Stories by Jack Craver
Candidates commit to challenging Dukes
State Rep. Dawnna Dukes was sworn in to her 12th term of office to represent much of Eastern Travis County on Tuesday, despite an announcement from Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore that her office plans to present evidence to…
Local Politics • By Jack Craver • Jan 11, 2017
Alter wants Austinites to be 'captains' of city's growth
Compared to City Council Member Sheri Gallo, the lifelong Austinite whom she is replacing on Council, Alison Alter is definitely a newcomer to the city. But these days, a person who has lived in town for five-and-a-half years is barely…
City Council • By Jack Craver • Jan 3, 2017
Zimmerman: "I'm out of here"
If City Council Member Don Zimmerman is unhappy about losing the seat he has held for two years, he’s not showing it. After losing re-election to Jimmy Flannigan – the same candidate he beat to earn his spot on the…
City Council • By Jack Craver • Dec 29, 2016
Flannigan brings new perspective on behalf of Austin's northwest suburbs
Two years after losing narrowly in a runoff election to City Council Member Don Zimmerman, Jimmy Flannigan easily prevailed in a rematch with the incumbent. What changed? “Winning elections is luck and timing,” said Flannigan during an interview with the…
City Council • By Jack Craver • Dec 29, 2016
Kitchen hopes for longer budget process, shorter meetings in 2017
After two years in office, City Council Member Ann Kitchen, who represents District 5’s long stretch of South Austin, is happy with what she has accomplished for her district and the city but says that Council could stand to improve…
City Council • By Jack Craver • Dec 29, 2016
Council moves toward Austin Oaks PUD approval
Shortly after approving the contentious Grove at Shoal Creek planned unit development on Thursday, City Council took an important step toward approving another West Austin development that has divided neighbors over concerns about traffic, environmental protection and neighborhood preservation. In…
Planning • By Jack Craver • Dec 19, 2016
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Council approves Grove PUD
After more than two years of fierce debate among neighbors, a developer and City Hall leaders, City Council finally approved the Grove at Shoal Creek, a massive planned unit development to be built on 75 acres of vacant land at…
Development • By Jack Craver • Dec 16, 2016
Casar pushes for alternative to neighborhood deal on Grove PUD
The fight over the Grove at Shoal Creek, a massive mixed-use development that has sparked fierce debate in surrounding neighborhoods, may not be over after all. A number of City Council members signaled Tuesday that they are not committed to…
Zoning • By Jack Craver • Dec 14, 2016
Council approves bid to buy AISD properties
City Council approved a measure Thursday to move forward with a joint effort between the city, Travis County and the Austin Independent School District to provide affordable housing on publicly owned land. The measure authorized city staff to submit a…
Housing • By Jack Craver • Dec 9, 2016
APD updates commission on DNA backlog
The Austin Police Department hopes to have the backlog of sexual assault kits eliminated within the next year, Assistant Chief Troy Gay told the Public Safety Commission on Monday. APD will soon begin sending 100 batches of evidence every two…
Police • By Jack Craver • Dec 6, 2016
Council approves Manley to head police department
City Council voted unanimously Thursday to hire Brian Manley, the chief of staff to outgoing Police Chief Art Acevedo, to be the Austin Police Department’s interim chief. Manley said he was “honored, proud and humbled” by both Council’s support and…
Police • By Jack Craver • Dec 2, 2016
Speed limits going down on parts of Lamar and Parmer
The Texas Department of Transportation is moving to reduce speed limits on sections of two busy roadways in Austin. At least one City Council member, however, is hoping the city can go further than what the state agency put forward…
