Elizabeth Pagano

Given the recent confirmation of two measles cases in Houston, Austin Public Health is urging residents to get vaccinated. Austin’s last confirmed measles case was in December 2019, and the Houston cases are the first in Texas since 2023. “Vaccination is our best defense against measles and other preventable diseases,” Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. […]

Public comment on a proposed MoPac South expansion between Cesar Chavez Street and Slaughter Lane ends on Tuesday, Jan. 28, as an extension granted at the end of December runs out. The plan by the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority would widen the critical roadway by eight lanes in places. It has been criticized by […]

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for federal transportation funding last week. Watson spoke to the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Transportation Standing Committee to stress the importance of focusing on local infrastructure. Fuentes brought a similar focus to the Congressional House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, […]

The city’s Capital Delivery Services will hold another quarterly “Building Austin” event to address ongoing city projects. This quarter, the department will look at transportation, water and park projects in Northeast Austin from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20. Attendees, whether virtual or in-person, will be able to learn about the various projects and […]

Applications are almost open for the 2025 Nexus Grant, which promises to award up to 100 $5,000 grants to support new and emerging artists. According to a press release from the city, “Eligible applicants must have a minimum one-year history of cultural or arts programming in Austin, and be headquartered in the Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan […]

Travis County is asking the public to weigh in on a new comprehensive parks plan that is currently in the works. The county has 27 public parks totaling 13,000-odd acres, and the plan will cover all of them, guiding investments over the next 10 years. In order to accurately reflect what residents want and need […]

With cold weather and the threat of a hard freeze having descended upon Austin, the Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center (ATCEOC) remains activated and at the ready to coordinate response. The cold weather shelters will be in operation until Friday morning, then reopened for another overnight shift this evening. In addition, Austinites in need of […]

State and local officials have confirmed bird flu has been found in a wild bird in Travis County. As a result, Austin Public Health has issued a public health advisory warning residents to avoid direct contact with wild birds and other animals. To limit exposure, APH advises: Do not touch sick or dead animals or […]

Ashika Ganguly, who narrowly lost the District 10 City Council race in November, will succeed Bill McCamley as the executive director of Transit Forward. A press release from Ganguly says she plans to focus on expanding public engagement, ensuring legislative protections for Project Connect and ensuring that transit solutions prioritize accessibility, environmental sustainability and affordability. […]

The Downtown Austin Alliance has named Davon Barbour as its new president and CEO. Barbour comes to Austin via New Orleans, where he has served as president and CEO of the city’s downtown development district. According to a press release from DAA, Barbour plans to focus on “key opportunities like transformative mobility and infrastructure projects […]

City Council has a new mayor pro tem: Vanessa Fuentes. Fuentes, who will serve in the position for 2025, was elected unanimously by her colleagues at Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony, with Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison absent for the vote. “I appreciate the trust that you’ve placed in me to serve as your mayor pro tem for […]