Public Safety Commission pushes for full implementation of police oversight measures

The Public Safety Commission chided the Office of Police Oversight for its lack of communication and progress regarding the implementation of the Austin Police Oversight Act and a related ordinance enacting some of the act’s provisions. “It’s now December, and…

Police • By Emma Freer • Dec 6, 2023

Austin's shift to electric buses is plagued by vehicle glitches and supplier bankruptcy

Capital Metro’s drive to electrify its entire fleet of buses is coming with some hard lessons about the high costs of early adoption. The transit agency’s battery-powered buses have been less reliable and harder to fix. Now, a company selling…

Transit • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Dec 6, 2023

Music Commission considers dedicated grant stream for live music venues

Music venues around the city could have a dedicated source of funding in next year’s Live Music Fund program, which was created to help inject city money into the local music economy. During discussion on expected changes to the program…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 6, 2023

HOME proponents, opponents speak out

City Council Member Leslie Pool led the charge in talking about the HOME initiative at a City Hall press conference Tuesday. Joining her in promoting the plan to reconfigure Austin’s single-family zoning rules were several Council members as well as…

Land Development Code • By Jo Clifton • Dec 6, 2023

Travis County dismisses charges against APD officers who used beanbag rounds in 2020 protests

The Travis County district attorney has dropped assault charges against 17 Austin police officers who used so-called “less lethal” beanbag rounds over a weekend of racial justice protests in 2020. District Attorney José Garza pursued charges against 21 officers after several Austinites…

Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Dec 5, 2023

Council greenlights update to urban trails, sidewalks and bikes plan with last-minute amendments

As the city prepares for a decade of unprecedented public transportation and highway infrastructure projects, Austin’s Transportation Department is making moves to spread the love to those choosing to walk, bike or roll. Since early last year, staff has been…

Transportation • By Kali Bramble • Dec 5, 2023

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Audit examines alleged fraud by employee of Forensic Science Department

The former forensic services manager for the city’s Forensic Science Department allegedly misused his city credit card to purchase $3,000 worth of gift cards and firearm accessories for his personal use, according to a report issued by the Office of…

City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Dec 5, 2023

Delay gives city a hard Dec. 14 deadline to end Seaholm special taxing district

City Council will have until its Dec. 14 meeting to close down a taxing district created to revitalize the Seaholm Power Plant property. That deadline comes because of a decision at last week’s meeting not to close down the tax…

City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 5, 2023

Austin throws $2.6 million more into project converting hotel into housing for elderly people without homes

Lee esta historia en español More money is being poured into a former North Austin hotel that will be converted into housing for elderly people who are exiting homelessness. City Council on Thursday authorized an additional $2.6 million for continued…

City Council • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Dec 4, 2023

Travis County bush

Data collection issues threaten initiative to prevent gun violence

A disconnect between the Austin Police Department and a criminal justice reform organization could delay a new violence reduction initiative, Travis County officials said Tuesday.  The glitch came to light Tuesday during a progress report to the Travis County Commissioners…

Public Safety • By Ken Chambers • Dec 4, 2023

Council postpones decision on historic Barton Springs Bridge reconstruction

Although city staff urged City Council to authorize a complete destruction and rebuilding of the historic Barton Springs Bridge, Council postponed action on the item Thursday. Several members of the public urged them not to move forward with the plan…

City Council • By Jo Clifton • Dec 1, 2023

Austin helped buy cheap apartments with the intent of keeping prices low. Instead, rents went up.

In the parking lot of a two-story apartment building in Central Austin last month, former and current politicians came together to celebrate something increasingly rare in this city: low rents. The city, along with a real estate investment fund, had…

Housing • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Dec 1, 2023

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