🌱 Austin Energy Customers Prep For Rate Spike + ZZ Top In Town + More

Happy Friday, neighbors! We made it! It's a warm morning in Austin and I'm back in your inbox with the most important local news and community updates.

Settle in with your morning coffee while we dive into:

• Austin Energy customers brace for an increase in their monthly bill.
• Feel good news: HAAM Day brought in over $800K for our local low-income musicians!
• A 1-month-old boy has been reported missing from home since Tuesday.
• ZZ Top is in town, teen movie night at the Y, local theater, and much more ➡️

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But first, today's weather and allergy report:

☀️ High: 100 Low: 71. Hot with scorching sunshine.
🍃 Grass Pollen: medium. Ragweed: low. Mold: medium. Dust & Dander: extremely high.

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Here are the top stories in Austin today:

1) Currently an Austin Energy customer? Get ready for an increase in your monthly bill starting in November. In a memo to the Austin City Council, Austin Energy said the increase is due to "the rising cost of natural gas", among other factors. Council members are expected to sign off on the rate increase during next Thursday's meeting.

KUT reports that under its rate proposal, the utility will charge $16 more a month for the average household and raise its service fee from $10 to $25. Local affordability advocates continue to argue that the new pricing will unfairly burden low-income customers and those who use the least energy. Head to KUT to get the full scoop on the rate increase.

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2) Feel good news: Health Alliance for Austin Musicians successfully raised more than $800k during its annual HAAM Day event! HAAM's mission is to provide access to affordable healthcare for Greater Austin's low-income, working musicians, with a focus on prevention and wellness. This year, HAAM set a record and raised the most funds since the organization's inception – incredible!

This Friday, Sept.23, HAAM will be hosting its first-ever pop-up health services event. Head to KVUE to learn more about how you can attend.

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3) A 1-month-old boy has been reported missing from home since Tuesday. Austin Police continue to search for 1-month-old Jamire Hardin after the young boy was last seen in East Austin on Tuesday evening with his biological mother. The Statesman reports that police believe Nevaeh Hardin-Doucet, 16, took her son from a family home along the 7300 block of Lazy Creek View late Tuesday. The boy's family filed a missing person report just after 11 p.m. Tuesday, as they're concerned for Jamire's well-being. Head to the Austin American-Statesman to learn more about this story.

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4) The University of Texas announced that it just admitted its largest incoming freshman class for fall 2022 in HISTORY. In a recent report published by the university, enrollment for first-time, first-year undergraduate students hit 9,109, which surpasses the record high of 9,060 from last year. Total enrollment also rose to 52,384, which surpassed the all-time high of 52,261 set in 2002.

The report credits the increases in enrollment to the university's commitment to improving the four- and six-year graduation rates, which also hit an all-time high in 2022! Go Longhorns, go!! Head to KVUE to learn more about UT's student recruitment strategy.

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Today in Austin:

• Austin Diagnostic Clinic: Flu Vaccine Drive-Thru at St. David's North Austin. (10 a.m.)
• Teen Night: Marvel Movie Night at YMCA of North Austin Community Rec Center. (5 p.m.)
• ZZ Top with Jeff Beck, Anne Wilson at Germania Insurance Amphitheater. (6 p.m.)
• Collective Soul and Switchfoot at ACL Live at The Moody Theater. (6:30 p.m.)
• Little Jesus, Divino Niño at Parish. (7 p.m.)
• Itchy-O with Thor & Friends at Far Out Lounge. (7:30 p.m.)
• Outspoken: Open Mic and R&B After-Party at Victory Grill. (8 p.m.)
• "Macbeth" at Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms. (8 p.m.)
• Last Spa on Earth - Album Release Party: Divino Niño (DJ Set) at My Oh My. (11:15 p.m.)

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Community Chatter 💬 :

• 🤠 Fried foods and Big Tex are on the horizon! The State Fair of Texas officially kicks off on Sept. 30. Do you have your tickets yet?! (KVUE via Facebook)
• ⭐ Our own local star: Austin gospel-blues-Americana singer Ruthie Foster will get a star on the sidewalk outside the Paramount Theatre on Nov. 19. Congrats, Ruthie!! (Austin 360 via Facebook)
• 🚧 Roadway update: Upgrades at the I-35 and US 183 interchange are officially complete! Cheers to any and all solutions alleviating traffic clogs on our roads. (KVUE via Facebook)
• 📝 Community classes: The George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center has a slew of incredible classes over the next few weeks that are open to the community. From digital photography to herb gardening – and more! (Austin Parks & Rec via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday. 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