Travis County commissioners plan to add about 1,500 acres to the county’s wilderness parklands, protecting the pristine land from development and setting it up as a future destination for hikers and bicyclists. The $90 million deal to purchase a privately owned ranch in southwest Travis County was made possible by voters passing a bond proposition last […]
Sangita Menon, KUT
Posted inFire
Here’s what you should do if a wildfire threatens your home
Lee esta historia en español Dry grass, wind and relatively low humidity mean a fire can spread easily and be difficult to control. All it takes is a spark from a metal lawnmower blade hitting a rock, a loose chain dragging on the road behind a vehicle, a car idling in tall grass or a […]
Posted inEnergy
Austin Energy will give you credits in exchange for a little control over your thermostat
Austin Energy is offering residential customers financial incentives for letting the department tweak the temperature on their smart thermostats on high energy use days – like over the next week, when daily highs are expected to cross 100 degrees. Customers who sign up for the Power Partner program will receive a one-time $50 credit for each eligible smart thermostat […]
Posted inPolice
APD has improved response to sexual assault cases but there’s more work to do, report finds
While the Austin Police Department has improved its handling of sexual assault cases in some areas – like sending sexual assault kits for DNA analysis faster and correctly classifying more cases – there’s still room for improvement, a new report finds. Researchers with the Police Executive Research Forum, a nonprofit research and policy group, looked at police […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Austin Community College has a $770 million bond on the ballot this election. Here’s what’s in it.
Austin Community College could see an expansion of its workforce development programs and two new campuses if voters pass a $770 million bond proposition in the November election. If voters approve ACC District Prop A, each of the 11 existing ACC campuses will get millions of dollars in program and facilities expansions. Two new campuses will also […]
Posted inPublic Health
A limited supply of monkeypox vaccines and tests is heading to Travis County after case confirmed
Austin Public Health is requesting testing supplies and vaccines from the federal government to help address the potential spread of monkeypox in the area. The rare disease is caused by the monkeypox virus. Symptoms include fever, aches, chills and a rash of pimples or blisters. It can spread when someone comes in contact with an […]
Posted inPublic Health
Austin-Travis County raises Covid risk level to stage 3 as hospitalizations increase
Lea esta nota en español Austin-Travis County returned to stage 3 of the Covid-19 risk-based guidelines Thursday. The change was made after the detection of four cases of the more infectious Delta variant and recent increases in new Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations. The more restrictive stage 3 guidelines call for people who are immunocompromised or […]
Posted inAustin
What will happen to all the plexiglass barriers Austin businesses set up during the pandemic?
From grocery stores to banks, clear plastic barriers have become an everyday sight over the last year. Large acrylic sheets, or plexiglass, have been set up in front of cash registers and reception desks to reduce the risk of transmitting the coronavirus. But when the threat of the pandemic passes, what will happen to all […]
Posted inParks
Reservations required for a dip in Barton Springs Pool
Folks looking to cool off with a dip in Barton Springs Pool will need a reservation starting May 21. The change is meant to limit the number of people for safety reasons because there are fewer lifeguards. The reservation system, which opens Monday, will allow people to book a two-hour window between 8 a.m. and 10 […]
Posted inPublic Health
Austin Public Health leaders ask community to consider virtual Easter celebrations
Austin Public Health leaders are asking the community to consider celebrating Easter week differently than normal to avoid a third surge of Covid-19 cases. During a news conference Wednesday, interim Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott encouraged people to take part in virtual church services instead of gathering in person. He said those who do choose […]
Posted inPublic Health
Austin Public Health to launch pilot drive-thru vaccine site
Austin Public Health is planning to launch a drive-thru vaccination site at Toney Burger Activity Center in South Austin on Saturday. Plans for the pilot program aren’t finalized, but the health department expects to administer 1,200 doses of the Moderna vaccine. APH spokesperson Jen Samp said the site will help improve accessibility. “This way those […]
Posted inAustin
Black leaders in Austin want to build a racial justice movement that sustains itself for years to come
Black leaders in Central Texas are forming a new coalition called the Black Leaders Collective to address systemic racism. The group has about 40 members, including activists, educators, artists and policymakers who say they want to create meaningful and transformative change that goes beyond conducting studies and making plans. Police killings of Black people like […]