KUT News Now

The City of Austin’s historic preservation plan dates back to 1981. But an effort is underway to change who participates in that planning and what gets preserved. People can give their input on a draft of the city’s new Equity-Based Preservation Plan through May 31st. KUT’s Jennifer Stayton recently talked with the city’s Planning Department Program Manager Cara Bertron and two members of the working group that helped draft the plan: historian Julia Brookins and architect JuanRaymon Rubio. They talked at Austin’s Parque Zaragoza, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, about why the city’s current plan needs a reboot.

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Central Texas top stories for May 16, 2024. The City of Austin is moving closer to getting a permanent chief for the police department. Austin is now the 11th most populous city in America. Hays County is making plans for a new park in San Marcos. The Lake Travis ISD school board voted last night to form a public facility corporation. The H-E-B in Mueller is hosting a speed dating event tonight at 6:30. The final Big 12 series of the regular season begins tonight for the Texas Baseball team.  

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Central Texas top stories for May 16, 2024. Austin City Council could vote to reduce the amount of land needed to build a house. The City of Austin is searching for a new police chief. The City of Austin does not have enough money to finish road projects promised to voters when they approved a property tax increase in 2016. Travis County voters will decide whether to raise taxes to expand child care options for low income families. The City of Georgetown could use treated wastewater to meet its long-term water supply challenges. Austin to host the 2025 MLS All Star Game. Strong to severe thunderstorms and heavy rain are possible this afternoon and evening in the Austin area.

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Central Texas top stories for May 15, 2024. Travis Co tax rate election expected to increase childcare affordability. Ascension facing lawsuit amid ongoing ransomware problems. Texas State Univ may be out as presidential debate site. Austin hosting emergency preparedness pop-ups. The new Austin State Hospital.

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Central Texas top stories for May 15, 2024. The head of the UT System says its institutions have undergone significant changes to comply with a state law banning diversity, equity and inclusion programs at public universities and colleges. Texas state lawmakers also heard a UT student’s testimony over antisemitism on campus. Travis County voters could decide on a tax rate increase that would expand access to child care for low-income families. Leander ISD’s police force progress. Austin Live Music Fund. May is Wildfire Safety Month.

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Central Texas top stories for May 14, 2024. DEI law compliance hearing. Travis County leaders took a big step today toward having a tax-rate increase election this year. The city says 40 to 50 Austin police officers assisted in making arrests at last month’s protests on the UT campus. The Leander School District has named Lucretia Rogers as its executive director of safety and security. The number of days in the Austin area with air quality considered unhealthy for sensitive groups increased to 21 last year.

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Central Texas top stories for May 14, 2024. An attempt to freeze funding for the I-35 expansion was defeated in a heated vote yesterday. Disruptions to various systems and services at Ascension-owned hospitals continue. Texas state Senators are getting an update on the steps university leaders have taken to comply with the DEI state law that took effect in January. Austin’s State of Our Environment Report for 2023. Austin Public Health is using two-million dollars in federal funding to address opioid overdoses. UT Austin will open a new center in Taylor.

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Central Texas top stories for May 13, 2024. Why it may seem like there’s more severe hail lately. Texas lawmakers may look at limiting institutional investors in the housing market. Teachers, lawmakers call for more school funding. Local prosecutors push back on state threats to local policies. More overdose treatments available and being used in Austin area. Texas Softball heads into NCAA tournament.

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Central Texas top stories for May 13, 2024. UT graduation ceremonies. Central Texas weather warning. Disaster declaration issued in Hays County. Hail damage may be covered by insurance. A retired couple is giving $100 to teachers and staff in two school districts. Austin FC lost to FC Dallas.

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Central Texas top stories for May 10, 2024. A UT Austin lecturer has been arrested and fired after allegedly confronting police during a pro-Palestinian protest. A severe storm passed through Hays County last night with damaging wind and very large hail. Weekend weather. The University of Texas is making a downpayment of more than 13 million dollars to cover I-35 from 15th Street to Dean Keeton. Austin ISD’s budget deficit is even larger than expected. Austin FC vs. FC Dallas.

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