Austin’s bio and health ecosystem is emerging as a significant driver of economic development, with new projects and public policy efforts shaping the future of the sector, according to the 2024 Austin Bio & Health Report authored by industry analysts Jason Scharf and Jani Tuomi. The report found Austin is now home to over 1,100 […]
City Hall
Posted inCity Council
Changes coming to Audit & Finance Committee
With the retirement of City Council members Alison Alter and Leslie Pool, who served as the chair and vice chair, respectively, of the Council Audit & Finance Committee, as well as Council Member Mackenzie Kelly, who served on the committee, Mayor Kirk Watson has announced that he would like to serve as chair of that […]
Posted inAustin
ECHO report shows growing mortality rate among the area’s homeless community
The most comprehensive study of homelessness mortality in Austin shows that more than 1,000 people died between 2018 and 2023 with the average age of death falling at 50 years – which is 20 years younger than those living in stable housing. The Bridging for Better Outcomes report from the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) […]
Posted inCity Council
At citizens’ request, City Council reannexes land
Some property owners object to the rules and fees governing use of their land in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction and seek to escape from those rules. But their neighbors may not agree. City Council took action during their final meeting of 2024 to bring some property owners back into the city’s ETJ as they requested. […]
Posted inAustin
What does homelessness in Austin look like in 2025? A new census will shed some light.
Lee esta historia en español On a single night in late January, volunteers from around the city will conduct a census of Austin’s most vulnerable residents, counting as many people experiencing homelessness as possible. This biennial point-in-time count is overseen by Austin’s Ending Community Homelessness Coalition, which hopes to recruit some 1,200 volunteers to canvass […]
Posted inCity Council
Watson touts moves toward stability, predictability for city services in 2024
Mayor Kirk Watson returns to the word “stability” frequently when discussing the moves and decisions inside City Hall in 2024 and what residents want headed into 2025. For Watson, stability and predictability come in the form of things like the five-year contract the city reached with the Austin Police Association. There was also the hiring […]
Posted inCity Council
From deep dives to creative thinking, Alison Alter brought an innovative approach to her policy work
When Alison Alter came into office in 2017, her primary issues were parks, climate change and responsible growth. That was just a preview. Over the next eight years, the District 10 City Council member built an expansive policy portfolio that extended well beyond its initial focus. On a late afternoon in December, Alter reflected on […]
Posted inCity Council
Marc Duchen readies to take his place on the dais for District 10
After besting his only opponent in the Nov. 5 election, Marc Duchen is getting ready to take the City Council District 10 seat. He will succeed Council Member Alison Alter, who is retiring after two terms. Duchen represents a change in personality but has been in agreement with many of his predecessor’s ideas, particularly as […]
Posted inCity Council
Paige Ellis is feeling energized for Council collaboration on parks, climate and mobility in 2025
If Paige Ellis had to sum up City Council’s work this year in one word, she said she would choose “momentum.” Ellis, who represents Southwest Austin’s District 8, has served on Council through a series of challenges that were truly unprecedented – a pandemic, severe winter storms accompanied by sweeping power outages and contentious, generational […]
Posted inCity Council
Drawing on his last two years, Qadri hopes to expand his leadership on mobility
After a busy year, Zo Qadri has set his sights on taking on more mobility work in 2025. That seems an apt role for the City Council member who represents District 9, which covers Downtown, the University of Texas and much of Central Austin. When the mayor hands down new committee assignments – a decision […]
Posted inAustin
A look back: Austin’s year in review
With 2024 drawing to close, it’s time to look back on the local headlines that dominated the news (or held a special place in our hyperlocal hearts) before looking forward to the year ahead. Happy News Year! WE HAVE A CONTRACT After going more than a year without a contract in place, City Council approved […]
Posted inCity Council
Pool reflects on housing and environmental progress as she closes 10 years on Council
Leslie Pool faced something of a quandary nearly two years ago, when she considered running for the office of tax assessor-collector for Travis County. Knowing that her time as a City Council member would expire in 2024, she saw the county post as an opportunity to further extend her role in public and an opportunity […]