Latest Headlines for Friday, May 30

Austin has paid out $27 million to people injured by police during 2020 racial justice protests

Austin has paid out nearly $30 million to settle lawsuits over police conduct during protests following George Floyd’s murder five years ago. Most of the settlements were related to injuries caused by police using shotguns to fire lead-pellet bags at…

Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • May 30, 2025

Austin’s fight against gun violence: A public health-based strategy in uncertain times

Three years after the tragedy in Uvalde, Austin is doubling down on a different approach to gun violence: treating it like a public health crisis. With the third anniversary of the Robb Elementary School shooting on May 24 and an…

Public Health • By Mina Shekarchi • May 30, 2025

Downtown report: Office vacancies up, infrastructure growth continues

Downtown Austin is in a transitional period, with the latest “State of Downtown Austin” report highlighting diverging paths for public and private sector development. The Downtown Austin Alliance’s annual review, now in its seventh year, notes an increase in downtown…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • May 29, 2025

Austin could soon see more rooftop solar power systems on public buildings

If you thought the city of Austin already had a program to install rooftop solar systems on its municipal buildings, you weren’t alone. Many others believed the same, according to Kaiba White of Public Citizen’s Texas office. ‘I don’t know…

Energy • By Amy Smith • May 29, 2025

Austin gas rates are up and they're set to go higher. Here's why.

Between recording sessions in KUTX’s music studio a while back, sound engineer Jake Perlman brought up something decidedly un-rock-and-roll: his gas bill. The first few months of the year, Perlman said, he paid about double what he had paid during…

Energy • By Mose Buchele, KUT • May 28, 2025

A plan to end night swimming at Barton Springs is over before it ever began

The city’s parks department has backed away from a plan to close Barton Springs Pool an hour earlier this summer. The change would have eliminated the free daily night swims — full moon or not. “While the Parks and Recreation…

Parks • By Lina Fisher • May 28, 2025

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Council looks to change the 'unhappy experience' of DB90

City Council is preparing to initiate a broad review and recalibration of the city’s density bonus programs, including DB90, which was introduced last year as a tool to encourage the development of affordable housing through additional entitlements. The resolution, which…

Land Development Code • By Chad Swiatecki • May 27, 2025

Austin moves forward with plan for parks over I-35

Austin City Council has approved paying for infrastructure that would allow for parks over I-35, a plan made possible by a state project to widen and lower the freeway. Council members voted Thursday to pay $104 million for support columns that…

Roads • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • May 23, 2025

External review finds data inconsistencies in APD reporting on use of force

During a special called meeting of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee, Dr. Robin Engel, a Senior Research Scientist at The Ohio State University, presented findings from a recent re-examination of the Austin Police Department’s use of force. Engel said…

Police • By Mina Shekarchi • May 22, 2025

Audit flags oversight gaps in APD license plate reader pilot

A recent audit of the Austin Police Department’s License Plate Reader (LPR) program found that while the department largely complied with policies during the yearlong pilot, internal audit procedures and vendor contracts left room for improvement and potential privacy risks.…

Police • By Chad Swiatecki • May 21, 2025

A proposed apartment demolition has some questioning Austin affordable housing program

A city program meant to ensure affordable housing is built into new developments is facing criticism for its potential to displace more than 200 residents already living in affordable units in a West Austin complex. Now, they’re asking the city…

Housing • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • May 21, 2025

Audit cites city failures to address discrimination, harassment

The city has made some progress in handling discrimination, harassment and retaliation complaints by city employees, but some investigations still fail to follow basic rules for conducting such inquiries, according to an audit conducted by the City Auditor’s Office. Members…

City Hall • By Jo Clifton • May 20, 2025

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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…