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Most Popular Stories
- Despite safety concerns, Council OKs new buildings above Shoal Creek
- Texas lawmakers finalize bill limiting property owners’ right to protest new homes nearby
- A multi-family rezoning at the rugged edge of Northwest Austin
- As Acacia Cliffs rezoning is approved, Critics say Council has sold out on its affordability commitments
- City eyes fund to preserve affordable housing, capitalize on overbuilt apartment market
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Stories by Nina Hernandez
FAA investigating second near-collision at Austin airport
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a Monday evening near-miss incident between two planes at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. A passenger on an Allegiant Air flight landing at the airport told KXAN she experienced “extreme pressure” in the cabin when…
Transportation • By Nina Hernandez • Jun 30, 2023
Incarcerated Travis County residents at drastically higher risk of accidental overdose death
People who have been incarcerated in Travis County die of accidental overdoses at drastically higher rates than the overall population, according to new data. On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court held a news conference in conjunction with the Travis…
Public Health • By Nina Hernandez • Jun 28, 2023
Effort to reimagine Congress Avenue hits design benchmark
The city’s Downtown Commission heard an update on the Congress Avenue redesign project at its regular meeting last week. The Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative is a partnership between the city of Austin and the Downtown Austin Alliance to reimagine…
Planning • By Nina Hernandez • Jun 27, 2023
Community groups demand permanent end to APD-DPS partnership
Community groups are denouncing the city’s decision to resume its controversial policing partnership with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Groups including the Austin Justice Coalition, Grassroots Leadership and the Texas Harm Reduction Alliance are calling for a permanent end…
Police • By Nina Hernandez • Jun 26, 2023
Parks board to consider SXSW fair pay measure
A coalition of groups will rally on Monday at Austin City Hall to demand the city require fair pay standards in all future contracts with South by Southwest. The 5 p.m. protest is being organized by local advocacy nonprofit Austin…
Music & Entertainment • By Nina Hernandez • Jun 23, 2023
What Austin and Travis County learned about rental assistance during the pandemic
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, Austin and Travis County had no overarching infrastructure in place for distributing rental assistance or otherwise supporting low-income families at risk of eviction. Then, millions of people across industries lost their sources of…
Housing • By Nina Hernandez • Jun 22, 2023
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Should Austin limit public contact with wild animals at for-profit zoos, aquariums?
The Animal Advisory Commission continues to grapple with language on a proposed ordinance that would limit public contact with wild animals at for-profit zoos and aquariums. At its June 12 meeting, the commission voted to convene a second working group…
Public Health • By Nina Hernandez • Jun 21, 2023
Austin starts search for next city manager
The search for Austin’s next city manager is underway. In a post to the City Council Message Board on Thursday, Mayor Kirk Watson outlined a process for the search. Watson has appointed a sub-quorum of Council to act as a…
City Hall • By Nina Hernandez • Jun 20, 2023
Austin Justice Coalition launches economic justice campaign
This week, the Austin Justice Coalition announced the launch of the Justice Now: Economic Justice Campaign. The nonprofit said the initiative aims to address systemic economic inequalities in the Austin area. The Justice Now campaign will leverage public awareness campaigns,…
Austin • By Nina Hernandez • Jun 16, 2023
Austin Police Department developing five-year strategic plan
The Austin Police Department is hosting community input sessions this month as part of its process of developing a new strategic plan. That plan is intended to serve as the department’s road map for the future and provide direction and…
Police • By Nina Hernandez • Jun 15, 2023
In blistering motion, state seeks limited gag order in Taylor murder trial
In a blistering motion filed last week, the Travis County District Attorney’s Office requested a limited gag order in the trial of Austin Police Officer Christopher Taylor. Taylor is charged with murder in the 2020 shooting of Mike Ramos. “The…
Courts • By Nina Hernandez • Jun 12, 2023
Fire code amendment process aims to protect pets at boarding facilities
City Council voted this week to start the process of increasing minimum fire safety standards at pet boarding facilities. Item 42 on Thursday’s agenda initiates a set of amendments to the Land Development Code to “provide minimum fire safety standards…