Former Mayor Bruce Todd leaves a lasting legacy

Bruce Todd, who served his community as mayor of Austin as well as Travis County commissioner, died Christmas Day at the age of 72. He suffered from Lewy body dementia for several years before his death. Todd, who was Precinct…

Austin • By Jo Clifton • Jan 5, 2022

Cronk: Police reform efforts put Austin in national spotlight

Looking back at 2021, City Manager Spencer Cronk feels proud of the way city employees performed in the face of a seemingly never-ending pandemic, an unprecedented ice storm, and state legislation that not only redirected use of city funds, but…

City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Jan 4, 2022

Chamber prez credits Austin’s rapid recovery to diverse local economy

Even after nearly two years of Covid-19 restrictions, Austin continues to have one of the strongest regional economies in the United States. Austin Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Laura Huffman says the key to that bounce-back comes from the…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Jan 4, 2022

Brown: The stakes are high for the county judge

Unlike the city of Austin, Travis County doesn’t have a behind-the-scenes manager directing operations, overseeing staff and preparing budgets. But it does have Andy Brown, the county judge, head of the Commissioners Court and a former senior adviser to Beto…

Travis County • By Seth Smalley • Jan 3, 2022

Mayor emphasizes Austin’s knack for rising to the occasion

The Austin Monitor sat down with Mayor Steve Adler in early December to recall the highlights – and lowlights – of 2021, including Covid-19, homelessness, Winter Storm Uri, police reform, and the rising cost of housing in Austin. At the…

City Council • By Jo Clifton • Jan 3, 2022

2021: Remembering the year that was

Though everyone reading this lived through it, it’s still somewhat unbelievable that 2021 continued the vibe of 2020. Nonetheless, we are taking a backward glance at what happened in our fair city over the past 12 months and throwing caution…

Austin • By Elizabeth Pagano • Dec 30, 2021

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Ann Howard reflects on a turbulent first year in office

From the winter storm last February to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Travis County Commissioner Ann Howard has seen a lot this past year. The Austin Monitor sat down with Howard to reflect on 2021 and the highs and lows that came…

Travis County • By Anna Kate Browne • Dec 29, 2021

Shea: A career spent combating the climate crisis

In the summer of 1988, Brigid Shea unfolded a copy of The New York Times and read a front-page story that changed the trajectory of her life, about a NASA scientist who had testified to Congress about the life-threatening consequences…

Travis County • By Molly Walsh • Dec 29, 2021

Gómez: Longest-serving commissioner finding new ways of doing business

With new members on the court this past year, Travis County Commissioner Margaret Gómez has been rethinking the court’s longtime processes. (Ann Howard, who represents Precinct 3, assumed office at the start of 2021, while County Judge Andy Brown assumed…

Travis County • By Andrew Logan • Dec 28, 2021

Where some see problems, Travillion sees opportunities

Travis County Precinct 1 Commissioner Jeff Travillion acknowledges that 2021 was a “challenging year.” But where others saw problems, Travillion saw opportunities. In areas lacking basic amenities like hospitals, clinics and pharmacies, Travillion made use of public schools and community…

Travis County • By Eniola Longe • Dec 28, 2021

Tovo 'strongly considering' a run for mayor in 2022

As Council Member Kathie Tovo enters her last year as District 9 representative, she sat down with the Austin Monitor to discuss what she hopes to accomplish in 2022, including a potential run for mayor and how she responded to…

City Council • By Jonathan Lee • Dec 27, 2021

Alter says resilience has been the theme of 2021

Reflecting on her fifth year serving District 10, City Council Member Alison Alter recalls confronting significant obstacles, but maintains that Austin has come out the better for it.  “It’s been an incredibly challenging year, but we’ve set a lot of…

City Council • By Kali Bramble • Dec 27, 2021

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