ATX Pulse 7/9-15/26 (free): Austin Public Health: Foodborne Illness Not a Major Concern Currently // CapMetro Workers on Strike // Austin Tourism Expected to Remain Strong // Suspects ID'd in July 4 Weekend Nightclub Shooting // City Manager Releases Proposed Budget

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THURSDAY, JULY9, 2026 - WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2026

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

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WEATHER

Today: H: 84° / L: 75°. 64% chance of rain.

Friday: H: 93° / L: 75°. Partly cloudy. 20% chance of rain.

Saturday: H: 94° / L: 75°. Partly cloudy. 20% chance of rain.

Sunday: H: 95° / L: 73°. Partly cloudy. 20% chance of rain.

TOP NEWS

"Austin Public Health says foodborne diarrhea illness isn’t a major local concern — yet" via KUT – A diarrhea-causing illness called cyclosporiasis has made headlines this month as dozens of states report rising cases of the foodborne illness. But one of Austin’s top epidemiologists says the city isn’t yet experiencing a significant outbreak.

Austin Public Health’s Heather Cooks-Sinclair said the agency has confirmed less than 10 cases so far, which isn’t out of the ordinary compared to a typical year.

“Mostly, [cases in Texas] are related to travel to Mexico,” she said, “But periodically we do have cases of cyclospora that are … domestically acquired that are related to a food item that is consumed here in the United States, and that's usually a leafy green, sometimes a berry.”

Cyclosporiasis is caused by the parasitic, single-celled organism cyclospora. The illness isn’t contagious. People can get cyclosporiasis when they ingest water, produce or food items that have come in contact with human fecal matter that carries the parasite. That can generally be traced to farms in the food supply chain where appropriate health and safety conditions aren’t being maintained, Cooks-Sinclair said. (KUT)

"With a CapMetro strike on the table, workers say better training would improve bus service" via KUT – Brenda Jackson is a second-generation CapMetro bus driver. Her mom drove a bus. So did her aunt. She followed in their footsteps, maneuvering a hulking vehicle through Austin's streets for 25 years.

"CapMetro has been a constant in my life," Jackson said.

Two years ago, she started training new drivers. She teaches them how to operate 40- and 60-foot long buses while keeping passengers safe and responding to conflicts on board.

"Over the course of the last several years, it has gotten more strenuous out there," said Jackson. "The operators are being spat on. They're being cursed at. They're having things thrown at them. They feel unsafe at times." (KUT)

"Austin tourism market isn't expected to slow down after strong decade" via ABJ – Austin’s tourism industry has seen tremendous growth over the last 10 years. That isn’t expected to slow down anytime soon.

That’s according to Tom Noonan, the president and CEO of Visit Austin. He recently passed the 10-year mark leading the organization tasked with marketing the city as a destination for leisure and business travelers.

“We've really grown our brand a lot in the last decade, and we had a pretty good brand 10 years ago, but we've really matured as a destination over the last 10 years,” Noonan said.

The local tourism market has seen several boons in the last decade. They include the opening of the 15,000-plus-seat Moody Center, Q2 Stadium's opening with the launch of Austin FC and the University of Texas' move to the Southeastern Conference for athletics. (ABJ)

"Austin icon Matt’s El Rancho eyes major patio renovation" via AAS – One of Austin’s most famous Tex-Mex restaurants has filed plans to renovate its South Lamar Boulevard location.

According to a project registration filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the privately funded $100,000 project would add a 781-square-foot roof over the existing outdoor patio at Matt's El Rancho.

The filing lists a tentative start date of Oct. 1 and an anticipated completion date of April 1, 2027, though the permit remains under review.

“The permit is for the replacement of the existing canvas-covered patio section with a permanent structure,” owner Paul Counter told the American-Statesman via text message. (AAS)

THE BLOTTER

"Suspects identified in deadly Austin nightclub shooting on night of July 4" via AAS – Authorities identified the two people killed after gunfire erupted outside a northeast Austin nightclub early Sunday.

Authorities have identified two men accused in a shooting outside a northeast Austin nightclub that killed Layla Williamson, 19, and VT Wood-Davion Olden Hornsby, 23, according to the Travis County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff's office issued arrest warrants Friday for James Mackeise Shearrion, 19, and Kevin Curtis Parrish, 20. Both are charged with murder of multiple persons, a capital felony.

The charges stem from the shooting early Sunday morning. Deputies responded to the 9700 block of Reservoir Court around 3:54 a.m. after a 911 caller reported hearing gunfire. (AAS)

"ATCEMS: 1 in critical condition after rollover, vehicle fire" via KXAN — One person was critically injured Thursday after a vehicle rolled over and caught fire near U.S. 290. The Texas Department of Transportation said the crash was on Westbound U.S. 290 at Giles Lane/Johnny Morris Road. All lanes were closed due to the crash.

According to Austin-Travis County EMS, medics responded around 12:30 p.m. for a collision involving a vehicle fire. Austin Fire said the vehicle was on fire when crews arrived, and the driver was pinned inside.

The fire was extinguished, and AFD used rescue tools to free the trapped driver. First responders took the adult driver to the hospital with critical, life-threatening injuries. (KXAN)

"3rd person charged in connection with Sam’s BBQ shooting in east Austin: Affidavit" via KXAN –– Austin Police have arrested a third suspect in connection with a shooting outside an east Austin barbecue restaurant that left six people wounded earlier this year. Kavon Deshay Carathers, 23, was arrested July 8 and faces multiple felony charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and deadly conduct, according to an arrest affidavit and court records.

The charges stem from an April 26 shooting outside Sam's BBQ at 2000 E. 12th St. that investigators say began as a fight between two men and escalated into a gun battle involving three people. More than 100 people, including children and other bystanders, were gathered in the area when shots were fired, according to police.

Austin Police said six people were hit by gunfire. Victims suffered wounds to the head, back, calf, leg and more. One of the alleged shooters, Dalin Harris, was also shot in the arm and leg, police said. Investigators previously identified Wesley Brown and Harris as participants in the shooting.

According to affidavits, police allege Brown and Harris exchanged gunfire after a fight in the street outside the business. Carathers is accused of joining the confrontation and firing a handgun at Harris during the exchange. Detectives said witness statements, social media evidence, cellphone records, surveillance and bystander video helped identify Carathers as the third shooter. (KXAN)

"Former Austin teacher gets 16 years for child pornography possession" via AAS – A former Austin school district elementary teacher was sentenced to 16 years in federal prison Friday after being convicted of receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material, federal prosecutors said.

Carl David Innmon, 51, formerly taught fifth grade at Baranoff Elementary School. He also was sentenced to 10 years of supervised release.

A digital forensic analysis of seized devices determined that Innmon, 51, possessed more than 16,000 files depicting child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, on a laptop and 349,728 additional CSAM files on an external hard drive. (AAS)

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