Stories by Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT
Austin Energy customers can expect to see another increase to their December bills
Austin Energy customers should expect to see another increase on their utility bills starting Friday. The city’s energy company said customers will see a bump of 5 percent, or about $2 per month. Matt Mitchell, a spokesperson for Austin Energy, said…
Energy • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Nov 28, 2023
Austin wants to make relocating a home easier to reduce waste and create affordable housing
In a move to create more options for affordable housing while also reducing waste, the city of Austin is trying to make it easier to relocate homes. When a builder comes in to redevelop a lot, the existing home is…
Housing • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Nov 3, 2023
Austin interim city manager appoints head of police oversight without promised national search
Austin has named interim Director Gail McCant to run the Office of Police Oversight – one of the highest-profile offices in the city. And it has done so without public notice. Created in 2018, the office oversees police policy, conduct…
City Hall • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Oct 2, 2023
Austin City Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison takes temporary leave to address mental health
Austin City Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison will temporarily step away from her position to address her mental health, she announced Monday. “This year has been extremely challenging for me,” she said. “I live with depression and anxiety. Thankfully these issues can…
City Council • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Sep 26, 2023
Austin slowly expands police oversight powers voters passed in the spring
Months after Austinites overwhelmingly passed a sweeping measure calling for stronger police oversight, the City Council voted Thursday to set hard deadlines for staff to expand the Office of Police Oversight’s power. The resolution was approved 10 to 1, with Council Member Mackenzie…
Police • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Sep 22, 2023
Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon announces retirement
Chief Joseph Chacon will leave the Austin Police Department next month. Chacon told interim City Manager Jesús Garza of his plans to retire last week, city leaders said, and he officially gave his notice Monday morning. He has served in…
Police • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Aug 22, 2023
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City Council puts controversial Zilker Park Vision Plan on hold
City Council will not move forward this month with a controversial plan to revamp Zilker Park, Mayor Kirk Watson said Monday. The announcement comes after Council members Paige Ellis, Ryan Alter and Zo Qadri released a joint statement saying that…
City Council • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Aug 8, 2023
Council greenlights change to reduce land size needed to build a home in Austin
The size of land Austinites need to build a home on is about to get smaller – as part of an effort to encourage developers to build smaller and cheaper houses. City Council on Thursday approved a resolution that will start…
City Council • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Jul 21, 2023
New building under construction on your block? Austin could change how you're notified.
East Austin residents flooded a City Council meeting last month for a vote on rezoning the Borden Dairy plant to allow mixed-use development. The 21-acre site will make room for apartments, hotel rooms and a mix of office, restaurant and…
Planning • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Jul 5, 2023
‘Stay hydrated, stay cool and stay safe’: Austin, Travis County officials warn of heat risks
Austin has been under an excessive heat warning since late last week, putting residents – especially those most vulnerable – at risk for heat-related illnesses. Temperatures have been at or near 100 degrees, and with no end in sight, Austin…
Environment • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Jun 22, 2023
Transit and city leaders agree on final plan for Austin's light rail system
Austin leaders on Tuesday gave an official thumbs-up to the city’s massive rail line project just two weeks after the plan was revealed to the public. The final vote taken by City Council, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of…
