Stories by Mose Buchele, KUT
A massive change in Austin's flood map says thousands more homes are at high risk
Around 3,000 more Austin properties will find themselves in high-risk flood-plains thanks to a new National Weather Service study called Atlas 14. Those new flood designations could impact everything from what you pay for insurance to how you build your…
Environment • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Sep 21, 2018
Zebra mussels found in Austin Water intake pipes
Divers have found large amounts of invasive zebra mussels at intake pipes that feed Austin’s water supply, opening up a costly new challenge for the city’s water utility. Austin Water had seen evidence of the small, rectangular mussels in water…
Environment • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Sep 19, 2018
Council will try a new tactic to rid Austin of plastic bags. Asking nicely.
City Council is taking up a resolution Thursday encouraging local stores to keep honoring the city’s “bag ban.” It’s the latest response to a state Supreme Court ruling this year that found Texas cities and towns could not enforce regulations…
City Council • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Aug 30, 2018
It's been a bad year for Texas wildfires. It will probably get worse.
Four large wildfires have broken out in Central Texas in about the last week. It’s part of a bad year for Texas fires, and climate researchers say the uptick in fires bears the fingerprints of global warming. Statewide, it started…
Local Government • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Jul 31, 2018
Will Austin stores restock single-use plastic bags now that the city's ban is lifted?
The city of Austin says it will end a ban on free single-use plastic bags at stores and restaurants. It’s a response to a state Supreme Court ruling against a similar ban in Laredo. But repealing the ordinance, commonly known…
Austin • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Jul 11, 2018
New data show lead in drinking water at five more Austin schools
Lead has been found in the drinking water of five Austin public schools, new data obtained by Environment Texas from the Austin Independent School District shows. It’s the second time in the past year the toxic metal has been discovered…
AISD • By Mose Buchele, KUT • May 31, 2018
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Section of Shoal Creek Hike and Bike Trail suffers massive storm damage
Jessica Zarowitz was in for a surprise while walking her dog, Lady Bird, along the Shoal Creek Hike and Bike Trail on Monday: The trail that had been there for years suddenly wasn’t. Trees had fallen over it, and the…
Parks • By Mose Buchele, KUT • May 8, 2018
Are electric scooters eco-friendly? It depends on what they're replacing
When electric scooters flooded into Austin, the companies that rent them touted their environmental benefits: “Riders were able to prevent 445,334 pounds of carbon emissions,” a press release from Bird said. The startup LimeBike estimated its scooters reduced 8,500 pounds…
Transportation • By Mose Buchele, KUT • May 7, 2018
Milk sludge and garbage caves: Here's a look at Austin's annual environmental report
Every year, the city of Austin comes out with an environmental assessment to keep officials up to date on air quality and the condition of the city’s waterways. Beyond those big issues, you can also find some stranger stories about…
Environment • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Apr 13, 2018
Community solar farm and batteries test power of Austin's electric grid
One of the remarkable things about the La Loma community solar farm is where it’s located. Just east of Airport Boulevard, and a short drive to downtown, it’s the type of place you’d expect to see new homes going up.…
Energy • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Apr 11, 2018
Council members call for Manley to be made permanent police chief after Austin bombings
Members of City Council want to formally appoint Interim Police Chief Brian Manley as the city’s permanent chief. If a resolution is approved, City Manager Spencer Cronk would need to make the final hiring decision. Shortly after the announcement yesterday…
Police • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Mar 23, 2018
New flood warning website should give Central Texans a closer look at risks
A website that warns Central Texans about road flooding is getting an overhaul this month. The designers of the new site say the changes should give visitors more detail about flooding near them. ATXfloods.com is basically a map that shows…
