Elle Bent

Elle Bent

Community Impact • April 8, 2024

Dripping Springs residents witness total solar eclipse

A city of Dripping Springs-led event hosted the community on Mercer Street to experience the total solar eclipse April 8. (Elle Bent/Community Impact)

Elle Bent

Community Impact • April 5, 2024

Austin ISD students become total solar eclipse experts

Bertha Sadler Means Young Women's Leadership Academy students practice use eclipse glasses, with solar filters, to look at the sun. (Elle Bent/Community Impact)

Elle Bent

Community Impact • April 5, 2024

What you need to know about Austin ISD’s preliminary budget

What you need to know about Austin ISD’s preliminary budget AISD Chief Financial Officer Ed Ramos presented the preliminary budget during a board meeting April 4, and a budget workshop took place at the same meeting. (Elle Bent/Community Impact)

Elle Bent

Community Impact • April 3, 2024

What Dripping Springs residents should know ahead of a total solar eclipse April 8

What Dripping Springs residents should know ahead of a total solar eclipse April 8 An annular solar eclipse occurred the morning of Oct. 14, and Dripping Springs residents saw the moon cover about 89% of the sun. (Elle Bent/Community Impact)

Elle Bent

Community Impact • March 28, 2024

Austinites share ideas for environmental investment plan

Austin City Council passed a resolution in February that prompted work toward investing in projects that support climate-related initiatives. (Elle Bent/Community Impact)

Elle Bent

Community Impact • March 26, 2024

Dripping Springs ISD families to see $25 increase in after-school care tuition

Dripping Springs ISD families to see $25 increase in after-school care tuition The before- and after-school programs, run by Dripping Springs ISD Community Services, saw tuition increases this year and last. These rates remain competitive with surrounding school districts, according to district documents. (Elle Bent/Community Impact)

Elle Bent

Community Impact • March 22, 2024

Austin ISD rolls out police motorcycle unit to attract more officers

Austin ISD rolls out police motorcycle unit to attract more officers Austin ISD Police Chief Wayne Sneed demonstrates the lights and sirens on a BMW motorcycle for the new fleet. (Elle Bent/Community Impact)

Elle Bent

Community Impact • March 20, 2024

Dripping Springs issues disaster declaration ahead of total solar eclipse

Mercer Street will be closed for an eclipse viewing party April 8 hosted by city officials. (Elle Bent/Community Impact)

Elle Bent

Community Impact • March 20, 2024

Development fees reduced by 20% for projects in Dripping Springs ETJ

Development fees reduced by 20% for projects in Dripping Springs ETJ A change made by Dripping Springs city officials will lessen the cost of site development fees for projects in the extraterritorial jurisdiction. (Elle Bent/Community Impact)

Elle Bent

Community Impact • March 15, 2024

Austin airport officials to update guiding signs

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport staff are changing design guidelines for signs in the facility, as a study found multiple problems that make it harder for travelers to read guiding information. (Elle Bent/Community Impact)

Elle Bent

Community Impact • March 14, 2024

Dripping Springs enacts new landscaping rules

Dripping Springs city council approved the ordinance, which will impact both commercial and residential property, on March 5. (Elle Bent/Community Impact)

Chloe Young

Community Impact • March 11, 2024

UT requiring test scores for undergraduate admissions again

The University of Texas at Austin will require standardized test scores and implement other changes to the undergraduate application process for the fall 2025 semester. (Chloe Young/Community Impact)

Elle Bent

Community Impact • March 4, 2024

Hill Country development bringing resort, research site raises environmental concerns

Mirasol Springs plans include a hotel, homes and a research site for students at The University of Texas near the Pedernales River. (Rendering courtesy Mirasol Springs)

Leander ISD

Community Impact • February 27, 2024

‘Hurting our most vulnerable population’: Texas school districts lose $300M of special ed funding

‘Hurting our most vulnerable population’: Texas school districts lose $300M of special ed funding The School Health and Related Services program allows school districts to be reimbursed for providing Medicaid health-related services to special education students, such as speech language, physical and occupational therapy. (Courtesy Leander ISD)

Elle Bent

Community Impact • February 26, 2024

Austin ISD officials discuss budget shortfall, considerations for FY 2024-25

When Austin ISD officials passed the fiscal year 2023-24 budget, it included the largest budget shortfall in years for the district to increase pay to retain teachers and staff. (Elle Bent/Community Impact)

Ben Thompson

Community Impact • February 15, 2024

Austin City Council takes step toward investing in climate goals

The resolution was drafted by council member Ryan Alter and co-sponsors of the resolution include council members Paige Ellis, Jose Velasquez, Jose "Chito" Vela and Vanessa Fuentes. (Ben Thompson/Community Impact)

Elle Bent

Community Impact • February 14, 2024

Austin airport receives $39M in federal funding for expansion

To make way for a new 20-gate midfield concourse, the South Terminal, which is home to Allegiant and Frontier flights at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, will have to be removed. (Elle Bent/Community Impact)

Grant Crawford

Community Impact • February 12, 2024

DATA: Austin airport officials report 2023 as busiest year on record

Austin airport officials said that 2023 was the busiest year ever for the airport, the second year in a row to break the record. Southwest Airlines was the busiest airline of the year. (Grant Crawford/Community Impact)

Ben Thompson

Community Impact • February 9, 2024

Austin City Council to consider investment plan for climate change, possible bond

Austin City Council to consider investment plan for climate change, possible bond If Austin City Council member Ryan Alter's resolution is adopted, city officials may consider a bond election in November to invest in the city's climate goals. (Ben Thompson/Community Impact)

Adobe Stock

Community Impact • February 8, 2024

Texas will not participate in new summer food assistance program

Texas will not participate in new summer food assistance program The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program would supplement the cost of groceries during the summer months for families, especially for families who may not be able to travel to a summer meal site. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)