Latest Headlines for Tuesday, October 15

Austin Opera's new HQ welcomes smaller arts orgs to the stage

Austin Opera leaders aim to turn the organization’s new headquarters and performance space into a bustling hub for arts groups increasingly pressured for space in Austin. Last week the group, which holds its major performances at the Long Center for…

Part II: District 7 candidates share views on climate action, housing, public safety

This is Part II of a two-part series profiling the candidates running for Austin City Council’s District 7 seat. Read Part I here.  Adam Powell Adam Powell, a former union organizer and state employee, believes that most of the impactful…

Where do Austin's mayoral candidates stand on transportation issues?

When Austinites cast their ballots this election, transportation will be front and center – not just because it’s a major challenge for the region, but also because voters will have just navigated their way to a polling station. Austin’s mayor plays…

Council OKs contract for new academy to train ‘workforce of the future’

City Council on Thursday approved a $5 million contract with Workforce Solutions Capital Area to start and manage the Austin Infrastructure Academy for 12 months. In addition to job training, the contract with Workforce Solutions includes the provision of child…

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Featured Collection: City Manager T.C. Broadnax

Broadnax considers service adjustments as ‘tough’ budget awaits

The Austin Monitor recently sat down with new Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax to discuss some of the more prominent issues facing city staff and City Council as he gets situated in his job. For the budget process as you’re going through…

Council nearly doubles payment to build water system for disannexed project

City Council has agreed to more than double its contribution toward a water infrastructure project that will service a project that recently disannexed from the western city limits. The unanimous approval of an amendment to the cost participation agreement between…

Part I: District 7 Council candidates talk public safety, climate resilience, land use

This is Part I of a two-part series profiling the candidates running for Austin City Council’s District 7 seat. Read Part II here. Mayor Pro Tem Leslie Pool, who has represented North Central Austin since the creation of the district-based…

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Austin is way ahead of the curve on federal effort to replace lead pipes

On the same day the Biden administration set a 10-year deadline for U.S. cities to remove all lead pipes, Austin announced that the city is officially 100 percent free of lead contamination in its public water system. “I am proud of…

APD touts early successes of license plate reader program

The Public Safety Commission was briefed Monday on some early results of the license plate reader program that rolled out in March with cameras at undisclosed sites across the city. The Austin Police Department credits the cameras for the 40…

City-owned land will be repurposed to add 5 new parks in Austin

Five new parks are joining Austin’s parks system, adding much needed green spaces to areas considered to be “park deficient.” Austin’s Watershed Protection Department has over the years acquired land for things like protecting the environment and managing floodwater. These…

Time away from Council has prepped Tovo for mayoral bid

Having spent nearly two years away from the City Council dais after more than a decade as a Council member, Kathie Tovo said watching as a private citizen as city business has been conducted has given her valuable perspective. From…

Council weighs financial impact of proposed police contract

As City Council weighs approval of a proposed police contract expected to cost $218 million over five years, city budget staff on Tuesday presented a brighter financial outlook compared to the dire projections given earlier this year. At Tuesday’s work…

Report highlights need for future airport audits

The city’s Aviation Department faces a variety of risks, particularly related to insufficient staffing, according to a report from the Office of the City Auditor. Auditor-in-charge Kathie Harrison told the Council Audit & Finance Committee on Wednesday that the three…

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

Nonprofit spotlight: Four questions for American Gateways

American Gateways ensures access to the justice system for low-income immigrants. We serve 23 counties in Central Texas and provide high-quality legal representation and accurate information about what is happening in our immigration system. What is the mission of American…