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Latest Headlines for Saturday, February 22

SXSW, public safety leaders detail road closures and prep for festival season

The city plans to completely close or restrict more than 30 streets during the South by Southwest festival next month as part of safety planning for the event, a major economic driver for the area. The heads of all of…

Public Safety • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 21, 2025

December Parks and Recreation Department report identifies needs for senior and recreation facilities

Last week, Jesús Aguirre, the new director of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD), sent a memo summarizing the findings of the department’s Recreation and Senior Center Facility Assessment and Gap Analysis Report. The report, released in December, identified priority…

Austin • By Mina Shekarchi • Feb 21, 2025

DB90 designation signals redevelopment on Hart Lane

A proposal to rezone several tracts of land on Hart Lane to allow for more intensive redevelopment under the DB90, or Density Bonus 90, zoning district was recommended by the Zoning and Platting Commission by an 8-1 vote during a…

Zoning • By Miles Wall • Feb 21, 2025

Audit and Finance seeks more input before voting on board and commission changes

The City Council Audit and Finance Committee on Wednesday deliberated scaling back about two dozen of the city’s boards, commissions and other governmental bodies but ultimately took no action pending further input from the affected groups. The discussion centered on…

City Hall • By Amy Smith • Feb 20, 2025

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

City opens new office to address arts, music and cultural needs

The city has announced the creation of a new office that will consolidate the operations of the Music and Entertainment Division and the Cultural Arts Division, in a decision intended to improve support for the city’s creative industries. The new…

City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 20, 2025

Planning Commission bucks opposition to recommend DB90 for Red River plots

The Planning Commission voted 9-0-1, with Commissioner Grayson Cox abstaining, to recommend a proposal from a landowner to rezone three addresses on Red River Street in the Hancock neighborhood that was widely panned by neighbors at a public meeting on…

Zoning • By Miles Wall • Feb 20, 2025

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New Texas teacher pay bill proposes increasing certain salaries by as much as $10,000

The chair of the Texas Senate Education Committee has outlined his vision for boosting teacher salaries, with a focus on retaining experienced educators. Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) filed Senate Bill 26 on Tuesday, a couple of weeks after Gov. Greg…

Education • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Feb 20, 2025

Equity overlay study draws criticism from Community Development Commission

The ongoing study of a potential equity overlay in East Austin is drawing concerns from residents and commissioners over its slow pace and lack of direct community engagement. At a recent meeting of the Community Development Commission, representatives from Atlanta-based…

Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 19, 2025

Commercial EV station moves forward despite opposition

After the Planning Commission denied the request for a commercial electric-vehicle charging lot in East Austin last April, the project is moving forward based on an ordinance passed by City Council. Last April, the Planning Commission voted 7-3-3 to deny…

Land Development Code • By Madeline de Figueiredo • Feb 19, 2025

Federal cuts slash more than $2M from Foundation Communities' health navigator program

The Foundation Communities nonprofit is facing a substantial financial setback after the Trump administration announced a 90 percent reduction in funding for health insurance navigator grants. The cuts, revealed last Friday, eliminate nearly all funding for 56 programs nationwide that…

Public Health • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 19, 2025

Austin Animal Services Office releases fiscal year statistical report and waives adoption fees

Due to consistent overcrowding, the Austin Animal Center has waived adoption fees for the foreseeable future. Numbers from the Austin Animal Services Office’s statistical report for Fiscal Year 2025 show a continued need for adoptions. Austin Animal Services Office released…

Austin • By Hunter Simmons • Feb 19, 2025

APD won’t enforce SB 14 as Paxton and Trump further attack gender-affirming health care

Last week, two federal judges issued temporary restraining orders on an executive order by the Trump administration that would have blocked federal funding for gender-affirming care for minors. That means that – for now – any health care provider or…

Public Health • By Lina Fisher • Feb 18, 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…