Stories by Audrey McGlinchy
Friday, October 30, 2020 by Audrey McGlinchy
Police
Anticipating election protests, Council members ask Austin police how they plan to avoid injuries
Four City Council members sent a letter Thursday to the chief of police asking him to explain how he plans to keep protesters safe during anticipated demonstrations following the results of the presidential election next week.“As we’re sure you agree,…
Friday, October 23, 2020 by Audrey McGlinchy
Housing
Austin’s got millions to help with rent, but giving it away is harder than expected
The city of Austin says fewer people have applied for rental assistance than expected. It’s given out just $1.3 million so far of roughly $13 million available for tenants hit financially by the Covid-19 pandemic.“The need that was anticipated has…
Thursday, October 8, 2020 by Audrey McGlinchy
Police
Austin’s DNA lab has had issues for years. A new report outlines how it could be run in the future.
Poor supervision and untrained staff have long plagued the Austin Police Department’s DNA crime lab, forcing it to close briefly in 2016 and then be overseen by the state.So, what will a future lab look like?Consultants hired by the city…
Wednesday, October 7, 2020 by Audrey McGlinchy
Police
Group begins collecting signatures to put state law limiting police oversight to a vote
A new political action committee is trying to put a state law governing police oversight on the ballot next May.“I think it’s really unique and kind of amazing that (this petition could) allow the voters in Austin to decide if…
Thursday, October 1, 2020 by Audrey McGlinchy
City Council
Austin City Council set to undo ban against public drinking in East Austin
City Council members are expected to reverse a decades-long ban against the public consumption of alcohol in several parts of East Austin on Thursday.Since the 1990s, drinking alcohol on public streets, roadways or sidewalks in six designated areas of town has…
Thursday, September 24, 2020 by Audrey McGlinchy
Austin
Audit calls Austin’s ‘bad landlord’ program ineffective, says it doesn’t ensure safe housing
A city program intended to make sure landlords maintain safe apartments is failing to do its job, a new audit finds.The report released Wednesday by the Office of the City Auditor looks at the Repeat Offender Program within the city’s…
Friday, September 11, 2020 by Audrey McGlinchy
City Hall
After ‘damaging’ diversity training, city won’t use company again for similar workshops
A diversity training described by city of Austin employees as “hurtful” and “emotionally and professionally damaging” has prompted the city to prevent an employee assistance company from doing this type of training for staff again.In August 2019, the Austin Transportation…
Tuesday, September 8, 2020 by Audrey McGlinchy
Housing
The CDC has banned most evictions. Here’s what Central Texas renters need to know.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published an order last week that could protect renters who’ve lost wages or work hours from eviction until Jan. 1.Why did the order come from a public health agency? The CDC argues keeping…
Tuesday, August 25, 2020 by Audrey McGlinchy
Housing
Thousands are out of work, but home sales in Austin are doing fine — better than fine. What gives?
Blake Taylor wants to be rid of the house she hardly leaves.Taylor lives with lupus, an autoimmune disease, and is terrified of what it would mean if she caught Covid-19. She’s been extra careful. When she heads to HEB to…
Wednesday, August 19, 2020 by Audrey McGlinchy
Budget
Gov. Abbott proposes freezing property tax revenue in cities that cut police funding
In the hopes of discouraging cities from reducing money spent on police, Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday he and other state leaders support the passage of a bill halting a property tax revenue increase for any Texas city that cuts…
Tuesday, August 18, 2020 by Audrey McGlinchy
Housing
Applications for rent assistance are opening (again) in Austin: Here’s what you need to know
The city of Austin will begin accepting applications for a second round of rent help for tenants affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Applications open here at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19.“The coronavirus endures, the economy struggles (and) renters are…
Thursday, August 13, 2020 by Audrey McGlinchy
Budget
Austin cuts 5 percent of police budget, promises to cut more over the next year
Austin is immediately cutting $20 million from the city’s police budget – and council members are vowing to make bigger reductions in the coming year.“I think this is without a doubt the most significant change in Austin’s public safety priorities…
Tuesday, August 11, 2020 by Audrey McGlinchy
Budget
Austin City Council proposes cutting police funding by a third. It could vote Wednesday.
City Council members are proposing cuts to the Austin Police Department budget totaling roughly $149 million, or 34 percent of the department’s current budget.Council members are scheduled to vote on the city’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year as early…
Tuesday, July 28, 2020 by Audrey McGlinchy
Police
Austin police release video footage showing fatal shooting of Mike Ramos
Lee esta historia en español. Video footage released Monday of the shooting of Mike Ramos shows the 42-year-old pleading with Austin police officers to put their guns down, telling them he doesn’t have a weapon and that they are scaring…
Friday, July 24, 2020 by Audrey McGlinchy
Budget
Hundreds of Austinites demand city reduce police funding, call proposed budget ‘insulting’
Austinites waited with their phones on hold, some for over an hour, to tell City Council members Thursday that proposed cuts to the police department’s budget were too small. Residents seeking more profound changes called the cuts a “pittance,” “insulting”…
Friday, July 17, 2020 by Audrey McGlinchy
Police
Austin delays releasing video of protester injuries, saying it would affect investigation
The Austin Police Department says it will delay the release of body camera footage from officers who caused serious injuries to demonstrators during the first weekend of protests against police killings and systemic racism in Austin.“In consultation with the Travis…
Monday, June 29, 2020 by Audrey McGlinchy
Police
Austin police identify officers under investigation for injuring protesters during demonstrations
The Austin Police Department has named five officers it says may be responsible for seriously injuring people demonstrating during the first weekend of protests against systemic racism and police violence.The following officers have been put on paid administrative leave, as…
Thursday, June 25, 2020 by Audrey McGlinchy
Health & Human Services
Area hospitals could reach capacity in mere weeks because of Covid-19, Austin officials warn
Austin-area medical professionals and health authorities warned that local hospitals could be overwhelmed by Covid-19 patients in the next several weeks as the number of cases in Central Texas has surged.“If we do not make significant change right now then…
Friday, June 19, 2020 by Audrey McGlinchy
Police
Austin Police Chief Brian Manley will keep his job, city says, despite calls for his removal
Austin Police Chief Brian Manley will stay in his position, a city spokesperson confirmed in an email Thursday.“I have had very pointed conversations with Chief Manley over the last several weeks,” City Manager Spencer Cronk said in the email. “He…
Friday, June 12, 2020 by Audrey McGlinchy
City Council
Austin City Council votes to divest funds from APD, ban some potentially deadly police practices
Austin City Council members voted unanimously Thursday on four items related to the Austin Police Department’s policy and budget, including transferring some money from police to social services and banning police use of some potentially deadly weapons and practices.The decision…
