88th LegislatureEnergyStatewide NewsAustin Energy Targeted in Reform Bill for City-Owned Utilities
Brad JohnsonMarch 13, 2023
Back when most of Texas deregulated its electricity market, Austin chose to keep its municipally-owned utility.
HomeTagAustin City Council | The Texan
Criminal JusticeLocal NewsAustin Council Vote on 1-Year Police Contract Sets Table for Negotiation, Ballot Box Fight
Brad JohnsonFebruary 17, 2023
Cronk's firing sunk a four-year agrement-in-principle deal between himself and the Austin Police Association.
Criminal JusticeLocal NewsAustin City Manager Spencer Cronk Fired by Council, to Receive $463,000 Severance Pay
Brad JohnsonFebruary 15, 2023
The response came after a tumultuous couple of weeks initiated by widespread power outages.
Civil SocietyCriminal JusticeLocal NewsAfter Standoff, Agreement-in-Principle Announced Between Austin and Police Union
Brad JohnsonFebruary 9, 2023
The early-stage agreement still has more than a few hoops to jump through before final approval.
Civil SocietyCriminal JusticeLocal NewsPolice, Pandemic, and Public Safety: Austin Mayor Steve Adler’s ‘Disruptive’ Tenure Comes to an End
Brad JohnsonJanuary 9, 2023
Adler made himself a political lightning rod during his time as mayor, describing the tenure as "disruptive."
Civil SocietyLocal NewsAustin’s Homelessness Crisis Limps Into Fourth Year Since Unregulated Camping Experiment
Brad JohnsonNovember 28, 2022
Jamie Hammonds has been documenting homeless encampments across Austin for half a year, and has found hundreds.
88th LegislatureLocal NewsTexas Legislator Files Bill to Turn City of Austin Into ‘District of Austin’
Brad JohnsonNovember 17, 2022
Identical legislation was filed in 2021 but didn't advance out of the House State Affairs Committee.
Criminal JusticeElections 2022Local NewsCelia Israel, Kirk Watson Head to Mayoral Runoff, Save Austin Now Council Candidates Get Swept
Brad JohnsonNovember 9, 2022
As neither candidate eclipsed 50 percent, the race for Austin mayor heads to a runoff next month.
Criminal JusticeLocal News‘Reimagine Policing’ Activist Derides Austin Mayor After Petition Fails Council Vote, Sent to May Ballot
Brad JohnsonSeptember 19, 2022
The council opted to send the proposition for a stronger Office of Police Oversight to the May ballot and reinstated a mothballed license plate reader program.
Criminal JusticeLocal NewsPetition to Expand Austin Office of Police Oversight Powers Sent to Council After Collecting 33,000 Signatures
Brad JohnsonSeptember 8, 2022
Police officials say the petition language has legal issues in conflict with state code, which may derail the petition should it be granted final approval.
Criminal JusticeLocal NewsAustin Man Arrested for Felony Aggravated Assault Was Out of Jail on Personal Bond for 2019 Murder Charge
Brad JohnsonSeptember 2, 2022
Bowie is the second offender in Austin in a month known to have been out on personal bond for a previous offense.
Civil SocietyCriminal JusticeElections 2022GunsLocal NewsTaxes & SpendingAustin Mayor Steve Adler Touts ‘Disruptive’ Tenure in Departing State of the City Address
Brad JohnsonAugust 26, 2022
Since Adler is term-limited and cannot seek re-election, Thursday's address will be his final State of the City as mayor.