Whispers

City Council is accepting applications for the five-member Municipal Civil Service Commission, which oversees appeals of disciplinary actions for covered city employees. The open position will fill an unexpired term through May 2027, with potential consideration for a full three-year term through May 2028. Commissioners typically commit 20 hours per month to their duties in […]

The Red River Cultural District has named Nicole Klepadlo as its executive director, solidifying her leadership after serving in the role on an interim basis since 2022. Klepadlo, who played a key role in establishing the district in 2013 while working for the city of Austin, brings more than a decade of experience in community […]

Austin’s city manager is hosting a series of town hall meetings under the banner “Your Budget, Your Priorities: Community Conversations with T.C. Broadnax,” with the intent to gather community input on city budget priorities before Broadnax develops his first budget for Austin. Broadnax will present his proposed budget to City Council in mid-July, when it […]

On Wednesday, the Hearst Corp. announced it has agreed to acquire the Austin American-Statesman from Gannett Co. Inc. The acquisition, expected to finalize by March 31, includes the Statesman‘s community publications – Bastrop Advertiser, Lake Travis View, Pflugerville Pflag and Round Rock Leader – as well as digital platforms like Austin360 and Hookem.com. The Hearst Corp., […]

The Parks and Recreation Department has significantly reduced its cost estimate for the proposed pocket park at Spicewood Springs Road and Old Lampasas Trail, bringing it down from an initial $2.8 million to approximately $982,800. The revision follows a detailed evaluation of the site’s acreage, proximity to major roadways and the Bull Creek Greenbelt, neighborhood […]

The Downtown Austin Alliance will host its next Issues & Eggs breakfast event, focusing on the future of East Sixth Street, at 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 25, at St. David’s Episcopal Church. The discussion will center on the ongoing revitalization efforts of the entertainment district, addressing topics such as safety, economic development and preservation. Panelists […]

City Council Member Mike Siegel of District 7 is scheduled to speak at the “Save Our Services Rally” planned for today as a way to protest mass layoffs and cuts in public services as directed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The family-friendly rally is open to all and is scheduled to start at […]

The Texas Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers has unveiled the 2025 Texas Infrastructure Report Card, assigning the state’s infrastructure an overall grade of C. This mirrors the grade from the 2021 report and surpasses the national average of C-minus reported in 2021. The assessment encompasses 16 categories, with aviation and roads showing […]

Adam Haynes, who filed complaints against City Council Member Mike Siegel and AURA President Zach Faddis, has told the Austin Monitor that he will be refiling after the city’s Law Department acknowledged that notice was not sent to the correct email address (which was listed on the paperwork he submitted). Haynes alleged Siegel and Faddis committed […]

Shield Ranch and the city have agreed to the creation of a 202-acre conservation easement in southwest Travis County and northern Hays County, as part of voter-approved open space protection efforts included in the 2018 bond election. A portion of the appraised value of the easement was purchased using funds from the Water Quality Protection […]

The Housing Department recently celebrated the opening of Parker Lane Apartments, a new affordable housing community in Southeast Austin’s District 3. The development, managed by the nonprofit organization Foundation Communities, offers 135 units designed to support individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The unit mix includes 25 one-bedroom, 68 two-bedroom and 42 […]

The Zero Waste Advisory Commission voted unanimously to add their own recommendation against a proposed merger with the Resource Management Commission on Feb. 12. The Austin Monitor had previously reported on the RMC’s recommendation against the same merger on Feb. 3. During the meeting, commissioners amended their draft resolution to include language directly copied from […]