The Animal Planet network and the Austin Animal Center are joining forces to sponsor a local free pet adoption event as part of the national “Road to Puppy Bowl” tour. The second annual Austin event will be from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, when Animal Planet will pay for all adoption fees for animals from […]
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.
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Austin ranked top global tech center
A recent report ranks Austin as the top city worldwide for technology companies. Savills, a London-based real estate advisory company, placed Austin at the top of a list of 12 global centers for the technology job sector. The research found that smaller cities such as Austin have more affordable living, more access to restaurants and […]
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Group works to preserve local powers
A group of citizens from across Texas will gather in the State Capitol rotunda today to read an open letter to state officials seeking to preserve local control for Texas cities. The group, Local Control Texas, will release the letter calling on Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Speaker Joe Straus and legislators to […]
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Austin named top city for wildlife
The National Wildlife Federation is honoring Austin as the top city in the country with the strongest commitment to wildlife — and we’re not talking Red River Street here. As part of its celebration of National Wildlife Week 2015, the agency released its list of the Top 10 Cities for Wildlife. The National Wildlife Federation […]
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Onion Creek Park Plan meeting set
The Parks and Recreation Department is planning its final Onion Creek Metropolitan Park Master Plan public meeting, set for Thursday. The project team will present a final draft version of the master plan at the meeting. Onion Creek Metropolitan Park is 555 acres of parkland located in southeast Travis County, just south of Onion Creek. […]
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City offices to open late today
City of Austin government facilities will open at 1 p.m. today due to a forecast of winter weather conditions. The regularly scheduled City Council meeting will not begin until 1:30 p.m. The delayed openings include Austin Municipal Courts, Downtown Austin Community Court and the Public Library system. In addition, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport may be experiencing delays. Air […]
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Input sought on Montopolis Center plans
The city is seeking public input on its plans for the Montopolis Recreation and Community Center at a neighborhood meeting next week. The public can review how the city’s Request for Qualifications process for professional services consultant selection works and give input and feedback on the development of the RFQ; discuss the next steps in […]
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City selects People’s Choice art project
The City of Austin has announced its People’s Choice selection from the 2014 People’s Gallery exhibition. Mountain Laurel Mandala II, a sculpture by Shalena White (2014), has been added to the permanent art collection at City Hall. Mountain Laurel Mandala II is a site-specific installation that consists of Texas mountain laurel seeds and sewing pins arranged […]
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‘It’s My Park Day’ set Saturday
The Austin Parks Foundation and the Austin Parks and Recreation Department are hosting the 13th annual “It’s My Park Day” on Saturday. It’s My Park Day is held the first Saturday of March, and each year, thousands of volunteers work to improve parks and greenbelts throughout the city. In 2014, there were over 100 projects […]
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House backs pair of veterans bills
In response to the scandal that shook the Department of Veterans Affairs last year, two bills designed to continue to reform the VA passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday. The Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act will give veterans the ability to transfer to a non-VA medical foster home for long-term health care needs […]
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Friday is deadline for Cemetery Master Plan
The Cemetery Master Plan Draft is available for community review. The Austin Parks and Recreation Department is seeking the community’s feedback about the draft plan, which addresses issues related to historic preservation, tree care, management and policy as well as heritage tourism and educational programming. Austin’s historic municipal cemeteries include Austin Memorial Park Cemetery, Evergreen […]
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Portraits Project to add 2015 honorees
The City of Austin is holding a reception today to recognize the honorees who will be added to the African American Portraits Project. The Portraits Project is part of the “Reflections” public art installation at the African American Cultural and Heritage Facility that celebrates the contributions of African Americans who’ve had a lasting impact on […]