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Most Popular Stories
- Despite safety concerns, Council OKs new buildings above Shoal Creek
- Texas lawmakers finalize bill limiting property owners’ right to protest new homes nearby
- A multi-family rezoning at the rugged edge of Northwest Austin
- As Acacia Cliffs rezoning is approved, Critics say Council has sold out on its affordability commitments
- Austin ISD eliminating jobs at its central office to reduce budget deficit
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What is a live music venue? City Council looks to make it official
Nearly 32 years after declaring itself the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin is finally getting around to defining what, exactly, a live music venue is. A resolution on the agenda for today’s City Council meeting seeks to amend…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 28, 2022
Proposal to reinstate license plate readers for APD sparks privacy concerns
After a two-year hiatus, City Council is reconsidering Austin Police Department’s defunct automated license plate reader program, rekindling debate over potential ramifications of the powerful surveillance tool. The program was culled amid a nationwide call for police reform in 2020.…
Police • By Kali Bramble • Jul 28, 2022
City faces tough choices in managing homeless shelter
City officials were not satisfied with the way the nonprofit organization Front Steps was running the homeless men’s shelter at 500 E. Seventh Street commonly known as the ARCH. Officials notified the organization that all contracts with Front Steps would…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • Jul 28, 2022
Travis County calls on LCRA to 'get serious' about water conservation
The Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a resolution July 19 requesting that the Lower Colorado River Authority accelerate a change to its Highland Lakes water management plan. If LCRA cooperates, a “more protective” approach would be implemented to reflect Central…
Water • By Seth Smalley • Jul 28, 2022
TipSheet: Austin City Council, 7.28.22
After a brief, special called meeting last week, City Council is back in earnest today. How earnest? Well, Mayor Steve Adler joked that there was a betting pool at City Hall about how long the meeting would last, so that’s…
TipSheets • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 28, 2022
City considers accreditation program for Sixth Street bars to improve security
City staff is considering an accreditation program for bars and nightlife businesses operating in the Sixth Street entertainment district downtown, pushing for more cooperation and standards for safety planning as part of the evolving plan to address safety concerns in…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 27, 2022
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Advocates call for free Cap Metro fares for Austin's unhoused
On Monday, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors unanimously approved the implementation of a new system that caps the amount riders pay for fares. Another part of the system provides reduced fares for people with lower incomes, called Equifare. But before…
Transit • By Samuel Stark • Jul 27, 2022
Budget season begins with arguments over 'riders'
It’s budget time again. Mayor Steve Adler got the ball rolling at Tuesday’s City Council work session by noting that staff had expressed concerns about the number of budget riders Council members might be bringing forward. He also said staff…
Budget • By Jo Clifton • Jul 27, 2022
Workers Defense asks for construction standards on Statesman PUD
In anticipation of one of Austin’s next big construction projects, advocacy group Workers Defense Project demanded Tuesday morning that the redevelopment of the former Austin American-Statesman site at 305 S. Congress Ave. lead to safe and well-compensated construction jobs as…
Planning • By Jonathan Lee • Jul 27, 2022
Austin Energy amends initial proposal at base rate review conference, but critics say it's not enough
As the grid works overtime to absorb record-breaking heat, the battle over energy prices continues. Austin Energy met face-to-face with stakeholders earlier this month with its proposal to raise and restructure rates, citing mounting revenue gaps threatening the utility’s finances. The…
Energy • By Kali Bramble • Jul 26, 2022
Red River Cultural District seeks new director to succeed Cowan
The Red River Cultural District is searching for a new executive director to lead the nonprofit organization that seeks to stabilize and improve the city’s most prominent cluster of live music venues. The search comes on the heels of the…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 26, 2022
Austin Water addresses effect of drought on agriculture
Texas’ current drought is affecting both Austin residents as well as the crops grown outside of the city. At Wednesday’s Water and Wastewater Commission meeting, representatives from Austin Water explained the far-reaching effects of the drought and efforts made to…
