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Community Corner

🌱 $35M Homeless Housing Initiative + Cool Weather Is Back This Week

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)

Welcome back, Austin! I'm here bright and early in your inbox today to get you caught up on the latest news around town.

Grab your morning coffee and settle in while we cover:

  • Travis County and Mobile Loaves and Fishes invest in a major housing initiative.
  • Still struggling to learn your smartphone? Want help navigating social media? The library is hosting a free digital literacy workshop this afternoon.
  • A new power plant is in the works for Central Texas.
  • Swifties — tonight is your night! Taylor Swift Karaoke tonight in East Austin.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 56 Low: 33.

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Here are the top stories today in Austin:

1) I hope you didn't pack up your coats and scarves just yet — Mother Nature swooped in to remind us it's still winter! Cool temps and drier air are expected throughout Central Texas for the rest of the week, starting today. Some pockets of Central Texas could also get freezing temperatures! KVUE has the full weather forecast for the week here.

2) Travis County is putting a $35 million investment into helping the local houseless community find a home. The county is partnering with Mobile Loaves and Fishes to build 640 units at the newly planned "Burleson Village" in Southeast Travis County. CBS Austin reports that the $35 million is the first investment of the $110 million Travis County received from the American Rescue Plan. Construction at Burleson Village kicks off this summer, and the first residents are expected to move on-site by mid-2025. Learn more about county's partnership with Mobile Loaves and Fishes here at CBS Austin.

3) Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) plans to build a new "peaker power plant" in Central Texas. A peaker plant is used for brief periods when the demand for power approaches or surpasses the amount of power available. The new plant will provide an additional 190 megawatts of dispatchable power to the Texas power grid. KVUE has more on this story here.

4) Central Health is suing Ascension Texas for allegedly failing to provide care to low-income residents in Travis County. Ascension Texas is also suing Central Health over claims that the organization is "not honoring their deal." The CEO of Central Health, Mike Geeslin, tells FOX 7 Austin: "Here's the problem. Over the years, Ascension has cared for fewer and fewer people, fewer and fewer map patients, and charity care patients. That is not allowed under our agreements with ascension and that's not acceptable." Meanwhile, Ascension Texas' counter-lawsuit alleges that Central Health has "over-enrolled and under-funded the medical access program." FOX 7 Austin has more on this story here.

Today in Austin:

  • (Free) Computer & Digital Literacy Workshop at Austin Public Library, Terrazas Branch. (11 a.m.)
  • (Free Small Business Workshop) BizAid Business Orientation at Austin Public Library, Howson Branch. (11 a.m.)
  • Pajama Storytime at Austin Public Library, Yarborough Branch. (6 p.m.)
  • aGLIFF Presents: Before I Change My Mind at Galaxy Theatres Austin. (7 p.m.)
  • That 1 Guy at Antone's. (7 p.m.)
  • ZACH Theatre & Deaf Austin Theatre Present: Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella at ZACH Theatre. (7:30 p.m.)
  • Scumberparty Comedy Show at Cap City Comedy Club. (8 p.m.)
  • Pop-Up Karaoke: Taylor Swift Edition at Volstead Lounge. (10 p.m.)

Community Chatter:

  • 🥬 Grocery delivery coming to campus: "The University of Texas at Austin announced Tuesday it has partnered with H-E-B to offer campus grocery delivery to students, faculty members, and staffers -- making it the newest delivery hub." (CBS Austin via Facebook)
  • 🎶 Local record label uses vintage machines to make vinyl recordings: "Grant Himmler, the operator of Old Faithful Records in Austin, makes lathe cut records – using 80-year-old machines and technology to scratch a playable record groove onto clear flat plastic." Check out the full profile on Old Faithful Records over at the Texas Standard. (Texas Standard)


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You're all caught up for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with a new update!

— 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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