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- Council members celebrate unanimous defeat of bill that proposed putting Austin under state control
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Public Safety
Homeless Strategy Office turns its focus to prevention and diversion
With a $2.1 million boost from the federal American Rescue Plan Act and City Council’s recent approval of a contract for navigation services, the Homeless Strategy Office is now better equipped to address housing barriers, HSO leader David Gray told…
Public Health • By Amy Smith • Sep 6, 2024
Austin plans to move forward with abortion travel fund, officials say
The city of Austin will be allowed to move forward with plans to implement its Reproductive Justice Fund, despite a lawsuit challenging its legality, city officials said. The Reproductive Justice Fund is a provision in the city’s 2024-25 budget that is…
Public Health • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Sep 3, 2024
County to fully staff lawyers at bail hearings beginning Oct. 1
Justice advocates have been calling for Travis County to instate Counsel at First Appearance (CAFA) – an integral part of the justice system that ensures everyone access to a lawyer at their initial bail hearing – for years. In the…
Public Safety • By Lina Fisher • Aug 29, 2024
Austin and Travis County's first Food Plan nears its finish line
Texas has the second-highest rate of food insecurity in the country, and Austin’s numbers aren’t much better: 158,270 Travis County residents, or 16 percent, are food insecure. Not being able to pay for food is a symptom of larger failures…
Public Health • By Lina Fisher • Aug 26, 2024
Austin faces lawsuit for providing financial support to people seeking out-of-state abortions
The city of Austin is being sued for a provision in the budget providing money to people seeking out-of-state abortions. City Council last week approved $400,000 to fund travel – including airfare, gas, hotel stays and food – for people…
Public Health • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Aug 22, 2024
Central Health board considers improvements to reaching target communities
Members of the Central Health Board of Managers turned their attention Wednesday to how well the organization is doing at finding those who need health care and other services in a number of areas throughout East Austin. The discussion came…
Public Health • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 16, 2024
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Commissioners advance program to provide legal counsel at bail hearings
The Travis County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to move forward on implementing a program to provide legal representation to arrested individuals during magistration, when a judge determines probable cause for arrest and sets bail. Commissioners will first need to authorize…
Courts • By Amy Smith • Aug 14, 2024
Environmental Commission recommends Council’s adoption of food plan
The Austin Environmental Commission on Wednesday approved a recommendation to City Council to adopt the proposed Austin/Travis County Food Plan and ensure its complete funding over the next four years. The recommended resolution, sponsored by Mariana Krueger and approved unanimously,…
Public Health • By Amy Smith • Aug 9, 2024
A health clinic for low-income residents was supposed to open in Del Valle last year. Where is it?
Nearly four years ago, the Del Valle community was promised a health center that would offer dentistry, primary care, mental health services and a pharmacy. This clinic, a collaboration between Central Health and CommUnityCare, would expand access to health care and serve…
Public Health • By Michelle Tamayo, KUT • Aug 8, 2024
Lisa Davis confirmed as the next head of the Austin Police Department
Lisa Davis is the new head of the Austin Police Department. City Council approved the nomination of the nearly 32-year law enforcement veteran, who comes to Austin from Cincinnati, to take the helm at APD. Davis’ approval comes after a…
Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Aug 7, 2024
Lisa Davis named sole finalist for Austin police chief
Lisa Davis, an assistant chief with Cincinnati’s police force, has been chosen to take over the Austin Police Department, City Manager T.C. Broadnax announced Friday morning. “I have elected to move Chief Davis forward for confirmation by the City Council…
Police • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Aug 2, 2024
Firefighters call for more cadets to address safety, mental health needs
The Austin Firefighters Association is seeking more attention to the safety issues facing its membership, which were discussed in part last week during City Council budget sessions. The AFA had planned to hold a press conference Monday to publicize issues…
