Austin|News|
Austin Teen Recognized By Ad Age For 'Zfluence' Platform
Ava McDonald found marketing to her generation as inauthentic while still in high school, and set out to break the influencer mold.

Hello. My name is Tony Cantu, and I cover the Austin region for Patch -- including the outlying communities of Cedar Park, Leander, Pflugerville and Round Rock, I started my career at the San Antonio Light before an expanded internship at the Wall Street Journal inspired me to pursue business writing for many years at such publications as the San Antonio Business Journal, Dallas Business Journal, Hispanic Business and others. I've also written for the Austin Chronicle, San Antonio Current, Hispanic, and other publications. Please don't hesitate to reach me with any story ideas, tips, comments, or, yes, even complaints. My email is antonio.cantu@patch.com. And thank you for reading!
Ava McDonald found marketing to her generation as inauthentic while still in high school, and set out to break the influencer mold.

The incident occurred along the 2400 block of Scofield Ridge Parkway last Tuesday when the driver left the roadway for an unknown reason.
According to a police advisory, the pedestrian was in the 14700 block of FM 1825 when he was struck by a black, 2015 Toyota Camry.
Phase 1A shots are currently being administered to health care workers, but supply is too short for Phase 1B covering senior citizens.
The interim health authority told county commissioners an over-capacity of intensive care units could happen by Jan. 15 if not sooner.
The shooting early Tuesday involved a driver who police said cut off an off-duty officer and was fatally shot.
The Wednesday event will be a virtual version in adherence to physical distancing guidelines to thwart spread of the coronavirus.
The program is made possible by the Ascension Seton and the Round Rock ISD Partners In Education Foundation partnership.
The designation recognizes the hospitals’ efforts to protect patients from harm and provide safer healthcare, officials explained.
Visiting Judge Sid Harle has opted to continue with the discovery phase of a case centered on the death of a man while in police custody.
The library officially turns 40 on Jan. 17, and it's come a long way from its humble beginnings as a 500-square-foot site.
Police descended on a North Austin hotel in search of Dylan Polinski, 23, who was accused of aggravated robbery in Williamson County.
A partnership with Ascension Seton enables district staff members 65-plus along with those with compromised immune systems to get the shot.
The Texas Department of Transportation alerts drivers ahead of time to road work, giving advance warning of potential traffic congestion.
Two lower courts had sided with Austin-Travis County in allowing for shortened restaurant hours to help thward the spread of coronavirus.
Paolo Andres Casterlin Escobar was born at Ascension Seton at midnight while Jordan Arvie Jr. arrived 30 minutes later at St. David's.
From recreation center upgrades to road enhancements, the city accomplished much in a year otherwise marked by challenges.
The Small Business Administration has extended the deadline to apply for low-interest loans for those affected by COVID-19 until Dec. 31.
Texas AG Ken Paxton vows to appeal after a jurist sides with Austin-Travis County order to limit eatery hours to thwart illness spread.
A car avoided hitting Narciso Mejia Gutierrez, 65, before he was fatally struck by another vehicle on along Northgate Bouevard on Dec. 18.