@SamCStark profile picture
Sam C. Stark @SamCStark

Local government reporter at Austin Current

Joined July 2021
  • Tweets 245
  • Following 428
  • Followers 373
27 Photos and videos
A historic East Austin building once owned by Nate Paul could be demolished, but preservation advocates are pushing to preserve it. austincurrent.org/2026/06/03…

Historic East Austin Nate Paul property faces demolition

A historic East Austin building once owned by Nate Paul could be demolished, but preservation advocates are pushing to preserve it.

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Mayor Kirk Watson opposes moving forward with a 2026 bond election, arguing Austin should rebuild public trust before taking on more debt. @_AustinCurrent austincurrent.org/2026/05/29…

Austin mayor opposes 2026 bond election

Mayor Kirk Watson opposed moving forward with a 2026 bond election, arguing Austin should rebuild public trust before taking on more debt.

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Austin City Council’s private vote on peaker units draws transparency backlash austincurrent.org/2026/05/26…

Council approves controversial peaker unit plan

Council members voted behind closed doors, an unusual move that sparked backlash from environmental advocates and government watchdogs who accused city leaders of shielding a controversial public...

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Austin takes another stab at density bonus program promoting affordable housing construction austincurrent.org/2026/05/22…

Austin approves new housing density bonus program

Austin approved another density bonus program aimed at boosting affordable housing, while critics warn of neighborhood impacts.

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Sam C. Stark retweeted
ATX data
@data_atx
May 21
Incredible new article on Austin's light rail project from @_AustinCurrent Many good moments, but my favorite: The new ridership estimates are so bad and the costs so high we could buy every rider an Aston Martin instead 😂 austincurrent.org/2026/05/21…
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City staff are recommending delaying Austin’s next bond election until 2028, but several council members are backing a smaller, parks-focused proposal this fall. @_AustinCurrent austincurrent.org/2026/05/20…

Austin council weighs smaller bond

City staff want to delay Austin’s next bond election until 2028, but some council members are backing a smaller, parks-focused proposal.

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Sam C. Stark retweeted
ATX data
@data_atx
May 13
Early frontrunner for best new publication of 2026, the Current, is now on X : @_AustinCurrent A must follow for Austinites
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The city is exploring a less-sweeping approach to a controversial technology services overhaul, following vehement pushback from city employees and City Council concerns. austincurrent.org/2026/05/06…

Austin to explore alternative to IT consolidation

The city is exploring a less-sweeping approach to a controversial technology services overhaul, following vehement pushback from city employees and City Council concerns.

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Tesla’s Giga Texas water use jumped more than 200 million gallons — by almost 60% — in two years, as the massive chip plant proposal raises concerns about Austin’s strained supply. READ MORE: austincurrent.org/2026/04/10…

Musk’s Austin Tesla factory water use surges

Tesla’s Giga Texas water use jumped 200 million-plus gallons in two years. Chip plant proposal raises concerns over Austin’s strained supply.

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Hi @DirtyTesLa. I'm a reporter from @KXAN. I'd love to talk to you about your robotaxi experience yesterday. Would you be up for an interview?
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Hi @chuckcook! I'm a reporter from @KXAN. I'd love to talk to you about your robotaxi experience yesterday. Would you be up for an interview?
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Sam C. Stark retweeted
Josh Hinkle
@hinklej
17 Jun 2025
ONGOING INVESTIGATION: From breaking news to today’s developments, our @KXAN_News team continues digging into the recent threat made against Texas lawmakers. Check out our latest: bit.ly/3HKj7g2 #KXANinvestigates
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What is better than Central Texas BBQ?? This incredible piece from @KXAN_News documenting it! Check out the new documentary from KXAN, Family Beef. Special shout out to @ericmhenrikson and @TomMillerNews kxan.com/family-beef/

Family Beef

In Texas’ state-designated BBQ capital, two legendary Lockhart families run the town’s most iconic barbecue joints. Decades of interfamily feuds split them apart, with tensions still smoldering, an…

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Six people were injured in the incident. Two are in critical condition. kxan.com/news/local/austin/r…

6 injured after house explosion in northwest Austin, cause under investigation

Several first responders in northwest Austin were at the scene of a house collapse Sunday after several callers heard a loud explosion in the area.

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Widespread damage from a home explosion in northwest Austin. Officials said as many as two dozen homes were damaged, shattered windows and caved in garages can be seen around the neighborhood. 2 homes so damaged families cannot stay there tonight. kxan.com/news/local/austin/r…

6 injured after house explosion in northwest Austin, cause under investigation

Several first responders in northwest Austin were at the scene of a house collapse Sunday after several callers heard a loud explosion in the area.

kxan.com
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Sam C. Stark retweeted
Grace Reader@GraceReaderTV
1 Apr 2025
From @SamCStark -- Manor neighbors are not happy about a possible beaver eviction. This is my favorite story today: kxan.com/news/local/manor/ma…

Manor neighbors fight beaver eviction 

“We got a manager’s report that [the community management] had found a wildlife removal company, and they were going to be using that company to remove the beavers,” said Alana Webre, who has…

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Great chatting with @vanceginn about how Trump’s auto tariffs might impact auto dealerships and shops.
Vance Ginn
@VanceGinn
28 Mar 2025
Replying to @VanceGinn
Full article by @SamCStark @KXAN_News: kxan.com/news/texas/how-will…
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Family learns of plans for not one but two data centers coming to rural Hays County. kxan.com/news/local/hays/a-g…

‘A gut-wrenching feeling’: Family learns two data centers coming to rural Hays County

After finding out that two data centers are coming to a rural part of Hays County, a community is worried about how it will affect their lives. 

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A Texas council that oversees mental health care professionals in the state got rid of certain education requirements for practitioners related to cultural diversity training. kxan.com/news/texas/texas-me…

Texas mental health care council removes ‘diversity’ requirements for therapists

At a Tuesday meeting, a Texas council that oversees mental health care professionals in the state got rid of certain education requirements for practitioners related to cultural diversity training

kxan.com
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Acting Texas Governor Dan Patrick gives briefing before Beryl strikes the Texas coast tomorrow. Urges people vacationing along the coast to leave today. kxan.com/news/national-news/…
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“There will be power outages.” Officials encourage folks to charge devices before storm hits. They said to check local media outlets as the storm path will likely change.
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