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Latest Headlines for Friday, January 17

City management cautions against 2025 bond election

A 2025 bond election would reduce available funding for a comprehensive bond election in 2026, according to a memo from Assistant City Manager Robert Goode sent to City Council through City Manager T.C. Broadnax. The memo offers reasons that Council…

Bonds & Propositions • By Jo Clifton • Jan 17, 2025

Austin ranks 5th in major cities vulnerable to wildfires

Those who were in Austin in 2011 remember the tragic wildfires that hit Bastrop, Steiner Ranch and Spicewood that summer. The fires collectively burned through thousands of acres of land and destroyed over a thousand homes. “You can still drive…

Fire • By Katy McAfee, KUT News • Jan 17, 2025

Council Member Krista Laine opts to discontinue District 6 field office

As she prepares for her first City Council meetings later this month, newly elected District 6 Council Member Krista Laine will represent residents of Northwest Austin and a portion of Williamson County without the use of a satellite office that…

City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Jan 17, 2025

Downtown Commissioners weigh in on Sixth Street plan

Hours after the announcement that Austin will be opening Sixth Street to vehicular traffic on weekend nights, the Downtown Commission had a chance to weigh in.  Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis and APD Lieutenant Christopher Juusola, who is the downtown…

Public Safety • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jan 17, 2025

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Featured Collection: November 2024 elections

Siegel, Bledsoe headed for a runoff in District 7

In a crowded race to represent North Central District 7, none of the six contenders managed to snag 50 percent of the vote. As a result, Mike Siegel and Gary Bledsoe will face off in a runoff next month. Siegel,…

More Headlines for November 2024 elections

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Dirty no more? City opts to keep Sixth Street open to traffic at all times

Beginning this weekend, the city will keep Sixth Street open to vehicular traffic on weekends, a substantial departure from decades of street closures designed to accommodate nightlife culture that saw thousands of pedestrians gather in the roadway while moving among…

Transportation • By Chad Swiatecki • Jan 16, 2025

Animal Services Office releases strategic plan draft

The city’s Animal Services Office released a draft of its 2025-2030 strategic plan on Jan. 8. Enumerated in the draft is the office’s vision “to provide services and resources that allow people and animals to thrive in the city of…

City Hall • By Hunter Simmons • Jan 16, 2025

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Eanes ISD school board votes to combine two elementary schools to save money

The Eanes ISD school board voted unanimously on Tuesday to close Valley View Elementary as part of an effort to reduce an estimated $6.5 million budget deficit. District officials said closing the campus, which is currently at 50 percent of its operational…

Education • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Jan 16, 2025

Report sees strong growth for life sciences jobs and real estate throughout Austin

Austin’s bio and health ecosystem is emerging as a significant driver of economic development, with new projects and public policy efforts shaping the future of the sector, according to the 2024 Austin Bio & Health Report authored by industry analysts…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Jan 15, 2025

$17.8 million in food funding for Austin-area kids is on the line when the Legislature convenes

A federal food assistance program could provide families in Hays, Williamson and Travis counties with more than $17.8 million to feed their kids over the summer if Texas decides to participate. But that’s a big if. The Texas Health and…

Education • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Jan 15, 2025

City outlines proposed code changes to regulate short-term rentals

The city plans to move forward with an overhaul of its short-term rental regulations, with public hearings beginning next month to discuss the code amendments under consideration to manage the industry and collect Hotel Occupancy Tax from the more than…

Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Jan 14, 2025

On the verge of demolition, neighborhood seeks recognition for Holy Cross Hospital

Recent history has given us little reason to take note of 2600 E. MLK Blvd., where for decades a vacant concrete building has served largely as a canvas for graffiti. But before it was scenery, Austinites traveled miles to visit,…

Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Jan 14, 2025

Changes coming to Audit & Finance Committee

With the retirement of City Council members Alison Alter and Leslie Pool, who served as the chair and vice chair, respectively, of the Council Audit & Finance Committee, as well as Council Member Mackenzie Kelly, who served on the committee,…

City Council • By Jo Clifton • Jan 14, 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…