Stories by Audrey McGlinchy
Friday, March 1, 2019 by Audrey McGlinchy
Texas State Legislature
While it’s held up in court, Austin’s paid sick leave law comes closer to being undone by the state
Texas lawmakers advanced a bill on Thursday that would prevent cities from requiring private employers to give their workers certain benefits, such as paid sick leave.“This bill creates a statewide policy for consistent regulation by giving clarity to our private…
Friday, February 1, 2019 by Audrey McGlinchy
City Council
City of Austin orders outside review of police handling of sexual assault cases
The city has ordered an independent review of the Austin Police Department’s handling of sexual assault cases, asking investigators to track incidents from when they’re first reported to police to when they’re closed or handed off to the district attorney’s…
Thursday, January 17, 2019 by Audrey McGlinchy
Police
Austin Police Department orders outside audit after state finds it misclassified cleared rape cases
The Austin Police Department has ordered a third-party audit of rape investigations after state auditors found it misclassified certain rape cases.“This review will look from the beginning to the end,” Austin Police Chief Brian Manley said. “From the moment we…
Tuesday, January 15, 2019 by Audrey McGlinchy
Housing
As shutdown drags on, low-income housing providers in Austin worry funding for rent could run out
Prak Property Management Inc. has been digging into savings to keep some of its low-income properties in Austin running.“It’s like a savings account that every month we are required to put a certain amount of dollars into for things like…
Friday, January 11, 2019 by Audrey McGlinchy
Texas State Legislature
The city-state fight continues in the 2019 legislative session: Here are bills to look out for
When the Texas Legislature reconvened on Jan. 8, lawmakers already had on their desks bills aimed at undoing city of Austin rules.The city-state conflict is nothing new. Last time they met in 2017, state lawmakers passed bills overturning Austin ordinances…
Wednesday, January 9, 2019 by Audrey McGlinchy
Police
Advocates say APD should focus less on how rape cases are coded and more on solving them
When Austin Police Chief Brian Manley announced last week that state auditors had found problems with the way police classify rape cases, some people were not shocked by the news.“It wasn’t a huge surprise to us,” said Kristen Lenau, who…
Tuesday, November 27, 2018 by Audrey McGlinchy
Austin
People living on the streets can now clean up Austin’s parks for an hourly wage
People experiencing homelessness can now work for the city of Austin.The city’s Parks and Recreation Department, along with Austin Public Health, The Other Ones Foundation and City Council Member Ellen Troxclair, highlighted the pilot program Monday in South Austin.Joe Pacheco,…
Friday, November 9, 2018 by Audrey McGlinchy
Bonds & Propositions
Austin urbanists see support for denser housing in defeat of Prop J and Laura Morrison
Most mornings, Dave Sullivan bikes from his house in Clarksville to the University of Texas. He then hops on an express bus to his job as a researcher at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus.During the election season, his daily commute…
Wednesday, November 7, 2018 by Audrey McGlinchy
Elections
Adler cruises to second term as Austin mayor
In a landslide victory, Steve Adler won his re-election as mayor of Austin on Tuesday and will serve another four years in office.With voters coming out in record numbers in Travis County, Adler earned 61 percent of the vote, overpowering…
Wednesday, October 31, 2018 by Audrey McGlinchy
Austin
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport plans expansion as air traffic soars
Take all the people who live in New York City. Multiply that by two, and you’ll get the number of passengers who are expected to travel through Austin’s airport this year: 16 million.That’s a lot.By 2040, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport staff…
Tuesday, October 30, 2018 by Audrey McGlinchy
Politics
PAC takes heat after using racist symbol Pepe the Frog in anti-Adler ad
One of Austin’s more prolific political action committees has apologized after releasing a video ad featuring Pepe the Frog, a cartoon frog used by anti-Semitic and alt-right groups.IndyAustin has collected thousands of dollars for several political goals, including opposing Mayor…
Monday, October 29, 2018 by Audrey McGlinchy
Bonds & Propositions
Who funded the PACs that got two propositions on Austin’s ballot this November?
A Californian who attempted a 2016 presidential run. A reported real estate investor in Arizona. These are some of the people who have given to political action committees behind two local ballot initiatives – propositions J and K.Political action committees are…
Monday, October 22, 2018 by Audrey McGlinchy
Elections
Here are the candidates running to be Austin’s next mayor
If you’re tired of hearing about the face-off between Sen. Ted Cruz and Congressman Beto O’Rourke, maybe it’s time to turn your attention to local elections, like the mayor’s race.Mayor Steve Adler is fighting to retain his seat against six…
Tuesday, October 2, 2018 by Audrey McGlinchy
Austin
Swimming in Austin just became more expensive. Here are some other new city fees.
Every Oct. 1, the city of Austin welcomes a new budget – and with it, new city fees. These can be anything from public library fines to what it costs to adopt a dog from the city shelter.Here’s a list…
Friday, September 7, 2018 by Audrey McGlinchy
Courts
Austin to appeal state court’s hold on paid sick leave ordinance
The city of Austin is appealing a state court’s decision to put on hold the city’s paid sick leave ordinance, which was set to go into effect Oct. 1.A state appeals court ruled last month that the law couldn’t be…
Wednesday, August 29, 2018 by Audrey McGlinchy
Police
APD to soon use drones to map fatal car crashes
Drones are multipurpose: They can deliver pizzas and tally seals. Drones can fight wildfires and make aerial videos that garner pretty impressive watch counts on YouTube.Drones can also map fatal car crashes, which is why the Austin Police Department recently…
Tuesday, August 28, 2018 by Audrey McGlinchy
Courts
Texas Supreme Court denies challenges to two ballot items for Austin voters this fall
The Texas Supreme Court has denied petitions from two Austin residents asking that the city rewrite a pair of November ballot measures.Attorney Bill Aleshire filed challenges earlier this month with the court over the wording of a citizen-initiated petition that…
Wednesday, August 22, 2018 by Audrey McGlinchy
Elections
The Austin city clerk is no longer challenging Lewis Conway Jr.’s City Council bid
The Austin city clerk has reversed her decision to challenge Lewis Conway Jr.’s candidacy for Austin City Council.Conway, a candidate for District 1, has a felony record, and City Clerk Jannette Goodall requested clarification on his eligibility to run for…
Tuesday, August 21, 2018 by Audrey McGlinchy
Elections
Austin city clerk challenges convicted felon’s eligibility to run for City Council
Lewis Conway Jr., a candidate for Austin City Council who has a felony record, may not be able to run after all.Austin City Clerk Jannette Goodall sent Conway an email Friday challenging his eligibility and asking for documents showing that…
Tuesday, August 14, 2018 by Audrey McGlinchy
City Hall
English sues Austin over wording of ballot question for city audit
Ed English is suing the city over the wording of a November ballot measure about a citywide audit.Activists collected more than 30,000 signatures asking the city to hire a third party to conduct an efficiency audit of all its departments.…
