Katy McElroy

After last month’s school shooting in Florida in which 17 adults and children were killed, students across the nation, and even the world, have been protesting for stronger gun control laws in the U.S. On Wednesday, thousands of students walked out of their classrooms. Next Saturday, the protest broadens in scope to involve parents, teachers […]

The Parks and Recreation Department is looking to enhance the 26-acre Zilker Botanical Garden and has announced the first phase of developing the project’s master plan. This involves public meetings “to gather input from residents as we assess the garden’s historical development and existing site features, with an eye towards current and future needs, programming […]

It gets pretty crazy out there during South by Southwest. The city would like to remind all festivalgoers (and those residents who are just trying to get through the next couple of weeks) that there are ways to reach out if you feel like your health or safety, or someone else’s, is being threatened: If […]

We whispered this at the beginning of the month, but as traffic begins to pile up out there, we thought we’d remind you that the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority has extended its service for these busy busy South by Southwest days. Here are some of our notes from before, with some updates (and maps!): MetroRapid will […]

All offices and schools in the Austin Independent School District will be closed for Spring Break, which runs March 12-16. View the district calendar here for future closings, have fun and stay safe out there!

Getting around Austin is no easy feat during South by Southwest, and the Austin Police Department has released a couple of information sheets to try to make it a little easier. You can find information about street closures here and some tips on how to get around Austin during this busy time. If you choose to drive, remember that […]

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has determined the participants in a contested case hearing for a proposed discharge permit that would allow Dripping Springs to discharge close to a million gallons of wastewater a day into Walnut Springs Creek, a tributary of Onion Creek. Today, the commission announced that the city of Austin could […]

The Friday that marks the beginning of Spring Break and the first weekend of the South by Southwest festival is historically a traffic nightmare. Because of this, the city of Austin is recognizing March 9, 2018, as ATX Detour Day. Detour Day is an effort to “encourage employers and employees, especially downtown, to think about […]

The nights are warming up, and that means it’s time for Movies in the Park. The Austin Parks Foundation is presenting the free series of films in parks throughout town in partnership with Alamo Drafthouse and Whole Foods Market. BYO blankets, lawn chairs, food and (nonalcoholic) beverages. Leashed dogs are welcome in the parks as […]

Now that the Austin Independent School District has officially decided to rename five schools that were named after people with ties to the Confederacy, the district has decided to let the community decide what the new names should be. The five schools in question are John T. Allan Facility, Zachary Taylor Fulmore Middle School, Sidney […]

March means one thing in Austin, and it’s time to get ready. The Capital Metropolitan Transit Authority announced yesterday that it will be extending its hours to accommodate the swarms of people descending on the city for the South by Southwest festival. The increased service will be available March 5 through 17. The highlights: MetroRapid will […]

In November, the Cultural Arts Division announced the open call for its 2018 Faces of Austin short film competition, and now 13 finalists have been chosen from over 70 submissions. The 13 films will be screened as part of the South by Southwest Film Festival. They will also air periodically throughout the year on ATXN, the city […]