Stories by Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT
Austin mayoral candidate Carmen Llanes Pulido's request for recount is denied
A request for a recount in the November general election by Austin mayoral candidate Carmen Llanes Pulido has been denied, city officials said. Llanes Pulido had filed a request Thursday for a recount of the votes in the city’s 11…
Elections • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Nov 22, 2024
Kirk Watson avoids runoff, secures new term as Austin mayor
Kirk Watson has officially won a new term as Austin’s next mayor. Watson led his four challengers on Nov. 5, but did not have enough votes to claim victory outright. He had to win a majority of the vote, or…
Elections • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Nov 15, 2024
The race for Austin mayor is too close to call. Provisional ballots may tip the scales.
When the Travis County Clerk released the final tally of votes for Austin mayor early Wednesday, none of the candidates had enough to claim victory. Incumbent Kirk Watson was ahead with just over 50 percent of the vote. He needed (and…
Elections • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Nov 12, 2024
Watson is ahead in election for Austin mayor, but it's unclear if he'll avoid a runoff
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson is ahead in the city’s mayoral race with just over 50% of the vote, according to unofficial voting totals. It appears the incumbent might be able to eke out an outright win over his four opponents…
Elections • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Nov 6, 2024
Nearly 52% of registered voters in Travis County cast an early ballot
Central Texas voters turned out for early voting at a rate just shy of the turnout seen in the 2020 election – the last time a presidential race was on the ballot. That is a little skewed since the early voting…
Elections • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Nov 5, 2024
City-owned land will be repurposed to add 5 new parks in Austin
Five new parks are joining Austin’s parks system, adding much needed green spaces to areas considered to be “park deficient.” Austin’s Watershed Protection Department has over the years acquired land for things like protecting the environment and managing floodwater. These…
Parks • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Oct 11, 2024
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Austin post offices drop out of plan to host voter registration drive today
Local post offices across Travis County have reversed a plan that would have allowed residents to register to vote on-site today. Oct. 7 is the last day for Texans to register for the Nov. 5 election. With the help of…
Elections • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Oct 7, 2024
City Council adopts new rules around allowing residents to speak at meetings
City Council made several changes to its meeting rules that the city hopes will improve public engagement and transparency. The changes adopted Thursday follow a Travis County judge’s ruling in May that found the city had violated the Texas Open…
City Council • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Sep 30, 2024
‘A ticket home’: New Austin city law will require pets to be microchipped
The city of Austin will soon require people to get microchips for their pets. Microchips are small grain-like trackers that are implanted under a pet’s skin that can be used to trace the animal back to its owner. Essentially, it’s…
City Council • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Sep 23, 2024
Austin plans to move forward with abortion travel fund, officials say
The city of Austin will be allowed to move forward with plans to implement its Reproductive Justice Fund, despite a lawsuit challenging its legality, city officials said. The Reproductive Justice Fund is a provision in the city’s 2024-25 budget that is…
Public Health • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Sep 3, 2024
Austin faces lawsuit for providing financial support to people seeking out-of-state abortions
The city of Austin is being sued for a provision in the budget providing money to people seeking out-of-state abortions. City Council last week approved $400,000 to fund travel – including airfare, gas, hotel stays and food – for people…
Public Health • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Aug 22, 2024
Lisa Davis named sole finalist for Austin police chief
Lisa Davis, an assistant chief with Cincinnati’s police force, has been chosen to take over the Austin Police Department, City Manager T.C. Broadnax announced Friday morning. “I have elected to move Chief Davis forward for confirmation by the City Council…
