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2020: Highlights (and lowlights) of an unforgettable year

It’s not likely that anyone who lived through it will soon forget the year 2020. It’s possible, however, that one might forget the details of local news stories from the year. For that, we offer this review of the year…

Austin's ailing live music venues could get much-needed money under the new coronavirus relief bill

Live music venues in Austin could see some relief from the new federal coronavirus relief package. The bill, which was passed Monday night, includes $15 billion in relief specifically dedicated to independent venues, theaters and other arts organizations. The bipartisan…

City lays out diversity goals in next round of arts, tourism funding

Groups that have been historically overlooked and underrepresented in the city’s cultural community will have priority in the Economic Development Department’s spending for cultural and tourism programs in the next budget year. During an online meeting held last Saturday, the…

Unions line up to oppose 'strong mayor' plan

Fifteen community leaders, including nine representing labor unions, have written to Andrew Allison, the chair of a political action committee behind a suite of proposed charter amendments that would remake Austin city government, asking him to end his campaign to…

Citing disrepair, Council removes public artworks from display

Art left out in the elements doesn’t last forever. That’s why City Council just delisted five worn-out pieces of public art, including the Bicentennial Fountain at Vic Mathias Shores; LAB, the series of yellow sculptures along the Lance Armstrong Bikeway; and…

City moves on plan to create AEDC, commissions consider board appointments

The city continues to move forward with plans to create the Austin Economic Development Corporation and expects its 21-member governing board will be decided by late January. At their Dec. 7 meeting, members of the Music Commission discussed a Nov.…

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Austin opening up relief program for live music venues affected by Covid-19

Austin’s ailing live music venues have been thrown a lifeline ahead of the year’s end. The city will begin accepting applications Friday for short- and long-term grants through the Live Music Preservation Fund. The money, which the city says it…

Council OKs contract for Ullrich repairs

After a considerable amount of discussion at its Thursday meeting, City Council approved a contract of more than $22 million, plus a 10 percent contingency, for a joint venture to rebuild the electrical pump station serving the Ullrich water treatment…

Cronk proud of city's accomplishments in 2020

By many metrics, this year has been a difficult one for the city of Austin. The pandemic has played a role in the local unemployment spike, led to a number of permanent business closures and strained the city’s medical staff.…

The 'Moment' has passed. Austin's most controversial public artwork might be coming down

Frank Wick remembers the first time he drove through the underpass on Lamar and saw the blue panels on the walls. “It felt like it was art; I wasn’t sure. It was a nice moment,” said Wick, a collection manager…

City Council takes steps toward relief for live music venues and 'legacy' businesses

Austin’s struggling live music venues, restaurants, bars and longtime businesses are a step closer to getting some Covid-19-related relief from the city, but some are still holding out hope for quicker relief. City Council approved Thursday the guidelines for two…

City to replace five more names dedicated to Confederate history and white supremacy

In line with a resolution that called for the renaming of city assets whose names were associated with white supremacy and Confederate history, the city is moving forward with five more name changes. A Dec. 2 memo from Chief Equity…

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