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Community Corner

🌱 City Council Passes Rate Hikes + Power Grid Update + Events 🎉

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 and Happy Friday, friends and neighbors! It's Jessica, back in your inbox this morning with the most important things happening in town.

Settle in with your morning coffee while we dive into:

  • City Council passes the first of two proposed Austin Energy rate hikes.
  • University of Texas professor wins MacArthur "genius" grant.
  • Cold front and rain headed toward Austin.
  • ACL Weekend Two, comedy show, and more amazing events this weekend ➡️

But first, today's weather:

☀️ Very warm with plenty of sunshine. High: 92 Low: 69.

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Here are the top stories in Austin today:

1) City Council passes the first of two proposed Austin Energy rate hikes. On Thursday, City Council voted 7-4 in favor of a proposal from Austin Energy that will increase the average monthly residential electricity bill by about $15 to make up for high natural gas prices and increased fees on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) energy market. Head to the Subscription/Austin American-Statesman to learn more.

2) Congratulations are in order for UT professor Moriba Jah, on receiving a 2022 MacArthur fellowship, known as a "genius grant," for his work on space sustainability and space traffic management! Head to Austonia to learn more about Professor Jah's work.

3) A 20-degree temperature drop and rain are headed toward Austin. KXAN reports that a strong cold front, the strongest we've seen in months, will approach Central Texas early Monday, bringing rainfall and a temperature drop. Neighbors, I guess it's officially time to get our coats out of storage! Head to KXAN to learn more about what to expect from the weather in the next few days.

4) The ERCOT CEO aims to restore public trust in Texas' power grid. "The new ERCOT CEO, Pablo Vegas, made his first public appearance on Thursday with PUC chairman Peter Lake." During the press conference, Lake stated: "Our grid will be ready for, is ready for, whatever Mother Nature throws at us." "The next step for Vegas is how ERCOT will manage a new marketplace for power generators." Head to FOX 7 Austin to learn more about what steps ERCOT is taking to prepare for winter.

Today in Austin:

  • UTOPiAfest Thirteen at Reveille Peak Ranch (11 a.m.)
  • ACL Music Festival, Weekend Two (Day One) at Zilker Park. (12 p.m.)
  • (Kid-Friendly) Colorado Eagles vs. Texas Stars at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (6 p.m.)
  • Mexico Through the Lens of Women Filmmakers at the Mexican American Cultural Center. (6 p.m.)
  • ACL Fest Nights: The Marías at Stubb's. (8 p.m.)
  • Darkhouse Comedy Show at Alamo Drafthouse Mueller. (8 p.m.)
  • ACL Fest Nights: Spoon with Glove at ACL Live at The Moody Theater. (8 p.m.)

Top Events This Weekend:

  • ACL Music Festival, Weekend Two (Day Two) at Zilker Park. (Saturday, Oct. 15)
  • UTOPiAfest Thirteen at Reveille Peak Ranch (Saturday, Oct. 15)
  • Opening Reception: Lines of Interaction, a solo exhibition of works by Larry Akers at Link & Pin Gallery (Saturday, Oct. 15)
  • (Kid-Friendly): Pumpkin Nights at Pioneer Farms. (Saturday, Oct. 15)
  • ACL Fest Nights: Japanese Breakfast at Stubb's. (Saturday, Oct. 15)
  • Longhorn Football: University of Texas vs. Iowa State at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium (Saturday, Oct. 15)
  • (Kid-Friendly) Fall Festival & Pumpkin Patch at Barton Hill Farms. (Sunday, Oct. 16)
  • ACL Music Festival, Weekend Two (Day Three) at Zilker Park. (Sunday, Oct. 16)
  • Other People: A Dating Comedy Show at The Creek and The Cave. (Sunday, Oct. 16)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next 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

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