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- How Trump’s federal funding freeze is beginning to affect Austin
- APD won’t enforce SB 14 as Paxton and Trump further attack gender-affirming health care
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Public Safety
Austin-Travis County officials issue emergency order in response to monkeypox outbreak
Local leaders issued an emergency order Tuesday in response to the monkeypox outbreak in Austin-Travis County. Since the first case in Travis County was reported on June 23, the number of monkeypox infections has risen to 68, including nine women…
Public Health • By Seema Mathur, KUT • Aug 9, 2022
City pushes to open police personnel files to the public
The city of Austin proposed making portions of police officers’ personnel files public, including disciplinary histories, and raising salaries 6 percent over four years during its Thursday negotiation session. As the current contract’s Sept. 30 expiration date nears, the two…
Police • By Emma Freer • Aug 8, 2022
Austin officials expect more doses of the monkeypox vaccine after U.S. declares a health emergency
Austin health officials say they expect more monkeypox vaccine doses to head to Central Texas after the Biden administration’s declaration of a public health emergency Thursday. Medical Director Desmar Walkes said Austin Public Health anticipates the extra doses next month.…
Public Health • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Aug 8, 2022
Texas has an official death count from the 2021 blackout. The true toll may never be known.
In Minal and Rajeeta Shah’s backyard, there once stood a cedar tree. The tall, broad canopy provided shade for the sisters’ garden below, a garden with sunflowers and tulsi and lemongrass. It’s a garden their mother, Manjula, pruned and nurtured…
Public Health • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Aug 5, 2022
Young people working to build a world without gun violence
“We need to fight like hell to fix this problem,” a 13-year-old girl yelled from the Capitol steps. The crowd of hundreds cheered and hollered its approval. The girl was one of a few young people who spoke at the…
Public Health • By Katy Kindley • Aug 5, 2022
Public Safety Commission discusses APD's protest response
The Public Safety Commission heard from the Austin Police Department Monday about how it responds to protests, including how it uses the LRAD, a powerful speaker that some fear could damage protesters’ and police officers’ hearing. APD Commander Corey Wroblewski…
Police • By Jonathan Lee • Aug 3, 2022
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County holds listening session as part of effort to fight public health crisis
Travis County Health and Human Services updated the Commissioners Court last week on the county’s May declaration of a public health crisis due to a sharp increase in drug overdose and opioid addiction rates. The declaration included eight directives from…
Public Health • By Seth Smalley • Aug 3, 2022
Austin Water safeguarding its facilities from wildfire risk
As Austin continues to grow, the city is expanding toward wildlands. This creates an increased risk of fire in areas where human development intersects with natural areas, known as the wildland-urban interface. Austin Water discussed its efforts to mitigate wildfires…
Fire • By Veronica Apodaca • Aug 1, 2022
Proposal to reinstate license plate readers for APD sparks privacy concerns
After a two-year hiatus, City Council is reconsidering Austin Police Department’s defunct automated license plate reader program, rekindling debate over potential ramifications of the powerful surveillance tool. The program was culled amid a nationwide call for police reform in 2020.…
Police • By Kali Bramble • Jul 28, 2022
What Austinites should know about Covid-19 during this summer’s surge
Austin Public Health officials say they realize many people are tired of talking and hearing about Covid-19. But with “remarkably contagious and infectious” omicron subvariants circulating this summer, they say now is the time to “redouble our efforts” to protect ourselves and…
Public Health • By Jennifer Stayton, KUT • Jul 26, 2022
Police union pushes for increased officers’ rights, standard transfer protocol
The Austin Police Association countered some of the city’s proposals regarding officers’ rights, discipline, assignment changes and dispute resolution during their latest negotiation session Wednesday. With just over two months until the current labor contract expires, the bargaining teams continue to…
Police • By Emma Freer • Jul 25, 2022
Austin City Council votes to decriminalize abortion
The Austin City Council has approved a resolution that will effectively decriminalize abortion in Austin. The resolution, called the Guarding the Right to Abortion Care for Everyone (GRACE) Act, was proposed by Council Member Chito Vela. It asks law enforcement agencies…
