The city of Austin is no longer considering using artificial intelligence to help catch people breaking into cars and committing other crimes at parks and greenbelts, at least for the time being. Dozens of incidents, including car break-ins and stolen valuables, are reported at popular green spaces each year. Earlier this year, the city stepped […]
Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT
Posted inCourts
U.S. Justice Department launches investigation into city of Austin employment practices
The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the city of Austin to see if it engaged in discriminatory employment practices based on race, sex, color and national origin. Discrimination based on these characteristics is a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced the investigation […]
Posted inUncategorized
200 have drowned in Austin’s Lady Bird Lake since 2004. A serial killer isn’t to blame, study says.
A new study released this week aims to put a stop to the rumors swirling about a potential serial killer in Austin. Researchers from Texas State University in collaboration with the Austin Police Department found no evidence of a serial murderer during a review of nearly 200 cases. While the idea of a Rainey Street […]
Posted inBudget
Recycled Reads Bookstore could close central location as city looks at budget cuts
Recycled Reads, the Austin Public Library used bookstore on Burnet Road, will close by next spring if the proposed city budget is approved. The store opened in 2009 as a way to help raise money for Austin’s library system. Anna Paola Ferate-Soto has worked at the store since 2021. She said the concept has also […]
Posted inFire
To slash costs, Austin will decide whether to cut firefighter staffing below national standards
The city of Austin is looking to cut overtime for Austin firefighters as a way to save money in the new budget. The change would mean adjusting staffing levels on many fire trucks, which some officials said puts people and fire crews at risk. When a fire team responds to a fire there are a […]
Posted inAustin
Austin food trucks no longer have to move trailers for health and safety inspections
Desnudo Coffee’s East Austin location serves hundreds of cups of coffee each day. But once a year the truck has to shut down for its annual health safety inspection. Closing for even a day can cost the business thousands of dollars as it has to prepare and move the trailer, and that’s doesn’t include how […]
Posted inHousing
A proposed apartment demolition has some questioning Austin affordable housing program
A city program meant to ensure affordable housing is built into new developments is facing criticism for its potential to displace more than 200 residents already living in affordable units in a West Austin complex. Now, they’re asking the city council to reconsider the proposal from the property owner. Density Build 90, also known as […]
Posted inAustin
New Austin program helps connect residents with jobs as city begins major construction projects
Before Jennifer Cobb became an electrician, she worked as a receptionist in a doctor’s office in the Austin area. She was making about $16 an hour and raising two boys, which meant money was tight. She had to rely on government assistance to help make ends meet. “Sometimes I didn’t know how my kids were […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Staffing isn’t the only thing to blame for Austin’s slow 911 response times
When someone calls 911 for help in Austin, about 93 percent of those calls are answered within 15 seconds. But once those calls are answered, police, fire or EMS must then respond. And those public safety agencies are not responding as quickly as they should. Data revealed this week show it’s taking longer than national […]
Posted inFire
Austin has had 5 high-risk wildfire days this month alone. Why are there so many red flag warnings?
As Texas becomes hotter and drier, and urban sprawl grows, the state could see more days with an elevated risk for wildfires. So far this year, Austin has had five of these days, also known as red flag warning days, and all of them have been in March. Texas State Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon said over […]
Posted inParks
As hordes of visitors descend on Austin for SXSW, Barton Springs Pool is closed for cleaning
Barton Springs Pool is closed while it undergoes a deep cleaning to remove unhealthy growth and things like dirt, leaves, sticks and other debris from the pool floor. While the annual cleaning goes back more than a decade, the closure is taking place as so many people are in town for South by Southwest. Last year, the […]
Posted inTransportation
Austin just made it illegal to park in bike lanes
Austin City Council has approved a rule making it illegal to park in a bike lane. Thursday’s unanimous vote means violators will be ticketed and fined. Fines could range from $50 to $300. Council Member Paige Ellis said several people in the community had expressed concerns about bicycle safety on busy downtown roads. If a […]