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Mayoral candidate Doug Greco sues city to overturn campaign finance rule

Mayoral candidate Doug Greco and his campaign, along with Ramon Duran – a Bexar County resident who supports Greco’s candidacy – filed suit in federal court on Tuesday, challenging the provision of the Austin City Charter that prevents City Council…

Courts • By Jo Clifton • Sep 11, 2024

Animal Advisory Commission considers banning glue traps in Austin

Bats are under attack by glue traps used in the city, advocates for Austin’s bats say. “I would love to see glue traps banned from being sold and used in Austin,” says Austin Bat Refuge’s executive director, Dianne Odegard. The…

Austin • By Hunter Simmons • Sep 11, 2024

As rents across the country go up, Austin prices continue to fall

During the pandemic, Austin came to exemplify the story of housing across the country: Prices went through the roof. In 2021, the average monthly rent in the region rose 25 percent. Similar increases happened in cities in California and Arizona.…

Housing • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Sep 11, 2024

EMS station renovations improve conditions for an industry with a high attrition rate

Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services has been seeing staffing shortages since the pandemic, due to a combination of low pay, difficult working conditions and recruitment from other health care sectors. The vacancy rate has been improving – in July 2022…

EMS • By Lina Fisher • Sep 11, 2024

Why doesn't the Austin Police Department publish yearly reports on the crimes it solves?

People have opinions on policing, but there’s one unifying constant in discussions around the practice: Crimes are bad, and they should be solved. To measure that efficacy, departments across the country use clearance rates, an imperfect metric but one that…

Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Sep 10, 2024

Hotels nearing agreement on tax plan to provide homelessness services funding

City leaders expect a long-in-coming new hotel tax that could provide money for homelessness services to be ready for final City Council approval within the month. On Monday, the Austin Business Journal reported that the proposed Tourism Public Improvement District…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 10, 2024

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Austin to argue city’s immunity from suit at Supreme Court

Attorneys for the city of Austin will attempt to convince the Texas Supreme Court this morning that two Austin police officers chasing a suspect did not act with “reckless disregard” during an emergency so that the city is still immune…

Courts • By Jo Clifton • Sep 10, 2024

Paxton sues Travis County over voter registration attempt

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit on Friday in an attempt to prevent Travis County from hiring an outside firm to find people eligible to vote who are not registered. The Travis County Commissioners Court voted unanimously last…

Elections • By Jo Clifton • Sep 9, 2024

Historic Landmark Commission votes to preserve east side building over developer's wishes

After a lively series of debates, Historic Landmark Commission members are making moves to halt the bulldozing of a century-old building at East 12th and Comal streets. 1500 E. 12th St. caused a stir this past July when owner Eureka…

Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Sep 9, 2024

City provides updates on financial, anti-displacement efforts related to HOME initiatives

The city has started to make a series of moves intended to make it easier for middle- and low-income residents to build accessory dwelling units and generate new income from properties that are now able to host more housing. Last…

Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 9, 2024

Former officer proposes settlement that includes changes at APD

City Council last week approved a payment of up to $293,000 to a law firm to defend the city against claims of discrimination and harassment at the Austin Police Department. The total contract amount for Schmoyer Reinhard LLP could be…

Police • By Jo Clifton • Sep 6, 2024

Austin ISD settles lawsuit over delayed special ed evaluations, creates fund for affected students

A federal court signed off on a settlement Wednesday between Disability Rights Texas and Austin ISD over its backlog of special education evaluations. The settlement requires the district to establish a fund to help cover the cost of services for students who…

Courts • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Sep 6, 2024

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