Austin will have a new police chief in Lisa Davis, current assistant chief of police in Cincinnati.
“Being transparent and approachable, having integrity in all I do, and being honest and collaborative are foundations in my career and life. I am also a progressive, forward thinker who isn’t afraid to push the status quo when it comes to innovative ideas and strategies that serve the community.”
— Lisa Davis, Cincinnati Assistant Police Chief Lisa Davis
Reaction in Cincinnati…
Currently, in the United States, women make up around 12% of sworn officers and only 3% of police leadership, according to the 30×30 Initiative — a national coalition working to increase the representation of women in police recruit classes to 30% by 2030.
— KXAN-TV
Davis’ appointment requires Austin City Council approval. Mayor Kirk Watson and council members will consider it at a special-called meeting on Tuesday. (Austin American-Statesman)
How the selection of Davis could impact women in police work. (KXAN-TV)
Reaction from Austin city leaders…
A major traffic alert for local drivers this weekend: a portion of Interstate 35 North was closed last night and has since reopened but will close again Monday and Tuesday nights.
Starting at 11 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, I-35 North from U.S. 183 to Hermitage Drive will be closed until 5 a.m. (KEYE-TV)
The Texas Department of Transportation debuted new design changes this week to its Interstate 35 Capital Express Central project, following some concerns floated by area residents.
Murder charges have been filed against a Cedar Park man accused of selling fentanyl-laced pills. (KVUE-TV)
A 23-year-old man has been identified as the suspect in a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred in northeast Austin in June. Police say he was fleeing the scene of another crime. (KEYE-TV)
Two adults and a child were injured in a crash in south Austin Friday morning. (KEYE-TV)
Prosecutors say a fifth defendant has pleaded guilty in a North Austin mail robbery case, while a sixth suspect was arrested out of state. (KEYE-TV)
Chevron Corporation on Friday announced it is relocating the company’s headquarters from San Ramon, California, to Houston. (Fox7 Austin)
Authorities are investigating following reports of a death early Thursday at the Tesla Gigafactory in Austin. (KVUE-TV)
Elon Musk appeared in Travis County family court in Austin on Friday amid an ongoing custody dispute with the mother of three of his children. (Austin American-Statesman)
Several counties in Central Texas, including Travis and Williamson, are looking to fill poll worker positions ahead of the November election. (KXAN-TV)
Austin’s weather just did something it hasn’t for 16 years: June was hotter than July. (KXAN-TV)
The National Weather Service says a heat advisory remains in effect today.
...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 7 PM CDT THIS
EVENING...
* WHAT...Heat index values up to 111 expected.
* WHERE...A portion of south central Texas.
* WHEN...From 1 PM this afternoon to 7 PM CDT this evening.
* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat
illnesses.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of
the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.
Gov. Greg Abbott is demanding a better severe weather plan from CenterPoint Energy officials in the wake of massive and lengthy power outages.
Testifying in federal court on Friday afternoon, Texas Department of Criminal Justice Executive Director Bryan Collier agreed heat levels in state prisons lead to staff illnesses. He acknowledged that high temperatures behind bars contributed to the deaths of three inmates last summer. He called installing air conditioning systemwide “a key priority.” (KUT 90.5)
Unregulated oilfield power lines are suspected of sparking recent Texas wildfires. (Texas Tribune)
Austin City Council held a budget work session Thursday where the issue of the city’s homeless was discussed.
A new report from the Office of the City Auditor has found the city is still working toward accomplishing five recommendations to address homelessness that were suggested at least five years ago. (Austin Monitor)
The world’s largest HIV/AIDS healthcare organization has opened a new all-in-one HIV healthcare center in Austin. (Fox7 Austin)
A 41-year-old San Antonio woman was arrested by Washington D.C. law enforcement Friday afternoon for allegedly threatening former President Donald Trump while possessing a pistol without a license. (KVUE-TV)
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is calling for a special election to fill the Congressional seat of Shelia Jackson-Lee who died July 19.
Mariah Carey is bringing her annual Christmas concert tour to Austin in November. (KXAN-TV)
A local DJ retired Friday after more than 40 years on the radio in Austin. (KUT 90.5)
After filming scenes in Austin and Lockhart, the prequel to “Yellowstone” now plans to film more in Central Texas this month. (Austin American-Statesman)
Austin City Limits Musical Festival released the daily schedules for both weekends in October. (KEYE-TV)
Guaranteed of a spot in the Leagues Cup Round of 32, Austin FC will face the runners-up from West Group 7, which could be any of Los Angeles FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, or Club Tijuana depending on what happens when Vancouver and Tijuana play each other tonight. (Austin FC)
The Texas Longhorns are ready for the SEC spotlight. (Austin Business Journal)
The Longhorns announced their non-conference schedule for the 2024-25 basketball season, their first in the SEC. (Burnt Orange Nation)
Will Austin become the next MLB city?
The Texas Rangers’ woes continue. They dropped their series opener last night to the Boston Red Sox, 11-6, putting them six games under .500. (Yahoo! Sports)
Houston got by Tampa Bay, 3-2, as pitcher Yusei Kikuchi made his Astros debut. (Yahoo! Sports)
Texas’ Ryan Crouser is hunting for history as the first three-time Olympic champion in the shot put. (Dallas Morning News via MSN)
A North Texas skeet shooter is aiming for their fourth Olympic gold medal in Paris. (KENS-TV)
By 1895, the City of Austin had completed its proposed water and electric distribution systems. On May 6, 1895, switches were thrown to illuminate the now-iconic moonlight towers — 31 in all — a truly historic way to mark the start of the city’s electric utility. A celebration was later held on July 4, 1895 to officially dedicate the utility.
