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Public Safety
Commissioners clap back at justice advocates protesting county jail plan
The Travis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday responded to pushback from criminal justice reform advocates upset at the county’s plan to approve a $4.2 million design contract for a new women’s jail. While commissioners ultimately decided to delay the motion…
Public Safety • By Seth Smalley • Jun 10, 2021
New police chief expected to be named by late summer
More than three dozen people have applied to become Austin’s next police chief, a role that comes with a number of challenges critical to the success of the city and its process to reimagine public safety. Recruitment for the position…
Police • By Amy Smith • Jun 9, 2021
Austin-Travis County health officials say Covid vaccine data shows there's still work to be done
More than three quarters of people age 65 and older in Austin-Travis County are fully vaccinated, public health officials said Tuesday. For the entire eligible population – that’s people 12 years and older – the number is more than 54…
Public Health • By Jerry Quijano, KUT • Jun 9, 2021
Criminal justice reformers push back on county jail renovations
Just outside the Travis County Commissioners Court at 700 Lavaca St. yesterday, a number of criminal justice reform groups held a press conference to protest Travis County’s plan to spend $600 million on construction and renovation of new jail facilities…
Public Safety • By Seth Smalley • Jun 8, 2021
County budget office weighs up new correctional complex
At their May 27 work session, Travis County commissioners fielded a presentation on the 20-year road map for the Travis County Correctional Complex. Representatives from the Planning and Budget Office, the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, and the Justice Planning Department…
Public Safety • By Seth Smalley • Jun 3, 2021
Bill penalizing Texas cities that cut funding for police heads to governor's desk
Texas lawmakers on Friday gave final approval to a bill that would financially punish large cities that cut their police budgets, including prohibiting them from raising new property tax revenue. The legislation now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott, who has said…
Public Safety • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Jun 1, 2021
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Taking cues from audit, Austin continues to shore up its wildfire prevention strategy
Thanks to climate change, Austinites can expect to see more storms, floods and fires in their future. This week, City Council’s Audit and Finance Committee heard what steps the Fire Department has taken to address the threat of wildfires following…
Fire • By Elizabeth Pagano • May 28, 2021
Group behind Austin's camping ban revival says it has new plan to put police staffing on the ballot
Save Austin Now, the local political action committee behind the campaign to reinstate rules against camping in public, has started circulating a petition to put a new proposition on the ballot – a mandate that would require certain levels of staffing…
Police • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • May 27, 2021
Covid-19 rates in Austin fall below 5% across all races for the first time, health officials say
The Covid-19 positivity rate in Austin and Travis County continues to fall as more people in the area are inoculated against the virus. Dr. Jason Pickett, deputy medical director for the city, said positivity rates for people of all races…
Public Health • By Jerry Quijano, KUT • May 26, 2021
Austin, Travis County move down to stage 2 risk level of coronavirus restrictions
Lea esta nota en español The chief medical director for the city of Austin said Tuesday the area is now at stage 2 of Austin Public Health’s risk-based guidelines. The change is effective immediately. Dr. Mark Escott said the decision…
Public Health • By Jerry Quijano, KUT • May 19, 2021
City waives permit fees for food charities
Effective immediately, City Council has voted to waive permit fees, fines and other charges for charitable feeding organizations like food banks and soup kitchens that distribute food to vulnerable populations and increase access to healthy foods in the community. The…
Public Health • By Sumaiya Malik, Reporting Texas • May 18, 2021
Vaccination in the county continues to soar, as FDA approves Pfizer for kids
The Travis County Commissioners Court and Austin City Council convened Tuesday to receive updates from interim Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott on the Covid-19 vaccination progress in the region. Thirty-eight percent of individuals in Travis County were fully vaccinated as…
