🌱 Unemployment Rates Improve + ISD Board Approves COVID Leave

Up and at 'em, Cedar Park-Leander! Let's get you started this Saturday with everything you need to know going on today in Cedar Park-Leander.

First, today's weather:

Very windy; much colder. High: 48 Low: 34.

Here are the top stories in Cedar Park-Leander today:

1. The latest available unemployment figures are in for the Cedar Park-Leander area. The rate has improved since October and continues to be lower than it was after the pandemic first struck. In November, the Williamson County unemployment rate was 3.2 percent, which is down from 3.4 percent in October. This shows some improvement from November 2020, when the unemployment rate stood at 4.9 percent. (Cedar Park-Leander Patch)
2. During a meeting on Thursday night, Leander ISD's board made some major decisions. The first decision was to unanimously approve five days of "COVID Extended Leave" for all employees retroactively from Jan. 2 through June 30. (Community Impact Newspaper)
3. Looking for a pet for your family? You can make a positive impact on the Cedar Park-Leander community by checking out local animal shelters. Cedar Park-Leander and environs have dogs, cats, and other animals ready and waiting for someone to take them home. (Cedar Park-Leander Patch)

Today in Cedar Park-Leander:

• Virtual - TAG Teen Anime And Gaming At Cedar Park Public Library (2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Brennan is a Terrier-American Staffordshire pup who has been with the Austin Bulldog Rescue for over 150 days. According to ABR, he is the kind of rags to riches, Cinderella story rescue dreams are made of. (Facebook)
• The Dog Alliance has announced Carson, Franklin and Margie loved their first public access outing to the Leander Parks & Recreation Lakewood Park in The City of Leander, Texas. These 9-week-old pups are just beginning their service dog training. (Facebook)
• AJV Sand is gearing up to compete in their first BVCA club challenge of the year. Their teams have been training hard preparing for this weekend’s 5v5 Glendale Open. (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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• Taxes In Retirement Webinar (January 24)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you tomorrow for another update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.