Stories by Audrey McGlinchy
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.…
Wednesday, August 8, 2018 by Audrey McGlinchy
Development
‘Opportunity’ knocks? Austin doesn’t quite know what to do with areas picked for federal tax breaks
Census tract 48453002411 has a lot to offer. There’s a brewery on the north edge of the tract. There’s a neighborhood park, and you’re not too far from McKinney Falls State Park. On a good day, you can drive from…
Thursday, August 2, 2018 by Audrey McGlinchy
Land Development Code
‘Something has gone horribly wrong’: Adler calls for a reset on CodeNEXT process
Mayor Steve Adler wants the city to scrap CodeNEXT and start over.In a post to the City Council Message Board Wednesday, Adler asked that the city manager come up with a new process for updating the city’s 34-year-old Land Development…
Friday, July 20, 2018 by Audrey McGlinchy
Roads
Another downtown Austin street goes two-way. Studies tell us that’s good.
For 68 years, drivers on Colorado Street in downtown Austin could go only one way: south.But as of today, that one-directional road officially goes two ways for cars. It’s the hip thing to do.“This is absolutely a trend,” said Billy…
Thursday, July 12, 2018 by Audrey McGlinchy
Courts
Texas usually fights Austin at the Capitol. Lately, the fight is in the courtroom.
The city of Austin has endured several legal jabs from the state in the past couple of months.Recently, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton stepped into a dispute over the makeup of the city’s Planning Commission. A week ago, the city…
Friday, June 29, 2018 by Audrey McGlinchy
City Hall
Austin may be getting a new department to oversee labor rights laws
City Council members voted Thursday to ask the city manager to look into creating a new department to oversee its labor rights laws – including rules that guarantee rest breaks for construction workers and mandate paid sick leave for private…
Wednesday, June 20, 2018 by Audrey McGlinchy
Courts
Lawsuit accuses Austin, Travis County of gender bias in handling of sexual assaults
Three women have sued the city of Austin and Travis County, alleging their sexual assault cases were inadequately handled because of their gender. The class-action lawsuit claims that sexual assault survivors “have been denied equal access to justice and equal…
Friday, June 15, 2018 by Audrey McGlinchy
Police
Council confirms Manley as new police chief
City Council unanimously confirmed Brian Manley as the Austin Police Department’s new chief Thursday. Manley has served in an interim role since former Police Chief Art Acevedo left to head up Houston’s police department in 2016.Manley thanked those at City…
