Mental Health Crisis Plan Still Lags Behind Austin’s Needs

Trying to change how the emergency response apparatus handles mental health calls

"...Last summer, a report from the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute looked into how Austin's emergency response apparatus..."

July 17, 2020 News Feature by Austin Sanders

High Stress at EMS

ATCEMS saves lives every day, but the stresses of the job have high costs

"...preparations with his fiancée Stephanie Cunningham to leave Austin's EMS system for what he'd determined was a better, more..."

May 8, 2015 News Feature by Chase Hoffberger

How Austin Handles Mental Health Emergencies

Police, EMS, and Integral Care work together to serve people in psychiatric crisis

"...someone to the Judge Guy Herman Center for Mental Health Crisis Care, they're greeted in a clean, white, and..."

Dec. 15, 2017 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

EMS Staffing Shortage Nears Crisis Point

Ongoing staffing shortage worsens with Omicron surge

"...personnel were sent out for COVID testing, per an EMS spokesperson. That represents about 10% of the agency's sworn..."

Jan. 14, 2022 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Another Fentanyl Overdose Surge Overwhelms the County

Harm reduction advocates urge access to fentanyl testing strips

"...decreasing. Heidi Abraham, deputy medical director at Austin-Travis County EMS, said paramedics are responding to around 30 opioid overdoses..."

March 25, 2022 News Feature by Lina Fisher

ProLodges Saves and Changes Some of Austin's Most Vulnerable Lives

Can the city keep them open?

"...of his "ProLodge," while awaiting an appointment with the CommUnityCare street medicine team. "You've got to always watch for..."

Jan. 1, 2021 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Mobile Court Handling Low-Level Cases for Unhoused Austinites Gets a Big Boost

Two federal grants will fund the program through 2028

"...The Downtown Austin Community Court plays a vital role in the broad array..."

Dec. 13, 2024 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Life Support

The complicated system that is the Austin-Travis Co. EMS is nationally recognized for saving lives. As Austin continues to grow, can the system save itself?

"...under pressure. On the Austin Police camera video, time seems to slow as they move through their protocols for..."

Aug. 16, 2013 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Working Overtime to Provide for Unhoused Neighbors During the Coronavirus Pandemic

All shall be fed

"...Austin-Travis County EMS medics, Austin police officers, and other members of the..."

April 3, 2020 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Austin Ambulances Were Out of Service 35 Times Last Month

Understaffed EMS means ambulances can’t be manned

"...But that offer won’t cut it, according to Austin EMS Association president Selena Xie. She hopes to win a..."

Aug. 4, 2023 News Post by Austin Sanders

“Reimagining” APD and Its Huge Budget Starts Now

City Council and the city manager try to move away from policing, but is it enough?

"...as the past six weeks have made clear, the community wants APD to rethink its approach to crowd control,..."

July 24, 2020 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Council Mulls Radical Changes to Police Structure

Reimagining public safety – and how to pay for it

"...a problem that Council and city management have found themselves in amid calls to replace Chief Brian Manley: The..."

July 31, 2020 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Proposed City Budget Cuts Police Funding by $8.1 Million

Decrease falls far short of $100 million activists called for

"...in savings will be diverted to improving emergency mental health response by investing in the city’s contract with Integral..."

July 13, 2020 News Post by Mike Clark-Madison and Austin Sanders

APD Starts Shrinking

Council set to make cuts now, plan for more to come

"...into public safety alternatives to policing, like Austin-Travis County EMS. One set of proposals from CMs Alison Alter, Leslie..."

Aug. 14, 2020 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Nonprofits Step Up to Bring Unhoused to Warm Shelter

City struggles to reach people and bring them in from the cold

"...Austin neighborhood where he grew up. "We know this community because we are a part of it," he told..."

Dec. 30, 2022 News Feature by Austin Sanders

As Budget Battles Begin, APD Takes a Minor Hit

Only a small change, for now

"...in savings will be diverted to improving emergen­cy mental health response. This includes more funding in the city's contract..."

July 17, 2020 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

From the Archive: Welcome to Chaos

Originally published on Nov. 12, 1993: ATCEMS saves lives every day, but the stresses of the job have high costs

"...attends to one of the women and after introducing themselves, they begin a battery of questions and procedures to..."

May 8, 2015 News Feature by Raoul Hernandez

A COVID-Cautious Christmas

Officials urge vigilance as more health workers receive vaccine

"...cases and hospitalizations continue to rise locally, Austin Public Health leaders are urging residents to avoid gathering outside of..."

Dec. 25, 2020 News Feature by Beth Sullivan

Pro-Cop Group Submits Signatures for High-Priced Staffing Plan

Save Austin Now 2.0 eyes the ballot

"...police staffing minimums on the November 2021 ballot, 25 community groups announced their opposition to the citizen initiative...."

July 23, 2021 News Feature by Austin Sanders

The Problem With K2, Downtown Austin’s Most Dangerous Drug

APD cannot depend on big busts alone to solve the problem

"...last March had grown into something more ceaseless; Downtown paramedics and firefighters were responding to as many as 10..."

March 16, 2018 News Feature by Nina Hernandez

The Chips Are Down

Budget balancing picks up speed – and it's anything but fun and games

"...printout of 32 of the most controversial or substantial items from City Manager Marc Ott's recently released "menu" of..."

June 26, 2009 News Feature by Wells Dunbar

Toby Futrell's Budget

The staff-proposed city budget goes to council, with both breathing and wiggle room

"...million; added funds would restore four "frontline" firefighter positions. EMS, currently at $38.1 million, is a "top priority for..."

Aug. 4, 2006 News Feature by Wells Dunbar

Room for the Unexpected

With the budget season not yet in full swing, there's still time for hope

"...Forecast Potential Reductions Parks & Recreation $45,093,110 $1,963,342 4.4% Health & Social Services 41,588,858 1,772,337 4.3% Library 27,183,857 957,402..."

July 1, 2011 News Feature by Wells Dunbar

This Is Your City Budget

More police, vanishing grants, rising costs, and ... Jazzercise?

"...penny-wise, pound-foolish approach that results in sparse savings over community benefit. Shuttering Dottie Jordan Recreation Center in Northeast Austin..."

Sept. 2, 2011 News Feature by Wells Dunbar

Headlines / Quote of the Week

"...Drug Overdose Outbreak: Austin-Travis County EMS and APD responded to more than 51 suspected overdose..."

May 3, 2024 News Feature

Point Austin: The Best of Times

Cutting a city budget easier said than done

"...for the rising cost of living in Austin. It seems to me rather like blaming the neighbor's garden-rooting dog..."

May 9, 2014 News Column by Michael King

City Budget Crunch

Our discount 'menu'

"...$244,875: Reduce Austin Community College program by eliminating five vacant cadet positions and..."

June 26, 2009 News Feature by Wells Dunbar

Top 10 Police Beat Stories

Shades of Blue

"...the Austin Police Association as well as dozens of community activists – groups that in recent years haven't been..."

Jan. 4, 2008 News Feature by Jordan Smith