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Community Corner

🌱 Early Voting Starts TODAY 🗳️ + Free Winter Supplies + ACL 2023 🎟️

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, everyone. It's Jessica, your host of the Austin Daily, here to help you start your day! I've got the most important local news and community updates — hot off the press!

Settle in while we cover:

  • Early voting for the runoff election starts today — we've got the scoop on the candidates.
  • The city is providing free winter weather supplies — learn how to claim yours.
  • In the holiday spirit? Checkout the neon winter wonderland at The Austin Motel today.

But first, today's weather:

Increasing clouds. High: 55 Low: 48.

Here are the top stories today in Austin:

1) Early voting for the Austin runoff election starts TODAY and runs through Friday, Dec. 9. As a reminder, this election includes four key races: Austin mayor and Austin City Council Districts 3, 5 and 9. Some helpful links with more information on each candidate's platform:

2) As the temps continue to drop, the City of Austin is providing free winter weather supplies to community members this week. Those supplies include: a free water meter key, hose bib cover, hand-crank flashlights, emergency preparedness kit materials, and winter preparedness tip sheets and all are available at COA Utility Customer Service Centers across the city. Head over to KXAN to find your nearest pick-up facility and its hours of operation.

3) Feel-good news: A local Austinite started a program through Austin Animal Center (AAC) that builds trust and connection with community members experiencing homelessness and helps provide them with resources for their pets. KXAN reports: "Brendan Gemmell has made contact with thousands of people experiencing homelessness in the area and distributed over 20,000 basic pet supplies for their animals." With help from sponsors and donations, Gemmell has been pounding the pavement and handing out leashes, collars, pet food, blankets and harnesses. Learn how you can get involved.

4) A power outage swept through South Austin yesterday, leaving more than 18,000 Austin Energy customers without power. The Austin school district said outages also affected several campuses and the administrative office. KVUE has more on this story here.

5) Camera footage shows a local lawyer pulling a gun on his ex-girlfriend. The lawyer, Gavin Rush, arrived at his ex-girlfriend's employer (Anderson Mill Pub) and was filmed trying to shoot her. Two customers tackled and held him down until police arrived. FOX 7 Austin has more on this harrowing story here.

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Today in Austin:

  • Free Thursday at The Blanton Museum of Art. (10 a.m.)
  • 2022 Blue Genie Art Bazaar at Blue Genie Art Bazaar. (10 a.m.)
  • Winter Wanderland (A Neon, Rainbow Holiday Experience!) at The Austin Motel. (noon)
  • Ice Rodeo at The Four Seasons Austin. (4 p.m.)
  • (Free + Kid-Friendly) Starlit Austin at Indeed Tower. (5:30 p.m.)
  • A Christmas Carol at The Topfer at ZACH Theatre. (7:30 p.m.)
  • Safer Together Benefit Concert at Mohawk. (8 p.m.)

Community Chatter:

  • 🍹 Rum, whiskey, or cognac with my eggnog? I'll cheers to that! Eater Austin rounded up a list of where to find the best eggnog cocktails in town. (Eater Austin)
  • 🎸 ACL Festival 2023 tickets on sale TODAY: "On Dec. 1, fans of the fest will have an opportunity to lock in three-day passes to next year's event, scheduled for Oct. 6-8 and 13-15." (The Statesman)
  • 🎓 The University of Texas system is growing: "The Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents voted Tuesday to accept an invitation to join the University of Texas System, selecting the Austin-based system from four across the state that had extended invitations to join their ranks this year." (CBS Austin via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday. I'll see you soon!

— 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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