Whispers

Starting today, the Austin Police Department will increase traffic and DWI enforcement. The holiday push will run through Jan. 1, 2025, and includes the No Refusal Initiative, which is in effect from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. through the year. “This initiative is an effort to enforce DWI laws, keep the public safe by encouraging […]

Central Health, which provides health care for low-income residents of Travis County, has named its first chief transformation officer. Kim Heinonen joined its executive team in mid-November after 20 years as an executive consultant at Simpler Consulting, an IBM company. “In that role, he led large-scale business transformations across a broad range of industries and […]

Wednesday’s meeting of the City Council Audit & Finance Committee was the final one for the chair, Council Member Alison Alter, and her vice chair, Council Member Leslie Pool. Alter started the meeting by announcing that they would not be considering dissolving the Commission on Immigrant Affairs. If a commission fails to meet for six […]

In order to undergo renovations, the Elisabet Ney Museum will close Dec. 30, with an anticipated reopening in the summer of 2026. According to a press release from the city, the project “includes restoration of original exterior wood doors and windows, upgrades and replacement of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, replacement of the […]

Timed to celebrate a new sisterhood with Limerick, Ireland, City Hall has welcomed a new wayfinding landmark that marks its proximity to its many sibling cities around the world. The sign, which was erected in front of City Hall, was fabricated and installed by the Transportation and Public Works Department in recognition of the Economic […]

As of today, the burn ban for the unincorporated areas of Travis County have been lifted, the county’s Chief Fire Marshal Gary Howell announced Tuesday. Outdoor burning is now allowed, and residents should contact their local fire department before beginning and follow the state regulations summarized here. You can call the Fire Marshal’s Office at 512-854-4621 […]

In October, City Council passed a resolution aimed at improving the city’s sound regulations when it comes to things like air conditioners and landscaping equipment. Until Dec. 20, the Development Services Department is looking to gather feedback on Austin’s current mechanical equipment noise regulations and has invited anyone with information or personal experience to share […]

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 10 and 11, residents can get help preparing for emergencies with information, demonstrations and giveaway items at the north and south locations of the City of Austin Utilities Customer Service Centers. The city is providing meter keys, hose bib covers, hand-crank flashlights, solar-powered device chargers, emergency preparedness kit materials and […]

The city’s final collections for Hotel Occupancy Tax during last year’s fiscal year appeared to show a slight decrease of just under 1 percent from the 2023 fiscal year. That dip was brought to light at last week’s Music Commission meeting during a presentation on total revenues for the Live Music Fund, which receives a […]

Workforce Solutions Capital Area is hosting a Mobility & Infrastructure Hiring Event on Dec. 11 at the organization’s branch on North Interstate 35. The event offers the chance to explore career paths in the rapidly growing transportation industry as well as major infrastructure projects needed to complete multibillion-dollar efforts such as Project Connect, and the […]

The McBee Family Foundation has given $1 million to Preservation Austin to forward its mission in the city. According to a press release from Preservation Austin, the gift will support “establishing the newly-named McFarland-McBee House, built in 1947, as Preservation Austin’s office and home base.” In a statement to the press, Robert F. McBee, president […]

An open call for exhibit proposals for the Dougherty Art Center’s Julia C. Butridge Gallery is now active, with applications being accepted through Jan. 26, 2025. Exhibit proposals for the 2026 gallery season can be submitted online now. Exhibits at the gallery are five to eight weeks long and include an artist reception and talk, […]