The University of Texas at Austin is set to consolidate seven departments at the College of Liberal Arts into two new departments beginning in the fall. The information was shared with faculty by the interim dean of the college, David Sosa, in an email on Thursday. Some faculty claim changes have been rushed because of political pressure. […]
KUT News
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Government
Austin adopts new homeless strategy plan, but leaders aren’t sure of the cost
Austin city leaders have approved a new strategic plan to address some of the issues people experiencing homelessness face. David Gray, the city’s homeless strategy officer, said it will act as a road map for addressing homelessness over the next two years. The plan was crafted with more than two dozen community partners and includes […]
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Government
Austin Energy quadruples shutoffs for nonpayment as the city gets hotter
As Austin keeps getting hotter, Austin Energy shutoffs for nonpayment have increased by more than four-fold over the last four years. Data from the publicly owned utility shows shutoffs skyrocketed from 7,777 in 2022 to more than 35,000 last year. But the increase in shutoffs comes as the utility has made big strides helping struggling […]
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Growth & Development
Austin City Council urged to pause plan for parks over I-35
Less than a year after Austin’s City Council signed off on a plan to build parks over sunken stretches of I-35, city staff are now urging elected leaders to pump the brakes on committing any more public money for the ambitious project. “At this point, we just can’t recommend you move forward with such a […]
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Growth & Development
Austin rents dropped over 7% since last year, but families on tighter budgets are still struggling
Austin’s monthly rent continues to decrease as the city leads the way in rent relief since costs peaked in 2022, according to a new report. Newly released data from realtor.com shows monthly rent dropped more than 7% year-over year. As of Feb. 2026, the median asking rent was $1,357 for an apartment of any size. That […]
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Education
Austin ISD will celebrate Dolores Huerta on March 31 following allegations against Cesar Chavez
The Austin Independent School District will not celebrate union leader Cesar Chavez but will continue to recognize labor leader Dolores Huerta on the March 31 holiday and remain closed. “At the heart of this day remains our dedication to the values of justice, equality and empowerment for all working communities,” Superintendent Matias Segura said. In […]
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Government
Austin leaders want to rename Cesar Chavez Street in wake of abuse allegations
The city of Austin is considering renaming Cesar Chavez Street after allegations emerged that the late civil rights leader sexually assaulted women and girls. Chavez died in 1993. Shortly after his death, Austin renamed First Street — which stretches from MoPac Expressway through downtown to U.S. 183 — in his honor. Local nonprofit El Concillo Mexican-American […]
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Government
Lines at Austin’s airport not caused by government shutdown, Republican and Democratic lawmakers say
Early morning lines for TSA screening have again been spilling out the front door and onto the sidewalk at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in recent days. And both major political parties are seizing on the lines as evidence of why the other side should compromise to end a partial government shutdown that began on Valentine’s Day. […]
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Community
He came to Austin for a new chapter. After death in shooting, loved ones mourn his ‘bright spirit’
In a city of transplants, Jorge Pederson was one of Austin’s newest arrivals. He came from Minneapolis in mid-February, drawn by a new job, warmer weather and the city’s live comedy scene. On March 1, Pederson was meeting a new coworker at Buford’s on West Sixth Street when a gunman opened fire. He was one of […]
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Community
As Buford’s reopens a week after shooting, supporters say they’re ‘not going to be afraid’
On Buford’s first night open since three people were killed and over a dozen others were injured in a shooting, owner Bob Woody sat outside the bar to thank people for coming in. “There is no rulebook on how to do this,” he said Friday. “But you got to do things to help. You’ve got to stand […]
