Austin News

Life:Powered director: Bill that prohibits companies that boycott fossil fuels from doing business in Texas ‘greatest legislative victory’

By T.H. Lawrence | Jun 22, 2021

Analyst Jason Isaac said government at all levels shouldn’t choose winners when it comes to energy production and that the 2021 Texas Legislature showed it also believes in the free market process.

Mackowiak: 'You’ll be much safer almost anywhere else' than Austin this summer due to increased homicides

By T.H. Lawrence | May 14, 2021

Matt Mackowiak, co-founder of Save Austin Now, said that with the homicide rate in Austin on the rise, the Police Department under-staffed and morale low, the Texas capital will be a dangerous place this summer.

Austin homeless issue a 'problem of community,' says Save Austin Now founder

By T.H. Lawrence | May 13, 2021

Austin has a well-deserved reputation for being a bit "weird," but allowing hundreds of homeless people to camp in the city was a step too far for many city residents.

Texas Railroad commissioner: Capacity of turbines, solar panels 'has always been an illusion'

By T.H. Lawrence | Mar 31, 2021

Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian said the facts must overrule both emotions and politics when discussing energy issues in Texas.

Austin Justice Coalition hopes 2021 will be the year for criminal justice reform

By T.H. Lawrence | Mar 22, 2021

Chas Moore has seen the statistics and examined the reports but the executive director of the Austin Justice Coalition has even stronger evidence that Texas law enforcement officers engage in more interactions and arrest a higher percentage of people of color.

Right on Crime analyst: Arrests on fine-only crimes counterproductive

By T.H. Lawrence | Mar 18, 2021

The punishment doesn’t fit the crime, says Derek Cohen, policy director of Right on Crime and Citizens Defense at the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

Energy Alliance analyst: Elected, appointed leaders played key roles in power disaster

By T.H. Lawrence | Mar 9, 2021

A Texas energy analyst said elected officials and those in charge of public policy need to accept their responsibility for the power problems that struck Austin and the rest of Texas last month.

Texas energy policies should be national model, says panel

By T.H. Lawrence | Jan 26, 2021

The future of energy policy in America is up for grabs — will the Texas model prevail or will California practices emerge as the preferred method?

Wild Bill Ogden on Austin music scene: 'It may be down, but it’s not out'

By T.H. Lawrence | Nov 5, 2020

Wild Bill Ogden has been playing music professionally for more than two decades and has no intentions of stopping.

Pretrial hearing on assault charges for Austin philanthropist delayed for more than a year

By T.H. Lawrence | Oct 6, 2020

Austin philanthropist, entrepreneur and businessman Dilum Chandrasoma was arrested for assault family violence on July 21, 2019.

Lawyer: 'Substantial part' of HOT money could be used to save Austin live events scene

By T.H. Lawrence | Sep 29, 2020

Bill Aleshire has been listening to live music in Austin since 1970, and knows what a crucial part of the community it is.

Lawyer, arts advocate Bill Bunch says Austin leaders must save music industry

By T.H. Lawrence | Sep 29, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the Austin music scene – shuttering venues, costing musicians the majority of their gigs, impacting affiliated businesses. Proponents have called on the city to invest more money in supporting the people and businesses suffering due to the coronavirus.

Tourism commissioner calls on council to save Austin music industry

By T.H. Lawrence | Sep 28, 2020

Austin is justifiably proud of the label “The Live Music Capital of the World.”

Taxpayers paying salaries while workers do union business

By T.H. Lawrence | Jul 1, 2020

Cops, firefighters put union first, and disciplinary efforts are almost impossible

CapMetro in Austin extends suspension of Public Information Act

By T.H. Lawrence | Mar 25, 2020

Coronavirus pandemic causes Austin public transportation to extend suspension of Public Information Act requirements.

From Business Daily

Let all Texans shop for best utility deal, say state senator, energy expert

By T.H. Lawrence | 4 years ago

Veteran analyst says issue has existed for years — but change may be possible now

From Business Daily

Austin spends $1 billion to build, maintain and buy back idled biomass plant

By T.H. Lawrence | 4 years ago

Former Goldman Sachs partner terms it the ‘Austin biomass disaster’

New MetroRail vending machines don’t sell Local Passes

By T.H. Lawrence | Mar 11, 2020

That means majority of tickets won’t be dispensed by new devices