ATX PULSE 12/5/24 (free) (sponsored by Nike): Taylor Fired After Sentencing // APA: APD Officers Should No Longer Respond to Mental Health Calls After Verdict // Flu Season Hits Austin // MoPac Toll Lane Rates Rising in Jan // City Announces Changes to Intake Process for Homeless Shelters

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2024

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

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TODAY’S WEATHER

H: 61° / L: 43°. A good chance of rain again today. Latest forecast from Fox 7 Austin’s Zack Shields here. Cloudy Thursday, much colder Friday, rainy weekend, per KXAN.

TOP NEWS

“Austin police officer terminated by department after being sentenced to prison for deadly conduct,” KVUE

“Austin Police Union tells officers to avoid mental health calls following Taylor sentence” CBS Austin

“Flu is back in Austin — here’s what you need to do now to avoid getting sick” AAS ($)

THE BLOTTER

“Court records: Man arrested, confesses to shooting under Austin bridge” KXAN

“Austin massage business temporarily closed fr suspected human trafficking” KVUE

“Dripping Springs sees several auto thefts in recent weeks” KXAN

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

“MoPac Express toll lanes to roll out higher rates in January” KXAN

“How Austin is changing intake procedure for its homeless services, shelters” KXAN

“Council to see requests for Marshaling Yard extension, ECHO’s $350M homelessness plan” Austin Monitor

“City adds hotline to aid homeless looking for shelter” KXAN

“‘The right thing to do’: Constable fundraising to help South Austin homeless center fend off lawsuit” KVUE

“Thirsty Hays County cities to celebrate access to new water source” CBS Austin

BUSINESS NEWS

“JetBlue cancels Austin-New York route, citing low performance” KXAN

LOCAL SPORTS

TEXAS FOOTBALL: “Longhorns sign multiple 5-star recruits, earn one of nation's top-ranked recruiting classes on Early Signing Day” KVUE

QUICK LINKS

~ Retail follows rooftops at South Austin's Goodnight Ranch neighborhood - ABJ

~ Plan in the works to transform Round Rock's former Cypress Semiconductor site - ABJ

~New economic stats out for Austin; What will 2025 yield? - ABJ

~ Republican lawmaker proposes bill to allow Texas to seize control of Austin - KVUE

~ Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick launches legislative initiative to ban all THC in Texas - KVUE

~ Postino wine cafe to open second Austin location in 2025 - Community Impact Austin

~ Oh My Tea! to open in Hutto - Community Impact Austin

~ Construction to gain steam at luxury Lake Travis master-planned community Thomas Ranch - ABJ

~ Texas could experience ‘another Uri’ this winter, but ERCOT says it’s better prepared - Community Impact Austin

~ Texas may begin busing migrants to ICE centers instead of sanctuary cities, source says - Austin American-Statesman

~ 1 dead, 2 seriously hurt in east Austin crash on Thanksgiving Day - KXAN

~ Austin leaders promote HOME policy, recent land-use reforms to Boston City Council - Community Impact Austin

~ Bastrop council rejects request for investigation into city manager - Community Impact Austin

~ Purple Rice Korean Grab & Go serving quick bites in North Austin - Community Impact Austin

~ City, county leaders talk about getting ready for winter weather - KXAN

~ What are 'flags' at UT, and why is the school reviewing them? Senior Vice Provost explains - Austin American-Statesman

~ Pvolve to open first Austin studio downtown - Community Impact Austin

~ Buda City Council greenlights rezoning for future H-E-B - Community Impact Austin

~ City of Kyle lifts certain drought restrictions - Community Impact Austin

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ DINING: “The Best Holiday Pop-Up Bars in Austin” Eater Austin

~ TRAIL OF LIGHTS: “Austin Trail of Lights unveils diverse music lineup for 60th anniversary celebration” CBS Austin

WHAT TO DO TONIGHT

~ LIVE MUSIC: Alabama (with the Bellamy Brothers). Moody Center. Show 7pm. Tix $69 and up here.

~ LIVE MUSIC: Wilco. ACL Live. Show at 8pm. Tix $48 and up here.

~ COMEDY: Nick Swardson. Paramount Theater (713 Congress Ave). Doors 6:30pm, show 7:30pm. Tix $39.50 and up here.

~ TEXAS VOLLEYBALL: #3 Texas vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Gregory Gym. 6:30pm. TIx $14 and up here.

COOL JOB ALERT

~ Director of Sponsorships. Texas Public Schools Association. Salary: $70k+. Info / apply here.