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The Latest Breaking News from Kirk Watson

Gov. Greg Abbott starts state task force on street takeovers

During a recent street racing incident, Austin residents faced long 911 wait times. City officials say they need to increase staffing for 911 call takers, but state license and background check requirements make it difficult to fill positions.

The Texas Tribune

Austin’s city manager fired over botched winter storm response

Spencer Cronk, who headed the city since 2018, fell out of favor with council members after communication failures that mirrored problems from the 2021 winter storm.

The Texas Tribune

Austin City Council to vote Wednesday on replacing city manager

Spencer Cronk, city manager since 2018, fell out of favor after the recent ice storm disrupted power for days.

The Texas Tribune

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A new winter storm and old problems raise questions about Austin leaders’ response to crises

As newly elected Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and a City Council with an array of fresh faces review their first major crisis, the city’s top officials once again find themselves trying to figure out why the city botched its response to a significant weather event.

The Texas Tribune

How freezing rain, tree-lined neighborhoods and above-ground power lines prolonged Austin power outages

Tens of thousands of Austin households and businesses went days without electricity after a winter storm wreaked havoc across Texas.

The Texas Tribune

Generators, spoiled food: Slow power repairs anger Austin

The future of Austin’s top city executive plunged into jeopardy Monday as outrage boiled over power outages that have left thousands of people without electricity in the Texas capital for nearly a week and are likely to drag on for days longer

The Independent UK

Austin city manager’s job could be on the line after winter storm response

Austin City Council members will evaluate Spencer Cronk’s employment during their Thursday meeting. Cronk was hired in 2017.

The Texas Tribune

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Texas cities debate costly infrastructure investments in age of extreme weather

Experts say local governments should prioritize extreme weather preparedness. Cost can be a deterring factor.

The Texas Tribune

Texas ice storm leaves hundreds of thousands without power

About 262,000 people across the state are without power as of early Friday morning. And one major utility service in the state said it did not know when it would be able to restore power.

WEKU

Texas’ tech capital again fumbles digital communication amid a power crisis

As tens of thousands of households and businesses face a third day in the dark, Austin leaders say they will improve emergency communications. But residents and critics have little patience for bungled warnings.

The Texas Tribune

ICYMI: Top stories of the week

As of Thursday, we’ve identified the results of 153 legislative leadership elections:

Ballotpedia

Watson defeats Israel in Austin mayoral runoff election

Kirk Watson defeated Celia Israel in the December 13, 2022, nonpartisan general runoff election for mayor of Austin, Texas. Watson received 50.4% of the vote to Israel’s 49.6%.

Ballotpedia

Austin voters elect Kirk Watson, who served as mayor two decades ago, to lead the city again

Watson, a former state senator who was Austin’s mayor from 1997 to 2001, pitched himself as a back-to-basics candidate who could ease the city’s growing affordability crisis.

The Texas Tribune

Tense Runoff Election Pits Old Austin Versus New

The housing crisis and the climate crisis have shaped mayoral and city council elections in Texas’ fast-growing capital city.

Texas Observer

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Ballotpedia

Israel, Watson running in Dec. 13 runoff for mayor of Austin

Celia Israel and Kirk Watson are running in the Dec. 13 nonpartisan general runoff election for mayor of Austin, Texas. Israel and Watson, who have both served in the state legislature as Democrats, were the top two vote-getters in the Nov. 8 general election. Israel received 40% of the vote…

Ballotpedia

Runoff to determine who will be Austin’s next mayor

Welcome to the Wednesday, December 7, Brew.

The Texas Tribune

How Austin’s housing crisis has shaped the race for a new mayor

The capital city’s mayoral race is something of a test case in how the state’s rising housing costs might influence local races in major cities.

The Texas Tribune

Austin mayor’s race heading to a runoff, Dallas county judge wins reelection

In three key local elections, the Austin mayoral race will be decided in a runoff, Republican Tim O’Hare won the Tarrant County judge race and Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins won reelection.

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The National (Scotland)

Europe From Above: National Geographic to showcase Scotland in new season

NATIONAL Geographic is set to showcase Scotland as part of its new six-part season of Europe From Above.

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