Local officials from across the Central Texas region met in East Austin Friday to iron out their Formula One action plans, particularly when it comes to transit on race weekend. The U.S. Grand Prix is set to make its first mark in Austin Nov. 18. More than 72,000 people are expected to attend.
7/13/2012 - By: Jeff Stensland
F1 races towards Austin: Austin leaders feel a lot more confident as the city races toward hosting its first Formula One race. YNN's City Reporter Jeff Stensland recaps what leaders learned from the British Grand Prix.
7/11/2012 - By: Jeff Stensland
F1 races towards Austin: The Grand Prix, which took place near London this weekend, is very similar to the race planned in Central Texas, but there will be some definite differences. F1 campers are just one sight you will not see in Austin, come November.
7/10/2012 - By: Jeff Stensland
Officials with the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport are now allowed to spend $60 million to improve the airport and Austin City Council is considering whether to pay for the relocation of several historic homes from the Rainey Street neighborhood. YNN's Jeff Stensland explains those stories and more.
5/9/2013 - By: Jeff Stensland
Switching Austin Energy's operations to an independent board of directors is not as easy as the mayor had hoped. The plan before the city council now appears almost opposite of what Lee Leffingwell first introduced. YNN's City Reporter Jeff Stensland explains.
5/7/2013 - By: Jeff Stensland
It's not every day teachers can take a field trip just steps away from the classroom. Then again, not every school has it's very own cave. YNN's City Reporter Jeff Stensland shows us what students at Bowie High School stand to learn if the city council gives the go-ahead to allow access to campus’ on-site natural wonder.
4/11/2013 - By: Jeff Stensland
Austin City Council wants to improve air quality, and city leaders need you to speak up as they establish new standards. YNN's City Reporter Jeff Stensland explains why cleaning the air will take cooperation from communities hundreds of miles away.
7/17/2012 - By: Jeff Stensland
Just months old, the new Austin Animal Center is already hundreds of animals over capacity. City officials are now trying to think outside of the box, asking Austinites to pitch in ideas to help alleviate some of the overcrowding issues facing the city shelter.
6/26/2012 - By: Jeff Stensland
Want to have a say in how local government handles health concerns? This is your chance. City leaders are asking for the public's opinion when it comes to future health planning and how they can improve and do more. Our Jeff Stensland shows how Austinites can "Speak Up" and have their voices heard.
6/26/2012 - By: Jeff Stensland
The rumors are true. Google's ultra-fast fiber optic network is coming to Austin and will debut in mid-2014. Mayor Lee Leffingwell made the announcement at a joint press conference with Google Tuesday morning. Shortly after Google's announcement, AT&T announced that it intends to build a one gigabit fiber network in the Capital City.
4/9/2013 - By: YNN Staff
City leaders want to change how they manage special events in Austin, and they want to hear what the public thinks. As YNN's Chris Cybulski reports, the leaders hope to address problems with the permitting process and road closures.
4/8/2013 - By: Chris Cybulski
When Austin Energy switched billing systems in 2011, the company discontinued the practice of cutting off service to those behind on payments. That grace period is now over and a spokesperson told YNN that about 25,000 people could have their power turned off.
4/5/2013 - By: Jeff Stensland
In 2012, the City of Austin has netted nearly $250,000 from part-time taxi zones along 10 blocks in Downtown Austin. YNN's Jeff Stensland takes a look at where the tickets are being issued and concerns over the zones' signage.
4/4/2013 - By: Jeff Stensland
Council Wrap: The Austin City Council voted 5-2 Thursday to repeal the contentious Project Duration Ordinance. The city's ordinance ruled a project was dead if no significant progress was made three years after approval. The state's requirement is five years. While developers were in favor of the repeal, environmentalists and neighborhood associations say it will compromise the city’s most notable laws. The council also voted in a new pilot parking program for Austin businesses and to waive toll road fees during emergencies.
3/29/2013 - By: Jeff Stensland
Austin's mayor and chief of police stood in unison Thursday calling on lawmakers in Washington D.C. to support universal background checks for the purchase of firearms. They specifically called out lawmakers who say they are for public safety, but oppose the background checks.
3/28/2013 - By: LeAnn Wallace
Austin City Council learned Thursday of several proposed changes to the crown jewel of Austin's park system--Barton Springs Pool. However, the changes are not allowed under the current Save Our Springs ordinance, a 20-year-old guideline to protect the water quality of the pool. YNN's Jeff Stensland explains.
3/28/2013 - By: Jeff Stensland
In 2011, Austin City Council approved with a split vote new guideline for downtown developers seeking kickbacks from the city. The same council members are frustrated that those guidelines are still not on the books, and projects are moving ahead under old regulations.
3/26/2013 - By: Jeff Stensland
A audit into wages has found more than $6,000 dollars owed to workers at the site of the new J.W. Marriott Hotel. Our Jeff Stensland explains why some Austin leaders are not convinced the developer will hold up its end of a 2011 bargain regarding pay.
3/23/2013 - By: Jeff Stensland
From a holiday staple gaining longer legs to expiration dates for dormant construction projects, the Austin City Council battled a lengthy agenda Thursday with their longest meeting so far this year. YNN City Reporter Jeff Stensland catches us up on the decisions made by council during Thursday's meeting.
3/22/2013 - By: Jeff Stensland
Austin City Council will consider repealing rules that limit the amount of time an approved development can sit idle. YNN's City Reporter Jeff Stensland explains why a move to ward off potential lawsuits has environmentalists and neighborhood advocates in an uproar.
3/21/2013 - By: Jeff Stensland
Austin City Council approved Thursday nearly $1.7 million in tax breaks for National Instruments on the condition that they create about 1,000 jobs as part of an expansion. The expansion is expected to involve about $80 million in capital investment and the construction of a 300,000 square-foot facility near the company's site in North Austin.
3/8/2013 - By: YNN Staff
Ahead of South by Southwest, a major annual event expected to bring hundreds of thousands of people to town, City Council is changing the new ordinance which regulates short-term rental of homes and apartments.
3/6/2013 - By: Jeff Stensland
Three Austin residents will be named Monday to the first 10-1 Applicant Review Panel.
3/4/2013 - By: YNN Staff
An East Austin community pool is taking a step backwards. Plans for the new Bartholomew Pool in East Austin's Windsor Park neighborhood are going back to the drawing board.
3/2/2013 - By: Jeff Stensland