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Most Popular Stories
- Former Council Member and dedicated environmentalist Jackie Goodman has died
- Despite safety concerns, Council OKs new buildings above Shoal Creek
- A multi-family rezoning at the rugged edge of Northwest Austin
- Texas lawmakers finalize bill limiting property owners’ right to protest new homes nearby
- As Acacia Cliffs rezoning is approved, Critics say Council has sold out on its affordability commitments
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Golden-cheeked warbler may be downlisted to ‘threatened’ status
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has taken the initial step to downlist the Hill Country’s golden-cheeked warbler from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act. According to a news release from USFWS, there will be a lengthy process…
Environment • By Jo Clifton • Jan 9, 2025
Most Austin-area drivers will still need a vehicle inspection. Here's where the rules have changed.
Mandatory vehicle safety inspections have been eliminated for many Texas drivers. But in 17 counties – including Travis and Williamson – an emissions test is still required to renew your vehicle registration every year. The changes, which took effect Jan. 1,…
Transportation • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Jan 9, 2025
Planning memo details performance, possible changes for density bonus programs
A new analysis of the city’s density bonus programs finds mixed results in their ability to deliver community benefits such as affordable housing in new real estate projects. A memo released last week by Planning Department Director Lauren Middleton-Pratt details…
Land Development Code • By Chad Swiatecki • Jan 9, 2025
Density proponents encouraged by HOME six-month progress report
The city of Austin’s Development Services Department has released its six-month report on the early outcomes of the Home Options for Mobility and Equity (HOME) Phase 1 initiative. A memo released last month by José G. Roig, director of DSD,…
Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Jan 8, 2025
Lost Creek neighborhood sues city over tax efforts
The Lost Creek Neighborhood Association and two property owners in the area that disannexed from the city of Austin last September have sued the city after residents discovered that the city is still expecting them to pay property taxes. According…
Courts • By Jo Clifton • Jan 8, 2025
What does homelessness in Austin look like in 2025? A new census will shed some light.
Lee esta historia en español On a single night in late January, volunteers from around the city will conduct a census of Austin’s most vulnerable residents, counting as many people experiencing homelessness as possible. This biennial point-in-time count is overseen…
Austin • By Olivia Aldridge, KUT • Jan 8, 2025
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Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea urges local climate resilience initiatives to combat coming federal turn
Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea has been a mainstay of the Austin environmental movement for decades. Though she’s seen many gains in that area since her political career began, the relentless changing climate of our region has kept up the…
Travis County • By Lina Fisher • Jan 7, 2025
In 2025, Travis County Commissioner Ann Howard eyes building more supportive housing and strengthening climate resilience
Coming from her background in affordable housing at the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition, Travis County Commissioner Ann Howard has always prioritized the same throughout her tenure at the county. 2024 saw two big wins on that front, she says: “There’s…
Travis County • By Lina Fisher • Jan 7, 2025
Commissioner Travillion finds integration of public services as key to success
In 2024, Travis County Commissioner Jeff Travillion approached his work with a clear conviction: The challenges facing East Austinites are deeply interconnected. To truly serve his constituents, he recognized that solving these issues required a multidimensional approach – what he…
Travis County • By Madeline de Figueiredo • Jan 7, 2025
Watson touts moves toward stability, predictability for city services in 2024
Mayor Kirk Watson returns to the word “stability” frequently when discussing the moves and decisions inside City Hall in 2024 and what residents want headed into 2025. For Watson, stability and predictability come in the form of things like the…
City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Jan 6, 2025
Travis County Judge Andy Brown pledges continued focus on health care, passenger rail in 2025
For the past two years, Travis County Judge Andy Brown has told the Austin Monitor he wants to double down on overdose prevention, mental health care and passenger rail. Looking ahead to 2025, those priorities have not changed – but…
Travis County • By Lina Fisher • Jan 6, 2025
From deep dives to creative thinking, Alison Alter brought an innovative approach to her policy work
When Alison Alter came into office in 2017, her primary issues were parks, climate change and responsible growth. That was just a preview. Over the next eight years, the District 10 City Council member built an expansive policy portfolio that…
