Headlines

Juan Valdez helps his 16-year-old daughter, Sofia, put on her costume before she performs with the Ballet Folklorico de Mari Cruz at the 38th annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration last Saturday, Sept. 17. The festival, put on by the Fiestas Patrias of Austin, marks Mexican Independence Day with a slate of activities and a lineup of Tejano bands. (Photo by Jana Birchum)

City Council returns today, Thu., Sept. 22, after passing the FY 2017 budget last week. A host of controversial items, including the Cactus Rose Mobile Home Park and the Grove at Shoal Creek zoning cases, are expected to make the night a long one. See " Grove at Shoal Creek Inches Forward" and "After Numerous Delays, Cactus Rose Zoning Case Heads to Council".

Tom Smith – known universally as "Smitty" – announced his retirement as director of the Texas office of Public Citizen. Smith has held the office since 1985, and at 67, he says, "My spirit's willing, but my body is worn out." He'll remain in the job until the advocacy organization finds a suitable replacement.

Matthew Michaelson, the Austin Police Department officer who shot William Elliott Mann on March 20 after APD received reports of a knife-wielding man threatening people near Rund­berg and I-35, resigned Friday just before a disciplinary hearing was scheduled for the incident.

Charles Tucker, 10-year APD veteran, was suspended for three days on Tuesday for hitting a pedestrian with his squad car on June 30 while taking a ride on East St. Johns Avenue.

No AISD bond election next May, as the board rejected a proposal on Monday from the Facilities and Bond Planning Advisory Committee for a quick election to relieve chronic overcrowding in North and Southwest Austin schools. Trustees are leaning toward November 2017.

The city has appointed Brion Oaks as the first chief of its new Equity Office, which is dedicated to addressing disparities in access to city services. Oaks served as vice president of health equity for the American Heart Association's southwest chapter and currently serves on the Central Texas Diversity Council. He takes the post on Oct. 17.

Travis County Commissioners Court approved Central Health's 2017 budget and property tax rate on Tuesday, Sept. 20, by a 4-0 vote. The $240 million budget includes investment in enhanced primary health care and a commitment to better serving low-income women.

The family of Sandra Bland reached a settlement with the state of Texas and Waller County that will provide them with $1.9 million for the wrongful death of their daughter in police custody. The agreement also requires that the Department of Public Safety provide its officers with de-escalation training, and that Waller County staff its jails with a nurse or EMT at all times.

Texas is misleading voters about photo ID rules and must rewrite its public information materials, U.S. District Court Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos ruled this week. The current materials are misleading and could stop people from voting.