Council calls out enemies among us… Council had no qualms Thursday shaming the Texas Legislature for its arrogance in passing the “shot clock” bill, House Bill 3167. In the words of Council Member Leslie Pool, the bill demonstrates that the state “has zero understanding about the complexities involved in Land Development Code and processes.” A […]
Austin Monitor
Austin Monitor Radio: Wildfires with Justice Jones
This week, Austin Monitor reporter Jessi Devenyns sits down with Austin Fire Department Wildfire Division Manager Justice Jones. Listen in below for a comprehensive discussion about Austin’s wildfire risks, how the city is managing those risks and what still needs to be done. Austin Monitor Radio is produced in partnership with KOOP 91.7 FM. The […]
Reporter’s Notebook: At what cost
Where’d you go, Harper-Madison?… After District 1 Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison filed her mid-year campaign finance report in July, it turned out that she raised $3,695 in campaign funds in January, February and March and spent $3,589. As Council members are prohibited from raising money outside a one-year window that ended in December, she was […]
Austin Monitor Radio: ECHO’s Matthew Mollica
Earlier this month, Matthew Mollica stepped into his new post as executive director for the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition. On this edition of Austin Monitor Radio, he talks to Monitor reporter Jessi Devenyns about the timing of that move, how Austin compares to other cities he’s worked in, what it will take to end homelessness in […]
Austin Monitor Radio: SAFE Alliance
This week, Juliana Gonzales, the senior director of sexual assault services at the SAFE Alliance, sits down to talk with Austin Monitor reporter Jessi Devenyns about her work at SAFE, which is a merger between SafePlace and Austin Children’s Shelter. If you’d like to learn more beyond what you hear on our show, the alliance […]
Reporter’s Notebook: Have some pride
Build that fence… The Austin Music Commission has asked the city to send a representative to its September meeting to update the group on work to address the recent rash of shootings and violence in the area around Red River and Seventh streets during evening hours when clubs and music venues in that district are […]
Reporter’s Notebook: What lies beneath
SoClose… Tourists scrambling to get their photos taken at Jo’s Coffee were unaware of how close they came to a lurking danger, but the city’s Watershed Protection Department sure was. In a July 31 memo to City Council, Watershed Protection Interim Director Jose M. Guerrero explained that ongoing construction at South Congress Avenue and Academy […]
Austin Monitor Radio: AISD school consolidation
This week, Austin Independent School District’s Dr. Lisa Goodnow, who is the associate superintendent of academics and social and emotional learning, and Matias Segura, AISD operations officer, join Austin Monitor reporter Jack Craver to talk about the current process to consolidate some schools, the prospect of redrawing school boundaries, segregation and more. Tune in below […]
Austin Monitor Radio: APL Director Roosevelt Weeks
Curious about the latest at Austin Public Library? This week we go straight to the stacks to discuss just that. Listen in below as Austin Monitor reporter Jack Craver talks with Library Director Roosevelt Weeks. Austin Monitor Radio is produced in partnership with KOOP 91.7 FM. The Austin Monitor’s work is made possible by donations […]
Reporter’s Notebook: Hearsay and opinion
Careful what you read on the internet, folks… Capital Metro’s current incarnation of Project Connect is no different from anything else the agency ever does: complicated, controversial and confusing. Time, however, is running out for the community and the agency to figure out what it wants to do and whether this project is going to […]
Austin Monitor Radio: Stream ecologist Mateo Scoggins
This week, Mateo Scoggins, who is a stream ecologist with the city’s Watershed Protection Department, sits down with Austin Monitor reporter Jessi Devenyns. Listen in below to learn all about the city’s natural waterways, their current and future health, and what the city is doing to ensure a bright future for Austin’s creeks and streams. […]
Reporter’s Notebook: Considering the totality
Lodge party… After a divisive case in April concerning the use of the home at 2311 Shoal Creek Blvd., the question of whether a fraternity house is considered a single-family use or a club/lodge use was still up for debate. According to Planning and Zoning Director Jerry Rusthoven, planning staff determined that the property was […]
