ATX PULSE 8/27/24: Tip to FBI Stops Potential ATX School Shooting // Brenna Swindell Found Safe // 2 Teens Arrested in E. ATX Murder // Monday Homicide at SE ATX Apartment Complex // Anita Byington Murder Case Goes Before CCA // Council Wrestled over Emergency Funds in Budget // TX Supreme Court to Consider Charter Amendment Challenge

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2024

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

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TODAY’S WEATHER

H: 92° / L: 74°. Rain and cooler temperatures. Latest forecast from Fox 7 Austin’s Zack Shields here.

TOP NEWS

“Tip to FBI possibly prevents school shooting in Austin,” CBS Austin’s Adele Uchida — “A tip on social media helps prevent a possible shooting at Graham Elementary School in northeast Austin.

The tipster alerted the FBI to 17-year-old Giana Castillo and her posts about planning a shooting at her former elementary school. Castillo allegedly wrote about hating people and trying to acquire a gun. She is now facing one charge of terroristic threat, for allegedly planning a shooting at Graham Elementary School in the Austin Independent School District.

The tip helped law enforcement avert tragedy and arrest her on Friday.

One thing makes this case different from so many others.

“It's very rare to have a female teenage shooter. There have been so few of them that I don't think there's any really strong research on them because there's so few, almost all of them in the United States and Europe have been males, young males," said Ron Avi Astor, a professor of social welfare at UCLA focusing on school violence.” CBS Austin

“Former UT, MLB pitcher Greg Swindell says missing daughter Brenna has been found,” CBS Austin’s Tara Brolley — “Brenna Swindell, the daughter of former UT-Austin and Major League Baseball pitcher Greg Swindell, has been found.

Her father posted on Facebook at 6:11 a.m. Tuesday confirming the news.

“She has been found,” he said in his post. “Thanks to EVERYONE who got involved. Sarah Swindell and I and our family and extended family thanks you.”

The Travis County Sheriff's Office said Brenna is "alive and well" and she was with her ex-boyfriend, Morgan Guidry.

The Austin Police Department posted about Brenna’s disappearance Monday morning, saying she was last seen with Guidry at a Spicewood bar.

Guidry was arrested and taken into custody on a TCSO warrant, according to the sheriff's office.” CBS Austin

THE BLOTTER

~ “Woman killed in downtown Austin identified; no charges filed: APD,” via Fox Austin 7 – “A woman who was killed in downtown Austin on Monday morning was identified, the Austin Police Department said.

On August 26, around 1:38 a.m., officers were flagged down about a woman bleeding in the alley of the 500 block of East 6th Street. 

When officers arrived, they found a woman on the ground with blood on her shirt. She was later identified as 42-year-old Shannon Smith. She died from her injuries.

The Austin Police Department is investigating the death of a woman as the city's 41st homicide.

APD officers were flagged down by someone who claimed to know who was responsible. Officers later found 54-year-old Gregory Watkins, who is wheelchair bound.

Watkins told police Smith approached him with a knife and robbed him of his money and drugs. Watkins then struck Smith once, and it appeared to be a metal rod he was holding, police said.

The Travis County District Attorney’s Office looked at the case, and no charges are being filed at this time. However, this case is still under investigation. 

Watkins was interviewed and released.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-TIPS. You may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or by calling 512-472-8477. A reward up to $1,000 may be available for any information that leads to an arrest.” Fox 7 Austin

~ “East Austin shooting: 2 teens arrested for murder after 13-year-old was killed,” via Fox 7 Austin – “Two teens were arrested in connection to the death of a 13-year-old in East Austin, the Austin Police Department said.

Austin police said on August 22, around 8:35 p.m., officers responded to a shooting in the 6300 block of Thurgood Avenue. 

When officers arrived, they found 13-year-old Jeremiah Cavazos with gunshot wounds. He later died from his injuries.

Jessica Rivera has the latest on the city's 40th homicide this year as the investigation continue and a suspect has not been arrested.

Police said Cavazos and teen no. 2 drove a stolen car to east Austin to meet with teen no. 1. During the meeting, Cavazos and teen no. 2 robbed teen no. 1, which resulted in a shootout between all three people.

Police said Cavazos was shot in the back and got into the stolen car. Teen no. 2 began driving away, which threw Cavazos out of the car. Teen no. 1 fled from the area.” Fox 7 Austin

~ “Man killed in shooting at SE Austin apartment complex,” CBS Austin’s Stephanie Becerra – “The Austin Police Department is investigating a shooting that left one person dead at a southeast Austin apartment complex on Monday afternoon.

APD officers responded to reports of a shooting at around 2:08 p.m. at the Waterloo Flats apartment complex located at 1300 S Pleasant Valley Road near Elmont Drive. Police say the shooting happened on the property, not in a unit.

Upon arrival, they found a Hispanic male in his 40s with gunshot wounds. Despite EMS attempting life-saving measures, the victim was pronounced dead at 2:42 p.m.

This is being investigated as a homicide.

There is no danger to the public at this time.

Anyone who has any video or information on this incident should contact the APD Homicide Unit at 512-472-8477.

This is an ongoing investigation.” CBS Austin

~ “Austin mental health worker arrested after allegedly sexually assaulting patient,” CBS Austin’s Tara Brolley – “A former behavioral health technician at an Austin mental health facility has been accused of sexually assaulting a patient, according to an arrest affidavit.

Jerry Johnson, 48, faces charges of sexual assault for an incident that allegedly occurred on Jan. 20 at the Judge Guy Herman Center for Mental Health Crisis Care.

The victim reported that Johnson, who was employed as a behavioral health technician, initiated sexual contact with her while she was a patient at the facility. According to the police report, the assault took place in a bathroom where Johnson had provided the victim with a razor, violating facility rules.

DNA evidence collected during a forensic exam matched Johnson's profile, with investigators stating the results provided "very strong support for inclusion."

The victim, who has a history of sex trafficking, told police she felt compelled to comply due to Johnson's position of authority at the facility.

Officials from The Wood Group, which staffs the Herman Center, confirmed Johnson's employment but stated his alleged actions were outside the scope of his duties.

CBS Austin has reached out to the Judge Guy Herman Center for Mental Health Crisis Care for a statement.

Johnson remains in the Travis County Jail on a $30,000 bond.” CBS Austin

~ “Anita Byington case: Convicted killer’s claim of innocence goes to Court of Criminal Appeals,” Fox 7 Austin’s Angela Shen – “Allen Andre Causey, a man who was convicted of murder more than three decades ago, is fighting for his innocence. That claim is making its way through the courts. 

He was convicted for the death of Anita Byington, 21. She was found beaten to death on August 11, 1991.

August 26, 2024, would've been her 55th birthday. 

Her cousin, Kristina Byington, went to the spot where she was killed behind an apartment complex in East Austin to pay her respects. 

"She had a future ahead of her. She was in college. She was funny. She was animated. She was beautiful. She lost everything, everything she would have become," Kristina said.

More than 30 years after being convicted of murdering a Texas State student, Causey is claiming innocence and seeking exoneration.

After a trial in 1992, Causey was sentenced to 50 years in prison and was released on parole two years ago. 

He's been working to clear his name. 

"I think he is so pleased to be back in court and able to finally prove what his trial lawyer desperately tried to prove at trial, which is that his confession was false and that he was not the perpetrator of this horrible crime," Jessi Freud, senior staff attorney at the Innocence Project of Texas said. 

Causey's attorneys at the Innocence Project say along with the forced confession, evidence was withheld and there was false testimony at his trial.

A district judge agreed with three out of four of their points, but ruled there was not enough evidence for an actual innocence finding. Now the case is going to the Court of Criminal Appeals.

"We, of course, were very pleased with the district court's decision. She found that basically he got a completely unfair trial, that police officers got on the stand and perjured themselves, that other state witnesses got on the stand and perjured themselves. We've proven that. There was exculpatory evidence that should have been disclosed to his trial attorneys that was not disclosed by the district attorney's office at the time. It was the same crew of Austin Police Department detectives that railroaded Chris Ochoa and Richard Danziger, the same crew back in 1988, and they railroaded Mr. Causey," Mike Ware, executive director of the Innocence Project, said. "We are a little bit disappointed that she evidently found that there was not quite enough evidence to reach that fourth point. Hopefully, the Court of Criminal Appeals will revisit that." 

The family of a woman who was murdered in East Austin 32 years ago is outraged at the Travis County District Attorney. They said the DA has betrayed them as he works to exonerate the man who originally confessed to the murder.

Kristina disagrees with Causey's claim, and she believes he is still guilty. 

"We're hoping that they will look at all the evidence and rule against Causey and uphold the conviction so that justice is served," she said.

Court filings point to another possible suspect, Kevin Harris, who was last seen with Anita on the night of her death. The judge's ruling reads: "While the newly discovered evidence inculpates Kevin Harris, it does not constitute affirmative evidence of Applicant's innocence."

Kristina is frustrated with the reopening of the case and claims the DA's office didn't communicate with her. 

"This whole process, it feels like the murder happened again, going through these hearings and everything, it's the traumatization, and the DA's office has not made it any easier at all. They made it more difficult," she said. 

Terry Keel, Kristina's attorney, says, "the judge saw through it and denied relief on the actual innocence. It's really an amazing thing. It gives me a lot of faith that at the end of the day, the system still works in some regards. We just don't have a good district attorney here for victims."“ Fox 7 Austin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

~ “City Council wrestles over emergency funds in this year’s budget,” Austin Chronicle’s Austin Sanders – “It’s not often that the policy goals of Austin’s more progressive City Council members depend on the vote of Mackenzie Kelly – the body’s only Republican member – but that’s exactly where Council members Ryan Alter, Vanessa Fuentes, Chito Vela, José Velásquez, and Zo Qadri found themselves late into Council’s Aug. 14 budget meeting.

The five CMs came together to propose a slate of seven budget amendments that include increased capacity for emergency response to people undergoing a mental health crisis, adding a new cadet class for the Austin Fire Department, and paying for more services to support families experiencing homelessness.

All together, the package would cost about $4.3 million, but there was no room in the city budget to pay for all of it – unless Council agreed to reject a proposal from the city’s budget staff to increase the city’s emergency reserve fund from 16.7% of the total General Fund to 17%. By forgoing the suggested 0.3% increase to the reserve fund, Council would free up roughly enough money to pay the seven budget amendments. Another option would be to take from any of the projected $43 million increase to the Austin Police Department budget, but that was a nonstarter for Council.

Keeping the emergency reserve static was the only option to afford the amendments. But our Council sources said it appeared that a number of CMs, led by Mayor Kirk Watson, were set on increasing the reserve fund allocation. That bloc advocated for increasing the reserve fund allocation to better prepare the city to deal with various potential emergencies. For most of the meeting, the balance of the dais on the reserve allocation question was tenuously set: Ryan Alter, Fuentes, Vela, Velásquez, and Qadri for leaving the reserve fund as is to invest in more programs and services now; while Watson, Mayor Pro Tem Leslie Pool, and CMs Paige Ellis and Natasha Harper-Madison would have preferred to keep the money tucked away in the rainy day fund.

After a week of lobbying from other Council offices, Kelly – the deciding vote on the reserves question – was expected to support the amendment package. But sources say they were not sure how firm her support was, because Kelly often prioritizes the conservative governing philosophy of fiscal responsibility. Cutting into the city’s reserve funds to pay for more government spending could be a difficult pill for a conservative like Kelly to swallow.

But before the vote showdown could even occur, miscommunication between staff and Council over what they were even voting on threatened to derail the amendment plan. “Trust me, I’m more frustrated than I’m letting on,” Watson intoned to staff from the dais at one point. “This is not the best way to do this.”

Seconds later, Watson recessed the meeting so he and his colleagues could sort the growing mess in private. The mayor has a reputation for running efficient Council meetings where most of the legislative work is done before the meeting already begins; this meeting was perilously close to upsetting that trend.

When they returned, the side of the dais supporting a reserve fund increase took a couple of last stabs at killing the amendment package – but both attempts were parried by CM Ryan Alter. First, Pool tried to amend the amendment package to increase the reserve fund allocation to 17%, which would have rendered the amendments moot because there wouldn’t be any money to pay for them.

These seven amendments eventually passed with a 7-4 vote (compiled by Austin Sanders)

But Alter raised a point of order; Pool was offering a “third-degree amendment,” Alter said, which is not allowed under Robert’s Rules of Order – the set of rules governing parliamentary procedure used by City Council (and a whole host of other local governments and professional organizations). Watson said he disagreed, but ultimately allowed Alter’s point of order to stand, neutralizing the first threat.

Then CM Alison Alter attempted to “divide the question,” another parliamentary procedure that would allow CMs to vote on the reserve allocation increase and amendment package separately – which could have given CMs cover to vote on increasing the reserve allocation without having to vote against the amendment package. That motion failed 6-4 (Harper-Madison was off the dais).

Now, about six hours into the meeting, the stage was set for the showdown vote. “I am very concerned about where we’re heading with our fiscal house and keeping it in order ... if we continue growing our programs at the pace we are,” Pool said before the vote. Alison Alter and Ellis echoed Pool’s concerns, adding that they worried about disaster scenarios where the $4 million (out of a total fund that exceeds $200 million) might be needed to help Austin residents.” Austin Chronicle

~ “City Council wrestles over emergency funds in this year’s budget,” CBS Austin’s Stephanie Becerra – “Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez has filed a lawsuit against the Texas Attorney General's Office over the release of sensitive records related to an inmate injury at the Travis County Jail. The dispute centers around whether certain information should remain confidential due to security concerns.

On May 21, 2024, attorney Bobby Taylor submitted a Public Information Act (PIA) request to the Travis County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) seeking records about an incident involving Travien Smith, who was injured on May 18, 2024, during the booking process at the jail. Taylor's request included video footage of the incident, the incident report, and medical records.

TCSO complied by providing the medical records, which were released after obtaining Smith's signed authorization. However, the department withheld the video and portions of the incident report, citing potential security risks. According to the Texas Government Code section 552.108(b)(1), the release of such information could interfere with law enforcement operations and endanger the safety of officers.

The Texas Attorney General's Office reviewed TCSO's request and on July 26, 2024, issued a decision that allowed TCSO to withhold the video but required the release of other information, including the unredacted incident report. TCSO argued that releasing the report could compromise jail security by revealing procedures, layout details, and responses to aggressive incidents.

In response, Sheriff Hernandez filed a declaratory action under section 552.324 of the Texas Government Code. The lawsuit seeks to overturn the AG's ruling, asserting that the withheld portions of the incident report are protected under the same statutory exception that permits withholding of the video. The Sheriff's Office contends that disclosing the full incident report could jeopardize the safety and operational security of the TCSO facility.

The legal argument hinges on interpretations of section 552.108(b)(1) of the Texas Government Code, which allows agencies to withhold internal records if their release would impede law enforcement efforts. Previous court rulings, such as City of Fort Worth v. Cornyn and Tex. Appleseed v. Spring Branch Indep. Sch. Dist., support the notion that security-related documents can be withheld to protect law enforcement methods and officer safety.

Sheriff Hernandez aims to demonstrate that releasing the full incident report could reveal sensitive information that might be exploited to compromise jail security and officer safety.” CBS Austin

~ “CapMetro appoints first-ever police chief,” Community Impact Austin’s Haley McLeod – “In an effort to increase safety for both riders and transit operators, Capital Metro swore in its first chief of police Aug. 26.

Eric Robins was appointed as chief, along with Assistant Chief Joseph Rose and Captain Jeremy Benoit.

The trio will support the organization's previously implemented safety teams. Originally approved by the CapMetro board in 2021, the organization has developed a three-pronged approach for public safety.

The specialized transit police department, which recently received the green light from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, is just one component of the board’s strategy.

The Transit Police Department will work alongside the agency’s public safety ambassadors and community intervention specialists to respond quickly to transit safety needs across the metro.

The new transit-dedicated police department will be on call for when law enforcement is needed. Officers will be trained in crisis intervention, as well as people-centric and impartial policing.

Public safety ambassadors are the “eyes and ears on the ground,” according to CapMetro documents. These trained individuals are intended to handle the disruptive, nonviolent safety concerns and currently consists of 24 ambassadors, one manager and three supervisors.

Often these team members help patrol hot spots within the transit system, or areas that have high levels of quality-of-life issues and suspicious activity, according to a review of the team’s first year. Ambassadors often handle things like:

• Individual welfare checks

• Lost children

• Trespassing

• Loitering

• Vandalism

• Suspicious activity or packages

The final component of the safety strategy involves employing social workers to provide more comprehensive assistance, offering crucial support to individuals in need of housing, food and health care.” Community Impact

~ “CapMetro proposes new rapid lines for 2025,” via Fox 7 Austin – “CapMetro is proposing changes to their transit schedules. 

Austin's Transit Agency wants to introduce two CapMetro rapid lines next year, a new Pickup Decker zone and minor schedule adjustments.

One line would run along Pleasant Valley in East and Southeast Austin, and the other line would connect to the Travis County Expo Center. CapMetro Rapid 800 Pleasant Valley and 837 Expo Center are proposed to start in spring 2025. Buses would arrive every 20–30 minutes. 

CapMetro is also proposing a new zone, Pickup Decker, to provide a flexible service in the Northeast Austin area. It would also connect to the proposed Rapid 837 Expo Center.

Select bus routes may also receive minor adjustments. For more details, click here." Fox 7 Austin

If approved, the minor schedule adjustments would start on Sunday, Jan. 12, the pickup Decker zone would begin on Monday, Jan. 13 and the two rapid lines would launch later in spring 2025 after essential infrastructure and testing are completed.

To provide feedback, click here.

OTHER NEWS

~ “Some DOwntown Austin business owners concerned about crime following city’s latest homicide,” KVUE’s Matt Fernandez– “Some businesses on Sixth Street say they're concerned about crime in the area, especially after police found a woman in an alley early Monday morning.

The Austin Police Department said at around 1:40 a.m., officers were patrolling in the Sixth Street district when they were informed about a woman who was injured in an alley near the intersection of East Sixth and Neches streets. The woman was bleeding and unresponsive, and she later died at a hospital.

In an update Monday afternoon, Austin police said Shannon Smith was found bleeding in an alley on East Sixth and Neches streets just after 1:30 a.m. She was taken to the hospital where she later died from her injuries.

During their investigation, police learned Smith was armed with a knife and tried to rob a man in a wheelchair of his money and drugs. The man then hit Smith once with a metal rod he was holding, according to police.

Austin police said the man was interviewed and released and that the case is still under investigation by the Travis County District Attorney's office.

Her death is being investigated as Austin's 41st homicide of 2024, though after interviewing a person of interest, police say no charges are being filed at this time.

Mark Frappier is the general manager of Casino El Camino, a popular wing and burger spot that's been in business on Sixth Street for almost 30 years.

"I think about everybody, not only about the tourists but all the people working downtown, living downtown," Frappier said. "It seems to be getting way out of hand. What's our total already, 40-something homicides that we've counted? Crime in general is horrible, but this kind of thing – we are trying to build a community downtown, and it's terrifying people from coming down here for lunch, dinner, entertainment. [It] really hurts the business."

He said something needs to change.

"You know, my guys at night – just like a lot of places, restaurants, bar[s], grills – you know, they're afraid to take trash out in the alley at nights, all up and down, because there is so much activity 24 hours a day," Frappier said. "And it's just very sketchy ... It's just really gotten very bad the last couple of years, more than ever."

He's not the only business owner who has concerns about crime in the area. Ricardo Rodriguez works near the entertainment district and said he's been threatened.

"With a stick, yeah. And it happens, let’s say, once a month," Rodriguez said.

Both Rodriguez and Frappier say they would like to see more law enforcement downtown.

"I would like to see things being prevented and not developing," Rodriguez said.

"It would be very nice to have police presence back in the downtown area, with all the business and the lodgings, the people living here full-time," Frappier said. "It would be very good to have that back and feel safe."“ KVUE

2024

~ “Texas Supreme Court to decide whether Austin has a charter election this year,” Austin Monitor’s Jo Clifton– “The Supreme Court of Texas has accepted a petition for a writ of mandamus in the Save Our Springs Alliance lawsuit against the city of Austin regarding alleged violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act. If the court agrees with the plaintiffs that the city violated the Open Meetings Act in setting a charter election for Nov. 5, the part of the election related to 13 proposed changes to Austin’s charter could be halted. The remainder of the ballot would not be impacted by the lawsuit.

A Travis County judge has already issued a temporary restraining order in the case and set a temporary injunction hearing for Thursday.

As Bill Aleshire, attorney for the SOS Alliance, explained in his request to the Supreme Court, the deadline for setting items on the November ballot is this Friday for Hays and Williamson counties. The deadline for Travis County is Sept. 5. Regardless of who wins the injunction battle in the Travis County District Court, there will be insufficient time for either party to appeal.

Normally, the case would go from the District Court to the Court of Appeals and then on to the Supreme Court. But this is an unusual case, and the Supreme Court has recognized that and requested that the city file a response to the plaintiffs’ petition at 9 a.m. Wednesday. If the Supreme Court issues a ruling before the parties go to the Travis County courthouse for their temporary injunction hearing on Thursday morning, there will be no need for that hearing.

Attorneys for the city did not object to the SOS motion to expedite consideration of the plaintiffs’ emergency petition for the writ of mandamus. Although the city does oppose the writ of mandamus, they need an answer as soon as possible to the question of whether they will be holding a charter election in November.

City Council voted at its Aug. 14 meeting to set the charter election. The matter was also on its July 18 agenda, although the proposed amendments were not listed individually. The plaintiffs say that failing to list the individual proposed changes to the charter did not give the public sufficient notice of what might be discussed or put on the ballot, thus violating the Open Meetings Act.

In addition to the SOS Alliance, the plaintiffs in this case are Bill Bunch, executive director of the alliance, and Joe Riddell, formerly an attorney with the Texas attorney general’s office.

While objecting to the failure to give proper notice about the amendments, the plaintiffs also argue that the public was not given sufficient time to speak on the proposals. Bunch signed up to speak about the proposed amendments at the July 18 meeting. He was given only three minutes to speak on all the charter amendments, but another citizen donated her three minutes to him, giving him a total of six minutes. Bunch protested that those addressing the charter amendments should be given three minutes per item. Mayor Kirk Watson disagreed, and Bunch said he would see him in court. This is the second time in recent months that the environmental organization and Bunch have sued the city over violations of the Open Meetings Act.

When the lawsuit was filed, Bunch released the following statement: “Seeking to hide this basic truth, the Mayor and Council majority called this last minute ‘emergency’ election without the public notice and public participation required by state law. They are hoping uninformed voters overwhelmed by a lengthy ballot loaded with other state, federal, and local elections will simply vote ‘yes’ to major City Charter changes hidden behind vague and friendly-sounding ballot language.”” Austin Monitor

SPORTS

~ TEXAS FOOTBALL: Cedric Golden column: “Steve Sarkisian has used initial adversity at Texas to build a winner,” via Austin American-Statesman — “When adversity strikes, the teams that handle it best have, more often than not, been through something.

Show me a team that’s among the elite and I’ll show you one that’s sung the college football blues at one time or another.

For the Texas Longhorns, Saturday's season opener against Colorado State is the first Saturday of the rest of their lives. They may not have been hit by an opponent since the Sugar Bowl, but the roster has taken some big shots this summer, particularly at running back. Projected starter CJ Baxter and freshman Christian Clark are lost for the season with knee and Achilles injuries, respectively.

True leadership reveals itself when the figurative skies darken and life throws carefully laid plans into a state of disarray, if only for a moment.

How the Horns handle the running back situation and other obstacles that are sure to pop up will go a long way in determining if they will be one of last teams standing this winter.

If things go well, this will be the last college season for quarterback Quinn Ewers, left tackle Kelvin Banks, Jr. and a host of senior teammates who'll exhaust their eligibility some time in January.

So why not kick adversity in the butt and go out on top?

This is what head coach Steve Sarkisian has been building toward since he got here and the older Longhorns, to a man, are taking the lessons they were first taught when he arrived following the 2020 season.

This team checks a lot of boxes and while it’s never smart to assume it’s now or never, the Horns definitely have a "now" feel to them. The 12-2 run and the near-comeback win over Washington in the College Football Playoff semifinals made the Longhorns part of the national conversation this offseason.

Now they want to be the conversation.” AAS ($)

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ DINING: ”The best things Eater Austin Editors ate last week: Pickle Pizza and Persian Brunch” Austin Eater

~ NIGHTLIFE: ”A North Austin brewery opens a new Agave cocktail bar” Austin Eater

WHAT TO DO TONIGHT

~ LIVE MUSIC: Benny Green (solo). Parker Jazz Club (downtown Austin). Two shows at 7pm and 9:30pm. Tix $30 here.

~ THIS WEEKEND: “Where to Celebrate Labor Day Weekend in Austin with Food, Drinks and Parties” Austin Eater

COOL JOB ALERT

~ Senior Public Specialist, Global Issues and Crisis Communications: HomeAway (Austin, Domain). Salary: $82.500 - $115,500 (with potential increase to $132k) over time. Info / apply here.