ERCOT asks Texans to conserve electricity again Tuesday morning amid freezing temperatures

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas is asking people to conserve electricity Tuesday morning, the second such request issued by the grid operator this week as freezing weather continues to grip the state. In a media release Monday, ERCOT asked…

Historic Black church slated for renovation as duplex

As St. Annie African Methodist Episcopal Church prepares to relocate to new digs farther north, the iconic white building that served as its home for over a century is poised to start a new life as a residential duplex. The…

Airport commission hears update on Concourse B and Connector project

In a Jan. 10 presentation at the Airport Advisory Commission’s regular meeting, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport deputy chief development officer Lyn Estabrook gave an update on the Concourse B and Connector Project, part of the airport’s $164 million expansion of the…

Worried about the Texas power grid? Here's what to expect from the incoming arctic blast.

It’s almost mid-January, and there are tomatoes growing in my backyard in Austin. That might seem like a strange way to start an article on the Texas power grid. But as the state faces its first big freeze this winter,…

Updated: Travis County disputes APD statement about initial price tag of magistration agreement

City Council is expected to consider an interlocal agreement with Travis County next week to provide magistration services, including screening of those arrested for a variety of crimes. The reported price tag on that agreement is $9.9 million, although the…

Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District installing two monitoring wells at Garrison and Zilker parks

This month, the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District will install two new scientific monitoring wells in Garrison and Zilker parks. The new wells will be used to collect information about Edwards Aquifer water level and quality, as well as further…

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Short-term rentals come under Tourism Commission scrutiny, with Council action expected this year

Members of the Tourism Commission signaled this week that they intend to ask City Council to pursue new policies covering the short-term rental industry and the proliferation across the city of residences acting as de facto hotels. At Wednesday’s meeting,…

APD announces partial release of mandated data dashboard

The Austin Police Department will transition the chief’s monthly report from a PDF format to an online dashboard complete with explanations and definitions available through the city’s open data portal. The planned dashboard release date is Jan. 18, according to…

Commission approves creation of Finder to Foster working group

The Animal Advisory Commission at its regular meeting Jan. 8 voted to officially create the Finder to Foster working group. Commissioner Paige Nilson explained at the commission’s Dec. 11 meeting that city code currently mandates that when an animal is…

Disability committee targets accessible housing needs for next city budget

Members of the city’s disability committee want to focus requests for next year’s budget on addressing the shortage of housing affordable for those who receive federal or state disability assistance, which typically falls short of the local threshold for affordable…

Virtual magistration pilot now just a 'trial'

The Austin Public Safety Commission on Monday tabled a resolution aimed at stopping or postponing a proposed pilot program that would eliminate Travis County from the process of magistration for people arrested by Austin officers, including pretrial services. Commissioners learned…

Music Commission pushes Council to aid Red River venue district

The Music Commission wants City Council to approve a round of gap financing, possibly as part of mid-year budget amendments, to provide ongoing organizational support to the Red River Cultural District and its cluster of live music venues in the…