“We are ready. We’re prepared.” — Bob Kahn, Austin Energy’s General Manager
Austin and Travis County officials walked through several different disaster plans yesterday during a weather preparedness exercise.
Mayor Kirk Watson said he was pleased with what he saw, but he also noted community communications could still use some work.
“While I wouldn’t list as a failure, I would list as something we’re always seeking to improve and therefore probably always looking at that is something that how do you make it a strength.” — Austin Mayor Kirk Watson
Plan ahead for winter weather with four steps.
The Austin Police Department fired Officer Christopher Taylor on Wednesday, a day after a judge sentenced him to two years in prison for the 2019 shooting death of a mentally ill man. (Austin American-Statesman)
Christopher Taylor’s conviction, sentencing, and now firing have Austin Police Association President Michael Bullock sending a strong message:
“I believe the Austin Police Department must stop responding to mental health calls.” (CBS Austin)
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) is temporarily shutting down another Austin massage business for suspected human trafficking.
The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) is increasing the MoPac Express toll lane’s base rate from $0.57 for each segment to $0.65 per segment, a spokesperson confirmed. That new rate will take effect Jan. 1. (KXAN-TV)
Road closures are underway as part of the Interstate 35 expansion near downtown Austin, beginning with a portion of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Two people were injured following a rollover collision in northwest Austin Wednesday night.
It happened at around 7 p.m. in the 6000 block of N FM 620. (CBS Austin)
According to an arrest warrant affidavit, a 39-year-old man told police he had no remorse after he was accused of killing another man in north Austin last week.
Rippley allegedly had “past disturbances” with another homeless man under a bridge in the 1200 block of West Palmer Lane on November 25.
The victim was in his 40s and had been shot multiple times.
Rippley is charged with first-degree murder and in being held on a $1 million bond. (KXAN-TV)
A Pflugerville woman was arrested last weekend for driving while intoxicated with her infant child in an unsecured car seat. (CBS Austin)
Dripping Springs has seen a rash of auto thefts lately. (KXAN-TV)
A West Austin homeowner found Amazon deliveries dumped behind her home, ripped wide open. (KXAN-TV)
More people are finding permanent homes through Austin’s homeless shelter program. (KVUE-TV)
Central Texas Tesla employees on the Cybertruck production line were unexpectedly given three consecutive days off this week for unknown reasons. (MySanAntonio)
A new multi-family development is slated for South Lamar.
AER, an eight-story building, will house 375 units — 45 of which are affordable and will be situated about three miles south of downtown. (Virtual Builders Exchange)
A Dallas-based industrial developer has plans to turn the former Cypress Semiconductor Corp. building in Round Rock into a 293,000-square-foot industrial park.
The project stands to breathe new life into the long-shuttered Cypress campus, which closed in 2008 after 20 years and left more than 200 people without work. (Austin Business Journal)
Travis County, the city of Austin and Greater Good Charities are combining forces this week to host free spay and neuter clinics for dogs and cats today, tomorrow and Saturday. (Austin Monitor)
The newest and largest H-E-B store in Central Texas opened its doors for business yesterday in South Congress.
Meanwhile, city officials in Buda approved a zoning change to allow for a new H-E-B at I-35 and Main Street.
The cities of Austin and Limerick, Ireland, are taking the next step in their relationship…the two are officially becoming Sister Cities this week. (KXAN-TV)
The CEO of The Trail Conservancy has resigned after less than six months on the job.
Kimberly McNeeley had previously served as director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department until her resignation in May. (Austin Monitor)
JetBlue Airways has canceled its nonstop route between Austin and New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport. (KXAN-TV)
Influenza is making the rounds in Austin. (Austin American-Statesman)
Meanwhile, cedar fever is hitting Central Texas earlier than usual. (Lonestar Live)
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
Dreaming of a white Christmas? Head north.
Texas House Republicans will meet privately Saturday to determine whether there is enough support to elect a House speaker for the upcoming legislative session without votes from Democratic House members. (Austin American-Statesman)
Texas lawmakers are re-filing bills to decriminalize fentanyl test strips. (KXAN-TV)
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced Wednesday that lawmakers in the state Senate would move to ban all forms of consumable tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, in Texas.
A Texas lawmaker has introduced a bill prohibiting minors from using social media accounts as school districts become a “hunting ground” for online dangers. (Texas Tribune)
CenterPoint Energy customers in Texas will see a slight increase on their natural gas bills for December, as new rates go into effect. (Lonestar Live)
A Texas jury on Wednesday sentenced a man to death for killing and dismembering three people whose bodies were found in a burning dumpster in Fort Worth in 2021. (Lonestar Live)
A Houston attorney is facing charges after shooting and killing his son. Michael C. Howard told police he thought his son, who had Down’s Syndrome, was an intruder. He then burned the body and buried it.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has released a list of more than 100 teachers under investigation and suspected of fraudulent teacher certification practices. This action follows a recent scandal involving a large-scale cheating scheme in Harris County.
Three Fort Cavazos soldiers were arrested and charged with human smuggling after attempting to bring in three undocumented people across the U.S.-Mexico border last week. (Austin American-Statesman)
SPORTS
The Texas Longhorns edged N.C. State at the SEC-ACC Challenge in Raleigh last night, 63-59. Freshman guard Tre Johnson led with18 points. Texas improves to 7-1 on the season.
Up next: the Longhorns host UConn Sunday afternoon.
On the women’s side, No. 4 Texas will be in Indiana tonight to face Notre Dame at 6:00 p.m. (Texas Longhorns)
UT Austin students share their excitement as the Saturday’s SEC Championship game draws near.
Can Texas get revenge on Georgia?
The Spurs, Mavericks and Rockets in the NBA all had Wednesday night off. Tonight, Dallas is in Washington, San Antonio hosts Chicago and Houston is at Golden State.
On the ice last night, the Dallas Stars blew an early lead and lost on the road in Los Angeles, 3-2. (Yahoo! Sports)
One small Texas town was the home of one of the biggest voices in radio in the Lone Star State.
