Austin Parks Foundation has announced its annual ACL Music Fest awards to parks across Austin. Overton School/Colony Park District Park, West Austin Neighborhood Park, Parque Zaragoza, Gullett School Park, Mary Dawson Pocket Park, and Grand Meadow Neighborhood Park are the lucky recipients of a total of $15,600 in grants. Some of the money will be […]
2022
Posted inPublic Health
County moves ahead with plan to expand community access to naloxone
Travis County Health and Human Services has identified a vendor to implement its plan to increase access to the opioid overdose-reversing drug naloxone in the community. The plan, which will cost approximately $350,000, is part of HHS’ response to the Travis County Commissioners Court’s May 24 declaration of a public health crisis related to drug […]
Posted inWhispers
Chamber sets students on career paths
An Austin Chamber of Commerce summer series for students offers four informational events focused on “direct-to-employment pathways after high school,” such as health care, nursing, manufacturing and IT. The four Learn to Earn events, hosted between July 12 and July 19, are available in person or virtually. The program, a partnership with Austin Community College, Temple […]
Posted inAustin
Notley/Monitor Poll: Lack of affordability tops list of Austin’s most pressing issues
Austinites across demographic groups and the political spectrum find common ground when identifying the city’s most pressing issue. Nearly 60 percent chose lack of affordability, according to a June survey of 507 likely voters commissioned by Notley and conducted by national pollster Change Research for the Austin Monitor. Housing costs are among many factors contributing […]
Posted inAustin
While the heat blazes on, city cooling centers close for the day
City Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison warned last month that the city did not seem prepared for a summer heat wave that might leave any number of residents looking for air-conditioned shelter. As it turned out, the Council member herself became one of those residents when the power went out in her East Austin home on […]
Posted inPlanning
Mercedes-Benz dealership nearing construction
A Mercedes-Benz dealership is one step closer to construction in South Austin after the Environmental Commission recommended a variance request last week, allowing private driveways to be built on the site in a critical water quality zone buffer. To comply with the Austin Fire Department’s regulations, the development needs to have two private driveways so […]
Posted inWhispers
AUS introduces on-site TSA PreCheck enrollment
Good news for frequent travelers (or those who hope to travel more frequently): The Austin-Bergstrom airport now offers departing travelers a quick and easy way to enroll in TSA PreCheck with no advance appointment. It takes about five minutes, according to a news release from AUS, and then “most passengers will receive their Known Traveler Number […]
Posted inWhispers
MetroRail service suspended for a week
All those making summer travel plans should know that Capital Metro will be suspending MetroRail service from Friday, July 15, to Saturday, July 23, to allow crews to perform maintenance along the 32-mile rail line. During the suspension, Capital Metro will provide alternative bus service from most MetroRail stations as well as a shuttle that […]
Posted inEnergy
Here’s what it would take for ERCOT to start rolling blackouts
Texans woke up Monday morning to a familiar fear, worried that the state’s electric grid may not provide enough energy to see them through the day. While the anxiety is understandable, a shortfall of energy reserves on the system does not automatically mean the grid operator will order rolling blackouts. If you, like millions of […]
Posted inAustin
Notley/Monitor Poll: Most Austinites think the city is headed in the wrong direction
Earlier this summer, the Austin Monitor set out to poll Austinites’ opinions on the most important issues facing the city and how well local government is addressing them. Over the course of this week, we’ll highlight what residents have told us about the city’s growth, challenges, governance and public safety. The survey, commissioned by Notley and […]
Posted inPreservation
Debate intensifies over owner-opposed historic zoning of lakefront estate
The fate of a lakefront estate at 2002 Scenic Drive is now in the hands of the Planning Commission, with a battle over the property’s merits ending in victory for preservationists last Wednesday. Citing architectural, landscaping and historical qualifications, the Historic Landmark Commission unanimously voted to recommend historic zoning for the two-story Spanish eclectic residence […]
Posted inPlanning
Renovations to Texas Capitol and mall create a ‘new civic space’
Finishing touches are being done on the first phase of the Texas Capitol Complex renovation, which is expected to be completed this fall. The 2016 Capitol Complex Master Plan governs the redesign of the Texas Capitol by expanding state offices to newly constructed buildings while creating larger spaces for civic involvement. The master plan has […]