ATX PULSE 1/2/25 (free) (sponsored by No Scrubs): Average Travis County Prop Tax Bill to Increase $1,123 in 2025 // Project Connect Survives First Round of Lawsuit, Appeal Likely // 20k Attend City's Downtown NYE Fireworks Show // AFD Battles Multiple House Fires // Texas Outlasts Arizona State 38-30, to Face Ohio State Jan. 10 in Dallas

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2024

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

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TODAY’S WEATHER

H: 64° / L: 51°. Temperatures will warm up fast, then cool down. Latest forecast from Fox 7 Austin’s Adaleigh Rowe here. Cold next week & a wintry mix possible, per KXAN.

TOP NEWS

“Average property tax bill in Travis County expected to go up $1,123 from year prior” KXAN

“Lawsuit to stop Project Connect's tax funding gets tossed” ABJ ($)

“Austin rings in 2025 with celebration at Auditorium Shores” Fox 7 Austin

THE BLOTTER

“Austin firefighters battle flames caused by NYE fireworks” CBS Austin

“Multiple women robbed at gunpoint near Hyde Park neighborhood; police look for suspect” Fox 7 Austin

“Austin condo building shot at multiple times; 2 people arrested”Fox 7 Austin

“One person hospitalized after being shot at SE Austin gas station” CBS Austin

“Body found in Lady Bird Lake: Police investigating near 1st Street Bridge” KVUE

“Manor Senior High School stabbing suspect found incompetent to stand trial” KXAN

“Lotz of BBQ food truck stolen from SE Austin parking lot” Fox 7 Austin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

“As she exits Council, Kelly sees police contract passage among highlights of 2024” Austin Monitor

“Mike Siegel plans to balance ‘big goals and broad ambitions’ with pragmatism during his first year on Council” Austin Monitor

BUSINESS NEWS

“Office complex in Northwest Austin sold” ABJ ($)

“Brazilian steakhouse Estancia scores incentives for second metro location” ABJ ($)

LOCAL SPORTS

TEXAS FOOTBALL: “Texas vs Arizona State: Longhorns survive Peach Bowl thriller to reach CFP semifinals” AAS ($)

TEXAS FOOTBALL: Golden: “It wasn’t easy but Texas advances to the CFP semifinals” AAS ($)

QUICK LINKS

~ “Samsung awarded $4 billion to further Central Texas investments - Community Impact Austin

~ City of Austin has previously looked at changes to popular downtown streets - KXAN

~ Judge to rule on lesser charge for Daniel Perry, who was pardoned after murder conviction - Austin American-Statesman

~ These 6 Texas laws go into effect Jan. 1, 2025. Here's how they could affect you. - Austin American-Statesman

~ Protesters disagree with Kyle leaders' decision to remove historic oak for road expansion - KVUE

~ CapMetro to ring in new year with tap to pay, new app system - KXAN

~ School resumes Jan. 7 in Round Rock ISD, other dates to know - Community Impact Austin

~ School resumes Jan. 7 in Georgetown ISD, other dates to know - Community Impact Austin

~ Drone show cancelled for ATX NYE celebration over 'safety' - KEYE

~ In Austin and nationally, 'stale' inventory accumulating in housing market - ABJ

~ Austin panadería named one of New York Times’ best bakeries in the US - KXAN

~ How Austin-based Legendairy Milk dominates a niche market - ABJ

~ Here's how ACC's paraeducator program will benefit from a Texas workforce training grant - Austin American-Statesman

~ Adventures in Ink comic book store opening in Leander this January - Community Impact Austin

~ 4-foot long python 'Rocksssanne' to retire after 25-year career at Round Rock library - Austin American-Statesman

~ Texas on alert for invasive flesh-eating parasite not seen since the 1960s - KVUE

~ Season for Caring families get new beds - Austin American-Statesman

~ Season for Caring family gets new apartment before Christmas - Austin American-Statesman

~Activate Games now offers gaming experience at The Domain - Community Impact Austin

~ About 100 DWI suspects refuse blood, breath tests per month, APD says - KXAN

~ New food truck brings Himalayan Nepalese, Indian cuisine to San Marcos - Community Impact Austin

~ Is a Central Texas winter storm likely this year? National Weather Service says no. - Austin American-Statesman

~ Family ENT of Georgetown now open, accepting patients - Community Impact Austin

~ Zilker Eagle to reduce operating hours to weekends only in the new year - KXAN

~ Drug deal leads to teen’s death after shooting in parking garage near The Domain, affidavit says - KXAN

~ Austin family talks about what happened after baby survives multiple stroke at birth - Austin American-Statesman

~ Round Rock ISD updates policy for challenging instructional, library materials - Community Impact Austin

~ 15-foot sinkhole found in east Austin after rainfall - KXAN

~ Thank you, Central Texas! Almost $1.4 million given to Season for Caring - Austin American-Statesman

~ UT tears down first integrated school in Austin - KXAN

~ SpaceX, Firefly Aerospace, others prompt Space Workforce Incubator for Texas to launch - ABJ

~ Balenciaga now selling luxury items at The Domain - Community Impact Austin

~ Here's how ACC's paraeducator program will benefit from a Texas workforce training grant - Austin American-Statesman

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ “7 things to do in Austin this weekend” Culture Map Austin

~ DINING: “Austin Restaurant Experts Share Their Hopes and Dreams for 2025” Eater Austin

COOL JOB ALERT

~ Intergovernmental Relations Administrator - Local and Regional. City of Austin. Salary: $35.50-$5.27/hour. Info / apply here.