Four days after a software update glitch caused millions of Windows systems around the world to crash, disrupting 6% of flights worldwide and interrupting services such as banks, hotels, media outlets, hospitals, 911 call centers, mobile apps, government services and more, CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz is facing backlash for how his company has handled its response.
The fact that this catastrophe was caused by CrowdStrike’s failure made it all the more notable that Kurtz didn’t apologize from the outset. A few hours later, he did go on the Today show to say “we’re deeply sorry,” later giving a personal apology to those impacted on another show. (That appears to be the extent of his media tour, by the way.) As reputation guru Davia Temin told me on Saturday, “What you say first counts double as that’s the sentiment people remember.”
— Diane Brady, Fortune Magazine
Many services are still scrambling to recover. Delta Airlines was one of the hardest-hit air carriers with nearly 5000 flight cancelations since Friday and were the only airline still canceling flights on Monday. There were 709 cancellations for Delta on Monday as of midday, making up 19% of Delta flights. While other airlines have managed to recover, the glitch affected a tool Delta uses to track crews, causing a massive disruption during the high demand of summer travel.
At Austin-Bergstrom International Airport yesterday, the situation was no different.
Delta is offering crew members premium pay and assuring them they’ll be back home by the end of their work period. This is in place through Friday, meaning the problem may not be fixed for several more days.
Texas’ delegates to the Democratic National Convention voted overwhelmingly Monday night to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as their presidential nominee. after President Joe Biden announced he was withdrawing from the presidential race and endorsed Harris as his replacement. Texas has 273 DNC delegates, fewer than only California and New York. Texas joins states including California, New York, Florida, Kansas and Georgia that have voted to endorse Harris. (Austin American-Statesman)
There’s been a rash of burglaries in the Austin area recently, all targeting game stores.
A man was arrested after allegedly stealing a Texas Department of Public Safety vehicle and two firearms from a DPS special agent in Austin. (KEYE-TV)
A man was arrested in East Austin after allegedly recording himself while threatening to kill a neighbor. (KVUE-TV)
The city of Austin is preparing for potential flooding as rain remains in our forecast. (KXAN-TV)
Is the “Austin rain dome” real? (Austin Monthly)
Small bobcats have appeared in some Austin neighborhoods. What do you do if you spot one? (KUT 90.5)
The City of Austin and regional transportation organizations received a nearly $48 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to aid in climate pollution reduction efforts. (KXAN-TV)
The Austin Police Department will host a meet-and-greet event with the two chief of police finalists today at the Palmer Event Center. The two finalists for chief of police are Lisa Davis, who was the Assistant Police Chief of the Cincinnati Police Department, and Jefferey B. Norman, who was the chief of police for the Milwaukee Police Department. (KXAN-TV)
The Austin Fire Department responded to four large house fires in a 26-hour period over the weekend. (Fox7 Austin)
Travis County officials plan to conduct multiple prescribed burns this week at the East Service Center in east Austin. (KEYE-TV)
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson has officially filed for reelection. (KVUE-TV)
Austinites will likely consider more than a dozen ballot measures to adjust city election and government processes this November. (Community Impact)
Austin’s Diversity and Ethnic Chamber Alliance (DECA) has secured a commitment from two local banks to loan $1 million to member small businesses. (Austin Monitor)
The Travis County Juvenile Probation Department has proposed a $250-300 million expansion of its juvenile detention complex in South Austin. (Daily Texan)
A home in East Austin, identified as using folk Victorian architecture, and built between 1888 and 1897, has been denied historic designation by Austin City Council. (Austin Monitor)
Highland Lanes, a nearly 50-year-old bowling establishment in Austin was slated to close later this year but has been given somewhat of a reprieve with a lease extension to remain at the Burnet Road location for another 18 months. (KXAN-TV)
Texas is proposing policy changes to deny bail for capital murder suspects. (KEYE-TV via MSN)
Seventeen-year-old Ricky Thompson III, the first suspect arrested in last month’s deadly shooting at a Round Rock Juneteenth celebration, is scheduled to appear in court today. (KXAN-TV)
The Austin suburb of Leander has overtaken Pflugerville among “most livable US cities”. (Austin CultureMap)
Wyatt Langford singled in the winning run in extra innings last night in Arlington as the Texas Rangers defeated the Chicago White Sox, 3-2 for their third straight victory. (Yahoo! Sports)
The Houston Astros, meanwhile, dropped their opener at Oakland last night, losing to the A’s, 4-0. (Yahoo! Sports)
The Texas Longhorns rowing and volleyball squads visited the White House yesterday after both squads won NCAA championships. (KXAN-TV)
The Texas Sports Hall of Fame Selection Committee has nominated six-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion Erica Anders to their 2025 primary ballot. (SpeedSport)
A look at the history of movie theatres in Austin.
