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Latest Headlines for Wednesday, April 24
City could push 'agrihood' combos of farmland, housing developments in East Austin
The city may soon take steps to promote the creation of “agrihood” developments in Northeast Austin, which would combine small community farms with housing. Proponents of the movement see the still-rare projects as an answer to Austin’s housing needs and…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 24, 2024
Travis County tests out program to provide lawyers for low-income defendants at its downtown jail
After years of back and forth, Travis County is taking a small step to provide lawyers for low-income people accused of crimes. A program known as “counsel at first appearance” started in a limited capacity Tuesday, with the county providing…
Travis County • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Apr 24, 2024
Design Commission hears how buildings can be safer for birds
No city in Texas has adopted bird-friendly building policies for new construction or retrofits, but the Travis Audubon Society hopes Austin, a designated “Bird City,” will lead the way. To advance this cause, the organization enlisted Heidi Trudell, a consultant…
Planning • By Amy Smith • Apr 24, 2024
Why is someone suing to get Travis County DA José Garza out of office – and what comes next?
A Travis County resident is trying to remove District Attorney José Garza from office. Betsy Dupuis filed a lawsuit Friday under House Bill 17, which allows anyone in a county to try to remove that county’s top prosecutor. Her complaint is similar…
Travis County • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Apr 23, 2024
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Featured Collection: 35 expands
Council pushes for pause on I-35 expansion, citing air quality concerns
Citing concerns over possible environmental and air quality impacts, City Council wants to delay the start of the reconstruction of Interstate 35. By a 7-3 vote, Council approved a resolution Thursday that asked the Texas Department of Transportation and Capital…
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Downtown Commission suggests tweaks to 'agent of change' noise requirements
The Downtown Commission wants the city to take a more proactive role in a proposed new measure that seeks to address friction over noise levels between new residential developments and existing music venues. Last week’s meeting included a presentation on…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 23, 2024
City budget writers outline some rate increases
For Austin, like most other Texas cities, property taxes are its single largest source of revenue for the General Fund. The second-biggest revenue source is sales taxes, as explained by Budget Officer Kerri Lang at Tuesday’s City Council work session.…
Budget • By Jo Clifton • Apr 23, 2024
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New EV station will not charge forward in East Austin
Plans for an electric-vehicle charging lot spanning Pleasant Valley Road were thwarted by Planning Commission members who objected to its auto-centric nature at their last meeting. The project would have created two electric-vehicle charging parking lots flanking Pleasant Valley at…
Planning • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 23, 2024
City to tally public assets in 78702 with goal of preservation and activation
The city will inventory all of the culturally and economically significant publicly owned real estate just east of downtown in a move intended to preserve and enhance locations central to the area’s longtime Black and Latino communities. A resolution passed…
Preservation • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 22, 2024
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Supported by: Austin Community Foundation
Featured Data: Austin Police Department’s 148th cadet class
This data graphic first appeared in the story APD Training Academy audit shows improvement – but not enough to curb attrition on October 19, 2023 by Emma Freer. Graphic credit: Kroll Audit of APD Training Academy – 148th Cadet Class
Council approves initiative to conduct inventory of public trees
On Thursday, City Council elevated the significance of Austin’s trees by initiating a comprehensive inventory of the city’s trees alongside a detailed tree planting and maintenance strategy. The measure follows Council’s approval last month of a direction for more street…
City Council • By Amy Smith • Apr 22, 2024
Travis County DA faces removal attempt under Texas law targeting 'rogue' prosecutors
A Travis County resident is seeking to remove progressive District Attorney José Garza from office using a 2023 Texas law aimed at limiting the discretion of locally elected prosecutors. A state district judge in Comal County on Friday appointed an attorney to…
Travis County • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Apr 22, 2024
Austin outlaws the construction of windowless bedrooms
Developers in Austin will have to provide some form of natural light in bedrooms after City Council members voted Thursday to amend the city’s building code. For the most part, Austin will accomplish this change by simply replacing one word…
Housing • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Apr 19, 2024
Extra security, extra stress, new rules at Council meeting
Each speaker at a City Council meeting now has three minutes – instead of two – to speak on each item they signed up to address because of a temporary restraining order granted Wednesday by Travis County District Judge Madeleine…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • Apr 19, 2024
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Nonprofit spotlight: Four questions for American Gateways
American Gateways ensures access to the justice system for low-income immigrants. We serve 23 counties in Central Texas and provide high-quality legal representation and accurate information about what is happening in our immigration system. What is the mission of American…
