News from February 2024


Austin considers city petition process changes

The City of Austin Charter Commission, appointed by the City Council, is advancing a proposal to increase the signature requirements for voter-initiated ordinances and council recalls. The Save Our Springs Alliance warns that if voters approve this measure in November 2024, it would curtail the existing rights of direct democracy in Austin.


City of Austin City Council met Feb. 1

City of Austin City Council met Thursday, Feb. 1


City of Austin City Council met Jan. 30

City of Austin City Council met Tuesday, Jan. 30


City of Austin Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors will meet Feb. 29

City of Austin Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors will meet at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 29


City of Austin City Council will meet Feb. 29

City of Austin City Council will meet at 10 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 29


City of Austin Housing and Planning Committee met Feb. 20

City of Austin Housing and Planning Committee met Tuesday, Feb. 20


Austin Chamber recognizes Austin community members at 146th annual meeting

The Austin Chamber of Commerce recently held its 146th annual meeting at the JW Marriott on Feb. 13. The event served as a platform to acknowledge the 2023 Austinite of the Year and honor its volunteers of the year.


Pedal Pub Austin rebrands after 14 years as original party bike

PubCrawler of Austin, a familiar sight on the streets of Austin for nearly 14 years, has announced its rebranding to Pedal Pub Austin. This change aligns the business with a national network focused on delivering memorable experiences. The company remains at its original location at 1607 W 6th Street.


Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce announces 2024 board members

The Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce recently unveiled its 2024 board members and expressed appreciation for the contributions of outgoing members. The organization plays a pivotal role as the main resource for the LGBTQ+ and allied business community in Austin.


SSOE Group announces opening of Austin office

SSOE Group, an internationally recognized architecture and engineering firm with a focus on semiconductor, electric vehicle, and battery manufacturing, has announced the grand opening of its new office in Austin. The office is located at 1701 Directors Boulevard and was inaugurated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.


Salvation Army Austin: ‘Children at The Rathgeber Center had a blast at this month’s cooking class’

The Salvation Army's Austin Area Command recently launched its inaugural cooking class at The Rathgeber Center. The classes, facilitated by Central Texas Food Bank, are set to be a monthly occurrence at the two shelter locations of The Salvation Army in Austin.


Austin's Trail Conservancy CEO: ‘We believe art has the power to connect people to their environment in meaningful ways’

The Trail Conservancy, in collaboration with the City of Austin Economic Development Department's Art in Public Places Program (AIPP), has announced the artists selected for this year's TEMPO on the Trail initiative. Hanna Cofer, interim CEO of The Trail Conservancy, states that this public art program can foster community building in Austin through art.


City of Austin Mobility Committee met Jan. 25

City of Austin Mobility Committee met Thursday, Jan. 25


City of Austin Mobility Committee will meet Feb. 22

City of Austin Mobility Committee will meet at 1 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 22


Austin Chamber hosts annual meeting; Dr. Richard Rhodes named Austinite of the Year

The Austin Chamber of Commerce held its 146th Annual Meeting on February 13th at the JW Marriott. The event was attended by many, celebrating Dr. Richard Rhodes as the 2023 Austinite of the Year and honoring Volunteers of the Year: Christi Hester, Kathleen Lucente, and Gail Watson.


Devil’s Details Boutique owner: ‘Being a female owned business is a rewarding experience’

Devil’s Details Boutique, a vintage jewelry store located in south Austin, was rebranded and remodeled from Bloomers and Frocks at the beginning of 2024. In an interview with the Austin Journal, Rebekka Adams, the owner of Devil’s Details Boutique, shared insights about the rebranding process, her passion for vintage jewelry, and her experiences as a female entrepreneur in Austin.


Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Reports Record-Breaking Year in 2023

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) had another successful year in 2023, breaking its own record for the second consecutive year. With over 22 million total passengers served, AUS surpassed the previous year's record by more than one million passengers. December 2023 was also the busiest December on record for the airport, with 1,802,593 passengers flying during the month.The continued growth of the Austin and Central Texas populations has led to increased demand for air travel. AUS has been working closely with airline partners to offer new nonstop destinations....


Community Kick-off Event for Equity-Based Preservation Plan

The City of Austin is hosting a community kickoff event for the Equity-Based Preservation Plan on Tuesday, February 13th. The event will take place at the historic Huston-Tillotson University and will feature various community leaders who will give lightning talks on topics such as Austin's rich history, cultural heritage, displacement prevention, sustainability, and the importance of historic preservation.Among the speakers at the event are Linda Y. Jackson from Huston-Tillotson University, Ben Heimsath from the Historic Landmark Commission, Robbie Anderson from the...


NSF Selects TACC Supercomputers for National AI Research Resource Pilot

The Texas Advanced Computing Center's (TACC) supercomputers have been chosen by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to participate in a pilot program aimed at supporting AI research and education at a national scale. The pilot, called the National AI Research Resource (NAIRR) pilot, is a step towards the development of a research infrastructure that will provide access to critical resources for AI discovery and innovation."We welcome new AI users into TACC and are thrilled to make these resources available as part of NAIRR to spur innovation, increase the diversity...


Uruguay hosts world's longest carnival with vibrant music and performances

The Freestyle Languages Culture Series has turned its focus to the vibrant Carnaval celebrations in Uruguay. Known for being the longest carnival celebration globally, this event lasts 40 consecutive days and is held in Montevideo, the capital city of Uruguay.