Austin utilities work to help those hit by storm

The wake of winter storm Uri brought recriminations, finger-pointing and at least one major utility bankruptcy, not to mention the sky-high prices charged to many Texas utility customers. Meanwhile, at Austin Energy, officials have been spending their time trying to…

Energy • By Jo Clifton • Mar 2, 2021

Central Texas counties vaccinate 3,000 people in test run for mega site at Circuit of the Americas

Lee esta historia en español. More than 3,000 people were vaccinated against Covid-19 this past weekend at Circuit of the Americas. Officials from Travis, Hays, Bastrop and Caldwell counties are working to open a drive-thru mass vaccination site there that…

Public Health • By Ashley Lopez, KUT • Mar 2, 2021

Parks board endorses push for more benches in city parks

On Feb. 23, Janee Briesemeister, who chairs the Commission on Seniors, sought the Parks and Recreation Board’s endorsement for a recommendation passed by the senior commission back in January. The recommendation advocates for “the placement of benches on trails and other…

Parks • By Sean Saldaña • Mar 2, 2021

Planning Commission recommends making Chalmers Avenue block car-free

The Planning Commission said at its Feb. 9 meeting that the city should allow Chalmers Avenue between East Third and East Fourth streets to become a car-free zone, with pedestrian and bike paths and green space replacing the asphalt. The…

Planning • By Jonathan Lee • Mar 2, 2021

These volunteers didn't wait around to get homeless Austinites into hotels during the historic freeze

Last Wednesday, Patricia Clark was in a hotel room in North Austin watching “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” She was bored. Just days earlier, she was outside in the 9-degree weather. The 48-year-old has been homeless on and off for…

Austin • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Mar 1, 2021

PARD director estimates $1 million in weather-related damages

At last week’s Parks and Recreation Board meeting, Parks and Recreation Department Director Kimberly McNeeley presented the most recent director’s report for the department, highlighting PARD’s response to the historic winter storms and the power outages in the region. According to McNeeley,…

Parks • By Sean Saldaña • Mar 1, 2021

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Construction imminent for Longhorn Dam bridge

The Austin Transportation Department has decided on Longhorn Dam’s new bike and pedestrian bridge, which is designed to increase safety on Pleasant Valley Road and connect trails and parks in the area. The bridge’s design is “wishbone style” and will…

Transportation • By Harrison Young • Mar 1, 2021

Council critiques Uri response – and looks ahead to future disasters

On Thursday, City Council launched a wide-ranging review of the city’s response to the devastation wrought by winter storm Uri, beginning the long, complex work of preparing for the next storm – even as the current crisis persists for many.…

City Council • By Jonathan Lee • Feb 26, 2021

City says fix the leak now, get the permit later

In an effort to assist residents dealing with the aftereffects of prolonged freezing temperatures, heavy snow and freezing rain, City Council approved an ordinance Thursday waiving residential permitting and development fees for repairing or rebuilding structures and removing downed trees.…

City Council • By Jo Clifton • Feb 26, 2021

Travis County bush

County wants permanent supportive housing – but first, where's the money?

The Commissioners Court fielded statements from county executives Tuesday regarding a negotiation to fund hundreds of units of permanent supportive housing. Justice and Public Safety Executive Roger Jefferies spoke, as well as Health and Human Services Executive Sherri Fleming. The proposal,…

Travis County • By Seth Smalley • Feb 26, 2021

Conservation groups promote 'Lights Out' to protect migrating birds

A coalition of organizations is working to promote a program to protect migrating birds as they pass through Austin this spring. Travis Audubon, Texan by Nature, Defenders of Wildlife, the Austin Office of Sustainability, Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, Audubon Texas, and…

Environment • By Sumaiya Malik, Reporting Texas • Feb 26, 2021

Cold weather kills bats across Texas

Large numbers of dead or dying bats are being discovered under bridges and overpasses in Texas after last week’s winter storm. One Austin resident sent KUT a video of what she saw downtown under a bridge at Henderson and Ninth Street.…

Environment • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Feb 25, 2021

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