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Most Popular Stories
- The Austin area won’t be seeing a lot of bluebonnets this year. Here’s why.
- SXSW shrinks as indie venues contemplate competitiveness
- Plans to demolish Highland Park home with links to Commodore Perry faces backlash from neighbors
- Watson warns of Austin’s ‘budget asteroids’ in speech to real estate council
- Council decides against historic zoning for Running Rope Ranch
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Public Safety
SXSW, public safety leaders detail road closures and prep for festival season
The city plans to completely close or restrict more than 30 streets during the South by Southwest festival next month as part of safety planning for the event, a major economic driver for the area. The heads of all of…
Public Safety • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 21, 2025
Federal cuts slash more than $2M from Foundation Communities' health navigator program
The Foundation Communities nonprofit is facing a substantial financial setback after the Trump administration announced a 90 percent reduction in funding for health insurance navigator grants. The cuts, revealed last Friday, eliminate nearly all funding for 56 programs nationwide that…
Public Health • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 19, 2025
APD won’t enforce SB 14 as Paxton and Trump further attack gender-affirming health care
Last week, two federal judges issued temporary restraining orders on an executive order by the Trump administration that would have blocked federal funding for gender-affirming care for minors. That means that – for now – any health care provider or…
Public Health • By Lina Fisher • Feb 18, 2025
After shutting off mental health care for Austin musicians, SIMS Foundation restarts services
The SIMS Foundation, which has provided low-cost and free mental health care to Austin musicians for decades, is connecting clients to services again after a three-month pause. SIMS Foundation CEO Derrick Lesnau said the organization reached its fundraising goal of a…
Public Health • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Feb 13, 2025
Austin's Sobering Center expands to increase rehab services
Travis County opened the Sobering Center in 2018 with a goal to reduce the congestion of the county’s jail and hospitals with folks who were publicly intoxicated. Instead, they would be sent to a quiet building downtown on Sabine Street.…
Public Health • By Katy McAfee, KUT News • Feb 7, 2025
Public Safety Commission discusses and recommends improvements to data transparency on sex crimes
During the Public Safety Commission meeting on Monday, members took several small but hard-fought steps to improve Austin’s response to sexual assault. The commission discussed data related to sexual assault with presentations from the Austin Police Department, the SAFE Alliance…
Public Safety • By Mina Shekarchi • Feb 6, 2025
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Austin is increasing security at city parks and greenbelts following string of car break-ins
After recent vehicle break-ins at parks and greenbelts, the city of Austin is looking to improve security. Each year, thousands of car breaks-in are reported in Austin. In 2024 alone, more than 8,200 cars were broken into, according to crime…
Police • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Feb 3, 2025
Council to consider a resolution to examine response to mental health-related 911 and 311 calls
One item on the hefty agenda for the first regular City Council meeting of 2025 will explore how the city responds to mental health-related incidents. This resolution, authored by Council Member Chito Vela, directs the city manager to prepare a…
Public Safety • By Mina Shekarchi • Jan 30, 2025
Proposals to address wildfire dangers face opposition
Two items on today’s City Council agenda related to wildfire prevention have raised alarms among at least two community groups – the Save Our Springs Alliance and Community Not Commodity. The agenda indicates that the first item would allocate nearly…
Fire • By Jo Clifton • Jan 30, 2025
Advocates urge immigrants in Austin to plan – but not panic – over new Trump orders
Advocates say President Donald Trump’s immediate actions on immigration have created a climate of fear among immigrant communities in Austin. On his first day in office, Trump signed more than 200 executive orders, many related to immigration, and issued a policy allowing…
Public Safety • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Jan 27, 2025
Austin ranks 5th in major cities vulnerable to wildfires
Those who were in Austin in 2011 remember the tragic wildfires that hit Bastrop, Steiner Ranch and Spicewood that summer. The fires collectively burned through thousands of acres of land and destroyed over a thousand homes. “You can still drive…
Fire • By Katy McAfee, KUT News • Jan 17, 2025
Downtown Commissioners weigh in on Sixth Street plan
Hours after the announcement that Austin will be opening Sixth Street to vehicular traffic on weekend nights, the Downtown Commission had a chance to weigh in. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis and APD Lieutenant Christopher Juusola, who is the downtown…
