Austin

Panelists cite city, state programs among positives for health of Austin music scene

Praising attempts by the city and state to offer more support for Austin’s musicians and live music venues, panelists weighing in on the state of the city’s music scene were upbeat Tuesday during a discussion at the LBJ Presidential Library.…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 27, 2025

December Parks and Recreation Department report identifies needs for senior and recreation facilities

Last week, Jesús Aguirre, the new director of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD), sent a memo summarizing the findings of the department’s Recreation and Senior Center Facility Assessment and Gap Analysis Report. The report, released in December, identified priority…

Austin • By Mina Shekarchi • Feb 21, 2025

Austin Animal Services Office releases fiscal year statistical report and waives adoption fees

Due to consistent overcrowding, the Austin Animal Center has waived adoption fees for the foreseeable future. Numbers from the Austin Animal Services Office’s statistical report for Fiscal Year 2025 show a continued need for adoptions. Austin Animal Services Office released…

Austin • By Hunter Simmons • Feb 19, 2025

How Trump’s federal funding freeze is beginning to affect Austin

On Jan. 31, a U.S. district judge granted a temporary restraining order prohibiting the Trump administration from implementing a slew of executive orders that would freeze federal funding programs that allow access to health care, housing, education and other basic…

Austin • By Lina Fisher • Feb 14, 2025

Panelists explore AI's growing role in Austin's economy and policy space

With artificial intelligence quickly penetrating more facets of public and private life every day, policymakers and technology observers in Austin want the city to take advantage of the opportunities presented by AI while also safeguarding against the potential threats from…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 13, 2025

Arts Commission questions changes to Nexus’ $500K grant process

With the city’s next round of Nexus cultural arts grants open to applicants, members of the Arts Commission recently discussed how to improve the selection process for awardees so the program better serves emerging and disadvantaged artists. At last week’s…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 3, 2025

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Real estate leaders hear options for assisting Austin's threatened creatives

Members of the Austin real estate and development community got a look Wednesday at how unstable many local arts and cultural organizations are – and how they are being threatened by the growth pressures in the city’s hot market for…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Jan 30, 2025

Austin scrambles to assess local impact of federal grant freeze

President Donald Trump issued a directive on Monday ordering a sweeping freeze on federal grants, including money to state and local governments. This action caused an immediate uproar, as well as lawsuits to put the order on hold. A federal…

Austin • By Jo Clifton • Jan 29, 2025

Joint Sustainability Committee looks at agricultural land acquisition and preservation

The Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board is looking for support for a plan to preserve and acquire agricultural land in the region, and it’s turned to the Joint Sustainability Committee for help and recommendations. The recommendations are a next step…

Austin • By Hunter Simmons • Jan 24, 2025

New areas at Enchanted Rock could open as soon as this fall after park more than doubles in size

For many Central Texans, Enchanted Rock is a special and mystical place, and now it’s more than doubled in size. Rodney Franklin, director for state parks with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, said lots of people have fond memories…

Austin • By Maya Fawaz, KUT • Jan 23, 2025

Report sees strong growth for life sciences jobs and real estate throughout Austin

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…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Jan 15, 2025

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…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Jan 10, 2025

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