Austin Public Health plans to administer 37,000 Covid-19 vaccines this week after storm delayed efforts

Austin Public Health is working overtime this week to try to administer 37,000 Covid-19 vaccines after the winter storm delayed vaccination efforts for more than a week. That number is much higher than what APH has been able to administer…

County rose to weather crisis challenge – but it's not over yet

As the weather warmed and the snow and ice began to thaw, Austin Water and other utilities in Travis County began to discover breaks in water mains. On top of rolling blackouts, the depressurization of water lines created the need…

Design Commission eyes Dougherty Arts Center plan

The Design Commission on Monday gave feedback on design alternatives for the Dougherty Arts Center redevelopment, setting up a City Council discussion next month. Though commissioners differed on the best alternative, they commended the project as a whole. The “beloved”…

Austin Energy customers need not worry about skyrocketing bills

Austin Energy customers, like the customers of other utilities throughout the state, experienced power outages and water shortages caused by winter storm Uri. But unlike customers of other utilities, Austin Energy customers will not be facing a huge spike in…

County issues anti-price gouging order

Last Thursday, in partnership with the Office of the Travis County Judge, the Travis County Attorney’s Office drafted an order prohibiting price-gouging for the duration of the Texas energy crisis. At an emergency session of the Commissioners Court, County Attorney…

Austin Water has restored service to residents, but broken pipes remain a big issue

Areas of Northwest and Southwest Austin that are still under a boil-water notice could be in the clear by Tuesday afternoon, Austin Water Director Greg Meszaros said at a news conference Monday. “We have collected samples in areas yet to…

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Just before the storms, Austin Energy gave Covid relief update

Before winter storm Uri wrought devastation and widespread power outages, Austin Energy was focused on the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and its accompanying economic damage. In April of last year, City Council approved measures collectively providing $46 million in utility bill…

Council members criticize Cronk's silence on call for food assistance

Members of City Council have criticized City Manager Spencer Cronk for what they characterize as a poor response to their call last week to have the city set up a food assistance program for residents without food or water in…

Save Austin Now sues city over ballot language

Three Austin voters who signed a petition to put a public camping ban on the May 1 ballot have filed suit against the city to force a change in the ballot language. Linda Durnin, Eric Krohn and Michael Lovins allege…

Austin Public Health resumes Covid testing and vaccinations after winter storm put them on pause

Austin Public Health is resuming Covid-19 vaccinations and testing after the winter storm put operations on hold for more than a week. But the agency, whose staff was also impacted by the weather that left thousands without power and water…

City says water outages could last for days

Many Austinites remain completely without water Friday as tens of thousands of cold-related leaks riddle water mains and pipes, leaving the city in a water crisis that is set to last days. “We never imagined the day where hospitals wouldn’t…

City's power, water committees begin looking at post-storm improvements

City Council members closely tied to Austin’s energy and water utilities have started mapping out their priorities for determining what led to this week’s massive infrastructure failures and what can be done in the future to prevent hundreds of thousands…