Austin Journal News

The Austin Police Department (APD) is investigating the Officer-Involved Shooting that took place on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at the Summer Grove apartment complex in Austin, Texas. The incident involved the now deceased suspect, Thomas Dray Price, a 44-year-old white male.According to reports, multiple callers alerted authorities about a subject with a gun at the apartment complex. It was mentioned that the suspect had several individuals at gunpoint. The APD officers were dispatched to the scene immediately upon receiving the calls.Upon arriving at the complex,...

Career Climbers: Austin Energy celebrates Climbing School graduates

After weeks of rigorous training, 10 lineworkers are ready to join Austin Energy field crews in keeping the power flowing to the Austin area. Climbing School graduation is the culmination of a three-week training for Austin Energy’s new Distribution Electrician Helpers and marks the official start of a four-year apprenticeship.Family, field crews, and other Austin Energy staff celebrated the graduation with a certification ceremony at the Decker Creek Power Station, highlighted by graduates each climbing a 70-foot “confidence pole.”"These talented lineworkers continue...

Austin ISD Seeks Community Input for Redesign of Metz Outdoor Space

The Austin ISD is seeking input from the community as they embark on the redesign of the Metz Elementary School outdoor space. This initiative comes after receiving a grant from the U.S. Department of Education to support outdoor learning.In a statement, the school district expressed their commitment to creating a space that benefits the entire Austin ISD community. The new Metz Outdoor Wonder and Learning Center aims to cultivate outdoor learning experiences, with a focus on student field trips and professional development for teachers. The space will also be open to the...

Two University of Texas Professors Elected to National Academy of Sciences

AUSTIN, Texas — The National Academy of Sciences has recently elected two distinguished faculty members from the University of Texas at Austin. Neuroscience professor Kristen Harris and molecular biosciences professor Keiko Torii have been recognized for their exceptional contributions to the field of science.David Vanden Bout, dean of the College of Natural Sciences, expressed his pride, stating, “This outstanding recognition of our faculty members is a reflection of the phenomenal basic research happening here in life science disciplines as diverse as neuroscience and...

City of Austin Issues Request for Proposals for Homelessness Diversion Project

The City of Austin has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Homelessness Diversion Demonstration Project. The RFP, named HSO 2024-002, aims to address the needs of individuals and households experiencing homelessness in the city. According to the RFP, the City of Austin's Homeless Strategy Office is seeking proposals from qualified social service providers with a proven track record in delivering services to this vulnerable population.Natasha Ponczek Shoemake, the Business Process Consultant at the Homeless Strategy Division, has been designated as the...

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Celebrates New Non-Stop Route to Montréal with Air Canada

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is celebrating the debut of Air Canada's seasonal nonstop service between Austin and Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL), enhancing connectivity between Central Texas and Canada. "Today marks an exciting day as we launch our third route with Air Canada," declared Ghizlane Badawi, CEO of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, emphasizing the importance of expanding international travel opportunities and fostering economic and cultural ties between Texas and Canada.The new route to Montréal is expected to open doors for...

City Reinstates General Public Communication for Upcoming Council Meeting

The Austin City Council has announced that the upcoming Council meeting on May 16 will include a General Public Communication period at 12 p.m., allowing individuals to address the council on items not on the agenda. This decision comes after the City had initially planned to focus solely on the Spring 2024 Land Development Code Amendments.In response to a recent court decision extending a Temporary Restraining Order regarding City Council meeting procedures, the City has decided to reinstate the General Public Communication period out of caution. This provides an...

Zika and West Nile Precautions Encouraged Ahead of Upcoming Rain

Austin Public Health (APH) officials are on high alert as the mosquito season approaches. The authorities are urging the public to take precautions to prevent the spread of diseases like Zika and West Nile virus."Due to climate change, mosquitoes are breeding earlier this spring and even into the winter in central Texas," stated Environmental Health Services Division Chief Marcel Elizondo. This early breeding season increases the risk of mosquito-borne diseases in the region.In 2023, Austin-Travis County reported three cases of West Nile virus, including one fatality,...

Attorney General Ken Paxton Warns Austin City Council Over Gender Transition Treatments for Children

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has issued a stern warning to the City of Austin following a recent resolution passed by the Austin City Council regarding gender transition treatments for children. The resolution in question directs city officials to defy Texas state laws prohibiting certain treatments for minors.Paxton criticized the resolution, stating, "the Austin City Council passed a resolution that purportedly directs the City Manager and city employees not to comply with Texas’s prohibition of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and invasive surgeries for...

4 UT Scholars Join American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Four faculty members from The University of Texas at Austin have been selected to join the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a prestigious institution dedicated to independent policy research and knowledge sharing. The new members, spanning diverse disciplines, will be honored at an induction ceremony in September.Expressing her pride in the faculty members' achievements, Sharon L. Wood, executive vice president and provost at UT Austin, highlighted the significance of their induction, stating, “The excellence of our faculty is one of the key reasons that The...

Stretchable E-Skin Could Give Robots Human-Level Touch Sensitivity

A first-ever stretchy electronic skin developed by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin could revolutionize robotics by providing robots with human-like softness and touch sensitivity. The breakthrough technology aims to enhance the precision and control of force in robotic applications.The new stretchable e-skin, as described by Nanshu Lu, a professor at the Cockrell School of Engineering’s Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, overcomes a significant limitation of existing e-skin technology. Lu highlighted, "No matter how much our...

City of Austin City Council met April 11

City of Austin City Council met Thursday, April 11

City of Austin City Council met April 5

City of Austin City Council met Friday, April 5

City of Austin Audit and Finance Committee will meet May 10

City of Austin Audit and Finance Committee will meet at 9:30 a.m., Friday, May 10

City of Austin Water Oversight Committee will meet May 9

City of Austin Water Oversight Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, May 9

'Day of Service' at LBJ Early College High School Transformed by Community Collaboration

Dozens of volunteers gathered on 'The Day of Service' at LBJ Early College High School to enhance the campus environment for students through various projects. They painted, constructed, and beautified the school grounds, fostering a stronger sense of pride within the student body.The collaborative effort between Keep Austin Beautiful, LBJ, and Texas Roadhouse showcased the power of organizations coming together for a common cause. Rodney Ahart, Chief Executive of Keep Austin Beautiful, emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating, "Really is about three...

PNC's C NOTES set to compete in HAAM's 2024 Corporate Battle of the Bands

PNC Bank's C NOTES band is set to participate in the Health Alliance for Austin Musician’s (HAAM) Corporate Battle of the Bands for the third consecutive year.

Mayor’s Health and Well-Being Council now accepting applications for certification program and healthiest workplace awards

The Mayor’s Health and Well-Being Council (MHWC), in collaboration with Austin Public Health (APH), has declared that it is now accepting applications for workplaces to attain MHWC Partner Certification. Additionally, the application period for certified organizations to receive recognition as one of the Mayor’s Healthiest Workplaces in Austin is currently open.

Austin Energy, Texas Solar for All Coalition win $250M EPA grant to make solar more accessible to low-income families

Austin Energy, in partnership with the Texas Solar for All Coalition, has been awarded a $250 million federal grant on Earth Day 2024. This significant funding will enable millions of low-income families to gain access to affordable and reliable renewable energy.

New Hope Animal Rescue receives $25,000 grant from PetSmart Charities