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Most Popular Stories
- APD won’t enforce SB 14 as Paxton and Trump further attack gender-affirming health care
- Austin Transit Partnership presents pedestrian features, changes to stops in revised Project Connect plan
- Austin’s new CapMetro Rapid lines debut with buses every 20 minutes
- Austin ISD announces hiring freeze as budget deficit grows to $110 million
- Commercial EV station moves forward despite opposition
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Discover News By District
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Stories by Andrew Weber, KUT
Travis County dismisses charges against APD officers who used beanbag rounds in 2020 protests
The Travis County district attorney has dropped assault charges against 17 Austin police officers who used so-called “less lethal” beanbag rounds over a weekend of racial justice protests in 2020. District Attorney José Garza pursued charges against 21 officers after several Austinites…
Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Dec 5, 2023
The biggest moments from Austin police officer Christopher Taylor's murder trial so far
The second week of the murder trial of Austin police officer Christopher Taylor, who fatally shot Mike Ramos in 2020, starts today. Ramos’ shooting, along with George Floyd’s murder, sparked weeks of protests for racial justice that year. Police responded…
Courts • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Oct 30, 2023
A new Texas law could get prosecutors fired for not pursuing charges. Here’s how it works.
A new state law could lead to the firing of elected prosecutors who refuse to take on certain crimes like low-level pot offenses. Supporters of the law say these “rogue” prosecutors should be thrown out of office. Opponents say the…
Courts • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Oct 11, 2023
The city says shelter is coming for homeless Austinites. Nonprofits would like a word.
Lee esta historia en español For years, Austin didn’t focus on finding shelter for people living outdoors. Instead, the city prioritized longer-term solutions, like getting people into apartments. That philosophy at City Hall has changed. Under Mayor Kirk Watson, the…
Austin • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Sep 29, 2023
Starting next year, researchers will seek relatives of long-lost Oakwood Cemetery residents
City officials say genetic testing of 35 Austinites buried at Oakwood Cemetery more than a century and a half ago is done, and researchers could be ready to test possible descendants of those people as soon as next year. City…
Austin • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Sep 21, 2023
Travis County judge rules Texas ‘Death Star’ law is unconstitutional
A Texas law that would have undone local laws was ruled unconstitutional by a Travis County judge Wednesday, days ahead of when it was slated to take effect. The law, referred to as the “Death Star” bill, would limit cities’…
Courts • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Aug 31, 2023
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Austin provides shelter in freezes but not in triple-digit heat – and advocates want change
Austin’s triple-digit temperatures – 44 days in a row as of Sunday – have been near-unbearable for people living outdoors. And with the heat streak likely to continue well into next week, a group of nonprofits is asking the city…
Public Health • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Aug 21, 2023
Greg Casar calls for national standard to prevent heat-related illness, deaths on construction sites
Amid an oppressive summer, U.S. Rep. Greg Casar is calling on the federal government to enact stricter protections for workers to ensure they don’t suffer heat-related illness on the job. Casar, a former City Council member whose congressional district includes…
Public Health • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Jul 25, 2023
Wait, so, what's going on with DPS patrols in Austin?
The city of Austin has ended its agreement with the Texas Department of Public Safety to have state troopers supplement citywide police patrols. Mayor Kirk Watson and interim City Manager Jesús Garza decided to end the partnership Wednesday, after a…
Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Jul 14, 2023
Austin again suspends its patrol partnership with DPS
Lee esta historia en español The city of Austin says it won’t forge ahead with its partnership with the Texas Department of Public Safety to supplement police patrols. The plan was initially rolled out this spring but was met with…
Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Jul 13, 2023
State troopers are going to patrol Austin streets again starting next month
State troopers will resume patrols on Austin streets July 2, the city said Thursday. The Austin Police Department partnered with the Department of Public Safety in late March to help out with patrols, but the deal ended after complaints from Austinites…
Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Jun 23, 2023
Austin's neighbors lead the country in population growth (again)
Four of the top five fastest-growing cities in the U.S. are in Texas, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Georgetown tops the list, as it did last year, with Kyle and Leander in the No. 3 and 4 spots, respectively.…
