I often describe the Austin Monitor as a news source that exists at the intersection of local government and community. One of the many reasons we believe this space is so important is because of the tremendous influence each side has on the other. The community shapes local government and local government shapes the community. […]
Monitor News & Media
Posted inMission Note
Our decisions shape the community
I previously described elections as a “high-stakes civic intersection between information and action” – in other words, right in the Austin Monitor’s wheelhouse. When it comes to turnout, this recent special election had numerous factors stacked against it: mid-year (not November), off-year (not coinciding with a major federal election) and non-presidential (not voting for presidential […]
Posted inMission Note
Our journey ahead
Everyone who has ever found themselves fighting the good fight for a nonprofit has a personal story about how they got there. I love hearing these stories, and while the details are always unique, they all follow the same humanizing arc: The storyteller cared about something so much that they had to get involved. My […]
Posted inAustin
Hotel taxes forecast to fall by $36M, leading to expected deficit in city arts funding
With the city projecting a $36 million decrease in Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue because of lower hotel bookings due to the Covid-19 pandemic, arts funding for the current budget year is expected to see a $1.5 million shortfall. The Arts Commission learned Monday that the city will cover all of the contracts to local artists […]
Posted inEditor's Note
All together now, Austin
The past several weeks have brought unprecedented change to Austin as businesses have shuttered and everyone who can has remained home in a citywide effort to flatten the curve and slow the spread of Covid-19. For many of us, myself included, it has been frustrating to stay home during a crisis. It’s been hard to […]
Posted inRadio
Austin Monitor Radio: The 2020 U.S. Census
This week, Mariana Salazar, who is the Census 2020 project director at United Way for Greater Austin, sits down with Austin Monitor reporter Jessi Devenyns to talk about why participation in this year’s national census is so important and how her organization is aiming to get everyone in the region counted. Though this week’s edition […]
Posted inRadio
Austin Monitor Radio: Environment Texas
Environment Texas Executive Director Luke Metzger talks to Austin Monitor reporter Jessi Devenyns in this edition of our KOOP show. If you are curious about the work of Environment Texas and would like to learn about the issues it is focusing on at a city, county and state level, this is the show for you! […]
Posted inRadio
Austin Monitor Radio: Austin’s Equity Office
Brion Oaks and Kellee Coleman head up the city’s Equity Office. Today they join Austin Monitor reporter Jessi Devenyns and editor Elizabeth Pagano to talk about the creation and mission of their office and how they are working with city departments to make the city a more equitable place. Listen in below for more on […]
Posted inRadio
Austin Monitor Radio: Austin Justice Coalition
Chas Moore, the founder and executive director of the Austin Justice Coalition, joins Austin Monitor reporter Jessi Devenyns and editor Elizabeth Pagano this week. Tune in below to listen to a conversation that spans AJC’s focus of 2020, from the Austin Police Department to land use, and how the coalition is working to address continued […]
Posted inRadio
Austin Monitor Radio: Austin Tenants Council
On this week’s edition of Austin Monitor Radio, Daniel Armendariz, a senior housing advocate with the Austin Tenants Council, joins Austin Monitor reporter Jessi Devenyns to talk about the issues renters face in Austin. Listen in below for a conversation about how state laws and recent changes from the city impact those who rent in […]
Posted inRadio
Austin Monitor Radio: Go Austin/Vamos Austin (GAVA)
Carmen Llanes Pulido, who is the executive director of Go Austin/Vamos Austin, sits down with Austin Monitor reporter Jessi Devenyns and editor Elizabeth Pagano to talk about GAVA’s work battling displacement and addressing all facets of public health in Austin. In this show we get into the impact of all manner of city policy on […]
Posted inRadio
Austin Monitor Radio: Historic Preservation
On this week’s edition of Austin Monitor Radio, we check in on the current state of historic preservation with Cara Bertron, the city’s deputy historic preservation officer. Monitor reporter Jessi Devenyns and editor Elizabeth Pagano sit down with Bertron to talk about new historic districts, strides in historic preservation, and of course, how preservation will […]