Austin Sanders
@austinsanders.bsky.social
Journalist in Austin, TX covering City Hall, cops, housing, and local politics more generally. Currently writing for The Austin Chronicle.
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Austin Sanders
@austinsanders.bsky.social
· Nov 12
With Confidential APD Internal Investigations Records Open, Here’s What We’ve Seen So Far
First records released don’t confirm advocate or police union fears
www.austinchronicle.com
I have some ew followers here since the last time I posted and I am unsure how many people are familiar with my work, so...
I'm City Hall reporter with @austinchronicle.bsky.social. Lately my reporting has focused on cops. Particularly, on police oversight. www.austinchronicle.com/news/2024-11...
I'm City Hall reporter with @austinchronicle.bsky.social. Lately my reporting has focused on cops. Particularly, on police oversight. www.austinchronicle.com/news/2024-11...
NEW: One of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit brought against the City of Austin over a 2021 police shooting that a federal judge recently ruled could advance to trial has settled. But a trial could still happen later this year. www.austinchronicle.com/news/2025-04...
City May Face Trial Over APD “Culture of Impunity” in Misconduct Investigations
Federal judge sides with plaintiffs in key pre-trial rulings
www.austinchronicle.com
April 16, 2025 at 3:42 PM
NEW: One of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit brought against the City of Austin over a 2021 police shooting that a federal judge recently ruled could advance to trial has settled. But a trial could still happen later this year. www.austinchronicle.com/news/2025-04...
In rare decision, federal judge clears the way for City of Austin to face trial in civil lawsuit over 2021 fatal police shooting. The judge cites a "culture of impunity" at the Austin Police Department stemming from "deficient" misconduct investigations. www.austinchronicle.com/news/2025-04...
City May Face Trial Over APD “Culture of Impunity” in Misconduct Investigations
Federal judge sides with plaintiffs in key pre-trial rulings
www.austinchronicle.com
April 10, 2025 at 3:38 PM
In rare decision, federal judge clears the way for City of Austin to face trial in civil lawsuit over 2021 fatal police shooting. The judge cites a "culture of impunity" at the Austin Police Department stemming from "deficient" misconduct investigations. www.austinchronicle.com/news/2025-04...
Yesterday the Texas Senate approved a bill on a 24-6 vote that would allow the state to withhold sales tax revenue from cities for not cracking down on homeless encampments. capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/...
capitol.texas.gov
April 9, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Yesterday the Texas Senate approved a bill on a 24-6 vote that would allow the state to withhold sales tax revenue from cities for not cracking down on homeless encampments. capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/...
My HEB has taken a stand against dog culture run amok.
April 8, 2025 at 1:22 PM
My HEB has taken a stand against dog culture run amok.
Reposted by Austin Sanders
TX lawmakers and police unions are pushing legislation that could conceal records around police and jailer misconduct across the state, with the goal of reversing police oversight reforms that Austin voters resoundingly approved in 2023 boltsmag.org/austin-appro...
The secret police misconduct file known as the G file could be coming to a town near you, whether you want it or not.
Texas Law Would Make Law Enforcement Misconduct Records More Secretive
New law would create “G file” for all state law enforcement agencies
www.austinchronicle.com
April 4, 2025 at 4:02 PM
TX lawmakers and police unions are pushing legislation that could conceal records around police and jailer misconduct across the state, with the goal of reversing police oversight reforms that Austin voters resoundingly approved in 2023 boltsmag.org/austin-appro...
The secret police misconduct file known as the G file could be coming to a town near you, whether you want it or not.
Texas Law Would Make Law Enforcement Misconduct Records More Secretive
New law would create “G file” for all state law enforcement agencies
www.austinchronicle.com
April 4, 2025 at 2:52 PM
The secret police misconduct file known as the G file could be coming to a town near you, whether you want it or not.
I am trying to get a sense of how The SAFE Alliance could be affected by the freeze. SAFE operates one of the three domestic violence shelters in Austin.
Per a 2021 financial statement, SAFE received $7 million in federal grants, which was about 20% of their total program expense that year.
Per a 2021 financial statement, SAFE received $7 million in federal grants, which was about 20% of their total program expense that year.
January 28, 2025 at 7:25 PM
I am trying to get a sense of how The SAFE Alliance could be affected by the freeze. SAFE operates one of the three domestic violence shelters in Austin.
Per a 2021 financial statement, SAFE received $7 million in federal grants, which was about 20% of their total program expense that year.
Per a 2021 financial statement, SAFE received $7 million in federal grants, which was about 20% of their total program expense that year.
Local impact of the white house order freezing grants to nonprofits remains unclear. But it could devastate local orgs providing shelter and services to homeless Austinites.
Particularly The Other Ones Foundation, which operates the Esperanza Community in SE Austin that houses 100+ people.
Particularly The Other Ones Foundation, which operates the Esperanza Community in SE Austin that houses 100+ people.
January 28, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Local impact of the white house order freezing grants to nonprofits remains unclear. But it could devastate local orgs providing shelter and services to homeless Austinites.
Particularly The Other Ones Foundation, which operates the Esperanza Community in SE Austin that houses 100+ people.
Particularly The Other Ones Foundation, which operates the Esperanza Community in SE Austin that houses 100+ people.
am i really gonna have to get down to dirty 6th at 2am to see what the scene is like with car traffic...
January 17, 2025 at 3:04 PM
am i really gonna have to get down to dirty 6th at 2am to see what the scene is like with car traffic...
Reposted by Austin Sanders
My partner works for a nonprofit serving formerly unhoused people and one of the hardest things is how significantly it's cut short the lifespan of the people they serve.
A new report on homelessness in Austin found that living on the street can cut your life short by 20 years. www.austinchronicle.com/news/2025-01...
Living on the Streets Can Cut Your Life Short by 20 Years, New Report Finds
Community leaders say more housing and services will help
www.austinchronicle.com
January 16, 2025 at 9:11 PM
My partner works for a nonprofit serving formerly unhoused people and one of the hardest things is how significantly it's cut short the lifespan of the people they serve.
A new report on homelessness in Austin found that living on the street can cut your life short by 20 years. www.austinchronicle.com/news/2025-01...
Living on the Streets Can Cut Your Life Short by 20 Years, New Report Finds
Community leaders say more housing and services will help
www.austinchronicle.com
January 16, 2025 at 4:28 PM
A new report on homelessness in Austin found that living on the street can cut your life short by 20 years. www.austinchronicle.com/news/2025-01...
What’s the Austin version of “bitch I’m from the LAnd, don’t say you hate LA when you don’t travel past the 10”?
December 6, 2024 at 8:09 PM
What’s the Austin version of “bitch I’m from the LAnd, don’t say you hate LA when you don’t travel past the 10”?
Over on X, Austin's police union president posted a video where he speaks directly to the camera, with dramatic music playing in the background, declaring that Travis County's District Attorney because of this case.
In the video, the president calls on officers to stop responding to 911 calls.
In the video, the president calls on officers to stop responding to 911 calls.
Austin Police officer Christopher Taylor was sentenced to 2 years in prison yesterday for killing Mauris DeSilva in 2019. The reaction from law enforcement groups has been as expected — disappointment, outrage. An unfair process
But these reactions skirt over major checks in the justice system.
But these reactions skirt over major checks in the justice system.
December 5, 2024 at 4:40 PM
Over on X, Austin's police union president posted a video where he speaks directly to the camera, with dramatic music playing in the background, declaring that Travis County's District Attorney because of this case.
In the video, the president calls on officers to stop responding to 911 calls.
In the video, the president calls on officers to stop responding to 911 calls.
Reposted by Austin Sanders
Maurice DeSilva's death shows how ATX cops respond to mental health crises like violent crimes www.texasobserver.org/mauris-desil...
and also how APD fails to stop killer cops — the same officer who killed DeSilva then killed Mike Ramos less than a year later www.texasobserver.org/mike-ramos-a...
and also how APD fails to stop killer cops — the same officer who killed DeSilva then killed Mike Ramos less than a year later www.texasobserver.org/mike-ramos-a...
December 4, 2024 at 5:09 PM
Maurice DeSilva's death shows how ATX cops respond to mental health crises like violent crimes www.texasobserver.org/mauris-desil...
and also how APD fails to stop killer cops — the same officer who killed DeSilva then killed Mike Ramos less than a year later www.texasobserver.org/mike-ramos-a...
and also how APD fails to stop killer cops — the same officer who killed DeSilva then killed Mike Ramos less than a year later www.texasobserver.org/mike-ramos-a...
Austin Police officer Christopher Taylor was sentenced to 2 years in prison yesterday for killing Mauris DeSilva in 2019. The reaction from law enforcement groups has been as expected — disappointment, outrage. An unfair process
But these reactions skirt over major checks in the justice system.
But these reactions skirt over major checks in the justice system.
December 4, 2024 at 4:48 PM
Austin Police officer Christopher Taylor was sentenced to 2 years in prison yesterday for killing Mauris DeSilva in 2019. The reaction from law enforcement groups has been as expected — disappointment, outrage. An unfair process
But these reactions skirt over major checks in the justice system.
But these reactions skirt over major checks in the justice system.
Feels like this Dallas Morning News story is instructive for Austin journalists on how to incorporate G file materials into police coverage. It appears some of the records DMN reports on here would have been confidential in Austin if the G file was still in use. www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/2...
Dallas cop who has been investigated multiple times turns himself in on misdemeanor charge
Officer Ali Toppa, 28, was detained Thursday by Irving police on a warrant out of Dallas.
www.dallasnews.com
November 23, 2024 at 6:31 PM
Feels like this Dallas Morning News story is instructive for Austin journalists on how to incorporate G file materials into police coverage. It appears some of the records DMN reports on here would have been confidential in Austin if the G file was still in use. www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/2...
This is a good piece on what public release of formerly secret police misconduct files looks like and why you haven't really seen any explosive stories about covered up misconduct at the Austin Police Department.
One factor that warrants more exploration, however. www.statesman.com/story/news/l...
One factor that warrants more exploration, however. www.statesman.com/story/news/l...
www.statesman.com
November 22, 2024 at 3:08 PM
This is a good piece on what public release of formerly secret police misconduct files looks like and why you haven't really seen any explosive stories about covered up misconduct at the Austin Police Department.
One factor that warrants more exploration, however. www.statesman.com/story/news/l...
One factor that warrants more exploration, however. www.statesman.com/story/news/l...
Journalists at Austin's daily have won a new labor contract following a bitter three year fight with Gannett that included two strikes and arbitration.
Here's some of the benefits the Austin NewsGuild was able to secure in the contract.
Here's some of the benefits the Austin NewsGuild was able to secure in the contract.
November 22, 2024 at 2:46 PM
Journalists at Austin's daily have won a new labor contract following a bitter three year fight with Gannett that included two strikes and arbitration.
Here's some of the benefits the Austin NewsGuild was able to secure in the contract.
Here's some of the benefits the Austin NewsGuild was able to secure in the contract.
NEW: the city clerk has rejected Llanes Pulido’s petition.
Llanes Pulido and Watson’s campaign manager say it’s because the clerk’s read of Texas Election Code prohibits the kind of partial recount Llanes Pulido asked for.
Llanes Pulido and Watson’s campaign manager say it’s because the clerk’s read of Texas Election Code prohibits the kind of partial recount Llanes Pulido asked for.
And she did it.
Llanes Pulido filed a partial recount request with the City of Austin just moments ago. She's asking for a recount of votes cast at Austin's 11 precincts located within Williamson County.
The city has 48 hours to accept/deny the request.
Llanes Pulido filed a partial recount request with the City of Austin just moments ago. She's asking for a recount of votes cast at Austin's 11 precincts located within Williamson County.
The city has 48 hours to accept/deny the request.
Austin mayoral race update: Kirk Watson is the winner, for now. But Carmen Llanes Pulido, the second place finisher, can still request a recount.
Per Texas SoS deadlines, she has until tomorrow (Nov. 21) at 2pm to do that. The runoff date (Dec. 15) will not move even if a recount forces one.
Per Texas SoS deadlines, she has until tomorrow (Nov. 21) at 2pm to do that. The runoff date (Dec. 15) will not move even if a recount forces one.
November 21, 2024 at 11:10 PM
NEW: the city clerk has rejected Llanes Pulido’s petition.
Llanes Pulido and Watson’s campaign manager say it’s because the clerk’s read of Texas Election Code prohibits the kind of partial recount Llanes Pulido asked for.
Llanes Pulido and Watson’s campaign manager say it’s because the clerk’s read of Texas Election Code prohibits the kind of partial recount Llanes Pulido asked for.
And she did it.
Llanes Pulido filed a partial recount request with the City of Austin just moments ago. She's asking for a recount of votes cast at Austin's 11 precincts located within Williamson County.
The city has 48 hours to accept/deny the request.
Llanes Pulido filed a partial recount request with the City of Austin just moments ago. She's asking for a recount of votes cast at Austin's 11 precincts located within Williamson County.
The city has 48 hours to accept/deny the request.
Austin mayoral race update: Kirk Watson is the winner, for now. But Carmen Llanes Pulido, the second place finisher, can still request a recount.
Per Texas SoS deadlines, she has until tomorrow (Nov. 21) at 2pm to do that. The runoff date (Dec. 15) will not move even if a recount forces one.
Per Texas SoS deadlines, she has until tomorrow (Nov. 21) at 2pm to do that. The runoff date (Dec. 15) will not move even if a recount forces one.
November 21, 2024 at 7:19 PM
And she did it.
Llanes Pulido filed a partial recount request with the City of Austin just moments ago. She's asking for a recount of votes cast at Austin's 11 precincts located within Williamson County.
The city has 48 hours to accept/deny the request.
Llanes Pulido filed a partial recount request with the City of Austin just moments ago. She's asking for a recount of votes cast at Austin's 11 precincts located within Williamson County.
The city has 48 hours to accept/deny the request.
Reposted by Austin Sanders
Texas targets liberal enemies within UT as the university finds itself pushed to the right.
The Right-Wingification of UT
Texas targets liberal enemies within one of the top U.S. schools
www.austinchronicle.com
November 21, 2024 at 4:27 PM
Texas targets liberal enemies within UT as the university finds itself pushed to the right.
Here's a story that I'm proud to have reported. It's about the legal effort mounted by defense attorneys, prosecutors, and judges to dismiss the bogus arrests of University of Texas students protesting against Israel's genocide in Palestine. www.austinchronicle.com/news/2024-05...
How Attorneys, Advocates, and Judges Worked to Review UT Protest Arrests
Inside the effort that led to dismissal of all 57 arrests
www.austinchronicle.com
November 20, 2024 at 5:40 PM
Here's a story that I'm proud to have reported. It's about the legal effort mounted by defense attorneys, prosecutors, and judges to dismiss the bogus arrests of University of Texas students protesting against Israel's genocide in Palestine. www.austinchronicle.com/news/2024-05...
Austin mayoral race update: Kirk Watson is the winner, for now. But Carmen Llanes Pulido, the second place finisher, can still request a recount.
Per Texas SoS deadlines, she has until tomorrow (Nov. 21) at 2pm to do that. The runoff date (Dec. 15) will not move even if a recount forces one.
Per Texas SoS deadlines, she has until tomorrow (Nov. 21) at 2pm to do that. The runoff date (Dec. 15) will not move even if a recount forces one.
November 20, 2024 at 4:47 PM
Austin mayoral race update: Kirk Watson is the winner, for now. But Carmen Llanes Pulido, the second place finisher, can still request a recount.
Per Texas SoS deadlines, she has until tomorrow (Nov. 21) at 2pm to do that. The runoff date (Dec. 15) will not move even if a recount forces one.
Per Texas SoS deadlines, she has until tomorrow (Nov. 21) at 2pm to do that. The runoff date (Dec. 15) will not move even if a recount forces one.
The Caldwell/Hays Examiner, an advocacy news organization in Central Texas, won another court ruling in their case seeking to force Caldwell County to abide by the U.S. Constitution and ensure bail hearings remain open to the public. www.facebook.com/share/p/19TG...
November 19, 2024 at 5:47 PM
The Caldwell/Hays Examiner, an advocacy news organization in Central Texas, won another court ruling in their case seeking to force Caldwell County to abide by the U.S. Constitution and ensure bail hearings remain open to the public. www.facebook.com/share/p/19TG...
Here are the 11 individuals who won the chance to serve on Austin's Community Police Review Commission. They'll start meeting next year and will review critical incidents like police shootings and write disciplinary recommendations to the Chief of Police.
November 19, 2024 at 4:15 PM
Here are the 11 individuals who won the chance to serve on Austin's Community Police Review Commission. They'll start meeting next year and will review critical incidents like police shootings and write disciplinary recommendations to the Chief of Police.