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Austin honors Black-led groups after yearlong training to tackle homelessness crisis

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Austin honors Black-led groups after yearlong training to tackle homelessness crisis


Austin city leaders recognized nine Black-led grassroots organizations on Tuesday after the groups completed a yearlong training initiative designed to strengthen their work serving people experiencing homelessness.

Mayor Kirk Watson called homelessness a true humanitarian crisis in the city of Austin, telling attendees, “I want to say I’m proud to live in a city that cares as much about this issue as we do.” He later added, “We have to do better in Austin, Texas.”

The participating organizations work on the front lines of Austin’s homelessness crisis, including groups like The Pfaith House. Founder Kimberly Holiday said her organization focuses on supporting women and children facing some of the most difficult circumstances. “We have transitional housing in Pflugerville for women and children who are actively fleeing domestic violence and or experiencing chronic homelessness,” she said.

Other honored groups include

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  • Black Men’s Health Clinic
  • Change 1
  • The Healing Project
  • Hungry Hill Foundation
  • Indeed Transitional Outreach Ministry
  • My Sister’s Keeper ATX
  • Walking by Faith Prison Ministry
  • We Can Now

The groups completed a yearlong capacity-building initiative led by the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition, funded by the City of Austin and Indeed, to expand the organizations’ impact. Holiday said the initiative has strengthened collaboration among providers. “I believe strongly that with the cohort we have created an ecosystem to be able to support one another and also an ecosystem for those that we serve,” she said.

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David Gray, director of Austin’s Homeless Strategies and Operations Department, said the city wanted to invest in the organizations’ growth. “We wanted to invest in them, cultivate their growth and professional development, and help their organizations continue to deliver extremely high impact in our Austin community,” he said.

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Gray said the cohort received professional development training from Austin Community College, one-on-one coaching from local business leaders, and lessons on mental health and wellness. “When you have a diversity of providers who are out there each and every day engaging with people, that creates more entry points for folks to come into our homeless response system,” he said.

Holiday said the training helped her turn long-term goals into a reality. “I feel very strongly that it created the infrastructure that I needed to take my vision to action, and we are changing lives.”

City officials say the organizations are now better equipped to reach more people and deliver more support where it’s needed most.



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Austin, TX

Final Public Input Meetings on the Community Wildfire Protection Plan Update Next Week

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Final Public Input Meetings on the Community Wildfire Protection Plan Update Next Week


The Austin-Travis County Wildfire Coalition is hosting a last round of public input meetings on the Community Wildfire Protection Plan, which is updated every 10 years.

The City of Austin released a press release about the final two meetings on Thursday. According to the release, the meetings are intended to provide an overview of the project, hear from subject matter experts, and capture public comments for incorporation into the plan.

Meeting Schedule

April 8, 6-8 p.m.; Del Valle Early College High School Cafeteria, 4715 Ross Rd.

April 9, 6-8 p.m.; St. Luke’s on the Lake Episcopal Church; 5600 RR 620 N.

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The coalition asks that residents RSVP to the meetings online and take this public survey to provide information to the coalition as it updates the plan. Anyone may take the survey, but the coalition asks individuals who plan to attend one of the sessions to fill it out beforehand.

The Community Wildfire Protection Plan identifies areas of wildfire risk, prioritizes investments for mitigation funding, and provides recommendations for hazardous fuels reduction and homeowner risk reduction practices.

Additionally, the plan offers policymakers guidance on wildfire response capabilities and evacuation planning frameworks. The Austin-Travis County Wildfire Coalition updates the plan every decade to ensure it reflects current risk conditions, data, and community priorities.

Members of the coalition include the City of Austin, Austin 3-1-1, Austin Water, Austin Fire Department’s Wildfire Division, the Lower Colorado River Authority, Austin Energy, the city’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management division, and more.

Learn more about the coalition at its website here. And stay updated on the CWPP process as it unfolds here.

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Austin, TX

Tommy’s Travel Forecast: A wet Easter weekend

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Tommy’s Travel Forecast: A wet Easter weekend


AUSTIN (KXAN) — You know the saying: ‘April showers bring May flowers’. A wetter-than-normal pattern is likely in Texas through early April, hopefully making a dent in our extreme drought, and lowering pollen totals!

It’s not just the Lone Star State; several storm systems will bring mountain snow, heavy rain, and the potential for severe weather across the country into the upcoming weekend, Saturday, April 4 through 5.

Severe Weather

The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted parts of the Southern Plains, Great Plains, and Midwest for potential severe weather on Friday. There is a level 3/5 (Enhanced) risk for cities such as St. Joseph, Ottumwa, Kirksville, Moberly, and Indianola.

Severe Risk: Friday (Level 3/5 Enhanced)

There is a growing concern for large hail, damaging winds, and an isolated tornado in the highlighted area.

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There is a level 2/5 (Slight) risk for cities such as Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Tulsa, Des Moines, and Overland Park on Friday.

Texas Travel

Traveling in Texas this weekend for Easter Sunday? Bring an umbrella and a rain jacket! Scattered thunderstorms, including a few strong-to-severe storms, are possible.

A strong cold front arrives on Saturday afternoon, bringing widespread rain chances. There is a level 1/5 (Marginal) risk for cities such as Houston, Shreveport, Jackson, Cleveland, and Buffalo.

High temperatures on Sunday will be cooler than normal. In Austin, we’ll likely remain in the 60s.

Wet Pattern

The Climate Prediction Center has high confidence in a wetter-than-normal pattern continuing through mid-April.

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Climate Prediction Center: Wetter-than-normal
Climate Prediction Center: Wetter-than-normal

A few cold shots of late winter air will cool down parts of the Midwest and Northeast in the next week, with some late-season snow possible. Most of the country is trending warmer-than-normal.



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Austin, TX

Element hotel opens in Austin, Texas' growing tech corridor

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Element hotel opens in Austin, Texas' growing tech corridor


Element North Austin (Texas) Tech Ridge has opened in one of the city’s emerging technology and business hubs. The 124-room hotel is managed by Raleigh, N.C.-based Concord Hospitality.  | The 124-room hotel is managed by Concord Hospitality.



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