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Most Popular Stories
- Austin ISD eliminating jobs at its central office to reduce budget deficit
- Audit: Economic official granted arts, music funding against city code
- Parks Board recommends vendor for Zilker Café, while voicing concerns about lack of local presence
- Dozens of city music grants stalled over missing final reports
- Council reaffirms its commitment to making Austin a more age-friendly city
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Lady Bird Lake has looked kind of junky lately. Here's why.
It’s hard to think of a location more beloved to the people of Austin than Lady Bird Lake, often called the crown jewel of the city. Thousands of joggers, picnickers and kayakers flock to its shores every day to commune…
Environment • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Oct 17, 2022
Starting next month, Austin Energy customers can expect a $15 increase on bills
Lee esta historia en Español If you’re an Austin Energy customer, your bill is going up soon, but City Council members passed a proposal Thursday to lower some increases – at least for now. On an 7-4 vote, Council members…
Energy • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Oct 14, 2022
District 8 City Council candidates chat with the 'Monitor'
Four years ago, Southwest Austin’s District 8 selected the progressive yet pragmatic Paige Ellis as its City Council representative. In November, voters will decide whether to continue Ellis’ leadership on the dais. The incumbent faces three community advocates who each…
Elections • By Nina Hernandez • Oct 14, 2022
Council puts off making environmental code changes
City Council opted Thursday to postpone a decision on changes to the city’s environmental regulations related to drainage, landscape and site plan requirements. Staff and environmentalists argue the changes are important updates to regulations related to stormwater drainage, wastewater infrastructure,…
Land Development Code • By Jo Clifton • Oct 14, 2022
City seeks applicants to help craft five-year food system plan
The city has opened its application process for members of the advisory committee that will help the Office of Sustainability draft a comprehensive food plan for the city, with the goal of addressing food insecurity for vulnerable Austin residents. The Community…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 14, 2022
Planning Commission recommends enviro code updates with caveats
The Planning Commission on Tuesday unanimously recommended that City Council approve only certain elements of a package of code updates aimed at making new development more environmentally friendly, and suggested Council retool or delay adoption of other elements. The complex…
Land Development Code • By Jonathan Lee • Oct 13, 2022
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Unpermitted demolition stokes existential crisis at Historic Landmark Commission
Frustration was palpable at last week’s meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission, with yet another unpermitted demolition garnering little fanfare outside the Historic Preservation Office. The vacant lot at 4008 N. Lamar, once home to a 1926 residence converted for…
Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Oct 13, 2022
Report raises questions about campaign loan for District 9 candidate
Kym Olson has received little media attention since late August, when she designated a treasurer for her campaign for the District 9 seat on Austin City Council. Olson, who serves in the Texas State Guard as a protocol officer and…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Oct 13, 2022
TipSheet: Austin City Council, 10.13.22
A discussion about scheduling at Tuesday’s City Council work session made it clear that local officials are acutely aware of the upcoming transition ahead. With at least four new representatives on the way, it’s starting to look like it’s time…
TipSheets • By Elizabeth Pagano • Oct 13, 2022
Council facing tough decisions on Austin Energy charges
Facing an increasing deficit in its collections for fuel costs to run Austin Energy, City Council must quickly make a decision about increasing the power supply adjustment that all customers pay. The matter is on this week’s Council agenda. While…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • Oct 12, 2022
Police oversight office advocates for community input in updating police body- and dash-cam policies
The Austin Police Department should incorporate public feedback when developing policies related to body-worn and dashboard cameras, direct officers to alert community members when their interaction is being recorded, investigate potential violations of body-worn and dashboard camera policies, and reconsider…
Police • By Emma Freer • Oct 12, 2022
County mulls options to improve campus voting
While the county is doubling its number of voting machines on the UT campus this year, students and advocates are still warning of long wait times, sparse transit access and a lack of polling sites (hint: there are two). On…
