Austin, Monitored: Serial killer: No. Serial upzonings?: Yes.

200 have drowned in Austin’s Lady Bird Lake since 2004. A serial killer isn’t to blame, study says.

From Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT News:

A new study released this week aims to put a stop to the rumors swirling about a potential serial killer in Austin. Researchers from Texas State University in collaboration with the Austin Police Department found no evidence of a serial murderer during a review of nearly 200 cases.

While the idea of a Rainey Street Ripper has been a popular conspiracy on social media, the study found that alcohol consumption and the proximity of bars to the shore of Lady Bird Lake are the bigger contributing factors in the reported deaths.

Another subdivision headed for upzoning in northwest Austin

From Miles Wall:

Sherri Sirwaitis, who handles most cases in the city’s developing northwest for the Planning Department, said that the owner had reached out to the city for the rezoning as an alternative to developing under the HOME initiative, which granted Austinites greater flexibility to build additional dwelling units on their properties. According to Sirwaitis, the owner wanted to build two similarly-sized homes on lots around 8,000 square feet, rather than the three smaller units allowed with the current zoning under HOME.

That owner, identified as Peijie Li in a report on the case compiled by city staff, didn’t show up at the meeting to plead their case. Several neighbors did.

Austin’s got a brand-new brand

After years of planning, Austin has pre-launched its “first-ever brand,” pictured above. The new logo features “flowing lines that echo the movement of our rivers, the curves of our hills, and the dynamic energy of Austinites.” with colors “inspired by the vibrant natural landscapes that connect Austin. Greenbelts. Lakes. Skyline sunsets. Bluebonnets. The color palette is designed to feel like a warm invitation to celebrate the city we love,” according to the city website.

The new brand comes from a 2018 Council vote and was created for about $1.1 million in partnership with TKO Advertising and Pentagram design firm. It will replace most of the nearly 300 logos currently representing the city, but not public safety uniforms.

“We want our community members to be able to identify members of our team as City of Austin employees and trust the services we provide,” Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax said in a statement to the press. “Whether they see the brand on a website, a utility bill, a street sign, or the side of a vehicle, they’ll know exactly who it’s from and what it stands for.”

The brand officially launches on the city website, social media and communications on Oct. 1.

Public Health staff detail effects of federal funding cuts

Austin Public Health staff told City Council’s Public Health Committee on Wednesday that recent federal funding delays and cuts have already reduced public health services in the city, with more disruptions possible if long-term support isn’t secured.

Several programs have ended or been scaled back in recent months, including grants for Covid vaccine outreach, HIV prevention, tobacco cessation and refugee health services. BioWatch, the city’s air-monitoring program, is operating under a temporary extension, but staff said employment for two key positions is scheduled to end this month without further funding.

Director Adrienne Sturrup said Austin Public Health has submitted contingency budgets to the city manager’s office to continue some services through the end of the year. The city’s refugee health clinic is using remaining funds to complete screenings and vaccinations, but will need new support after December. A recent Council budget allocation of $1.5 million may extend services temporarily, though full operations cost an estimated $200,000 per month.

Officials also noted changes in federal refugee insurance eligibility, shortened from 12 months to just four, requiring accelerated care coordination and adding pressure on already stretched staff.

Austin Public Health Deputy Director Cassandra DeLeon explained their readiness remains strong, but capacity has been reduced.

“We’re trying to plan to do the best that we can for our community, flying without all the information that we really need to make good programmatic plans,” she said, noting that instability has eroded confidence among community partners and long-serving staff.

— Chad Swiatecki

Council tunes in to elder homelessness

Discussion on homelessness among older adults kicked off Council’s Public Health Committee meeting. Council Member José Velásquez highlighted the fact that the Lady Bird Senior Apartments complex in District 3 no longer has on-site case management, following the end of its contract with nonprofit Family Elder Care. Staff said they continue to serve some residents there through financial advocacy, but capacity for those services is limited.

Family Elder Care CEO Aaron Alarcon presented data showing a 70 percent increase over two years in the number of Central Texans over age 55 experiencing homelessness. Alarcon said the organization served more than 1,900 clients in 2024 to provide rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, and case management across 10 senior and family housing sites.

Council members asked about the typical length of stay in the organization’s rapid rehousing program, and what happens when short-term assistance ends. Staff said many participants stay for the full 24 months, with new tools available to assess clients’ support and future housing needs.

Discussion also touched on the merits of single-site versus scattered-site supportive housing, with properties like Pecan Gardens Family Eldercare Community offer a stronger sense of stability because of easy access to on-site staff.

Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes emphasized the importance of helping older residents navigate systems like Social Security and health care, while other members expressed interest in reviewing partnership opportunities at senior housing sites. Case management and financial services for residents at risk of housing loss were identified as two important wraparound services to provide and protect amidst ongoing tight budgets.

— Chad Swiatecki

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Elsewhere in the News

The Texas Legislature has wrapped without making THC illegal.

A bill that would have put an end to large exports of East Texas water faced similar death at the Capitol.

After receiving “unacceptable” ratings, 20 AISD schools are now faced with coming up with plans to turn things around.

The Austin Chronicle takes a look at how climate change is impacting local insurance situations.

And, the Texas Tribune has a report from “the banana pudding capital of Texas” (it’s about banana pudding.)

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