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Welcome to The Austin Common news feed. This is where you’ll find all the latest, up-to-date info about what’s happening around town. Explore by topic, type, or just scroll through it all by looking at the “latest posts” section at the bottom of the page. 

Our news philosophy is simple. With all of our coverage, we try and do the following:

  • Keep it local

  • Keep it brief

  • Actually explain the news

  • Give you clear steps for action

  • Keep it positive

  • Keep it nonpartisan

You can learn about how we actually do this by clicking on each of our story types below. 

 

As a community-based news source, we’re here to serve you. That’s why we promise:

  • To follow journalistic principles of accuracy, fact-checking, multiple sources, and dedication to the truth

  • To immediately fix mistakes if they’re made and to be honest about how they happened

  • To approach our news coverage from a place of respect, civility, and kindness for our fellow Austinities

  • To honor the value of lived experiences (especially within marginalized communities) as well as expert testimony/ opinion 

  • To allow for open, two-way communication between our staff and readers, ensuring that our content is relevant and useful to you

1 News Item You Should Know, Explained

1 News Item You Should Know, Explained

Finally understand that news story that's been all over your news feed!

Council Meeting, Explained

ATX City Council Meeting, Explained

Find out what's happening at the next Council meeting, without reading through a long/ boring agenda.

Community News + Partner Posts

Community News + Partner Posts

Stay up-to-date on what Austin's best local orgs/ businesses are up to... and how you can get involved.

News Archives

News Archives

Every story we've ever written, sorted by topic.

Latests Posts - Header

Can’t quite decide which type of news post you want to read? You can scroll through all of our latest posts below. 

Prop A - 1
Civics 101
Amy Stansbury

Explaining Your Ballot: Travis County Prop A

Summary Travis County voters will have two important propositions on their ballot this year – Prop A & Prop B. Action Box Vote! Early voting starts on October 23rd and Election Day is November 7th. If you live in Travis County, you’ll get to vote

Read More »
Vegetation Management - 1
Community News + Partner Posts
Amy Stansbury

Is Austin Energy’s Vegetation Management Plan Working?

About The Office Of The City Auditor This post is sponsored by our community partner, the Office of the City Auditor, an independent city department that conducts audits and investigations to help find ways for the city to improve. Action Box Click the badge above

Read More »
Animal Services Audit - 1
Community News + Partner Posts
Amy Stansbury

Is The Austin Animal Center Being Run Effectively?

About The Office Of The City Auditor This post is sponsored by our community partner, the Office of the City Auditor, an independent city department that conducts audits and investigations to help find ways for the city to improve. Action Box Click the badge above

Read More »
Curbside Composting
Community News + Partner Posts
Amy Stansbury

Composting Could Be Coming To Multifamily Residences In Austin

About The Author This post was written by Kaiba White and sponsored by Public Ciitzen Texas, a local nonprofit advocacy organization that fights for clean energy & the environment. Action Box Click the badge above to learn more about Public Citizen Texas. This post is

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Composting Tips - 1
Community News + Partner Posts
Amy Stansbury

If It Grows, It Goes… Into Your Green Composting Cart!

About Austin Resource Recovery This post is sponsored by our community partner, Austin Resource Recovery, the city department whose mission is to achieve zero waste by providing excellent customer services that promote waste reduction, increase resource recovery, and support the City of Austin’s sustainability efforts.

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Zero Waste Business Rebate - 1
Community News + Partner Posts
Amy Stansbury

Ditch Single-Use Plastics… And Earn Money Doing It!

About Austin Resource Recovery This post is sponsored by our community partner, Austin Resource Recovery, the city department whose mission is to achieve zero waste by providing excellent customer services that promote waste reduction, increase resource recovery, and support the City of Austin’s sustainability efforts.

Read More »
DPS Partnership
Civics 101
Amy Stansbury

What’s Going On With DPS In Austin?

Summary On May 13th, the city’s policing partnership with DPS was abruptly put on pause. Action Box Keep an eye on our Instagram page for updates on the DPS-APD partnership & opportunities to share your thoughts with local elected officials. Been seeing a lot of

Read More »
Prop A Passed - 1
Civics 101
Amy Stansbury

Prop A Passed… Now What?

Summary On Election Day, voters overwhelmingly approved Prop A & rejected Prop B, expressing support for stronger civilian oversight of our city’s police department. Action Box Keep an eye on our Instagram page for updates on how the new police contract negotiations are progressing. Election

Read More »
Prop A & B - 1
Civics 101
Amy Stansbury

Prop A & Prop B: What Are They & Why Do They Matter?

Summary Prop A & Prop B are both on the ballot because of citizen signature drives and both are related to police oversight and accountability… but they’re actually very different from each other. Action Box Don’t forget to vote! Election Day is May 6th and

Read More »
Future of Light Rail - 1
Community News + Partner Posts
Amy Stansbury

Future Of Light Rail In Austin

About the Austin Transit Partnership This post is sponsored by our community partner, the Austin Transit Partnership, the independent government organization responsible for the financing, design, construction, and overall implementation of Project Connect. Action Box Participate in the Light Rail Virtual Open House before May

Read More »
Episode 46
Essays
Amy Stansbury

Mental Health & Our Criminal Justice System

On, March 21st, the Travis County Commissioners Court voted to take the first steps toward creating a mental health diversion center right here in Travis County.   And what is a mental health diversion center? We discuss it all with Travis County Judge Andy Brown.

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