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Travis County bush

Travis County to establish first 'strategic plan'

The Travis County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to begin formulating a long-range strategic plan to guide county policies and budgeting practices for years to come. The executives in charge of the county’s eight major departments have put in place strategic…

Travis County • By Jack Craver • May 23, 2019

IQ Hurdle House

Eureka Holdings to begin repairing I.Q. Hurdle House

After a surprising turn of events last month brought the I.Q. Hurdle House from a demolition-by-neglect case to a Certificate of Appropriateness approval for maintenance and repairs, the Historic Landmark Commission expressed enthusiasm that the fate of the property was…

Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • May 23, 2019

Emergency room sign

State lawmakers approve legislation shielding most Texans from surprise medical bills

Surprise medical bills may be a thing of the past for many Texans. In a unanimous vote, the Texas House approved a Senate bill banning health care providers from sending steep medical bills to insured Texans in emergencies. Senate Bill…

Texas State Legislature • By Ashley Lopez, KUT • May 22, 2019

fire engine

Auditor finds fire department employee misused resources for family business

An investigation by the city auditor’s office found evidence that an Austin Fire Department employee misused city computer equipment and his city email account to conduct business for a company owned by his wife. In a report released Tuesday, the…

City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • May 22, 2019

woman speaking at aisd meeting

AISD's plan to close schools prompts discussion on boosting equity in Austin public schools

The Austin School Board approved its guidelines for closing and consolidating schools Monday night, but much of the discussion ahead of the vote just before midnight centered on increasing equity in Austin public schools. Trustees Ann Teich and Jayme Mathias…

AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • May 22, 2019

map of dove springs area

Neighborhood health center in race against displacement

Austin Public Health wants to build a new neighborhood public health center adjacent to Dove Springs District Park in District 2, but some City Council members are concerned the $12.4 million neighborhood center won’t be ready in time to have…

City Council • By Ryan Thornton • May 22, 2019

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man holding sign

Downtown Commission wants city to open three new homeless shelters by 2020

The Austin Downtown Commission wants the city to push harder to create homeless shelters outside of downtown, asking City Council to create three satellite facilities by September 2020. The directive came as part of a recommendation passed unanimously at last…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • May 21, 2019

bcycle

B-cycle prepares for shift in leadership

In the wake of steady ridership losses and multiplying competitors, Elliott McFadden, executive director of the public bike-share system Austin B-cycle, has decided to step away from the bike rental program. McFadden notified B-cycle’s board of directors in mid-April that…

Bicycles • By Ryan Thornton • May 21, 2019

East Austin poised to gain a new local historic district

East Austin is on its way to anointing another local historic district. Amid support from dozens of neighborhood residents in the audience, the Historic Landmark Commission unanimously recommended the approval of the creation of a Robertson/Stuart & Mair Historic District.…

Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • May 21, 2019

I35

Mayor Adler says more lanes on I-35 won't solve Austin's traffic woes – but it's a start

Austin Mayor Steve Adler wants you to know something. “I do not believe that adding lanes to I-35 … is the answer to congestion,” Adler said in an interview with KUT, saying that merely adding lanes will make traffic worse…

Roads • By Mose Buchele, KUT • May 21, 2019

AustinConventionCenter

Tourism Commission backs 2017 findings pushing convention center expansion

Signaling more possible momentum for a push to expand the Austin Convention Center, the city’s Tourism Commission has recommended City Council adopt a 2017 report outlining the benefits and possible frameworks for the project. At last week’s meeting, the commission…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • May 20, 2019

Lady Bird Lake

Despite zebra mussels, Austin’s waterways seeing a recovery trend

The news is full of horror stories about zebra mussels invading intake pipes and sediment causing city water to be of questionable quality. Yet statistics show that, overall, the waterways of Austin are regaining their health. According to Mateo Scoggins of…

Environment • By Jessi Devenyns • May 20, 2019

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