Our news philosophy is simple. With all of our coverage, we try and do the following:
Keep it local
Keep it brief
Actually explain the news
Give you clear steps for action
Keep it positive
Keep it nonpartisan
You can learn about how we actually do this by clicking on each of our story types below.
As a community-based news source, we’re here to serve you. That’s why we promise:
To follow journalistic principles of accuracy, fact-checking, multiple sources, and dedication to the truth
To immediately fix mistakes if they’re made and to be honest about how they happened
To approach our news coverage from a place of respect, civility, and kindness for our fellow Austinities
To honor the value of lived experiences (especially within marginalized communities) as well as expert testimony/ opinion
To allow for open, two-way communication between our staff and readers, ensuring that our content is relevant and useful to you
Can’t quite decide which type of news post you want to read? You can scroll through all of our latest posts below.
Summary Each year, the City of Austin develops its budget – how much money it will take in (property taxes) and how much money it will spend (and on what). Right now, the city in collecting public input for its 2021 budget. Action Box Influence
Summary Austin’s transportation plan, Project Connect, is moving forward with a series of public (virtual) meetings before a possible November election to approve and fund the plan. Action Box Learn more about the transit plan and give your feedback by attending one of Capital Metro’s
About the Org Keep Austin Together is an initiative to provide prepared meals to Travis County residents who have been impacted by COVID-19. Action Box Help distribute meals to Austinites impacted by COVID-19. Click this box to sign up to volunteer. Remember when we told
About the Org Environment Texas is a nonprofit organization that makes the case for our environment and helps regular people make an impact—through petitions, emails, letters, phone calls and more. Action Box You can learn more about Environment Texas’ 100% renewable campaign and find out
Summary The Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) has partnered with Dell Medical School to provide holistic health care opportunities to its residents, even during the pandemic. Action Box The team at HACA is trying to share this health care model with other
Summary Looking for a quarantine activity? The city’s virtual library provides free access to thousands of e-books, movies, and educational resources. Action Box Start learning, reading, and discovering today! Get your free e-library card here. Who else could use a little distraction right now?
This post comes to us from one of our readers, Scott Johnson. Scott is a local community climate advocate who is passionate about sharing fact-based, well-researched information on climate change. Back in March, he collaborated with the Sierra Club to host an event featuring KXAN
![[Re]Verse Pitch Winners](https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/media.theaustincommon.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/16151559/ReVerse-Pitch-Winners-300x300.png)
Summary In this guest post, Austin Resource Recovery reveals the winners of the [Re]Verse Pitch Competition, which challenges Austinites to turn “waste” materials into the foundations of new business enterprises. About The Author This post was written by Austin Resource Recovery, our city’s trash, recycling,
As millions more Americans are starting to figure out, navigating the process of applying for government benefits or accessing nonprofit services can be extremely difficult… especially in times of crisis. That’s what 2-1-1 is for. Since 1996, the United Way’s 2-1-1 call center
Summary Home gardening is definitely having a moment right now. Kourtney explains how to jump in on the trend, even if you live in an apartment or don’t have much cash to spend on supplies. About the Author Kourtney Elaine is a Visual Designer +
The website connects skilled tech volunteers with those in need in order to make critical community connections during the COVID-19 crisis. Do you work for a nonprofit that needs help with their online presence? Hungry for social media help? Or design work? Simply visit the
Now that classes have moved online for local students, there are thousands of Austinites in jeopardy of missing out on their education because they lack access to a computer. Luckily, there’s a way you can help. AISD has partnered with Austin Free-Net and Ruckify (a peer-to-peer rental marketplace)
