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At the Austin Independent we cover a range of local and state issues and try to do so in a factual, thoughtful and even entertaining fashion. As a small publication, however, our publication schedule can vary. So we suggest signing up for email alerts. That way you won’t miss any stories. It’s free and we will not send you anything other than the alerts. Thanks, Daryl.

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Neighbors Seek to Avoid Destruction of NW Austin Apartment Complex – After Council Removes a Key Tenant Protection
The Acacia Cliffs apartment complex on Hart Lane in Northwest Austin defies several Austin political/governance precepts that get repeated often by members of the “progressive” cohort. First of all Acacia Cliffs is a high density affordable housing development in NW...
Other Cities to Austin: ‘”How the hell are you doing this?’”
“I can tell you for certain that Austin, Texas is in the vanguard of the national housing discussion and cities all over this country right now have been looking to us for ideas about how they address their own affordability challenges. Boston, Philadelphia, Dallas,...
Local Boy Wreaks Havoc – On Nation and His Own Company – Plus J.D. Vance Echoes Chito Vela
It’s really difficult right now, and maybe not wise, to stay focused exclusively on local issues, even for a locally focused publication like this one. So let’s look in again on our semi-local guy who’s making it big in the second Donald Trump administration. I’m of...
José Garza Claims He Doesn’t Have to Comply With Law That Other Texas DAs Have Followed For 50 Years – Another Missed Deadline to Indict Found
In our last story we talked about how Travis County District Attorney José Garza appeared to say that he knew of no other cases where accused violent criminals had gotten out of jail because his office failed to indict within 90 days as required by state law. It had...
The Buck Doesn’t Stop At Travis DA’s Office – Eckhardt Has “Grave Public Safety Concern” as Murder Suspects Released – Judges Speak Out – Should Dems Reflect?
Travis County District Attorney José Garza is off to a really rough start in his second term, which began January 1. He’s embroiled in controversy because two alleged murderers were released on $1 and $100 bonds when Garza’s office failed to indict them within 90...
Chito Vela’s Premature Victory Lap – Plus Congressional Staff Workweek Update
Austin ended 2024 making national news for drops in the price of housing. For instance, in an otherwise gloomy (but realistic) December 4 report on the national housing situation, NPR reporter Jennifer Ludden cited Austin as her one positive example: After the host...
True Stories
Task Force Recommends No Cadet Class and No Guns for Police – Plus A Short Check In on Greg Abbott
Let’s start by checking in on Governor Greg Abbott, who we haven’t discussed in a while. Abbott is actually an Austin voter and he took time after voting early on Tuesday April 20 to tell waiting media that he voted for Proposition B. That is the proposed reversal of...
Will Others in Texas Follow Austin’s Lead on COVID? Just Kidding
Travis County’s COVID-19 fatality rate is less than half that of Texas. Commissioner Shea wonders if others in Texas will try to learn from Austin
Explanations from ERCOT and Austin Energy Plus a Possible New Approach for Ted Cruz
Let’s hit a few points not covered in the accompanying article. First, a lot of questions were raised yesterday about why downtown Austin was still lit up while adjacent East Austin was almost totally dark — as were many other parts of town. Austin Energy responded...
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