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Low enrollment might force Austin ISD to make budget cuts

After seeing a continued dip in enrollment, Austin ISD is asking for feedback on its budget for next school year, which will likely include cuts. School districts get money from the state based on how many students are enrolled; when…

Student commission prepares to tackle affordable housing crisis

On Nov. 5, the College Student Commission voted to create a working group to study the city’s affordable housing crisis, specifically as it affects students.  “I think that anyone who’s living here in Austin knows, we do have an affordable…

Austin economy seeing 'growth surge' coming out of pandemic

Driven by strong job growth, in-migration and the ongoing supply of federal stimulus funds, the Austin area is experiencing a “growth surge” that economists expect to continue for the foreseeable future. That was the main message at a recent economic…

New water-saving requirements take effect Dec. 1

Starting Dec. 1, eligible new developments in Austin will need to include water-conservation measures. The new requirements are in response to City Council actions and subsequent code amendments adopted in recent months. Once the new terms take effect, developments submitting…

Taylor chosen as home for new Samsung chip facility

A site in Taylor has been chosen for Samsung’s new $17 billion chip-making factory. “The implications of this facility extend far beyond the boundaries of Texas. It’s going to impact the entire world,” Gov. Greg Abbott said at a press…

Austin continues to make progress on bold 2016 sidewalk initiative 

Halfway through a 10-year plan to upgrade the city’s network of sidewalks, officials say the initiative has gone better than expected but still needs considerable work to extend walkability to the majority of residents. “It feels like a tale of…

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New collaborative hopes to address equity gaps in Austin's response to homelessness

Austin has consistently struggled to get people living outdoors into homes. Part of that failure lies in the city’s unprecedented real estate boom and affordability crisis over the last 10 years. Another reason is that people of color, who are overrepresented among…

Long Center seeks to act as administrative hub for new creative consortium

Executives with the Long Center for the Performing Arts want the facility to serve as an administrative hub for local arts groups, providing shared services that could lower costs and eventually bring in major corporate donations to benefit member organizations.…

Council moves forward with arts funding plan, promising relief for nonprofit grant applicants

Following the recommendations of the Arts Commission, City Council has approved funding for cultural arts programs with plans to significantly expand its nonprofit relief grant program. That’s good news for the program’s applicants, who can all expect to see checks…

Cap Metro to create 1,000 jobs over coming decade

On Monday, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors discussed its workforce retention plan, building on the discussion of labor shortages across the country, as well as the announcement last week that Capital Metro bus driver starting wages will…

Enhancing your news experience: A first step

We know there are a lot of information and media sources that compete for your time. It seems like this number grows exponentially every year, and with the move to everything digital, we know it is important to factor in…

Council looks to increase height allowed under VMU zoning

City Council last Thursday took a step toward addressing housing affordability, passing a resolution to allow greater building height in areas zoned Vertical Mixed-Use (VMU). The code change would create VMU2, a new zoning category that allows 90 feet of…