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Police chief says Austin has seen a big drop in violent crime since state troopers started helping out

Austin’s police chief says the department has seen a 25 percent drop in violent crime since a partnership with Department of Public Safety troopers began late last month. At a news conference Friday, APD Chief Joseph Chacon said the partnership…

Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Apr 17, 2023

Business leaders eye contract, job opportunities from $25B in transportation projects

With $25 billion in road, rail and airport infrastructure projects on tap for Austin over the next decade-plus, business leaders are starting to shape how the regional economy and its workforce can get the most benefit from the far-reaching changes…

Transportation • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 17, 2023

Planning Commission moves to create new zoning category to allow more housing

The Planning Commission took a step on Tuesday to create a new zoning category that commissioners say would allow more housing to be built across the city. “We’re not building enough housing, and whatever we can do to change that…

Zoning • By Jonathan Lee • Apr 14, 2023

City Council approves additional cameras, park rangers in Rainey Street district

The city will direct more public safety resources toward the Rainey Street neighborhood to prevent additional drowning deaths suffered by patrons of the bars and restaurants frequenting the popular nightlife district. City Council unanimously passed a resolution Thursday that directs…

Public Safety • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 14, 2023

May 2023 Austin election ballot propositions: Voter resource

Austin voters will soon decide the fates of two warring police oversight propositions on the May 6 ballot.  The election arrives after more than a year of police labor contract negotiations with the Austin Police Association, which City Council scuttled,…

Elections • By Emma Freer • Apr 14, 2023

City may help Travis County with mental illness and substance use disorder pilot

The Travis County Commissioners Court approved a resolution last month to create a diversion center for people with substance abuse disorders and other mental health issues, who would otherwise end up in the county jail. On Thursday, City Council approved…

Public Health • By Jo Clifton • Apr 14, 2023

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TxDOT could put a four-lane road where Austin is building a trail

The Texas Department of Transportation is studying whether to build a four-lane highway along the same stretch of land where Austin is planning to break ground next year on a 12-foot-wide concrete trail. Both projects fall within part of an…

Roads • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Apr 13, 2023

Austin airport passenger wrongful arrest lawsuit on hold

Attorneys representing an Austin-Bergstrom International Airport passenger, who contends that failure on the part of airline staff and Austin police officers to accommodate her hearing impairment resulted in a wrongful arrest and injury at the Travis County Jail, are in…

Transportation • By Nina Hernandez • Apr 13, 2023

City Council to consider reducing parking spots for bars

At today’s meeting, City Council will consider directing staff to amend the city’s land use regulations to reduce the parking requirements for bars and cocktail lounges. According to the resolution, Texas has seen an increase in arrests for driving while…

Land Development Code • By Jo Clifton • Apr 13, 2023

City Council hears preliminary findings on what went wrong with city response to Winter Storm Mara

As extreme weather in Central Texas becomes more frequent, what is Austin doing to bolster its emergency preparedness? At its work session on Tuesday, City Council heard a preliminary update on the audits examining what broke down in the city’s…

Public Safety • By Nina Hernandez • Apr 13, 2023

TipSheet: Austin City Council, 4.13.23

Today City Council will convene for its regular Thursday meeting. As usual, anyone can read through the agenda, which is posted online, but we’ve done our level best to pick out the most interesting bits to make things a little…

TipSheets • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 13, 2023

Memo eyes possible polystyrene ban to curb trash in creeks, streams

The Watershed Protection Department wants city leaders to consider instituting a ban on polystyrene fast-food containers as one of a series of possible steps to reduce the amount of trash in local waterways. An April 10 memo gives City Council…

Water • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 12, 2023

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