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Stories by Madeline de Figueiredo

Chief Animal Services Officer Don Bland to retire following administrative leave

The city announced last week that Chief Animal Services Officer Don Bland will retire, effective May 9, following his placement on administrative leave in early March. Bland, the director of the Austin Animal Center since 2019, was placed on administrative…

City Hall • By Madeline de Figueiredo • Apr 3, 2025

City intensifies efforts to encourage vaccination amid state’s worst measles outbreak in decades

Last Thursday, Austin city leaders marked the 30th anniversary of a program that provides free vaccines to children as Texas faces its worst measles outbreak in over three decades.  Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease that can spread through…

Public Health • By Madeline de Figueiredo • Mar 31, 2025

Council members celebrate unanimous defeat of bill that proposed putting Austin under state control

Austin City Council members celebrated the resounding defeat of House Bill 274 on Wednesday, a bill that would have created the “District of Austin” as the state’s official seat of government. “Our message is loud and clear: local leaders are…

Austin • By Madeline de Figueiredo • Mar 28, 2025

Eviction crisis spreads as affordability pressures worsen

A record-breaking 13,210 evictions were filed in Travis County in 2024, according to a memo released last week from BASTA (Building and Strengthening Tenant Action), a project of Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. The memo, a snapshot with key evictions-related findings…

Housing • By Madeline de Figueiredo • Mar 24, 2025

Technology Commission approves FY 26 budget recommendations to address digital equity

Austin’s Technology Commission unanimously approved five recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, based on a digital needs assessment, to address digital equity in Austin including funding for affordable devices, expanded public internet access and increased digital skills training for…

Budget • By Madeline de Figueiredo • Mar 11, 2025

Parks and Rec Board to explore "rainbow bridge" pet memorial

The Parks and Recreation Board voted Tuesday to form a working group tasked with exploring the creation of a “rainbow bridge” pet memorial at a city park. The proposed interactive feature would allow park visitors to honor their pets, particularly…

Parks • By Madeline de Figueiredo • Mar 4, 2025

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Commercial EV station moves forward despite opposition

After the Planning Commission denied the request for a commercial electric-vehicle charging lot in East Austin last April, the project is moving forward based on an ordinance passed by City Council. Last April, the Planning Commission voted 7-3-3 to deny…

Land Development Code • By Madeline de Figueiredo • Feb 19, 2025

Commissioner Travillion finds integration of public services as key to success

In 2024, Travis County Commissioner Jeff Travillion approached his work with a clear conviction: The challenges facing East Austinites are deeply interconnected. To truly serve his constituents, he recognized that solving these issues required a multidimensional approach – what he…

Travis County • By Madeline de Figueiredo • Jan 7, 2025

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Council Member José Velásquez seeks to reframe local representation

As Council Member José Velásquez tackled a wide array of issues in 2024, he has remained focused on the three tenets that guide his work and decision-making: “affordability, accessibility and action.” Pursuing these principles has pushed him to redefine the…

City Council • By Madeline de Figueiredo • Dec 26, 2024

ZAP postpones decision on Panda Express permit as commission fails to approve drive-through

The Zoning and Platting Commission delayed a decision on a conditional use permit for a drive-through at a proposed Panda Express off William Cannon Drive, after commissioners failed to approve the drive-through proposal. The proposed Panda Express would be located…

Development • By Madeline de Figueiredo • Dec 10, 2024

ZAP Commission forwards recommendation allowing some commercial uses in residential zones

The Zoning and Platting Commission voted to move forward a recommendation on allowing some commercial uses in residential zones to the Codes and Ordinances Joint Committee and Comprehensive Plan Joint Committee. The proposed recommendation allows limited commercial uses in residential…

Development • By Madeline de Figueiredo • Dec 6, 2024

City Council passes resolution prioritizing co-op housing for older people and people with disabilities

City Council passed a resolution Thursday directing the city manager to prioritize city-owned land for the development of income-restricted, shared-equity housing for older residents and people with disabilities, including options like cooperative housing and community land trusts. The resolution also…

Housing • By Madeline de Figueiredo • Nov 26, 2024

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