Ella McCarthy

1 month ago | statesman.com | Ella McCarthy

Faced with a looming deadline and some amount of financial uncertainty, the Austin City Council on Tuesday debated the fate of a project leaders have lusted after for years: Covering portions of Interstate 35 with massive decks that would reunite the historically segregated east side with the heart of the city – and play host to parks, trails and other developments. The 11-member council must decide by May 31 how much money to put down on the so-called “caps and stitches” initiative.

2 months ago | statesman.com | Ella McCarthy

Bob Kahn, Austin Energy's general manager, will retire in June after nearly two years on the job. Though Kahn's official retirement date is June 30, his last day in office will be April 30, according to a memo from Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax to City Council members. Broadnax did not identify an interim director for the municipally owned utility and said he would share more information on the transition process in the coming weeks.

2 months ago | yahoo.com | Michael Barnes |Ella McCarthy

This story was updated with new information. After half a century on East Sixth Street in downtown Austin, the annual Pecan Street Festival — which offers arts, crafts, music and fest food — will move to the Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave for its spring 2025 event. Leaders of the nonprofit Pecan Street Association, which owns the festival to promote East Sixth Street — originally named Pecan Street in 1839 — say that the move is temporary.

2 months ago | statesman.com | Michael Barnes |Ella McCarthy

Citing obstacles, Pecan Street Festival leaves Sixth Street, and temporarily, AustinAfter half a century on East Sixth Street in downtown Austin, the annual Pecan Street Festival — which offers arts, crafts, music and fest food — will move to the Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave for its spring 2025 event. Leaders of the nonprofit Pecan Street Association, which owns the festival to promote East Sixth Street — originally named Pecan Street in 1839 — say that the move is temporary.

2 months ago | statesman.com | Ella McCarthy

This story was updated with additional information. The Austin Police Department is under fire from multiple City Council member and members of the city's LGBTQIA+ community after a video was shared on social media that appears to show department officers slamming a transgender woman to the sidewalk somewhere on Sixth Street. The Austin Police Department confirmed the incident occurred on March 2, but rebuffed allegations that officers used excessive force.