
Luz Moreno-Lozano
City Hall ReporterWhat I cover
The City of Austin is home to nearly 1 million people. The city is represented by 10 council member districts and a mayor. My work is focused on highlighting the decisions the 11-member City Council makes and how that affects the people of Austin. That can include decisions about housing, child care, homelessness and public safety. I am interested in covering affordability in Austin more closely and how the decisions being made by the Austin City Council are impacting working people and people of color.
My background
Before joining KUT, I spent five years covering communities for the Austin American-Statesman. I focused on Austin’s wealthy suburbs to the west before moving to covering growth and equity issues in East Austin and Hays County. I was also a National Press Foundation Widening the Pipeline fellow from 2022-2023, during which I learned from field experts on a variety of topics from data journalism to career guidance.
I have spent most of my career covering communities and local politics. I began in 2013 working as a general assignment reporter for a small paper just outside San Antonio. I covered everything from city and county politics to high school sports and community events.
I was born and raised in San Antonio (where the good tacos are). I graduated from Texas A&M University (WHOOP!) with a degree in communication and a minor in Journalism.
Journalistic ethics
Like my colleagues, I am committed to upholding the standards of integrity. While on assignment, I identify myself as a reporter for KUT and do my best to get as many voices as I can so we get a full picture of what’s happening. I always ask permission when recording interviews over the phone and make sure to ask for full name and pronunciation.
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The higher tax rate would generate nearly $110 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year to help reduce homelessness, improve parks and enhance public safety.
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Large public events like the ACL festival can impact park ecosystems and the health of the grass. But with the right approach the turf can be pretty resilient.
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As part of the ceasefire deal, Hamas agreed to free the last living hostages, who have been captive for more two years, in return for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Hamas will also return the bodies of 28 dead hostages.
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The center's location near I-35 and Oltorf Street is raising concern among neighbors.
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The Other Ones Foundation offers shelter and job training for people looking to find a way out of homelessness.
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Austin officials said added security cameras have helped reduce crime and that expanding the program to more parks across the city could be beneficial.
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The city-commissioned study found that moving costs can range from $3,100 to $15,000 depending on the size of the home. Austin’s relocation assistance program provides up to $6,000 per household.
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Austin set a goal to divert 90% of waste away from landfills by 2040. But only about 37% is being diverted.
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The Department of Justice is investigating if Austin engaged in employment practices that discriminate based on race, sex, color and national origin, which is a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
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The city will not renew its contract with the nonprofit Urban Alchemy after staff misrepresented some data. The contract is set to expire at the end of September.