Latest news with #GraceReader
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Inside Austin's Agenda: Behind the scenes of last week's ‘cap and stitch' vote
AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday's episode of Inside Austin's Agenda, host Grace Reader will sit down with Austin City Council Member Ryan Alter to talk about last week's vote to commit $104 million to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for the roadway elements of 'caps and stitches' over TxDOT's I-35 project. Those 'caps and stitches' are decks over the highway that may eventually support parks, trails, and community spaces. The funding committed Thursday will support caps between Cesar Chavez Street and Fourth Street, between Fourth Street and Seventh Street and between 11th Street and 12th Street. It also covers two stitches, which are thinner than caps, in north Austin. Parks over I-35: Austin city council agrees on $104M for roadway elements Alter was part of a sub-quorum of council members pushing for as many of those 'caps and stitches' as possible. He presented several ideas in the days leading up to the vote to encourage his remaining colleagues to consider voting for additional highway covers. We will discuss the behind-the-scenes of how that compromise was reached and the public meeting laws the city council has to follow when it's divided into sub quorums, like it was last week. Inside Austin's Agenda is live every other Wednesday at 3 p.m. Watch every episode at the top of this article, on Facebook, and YouTube. You can find previous episodes here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Inside Austin's Agenda: American Red Cross talks severe weather response
AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday's episode of Inside Austin's Agenda, host Grace Reader will sit down with the Central Texas chapter of the American Red Cross to talk about this year's severe weather season and the organization's response. Several confirmed tornadoes touched down in KXAN's viewing area earlier this month. The Red Cross was one of the groups that had teams on standby to assist anyone displaced by those storms. Central Texas is also preparing for the possibility of severe fire weather again this summer. The Red Cross has helped set up emergency shelters for people evacuated from fires previously. Inside Austin's Agenda is live every other Wednesday at 3 p.m. Watch every episode at the top of this article, on Facebook, and YouTube. You can find previous episodes here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Austin prepares for incoming heat wave
AUSTIN (KXAN)– The National Weather Service on Monday issued a Heat Advisory for most of Central Texas. Following this alert, the city of Austin's Homeless Strategy Office notified unsheltered people in the community where they can go to stay cool in the upcoming days. According to a recent KXAN weather forecast, temperatures could reach triple-digits by the end of this week. Temperatures are expected to be the highest Wednesday in the Austin area. In a press release, the city of Austin said it is maintaining cooling centers, which are available during the summer months for people to beat the heat. City facilities, including branches of the Austin Public Library and Parks and Recreation Department recreation centers, can be used as cooling centers. These facilities are meant to serve as a temporary relief from the heat during normal operating hours, said the release. Service animals, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, are allowed in city facilities. KXAN's Grace Reader spoke with the city of Austin Homeland Strategy Officer, David Gray, on how HSO prepares to help those experiencing homelessness during the heat. Gray said city facilities will open their cooling centers for anyone who needs them during the day. He added their offices purchased water for outreach teams to distribute to people experiencing homelessness throughout the city. To ensure the message reached unsheltered people, Gray said a text alert was sent in both English and Spanish to more than 3,500 people. Gray said his staff at HSO stays ready for situations like this.'Just last week we had a briefing with our staff about hot, warm weather so we stay pretty ready.' 'We're ready for folks who are living unsheltered in our community to have what they need to stay hydrated and stay safe,' Gray said. Gray also said unsheltered folks who own dogs are allowed at cooling centers. 'We do ask [them to] keep their pets leashed and safe for the safety of our other guests and users of city facilities.' Those in need of escaping the heat can go to any city cooling facility. Gray stressed the importance of staying safe and hydrated from the heat. To see the current list of cooling centers, locations and hours of operation, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Inside Austin's Agenda: Council Member Krista Laine
AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday's episode of Inside Austin's Agenda, host Grace Reader will sit down with Austin City Council Member Krista Laine about her first few months on the dais and upcoming city council action. The city of Austin is working to figure out how it will fund its 'cap and stitch' enhancements to the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT's) Interstate-35 expansion project, something Laine has previously said she wanted private partners to get involved with. That vote is expected to happen in May. Austin city council also has several infrastructure votes on its agenda next week, including tens of millions for pipe replacement and Austin Water's Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Flood Wall project. Inside Austin's Agenda is live every other Wednesday at 3 p.m. Watch every episode at the top of this article, on Facebook, and YouTube. You can find previous episodes here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Inside Austin's Agenda: Council Member José ‘Chito' Vela
AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday's episode of Inside Austin's Agenda, host Grace Reader talks to Austin City Council Member José 'Chito' Vela at 3 p.m. They will discuss upcoming city council action that will impact you. For example, the city of Austin is working to figure out how it will fund its 'cap and stitch' enhancements to the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT's) Interstate-35 expansion project, something Vela has been a strong advocate for. They will talk about how that project may be funded, especially considering a more than $100 million federal grant is in jeopardy. The city of Austin is also facing mounting financial pressure as President Donald Trump's federal administration looks to make cuts that could impact our city. RELATED: Inside Austin's Agenda: What to expect from city council in 2025 Inside Austin's Agenda is live every other Wednesday at 3 p.m. Watch this episode and every other at the top of this article, and on Facebook, and YouTube. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
