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Most Popular Stories
- A plan to end night swimming at Barton Springs is over before it ever began
- Downtown report: Office vacancies up, infrastructure growth continues
- City to postpone UNO vote to consult with UT
- Austin could soon see more rooftop solar power systems on public buildings
- City delays decision on license plate reader program
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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
Environmental boards push for telework policy for city employees
Two city environmental panels have approved resolutions asking City Council to direct interim City Manager Jesús Garza to reconsider his proposed policy requiring most employees to do their jobs at the office three days a week. Both the Environmental Commission…
City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Jul 12, 2023
Animal Advisory Commission wants limit on public contact with wild animals
The Animal Advisory Commission on Monday voted unanimously to approve a resolution recommending City Council limit public contact with wild animals at for-profit zoos and aquariums. The idea for the resolution came about at the commission’s February meeting, when members…
Public Safety • By Nina Hernandez • Jul 12, 2023
Hawk attacks seem more common lately. Austin's tree canopy may have something to do with it.
Hawks in Austin are currently nesting and caring for their young until they’re old enough to flee the nest. And these protective parents fear you might be a threat. This might explain why there have been quite a few local hawk…
Environment • By Haya Panjwani, KUT • Jul 12, 2023
Austin Police Department keeps running on overtime
In January 2019, the Austin Monitor reported that APD had 110 vacancies and was making up for those vacancies by paying officers overtime. On Monday, Assistant Police Chief James Mason told the Public Safety Commission the department now has 329…
Police • By Jo Clifton • Jul 11, 2023
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After years of staffing woes, Austin finally hires enough lifeguards by start of swim season
Austin finally has enough lifeguards. This week, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department celebrated the hiring of more than 1,000 lifeguards this swim season. That allowed PARD to open all 32 operational pools in its expansive aquatics system and extend…
Parks • By Nina Hernandez • Jul 11, 2023
City starting over on Ryan Drive redevelopment project
The city appears ready to hit the reset button on the redevelopment of its Ryan Drive property in North Austin, more than a year after selecting a development team that appeared ready to move the project forward. Last month the…
Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 11, 2023
Environmental Commission recommends Save Our Springs Ordinance amendment
The city’s Environmental Commission voted on July 5 to recommend an amendment to the Save Our Springs Ordinance that will pave the way for the completion of the long-awaited Barton Springs Bathhouse rehabilitation. The motion passed 10-0, with Commissioner Peter…
Environment • By Nina Hernandez • Jul 10, 2023
District-by-district analysis shows unequal progress on affordable housing construction
The nonprofit HousingWorks Austin on June 29 released its eighth “District by District and Community at a Glance Analysis,” an annual report that shows how many units of subsidized affordable housing have been built in each City Council district, as…
Housing • By Jonathan Lee • Jul 10, 2023
City, conservancy moving ahead with Rainey Street safety improvements
The Parks and Recreation Department has proposed up to $1 million in permanent infrastructure improvements to enhance public safety along the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail in the Rainey Street District. A memo released last week by department Director…
Parks • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 10, 2023
What you need to know about Austin's budget season
It’s that time of year again. The process to adopt the annual city budget is set to begin late next week and last through mid-August, according to a detailed schedule released by Mayor Kirk Watson last Friday. Over the next…
