Latest News from Austin Journal

The City of Austin has initiated a nationwide search for its next Chief of Police, with the assistance of Mosaic Public Partners, a recruiting firm. This decision comes after the appointment of City Manager T.C. Broadnax on May 6, who has prioritized the hiring of a permanent police chief.

Austin ISD celebrates National Speech-Language-Hearing Month

Austin ISD is marking National Speech-Language-Hearing Month by celebrating the critical role of Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs), particularly highlighting the work of Rebecca Rogers. Rogers, who has spent a decade supporting classrooms and students with diverse speech and language impairments, is now entering her fifth year at Blanton Elementary School. Her dedication and service have earned her the title of SLP of the Year.

Austin's Latinapalooza festival showcases city's cultural heritage

This May, some of Austin's favorite Latin acts will showcase their talent and culture at a free Latinapalooza show on Sunday, May 26 from noon to 5 p.m. at Lampkin Pavilion in Rosewood Park, located at 1182 North Pleasant Valley Rd., behind the playgrounds and next to New York Ave. The show will feature emerging and long-standing performances from Bidi Bidi Banda, Llamativa, Mariachi Las Coronelas, The Tiarras, and Patricia Vonne. Full event schedule and artist details can be found online.

Austin receives $75k NEA grant for artist residency program

The City of Austin, Texas is set to select a local artist or artist group for its Our Future 35 Artist in Residence program, courtesy of a $75,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The NEA recently announced over 1,000 recipients of its Grants for Arts Project (GAP) awards on May 15, including the City of Austin. The awards total more than $37 million as part of its second round of Fiscal Year 2024 grants.

Austin's Latinapalooza music festival to showcase Latina talent

This May, Austin will host a free Latinapalooza show featuring some of the city's favorite Latina acts. The event is scheduled for Sunday, May 26 from 12 noon to 5 p.m. at the Lampkin Pavilion in Rosewood Park, located at 1182 North Pleasant Valley Rd., behind the ballfields and adjacent to New York Ave. The show will feature performances by emerging and established artists such as Bidi Bidi Banda, Llamativa, Mariachi Las Coronelas, The Tiarras and Patricia Vonne.

Leaky City Pipes Benefit Drought-Resistant Trees on UT Campus: Study

Even during periods of drought, Waller Creek on The University of Texas at Austin campus remains hydrated. This is due to a significant proportion of the water that flows through it — ranging from 25% to 50% — originating from wastewater leaking from city pipes.

Chance Ramirez discusses art and residency program in 'In The Parks' series

Chance Ramirez, who uses the pronouns they/them/she/her, recently discussed their experiences with ceramics, art therapy, and hand-building clay art. In a short video from ATXN's 'In The Parks' series, Ramirez also shared insights about participating in the Visual Artist Residency Program at the Dougherty Arts Center. For more information about this program, one can visit AustinTexas.gov/DAC.

Texas researchers discover defense mechanism in persistent cholera strain

A lethal strain of cholera bacteria, first identified in Indonesia in 1961, continues to spread globally, causing thousands of deaths and infecting millions annually. This persistent strain has puzzled scientists for decades. However, a recent study published in Nature by researchers from The University of Texas at Austin reveals how this virulent strain has managed to survive.

Austin announces $4.5 million in grants for live music industry

The City of Austin Economic Development Department has announced the availability of $4.5 million in support through the 2024 Austin Live Music Fund. The program will provide grants ranging from $15,000 to $60,000 to professional musicians, bands, independent promoters, and live music venues in Austin. These funds are intended to bolster eligible promoted music activities aimed at attracting tourists and convention delegates to the city.

Annual Salute staff recognition ceremony celebrates Austin ISD's finest

The annual Salute staff recognition ceremony, held on May 8 at the Austin ISD Performing Arts Center, celebrated this year's finalists and winners. The event was marked by a significant presence of McCallum High School journalists who were there to celebrate the honorees.

UMLAUF Sculpture Garden announces future expansion plan unveiling

The UMLAUF Sculpture Garden and Museum, in collaboration with the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department and Page/ architecture firm, is set to publicly release its Historic Preservation, Expansion and Unification Plan. The unveiling event will take place on Wednesday, May 29 at 5:30 p.m. at 605 Azie Morton Rd and is open to all interested parties.

City of Austin seeks public input on I-35 redevelopment project

The City of Austin is inviting the public to share their thoughts on the types of amenities and green spaces that should be incorporated into new public areas being developed over I-35 in Central Austin.

UT Seed Fund invests $250,000 in water purification startup NALA Membranes

Discovery to Impact at The University of Texas at Austin has announced a $250,000 investment in NALA Membranes. This UT-affiliated startup is pioneering advancements in water purification through the development of a new class of chlorine-tolerant membranes for reverse osmosis industrial and municipal wastewater systems. This marks the fifth investment by UT's $10 million Seed Fund, which supports promising startups built on University-owned intellectual property emerging from UT Austin’s extensive $845 million research enterprise.

Austin Water invites public feedback on proposed rate changes

Austin Water has extended an invitation to its customers to attend one of several Open Houses in the coming weeks. The aim is to educate the public about their water and wastewater system, planned investments, and potential rate changes in the near future.

Austin releases annual State of Our Environment Report

The Watershed Protection Department of the City of Austin has recently published this year's State of Our Environment Report. The digital report provides an overview of the current state of Austin's air quality, water, trees, public open spaces, wildlands, and climate change concerns.

Fatal motorcycle crash adds to Austin's rising death toll

On Friday, May 10, 2024, at approximately 9:27 p.m., officers from the Austin Police Department (APD) were called to the scene of a fatal crash involving a single motorcycle in the 13700 block of Immanuel Road. The motorcyclist, identified as Tarl Sears, a 53-year-old Black male, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Stampede3 supercomputer begins full production for open science research