Stories by Alejandro Martínez-Cabrera, KUT

Austin, Travis County move back to Stage 4 Covid-19 guidelines

Austin-Travis County health officials have scaled back their Covid-19 risk-based guidelines to Stage 4 as cases and hospitalizations have steadily decreased. Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County health authority, credits mitigation efforts such as masking and vaccinations for the improvements. “The behaviors that…

Public Health • By Alejandro Martínez-Cabrera, KUT • Sep 29, 2021

Austin taps interim Chief Joseph Chacon as its next police chief

Joseph Chacon, who has been serving as interim Austin police chief since April, has been nominated to take on the position permanently, City Manager Spencer Cronk confirmed Wednesday. The decision is still pending approval from City Council at its meeting…

Police • By Alejandro Martínez-Cabrera, KUT • Sep 23, 2021

Austin area moves to Stage 5 risk as Covid-19 hospitalizations continue to soar

Lea esta nota en español Austin and Travis County have moved into Stage 5, the highest level of risk in the local health department’s Covid-19 guidelines. Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Authority, said during a news conference Thursday that this…

Public Health • By Alejandro Martínez-Cabrera, KUT • Aug 5, 2021

Austin narrows down police chief candidates to seven finalists

The city of Austin has narrowed the pool of candidates for police chief down to seven. The finalists are: Joseph Chacon, interim Austin police chief since former Chief Brian Manley retired in March Anne Kirkpatrick, former police chief, Oakland, Calif. Avery…