ATX PULSE 9/16/24 (sponsored by TX Flyover): Broadnax Moves to Eliminate G File // Arrest Made in 2021 Stabbing // Arsonist Sentenced to 15 Years // Waymo & Uber Team Up for Self-Driving Ride Share in ATX // Texas Reaches #1 in AP Poll

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2024

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

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TODAY’S WEATHER

H: 97° / L: 74°. Hotter than usual for mid Sept. Latest forecast from Fox 7 Austin’s Leslie London here.

TOP NEWS

“Waymo and Uber are teaming up to bring self-driving ride-hailing service to Austin soon,” Austin American-Statesman’s Beck Andrew Salgado — “The next time you step into an Uber, you might be the only person in the car. 

Well, maybe not next time, but soon. Uber and self-driving car company Waymo announced Friday that self-driving ride-hailing service is just months away as the companies are partnering to pioneer autonomous vehicles in the ride-hailing industry. 

The service, called the Waymo One experience, is already running in three U.S. cities and is set to expand next into Austin and Atlanta — both cities where Waymo has already been testing self-driving cars. The feature will be available only on the Uber app and is set to be offered beginning in early 2025. 

When driverless rides start, they will do so via a fleet of Waymo’s fully autonomous, all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles, which both companies say they plan to grow into hundreds of vehicles over time.

“Waymo’s mission is to be the world’s most trusted driver, and we’re excited to launch this expanded network and operations partnership with Uber in Austin and Atlanta to bring the benefits of fully autonomous driving to more riders,” said Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO of Waymo. “We’ve been delighted at the positive feedback from our Waymo One riders to date, and we can’t wait to bring the comfort, convenience, and safety of the Waymo Driver to these cities in partnership with Uber.”

In an announcement, Uber said it would provide fleet management services including vehicle cleaning, repair and other general depot operations. Waymo will continue to be responsible for the testing and operation of the Waymo Driver, including roadside assistance and certain rider support functions.

“We’re thrilled to build on our successful partnership with Waymo, which has already powered fully autonomous trips for tens of thousands of riders in Phoenix,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber. “Soon, riders in Austin and Atlanta will be able to experience that same mobility magic, through a new fleet of dedicated, autonomous Waymo vehicles, available only on Uber.”” AAS ($)

THE BLOTTER

“Austin murder suspect arrested for 2021 deadly stabbing,” via Fox 7 Austin — “A murder suspect in a South Austin 2021 deadly stabbing has been arrested, U.S. Marshals said.

U.S. Marshals said Mithovar Christopher Antoine Jr., 22, was a suspect wanted for a murder that happened on July 23, 2021, in the 2000 block of S. I-35 in Austin. 

The victim called police saying he had been stabbed. Life-saving measures were administered but he later died.

On Sept. 11, 2024, an arrest warrant for Antoine was given to law enforcement. 

Members of the U.S. Marshals initiated the fugitive investigation and arrested Antoine in Temple.

Antoine was taken to the Bell County Jail where he will await further judicial proceedings and extradition.

APD says that Austin 911 received a call on July 23 just before 10:30 p.m. from the victim, 23-year-old Nikolas Eugenio Martinez, who said he had been stabbed.

Martinez was able to drive a short distance to a convenience store in the 2000 block of the west frontage road of S. I-35. Several people there attempted to assist him, says APD, until officers and ATCEMS arrived.

APD says officers and EMS found Martinez with a life-threatening stab wound, and despite life-saving measures, he succumbed to his injury and was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:47 p.m.” Fox 7 Austin

“Austin man sentenced to 15 years for arson, planting pipe bombs in Williamson County,” KVUE’s Johann Castro — “An Austin man will spend the next 15 years in prison after being convicted of a felony in Williamson County

On Sept. 13, 61-year-old Michael Sean Myers pled guilty to a felony charge of arson causing bodily injury, before his trial was set to begin. He was set to go on trial after being accused of arming three pipe bombs in Williamson County in 2022, one of which exploded causing severe injuries.

The arson was motivated by Myers' displeasure with a woman his son had been dating. Myers believed that the woman and her family were "stealing his son away from him." The family began to notice strange occurrences in late 2021, such as locks being superglued, lawn equipment being sabotaged and a vehicle being sabotaged.

In January 2022, a pipe bomb Myers had set in a vehicle exploded while it was traveling on FM 972 in Williamson County. The explosion caused severe injuries to the hand of a male victim. A month later, the victim's son then noticed a pipe bomb with a partially burned fuse lying in his backyard at his home in Georgetown.

In late 2022, officers discovered a third pipe bomb that Myers had prepared, along with makeshift grenades he had made at his house. Law enforcement agencies were subsequently able to identify Myers as the person responsible for setting the pipe bomb that exploded in the vehicle.

Myers pled guilty after meeting with attorneys, accepting the 15-year sentence.” KVUE

“Austin homeless man back in custody after his escape,” via Fox 7 Austin — “A homeless man accused of tormenting a South Austin neighborhood for years is back in custody.

Rami Zawaideh was booked into the Travis County Jail on Sept. 12, on charges related to escaping custody and multiple city ordinance violations.

People in the Westgate neighborhood have reported seeing Zawaideh building sculptures, taking a sledgehammer to city property, cutting down trees in the Greenbelt, and screaming at all hours of the night.“ Fox 7 Austin

“Manor police search for suspects who fled in stolen vehicle after theft at 7-11,” CBS Austin’s Isabella Bass — “The Manor Police Department, Travis County Sheriff’s Office K9, and Austin Travis County EMS Starflight were in the area of Prince Phillip Way and Field Stream Ln. early Sunday morning.

The agencies were searching for three male suspects who fled from officers in a stolen vehicle following a theft at 7-11, according to the Manor Police Department's post on Facebook.

The suspects are described as a male with an afro and a white top, a male wearing a blue shirt and black pants, and a male with a black shirt and black pants.

Anyone who encounters suspicious people or behavior in the Shadowglen subdivision is encouraged to call 9-1-1.” CBS Austin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

“Following Court ruling, City Manager moves to eliminate secret police file,” Austin Chronicle’s Austin Sanders — “More than a year after voters approved the Austin Police Oversight Act and supporters sued to force the city of Austin and the Austin Police Department to fully implement it, officials are taking steps to fulfill one of the Oversight Act’s key mandates – elimination of a secret file where some police misconduct records had been kept.

The file, known as the “G file,” had been at the center of a lawsuit filed by Equity Action, the group that authored the Oversight Act. Two weeks ago, the judge in that case ruled that the city and APD were acting “unlawfully” by continuing to maintain the G file. Now, the city is taking steps to eliminate it and, in some cases, open up some records contained within it to the public.

A memo signed by City Manager T.C. Broadnax and Office of Police Oversight Director Gail McCant, distributed Sept. 12, outlines steps the city is taking to “promptly respond to public information requests” seeking G file records. The memo says the city has already received a number of requests seeking G file material (including from the Chronicle) and that they have developed a process to deal with an anticipated increase of such requests. The city is anticipating that the release of records – if they are ever released at all – will take between 45-60 business days.

Elimination of the G file has been a key goal of police oversight advocates for decades, because they argue it is a place for APD to conceal proven allegations of misconduct that the department doesn't want the public – or civilian investigators working at the Office of Police Oversight – to know about. (Broadnax’s memo focuses on public release of G file records through the Texas Public Information Act; the city did not immediately respond to questions about how the court’s ruling would affect OPO’s access to G file records.)

When police departments internally investigate officers for misconduct, even proven allegations do not always result in discipline. Under state law, police departments using a G file are allowed to make investigation records confidential if the officer in question did not ultimately receive severe discipline (if an officer is orally reprimanded, for example). Another provision of state law imbues only one person with the authority to discipline police officers: the chief of police.

These two portions of state law create a dynamic in which a police chief could look at the results of an Internal Affairs investigation into officer misconduct that proves misconduct occurred and decide, for whatever reason they want, not to discipline the officer (or just slap them on the wrist). If that were to happen, the records could be locked away in the G file, totally inaccessible to anyone outside of the department – including members of the public and the civilian investigators at OPO.

There is another G file loophole that concerns oversight advocates. Say Internal Affairs investigates an officer and finds they broke a department rule and should be disciplined. If the officer resigns before that discipline is issued by the chief, all records relating to the misconduct investigation get locked away in the G file. In 2021, OPO found that 15 officers retired or resigned while under investigation.

In both scenarios, the department could conceivably have investigated an allegation of misconduct, proved it happened, and then taken steps to conceal any knowledge of that conduct from the public – all of which is made possible by the G file. But with the city taking steps to eliminate the G file, the secrecy that the file permits will be greatly reduced.

The Austin Police Association and their statewide counterpart, the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, have fiercely protected the G file for decades because they say it protects officers by shielding records relating to frivolous or retaliatory complaints that are proven untrue. APA President Michael Bullock described some complaints contained within the G file as “outlandish” and “untrue.”

Without a G file, the city will now have to argue against disclosure of such information relating to officer misconduct investigations on a case-by-case basis – which is how most law enforcement agencies throughout Texas, which do not have G files, handle these kinds of records requests. The Texas Public Information Act, which regulates disclosure of government records sought through public information request, allows local governments to withhold records for a variety of reasons – including those relating to active investigations (criminal or administrative), those that threaten a law enforcement officer’s safety, or those that represent a “clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy” of any public employee.” Austin Chronicle

“Postponements spark talk of examining Council work sessions,” Austin Monitor’s Chad Swiatecki — “The lack of City Council work session meetings in recent weeks appears to have played a large role in the postponement of a trio of programs pushed by the Economic Development Department that had been up for a vote at last week’s full Council meeting.

The three programs in question were: a place-based economic incentive initiative aimed at small businesses; a broader expansion of the city’s application of the state’s economic incentives; and a long-planned framework to standardize the creation, funding and operation of cultural districts around the city. All three programs were given full presentations by EDD staff on Thursday and allowed time for Council discussion prior to three separate postponements led by Council Member Zo Qadri that were approved without objection.

Qadri, who asked no questions on any of the items, made similar comments when suggesting postponements that centered on the need for Council to have more time ahead of full Council meetings to consider and discuss measures that could involve complicated requirements and rules on substantial amounts of money.

“I know there’s been a lot of hard work, and it’s been a long time coming. I believe that this item could provide great resources and tools for our cultural districts,” he said regarding the cultural district framework item. “Since this is a citywide issue, I’d like to postpone this item just for one meeting so we could have further conversations with staff, with stakeholders, to get any potential revision.”

In an unexpected move, the city has canceled its two most recent work session meetings that are typically scheduled for the Tuesday morning prior to a Thursday full Council meeting. Those sessions don’t include any actions or decision-making and allow staff to give updates on upcoming Council agenda items that may require substantive discussion and direction from the dais.

The recent cancellations came after a Travis County court ruled against the city in its rules regarding public comment during meetings. One specific nuance of the ruling could require public comment to be included in work session meetings when items intended for future Council action are discussed.

Prior to a scheduled Aug. 27 work session, Mayor Kirk Watson suggested – via a City Council Message Board posting from his staff – cancellation of that meeting because there were no staff presentations scheduled. Last week’s work session was also canceled, with no message board post beforehand explaining the move.” Austin Monitor

“Planning Commission supports rezoning lakefront property,” Austin Monitor’s Madeleine de Figeuiredo — “The Planning Commission supported rezoning 200 E. Riverside Drive, which is just east of South Congress Avenue, for a multiuse development project that would include multiple towers where a vacant office building currently sits. 

The development will be 160 feet from the banks of Lady Bird Lake and adjacent to the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail and Boardwalk. Developers are still planning the project but anticipate constructing between two and four towers – which, with the rezoning, will have a maximum height of 500 feet – that will include ground-floor retail space as well as potentially office, residential or hotel space. The towers will sit alongside a planned Capital Metro station for the proposed Blue Line, a light rail that will run along East Riverside Drive. 

The development will be designed to “encourage a pedestrian environment by expanding open space with connections to the waterfront,” Sherri Sirwaitis, with the Planning Department, said. 

While the towers were originally proposed to be office space atop ground-floor commercial space, the developer is reserving the right for housing. “The goal is to have first-floor retail and the … buildings will probably be hotel or residential,” said Richard ​​Suttle, the lawyer who represented the developer in the Planning Commission meeting. While demand for office space is currently low, Suttle said that the developer is still keeping the possibility of future office space on the table, especially as the Blue Line develops in coming years.

Suttle also explained that the number of towers will be informed by plans for the location of the CapMetro station and proposed Blue Line.

“It’s tough to plan right now because we don’t know exactly where the train is coming through,” Suttle said. However, he affirmed that the developer is “going to make sure the train fits.” 

The redevelopment of the property, which is located in the Lady Bird Lake and East Bouldin Creek watersheds, will also reduce the site’s impervious cover by 8.9 percent across its 3.95 acres. 

While the project is currently slated for a 2026 completion, commission chair Claire Hempel confirmed with Suttle that the entire site likely won’t be open in 2026. Instead, the towers will probably open in succession. One building will open in 2026 and then the developer plans to determine the usage of the other towers according to market changes.“ Austin Monitor

BUSINESS NEWS

~ “65 Equity Partners buys a stake in Kendra Scott,” Austin Business Journal’s Brent Wistrom – “One of Austin's most well-known homegrown brands has a new investor.

65 Equity Partners, a Singapore-based private equity firm owned by Temasek Holdings, said Sept. 13 that it has made a minority investment in Austin-based jewelry and lifestyle company Kendra Scott Design Inc.

The firm didn't immediately respond to questions about the size of the investment.

Under the deal, two of the company's earlier private equity backers, Berkshire Partners and Norwest Venture Partners, have fully redeemed the preferred stock investments they held. Berkshire initially made a minority stake investment in 2016 that valued the company at more than $1 billion. Norwest Venture Partners made an undisclosed minority investment in 2014.

Kendra Scott, who founded the company in 2002 and is on the ABJ's 2024 Power Players list, remains the company's majority stakeholder — and with this new investment she has increased her share.

Scott was advised by Goodwin Procter LLP on the deal, and the company was advised by Piper Sandler & Co., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Latham & Watkins LLP.

"I have never been more excited about our business, and 65 Equity Partners will allow our brand to grow while staying true to our mission," Scott stated. "The international investment firm's focus on supporting entrepreneurs in their growth journey complements our efforts as we build a globally recognized lifestyle brand."

With the new investment, the company plans to open new retail stores, expand into new categories and partner with culturally relevant partners.

Company CEO Tom Nolan called the investment "a pivotal moment in our journey."

"We continue to see success across all channels with increased traffic, double-digit revenue growth, and outperforming industry standards," he stated.” ABJ ($)

OTHER NEWS

~ “Some Barton Springs Pool repairs have been completed, officials say,” KXAN’s Sam Stark – “Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department said some repairs that have kept Barton Springs Pool closed have been completed. 

Officials had to close Barton Springs Pool after finding two holes in a pipe that dates back to the 1940s. The city said water was pulled into an obsolete pipe under the pool’s dam and was dangerous for swimmers. 

“Some repairs have been made, but the project [and] clean-up is still ongoing. The Parks and Recreation Department hopes to announce the reopening as soon as everything has been signed off and clean-up is completed,” a Parks spokesperson said.

With the repairs, city engineers planned to create a long-term solution that ensures public safety and endangered species protection, the city said. 

The spokesperson did not provide an official timeline on when the pool might reopen. “ KXAN

~ “Uber and Waymo to offer driverless rides in Austin,” Fox 7 Austin’s Tan Radford – “The self-driving car company Waymo and the ride-share service Uber are partnering up to provide rides on the same app.

Waymo is set to fully transition to the Uber app at the beginning of next year as the partnership begins.

The first cities the app will be tested in are Austin and Atlanta.

"Austin is a great place to try it out. There are a lot of young folks that need rides. I live here, so I’m glad that it is starting in Austin," says Austin resident Krista Chester.

On Friday, the ridesharing services Uber and Waymo, that were previously in competition, announced they would be collaborating. This comes after a legal battle where Uber was accused of stealing Waymo’s trade secrets.

There are new safety concerns about driverless cars that are on the road in Austin. Federal regulators are looking into whether Waymo's self-driving technology is actually causing crashes.

"I think it is a good move on Waymo’s part to use the infrastructure that Uber has already setup to make their services more available to everybody," says Austin resident Patricio Dieck.

A Waymo spokesperson says Uber users will be able to match with a Waymo vehicle across Uber tiers.” Fox 7 Austin

~ “Southeast Austin community adding more tiny homes for people experiencing homelessness,” KVUE’s Matt Fernandez — “As Austin continues to face an affordability crisis, nonprofit The Others One Foundation is creating more shelter space to house the homeless.

The emergency shelter known as "the Esperanza Community" in southeast Austin is full, so crews are adding more housing on-site.

The site currently has 100 units in Phase I where people are living, but come March of 2025 there will be an additional 100 units. Friday was a groundbreaking for Phase II.

"This is a place people come and experience transformation,” said founder and executive director Chris Baker.

This comes at a critical time as according to the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition, or ECHO, on any given night, more than 6,300 people are unhoused in Austin. So the goal is to get more people off the streets.

The total cost for Phase II is around $3 million. Funding will come from the city of Austin, Travis County and through private groups.” KVUE

~ “The Modern, a 56-story condo high rise in downtown Austin, marks construction milestone,” Austin American-Statesman’s Shonda Novak – “Spurred by his passion for the urban lifestyle, Kevin Burns has lived in many of the high-rise condominium and apartment towers built within the past two decades in downtown Austin.

Burns is the founder and CEO of Urbanspace, an Austin-based firm specializing in downtown residential sales and development. Over more than two decades, his company has evolved to become known for marketing, selling, designing, or furnishing countless downtown condos and apartments.

In recent years, he branched out in a big way. In April 2022, Burns launched construction on a condo tower he developed on his own.

His 56-story tower, named the Modern Austin Residences, is at Rainey and Davis streets on downtown's southeastern side. The sleek glass tower, with a striking arched concrete entrance, adds a dramatic touch to the skyline.

"I put my heart and soul into it," Burns said. "My entire career has been building up to the development of the Modern."

The building joins other nearby high-rises in the Rainey Street district that continue to redefine Austin's skyline as they soar to ever-taller heights.

The latest Rainey skyscrapers are just steps from Lady Bird Lake and the popular Butler Hike and Bike Trail. The district bustles with bars, eateries, hotels and a growing number of residential, hotel and mixed-use towers that have cropped up since city leaders rezoned that part of downtown for high-rise development in the mid-2000s.

Burns recently gave the media a tour of his project to commemorate a milestone: The Modern's structural framework now is completed, an event known in the industry as "topping out" and signaling its pinnacle of construction.

The first buyers could move into the building at 610 Davis St. as soon as the first quarter of 2025. With a total of 319 condos, the tower is due to be substantially completed next summer.

Crews broke ground on Burns' tower in April 2022 after receiving more than $300 million in financing from Peregren Capital Group. The real estate investment firm has offices in Dallas and Los Angeles and focuses on the western, central and southern regions of the U.S.

The Modern was Peregren's first construction financing in Austin. …

Unit sizes range from 600 square feet to upwards of 10,000 square feet of interior and exterior space for its largest penthouse, which will include a 4,000-square-foot balcony.

Prices range from the $600,000s to more than $10 million.” AAS ($)

~ “Lucchese put its best boot forward with buzzy opening of SoCo location in Austin,” Austin American-Statesman’s Beck Andrew Salgado – “Entering the legacy of Austin's most iconic retail road comes with large shoes, or should we say boots, to fill. South Congress’ latest tenant seems up to the task as it brings a prestigious history of its own. 

Lucchese Boots opened its second location in Austin this month and did so in style, as it is now housed in the popular South Congress area. The new South Congress location was much anticipated after the iconic brand, known for its white boots, among other items, announced in March that it would be opening on the street. 

Beyond being a popular retail street, SoCo has cultivated a reputation as one of the premier western wear hubs in the country. Lucchese expects to contribute to this reputation as it is located in between Allen’s Boots and the new industry darling Tecovas.

Lucchese’s opening on SoCo was. in many ways, a bellwether for what the brand hopes to do at the new location. The event included a lively atmosphere, prudent customer service and even a performance from Parker McCollum — a premier partner of the company. 

Lucchese officials said the line at the store's grand opening was over 150 people, and the location doubled its anticipated volume for its opening. Moreover, foot traffic since doors opened has been consistent. Some people have driven upwards of two hours to check out the new space.“ AAS ($)

SPORTS

~ TEXAS FOOTBALL: “Texas on top! Longhorns take over at No. 1 in AP Top 25 for first time in 16 years, jumping Georgia,” via AP — “Texas is No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll for the first time in 16 years, replacing Georgia on Sunday after the Bulldogs struggled to remain unbeaten.

The Longhorns moved up a spot from No. 2 and received 35 first-place votes and 1,540 points. The Bulldogs, who have been No. 1 since the preseason poll, received 23 first-place votes and 1,518 points.

Ohio State received five first-place votes and stayed at No. 3 during an off week. No. 4 Alabama and No. 5 Mississippi held their places and Tennessee moved up a spot to No. 6, flip-flopping with Southeastern Conference rival Missouri.

The last time the Longhorns were No. 1 was the middle of the 2008 season, when they spent three weeks at the top of the polls before losing a memorable game at Texas Tech in early November. The Longhorns are likely to settle into the top spot for at least another week with a home game against Louisiana-Monroe up next, possibly with Arch Manning as the starting quarterback.

Manning, the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning, stepped in Saturday night against UTSA when Quinn Ewers went out with an abdomen injury that coach Steve Sarkisian said was not serious.

"There’s nothing like being in the game. Playing in front of 105,000 people is not the easiest thing to do. I’m really proud of Arch," Sarkisian said.” AP

~ TEXAS FOOTBALL: “Arch Manning takes over for injured Quinn Ewers, leads No. 2 Texas to 56-7 rout of UTSA,” via AP — “Arch Manning passed for four touchdowns and ran 67 yards for another score after taking over for injured starter Quinn Ewers in the second quarter, leading No. 2 Texas to a 56-7 win over UTSA on Saturday night.

Texas (3-0) led 14-0 when Ewers left with what coach Steve Sarkisian described as a strained abdomen. Manning threw a 19-yard touchdown to DeAndre Moore on his first play, then broke off the long sprint for another touchdown on Texas' next possession, as several UTSA (1-2) defenders chased him.

Manning and Isaiah Bond connected for a 51-yard TD on Texas' first series in the third quarter that made it 35-7. His next throw was a 75-yard deep strike TD to Ryan Wingo.

Manning finished 9 of 12 passing for 223 yards. He left the game early in the fourth quarter after his final touchdown pass to Johntay Cook II.

The five-star recruit with the NFL family pedigree might be the highest-profile backup quarterback in the country. With sharp passing and an unexpected burst of speed, Manning showed that he should indeed live up to the hype.

And if Ewers has to remain out for an extended period, Texas still has time to groom Manning as the starter before the schedule gets much more difficult.

Texas hosts Louisiana-Monroe next week, then opens its first SEC schedule at home against Mississippi State on Sept. 28. The Longhorns then have a week off before their annual rivalry with Oklahoma.”

~ TEXAS FOOTBALL: Cedric Golden column: “Texas football coach could have a tough call on his hands when Quinn Ewers heals,” via Austin American-Statesman — “Ever run into a 5-year-old who speaks with the wisdom of someone 10 times his age?

Invariably, a grown-up will whisper, “He’s been here before.”

That’s the feeling fans must have gotten Saturday night when teenage Texas quarterback Arch Manning leaped a hurdle usually handled by adults and lit up the UTSA defense as if he could match the four Super Bowls won by his famous uncles.

Manning, playing in place of injured starter Quinn Ewers, was electric in the 56-7 blowout of UTSA. His nine completions went for 223 yards and four touchdowns, and his biggest rush was a house call to the tune of 67 yards.

“I didn’t know he had it in him,” senior center Jake Majors said.

Manning inherited that arm strength from uncles Peyton and Eli but, thankfully, he got his legs from Paw-Paw Archie and dad Cooper. The sprinter’s speed was evident on his longest career run.

“I just had to make one move on the safety, and when the adrenaline kicks in, it helps you run a little bit faster,” he said. “But I credit that to (strength and conditioning coach) Torre Becton. He runs our tails off in the summer. So I think I've gotten a little bit faster since I've gotten here.”

If he isn’t a star in the making, someone should redefine the term. The young man has this electricity about him that attracts fans of the game, and he does in such a professional manner, one can’t help but wonder if reincarnation is a thing for quarterbacks. 

He plays as if he’s been here before.

Manning, a team guy to his core, expressed concern for the young man he replaced, but we all understand that this is the most unforgiving of team sports. 

EWERS INJURY:What Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian said of QB's outlook

Though Ewers’ injury appeared to be noncontact — he went to the ground with a strained oblique with 12 minutes, 10 seconds left in the second quarter — people in Manning’s vocation know that within seconds they can go from holding a clipboard and chewing bubble gum to staring across the line at a 350-pound rhinoceros who would like nothing more than to plant them in the turf.

“Quinn's one of my best friends on the team,” Manning said. “We're roommates the night before games, and I've just learned so much from him, the way he handles everything, whether it's the media or just the preparation throughout the week. He's been the man to me. I hope he's OK.”

Manning was the man from the moment he stepped onto the field. He authored one of the most explosive relief appearances in program history, right up there with the 2001 Big 12 title game against Colorado: Backup Major Applewhite replaced a turnover-riddled Chris Simms in the second quarter and nearly led the Horns back from a 29-10 deficit that would have put them in the national title game against Miami.” AAS ($)

QUICK LINKS

~ Central Texas Food Bank inspires the community to ‘go orange’ - KXAN

~ Applications are open for Austin’s Heritage Preservation Grant - Austin Monitor

~ Arch Manning is ‘just a normal guy who plays quarterback for the University of Texas’ - KXAN

~ 'Real diverse experience' | Austinites get a taste of several Latin American plates in one spot - KVUE

~ Arch Manning Heisman Trophy odds: Texas football QB enters race after breakout vs. UTSA - Austin American-Statesman

~ Roers Companies and JPMorganChase to add 200 affordable housing units south of downtown Austin - ABJ

~ Quinn Ewers update: Oblique injury reportedly not as serious as once thought - Austin American-Statesman

~ Paul Finebaum says Arch Manning will win Heisman Trophy with Texas football: 'Book it' - Austin American-Statesman

~ US marshals: Man arrested and charged with murder in 2021 South Austin stabbing - Austin American-Statesman

~ Get to know the Austin ISD school board candidates - Community Impact Austin

~ CapMetro proposing nearly 20% decrease in budget for upcoming fiscal year - Community Impact Austin

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ COCKTAILS: ”Downtown Austin Hotel Opens a New Elegant Cocktail Bar” Austin Eater

~ SUSHI: ”New All-You-Can-Eat Sushi Restaurant Opens in South Austin” Austin Eater

~ LATE NIGHT FOOD: ”The best late night food in Austin” Austin Eater

WHAT TO DO TONIGHT

~ LIVE MUSIC: Soul Man Sam. Antone’s. Doors 7pm, show 8pm. Tix $12 here.

COOL JOB ALERT

~ Director of Development: Assistant Vice President for Foundation Relations. Info / apply here.