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Austin suffers from lack of animal protection officers

Although Austin has a reputation as a city of pet lovers, a chronic shortage of animal protection officers may be putting pets, and local communities, at risk. The city currently has 20 officers, only one-third of the number recommended by…

Austin • By Cate Malek • Jul 15, 2016

Why don't Austin parks have recycling bins?

All commercial properties in Austin will be required by October of next year to have on-site recycling containers, but the same is not true of all properties owned by the government that put the requirement in place. The Parks and…

Parks • By Jack Craver • Jul 15, 2016

Updated: Contribution reports show who's giving to City Council candidates

Today marks the deadline for filing contribution and expenditure reports for City Council members and candidates, and most have chosen not to file early. However, District 6 Council Member Don Zimmerman was among those who filed a report on Thursday,…

Elections • By Jo Clifton • Jul 15, 2016

Thomaides to run for San Marcos mayor as Guerrero declines re-election bid

Veteran San Marcos City Council Member John Thomaides announced a second bid for San Marcos mayor this week, a day after incumbent Daniel Guerrero said he would not seek a fourth term. Thomaides, a small-business owner first elected to San…

Local Government • By Brad Rollins--San Marcos Mercury • Jul 15, 2016

The investigations that begin when APD officers discharge their weapons

While investigations into the police shootings of black men in Louisiana and Minnesota have begun, a writer for feminist publication Ravishly wonders how each local jurisdiction investigates cases like these. Writer Ijeoma Oluo poses these questions: “Who reviews civilian complaints?…

Police • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Jul 14, 2016

Music Commission recommends new policies to rescue Austin’s music industry

Austin’s music industry is hoping for a new era of cooperation with city government, and the Music and Creative Ecosystem Recommendations are meant to kick-start these long-awaited changes. At a special meeting of the city’s Music Commission on July 12,…

Music & Entertainment • By Cate Malek • Jul 14, 2016

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In search for transportation solutions, UTC turns to pods

A video game entrepreneur swept into City Hall on Tuesday night to pitch his proposal for a novel transit system to the Urban Transportation Commission. Richard Garriott laid out a detailed case for Personal Rapid Transit, or PRT, which would…

Transportation • By Caleb Pritchard • Jul 14, 2016

Hyde Park residents vote to keep state hospital, but Texas lawmakers will decide its fate

For more than a century, the Austin State Hospital has been a fixture in Hyde Park. While the facility near Guadalupe and 41st streets is primarily a psychiatric hospital, its winding trails and tree-lined campus are a popular recreational space…

Development • By Syeda Hasan • Jul 14, 2016

Alter planning to run for District 10 seat

Alison Alter, a member of the city’s Parks and Recreation Board as well as the steering committee for the Rosedale Neighborhood Association, on Tuesday filed the first paperwork necessary to run for the District 10 City Council seat. That document…

Elections • By Jo Clifton • Jul 13, 2016

Travis County bush

PID passions fly at Travis County

A public hearing over a public improvement district sparked heated words between members of the Travis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday morning. After wrangling the lengthy discussion to its conclusion, County Judge Sarah Eckhardt admitted that she had opened a…

Development • By Caleb Pritchard • Jul 13, 2016

BoA shoots down affordable housing variance in East Austin

An affordable housing project in Central East Austin had clear support from the Board of Adjustment. But, given the similarity to a case down the street that was rejected just hours before, board members struggled to articulate their support in…

Land Development Code • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 13, 2016

side of a MetroRapid bus

Cap Metro takes down social media post referencing 2013 Barton Springs drowning

In the photo, a curly haired woman stares into the camera wearing a red lifeguard bathing suit, holding a red rectangular flotation device over her shoulder. “It can be really serious at Barton Springs,” reads the quote that accompanies the…

Austin • By Kate McGee • Jul 13, 2016

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