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Most Popular Stories
- Despite safety concerns, Council OKs new buildings above Shoal Creek
- Texas lawmakers finalize bill limiting property owners’ right to protest new homes nearby
- A multi-family rezoning at the rugged edge of Northwest Austin
- As Acacia Cliffs rezoning is approved, Critics say Council has sold out on its affordability commitments
- Austin ISD eliminating jobs at its central office to reduce budget deficit
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How Cap Metro's multibillion-dollar transit expansion hinges on federal racial equity standards
The largest expansion of public transit in Austin’s history is built on an expectation the federal government will pick up almost half of the $7 billion tab. To qualify for those billions, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority first must demonstrate it’s…
Transit • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Jul 6, 2021
Living Streets petition urges city to allow resident-led streetscape changes
Earlier this year, neighbors living along the city’s Healthy Streets – a program that blocked through traffic and slowed cars on selected streets – had an idea: Why not use paint, barrels, picnic tables, and other materials to invite people…
Roads • By Jonathan Lee • Jul 6, 2021
County increases homestead exemptions for 65 and up
On June 29, the Travis County Commissioners Court discussed and passed a proposal to increase homestead exemptions for qualifying homes. The item was a follow-up to the previous week’s discussion in which the Planning and Budget Office had recommended to…
Budget • By Seth Smalley • Jul 6, 2021
City eyes two sites as finalists for homeless encampments
Two pieces of city-owned property have been identified as potential sites for homeless encampments, with an analysis of possible zoning issues preceding the disclosure of where the sites are located. The estimated cost of preparing the sites with the utilities…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 2, 2021
County presses pause on Palm School, pending community input
On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court discussed what to do about the Palm School. On June 15, commissioners rejected the city’s 2020 offer to buy the Palm School building. The news disappointed many in the Latino community who had…
Travis County • By Seth Smalley • Jul 2, 2021
Judge denies Virden's request for injunction
Federal District Judge Robert Pitman has denied political candidate Jennifer Virden’s request for a preliminary injunction to prevent the city from enforcing its campaign finance law. Virden immediately filed an appeal. Virden, who lost in a runoff last December to…
Local Politics • By Jo Clifton • Jul 2, 2021
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Austin ISD lost thousands of students during the pandemic. It's going door to door to bring them back.
Fifty Austin ISD staff members gather outside Mendez Middle School in Southeast Austin on Saturday, fueling up for the day with breakfast tacos and coffee. The group is made up of central office staff, teachers and volunteers. The plan is…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Jul 2, 2021
Group launches effort to put decriminalizing pot, ban on no-knock warrants on Austin's November ballot
Austin effectively decriminalized marijuana last year. The city also effectively banned no-knock warrants, the controversial police tactic that led to the deaths of Breonna Taylor and Atatiana Jefferson. But those policies are more or less guidelines; they’re not formally enshrined in the city’s charter.…
Bonds & Propositions • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Jul 1, 2021
Landmark commission reverses course, grants demolition for Scenic Drive home
Last month, a demolition permit request for the property at 2708 Scenic Drive came in front of the Historic Landmark Commission. The home, which was built in 1952, has fallen into disrepair, but instead of granting the permit, city staffers…
Preservation • By Sean Saldaña • Jul 1, 2021
North Austin park poised to be renamed Heron Hollow Pocket Park
It took nearly two decades, but Payton Gin Pocket Park in North Austin is destined to be formally renamed Heron Hollow Pocket Park, a goal of the North Austin Civic Association and other stakeholders since the early 2000s. The Parks…
Parks • By Amy Smith • Jul 1, 2021
Cap Metro board fields 2022 budgetary updates
At the June 28 meeting of the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors, members fielded budgetary updates for the 2022 fiscal year. Deputy CFO Kevin Conlan presented the broad budgetary developments, important assumptions as they relate to budget, expenses,…
Budget • By Seth Smalley • Jul 1, 2021
Planning Commission recommends updates to land use plans for E. 11th and 12th streets
In the late 1990s, City Council decided to revitalize so-called blighted areas east of downtown through urban renewal plans. Now, over 20 years later, the city is updating these plans along East 11th and 12th streets. The primary goal is…
