Conversation Corps, a program of facilitated dialogue on important community issues, has announced six months of topics for which the City of Austin, Capital Metro and Austin Independent School District will be seeking public input. Each round of conversations will begin the second Monday of the month at various times and locations throughout the city. […]
Mark Richardson
Mark Richardson is a multimedia journalist, editor and writer who has worked in digital, print and broadcast media for three decades. He is a nationally recognized editor and reporter who has covered government, politics and the environment. A journalism graduate from the University of Texas at Austin, he was recently awarded a Foundation for Investigative Journalism grant and has three Associated Press Managing Editors awards for excellence in reporting.
Posted inWhispers
Civil Service System wins award
The City of Austin has earned state recognition for its innovative and successful implementation of its Municipal Civil Service System, which applies to the majority of city employees. The Texas Municipal Human Resources Association presented the city its Innovation in Municipal Human Resources Management Award as part of the association’s 2015 Professional Awards Program. In […]
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Input sought for Congress Avenue project
The city, in partnership with the Downtown Austin Alliance and various community stakeholder groups, will host two public meetings to gather community feedback on developing a new vision for Congress Avenue. The plan will provide direction for an urban design initiative, which will guide future improvements to the stretch of the avenue between north of Riverside […]
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Group honors Second Street District
The Second Street District public-private redevelopment project was recognized with an Impact Award for Influence last month, presented by the Urban Land Institute’s Austin Chapter. The six-block core of the district is the result of a development effort involving the City of Austin and six private entities. Redevelopment of the formerly distressed low-rise commercial properties and […]
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Early voting to end for May 9 election
Today is the final day of early voting in the May 9 Joint General and Special Election. If you live in Austin, don’t panic — there are no city or Travis County candidates on issues on the ballot. The vote will cover several municipal elections in smaller cities, including Leander, Cedar Park, Manor, Lakeway, Lago […]
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Artist INC Live seminar planned
Applications are now open for the Artist INC Live 2015 seminar, sponsored by the Economic Development Department in partnership with Mid-America Arts Alliance and the Texas Commission on the Arts. Artist INC is a nationally recognized arts entrepreneurship program designed to give artists from all disciplines the business training and support needed to strengthen their craft and […]
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City celebrates Small Business Week
The city’s Small Business Program and other nonprofit service providers will celebrate the contributions of the small business community with a series of events and classes during National Small Business Week, May 4-8. The week will begin with a Kickoff Event today, where District 1 City Council Member Ora Houston will welcome attendees and Tim […]
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City seeks apps for Cultural Expansion
The Cultural Arts Division of the city’s Economic Development Department is now accepting applications for the Cultural Expansion funding program. With a goal of strengthening the organizational marketing capacity and audience development of creative, culturally based organizations, officials say the Cultural Expansion Program was borne from the need to increase visibility for minority and traditionally underserved arts […]
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Austin 311 receives industry award
The Austin 311 system received the 311 Award of Excellence at the CS Week 311 Synergy Group Conference this week in Charlotte, North Carolina. Each year, the group recognizes a centralized government customer service center that has demonstrated a customer-focused approach to improving local government. In addition, the award commends Austin 311 for its efforts to […]
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ABIA extends pilot agreement with TNCs
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport officials have reached an agreement to temporary extend its pilot program with transportation network companies Lyft and Uber to provide on-demand services for ABIA passengers. The six-month operating agreement will be in place while City Council’s Mobility Committee reviews the role of TNCs in Austin and the entire Council determines a formal […]
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Local HHS releases 2015 Health Indicators
The Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department has released its annual 2015 Critical Health Indicators Report. The report provides an analysis and overview of adverse health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, obesity and diabetes that affect the county’s population of more than 1 million people. Among its findings: African-Americans have disproportionately higher rates […]
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Students learn in Clean Creek Campus
Last week, fifth-graders from Hill Elementary marked the 10th anniversary of the Clean Creek Campus program by completing a service project to pick up litter and spread seed balls in Northwest Park. Afterward, Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo presented the students with a “Clean Creek Campus” banner for their school and thanked them for their […]