Several hundred customers in the Steiner Ranch community were fined or had their water shut off over the past week for violating restrictions meant to conserve water. Travis County Water Control and Improvement District No. 17 said it has been trying since July 5 to get violators in compliance of the restrictions, which include limiting irrigation […]
Haya Panjwani, KUT
Posted inEnvironment
Hawk attacks seem more common lately. Austin’s tree canopy may have something to do with it.
Hawks in Austin are currently nesting and caring for their young until they’re old enough to flee the nest. And these protective parents fear you might be a threat. This might explain why there have been quite a few local hawk attacks in the news and on social media lately. For example, KUT Digital Editor Stephanie […]
Posted inPublic Health
West Nile virus was found in mosquitoes in Austin. Here’s what to know.
For the first time this year, a pool of mosquitoes in Austin has tested positive for West Nile virus, according to Austin Public Health. The positive pool was located in the 78721 ZIP code of East Austin. West Nile is the most common mosquito-borne illness in the U.S. and potentially can cause high fevers, rashes and […]
Posted inEnvironment
Triple-digit temps expected through Friday – and summer hasn’t even officially started yet
It’s another day of excessive heat in Central Texas. Temperatures are expected to go into the triple digits – again. And the heat index, which is a combination of the heat and humidity levels, is expected to hit 120. The National Weather Service said there’s high pressure in the atmosphere right now, making each day feel hotter […]
Posted inAustin
To celebrate marriage equality, Travis County offers free marriage ceremonies June 26
To celebrate the eight-year anniversary of becoming the first Texas county to issue a same-sex marriage license, Travis County is offering free wedding ceremonies all day Monday, June 26. Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado said she thinks it’s particularly important for the county to show solidarity with the LGBTQ community this year. “Especially as the LGBTQ […]
Posted inAustin
‘Dogs coming out of our ears’: Pandemic, no-kill policy worsen overcrowding at Austin Animal Center
The Austin Animal Center doesn’t want its halls lined with crates, but they are. It doesn’t want to keep three puppies in a kennel meant for cats, but it does. And it doesn’t want to keep crates of large dogs in its loading dock in the middle of the Texas summer, but it has to do so. The center […]
Posted inAustin
‘Austin American-Statesman’ staff strike over low pay
Members of the Austin American-Statesman’s labor union went on strike Monday because of an ongoing contract dispute with the newspaper’s parent company, Gannett. Nicole Villalpando, who covers health care for the Statesman and serves as the union’s vice chair, said she and some of her other colleagues have to work other jobs. “We have about […]
Posted inCity Hall
Austin Energy’s general manager, Jackie Sargent, steps down
Austin Energy General Manager Jackie Sargent has retired – effective immediately – according to a memo from interim City Manager Jesús Garza. Sargent served as the public utility’s top executive for nearly six years. Sargent was the highest-paid city employee, earning a base salary of $403,374 a year. “I wish Jackie Sargent the best in retirement,” […]
Posted inCourts
Some Travis County residents can clear their arrest records at the 2023 Expunction Expo
Lee esta historia en español Travis County is set to host its fourth “expunction expo” May 20, an event where people who have been arrested but not convicted can remove the arrest from their record. Travis County District Attorney José Garza said removing such arrests can provide something of a clean start. “The arrest on a […]
Posted inEnvironment
Hundreds of fish found dead in Shoal Creek after waterline break
Update: Austin’s Watershed Protection Department told KUT in an email Friday that staff have found about 300 dead fish now. “Last night’s storm pushed debris in the creek, along with the fish, toward an inlet where staff were able to see the full extent of the spill impact,” the email said. The department said crews […]
Posted inPolice
Austin police investigate series of street racing incidents over the weekend
Lee esta historia en español. The Austin Police Department is investigating a series of incidents over the weekend in which cars were racing and blocking traffic. One officer was injured and multiple law enforcement vehicles were damaged, APD said. Between Saturday night and early Sunday morning, officers responded to four separate incidents, starting at the intersection of Barton […]
Posted inPublic Health
Austin receives $2 million in federal funding for drug overdose prevention efforts
After a spike in the number of fatal drug overdoses last year, Austin is getting $2 million in federal funding for prevention programs, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) announced Tuesday. The money will be used to hire more peer-recovery coaches and for a public awareness campaign. City officials said this is the first time Austin has received […]