ATX PULSE 9/26/24 (sponsored by No Scrubs): APD Investigating Multiple Murders This Week // All Five Mayoral Candidates Debate // Taylor Trial: Witness Testifies Man 'Held a Large Knife to the Throat' // San Marcos Swatting Incident from Out-of-State Caller // Laine Fails to File PFS // Horns Favored by 38.5 over Miss State

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2024

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

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TODAY’S WEATHER

H: 90° / L: 63°. Cooler morning today. Latest forecast from Fox 7 Austin’s Zack Shields here.

TOP NEWS

“Swatting incident at San Marcos High School linked to out-of-state caller,” CBS Austin’s Andrew Freeman — “San Marcos Police say a hoax school shooter threat from out-of-state prompted a full-scale police response to the high school Tuesday, in a growing crime known as 'swatting.'

Swatting is such a widespread problem, that the F.B.I. even has a national database tracking the crime. In fact, Austin High School in Austin ISD dealt with a swatting incident Wednesday morning. Investigators later determined the call came from Florida and there was no threat to students or staff.

San Marcos CISD Parent Heather Arenas says she was prepared to race to San Marcos High School Tuesday if it meant getting her 17-year-old son to safety.

"My kids should be safe and should be happy at school, and just to know that he is just fearful, that makes me upset," Arenas said.

San Marcos Police were there within three minutes of receiving the call.

"Contact teams flooded the buildings and began to systematically search the building. More than 50 officers inside searching," Chief Stan Standridge said. "Those seen outside were part of rescue task forces." [[2:33/2]]

But Chief Standridge says no credible threat or injuries were found. Turns out, it was a hoax connected to an out-of-state number believed to be involved in at least two similar hoaxes across the country, in a crime known as 'swatting.'“ CBS Austin

“Witness in APD officer’s trial testified a man was ‘holding a large knife to his throat’,” CBS Austin’s Bettie Cross — “An Austin Police Officer is on trial Wednesday for the 2019 shooting death of Mauris DeSilva. Officer Christopher Taylor is facing a deadly conduct charge that is a third-degree felony and carries a punishment of up to 10 years in prison.

This is the second trial that Officer Taylor has faced in the past year. He was charged in the 2020 killing of Michael Ramos. The jury deadlocked on whether he committed murder and the case was dropped. That trial is unrelated to the current trial involving DeSilva.

Officer Taylor was in a Travis County courtroom Wednesday for opening statements. Prosecutor Rob Drummond described to the jury the mental state of DeSilva who was an Austin scientist and researcher.

“What the evidence is going to show you is that this was a man undergoing a profound, profound mental disturbance,” said Prosecutor Rob Drummond.

On July 31st, 2019, DeSilva walked outside the Spring Condominiums in Downtown Austin with a large knife in his hand. Later, he went back inside the high-rise complex where he lived and that is when police arrived on the scene.

“Mauris DeSilva was complying with commands, showing his hands. He was lowering the knife when Officer Taylor fired five rounds. He was not operating as an ordinary prudent person defending himself or others. He was committing the offense of deadly conduct,” said Drummond. “When you’ve seen all those things, and apply the standard of what an ordinary, prudent person would do, you will see that this was not a justified use of force.”

Defense attorney Ken Ervin described DeSilva’s actions as aggressive and threatening, both to himself and others.

“He’s got the knife to his throat. Over the next 3 seconds, he takes two steps toward the officers and levels the knife at them. Blade pointing toward the officers, ignoring all commands,” said Ervin. “At the time officers fired, Mr. DeSilva was three feet from Officer Krycia and about five and a half feet from Officer Taylor. That is well within the range to be seriously injured or killed by a man with a knife.”” CBS Austin

THE BLOTTER

“Austin police investigating multiple murders within a week,” Fox 7 Austin’s John Krinjak — “Austin police are investigating after the bodies of two people were found inside an apartment complex in Northwest Austin on Tuesday. This comes just three days after a double homicide in South Austin.

On Wednesday, residents at the DK Riata apartments in Northwest Austin were still trying to process after two people were found dead.

"It’s a really quiet neighborhood. Nothing really happens here," said Kiara Holloway.

It all began with a 911 call around 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday for a welfare check at the complex off McNeil and Parmer. Around 2:45 p.m., police arrived and found two bodies in an apartment. 

APD investigates homicide in NW Austin

The Austin Police Department is investigating after two bodies were found in Northwest Austin.

Neighbors like Holloway witnessed the commotion.

"I really just saw crime scene vehicles all over, and yellow tape around the apartment and things like that. And there was a lot of activity out here," said Holloway.

Austin police are not confirming whether this was a murder-suicide, but in a press conference they suggested only one of the deaths may have been a homicide. Detectives did say there was no threat to the public.

"They’re saying it's an isolated incident, not to worry. So I'm trying to get more details, like if we should be worried or what's kind of going on," said Holloway.

Holloway says to hear about deadly violence so close to home is unnerving to say the least, especially after moving from a higher-crime area.

New details in deadly shooting of grandparents

New details were released in a South Austin double murder. A man is accused of shooting his grandparents multiple times in their home.

"I came here because it was quieter, not as much activity. And so I was really surprised that something like this happened in this area," said Holloway.

All this came just three days after a separate double homicide on Brookhill Drive in South Austin. Chevy Monaghan, 21, was arrested and is charged with capital murder in the deaths of his grandparents, Anthony and Shari Maxa, both 76.

Overall, the City of Austin has seen 46 homicides so far in 2024, one more than the 45 the city had at this time last year.” Fox 7 Austin

“1 injured in Central East Austin shooting, APD says,” KVUE’s Morgan McGrath — “The Austin Police Department (APD) responded to a shooting Thursday morning in Central East Austin. 

According to officers on scene, the incident happened around 5:50 a.m. by a gas station off Interstate 35 near Cameron Road. 

APD said one person was transported to Dell Seton Medical Center, but the extent of their injuries is unclear.” KVUE

“Man convicted for 2022 murders of wife and stepson in East Austin,” Fox 7 Austin’s Angela Shen — “A man has been convicted for the 2022 murders of his wife and stepson. 

On Tuesday, a jury found David Ontiveros guilty of the deaths of Christina Michelle Limon and her 14-year-old son, Rudy Xavier Limon.

He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.” Fox 7 Austin

“Firefighters rescue woman from burning house in Pflugerville,” KVUE’s Johann Castro — “Firefighters in Pflugerville rescued an elderly woman from a burning house on Wednesday evening.

Firefighters with Travis County Emergency Service District (ESD) No. 2 were called to the home located in the Villages of Hidden Lake near Lake Pflugerville just before 6 p.m. When they arrived, they found an unconscious woman on the second floor of the residence surrounded by heavy smoke.

Medics rushed the woman to the hospital in serious condition. A child was also in the house at the time of the fire, but was able to get out without being hurt.” KVUE

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

“Travis County approves 6.5% tax rate increase for Central Health budget amid financial controversy,” Austin Monitor’s Lina Fisher — "Travis County commissioners unanimously approved a 6.5 percent tax rate increase and a $888 million Fiscal Year 2025 budget for the county’s health care district, Central Health, on Tuesday – amid uncertainty about a potential conflict between Central Health’s mission and exactly how the district spends its tax dollars.

Last week, the Commissioners Court postponed their vote due to confusion about Central Health’s affiliation agreement with the University of Texas’ Dell Medical School and whether it required UT to use the $35 million it gives the school every year directly on health care for the poor. UT told the county it wasn’t even permitted to under the terms of the agreement. Soon after, attorney Fred Lewis filed a complaint alleging that Mazars, the consultant that conducted a clean performance audit of Central Health, misled commissioners when it found no violation of law on the district’s part. Lewis argued that the state statute that governs the district mandates it to use taxpayer money on indigent care and that Mazars is not qualified to make that legal judgment.

Upon the passage of the budget including the $35 million annual transfer, Lewis wrote in a press release, “the Commissioners undeniably knew from Mazars performance review and publicly available documents that Central Health has no financial controls, and UT provides no health care for the poor. Who would continue to pay them?” 

Along with the passage of the budget, commissioners did request better transparency and an outside review of the affiliation agreement.

“One of the fundamental things that has to happen is renegotiating that affiliation agreement,” Commissioner Brigid Shea said. “It’s been made more difficult by UT’s response to our performance review, when they sent a letter saying that health care for the poor was not a permissible expenditure, which is kind of a shocking thing to hear. I think it’s a stain on (UT) to say that they’re not allowed to provide health care to the poor.”

Lewis advocates for the agreement to be scrapped completely, writing in a press release Tuesday, “As any competent, independent Texas attorney knows, a contract is void if it contravenes state law.” 

Aside from the affiliation agreement, overall, Central Health’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget increased by $58.2 million, with 88 percent of the total budget going toward health care delivery. Key increases were made in the specialty and mental health care areas, as well as improving post-hospital care in skilled nursing facilities and boosting patient enrollment in Central Health services. By the end of FY 2025, the district aims to increase its specialty care visits sixfold, establish a dedicated respite facility for patients experiencing homelessness after leaving the hospital and improve how the district coordinates care to reduce hospital readmissions.

Central Health CEO Dr. Patrick Lee placed special emphasis in his briefing on the diversity of the medical trainees at Dell Med and said that nearly all clinical services they provide “occur in environments serving the safety net.” The higher UT’s output of physicians, the shorter wait times are for services, Lee explained.

“There’s a highly diverse body of students, residents and fellows who are coming through these programs – 70 percent of these trainees are people of color. Nearly 50 percent of the total graduates stay in practice in Central Texas,” he said.

Lee noted that retention is important because “there are advanced services that our patients need and cannot effectively access by going to Dallas, Houston, San Antonio – amongst those, advanced cancer care, transplant services, advanced surgical services.”

However, the quality of Dell Medical’s graduates was not the issue at stake, and Lee did address the affiliation agreement issue, framing it as more about transparency than a violation of Central Heath’s mission: “My belief is that there is clear value that the medical school is adding to the access of care in our community. However, there are opportunities to improve how we’re communicating that value.”

Central Health Board Chair Ann Kitchen added that the board and CommUnityCare’s board are also planning to clarify their relationship, saying “we will set up meetings over the coming months to talk through the relationship and reach consensus in a collaborative manner about exactly what that looks like.”” Austin Monitor

“Travis County taps legal help to comb through Central Health, Dell Med contract,” KXAN’s Grace Reader — "Is Travis County’s hospital district, Central Health, giving millions of dollars to Dell Medical School in violation of state law? Travis County Commissioners wonder if that’s the case, a sticking point in their approval of Central Health’s budget Tuesday.

What is Central Health?

Two decades ago, voters in Travis County approved the creation of a hospital district, which taxes you just like the county or city does. That passed with roughly 54% of the vote.

Central Health’s mission is to provide healthcare for people who can’t afford it.

In 2012, voters approved a tax rate increase for the hospital district, the ballot language said in-part: “funds will be used for improved healthcare in Travis County, including support for a new medical school consistent with the mission of Central Health.”

That last part is where some local leaders, including Travis County Commissioners and Central Health board members, have concerns.

The legal question

Central Health pays Dell Medical School $35 million annually and have since you passed the tax rate increase in 2012. Travis County Commissioners are asking whether or not that’s legal — as it’s unclear how the medical school directly helps indigent people, the mission and legal obligation of Central Health.

“I think my colleague, Commissioner [Jeff] Travillion, said it best — if you’re giving somebody $35 million and they don’t have to tell you what they’re doing with it, that’s when people end up in jail, in my experience,” Commissioner Brigid Shea said.

While Travis County Commissioners unanimously voted to pass Central Health’s budget Tuesday, they also voted to bring on outside legal counsel to take a look at the agreement between the hospital district and Central Health.

That’s also the focus of an ongoing lawsuit brought forward by Attorney Fred Lewis, by the way.

“I think that is a great step,” Lewis said of the commissioner’s move to bring in legal help. “I think they will be told that it is illegal, then their duty, because they have financial control, oversight of Central Health and they set their financial policies, is to say you can’t pay money to anyone, including UT without specific deliverables of healthcare and records.”” KXAN

“Stay-in-place order lifted at Austin High School after authorities investigate threat,” Austin American-Statesman's Bianca Moreno-Paz — "A stay-in-place order at Austin High School has been lifted after the campus received a threat Wednesday morning.

Students and staff "stayed in place" for about an hour, with no one allowed in or out of the building, while authorities cleared the school after they received a 911 call, the Austin school district posted on X. It did not indicate what kind of threat had been made.

In a text message to high school parents just before 10 a.m., the district said the school was safe and was being swept by police. It said officials believe the call was a "swatting incident," or false emergency call intended to create panic. About half an hour later, the secure status was lifted, another text message to parents said.

On Tuesday, Lake Travis High School deemed a threat to students not credible, and did not place the school on lockdown. Multiple threats and arrests have been made in neighboring Hays, Del Valle, Eanes and Austin school districts in the past month, a trend that began after the fatal shooting at Apalachee High School, in Georgia.” AAS ($)

“Downtown Austin program fills empty storefronts with pop-ups, events,” KXAN’s Sarah Al-Shaikh — "Filling more office spaces and storefronts in downtown Austin is the goal of the Downtown Austin Space Activation Program. It provides affordable spaces for local creatives and small businesses to host pop-up shops and events.

“If there’s underutilized or vacant spaces in downtown, we want to fill them. We want small businesses, entrepreneurs, musicians, creatives to come and make sure that they have a place in downtown,” said DAA Chief Impact Officer Jenell Moffett.

Since launching in May, Moffett told KXAN the program helped increase foot traffic. The DAA said more than 800 people visited the different events like panel discussions, a fashion show, kid events and cultural events.

Moffett said with only one storefront space available all the time and a pair of outdoor spots, the organization wants to add more spots to their inventory. Specifically, spaces that businesses could use for an extended period.

“That is our longer term impact, that some of these businesses then say, ‘Hey, downtown is a place for me, and I actually want to locate their long term,'” Moffett said.” KXAN

“Austin Energy monthly bills to decrease in October,” KXAN’s Logan Dubel — "Austin Energy customers will soon see some relief on their monthly bill after several previous increases. The department announced a 5% decrease to the Power Supply Adjustment (PSA) rate, beginning Oct. 1. 

Residential customers can expect a $2 monthly decrease, according to a memo. AE said the cost reduction stems from lower power costs this summer and the full recovery of the PSA under-recovered balance. 

Despite higher power costs amidst scorching August heat, AE reported that Electric Reliability Council of Texas costs were lower than the past two years.

The news of a decrease follows several rounds of PSA increases, most recently in March, when AE applied a 5% increase. The utility company also implemented a 5% increase just two months earlier in January. This time last year, AE had instituted four separate price hikes over the previous year.

AE policy restricts rate adjustments of more than 5%. 

Despite predicting under-recovery throughout the summer season, AE said it over-recovered costs by $13.3 million. This brings the over-recovery balance to $32.9 million, continuing AE’s momentum to resolve its under-recovered balances, which totaled $102 million in November 2022.” KXAN

2024

“All five mayoral candidates take the stage at forum,” Austin Monitor’s Madeline de Figueiredo — “All five mayoral candidates participated in Wednesday’s mayoral forum, hosted by Austin PBS and the LBJ School of Public Affairs’ Urban Lab, to discuss major issues facing the city, including policing, housing, economic development, and affordability.

Policing was the first topic on the docket after the Austin police union and the city agreed to a $218 million, five-year contract this week that will be up for a City Council vote on Oct. 10.

Candidates Doug Greco, Carmen Llanes Pulido and Kathie Tovo expressed support for strengthening public safety and concern about transparency and accountability in policing. 

“Our officers deserve a fair and competitive wage, and the voters deserve to make sure that the contract that is approved by the Council has the accountability measures in it that the voters approved and that the court has affirmed,” Tovo said. 

“In this particular contract, we have not seen all the details. But based on initial reports, it appears that the city is proposing to trade away the public will on transparency in a key measure,” Greco said, referring to voters’ support of the Austin Police Oversight Act and the court’s ruling that files containing conduct complaints and internal investigation results must be released. It is unclear how the contract will address the ruling, as the contract’s language has not been made publicly available yet, a divergence from previous years of contract negotiation. “We voted for transparency and we should not trade that away for a police contract. We should be able to pay our public safety officers well and support the voters’ will.”

Mayor Kirk Watson responded to these concerns by expressing his support for the contract and a need to increase the presence of public safety officers: “The No. 1 way for us to address the need of Austinites to feel safe and be safe is that we need to have more police officers,” Watson said. “Ultimately getting that police contract, that we now have the opportunity for (approving), will be the best approach.” 

Housing, development and affordability also emerged as a divisive topic as candidates Jeffery Bowen, Greco, Llanes Pulido and Tovo criticized the HOME initiative – passed by City Council during Watson’s administration – for both its lack of protection of affordable housing and the rising cost of living in the city. 

“Affordability first is a simple lie. It’s been affordability last since the very beginning,” Llanes Pulido said. “We can see what’s happening in all of our central areas where modest homes are scraped, lots are subdivided and these properties are sold for millions of dollars. … If we actually let people in, we could craft policies that bring us real affordable housing.”

“There was no provision within (the HOME initiative) for affordable housing, not even an affordable housing contribution,” Tovo said, also criticizing Council for permitting short-term rentals under the initiative. “If there are three units on the property, at least two of them can be investor-owned short-term rentals 100 percent of the time. That doesn’t create housing for people – that creates hotels.” 

Bowen agreed that the HOME initiative carried harmful flaws. “The negative impacts are still there because there was no affordability in either (phase).” 

Greco advocated for more measures to support residents’ access to housing.

“We have lost our working class (in Austin),” he said. “We need to double down on rental assistance, mortgage assistance, down payment assistance and loans for ADUs. Forty percent of homes in Austin are bought by institutional investors. … Families can’t compete with that. … We need a mayor who is going to fight for the working class.”

Candidates also discussed the displacement concerns as they related to Austin’s small businesses. 

While Greco criticized historical incentives for large corporations, he called for extending incentives to small businesses.

“We are subsidizing major manufacturers,” he said. “Why shouldn’t we subsidize small businesses? Including start-up costs, loan programs, ongoing support and – if they have to relocate – some assistance in relocating to a neighborhood in which that may be more viable.” 

Bowen, a small-business owner, echoed the need to boost support for small businesses: “I would like to see more emphasis and more economic development to keep small businesses open because they generate the sales tax revenue that helps fill the budget.” 

“We need to include our local business owners in our anti-displacement strategies and in our economic development strategies,” Llanes Pulido said. “Our businesses need actual, caring people who are going to look at how to pave the way for these programs. … We have champions in the Economic Development Department that just need the agency and leadership to work directly with our small businesses to preserve that culture that is going to ultimately help Austin thrive economically.” 

Watson acknowledged the need to preserve and protect the interests of small businesses and said that the city’s Economic Development Department is bringing forward a small-business incentives program.” Austin Monitor

“Austin city council member files ethics complaint against opponent,” KVUE’s Johann Castro — “An Austin city councilmember has filed an ethics complaint against her opponent in the November election.

Incumbent councilwoman Mackenzie Kelly, of District 6, claims that challenger Krista Laine has not submitted the necessary financial records required by state law.

Kelly claims that Laine did not submit a personal financial statement when she announced her candidacy. A personal financial statement is a record of a candidate's sources of income, debts and financial interests.

Kelly claims that Laine should face fines and legal penalties for missing the Sept. 9 deadline to submit the information.

"Transparency is not optional — it's a cornerstone of ethical governance," said Kelly. "When a candidate fails to file their financial disclosures, it raises serious concerns about potential conflicts of interest and a disregard for the rules we are all required to follow."

Kelly referred to the complaint as "a call for accountability of my opponent, even as a candidate," further urging the Austin Ethics Review Commission to "take strong action against my opponent to teach a lesson so that she will comply and others will see the example set."

In response, Laine said in a statement that the "personal financial statement has been submitted, and all necessary forms will be submitted in short order," claiming that the delay came as a result of a clerical oversight.

"I remain committed to transparency and accountability," the statement concluded.” KVUE

SPORTS

~ TEXAS FOOTBALL: “Texas football vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs: Scouting report, prediction,” Austin American-Statesman’s Thomas Jones — “After years of discussion, planning, and anticipation, Texas football finally starts SEC play.

Can the Longhorns, ranked No. 2 by the US LBM Coaches Poll and No. 1 team in the Associated Press poll, its nonconference momentum into the nation’s toughest football conference? Will it be Quinn Ewers or Arch Manning taking snaps vs. Mississippi State?

Here's a full scouting report for the Texas Longhorns vs. the Mississippi State Bulldogs:

No. 2 Texas (4-0) vs. Mississippi State (1-3) 

When: 3:15 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Royal-Memorial Stadium in Austin.

TV/radio: SEC Network, 1300, 98.1, 105.3 (Spanish).

Line: Texas is favored by 38 ½.

Weather: It’s still warm and still very sunny, so wear a hat and lather up. Temperatures will be in the low to mid 90s at kickoff, but there may be a hint of a pleasant breeze from the north.

WATCH TEXAS VS. MISSISSIPPI STATE HERE

Texas history vs. Mississippi State

All-time: Series tied 2-2 

Last meeting: Texas 38, Mississippi State 11 (1999)

Most memorable meeting: Texas 38, Mississippi State 11 (1999). The only bowl meeting between the programs and the first bowl game at Texas for coach Mack Brown served as a fond farewell for Texas Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams, who rushed for 208 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries.

The win gave the Longhorns their first New Years Day Bowl win since 1981, and it helped jumpstart a decade of dominance for Brown at Texas. …

Texas vs. Mississippi State predictions

Danny Davis: Texas. Unfortunately, we aren't allowed to fast-forward two weeks to when things actually get interesting on the Texas schedule. So, while everyone in Austin waits for Oklahoma and Georgia, expect another blowout before Texas gets to enjoy a bye week.

Cedric Golden: Texas 54, Mississippi State 13. It won’t matter who is playing quarterback because the Longhorns are on the short list of most complete rosters in college football. Texas makes a statement in its SEC debut. The Horns are the team to beat.

Thomas Jones: Texas 63, Mississippi State 14. It will be an anticlimactic start to the SEC against a banged-up and overmatched Bulldog squad, but things will get more challenging in the coming weeks. Promise.

David Eckert: Texas 50, Mississippi State 10. A Mississippi State squad that got demolished by Toledo and has since lost its starting quarterback for the season will not be the first team to challenge Texas —  whether Quinn Ewers can go or not.” AAS ($)

~ HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: “How Austin's smallest high school ended Central Texas' longest losing streak at 54 games,” Austin American-Statesman’s Colby Gordon — “Things are on the upswing for Eastside High School. 

And as a result, the longest winless streak in the Austin area is no more. 

The Panthers, who hadn't won since Oct. 27, 2017, broke their 54-game losing streak last Friday night in emphatic fashion: a 44-0 shutout of New Braunfels John Paul II.

“I told coach (Luis Becerra III) it was about time,” said tight end and nose tackle Andrew Aguilar, who recorded a safety and is one of a few seniors who has stuck with the program all four years. “It was exciting. The bus ride home was crazy. We were listening to music, and everybody was wide awake and hyped.” 

Eastside excelled the two ways Becerra strives for: running the ball and defense. 

Jaylan Cathey rushed for 146 yards and three touchdowns, Nigel Johnson finished with 103 yards and a score, and the defense itself produced 18 points. Moises Garcia and Victor Carr returned interceptions for touchdowns and Johnathan Hernandez-Acosta joined Aguilar in recording a safety. 

“It’s very gratifying because of how hard I’ve seen this group work and how much dedication they’ve put in,” said Becerra, who is in his seventh year leading the program. “It was a long time coming and I know our guys were hungry for this win. … To see it all come together was very special, for sure.”” AAS ($)

QUICK LINKS

~ Threat that caused Austin High School lockdown originated from Florida, authorities say - Austin American-Statesman

~ Man who killed his wife and stepson in East Austin sentenced - KVUE

~ Travis County officials approve increased tax rate, $888.7M budget for Central Health - Community Impact

~ Austin High School declared safe, returning to normal operations after reported bomb threat - KVUE

~ Austin Energy monthly bills to decrease in October - KXAN Austin

~ Williamson County enters burn ban, effective Sept. 24 - Community Impact

~ Q&A: Hear from the Williamson County Precinct 3 commissioner candidates - Community Impact

~ Travis County approves 6.5% tax rate increase for Central Health budget amid financial controversy - Austin Monitor

~ These 5 Texas universities rank among top 100 US News best colleges for 2025. See list - Austin American-Statesman

~ 'Book bans and book challenges are really detrimental' | Austin authors on protecting books during Banned Books Week - KVUE

~ FAA, NTSB investigating after small plane crashes in Lakeway - KVUE

~ Daiso coming to Pflugerville shopping center - Community Impact

~ ARC Bee Cave now offering orthopedic sports, musculoskeletal services - Community Impact

~ Bastrop County burn ban extended through Oct. 15 - Community Impact

~ Aburi Oshi Sushi now offering to-go service in Austin - Community Impact

~ Council work sessions slated to resume, with some changes - Austin Monitor

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ LIBATIONS: ”Billionaire hair care and tequila guru buys Dripping Springs gin brand” Culture Map Austin

~ LIVE MUSIC: ”UT looks to promote music throughout campus with Longhorn Live initiative” Austin Monitor

WHAT TO DO TONIGHT

~ COMEDY: David Cross. Paramount Theater (713 Congress Ave). Doors 6pm, show 7pm. Tix $39.75 and up here.

~ LIVE MUSIC: The Wallflowers. Gruene Hall (Gruene, TX). 8pm show. Sold out. More here.

~ STEAK NIGHT / COWBOYS WATCH PARTY: The fabulous Cabana Club (5012 E 7th St) is hosting Steak Night for the Cowboys at Giants game tonight at 7pm. More here.

~ WEEKEND PLANS?: “Here are the top 7 things to do in Austin this weekend” Culture Map Austin

COOL JOB ALERT

~ Executive Director: Whole Foods Market Foundation. No salary info. Info / apply here.