrates one of Austin's most eccentric cultural icons, the late KUTX radio host John Aielli. Clearly made with love, this documentary features Aielli's family and coworkers — many of whom are still working around town — and raises questions about how well Austin's current media landscape is living up to its weird past.
Trailer for Faders Up: The John Aielli Experience.Courtesy of Austin PBS
“Public broadcasting isn't just about what we do; it's about who we are as a community, and we are thrilled to be celebrating the second year of [the local premiere night] Made in Austin to share the exciting projects we’ve been working on,” said President and CEO of Austin PBS Luis Patiño via a release.
“It’s been incredible to see the support and excitement of original programming we launched last year," Patiño continued, "from the storytelling of our diverse community with Taco Mafia to in-depth interviews with public figures on Overheard With Evan Smith, and we are looking forward to another year of impactful content that enriches and transforms the communities we serve."
The following new programs (described in PBS's original language) also announced launches in 2024-2025:
Moon Shadow, a multi-platform educational project about the science and symbolism of eclipses
Shaking It Up: The Life and Times of Liz Carpenter, a documentary film about the journalist and vice-presidential adviser and her story of blazing professional trails while pushing forward an agenda for women’s rights
The Only Day We Have shares Allan Cole’s story of living day to day with young-onset Parkinson’s disease
Chasing the Tide, a six-part documentary series that follows wife and husband duo Chrissy and Jay Kleberg as they walk the entire length of Texas’ seven barrier islands, highlighting the beauty and complexity of the state’s coast
The Stones Are Speaking, focuses on one of the most significant cultural sites in the Western Hemisphere, The Gault Archaeological Site in Central Texas
Live From the LBJ Library With Mark Updegrove ... featuring interviews with preeminent thought leaders about issues vital to America’s future.
Existing shows with new seasons include:
Blackademics
On Story
Overheard With Evan Smith
Central Texas Gardener
Austin City Limits
Taco Mafia
Finally, Austin PBS invites community members to a special taping with Austin’s Christian Wiggs Big Band and special guest Benny Benack III. The taping takes place May 23 at 7:30 pm. at the Austin Media Center. RSVP here.
All programs will be available for viewing on KLRU-TV, AustinPBS.org, and the Austin PBS app. More information about the programs is available at austinpbs.org.