After recent vehicle break-ins at parks and greenbelts, the city of Austin is looking to improve security. Each year, thousands of car breaks-in are reported in Austin. In 2024 alone, more than 8,200 cars were broken into, according to crime data from the Austin Police Department. Cpl. Jose Mendez, a spokesperson with APD, said car […]
Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT
Posted inCity Council
City Council approves nearly $7 million to keep Marshalling Yard shelter open
The city of Austin has identified the financing it will use to keep the Marshalling Yard emergency shelter open indefinitely. In September, City Council agreed to keep the shelter in Southeast Austin open until a more permanent location could be identified. Mayor Kirk Watson proposed the extension, saying that without alternative places for people to go […]
Posted inAustin
This fall might’ve been Austin’s warmest. The city says it’s ready now for record cold.
Austin and Travis County leaders said they are prepared for potentially record winter weather despite the warm fall. At a news conference Wednesday, Mayor Kirk Watson and Travis County Judge Andy Brown said the city and county have several mechanisms in place to ensure residents have power and water, and that the roads are safe. […]
Posted inHousing
Austin opens new affordable housing development in Southeast Austin
Lee esta historia en español Just days before Thanksgiving, some older residents have another thing to be thankful for: a safe, affordable place to live. Tucked away in a corner of Southeast Austin sits the city’s newest affordable housing project, Ekos City Heights. The Austin Housing Finance Corporation and McDowell Housing Partners opened the new […]
Posted inAustin
Austin is making it easier to open overnight cold weather shelters
The city of Austin is changing how and when it will open cold weather shelters this winter to make shelter more frequent and predictable for people, city officials said. When temperatures dip to near freezing, the city opens overnight shelters for people who are experiencing homelessness, but previously, there were several other criteria the weather […]
Posted inElections
Austin mayoral candidate Carmen Llanes Pulido’s request for recount is denied
A request for a recount in the November general election by Austin mayoral candidate Carmen Llanes Pulido has been denied, city officials said. Llanes Pulido had filed a request Thursday for a recount of the votes in the city’s 11 precincts in Williamson County. Officials said under state law, a recount must be for the […]
Posted inElections
Kirk Watson avoids runoff, secures new term as Austin mayor
Kirk Watson has officially won a new term as Austin’s next mayor. Watson led his four challengers on Nov. 5, but did not have enough votes to claim victory outright. He had to win a majority of the vote, or 50% plus one vote, to secure a new term and avoid a runoff. After adding […]
Posted inElections
The race for Austin mayor is too close to call. Provisional ballots may tip the scales.
When the Travis County Clerk released the final tally of votes for Austin mayor early Wednesday, none of the candidates had enough to claim victory. Incumbent Kirk Watson was ahead with just over 50 percent of the vote. He needed (and still needs) 50 percent plus one vote to be declared the winner – otherwise the […]
Posted inElections
Nearly 52% of registered voters in Travis County cast an early ballot
Central Texas voters turned out for early voting at a rate just shy of the turnout seen in the 2020 election – the last time a presidential race was on the ballot. That is a little skewed since the early voting period in 2020 was extended beyond the normal two-week period because of the Covid-19 pandemic. […]
Posted inParks
City-owned land will be repurposed to add 5 new parks in Austin
Five new parks are joining Austin’s parks system, adding much needed green spaces to areas considered to be “park deficient.” Austin’s Watershed Protection Department has over the years acquired land for things like protecting the environment and managing floodwater. These properties are open green spaces, but because they’re not designated as parkland the city can’t […]
Posted inElections
Austin post offices drop out of plan to host voter registration drive today
Local post offices across Travis County have reversed a plan that would have allowed residents to register to vote on-site today. Oct. 7 is the last day for Texans to register for the Nov. 5 election. With the help of U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, the county was all set to partner with the Postal Service […]
Posted inCity Council
City Council adopts new rules around allowing residents to speak at meetings
City Council made several changes to its meeting rules that the city hopes will improve public engagement and transparency. The changes adopted Thursday follow a Travis County judge’s ruling in May that found the city had violated the Texas Open Meeting Act by not allowing people enough time to speak during the public comment period […]