Stories by Alex Dropkin
Audit calls Public Library’s equity into question
Despite not having a formal definition of “equity” available to the public, the Austin Public Library insists that it uses equity as a guiding principle in all decisions. The city’s public library system challenged a report presented last week at…
Austin • By Alex Dropkin • Nov 3, 2014
Report: Drivers delayed 26 million vehicle hours
If you think you are spending a lot of time sitting on Austin’s roads going nowhere, you are right. In fact, you are contributing to the city’s 26 million vehicle-hours a year of traffic delays, according to a Texas A&M…
Transportation • By Alex Dropkin • Oct 14, 2014
APD Communications hard-pressed to handle calls
As the Austin metropolitan area population grows over the next couple of decades, officials say city services will be hard-pressed to keep up with the demand. But that future is now for Austin Police Department’s Emergency Communication Division, whose leaders…
Public Safety • By Alex Dropkin • Oct 13, 2014
District 9 challenger says no to rail proposition
Erin McGann, a challenger to two current City Council members vying for the District 9 position, made her stance clear as early as possible on Monday night. The forum in the Ballot Boxing series was sponsored by the Monitor with partners KUT,…
Elections • By Alex Dropkin • Oct 8, 2014
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LCRA approves Water Plan changes and reservoir
The Lower Colorado River Authority’s board members unanimously voted to accept several key amendments to their its 2012 Water Management Plan Wednesday. The board also voted to build the LCRA’s first new reservoir since the 1940s. The vote was the…
Environment • By Alex Dropkin • Sep 18, 2014
Committee seeks to create zero emissions plan
A recent study by climate scientists predicts dire consequences for the Austin region if it does not act to cut greenhouse gas emissions significantly over the next 20 to 30 years. The National Climate Assessment says temperatures in Central Texas…
Environment • By Alex Dropkin • Sep 5, 2014
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Events ordinance draws criticism
The Austin Center for Events unveiled its revised version of the city’s special event ordinance in front of the Zero Waste Advisory Commission on Wednesday night, drawing both praise and criticism for its new waste management policies. The proposed ordinance…
Development • By Alex Dropkin • Aug 19, 2014
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Supporters jam hearing on SH45 SW environmental impact statement
Supporters of the State Highway 45 Southwest toll road project showed up in the of hundreds Tuesday night at a Texas Department of Transportation public hearing on the project’s draft environmental impact statement. While vocal opponents of the project –…
