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Austin sees 10-year high in the number of people experiencing homelessness

The number of people experiencing homelessness in Austin hit a 10-year high in 2020, according to a new report. Data from the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition’s point-in-time count show that 2,506 people were homeless on the night of the annual…

City to rebury remains of those exhumed during Oakwood Cemetery chapel project

The final two-volume report on the Oakwood Cemetery chapel restoration project was released to the public Thursday, marking the beginning of the next step in the project’s long, complicated history: the reburial of the remains of 36 people whose graves…

Austin construction workers to receive thousands of donated masks

Thousands of masks are on their way to construction workers in the Austin area. The 100,000 masks were donated Monday by the Austin Emergency Supply Foundation, a new nonprofit composed of business leaders with specific medical supply and logistics expertise.…

Tech leaders look at access, diversity demands caused by Covid-19

With the Covid-19 pandemic reshaping much of the world economy, leaders in the Austin technology industry are looking at how startups and established companies should change the way they hire and interact with communities, especially around the issue of diversity…

Texas attorney general warns some Austin-Travis County Covid-19 orders are 'unlawful'

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sent a letter to Austin Mayor Steve Adler and outgoing Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt on Tuesday saying some of the requirements in their local public health orders are unlawful and “likely to confuse residents.”…

Task force releases initial recommendations on reopening Central Texas

Last week, the Austin Chamber of Commerce sent Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt the initial recommendations of the Opening Central Texas for Business Task Force. The task force, which is made up of 125 members representing…

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City taking steps toward $1,000 grants for musicians impacted by Covid-19

The city is preparing to give grants of up to $1,000 to musicians who have lost income and are facing severe economic hardships due to the shutdown of music-related businesses as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. At Wednesday’s meeting…

City and county consider long-term telecommuting strategy

When the city and county issued Stay Home-Work Safe orders on March 24, Austin became a community of teleworkers virtually overnight. Although there was minimal preparation for the change in work environment, the effort has been sufficiently successful to prompt…

Gov. Abbott says Texas salons and barbershops can reopen Friday

Hair salons, barbershops, nail salons and tanning salons may reopen starting Friday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced. Gyms, nonessential manufacturers and businesses that work out of office buildings will be allowed to reopen May 18, with certain restrictions. “Our ability to…

TCAD stands out in not appraising property values this year

The Travis Central Appraisal District stands alone among six districts surveyed in its decision not to update property appraisals this year, according to a special report by the Austin city auditor. The failure to update property values has caused considerable…

Loan forgiveness, grants highlight recommendations to Council for economic recovery

The Economic Prosperity Commission has given City Council a list of suggested new programs and financial practices that are designed to assist low-income residents and small businesses most impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. At last week’s meeting the commission voted…

City 'continues to work through' governor's order to slowly reopen Texas

Texas’ statewide stay-at-home order expires Friday, but the city of Austin has yet to clarify how this might affect local residents, how it will enforce the governor’s new order and what, if any, additional requirements the city will enact. “The…

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