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Austin's Office of Sustainability lands EPA grant to tackle greenhouse gas emissions

The city of Austin will soon join cities across the nation in a federal initiative to curb greenhouse gas emissions, with a $1 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency slated to kick off the planning process this October. The…

Environment • By Kali Bramble • Oct 2, 2023

Austin interim city manager appoints head of police oversight without promised national search

Austin has named interim Director Gail McCant to run the Office of Police Oversight – one of the highest-profile offices in the city. And it has done so without public notice. Created in 2018, the office oversees police policy, conduct…

City Hall • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Oct 2, 2023

TxDOT ignored I-35 expansion health concerns, county says

The Travis County Commissioners Court says the Texas Department of Transportation has ignored their concerns about the impact of Interstate 35 expansion on the health of Austin residents.  “We specifically asked TxDOT to do a number of important studies –…

Roads • By Ken Chambers • Sep 29, 2023

Council members want action, updates to improve city animal shelter

Members of City Council want ongoing updates from the Animal Services Office about the conditions at the Austin Animal Center, which a recent audit found to be routinely overcrowded due to a variety of management issues. Council’s Audit and Finance…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 29, 2023

Ethics Review Commission dismisses complaint against former parks board member

The Ethics Review Commission dismissed a complaint against former Parks and Recreation Board Member Nina Rinaldi after a two-and-a-half-hour preliminary hearing on Wednesday. Commissioners voted 4-5 to move to a final hearing, which required majority support of the 11-member body.…

City Hall • By Emma Freer • Sep 29, 2023

The city says shelter is coming for homeless Austinites. Nonprofits would like a word.

Lee esta historia en español For years, Austin didn’t focus on finding shelter for people living outdoors. Instead, the city prioritized longer-term solutions, like getting people into apartments. That philosophy at City Hall has changed. Under Mayor Kirk Watson, the…

Austin • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Sep 29, 2023

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Audit finds Austin Energy falling behind on tree-trimming schedule

The Office of the City Auditor has found Austin Energy is far behind on its seven-year schedule of trimming trees and vegetation around power lines, with the utility’s current pace likely requiring 14 years to complete all needed clearing. The…

Energy • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 28, 2023

New state law limits Austin’s Parkland Dedication Ordinance

The city’s Parks and Recreation Board on Monday learned about the impacts of Texas House Bill 1526 on Austin’s existing Parkland Dedication Ordinance and the future of Austin’s park system. The Parkland Dedication Ordinance, first established in 1985, orders new…

Parks • By Nina Hernandez • Sep 28, 2023

Commissioners pass health district tax increase but plan increased scrutiny

On their second attempt, the Travis County Commissioners Court voted 4-1 to approve a tax increase and 3-1 to approve the 2024 budget for the county health care district. The votes increase the tax rate to 10.07 cents per $100…

Budget • By Ken Chambers • Sep 28, 2023

Downtown Commission pushes for progress on housing, Palm District planning

Members of the Downtown Commission want the city to adjust density bonus programs and other initiatives intended to add middle-income and affordable housing to new developments downtown. They also see a need for better planning and economic development measures for…

Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 27, 2023

Capital Metro Board of Directors approves Fiscal Year 2024 budget

The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors voted unanimously Monday to approve the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Operating and Capital Budget, as well as its Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan. The approved budget is $871,033,690 in operating and capital expenses. It…

Transit • By Nina Hernandez • Sep 27, 2023

Barton Springs bridge gets new rules

As of this week, heavy vehicles traveling eastbound across the Barton Springs Road Bridge will be required to stay in the far right lane in an effort to extend the life of the bridge. The decision to limit options for…

Roads • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 27, 2023

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