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 The Austin Common has partnered up with The Grower’s Guild to support the Austin1Farm Initiative, which encourages Austinites to celebrate Earth Day by planting backyard gardens. Action Box Start a garden of your very own! Share your bounty with friends, family, and neighbors (in
About The Author Janis Bookout is the Executive Director of Earth Day Austin, as well as one of the organizers of Community Resilience Trust, a grassroots coalition that came together in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the goal of making Austin a more equitable
About The Author Kara Wright is a native Texan, local nonprofit professional, conscious consumer, thoughtful human, and grateful guest on planet Earth. Action Box If you’re able, turn your stimulus check into a “personal community relief fund,” spending and donating that money in order to
About The Author Public Citizen Texas is a nonprofit organization that works to protect the health and well-being of Texans and our environment. Action Box Send an email to Governor Abbott asking him to issue an executive order banning utility shutoffs during the COVID-19 crisis.
About the author Amanda Masino, an associate professor of biology at Huston-Tillotson University, brings us this little good news update on a collaboration between local colleges to provide PPE to frontline workers. Action Box If you or your business/ organization have any PPE, you can
Summary Representative Lloyd Doggett’s office answers our readers questions about federal COVID-19 relief and the CARES Act. About the Author Amy Stansbury is the Editor-In-Chief of The Austin Common. You’ve seen the headlines. Trillions of dollars in federal aid are supposed to be coming our
Summary In this post, we highlight two businesses that are working to increase Austin’s local, sustainable, and affordable food supply – Good Apple and Lettuce Networks. Action Box Donate to Good Apple’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy program, which is working to raise $20,000 to make
Summary ARR Director Ken Snipes thanks Austin’s sanitation workers for keeping our city safe and clean and asks the public to help ensure their safety. About The Author Ken Snipes in the Director of Austin Resource Recovery, the city department responsible for residential curbside collection
Summary The need for emergency food resources has put a strain on Austin’s traditional food network, forcing the city, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits to get a bit more creative. Action Box If you want to help the growing number of Austinties in need of food, consider
Summary In this personal essay, local community activist Janis Bookout discusses the real danger of ignoring privilege in the midst of a global pandemic. About Janis Janis Bookout is the Executive Director of Earth Day Austin, as well as one of the organizers of Community
Summary In this personal essay, local community activist Janis Bookout encourages Austinites to see the power in embracing social distancing and choosing to create a long-lasting, positive impact on our local community. About Janis Janis Bookout is the Executive Director of Earth Day Austin, as
Summary The Festival Beach Food Forest is a public, fence-free piece of land in east Austin, where residents are invited to harvest and eat fresh fruits, herbs, and greens. Action Box The Festival Beach Food Forest is entirely volunteer-run. If you’d like to get involved,
