Off-leash dog group urges public action

The working group tasked with tackling off-leash dog issues in the city of Austin has dissolved, although the issue is far from resolved. “We’re kind of at the end of the road of what we can do,” said Animal Advisory…

Council candidates start getting ready for November

Although campaign season has not really begun, candidates have filed paperwork to run for every City Council seat officially up for election in November, as well as those not scheduled to be on the ballot. Mayor Steve Adler will have…

Controversial Fourth Street high-rise gears up for first public hearing with landmark commission

The Historic Landmark Commission’s architectural review committee hosted an unusually full conference room on Monday, as developers revealed their initial rendering of a 40-floor high-rise that would occupy the majority of a block in the center of Austin’s warehouse district.…

Trial set for redistricting case that could upend city elections

Plaintiffs who say that they have been disenfranchised by the city’s redistricting process will be watching carefully on May 17, when the suit filed against Austin Mayor Steve Adler and his 10 City Council colleagues is set for trial. Also…

With PE required each day next fall, it’s up to Austin elementary schools to find time for art and music

Principal Katie Peña stands in the entrance to the gym at Highland Park Elementary School in Northwest Austin. It’s a bright and colorful room, with a mural covering one wall. Students sit on the floor socializing. Because it’s a small…

City opens applications for $20M in anti-displacement projects

The city is accepting proposals from community organizations involved in affordable housing and related services to apply for some of the $20 million available for anti-displacement efforts related to Project Connect. At a news conference Monday, leaders from the Austin…

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EMS union, city at odds over pay

Twenty-six Emergency Medical Services employees have quit their city jobs so far this year, and according to Austin-Travis County EMS Association President Selena Xie, that’s double the number of separations in 2020 and 2021. She added that, in all of…

As housing protections expire, Travis County observes bump in evictions

Travis County is seeing a wave, not a tsunami of evictions, according to Precinct 5 Judge Nick Chu. A more substantial increase in evictions had been forecast as federal and local eviction protections wore off. But last Tuesday, the judge…

Statesman PUD wins initial approval

One of the most anticipated redevelopment projects in Austin’s history has moved one step closer to approval.  City Council Thursday unanimously approved Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning on the first of three readings for the former Austin-American Statesman site, whose…

Council approves social services funding despite anticipating tightest budget in years

The pressures of anticipated budget constraints loomed large over City Council’s discussion of funding social services last Thursday. The conversation followed Council’s approval of Austin Public Health’s request for $6,727,158 across 17 15-month contracts with youth services providers, with four…

Analysis of code changes for Project Connect extended until December

City staff will need until December to determine the full scope of processes and city regulations that will have to be changed to accommodate the planning and construction of the components of the Project Connect transit plan. City Council had…

Introducing the Del Valle Resource Guide

As part of the Austin Monitor‘s ongoing mission to serve our community, we have helped create a new guide to the resources available for Del Valle residents. From setting up utilities to voting jurisdictions, we’re hoping the new guide makes figuring out…