Some areas are starting the year with low water reserves. Forecasters don’t expect substantial relief from the weather.
Austin
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Criminal Justice
Former police Chief Art Acevedo returning to Austin for City Hall job overseeing the department he once led
Acevedo is expected to create new recruiting strategies, review patrolling operations and improve police academy training.
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Criminal Justice
San Antonio plans to tackle violence with a public health approach. Here’s what that looks like.
Houston and Austin already use similar methods. San Antonio will aim to reduce gun-related violence, sexual assaults and other crimes against people.
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Economy
Has a big village of tiny homes eased homelessness in Austin?
One of the nation’s largest experiments to address chronic homelessness is taking shape outside the city limits.
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Health care
The number of Texas midwives is increasing — but advocates say the state needs more
The state agency that oversees midwives is trying to make it easier for women to join the profession, including lowering fees.
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Politics
After years of losing battles with GOP leaders, some big city Texas mayors strike friendlier tone
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and incoming Houston Mayor John Whitmire, two veteran Democratic legislators, are trying to repair their cities’ fraught relationships with the state’s GOP leadership.
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Economy
Austin will now allow more homes to be built on single-family lots
City officials hope that allowing up to three units per lot will increase supply and slow the explosive increase in housing costs. The measure was approved by Austin City Council in a 9-2 vote late Thursday night.
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Economy
As offices sit empty and housing costs soar, some Texas developers are converting workspaces into apartments
Not every downtown high-rise is a good fit for an office-to-housing conversion, but some officials and developers see benefits in turning unused space into new residential units.
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Criminal Justice
DA drops most charges against Austin police officers accused of excessive force in 2020 protests
The Travis County district attorney still plans to pursue criminal charges in four cases. The officers whose cases are being dismissed will be allowed to return to duty.
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Demographics
Despite strong economy, Texas cities grapple with excess office space
As remote and hybrid working become the new normal, major Texas cities are facing a decline in office tenants. It’s too soon to tell what that means for the vitality of downtowns.