Local health officials lift Covid-19 restrictions as infections hit record low

Lee esta historia en español. Health officials in Austin and Travis County announced Wednesday that they are lifting “all Covid-19 emergency rules and orders, effective immediately.” Masking is now optional in most city facilities, except for the airport, clinical settings…

Council cautiously supports city's look into blockchain, crypto

City Council members want city staff to move very deliberately if a pair of resolutions are passed today that encourage exploration into the use of blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies in the coming years. At Tuesday’s work session, discussion on the…

West Sixth Street's Iron Bear faces demolition 

The Iron Bear, an LGBTQ-friendly bar “for bears, by bears” that is open to all, is facing the prospect of relocating. A permit to demolish the bar’s West Sixth location is currently being reviewed by the city. The demolition permit…

TipSheet: Austin City Council, 3.24.22

Having regrouped from a quick spring break that included the return of South by Southwest, Austin City Council will convene today for its regular meeting. As usual, a number of items struck our fancy, and they are duly noted on…

Water director recommends more staff over bill credit following February boil-water snafu

After reviewing the options, the director of Austin Water is recommending spending money on more staff and enhanced technology instead of a direct credit to customers impacted by February’s citywide boil-water notice. Council approved a March 3 resolution that, in…

In time for spring, Living Streets initiative making it easier to throw a block party

Just in time for spring, the Transportation Department stopped by the City Council Mobility Committee meeting to share progress on the Living Streets initiative passed by Council last October. The Living Streets program encourages the use of city streets as…

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City office working to prevent violence

Austin is seeking strategies to prevent gun violence, help at-risk young people avoid the pitfalls associated with violence, and assist victims of trauma. It’s all the job of the Office of Violence Prevention, which is a part of Austin Public…

Animal center struggles to quell public concern over out-of-state transfers

Animal Advisory commissioners continue to question the shelter’s transfer of animals to partner shelters, but thus far are still waiting for answers. The conversation began last month, when commissioners issued a resolution to more closely monitor out-of-county and out-of-state transport…

Transit riders could pay less under new fare proposal by Cap Metro

Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority is planning to roll out a new fare system this fall that would limit how much people pay to ride the bus or train. Riders using a new smartphone app or fare card  – branded as…

Downtown court relocation plans draw mounting criticism

Resistance appears to be growing to a slate of resolutions on the agenda for Thursday’s City Council meeting that would lead to the permanent relocation of the Downtown Austin Community Court to a circa-1800s municipal building on West Eighth Street.…

Planning Commission weighs in on mobility plan updates

As the city works to update the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan, a 20-year transportation plan adopted in 2019, the Planning Commission was the latest body to comment on the proposed changes March 8.  City staffers propose two sets of changes…

Activists remain wary of new jet fuel storage facility plans

Activists and homeowners are protesting the proposed location for a new jet-fuel storage facility at the airport on the northbound side of U.S. Highway 183. Construction is scheduled to begin this spring for the project, which will include two storage tanks,…