ATX PULSE 12/19/24 (free) (sponsored by Nike): Austin Metro Emerges as Data Center Hub // Perry's Attorneys Urge Judge to Drop New Misdemeanor Charge // More Flights Delays Ahead? // APD Provides Update on Nov. Rape Case Spike // LPRs Help APD Catch Violent Burglary Suspects // CoA Bought 60 Acres in 2020, Most Remains Undeveloped

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

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TODAY’S WEATHER

H: 68° / L: 43°. Sunny, warm day. Latest forecast from Fox 7 Austin’s Zack Shields here.

TOP NEWS

“Emergence of the Austin metro as a data center hub shows no signs of slowing” ABJ ($)

“Daniel Perry’s attorneys urge judge to drop misdemeanor deadly conduct charge” KXAN

“Concerns of flight delays at Austin airport due to shortage of air traffic controllers” Fox 7 Austin

“What is the state of xylazine or ‘tranq’ in Texas?” KXAN

“Austin airport not expected to break records for busiest year or holiday season” CBS Austin

“More self-driving robotaxis could come to Austin in 2025” KVUE

THE BLOTTER

“APD gives context to Nov. spike in rape, highlights work combating sex crimes” CBS Austin

“Round Rock murder suspect found, arrested after victim's fentanyl overdose” Fox 7 Austin

“CapMetro van rollover in South Austin; 3 taken to hospital” Fox 7 Austin

“2 suspects arrested, 2 still wanted after violent burglary in northeast Austin” KVUE

“TDCJ correctional officer arrested, accused of performing sexual act with inmate” KXAN

“License plate readers help APD identify suspects in string of violent burglaries” CBS Austin

“Next of kin located for victim found in Lady Bird Lake: APD” Fox 7 Austin

“Two reports say three people are throwing rocks at cars on the highway” CBS Austin

“Man gets 40-year prison sentence for deadly Austin road rage shooting” KVUE

“Leander ISD bus driver hits, injures pedestrian” Fox 7 Austin

BUSINESS NEWS

“A giant development the size of five Lakeline Malls starts to rise northwest of Austin”ABJ ($)

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

“New Austin Energy plan has support of local business leaders” ABJ ($)

“‘Biggest ask yet’: Austin Transit Partnership approves $98M contract for delivery of Project Connect” Community Impact Austin ($)

“Austin went on a land-buying spree in 2020. So far, little has been built on it” KUT

“Austin eliminating 2,000 scooters making it easier for medics to do their job” KVUE

“Kyle city officials ramp up efforts to trap destructive feral hogs” KVUE

LOCAL SPORTS

TEXAS FOOTBALL: Golden: “Will a refreshed Texas football team be better against Clemson?” AAS ($)

TEXAS BASEBALL: “Texas baseball: 2025 schedule features SEC showdowns, showcase appearances” AAS ($)

QUICK LINKS

~ Father of four diagnosed with stage 4 cancer: A journey of hope, family, and resilience KXAN

~ University Baptist Church staff welcomes UT Austin student activists to dinners - Austin American-Statesman

~ ATX Ahead: 2025 Economic Outlook event coming in January - ABJ

~ City looks to expand parking and trails at Pennybacker Bridge - Austin Monitor

~ True Test expands wellness services in Leander community - Community Impact Austin

~ Season For Caring recipient Carlos Vallejo Jr. gets house remodeled by CG&S Design-Build - Austin American-Statesman

~ Amid an 'ever growing' number of trucking crashes, Texas DPS oversight withers - Austin American-Statesman

~ ‘Biggest ask yet’: Austin Transit Partnership approves $98M contract for delivery of Project Connect - Community Impact Austin

~ Man sentenced to 30 years in prison for East Austin gas station murder - KVUE

~ Hays CISD officials approve final attendance rezoning map for 2025-26 - Community Impact Austin

~ Austin sets new safety standards for hospital entrances - Community Impact Austin

~ City-sponsored grocery cooperative nearing launch in East Austin - Community Impact Austin

~ Projects being planned to update, modernize Connally High School in Pflugerville ISD - Community Impact Austin

~ Bastrop gets interim city attorney; search for replacement to begin early 2025 - Community Impact Austin

~ How Austin ISD is lowering its chronic absenteeism rate, which more than doubled during the pandemic - Austin Monitor

~ Real estate trends point toward stable growth even after Austin loses ‘supernova’ status - Austin Monitor

~ This highway corridor through Williamson County is the gold standard for economic development - ABJ

~ It's a steep price to open a restaurant in Williamson County, but it's worth it to many - ABJ

~ Bastrop County fire chief shares firework safety tips ahead of holiday celebrations - Community Impact Austin

~ New real estate startup focused on facilitating seller financing - ABJ

~ Holt Lunsford to develop industrial project in Cedar Park - ABJ

~ How a side gig became one of Austin's favorite businesses - ABJ

~ Austin area nonprofits say they’re struggling without DEI funding - KXAN

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ DINING: “The Most Anticipated Austin Restaurant Openings for 2025” Eater Austin

~ AUSTIN CLOSURES: “Beloved businesses Austin said goodbye to in 2024” KUT

~ DIRTY BILL’S: “How an Austin Bar Comes Up With Its Clever Parody Shirts” Eater Austin

~ HUTTO: “New hippo monument in Hutto stands at 7 feet tall” CBS Austin

WHAT TO DO TONIGHT

~ LIVE MUSIC: Midland (with The Wilder Blue and Hudson Westbrook). ACL Live. Show at 8pm. Tix $39 and up here. (night one)

~ LIVE MUSIC: CAF Members Event: Blind Boys of Alabama (Christmas Show w/ Lynn August). Only foundation members can attend. Doors at 6pm, show at 7pm. Become a foundation member here. More info here.

COOL JOB ALERT

~ Airport Emergency Management Officer. City of Austin. Salary: $56.43 – $73.36 / hour. Info / apply here.