Save Austin Now, which brought us the successful referendum to reinstate the city prohibition against camping as well as the unsuccessful proposition that would have required the city to hire more police officers, has issued what might be described as an anti-endorsement. In addition, the group has endorsed three conservatives for City Council seats. The […]
2022
Posted inPolice
Ordinance would remove civilian oversight of police from labor contract
The city of Austin laid out its plan for removing the Office of Police Oversight from its labor contract with the Austin Police Association, the union that represents police officers, as well as its aim to reach a new agreement expeditiously during a negotiation session Wednesday. “(W)e don’t believe that the public should have to […]
Posted inWhispers
Travis County debuts new voting sticker
Travis County’s new “I Voted” sticker makes its debut today as in-person early voting for the Nov. 8 election begins. The new version of the familiar sticker features a bluebonnet – the Texas state flower – and was designed by UT Austin student Ashwara Pillai, who won the design contest earlier this year that was open to […]
Posted inElections
Watch our District 9 forum
On Friday, all eight candidates running for City Council in District 9 participated in a forum hosted by KUT and the Austin Monitor. You can watch the forum, which was hosted by Austin Monitor reporter Sean Saldaña, below. Joining Saldaña were candidates Zena Mitchell, Zohaib “Zo” Qadri, Greg Smith, Joah Spearman, Kym Olson, Ben Leffler, Linda […]
Posted inCity Council
Council opts to make Austin a friendlier place for backyard chickens
Chicken enthusiasts have cause for celebration, as a proposal to loosen setback regulations for chicken coops passed last week on City Council’s consent agenda. The move stems from a collaboration between the Public Health Department and the Office of Sustainability, which sought to make it easier for Austinites living on smaller lots to reap the […]
Posted inWhispers
Chronicle weighs in on local elections
On Thursday, the Austin Chronicle released its list of endorsements just ahead of Monday’s first day of early voting. The editorial board chose Celia Israel over Kirk Watson to lead the city for the next two years. (The other candidates in the race include Jennifer Virden, Anthony Bradshaw, Phillip Brual and Gary Spellman.) Although Israel has […]
Posted inHousing
Study finds middle-income housing fund outperforms high-dollar real estate
An Austin investment fund created to support and stabilize middle-income rental housing has been verified as an attractive and viable investment by researchers from two Texas universities. Affordable Central Texas, which began acquiring middle-income rental communities in late 2018, has been found to have a higher return (9.4 percent) and lower risk (a spread of […]
Posted inZoning
Rock climbing gym to relocate, pending rezoning
A locally owned rock climbing gym may be getting a new home. Crux Climbing Center plans to open a new location near SouthPark Meadows and leave its current location on South Congress, should a rezoning request prove successful. “We’re not sure if our current location is sustainable,” Grace Nicholas, head of operations at the climbing […]
Posted inWhispers
Aquifer district declares critical drought
On the heels of scant rain this month, Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District general manager Tim Loftus has declared that the area is in a Stage III, or critical drought. The last time the district was in critical drought was 2013. According to a press release from the district, Central Texas has seen below-average rainfall […]
Posted inPlanning
Plans for South Congress PUD include rooftop beehives and bird-safe glass
At its regular meeting this week, the Environmental Commission heard a preview of an upcoming planned unit development proposal for 311-315 South Congress Avenue. The commission heard the Project Assessment Report from both Housing & Planning Department staff and Steve Drenner of the Drenner Group, the developer’s representative. Although preliminary, the proposal would create a […]
Posted inElections
Watch our District 8 forum
On Thursday, three of the four candidates running for City Council in District 8 participated in a forum hosted by KUT and the Austin Monitor. You can watch the forum, which was hosted by KUT’s Jerry Quijano, below. Joining Quijano were incumbent Paige Ellis and candidates Richard Smith and Kimberly P. Hawkins. Antonio D. Ross […]
Posted inWhispers
MACC does Día de los Muertos
The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center is preparing to celebrate its 15th Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead festival, an annual tradition in which family and community members celebrate the lives of ancestors, family, friends, veterans, and public figures who have passed on to the other side. This year’s multi-day event […]