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Community Corner

🌱 Arson Suspect Arrested + TX Leads In Book Bans + Fantastic Fest 101

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, neighbors! Happy National Voter Registration day (more on this below), it's Jessica here in your inbox this warm morning to share the latest local updates.

Grab your morning coffee while we cover:

  • A report shows Texas leads the nation in the number of books banned from school libraries.
  • A suspect has been arrested in connection with the recent South Austin fires.
  • $230K in back wages recovered for employees of Black's Barbecue.
  • How to participate in National Voter Registration Day, live music, theater, and much more ➡️

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Today's weather and allergy report:

☀️ High: 98 Low: 73. Mostly sunny and hot.
🍃 Grass Pollen: high. Ragweed: low. Mold: medium. Dust & Dander: extremely high.

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Here are the top stories in Austin today:

1) New report shows that Texas leads the nation in the number of books banned from school libraries. PEN America, a free speech association for publishers and writers, released the results of their analysis on Monday morning. Their research showed that school administrators in Texas have banned 801 books across 22 school districts, and 174 titles were banned at least twice between July 2021 through June 2022. Florida and Pennsylvania followed Texas as the states with the most bans, respectively.

Head to The Texas Tribune to learn more about this story.

2) The Austin Fire Department's Arson Division has arrested a suspect that they believe is connected to over 15 fires in the area. AFD reports that 42-year-old John Adam Henry was taken into custody on Sept. 18, and he has been booked into the Travis County Jail. The investigation began over the weekend when fires were set at the Crow Bar on South Congress, a vacant auto shop on South First, and about 15 grass, dumpster, and trash fires. The Austin American-Statesman has more on this story here.

3) The U.S. Department of Labor said it has recovered over $200,000 in back wages for over 200 workers at Black's BBQ. According to the Department of Labor, Black's Barbecue Inc., Kent Black's Lockhart Barbecue Inc., and New Braunfels Barbecue LLC kept a portion of its employees' tips and shared them with managers illegally. Head to CBS Austin for the full story.

4) Champagne and caviar lounge coming to Austin? Très chic! The Austonia has rounded up all of the latest Austin restaurant and bar news — check it out.

5) The City of Austin is hosting a job fair for community members that are 50+! The Senior Community Job Fair will be on Thursday, Sept. 22, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Workforce Solutions North, located at 9001 N Interstate 35 Ste 110, Austin. Head to the city's website to learn more about this event.

Today in Austin:

  • Steve Miller Band at ACL Live at The Moody Theater. (6 p.m.)
  • Amethyst Jonquille at The VORTEX (6 p.m.)
  • Carolyn Wonderland & Shelley King at The Continental Club. (6:30 p.m.)
  • Barns Courtney at Emo's. (7 p.m.)
  • Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night at Dave and Buster's. (7:30 p.m.)
  • Leonard Cohen Tribute Night at Volstead. (7:30 p.m.)
  • Broadway In Austin Presents: "Hadestown" at Bass Concert Call. (8 p.m.)

Community Chatter 💬 :

  • 🗳️ National Voter Registration Day is today! Move Texas, a nonpartisan grass-roots group will host more than 60 voter registration drives in cities across the state, as part of National Voter Registration Day. (CultureMap Austin via Facebook)
  • 🎥 Film industry update: Matthew McConaughey's new film about a Texas girls' soccer team has been abruptly sidelined. (CultureMap Austin via Facebook)
  • ✈️ New flight alert: American Airlines announced it will launch non-stop service between MEM and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) starting in January. If you think Central Texas has great BBQ — wait until you've had a plate in Memphis! (The Daily Memphian via Facebook)
  • 👽 Fantastic Fest is back for 2022! "Could we interest you in a murder mystery at a hair show? What about a cannibal love story?" Head to Austin 360 to learn everything you need to know about Alamo Drafthouse's Fantastic Fest. (Austin 360 via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Tuesday. See you all tomorrow morning for another 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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