Austin Mayor Steve Adler joined KVUE Dawn to debate elevated security considerations across the lodge bought to deal with individuals experiencing homelessness.
AUSTIN, Texas — The Metropolis of Austin continues to search for options to assist individuals experiencing homelessness. However not everyone seems to be a fan of a few of the decisions the Metropolis has made.
Final week, security considerations had been raised concerning the Candlewood Suites lodge after individuals broke into the constructing and broken it. In an replace on Monday night time, Metropolis of Austin officers mentioned a contractor was cleansing up the ability and safety is on-site.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler joined KVUE Dawn on Monday to debate the way forward for the lodge and different main matters on Austinites’ minds.
Beneath is an abridged transcript of KVUE’s interview with Adler:
KVUE’s Rob Evans: Let’s discuss final week. The leaders in Williamson County introduced up some considerations concerning the security concerning the Candlewood Suites [hotel]. What’s the newest improvement on that lodge designed to … [become a] shelter for individuals who should not have a house?
Austin Mayor Steve Adler: “Nicely, , the Metropolis holds a vacant constructing in Williamson County, and it obtained damaged into and that is unlucky. The Metropolis goes to go forward and enhance on-site safety. Hopefully, it’s going to be up and working in about six months as a supportive housing condominium constructing. It’s going to be like an condominium constructing.
You recognize, there are homeless encampments in Williamson County and that should not come as a shock to anybody. They’re all around the area. This isn’t an Austin or Travis County problem, it is one which we have now to face regionally [and] all work collectively. And we’re looking for increasingly locations for individuals to be as a result of we do not need anyone in tents or encampments. We hope to work with Williamson County, hope that they supply some shelters and locations for individuals to be, too.”
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Evans: So, once more, you mentioned you consider this lodge, this Candlewood Suites, can be was housing inside just some months? Is that right?
Adler: “Yeah, I believe it is six months is the anticipated date.”
Evans: We discuss, clearly, affordability within the metropolis on a regular basis, each time we speak. But it surely’s the massive problem, proper? Council lately handed the primary revenue pilot program for $1,000 a month for 85 low-income households. Now, it is a pilot program. So, if this pilot is profitable, what do you see in the way forward for this program?
Adler: “All depends upon how a lot cash it saves, if it is profitable. What we all know, once more, is we do not need individuals in tents and out on our streets. We all know it is costly to take somebody out of a tent and get them into a house. So, what’s being examined is what if we intervene earlier? What if we’re capable of divert individuals simply earlier than they find yourself on our streets, maintain them of their home? Will that be a cheaper choice for taxpayers, in addition to be a greater choice for the people?
If it proves to work that method — and packages like this are being examined in, I believe, over 50 cities across the nation and the early outcomes appear to be encouraging — we’ll attempt that right here. See if we are able to get higher outcomes and do higher by our taxpayers.”
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Evans: One thing the unsheltered [are] clearly coping with proper now’s the unbelievable warmth, some close to record-setting warmth … Speaking about one thing just like the swimming pools — all of us need to get on the market and benefit from the waterways. However due to the lifeguard scarcity happening proper now, do you could have any concept how that is affecting the Metropolis swimming pools or the realm swimming pools, issues like that, so far as not opening at full capability?
Adler: “Nicely, what we all know is there are a variety of companies across the metropolis which can be having bother discovering staff — a variety of of us, the service trade, eating places, are coping with that problem and, actually, we’re coping with it with lifeguards. I do not know that there is been a willpower but of what the final word affect can be as a result of we’re centered on making an attempt to rent lifeguards. So, we have added elevated pay and we have added a bonus program for teenagers.
So, if any children over 16 [who] know easy methods to swim, are fascinated about having a summer time job, going by means of just a little coaching program, this can be a nice alternative. It is a fantastic summer time job. And with the bonuses, [it’s] paying higher than it is ever paid earlier than. We want of us which can be .”
Evans: Talking of the warmth, are there any plans for cooling shelters this week? … Hunter mentioned doable triple digits developing very quickly.
Adler: “I do not know the reply to that. I do know that we have now protocols in place and when temperatures attain a sure stage, we do this simply as a matter in fact.”
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This story is part of the KXAN Data Hub, where numbers help tell the whole story.
We’ve created several data-driven stories and databases on topics including weather and climate, politics, education, sports and growth in Texas. Each story in the KXAN Data Hub is updated as new data becomes available.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — KXAN is keeping track of the number of homicides in Austin.
As of Jan. 9, two homicides have been reported thus far in 2025.
Last year, 70 homicides were reported, down from 75 in 2023 and 71 in 2022. A record 88 homicides were reported in 2021.
The charts below will be updated as we learn new information. Scroll down for a map of where each homicide occurred.
The chart below shows how the number of homicides reported in recent years changed through the year.
Below is a map showing where homicides occurred in 2025. The map is interactive, so clicking on or hovering over a dot will reveal information about that incident. You can also click on a month in the top left to show only homicides that occurred during that month.
The chart below shows the number of homicides reported each month in 2025.
AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas at Austin has appointed Andrew (Andy) Maas as the new assistant vice president for technology transfer on the Discovery to Impact team, which works with world-class inventors, investors, creators and entrepreneurs to launch startups and collaborates with established businesses to accelerate new products, services, solutions and cures.
In this role, Maas will lead the University’s research commercialization and innovation initiatives and oversee the protection and commercialization of UT’s intellectual property. Reporting to Mark Arnold, associate vice president of Discovery to Impact and managing director of Texas Startups, Maas will ensure that the University’s innovations transition effectively from academic research to market applications that benefit society.
“Andy is nationally recognized for his expertise in technology licensing and commercialization, and we are pleased to welcome a leader of his caliber to the team,” Arnold said. “We have an ambitious agenda for Discovery to Impact this year — to invest early and strategically in faculty ideas and inventions that will change the world — and there is no doubt that Andy is the right person to help lead the charge.”
Maas joins UT from Louisiana State University, where he most recently served as associate vice president for research, overseeing the office of Innovation and Ecosystem Development.
Maas holds a B.S. from Brigham Young University, an M.S. from UT Austin, and a J.D. and LLM from The University of Akron.
During his career, Maas has built an engineering startup, led within the university and research foundation settings, and currently serves as the board chair of the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) – the non-profit leader in supporting professionals in the technology commercialization and research innovation space. In addition, he was the principal investigator on a $160 million National Science Foundation Engine award focused on the Future Use of Energy in Louisiana (FUEL). Maas has lectured all over the world about intellectual property valuation, economic impact, technology licensing and technology commercialization.
“This is a homecoming for me in many ways, and it’s a privilege and pleasure to be back on the Forty Acres,” Maas remarked. “Discovery to Impact is one of the premier research commercializing programs in the country, and I look forward to working alongside Mark and the team to propel our groundbreaking faculty ideas forward.”
TxDOT is working around the clock treating roadways as temperatures plummet in the Austin area.
AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Department of Transportation is working around the clock treating roadways as temperatures plummet in the Austin area.
The agency is also offering assistance at no cost to stranded drivers through its “HERO program.”
“Our crews have been out there laying saltwater mixture, which is known as brine, and also a granular substance. That’s a magnesium chloride,” says TxDOT spokesperson Antonio Lujan.
TxDOT says employees are placing the brine on major highways in Austin and in surrounding areas.
“This includes I-35, SH 71, U.S. 183, 290 East going towards Manor and then towards Dripping Springs. Some of those smaller rural roads may not have brine or that granular substance in them,” says Lujan.
Central Texans have been busy preparing for Thursday’s cold weather and possible ice, especially in the Hill Country.
Temperatures reached below 40 degrees in Central Texas on Wednesday. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson addressed the public in a press conference on weather conditions and how the city is working to keep residents safe in their homes and on the streets.
“Keeping roads safe, keeping them as safe as possible, and continuing and continuing to deliver the critical services that our community depends on,” said Mayor Watson.
TxDOT says this means staying off the roads.
“Just because they’re drivable and treated does not mean passable. Because remember that depending on how low the temperatures do get, there might be some instances where you might have some ice accumulation,” says Lujan.
In the case a driver needs assistance on the roadways, TxDOT’S HERO program does offer several services in the Austin area.
“If you are broken down on the side of the road, we can help you out by changing your tire, jump-starting your car, pushing you off the road, getting you some gas. Our emergency first responders cover for them so they can do their job,” said a HERO PM Lead Operator.
“They’re out there monitoring our roads as we speak. They’re going to be out there working longer hours during the next couple of days to ensure that we are helping anyone who’s out there stranded. And the good thing about hero is that it’s at no cost,” Lujan
TxDOT says they plan to work around the clock until weather conditions return to normal.
For the HERO program or assistance, you can dial 512-974-HERO.
The Source: Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin’s Tan Radford
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