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Most Popular Stories
- How Trump’s federal funding freeze is beginning to affect Austin
- APD won’t enforce SB 14 as Paxton and Trump further attack gender-affirming health care
- After shutting off mental health care for Austin musicians, SIMS Foundation restarts services
- Council approves call for better coordination, planning among downtown projects
- Austin ISD announces hiring freeze as budget deficit grows to $110 million
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Popular Whispers
- Council Member Mike Siegel will speak out against cuts to federal services
- City manager hosts community meetings on next year’s budget
- DAA offers a look at future of Sixth Street entertainment district
- RRCD names Klepadlo as executive director
- Zero Waste Advisory Commission adds own ‘no’ rec on merge with RMC
Stories by Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT
Austin to offer free library cards to people outside the city
People who live outside the city will soon no longer have to pay $120 for an Austin public library card. City Council voted to remove the fees last week after the Library Commission recommended the change. In their recommendation, commissioners…
Education • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Dec 19, 2023
Austin throws $2.6 million more into project converting hotel into housing for elderly people without homes
Lee esta historia en español More money is being poured into a former North Austin hotel that will be converted into housing for elderly people who are exiting homelessness. City Council on Thursday authorized an additional $2.6 million for continued…
City Council • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Dec 4, 2023
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
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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
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…
