Insurers in Texas are partnering with aerial imaging and AI companies to assess homes from the sky. Computer models parse these photos to flag moldy roofs, askew tree branches and missing shingles.

To qualify for federal money, Austin and other cities conduct what's called a point-in-time count of people sleeping outside or in emergency shelters.

Proponents of the legislation say it's necessary to ensure landlords can regain possession of their property faster. Tenant advocates warn these bills could strip renters of legal rights in a state where they currently have few.

City Council members adopted a new property code Thursday requiring homeowners to have some form of AC. Austin residents have battled record-breaking summers in recent years.

More than half of habitable land in Austin is now considered at risk of being damaged in a wildfire. That’s up from just under 40% nearly a decade ago.

The City of Austin agreed to pay Housing Connector $2.14 million over two years. The company currently operates in at least three other cities, including Dallas, Denver and Portland, Oregon.

As faith organizations across the city watch their congregations dwindle, some are wondering if their property could be used to realize a core mission: providing for those in need. It’s a trend some have termed “Yes in God’s Backyard.”

Eviction filings were up about 25% in 2024 compared to the year before. An eviction filing does not mean a renter was eventually evicted.

About two-thirds of land parcels in the city would be considered at risk of damage from wildfire, up from about 35% a decade ago. The changes would require builders to construct more homes with fireproof materials.

The city was scheduled to vote Thursday on rules that staff said would make it harder for short-term rental owners to skirt the city’s licensing requirements.