Stories by Andrew Weber, KUT
These volunteers didn't wait around to get homeless Austinites into hotels during the historic freeze
Last Wednesday, Patricia Clark was in a hotel room in North Austin watching “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” She was bored. Just days earlier, she was outside in the 9-degree weather. The 48-year-old has been homeless on and off for…
Austin • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Mar 1, 2021
Austin buys one hotel to convert into housing for homeless – and puts off purchasing another.
After hours of debate, the Austin City Council OK’d one purchase of a hotel to ultimately house Austinites experiencing homelessness, while delaying the purchase of another until next week. The two hotels – one in North Austin’s District 7 and…
City Council • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Jan 28, 2021
Austin's ailing live music venues could get much-needed money under the new coronavirus relief bill
Live music venues in Austin could see some relief from the new federal coronavirus relief package. The bill, which was passed Monday night, includes $15 billion in relief specifically dedicated to independent venues, theaters and other arts organizations. The bipartisan…
Austin • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Dec 23, 2020
The city is closing shelters it set up for homeless Austinites during Covid. Residents want to know when.
Last Wednesday, Helen Davis was in St. Louis, tired, sore and 825 miles from home without bus fare or a place to stay. As cars whizzed by, she wracked her brain, trying to think of an excuse – something to…
Housing • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Dec 21, 2020
As active Covid cases rise, officials warn of possible curfew, beg Austinites to have socially distanced holidays
Roughly nine months into the pandemic, Austin is seeing its highest number of active Covid-19 infections ahead of the holidays, and health officials are begging residents to limit contact to battle back the virus’ spread. Austin Public Health attributes the…
Public Health • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Dec 17, 2020
Austin opening up relief program for live music venues affected by Covid-19
Austin’s ailing live music venues have been thrown a lifeline ahead of the year’s end. The city will begin accepting applications Friday for short- and long-term grants through the Live Music Preservation Fund. The money, which the city says it…
Austin • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Dec 11, 2020
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City Council takes steps toward relief for live music venues and 'legacy' businesses
Austin’s struggling live music venues, restaurants, bars and longtime businesses are a step closer to getting some Covid-19-related relief from the city, but some are still holding out hope for quicker relief. City Council approved Thursday the guidelines for two…
Austin • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Dec 4, 2020
Another demonstrator sues APD after she says she was shot in the head with 'less-lethal' ammunition
Another demonstrator has filed a federal lawsuit against the Austin Police Department and an unidentified police officer over the use of so-called less-lethal rounds. Arianna Chavez filed a complaint in federal court last week, alleging the officer used excessive force…
Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Dec 2, 2020
For child care providers in Austin, city relief couldn't come soon enough
Patsy Harnage doesn’t get a lot of holidays. For the last decade, she’s grown accustomed to working herself to the bone. Operating a child care center is hard work, built on razor-thin margins. That’s part of the job; it’s an…
Austin • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Dec 1, 2020
Austin music venues won't get Covid relief money until next year. They say they're running out of time.
Jeannette Gregor was shaking, her voice quivering. “I am not a public speaker. This is actually kind of a nightmare for me – especially after about five months of isolation and no social contact,” she said back in September. “So…
Austin • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Nov 23, 2020
Newly sworn in, Travis County Judge Andy Brown says he'll shift focus from jails to mental health
Andy Brown is now Travis County’s top official. Brown was sworn in at Tuesday’s meeting of the Travis County Commissioners Court by interim County Judge Sam Biscoe, who served in the same capacity for over 15 years before retiring. He…
Travis County • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Nov 18, 2020
Black coalition says Austin should pay out millions in restitution for long-ignored systemic racism
Black residents are calling on Austin to address decades of racism, inequity and displacement, demanding the city move to potentially provide as much as half a billion dollars in restitution for the Black community. Roughly 50 Black Austinites of all…
