I-35 expansion through downtown Austin gets final green light

The state’s contentious plan to make the biggest road in Central Texas even bigger has cleared a major bureaucratic hurdle, paving the way for the historic expansion of Interstate 35 from Ben White Boulevard to U.S. Highway 290 East. The…

Development • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Aug 23, 2023

CAMPO board OKs amendments to I-35 expansion project without votes from 3 Council members

The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Transportation Policy Board voted last week to approve amendments to its highway improvement plans, which will pave the way for the latest version of the Interstate 35 Capital Express project. It did so without…

Roads • By Nina Hernandez • Aug 23, 2023

Financial justice nonprofit gets boost to expand services

A local financial justice nonprofit group will be able to expand its services in Austin and around the state dramatically with a $250,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation. The banking giant’s gift will let Financial Health Pathways more than…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 23, 2023

Austin Energy in talks to expand community solar program

As residents bemoan scorching temperatures, Austin Energy is looking to leverage the sunny weather’s benefits, with plans to ramp up the utility’s community solar program over the coming year. Customer Renewable Solutions Manager Tim Harvey stopped by last week’s Electric…

Energy • By Kali Bramble • Aug 22, 2023

Council delays transfer of 37 civilian position to APD, citing transparency concerns

Before City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget, which includes record-high police funding, District 4 Council Member Chito Vela proposed an amendment delaying the transfer of 37 full-time civilian staff positions to the Austin Police Department, citing a need…

Budget • By Emma Freer • Aug 22, 2023

NOAA heat impact study puts faces to local effects of 2023 heat wave

Community organizations have been advocating for the city to direct more resources toward heat relief and climate emergency response. A 2021 study examining how extreme heat affects East Austin residents is giving more weight to that work. The study, titled…

Environment • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 22, 2023

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Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon announces retirement

Chief Joseph Chacon will leave the Austin Police Department next month. Chacon told interim City Manager Jesús Garza of his plans to retire last week, city leaders said, and he officially gave his notice Monday morning. He has served in…

Police • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Aug 22, 2023

City says Austin Energy’s budget reflects needs

All Austin Energy customers will see a small increase in their electric bills this fall – about $1.04 a month for the typical residential customer. According to the utility, its residential bills are still among the lowest in the state.…

Budget • By Jo Clifton • Aug 21, 2023

Austin provides shelter in freezes but not in triple-digit heat – and advocates want change

Austin’s triple-digit temperatures – 44 days in a row as of Sunday – have been near-unbearable for people living outdoors. And with the heat streak likely to continue well into next week, a group of nonprofits is asking the city…

Public Health • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Aug 21, 2023

As heat wave continues, city fleet department works to improve AC maintenance for Austin Resource Recovery

Amid an ongoing spike in repair requests for Austin Resource Recovery vehicles, managers of the city’s fleet have made some changes to improve air conditioning maintenance. A memo released last week showed that since June and July 2022, the Fleet…

City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 21, 2023

Council-approved budget contains record-high police funding, sparking dissent from both sides

Three years after mass protests against police violence and racial injustice spurred the now-defunct Reimagining Public Safety initiative, City Council on Wednesday voted 10-1 to approve the Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget, which includes record-high police funding and sets a new…

Budget • By Emma Freer • Aug 18, 2023

Leslie Pool takes question of water extension requests off Council agenda

City Council Member Leslie Pool notified her colleagues that she has withdrawn her request that the group consider a controversial item related to the extension of water and wastewater service in the city’s Drinking Water Protection Zone and outside the…

City Council • By Jo Clifton • Aug 18, 2023

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