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More Austin ISD students will eat breakfast for free after Texas ups funding for school meals

On a bright, hot July day, students trickle into the cafeteria at Akins Early College High School in South Austin. There, they can grab chicken, grilled cheese sandwiches, carrots and peas, fresh fruit and a roll for free. They’re greeted…

Education • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Jul 17, 2023

Landmark Commission debates historic exemption for new safe fence ordinance

The Historic Landmark Commission faced an unusual case last week, when a construction proposal at a landmarked home at 1412 W. Sixth 1/2 St. collided with pending City Council action to ban unsafe fence designs. The resolution, which would mandate…

Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Jul 17, 2023

Planning Commission says no to more mini storage units near future light rail station

The Planning Commission on Tuesday denied a request to expand a mini storage facility near a future light rail station, holding out for the possibility of mixed-use, transit-oriented development over what they deemed a suburban, car-oriented use.  The owner of…

Zoning • By Jonathan Lee • Jul 17, 2023

Council to vote on allowing taller buildings along Sixth Street

City Council is set to vote next week on allowing taller buildings along part of Sixth Street, in hopes of bringing more daytime uses to Austin’s most famous stretch of bars and clubs.  The plan is to allow buildings up…

Preservation • By Jonathan Lee • Jul 14, 2023

Wait, so, what's going on with DPS patrols in Austin?

The city of Austin has ended its agreement with the Texas Department of Public Safety to have state troopers supplement citywide police patrols. Mayor Kirk Watson and interim City Manager Jesús Garza decided to end the partnership Wednesday, after a…

Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Jul 14, 2023

City needs more planning staff to complete federal transit grant work for light rail

The Planning Department says it needs four new staffers to prepare for the first phase of light rail through downtown. That was one of the findings in a new memo outlining the department’s work to make equitable transit-oriented developments, or…

Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 14, 2023

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Commission convenes working group aimed at accelerating airport expansion

The Airport Advisory Commission has formed a working group to look into possible ways the city can support accelerating the expansion of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The commission at its July 12 meeting voted unanimously to form the working group.…

Transportation • By Nina Hernandez • Jul 14, 2023

Austin again suspends its patrol partnership with DPS

Lee esta historia en español The city of Austin says it won’t forge ahead with its partnership with the Texas Department of Public Safety to supplement police patrols. The plan was initially rolled out this spring but was met with…

Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Jul 13, 2023

Austin Tourism Public Improvement District plan to partially fund homeless services heads to vote

City Council will vote next week on the long-coming agreement with local hotels that could generate roughly $7 million a year for the next decade to fund services to aid people experiencing homelessness. The Austin Tourism Public Improvement District (ATPID)…

City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 13, 2023

Developers behind Fairmont Hotel revisit historic home relocation battle

With a $600 million development deal allegedly in the pipeline, Manchester Financial Group once again is eyeing a slice of prime real estate across the street from the Austin Convention Center. Since 2016, two historic homes on East Third Street…

Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Jul 13, 2023

Travis County voting advocates fight for more access for students

University voting advocates on Tuesday took to the Travis County Commissioners Court to advocate for equitable voting access on college campuses on and before election day, specifically at St. Edward’s University and Huston-Tillotson University. Advocates – mostly from voting rights…

Elections • By Seth Smalley • Jul 13, 2023

Public Safety Commission recommends guardrails for APD-DPS partnership – or ending it

The Public Safety Commission recommended that City Council establish a plan governing the recently resumed partnership between the Austin Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety – or discontinue it altogether.  Commissioners voted on Monday to approve the…

Police • By Emma Freer • Jul 12, 2023

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