ATX PULSE 8/2/24: Broadnax Names Cincy's Davis as Police Chief // Musk in Family Court in Austin // Manhunt for Fugitive Ends in RR // LBJ Middle School Teacher Arrested for Indecency with a Child

PRESENTING SPONSOR #1: Austin Baseball Commission

FROM THE AUSTIN BASEBALL COMMISSION: Join a Committee!

We are creating a leadership team, as well as five other committees:

• Leadership Committee

• Baseball Advisory Committee

• Business Advisory Committee

• Community Advisory Committee

• Local Politics / Government Committee

• Investor Recruitment Committee

We aim to build the broadest and strongest community effort in city history.

>> Fill out the volunteer interest form here.

SPONSOR OPPORTUNITY: Want to sponsor ATX Pulse? We receive ~30,000 opens of our daily email! Email James for rates and availability.

Today’s Weather: H: 100° / L: 78°. Sunny and hot. Latest forecast from Fox 7 Austin’s Zack Shields here.

TOP NEWS

~ “Austin Taps New Police Chief: Lisa Davis, Cincinnati Assistant Police Chief,” Austin American-Statesman’s Skye Seipp – “Lisa Davis, an assistant chief of the Cincinnati Police Department, will be the next permanent chief of the Austin Police Department, City Manager T.C. Broadnax announced Friday.

“The Chief of Police is a critical position for any city and, as I’ve said since joining the City of Austin in early May, identifying a permanent police chief was a top priority for me,” Broadnax said. “I appreciate the invaluable feedback I’ve received, which has helped inform my decision. I have elected to move Chief Davis forward for confirmation by the City Council as she has a stellar record in her extensive career in law enforcement, and I am confident that she will earn the trust and confidence of our Austin Police officers and our community.”

Davis' appointment requires Austin City Council approval. Mayor Kirk Watson and council members will consider it at 1 p.m. Tuesday during a special-called meeting.

The two finalists for the role were Davis and Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman.

A Cincinnati native, Davis is also a U.S. Navy veteran and started her career as a police officer with the Cincinnati Police Department in 1992. Davis worked her way up the ranks in her 30 years with the department, reaching her latest role as assistant chief and investigations bureau commander, overseeing homicide, major offenders, narcotics and personal crimes.

Davis will be the 11th chief of the Austin Police Department and the second woman to serve in the role of permanent chief.

She will inherit a Police Department that's been struggling the past few years with both a morale and staffing crisis, as the department currently has nearly 340 vacancies of sworn officers. She's also coming in at a time when the city and the Austin Police Association, the union that represents officers, have been without a long-term contract for more than a year. 

Davis said in a press release from the city of Austin that she is looking forward to collaborating with officers, city leaders and the community.

"I am just humbled by this and truly look forward to the work of building strong relationships between the APD and the community and tackling hard issues together," Davis said in a statement to the American-Statesman.

Friday's press release said that Davis created a citywide problem-solving unit that reduced crime in violent locations in Cincinnati. She also started a specialized unit to address at-risk populations in the community such as the LGBTQ and Hispanic communities and human trafficking victims.

Friday's announcement comes after a monthslong search process that advocates from across the political spectrum have criticized as being secretive and as one that should have produced a larger field of finalists.

Broadnax ultimately made his decision after several interviews with the finalists, including community panels. Davis and Norman also participated in press conferences and a public meet-and-greet event last week.

The Austin Police Department has been without a permanent chief since last September after former chief Joseph Chacon announced his retirement. Robin Henderson, who was chief of staff under Chacon, has been serving as the interim chief of police for nearly a year.” AAS ($)

» REACTION: Save Austin Now PAC Commends T.C. Broadnax for Naming Davis as Austin Police Chief — Congratulates Davis for Her Sterling Record, Commitment to Rebuilding APD

AUSTIN, TX — Today nonpartisan Save Austin Now PAC is commending City Manager T.C. Broadnax for selecting Lisa Davis, Assistant Police Chief in Cincinnati, as the sole finalist for Austin Police Chief. The other finalist was Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman.

The following is a statement from Save Austin Now co-founders Matt Mackowiak and Cleo Petricek: 

“In a crucial decision for the future of our city, City Manager Broadnax correctly chose Lisa Davis as our next Police Chief as she is the person who has the best chance to earn the confidence of both the City Council and the rank and file at Austin Police Department. Davis has risen through the ranks of leadership in Cincinnati, has a fantastic local reputation, has never had a conduct complaint, and made a major effort to hear from community leaders and answer questions throughout the hiring process. We encourage the City Council to unanimously approve this selection. APD needs a bold and strong leader at this crucial time.

“As an elusive mutual agreement to a four-year labor contract between the city and the police union nears, the foundation is being laid to finally address the significant recruitment and retention challenges that have continued for more than three years.

“We hope and expect that incoming Police Chief Davis will make passing a labor contract her top priority immediately, then turn her attention to boosting morale, improving retention, and ramping up recruiting. What we have been doing has not worked, and it will require a true partnership between APD and city leaders to turn things around quickly.

“APD is approaching an untenable staffing level of 1,300 available officers, which will be 500 down from their level in 2020 when the defund the police vote passed 11-0 under the direction of then-Mayor Steve Adler and its author then-Council Member Greg Casar. The consequences of defund the police have been disastrous for our city, our police department, crime victims, and public safety.

“When seconds count, APD’s staffing level has directly increased 911 response times for priority calls. Our staffing level is threatening major event security, investigations of criminals, and nearly every aspect of life in our city. Our officers are overworked, stressed out, underpaid, targeted by our District Attorney, and constantly criticized by activists and some on our City Council.

“These realities have created a circumstance in which confidently serving at APD is nearly impossible and leading APD is unappealing. Knowing these challenges, our city is fortunate to have a rising star in law enforcement like Lisa Davis step forward to serve our community.

“It is time for Austin to renew its commitment to building a well-staffed, well-trained, effective police department for the 10^th largest city in the country. There is no more important issue in our city than public safety.” Save Austin Now 

~ “Elon Musk ordered to Austin family court; accused of withholding kids from musician Grimes,” Austin American-Statesman’s Tony Plohetski – “Elon Musk appeared in Travis County family court in Austin on Friday amid an ongoing custody dispute with the mother of three of his children.

State District Judge Catherine Mauzy ordered a small group of spectators out of the courtroom moments after the hearing started after attorneys for Musk and Claire Boucher, known as the musician Grimes, asked that the proceedings take place out of public view.

Both sides cited security concerns about the three children and intense privacy matters surrounding the case.

Musk was surrounded by a team of personal bodyguards as he arrived at the courthouse more than 45 minutes before the 9 a.m. hearing. He remained secluded in a stairwell until moments before the hearing started.

It is a rare moment when Musk has been seen in public in Austin.

Musk and Grimes have been battling over child custody in courts in California and Texas. They have three children together.

On Saturday, Grimes' mother, Sandy Garossino, took to X to post pleas to Musk.

“It was nice seeing you on Father’s Day. I hope you got the card that I helped X make. He was so proud of it,” she wrote. “I’m writing here as the only way I have to reach you. As you know, my 93 year old mother is now at end-of-life palliative care.”

“I am alarmed to learn that the children cannot come as you are withholding them and their needed passport documents from Claire,” Garossino said.

Musk has at least 12 children with three different women. His most recent child being born to Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis, with whom he has two other children.” AAS ($)

THE BLOTTER

~ “Manhunt ends for fugitive with Austin ties on Texas most wanted list,” KVUE’s John Diaz – “The manhunt for a suspect with ties to the Austin area is over.

Officials with the U.S. Marshals-led Lone Star Fugitive Task Force say they were investigating Fabian Toribio-Martinez after he was placed on the Texas 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants list.

Toribio-Martinez was wanted by the Austin Police Department for sexual and physical offenses committed against children. He was also wanted for dangerous drugs by the Travis County Sheriff's Office.

During their investigation, authorities learned Toribio-Martinez frequented the Round Rock area. On Wednesday, he was captured at an apartment complex while attempting to hide from authorities under a couch.

Toribio-Martinez was taken and booked into Williamson County Jail.” KVUE

~ “ACTEMS: Child ejected from vehicle following crash in South Austin,” KVUE’s John Diaz – “Officials say three people were involved in the crash, including two children.

The crash was reported just before 11 a.m. on Menchaca Road and Boyds Way, just north of the Manchaca area.

According to Austin-Travis County EMS (ACTEMS), three patients, including two children, were involved in the crash. One of the children was ejected from the vehicle. Austin and Manchaca fire departments are assisting with the crash.

Drivers should avoid the area or expect delays. No further information is available.” KVUE

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

~ “Austin LBJ Early College High School teacher arrested, charged with indecency with child,” Austin American-Statesman’s Keri Heath – “A teacher at LBJ Early College High School has been arrested and charged with indecency with a child by exposure and two counts of improper educator-student relationship, all second degree felonies, according to a letter the Austin school district sent to parents Wednesday.

The Austin school police arrested Rodney Childers, who has taught band, piano and choir at LBJ since August 2023, according to the letter. Childers was placed on administrative leave, the district said.

A parent first reported an allegation about a July 25 incident, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools Angel Wilson said in the letter. Wilson didn't provide details about the allegation, citing privacy concerns for the student and family involved.

"The safety of our students is our greatest concern," Wilson said. "We are doing everything we can to understand how this incident occurred to prevent situations like this in the future."“ AAS ($)

BUSINESS NEWS

~ “Hanover Company begins construction in Round Rock on its first industrial project,” Austin American-Statesman’s Shonda Novak – “Hanover Company has broken ground on its first industrial project, the Settlers Park Business Center in Round Rock. The development comes amid continued strong demand for industrial space in the five-county Austin region.

The project marks a milestone for Hanover as its first industrial property to launch construction, although the company has several other industrial projects in the pipeline. Settlers Park is being developed with institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Asset Management.

Hanover is a private real estate firm that has specialized in luxury multifamily projects. The company has developed multiple high-rise apartment towers in downtown Austin.

Once built, Settlers Business Center, at 701 N. Red Bud Lane, will have three buildings with 361,000 square feet of space. Construction is expected to be complete by the second quarter of next year. Hanover did not disclose a cost for the project.

Brandt Bowden, Hanover's chief executive officer, said in a news release that the inaugural Round Rock project is part of the company's move to diversify its offerings.

“We pursued this product type through our world-class development platform to provide another investment option for our capital partners,' Bowden said. "We are especially pleased that one of our long-time capital partners, J.P. Morgan Asset Management, has invested with us in this project.”

As one of the nation's fastest-growing industrial markets, the Austin region continues to see unprecedented growth, with major tech players including Tesla, Samsung, and Oracle being significant contributors both in the city and its surrounding areas. That growth, coupled with an increasingly diverse mix of tenants, attracted Hanover to pursue the Austin-Round Rock market, Hanover and J.P. Morgan executives said.

“This transaction underscores our commitment to invest in high-quality, strategically located industrial assets,” Preston Meyer, managing director at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, said in the release.

At Settlers Park, the buildings will range in size from 107,904 square feet to 126,616 square feet. The project will have access to the Texas 130 toll road to the east, Interstate 35 to the west and U.S. 79 to the south.

Settlers Park is 10 miles from Samsung’s 1,200-acre semiconductor facility underway in Taylor.

“Our team thoughtfully designed this facility to appeal to a broad spectrum of companies with different needs and space requirements while paying special attention to the Austin-area’s small and mid-sized tenant base,” James Melody, Hanover's development partner in Texas, said in the release. “Those companies represent the traditional backbone of Austin’s light industrial business and are among those best positioned to benefit from the operational advantages that come with leasing new, Class A (first class) space in the booming Round Rock area.” AAS ($)

SPORTS

~ TEXAS FOOTBALL: “The Texas Football team held its second practice on Thursday — here are 3 observations,” Austin American-Statesman’s Danny Davis, Thomas Jones and Caleb Yum — “With the countdown started to its season opener against Colorado State, the Texas football team continued practicing on Thursday.

This may be the most-anticipated football season at Texas in some time. Coming off a season in which it went 12-2, won the Big 12 championship and made its first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff, UT has been picked to finish second in the Southeastern Conference's preseason poll.

On Thursday afternoon, the media was allowed to watch around 20 minutes of UT's second practice of the season. Here are three things that the American-Statesman observed at Denius Fields:

Michael Taafe getting lots of work, injured thumb and all

Earlier this week, Texas special teams coach Jeff Banks raved about safety Michael Taffe and his willingness to contribute in the kicking game. He certainly had his share of snaps in punt return during Thursday’s practice despite playing with a cast on his left hand.

Taaffe, who worked lots of snaps with the first-team defense on Wednesday, served as one of the downfield blockers as Matthew Golden, Isaiah Bond and Silas Bolden took turns returning punts. Taaffe will also likely see lots of action in coverage this season, regardless of how many snaps he gets at safety.

Oh, and about that injury: Texas coach Steve Sarkisian told the Houston Chronicle’s Kirk Bohls that Taaffe hurt the thumb during the summer but it shouldn’t affect summer workouts for the Austin native and Westlake graduate — Thomas Jones

Texas looks for more fumbles in 2024

For each of its first two practices, UT has opened the media window with its defensive backs trying to knock footballs out of the tight grips of Texas quarterbacks and skill players. The drill wasn't overly serious or competitive − Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers was notably grinning at one point on Wednesday as Taaffe and Derek Williams Jr. tapped at the football he was carrying − but the drill also wasn't meaningless.

Earlier this week, UT defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski told reporters that creating more turnovers was a goal for the Longhorns this season. Specifically, Texas needs to force more fumbles.

Over 14 games last season, Texas forced 14 fumbles. It recovered eight of those loose footballs. Cal recorded a Football Bowl Subdivision-high 16 fumble recoveries during the 2023 season.

Nationally, Texas ranked 43rd in fumble recoveries last season. That was a significant leap from a 2022 season in which UT ranked 119th with the four fumbles it recovered. The Longhorns last had double-digit fumble recoveries in 2017. — Danny Davis

Who’ll be on the mic for Texas?

Sarkisian is a well-known hater of the sign calling system in college football, even prompting the press in the past to write articles about why the NCAA should adopt helmet radios. 

Well, he got his wish. The NCAA announced that this year, one player on offense and defense will have access to helmet comms that will allow for direct contact with coaches. Sarkisian has already used it in practice, allowing multiple players the chance to have the radio. Figuring out how it directly translates to college football though, will be a process. 

“That's something that's going to be a little bit of a work in progress ... We've talked to a lot of different teams around the country. We talked to teams in the NFL,” Sarkisian said Wednesday. "The huddling in the NFL is drastically different than the no huddle aspect of college football. And then it's the type of offense that you're playing.” 

The coach explained that in order to be ready for anything, Texas is training multiple players at different position groups to use the comm system. Whoever gets the radio is dependent on the opponent of the week.

“Who’s best suited for that game (will) be the guy that's getting the call,” Sarkisian said. — Caleb Yum AAS ($)

~ TEXAS BASKETBALL: “Texas Longhorns basketball releases complete nonconference schedule for 2024-2025,” Austin American-Statesman’s Thomas Jones — “The Texas men's basketball team released its finalized nonconference schedule for the 2024-25 season Thursday, highlighted by a visit from two-time defending national champion Connecticut on Dec. 8.

Texas went 21-13 last season and reached the round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament, where the Longhorns fell to Tennessee. The Longhorns welcomed six transfer players as well as three freshmen in the offseason as they prep for their first season in the SEC.” AAS ($)

2024-25 Texas Men’s Basketball Non-Conference Schedule

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ DINING: “2

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND

Fri

~ LIVE MUSIC: Third Eye Blind. Germania Insurance Amphitheater. Show at 6:30pm. Tickets start at $20. Tickets here.

Sat

~ LIVE MUSIC: Shane Smith & the Saints (with Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives and Jade Marie Patek). Doors 6pm. Show 7:30pm. Tickets $38 and up. Tickets here.

~ LIVE MUSIC: Jack Ingram. The 04 Center (2701 S. Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX). Doors 7pm. Show 8pm. Tickets $35 and up. Tickets here.

Sun

~ LIVE MUSIC: O.A.R. (with Fitz and the Tantrums). ACL Live. 7pm. Tickets $49 and up. Tickets here.

COOL JOB ALERT

~SENIOR POLICY ANALYST: Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) (Austin, TX). Salary: $7,500-$8,500 / monthly. Info / apply here.