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Latest Headlines for Tuesday, April 1

A once-banned type of building is back in favor – and the Planning Commission approves

The Planning Commission approved several proposed amendments to an amendment of the city’s Technical Building Code during a meeting March 25, all of which address a peculiar kind of development called a “single-stair,” or “point-access” building. Point-access buildings are so…

Planning • By Miles Wall • Apr 1, 2025

Audit throws shade at city's efforts to mitigate extreme heat

A new report from the Office of the City Auditor concludes that, while the city has made notable progress in preparing for extreme heat, challenges in coordination, funding and measurable planning continue to undermine long-term resilience. The audit, released this…

Public Health • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 1, 2025

East Austin's 'wishbone' bridge takes shape as concrete beams almost span Lady Bird Lake

Massive concrete beams now extend over the water at the east end of Lady Bird Lake as a new three-pronged pedestrian bridge – the first of its kind in Austin – comes together next to the Longhorn Dam. Only one…

Transportation • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Apr 1, 2025

City intensifies efforts to encourage vaccination amid state’s worst measles outbreak in decades

Last Thursday, Austin city leaders marked the 30th anniversary of a program that provides free vaccines to children as Texas faces its worst measles outbreak in over three decades.  Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease that can spread through…

Public Health • By Madeline de Figueiredo • Mar 31, 2025

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APD gets temporary extension of license plate reader program

The Austin Police Department’s use of automated license plate readers as an investigative tool will continue through June, City Council decided last week. Later this year, Council will determine whether to make the pilot program a permanent feature, depending on…

Police • By Amy Smith • Mar 31, 2025

New public defenders get pay bump but county struggles to retain experienced attorneys

At the beginning of the year, Travis County finally began offering a guaranteed lawyer to individuals who are arrested and can’t afford legal representation – a constitutional right known as counsel at first appearance, or CAFA. It took an ACLU…

Travis County • By Lina Fisher • Mar 31, 2025

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Ethics commissioners vote to hear campaign finance complaints from D7 election

The Ethics Review Commission voted unanimously this week to advance two campaign finance complaints to final hearings, determining that there are reasonable grounds to believe that violations of the city’s campaign finance rules may have occurred during a recent City…

Elections • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 31, 2025

$1 billion expansion of wastewater treatment plant poised to break ground

With a major expansion on the horizon for Austin’s Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, Mayor Kirk Watson is working with city staff to ensure the $1 billion project goes off without a hitch. The project, which City Council approved last…

Water • By Kali Bramble • Mar 28, 2025

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In rare move, Council delays decision on nominee’s appointment to the parks board

For the second time in less than a year, community member Ted Eubanks faced opposition to his nomination to the city’s Parks and Recreation Board. Eubanks, a 40-year parks professional who specializes in heritage and nature tourism, was one of…

Parks • By Amy Smith • Mar 28, 2025

Council members celebrate unanimous defeat of bill that proposed putting Austin under state control

Austin City Council members celebrated the resounding defeat of House Bill 274 on Wednesday, a bill that would have created the “District of Austin” as the state’s official seat of government. “Our message is loud and clear: local leaders are…

Austin • By Madeline de Figueiredo • Mar 28, 2025

Tax rate election looks likely for Austin this year

Under state law, Austin is only allowed to raise its tax rate by 3.5 percent without asking voters for permission. That law has been on the books since 2019 without the city scheduling a regular tax rate election. But it…

City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Mar 28, 2025

Audit finds Austin Water needs to document how it fixes leaks

While Austin Water has worked to limit the amount of water lost through breaks in its water lines, over time the amount of water lost through such leaks has steadily increased, according to an audit discussed at the City Council…

Water • By Jo Clifton • Mar 27, 2025

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NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

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…