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UT looks to promote music throughout campus with Longhorn Live initiative
The University of Texas has announced a number of new projects focused on increasing the profile and impact of music on the school’s campus and further into Austin. The Longhorn Live music initiative looks to highlight existing musicians and programs…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 26, 2024
Council work sessions slated to resume, with some changes
It looks like City Council work sessions may be resuming soon. After three consecutive cancellations, there was some speculation that work sessions might be eliminated, or only utilized for necessary Council briefings. However, today, Council will vote on a proposal…
City Council • By Mina Shekarchi • Sep 26, 2024
Travis County approves 6.5% tax rate increase for Central Health budget amid financial controversy
Travis County commissioners unanimously approved a 6.5 percent tax rate increase and a $888 million Fiscal Year 2025 budget for the county’s health care district, Central Health, on Tuesday – amid uncertainty about a potential conflict between Central Health’s mission…
Budget • By Lina Fisher • Sep 26, 2024
All five mayoral candidates take the stage at forum
All five mayoral candidates participated in Wednesday’s mayoral forum, hosted by Austin PBS and the LBJ School of Public Affairs’ Urban Lab, to discuss major issues facing the city, including policing, housing, economic development and affordability. Policing was the first…
Elections • By Madeline de Figueiredo • Sep 26, 2024
TipSheet: Austin City Council, 9.26.24
Today, City Council will convene for its regular meeting, and we’ve taken a look at the agenda to piece together some educated guesses about what the most interesting things on said agenda are. As evidenced by today’s edition of the…
TipSheets • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 26, 2024
Austin Energy still pondering new generation plan
As part of Austin Energy’s effort to arrive at a new generation plan, the utility has spent this year talking to the public about what is most important to them when they think about electric service. According to Austin Energy’s…
Energy • By Jo Clifton • Sep 25, 2024
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Austin's police union, city agree to a $218 million, five-year labor contract
Austin’s police union and the city agreed in principle Monday to a five-year labor contract. The $218 million deal, which comes after years of occasionally contentious negotiations, would give police officers a 28 percent raise over the next five years.…
Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Sep 25, 2024
Incentive programs, cultural district framework headed back to Council after postponement
City Council appears set to vote on a trio of Economic Development Department programs that were postponed from the Sept. 12 meeting because of concerns that Council members hadn’t had enough time to review and suggest changes. The delay was…
City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 25, 2024
San Antonio, Travis County and Mexico officials urge Legislature to fund passenger rail next session
Monday morning saw a bevy of local – and international – officials come together on one issue that unites all who must traverse Texas: its nightmarish traffic. Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai and San Antonio City Council Member Melissa Cabello…
Transit • By Lina Fisher • Sep 24, 2024
Attorney files complaint about consultant’s statements on Central Health
On Monday, attorney Fred Lewis filed a complaint alleging the unauthorized practice of law by Steve Herbst, the lead consultant on a contract with Forvis Mazars to review the performance of Central Health for Travis County. The complaint was based…
Courts • By Jo Clifton • Sep 24, 2024
Watson, Council members refine direction in push to keep Marshalling Yard shelter open
Mayor Kirk Watson and other members of City Council want to give city staff specific directions and benchmarks in their work to keep the Marshalling Yard Emergency Shelter open indefinitely and keep other city shelters from becoming overwhelmed with the…
City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 24, 2024
Texas fatmucket mussel conservation provides significant value in regional water filtration efforts
At its regular meeting Sept. 18, the Environmental Commission heard updates on Austin’s freshwater mussel population from Matt Johnson, Texas freshwater mussel conservation and recovery coordinator with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and Bianca Perez, an environmental scientist with…
