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Community Corner

🌱 $350M Housing Bond + CapMetro Bringing 1K Jobs + Kid-Friendly Fun

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Austin.

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Jessica Collins, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Good morning, Austin! Hope everyone managed to stay safe and dry during last night's storm. It's Jessica here in your inbox this morning to get you up to speed on the latest local news and community updates around town.

Let's dive right into today's update:

  • The city is asking voters to authorize a $350 million housing bond.
  • Travis County received 9,900 doses of Naloxone to combat fentanyl overdoses.
  • CapMetro is looking to add 1,000+ new jobs to the Austin area.
  • Chess night, Lizzo, kid-friendly events, and much, much more ⬇️

But first, today's weather:

☀️ Sunny, breezy and pleasant. High: 80 Low: 48.

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Here are the top stories today in Austin:

1) The city is asking voters to authorize a $350 million housing bond. If approved, this would be the largest sum of bond money Austin has set aside for affordable housing. Advocates estimate that the bond, known as Proposition A, would cost the typical homeowner an additional $46 a year in property taxes. Head to KUT to get the full scoop on what Proposition A could mean for Austinites.

2) Austin Public Health has secured a bulk order of the life-saving drug naloxone in an effort to prevent opioid deaths. In 2021, fentanyl-related deaths were 38 percent of overdose deaths. This year, that figure is up to almost 57 percent. In an effort to combat this public health crisis in our community, Travis County received 9,900 doses of Naloxone, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses. The Texas Harm Reduction Alliance will be distributing naloxone for free to opioid users. Subscription/The Statesman has more on how Austin is combating this public health crisis.

3) Kaitlin Armstrong returned to court on Monday. Armstrong is accused of killing pro cyclist Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson back in May, then fleeing to Costa Rica. On Monday, Oct. 24, Armstrong was due in court to continue her pre-trial motion hearing. KVUE reports that this is not the start of her criminal trial and that Armstrong's team has filed two motions to suppress evidence. Head over to KUVE to get the full scoop on the hearing.

4) CapMetro is looking to add 1,000+ new jobs to the Austin area through Project Connect! As Project Connect ramps up, CapMetro and Workforce Solutions are partnering to fulfill more than 1,000 open gigs. The three-year partnership launches next month, with high-demand jobs including bus operators, dispatchers and fleet management. KVUE has more on this story here.

Today in Austin:

  • ($285) Breast Ultrasound Screening at 11901 N Mopac Expy. (9 a.m.)
  • (Kid-Friendly) Preschool Storytime at Austin Public Library, Twin Oaks Branch. (2 p.m.)
  • (Kid-Friendly) Butterfly Habitat Building Demonstration at Austin Public Library, Windsor Park Branch (3 p.m.)
  • Chess Night at LoLo Wine Bar. (5 p.m.)
  • Otoboke Beaver at Mohawk. (6:30 p.m.)
  • Lizzo with special guest Latto at Moody Center. (7 p.m.)
  • Good Time Club: A Comedy Show at The Ballroom at Spiderhouse. (7 p.m.)
  • Medicine For The Mind at Casa De Luz. (7:30 p.m.)
  • mr.phylzzz with Venus Twins and Bug Spray at Parish. (7:30 p.m.)

Community Chatter:

  • 🐶 Meet the newest member of the Austin Fire Department: Zsa Zsa Sabor! "The 1-year-old German Shepherd is AFD's new arson dog – the department's 'accelerant detection canine.' " Welcome to the squad, Zsa Zsa! (KVUE)
  • 🏈 Some Longhorn fans aren't happy. UT football coach Steve Sarkisian apologized Monday for not staying on the field to sing "The Eyes of Texas" after the Longhorns' loss to Oklahoma State and promised it would "never happen again." (CBS Austin)
  • 👻 On the hunt for spooky Halloween treats? From creepy cakes to black cat tarts to pan de muerto – Austin Eater has compiled a list of which local bakeries are offering Halloween-themed goodies. (Austin Eater)
  • 🚨 Job alert: Patch has a list of who's hiring in the area – check it out! (Austin Patch)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you around!

— Jessica Collins

About me: Jessica is happy to call Austin her home for the past 10+ years. She loves the outdoors, arts & cinema, dining, and all of the natural beauty that Central Texas has to offer.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Austin Daily? Contact me at DowntownAustin@patch.com

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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