The Newscast talks up new turmoil with the Forensic Science Commission, known for being roadblocked in their Todd Cameron Willingham investigation, and delves into the Hustle's breakdown of Mayor Lee Leffingwell's campaign promises. All this plus a (pretty bad) Alex Jones impersonation. Jordan Smith and Wells Dunbar are your totally awesome hosts.
The Newscast is surveying the fallout from the Nathaniel Sanders IIshooting this week, along with changes afoot with Austin Energy, as told by assistant news editor Nora Ankrum. All this, plus the latest shenanigans from your city legal department. As always, Jordan Smith and Wells Dunbar are your totally awesome hosts.
The Newscast mulls the breaking APD decision regarding officer Leonardo Quintana, who shot and killed Nathaniel Sanders. Plus, we rap about the pro-condo campaign undertaken by Will Wynn, and the new contract with the city’s fire department. Keep listening for our killer condo remix, or cop it as a separate download below!
After a bout with the Swine Flu last week (eek!), the Newscast is back with mad agenda items: the collapse of the yogurt shop prosecutions, fallout from the Water Treatment Plant No. 4 decision last week, and more on council's prohibition on police-performed blood draws.
As if Texas' State Board of Education was wanting for excitement: perennial-candidate-in-the-making Josiah Ingalls has announced he’s making a bid for the SBOE’s District Five seat.
Former City Council member Jennifer Kim, who lost her re-election bid to Randi Shade in 2008, has taken an altogether different post-council career path: becoming a saleswoman for Mary Kay cosmetics.
The Newscast inveighs on all things hemp, with a Reefer Madness breakdown of a laughable hemp "bust" in DC. The City Hall Hustler breaks down the upcoming city budget, rate by rate, and (yet more) controversy roils the Fire Department. Jordan Smith and Wells Dunbar are your totally awesome hosts.
At the new City Council's inaugural meeting this morning, the biggest nod to Mayor Lee Leffingwell's past career as a pilot has to be the in-flight snacking provided by Randi Shade – a bulk box of individual bags of pretzels.
It's never a good sign when the speakers at a press conference lead off by acknowledging it must be a slow-news day; otherwise, why are there so many people here?
But words to those effect were the first thing out of the mouth of new mayor Lee Leffingwell, at an AM presser unveiling – literally – the first of 500 planned parking paystations destined to send old school parking meters the way of the dodo. After introductory remarks from assistant city manager Robert Goode, Leffingwell and council member Laura Morrison pulled the bright red wrap off the kiosk – after the requisite amount of fumbling. "Scotch tape," Leffingwell said later.
Transportation director Robert Spillar then enumerated the benefits and wizardry of the machinery: solar-powered, accepting of coins and credit cards alike, and on a wireless connection that alerts the city when service is required. Spillar also expects the machines to free up the number of parking spots Downtown, as cars are no longer beholden to individually metered spots along the street. Also, you take your time with you, in the form of a sticker printout: when you're done on Second Street, if there's time left on your printout, you can use the same one to park elsewhere.
After some dreadfully earnest questions, the event was over, but you can see the Hustle got the real exclusive! For more, read the city's press release here.
Emotions run high as Lee Leffingwell is made Austin's 51st mayor, new council members Bill Spelman and Chris Riley are inaugurated, and Mike Martinez and Sheryl Cole begin term two. Their priorities may surprise you!
With the city facing a budget shortfall of $30 to $45 million, depending on where City Council sets the property tax, a hard reckoning is around the corner. Canceling the 2010 police cadet class, increasing ambulance fees, closing seven neighborhood pools, and cutting library hours are all up for discussion – the usual assortment of fees and service reductions mulled most every budget crunch, but here, staggeringly more so.
On this installment of Hust FM, we examine the new fire chief Rhoda Mae Kerr's controversial staff reorganization from all the angles. Featuring City Council member Mike Martinez, Kerr, the Statesman editorial page, and lots more. Listen up!
It’s an emotional moment in City Hall, as badly-trailing Brewster McCracken concedes the mayor’s race to Lee Leffingwell. Will Wynn’s on hand to officiate; the Hustle catches up with the principals afterwards. Keep ya head up!
For mayoral contender David Buttross, there's still solace to be found in his election loss Saturday where he garnered 3.84% of the vote: the next day, his wife Betsy gave birth to a one Joseph Tyre Buttross, clocking in at 7 pounds, 21 inches.