ATX-SWA: Impact 11/7/2025

The air traffic control tower at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is staffed at just 45% of its target, according to U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett.

The overview: Only 27 controllers are currently assigned to a tower that needs 60 to meet federal recommendations. The Federal Aviation Administration attributes nationwide shortages to disrupted hiring and training cycles. Controller turnover remains a top issue, according to FAA reports. While the FAA plans to hire 8,900 controllers by 2028, projected departures mean only a net gain of about 2,000. 

The local lens: Those gaps have raised safety concerns. Since late 2022, the FAA has recorded six near-miss incidents at ABIA. 
Local leaders warn that without faster staffing relief, reliability and safety could suffer as Austin’s aviation demand rises.

Quote of note: “These staffing-related disruptions are now systemic, recurring with increasing frequency and intensity. ... With record-setting passenger growth and a multi-billion-dollar expansion underway, AUS cannot meet its operational or safety commitments without immediate staffing relief,” ABIA CEO Ghizlane Badawi wrote in a letter to FAA administrators.

Travis County Commissioners approved $500,000 on Nov. 5 to support families facing sharply rising food needs as SNAP benefits lapse during the ongoing federal government shutdown. More than 87,000 people in about 45,000 households are expected to be affected, with benefits totaling over $16 million monthly. County staff warned that even if the government reopens, delays will prevent immediate benefit distribution, and federal contingency funding would only cover about half of monthly allotments.

Local action taken: The funding will go to Central Texas Food Bank, which partners with more than 107 local agencies and now distributes roughly $2 million in food weekly. The nonprofit has expanded distributions for families and federal workers, using reserves to meet demand. CEO Sari Vatske said participation has roughly doubled and shows no signs of slowing.

Looking ahead: Residents in need can locate nearby mobile pantries or partner agencies using the food bank’s interactive map at www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/find-food or by calling 211. Those who want to help can make monetary donations or volunteer their time.

Construction is underway on a major affordable housing project in Whisper Valley, a sustainable master-planned community just east of Austin.

What's happening? Austin Habitat for Humanity is building 25 homes this year as part of a multiyear effort to expand affordable homeownership across Central Texas. The project will ultimately include 48 Habitat homes in Whisper Valley, supported by $1.9 million in Travis County funding.

A closer look: County Judge Andy Brown called the community “the future of housing,” noting the homes are designed to stay affordable long term while reducing energy costs through efficient design and sustainable materials.

Whisper Valley features geothermal energy, solar panels, and a 600-acre park—offering residents both affordability and environmental benefits.

Looking ahead: Habitat leaders say the initiative marks a turning point for the nonprofit, which aims to build up to 100 homes annually. The first 25 homeowners are expected to move in by spring 2026.

The owners of Creekhouse Kitchen & Bar will open Tex-Mex and barbecue food truck Neon Armadillo’s permanent spot in less than one week.

In a nutshell: Chef Adam Puskorius previously told Community Impact the brick-and-mortar will sit on a 3-acre property designed with a “Hill Country playground” vibe.

On the menu: The menu will offer smoked brisket and tri-tip, grass-fed lamb carnitas and beef burgers, al pastor-style pulled pork, and more.

• Opening Nov. 5

Hays County Commissioners Court accepted changes to election precincts following state legislation that is set to take effect in December.

What’s changed: This action comes after Texas lawmakers approved a new congressional map during a special legislative session this summer.

“What we’re doing is not redistricting; we’re ensuring our precincts comply with the National Voter Registration Act,” Hays County Election Administrator Jennifer Doinoff said in a news release. “With the changes enacted into law, we still have to remain in compliance. What we’re doing is meeting our statutory compliance in the Election Code.”

For 2025-26, the court approved 88 voting tabulation districts, with three being added and seven removed, compared to 87 voting districts in 2023-24.

Additionally, voting districts must adhere to certain regulations, such as the voter population.

“We aim to keep districts small—usually under 3,500 [voters]—so that VTDs have some resiliency to grow between redistricting sessions,” Doinoff said.