Who's running for the District 4 seat?

As of the Thursday afternoon deadline, seven candidates had filed valid ballot applications for the Jan. 25 election to fill the District 4 City Council seat being vacated by Council Member Greg Casar. Casar, who is running for Congress, released…

Elections • By Jo Clifton • Dec 17, 2021

520-unit multifamily project on the way to St. Elmo area

Eight acres of vacant land in South Austin may soon turn into 520 apartments and condos. The Planning Commission Tuesday recommended a zoning change for the project at 4700 Weidemar Lane, but not before addressing neighbors’ concerns about the rerouting…

Zoning • By Jonathan Lee • Dec 17, 2021

County looks to Sobering Center to house jail-diversion program

On Thursday, the Travis County Commissioners Court convened a working group meeting to receive the findings of a feasibility study regarding the potential combination of a criminal justice/mental health diversion program with the Austin-Travis County Sobering Center. The county commissioned…

Public Safety • By Seth Smalley • Dec 17, 2021

Researchers at Dell Med are studying psychedelics as treatment for severe depression, anxiety and PTSD

The Dell Medical School at UT Austin is launching a research center focused on studying the therapeutic effects of psychedelics, which are drugs that affect an individual’s state of consciousness, including psilocybin, MDMA, ibogaine and ayahuasca. Researchers say the center’s…

Public Health • By Ashley Lopez, KUT • Dec 16, 2021

front of City Hall

Committee sends 'meeting place question' to full Council

Although they rejected the idea of changing the bylaws of three land use commissions to designate a specific meeting place, members of the City Council Audit & Finance Committee on Wednesday expressed their willingness to consider directing staff to hold…

City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Dec 16, 2021

As the pandemic drags on, 24/7 dining makes a return to Austin

Last month, Bennu Coffee was able to reach a milestone it had been after for months: resuming the 24/7 hours of operation it had gained a reputation for among Austinites. At the moment, only Bennu’s Highland location is open around…

Austin • By Sean Saldaña • Dec 16, 2021

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County renews agreement for substance use treatment services

On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court approved and ratified an amendment to the substance use disorder managed services agreement for the 2022 fiscal year. The interlocal agreement between the city, the county and Integral Care is aimed at contracting…

Public Health • By Seth Smalley • Dec 16, 2021

Council extends masking rules to June

After hearing from Dr. Desmar Walkes, health authority for Austin-Travis County, at a joint meeting with the Travis County Commissioners Court Tuesday, City Council voted to extend the current health authority rules until June 10, 2022. Commissioners also acted to…

Public Health • By Jo Clifton • Dec 15, 2021

Council to allow ADUs in more places

In response to rising housing costs, last Thursday City Council proposed several changes to allow accessory dwelling units in more neighborhoods and to make them easier to build.  ADUs are set to become legal in Single Family Residence-Large Lot (SF-1)…

Land Development Code • By Jonathan Lee • Dec 15, 2021

Austin continues to explore bus access on the future Lady Bird Bridge

Austin’s Urban Transportation Commission, which advises city departments on transportation-related matters, met last week and continued discussions around the possibility of expanding the modes of transportation accessible on the future Lady Bird Bridge. The topic was also discussed at an…

Transit • By Willow Higgins • Dec 15, 2021

Council opts to pursue settlements in police brutality suits, puts limit on legal spending

City Council has chosen to pursue settlements in two lawsuits stemming from protests last summer outside the Austin Police Department headquarters. Council last week unanimously approved two resolutions to cap legal spending on the cases brought by Justin Howell and…

Courts • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 14, 2021

Austin ISD will make cuts at Central Office instead of reducing class periods at middle and high schools

The Austin Independent School District said it will not reduce the number of class periods at the middle and high school levels next year – a proposal floated as a way to save money. “I wanted to lower everyone’s anxiety and…

AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Dec 14, 2021

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