Latest Headlines for Thursday, October 17

PACs raising funds for Watson, Greco, others

A political action committee supporting Mayor Kirk Watson has raised more than $238,000 but spent less than $2,900 so far, according to a report filed with Austin’s Office of the City Clerk. One of the major contributors to the Austin…

Board of Adjustment approves variances in the interest of health and safety

The Board of Adjustment heard a presentation on Tuesday from David Webber, of the Webber + Studio architectural design firm, who requested two variances for increased impervious coverage and floor area ratio at a property in Old West Austin. The…

Watson touts progress while pushing for affordability, eyeing city's long-term needs

Two years into his return stint as Austin’s mayor, Kirk Watson thinks the positive moves on housing and affordability made by the 11 members of City Council will be for naught if he can’t keep moving them forward. While he’s…

Incumbent Mackenzie Kelly faces Krista Laine in D6 race

Council Member Mackenzie Kelly and her lone challenger, Krista Laine, will go head to head in the Nov. 5 election. Kelly touts her credentials as a promoter of all things public safety, while Laine says she will do better for…

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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…

Commission brands glue traps ‘ineffective and gruesome,’ votes to recommend a ban

The Austin Animal Advisory Commission unanimously voted Monday to recommend that the city of Austin ban the purchase and use of glue traps in all city-owned and city-managed facilities.  The commission’s recommendation was rooted in concerns about the inhumane and…

Project Connect trial to resume after Paxton appeal rejected

Editor’s note: The original version of this story contained an error conflating two of AG Ken Paxton’s opinions. The story has now been corrected. A little over a year ago, a group of prominent Austin citizens filed suit against the…

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City considers acquiring new combined HQ for police, fire and EMS

Next week, City Council will consider approving a $107.8 million allocation to acquire an office campus along South MoPac Expressway that would serve as a consolidated headquarters for the city’s public safety agencies, which are located in outdated and cramped…

Landmark commission stalls demo of midcentury Baptist church

As East Austin’s Rehoboth Primitive Baptist Church moves on to roomier digs up north, its congregation is preparing to say goodbye to its home of six decades in more ways than one. What was once holy ground at 5303 Samuel…

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…

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…