ATX PULSE 1/15/25 (free) (sponsored by TX Flyover): Fire Union President: Austin at Similar Fire Risk as LA // Water Outage in Manor Cancels Elementary Class // ATX Rents Expected to Increase in 2025 // 7 Arrested in Crime Spree // Bastrop Mayor Resigns

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2025

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

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TODAY’S WEATHER

H: 59° / L: 37°. Warm up for now, then very cold weather ahead. Latest forecast from Fox 7 Austin’s Zack Shields here.

TOP NEWS

“Water outage in Manor: Elementary school cancels classes” Fox 7 Austin

“‘Need to do something now’: President of AFA warns Austin could experience fires similar to LA” KXAN

“Average rent predicted to increase across ATX metro in 2025” CBS Austin

“Journal Profile: Robert Clark aims to boost public safety in Central Texas” ABJ ($)

THE BLOTTER

“Seven arrested in Austin crime spree involving carjackings and burglaries” KVUE

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

“Bastrop mayor resigns amid controversy, upcoming recall election” KXAN

“Austin Energy secures $15M grant to install 200 EV charging stations in underserved areas” CBS Austin

“Eminent Domain: 100-year-old pipeline deal disrupts Round Rock neighborhood” KXAN

“Hays County could have jail-based competency restoration program by summer” KXAN

“San Marcos celebrates completion of a major drainage project to prevent flooding” CBS Austin

BUSINESS NEWS

“CBRE to buy coworking firm Industrious at $800M valuation” ABJ ($)

“SpaceX launch postponed: Starship's 7th test flight delayed to Wednesday. See schedule” USA Today

“Cedar Park-based Firefly set to launch lunar lander early Wednesday morning” KVUE

“Alamo Drafthouse lays off employees as part of restructuring initiative” KXAN

OTHER NEWS

“More native plants coming to popular Austin trail” KXAN

LOCAL SPORTS

TEXAS FOOTBALL: “Texas football WR Isaiah Bond declares for NFL Draft” AAS ($)

TEXAS FOOTBALL: “Texas football Safety Michael Taaffe to return for senior season” AAS ($)

QUICK LINKS

~ $17.8 million in food funding for Austin-area kids is on the line when the Legislature convenes - Austin Monitor

~ Over 2,000 cases of chicken broth sold at Walmart recalled in 242 stores, including Texas - Austin American-Statesman

~ Report sees strong growth for life sciences jobs and real estate throughout Austin - Austin Monitor

~ Costco's project in Liberty Hill could be finished by the end of the year - ABJ

~ JD's Supermarket could be part of big mixed-use project south of Austin - ABJ

~ New Smithville workforce center to provide more resources for locals - Community Impact Austin

~ Rainey Street in downtown Austin closed to pedestrians and traffic due to gas leak - Austin American-Statesman

~ Austin's rank slips on respected list of 'best-performing' cities - ABJ

~ Northwest Austin sees year-over-year uptick in December home sales - Community Impact Austin

~ Pflugerville Community Development Corporation to launch support center for local businesses - Community Impact Austin

~ Gas leak prompts AFD response in Downtown Austin - KVUE

~ New BARk House Social to feature hangout for both dogs, humans in East Austin - Community Impact Austin

~ Leander ISD officials discuss repurposing facilities, opening enrollment - Community Impact Austin

~ East Austin thrift shop raising money to help relocate after lease ends - KXAN

~ APD: Officer on leave in connection with Lockhart shooting - KXAN

~ The BiG Cafe expands opportunities for its Georgetown citizens one job at a time - Community Impact Austin

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ LIVE MUSIC: Brooks & Dunn headline 2025 iHeartCountry Festival in Austin Culture Map Austin

~ CHARITY CONCERT: The Octopus Project plays for Sims Foundation, plus more Austin music picks Culture Map Austin

~ THE BLANTON: Blanton Museum sees record attendance in 2024, despite half of US museums reporting low numbers KXAN

WHAT TO DO TONIGHT

~ LIVE MUSIC: William Harris Graham (with Jon Dee Graham and The Light Aluminum). Continental Club (1315 S. Congress Ave). 9:30pm. $8 cover at the door. Info here.

~ TEXAS MEN’S BASKETBALL: Texas at Oklahoma. 9pm. Airs on SEC Network.

COOL JOB ALERT

~ Deputy Communications Director. Office of the Governor. Salary: $143k-$150k. Info / apply here.