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Airport Advisory Commission wants another look at landfill expansion proposal

The Airport Advisory Commission created a subcommittee Tuesday night to look into the potential expansion of the landfill near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and how it might affect the safety of aircraft flying in and out of the airport. Commissioners heard…

Development • By Nina Hernandez • Mar 12, 2020

Eckhardt resigns, declares for Texas Senate

Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt resigned her position on the Commissioners Court Tuesday, launching her campaign for the Texas Senate seat being vacated by Kirk Watson. Eckhardt wiped away tears as she told her colleagues, “I really love Travis County.…

Elections • By Jo Clifton • Mar 11, 2020

Travis County Commissioners Court extends emergency disaster declaration

Following the local disaster declaration last Friday, the Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously extended the county’s disaster declaration in light of ongoing concerns about public health risks associated with COVID-19. This state of emergency will continue indefinitely or until the…

Travis County • By Jessi Devenyns • Mar 11, 2020

Austin Transportation pursues 'choice' riders with free transit pass pilot

Austin Transportation is seeking City Council’s permission to buy $700,000 worth of free transit passes as a carrot to lure more “choice” riders out of their private cars and onto buses and trains. Rob Spillar, director of Transportation, said the…

Transit • By Ryan Thornton • Mar 11, 2020

UT Austin opens health clinic, weighs closure plan as it prepares for potential coronavirus spread

UT Austin said Monday it’s preparing to move all classes online if COVID-19 cases are confirmed in the Austin area. The university is also advising students on how to avoid spreading the disease and how to travel safely over spring…

Austin • By Alyssa Weinstein • Mar 11, 2020

Council lands on long-term payment method for Project Connect

In capital costs alone, the city and its residents can expect to contribute around $5.6 billion for the combined pieces of Project Connect. That money will cover investments for two light rail lines, several bus rapid transit “lite” routes and…

Transit • By Ryan Thornton • Mar 10, 2020

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Watershed Protection Department debuts new pollution spills map

When the Watershed Protection Department went to renew the city’s permit to discharge under the Texas pollutant discharge elimination system this past year, it found new requirements. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality recently changed its rules to require cities…

Environment • By Jessi Devenyns • Mar 10, 2020

City offers info sessions for next round of historic preservation grants

The city has opened the application process for the latest round of grants to aid in the preservation of historic structures that can promote cultural tourism throughout Austin. With a May 1 deadline looming, the Heritage Tourism Division has scheduled…

Preservation • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 10, 2020

Tower Girl, UT's resident falcon, has laid eggs again. Will one hatch this year?

Tower Girl, the peregrine falcon who has made the UT tower home for a few years, has laid three eggs in her nest as of Sunday. This is the fifth time the falcon has laid eggs in the tower, but…

Environment • By Jerry Quijano, KUT • Mar 10, 2020

City, businesses work to offset economic impacts of SXSW cancellation

With the cancellation of this year’s South By Southwest festival, some local businesses and charitable organizations have launched fundraising drives in an effort to provide support to businesses and employees impacted by the loss of 10 days of high-volume tourist…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 9, 2020

The city's rewrite of its land use code heads to court (again)

Lawyers representing a group of Austin homeowners will argue in court this week that landowners have the right to formally protest the rezoning of their property under a citywide land code rewrite. If the court sides with them, it could…

Courts • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Mar 9, 2020

Environmental Commission recommends city develop holistic resilience plan

In many respects, Austin city officials are striving to create an environmentally sustainable city. However, according to the Environmental Commission, the city is not as resilient as it needs to be. “Right now, we don’t have a resilience plan,” Commissioner…

Environment • By Jessi Devenyns • Mar 9, 2020

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