Hey hey Austin! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: The New Triangle Food and Artisan Market and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What is the difference between black eyed peas and chick peas? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. ACL 2026 load-in brings road closures, parking impacts around Zilker Park (kxan.com) — Expect weeks of road closures and parking shutdowns around Zilker Park as Austin City Limits Festival setup ramps up, starting with multiple lot closures and lane reductions this month. Barton Springs Road and Stratford Drive will see recurring full and partial closures through Oct. 18, so plan extra travel time and consider alternate routes if you live, work, or play near the park.
2. Austin ISD responds to parent petition to close 2 schools (fox7austin.com) — Austin families at Burnet and Webb middle schools are being asked to consider a petition that could close their campuses to avoid a possible state takeover of Austin ISD after years of failing grades. The superintendent says the district will not organize signatures but is preparing contingency plans if closures move forward, while some parents push back and say the focus should remain on supporting students and improving schools.
3. Austin's former 3M campus set for data center following $1B transformation (kxan.com) — A massive $1 billion data center project is transforming the former 3M campus in northwest Austin's Four Points, raising questions for nearby residents about noise, water use, and traffic. City Council Member Marc Duchen and Austin Energy are working on broader data center regulations and utility safeguards, while SB Energy promises to meet zoning rules and limit water and noise impacts before operations begin in 2027.
4. 80 Austin police officers participate in 'Miles for Mental Health' (fox7austin.com) — Eighty Austin police officers are committing to run at least a mile a day for 30 days in a new "Miles for Mental Health" challenge starting in October. Organized by the Central Texas Public Safety Commission, the program pairs daily runs with peer support, new running shoes, and health screenings to help officers build lasting physical and mental wellness habits.
5. Counties provide flood siren updates one year after new requirements (cbsaustin.com) — Austin Water has just tested new flood warning sirens at Longhorn Dam as part of a broader modernization of the city's emergency preparedness system. The story also explains how a new state law is funding additional sirens and warning upgrades in Williamson and Guadalupe counties, aiming to better alert residents in future flash-flood emergencies.
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Austin PatchAM possible:
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
Ok Austin! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Black eyed peas can sing us a song but chick peas can only hummus one. (Thank you Bev H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Austin Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.