Austin City Council will convene today for a regular voting meeting at City Hall. To prepare, we’ve read through the agenda (which is available in its entirety here) and highlighted what is of the most interest to us and, hopefully, our readers. Obviously, the big item on today’s agenda is the scheduled vote on the […]
Elizabeth Pagano
Elizabeth Pagano is the editor of the Austin Monitor.
Cameron/Dessau Road project moves forward refined
In response to public feedback, the city has revised its safety project at Cameron and Dessau roads. Though about 80 percent of the 1,000 online survey respondents indicated support for the project, the feedback also led city staff to making a few changes. According to a report from the Austin Transportation and Public Works Department, […]
Registration now open for the Chris Riley Memorial chess tournament
Chess in the Park is back at the 2024 Chris Riley Memorial Wooldridge Square Tournament. The event, which will feature a K-12 student section and an open section for all ages, will take place on Nov. 3. The tournament has been officially renamed after former City Council Member Chris Riley, who passed in July and […]
Ditch the drugs this Saturday during National Take Back Day
This Saturday, Oct. 26, Travis County and the Drug Enforcement Administration will collect unwanted prescription drugs from the public as part of National Take Back Day. The day helps people safely dispose of expired, unused or unneeded medications in an effort to help make communities safer. According to a press release from the county, “the […]
City suggests flood insurance at new, discounted rate
With a new 25 percent discount on premiums available to most Austin residents, the city is encouraging homeowners, renters and small businesses to purchase flood insurance. The discount comes via the city’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. Previously, residents were eligible for a 20 percent discount, but that savings has increased due to […]
The search for Austin’s poet laureate is underway
Austin is ready for its first-ever poet laureate, and applications are now open through Nov. 30. The selected poet will serve a two-year term starting April 2025. Applicants for the position must be published, at least 21 years old and must have worked or lived in the city for at least three years, with plans […]
Let the city help you get ready for emergencies
Austin’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will host its last emergency preparedness training of the year on Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Hampton Branch at Oak Hill Austin Public Library. The session, which will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., is free and open to the community, with a required RSVP available here. […]
A Week Without Driving is underway
As part of an effort to raise awareness about transportation challenges, a Week Without Driving is now underway. The week, which runs from Sept. 30 until Oct. 6, asks Austinites to experience what getting around the city is like for those without access to cars due to age, disability or cost. The city’s Transportation Department […]
Council members seek clarity on police contract
Confused about how the new police contract will deal with the information maintained in the “G-file”? You are not alone. To bring some clarity to the issue, Council Member Chito Vela has asked for a memo by Oct. 2 that explains whether the new contract makes both old and new G-file information available to the […]
Point in Time Count set for January
The Ending Community Homelessness Coalition’s annual Point in Time Count will take place on the night of Jan. 25, 2025, and the effort to find at least 1,200 volunteers is already underway. Volunteers count the area’s homeless population and distribute care kits as part of an effort to better understand the community. Anyone interested in […]
Art From the Streets sale returns in October
Art From the Streets’ 32nd annual art show will take place at the Blue Genie Art Bazaar on Oct. 12 and 13 this year. The show and sale is composed of art from unhoused artists, with 95 percent of each purchase going directly back to the artist. “For 31 years, Art From the Streets has […]
Proposed police contract made public
The tentative agreement struck between the city and the Austin Police Association has been made available to the public. The contract, which will have to be approved by Council and ratified by the police union to become official, can be read in its entirety here. Perhaps in response to groups like Equity Action, which have […]
