Melia Masumoto

1 week ago | kvue.com | Melia Masumoto

AUSTIN, Texas — Across the U.S., hundreds of art organizations are without significant funding, after the Trump administration abruptly started cancelling grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Tapestry Dance Company in Austin is figuring out what to do after its $30,000 NEA grant was cancelled last month. For the first time ever, the company had to cancel its Annual Soul to Sole International Tap Festival it has been hosting for the last 25 years.

1 week ago | kens5.com | Melia Masumoto

SAN MARCOS, Texas — As summer nears, the city of San Marcos is looking to make some changes to protect the river and keep it clean. This past Memorial Day weekend, Rio Vista Park was lined with fencing detailing what's allowed and what's prohibited in the park. The fences are part of a city initiative to preemptively educate visitors about river rules before they enter the grounds.

1 week ago | kvue.com | Melia Masumoto

AUSTIN, Texas — In the next few years, more electric vehicles will be on the roads in Austin thanks to the city’s plans to nearly double its battery electric vehicle (BEV) fleet. Since the city started using BEVs in 2017, it has saved $2.5 million in real fuel and maintenance. Currently, Austin has 373 BEVs, with an 85% participation rate across the city. In efforts to continue cutting costs and carbon emissions, it plans to get 703 BEVs in the next five years.

1 week ago | kvue.com | Melia Masumoto

AUSTIN, Texas — By next summer, southeast Austin will have a new affordable housing and tiny home community. Right now, local nonprofit Foundation Communities is in the middle of building Burleson Studios, a 104-unit affordable housing community for single adults just three miles east of Interstate 35 on Burleson Road. “Many low-income folks have just been priced out of town," said Walter Moreau, the executive director of Foundation Communities.

3 weeks ago | kvue.com | Melia Masumoto

AUSTIN, Texas — It’ll be a night of tunes and fun at the Health Alliance for Austin Musician’s (HAAM) annual Corporate Battle of the Bands fundraiser at ACL Live at the Moody Theater. The nonprofit has been hosting the fundraising event for more than a decade, raising money for affordable health care for Austin musicians. This year, HAAM is also celebrating 20 years since the organization was founded. "This is one of those hidden gems.