The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) is seeking public input on its Regional Safety Action Plan, a comprehensive effort to enhance roadway safety across Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Travis and Williamson counties. The plan aims to address traffic safety concerns and develop strategies to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities in the region. Residents can share […]
Chad Swiatecki
Chad Swiatecki is a 20-year journalist who relocated to Austin from his home state of Michigan in 2008. He most enjoys covering the intersection of arts, business and local/state politics. He has written for Rolling Stone, Spin, New York Daily News, Texas Monthly, Austin American-Statesman and many other regional and national outlets.
Posted inWhispers
City seeks applicants for Municipal Civil Service Commission
City Council is accepting applications for the five-member Municipal Civil Service Commission, which oversees appeals of disciplinary actions for covered city employees. The open position will fill an unexpired term through May 2027, with potential consideration for a full three-year term through May 2028. Commissioners typically commit 20 hours per month to their duties in […]
Posted inPlanning
Downtown Commission wants all-new plan to address needs of city core
The Downtown Commission has recommended the city pursue a complete rewrite of the Downtown Austin Plan rather than making updates and smaller changes to a document that commissioners say doesn’t reflect the needs of the city’s core. The combination of increasing population, mobility challenges, overlapping redevelopment projects and other significant changes to the area are […]
Posted inPublic Safety
SXSW, public safety leaders detail road closures and prep for festival season
The city plans to completely close or restrict more than 30 streets during the South by Southwest festival next month as part of safety planning for the event, a major economic driver for the area. The heads of all of the city’s relevant safety and planning departments participated in an online forum Thursday that detailed […]
Posted inWhispers
RRCD names Klepadlo as executive director
The Red River Cultural District has named Nicole Klepadlo as its executive director, solidifying her leadership after serving in the role on an interim basis since 2022. Klepadlo, who played a key role in establishing the district in 2013 while working for the city of Austin, brings more than a decade of experience in community […]
Posted inCity Hall
City opens new office to address arts, music and cultural needs
The city has announced the creation of a new office that will consolidate the operations of the Music and Entertainment Division and the Cultural Arts Division, in a decision intended to improve support for the city’s creative industries. The new Office of Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment will operate as a stand-alone entity led by […]
Posted inWhispers
Hearst Corp. to buy ‘Austin American-Statesman’ from Gannett
On Wednesday, the Hearst Corp. announced it has agreed to acquire the Austin American-Statesman from Gannett Co. Inc. The acquisition, expected to finalize by March 31, includes the Statesman‘s community publications – Bastrop Advertiser, Lake Travis View, Pflugerville Pflag and Round Rock Leader – as well as digital platforms like Austin360 and Hookem.com. The Hearst Corp., […]
Posted inWhispers
Cost estimate for Spicewood Springs pocket park reduced to $982K
The Parks and Recreation Department has significantly reduced its cost estimate for the proposed pocket park at Spicewood Springs Road and Old Lampasas Trail, bringing it down from an initial $2.8 million to approximately $982,800. The revision follows a detailed evaluation of the site’s acreage, proximity to major roadways and the Bull Creek Greenbelt, neighborhood […]
Posted inWhispers
DAA offers a look at future of Sixth Street entertainment district
The Downtown Austin Alliance will host its next Issues & Eggs breakfast event, focusing on the future of East Sixth Street, at 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 25, at St. David’s Episcopal Church. The discussion will center on the ongoing revitalization efforts of the entertainment district, addressing topics such as safety, economic development and preservation. Panelists […]
Posted inPlanning
Equity overlay study draws criticism from Community Development Commission
The ongoing study of a potential equity overlay in East Austin is drawing concerns from residents and commissioners over its slow pace and lack of direct community engagement. At a recent meeting of the Community Development Commission, representatives from Atlanta-based APD Urban Planning and Management outlined their progress on the study but faced pointed questions […]
Posted inWhispers
Texas infrastructure gets C grade from civil engineering group
The Texas Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers has unveiled the 2025 Texas Infrastructure Report Card, assigning the state’s infrastructure an overall grade of C. This mirrors the grade from the 2021 report and surpasses the national average of C-minus reported in 2021. The assessment encompasses 16 categories, with aviation and roads showing […]
Posted inPublic Health
Federal cuts slash more than $2M from Foundation Communities’ health navigator program
The Foundation Communities nonprofit is facing a substantial financial setback after the Trump administration announced a 90 percent reduction in funding for health insurance navigator grants. The cuts, revealed last Friday, eliminate nearly all funding for 56 programs nationwide that help Americans enroll in affordable health insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace. Foundation Communities’ […]