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Community Corner

🌱 Flu Season Is Here + Officially A Buyers' Market? + Events For Kids

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, Austin! Hopefully, your ears have officially stopped ringing after three days (six, for some) out at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, and you're settling back into your routine and enjoying the cooler temps. It's Jessica, back in your inbox with the latest local news and community updates.

Get comfortable and grab your morning coffee while we dive into:

  • Flu season is here – we've got more on what to expect and how to prepare.
  • KUT kicks off its City Council candidate forums, starting with the District 1 candidates.
  • Active real estate listings in the Austin Metro reach a decade-plus high.
  • Rock legends announce an Austin stop, kid-friendly events, and more ➡️

But first, today's weather:

⛅ Mostly sunny and pleasant. High: 70 Low: 43.

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Here are the top stories today in Austin:

1) Flu season has officially arrived in Austin. Local health officials kicked off flu surveillance on Oct. 2, and just released their first set of data through Oct. 8. From this data, The Statesman reports: "Locally, 6% of visits to clinics or doctor's offices have been for influenza. In previous seasons, that number was well below 2% at this time of year. About 33% of tests are coming back positive for flu. Influenza A is the primary flu strain being seen in Central Texas." Neighbors, curious how you can prevent yourself and your loved ones from getting sick? Subscription/The Austin American-Statesman has you covered with a host of tips.

2) KUT hosts a forum for the District 1 City Council candidates. On Oct. 17, three of the four District 1 City Council candidates (including the incumbent, Natasha Harper-Madison) participated in a forum to discuss their stances on top local issues. Head to KUT to watch a recording of the event.

3) It's beginning to look a lot like ... a buyers' market? Active listings in the Greater Austin Metro reached a decade-plus high. As of September, the Austin Board of Realtors reported that home sales declined 18.5 percent while active listings were up 162.4 percent. KVUE reports that this is the highest number of active listings we've seen in the area since 2011 – HOLY COW. KVUE has more on the rapidly shifting local real estate market – check it out.

4) Austin ISD officially committed to having an entirely electric bus fleet by 2035. The school board unanimously approved the resolution last month, acknowledging that the district can protect children from the harmful effects of diesel school bus pollution by converting to electric buses. Head to CBS Austin to learn more about this announcement.

Today in Austin:

  • Toddler Storytime at the Austin Public Library, Pleasant Hill Branch. (10 a.m.)
  • A Day to Remember with The Used and more at Moody Amphitheater (5 p.m.)
  • Virtual Author Talk: Where the Children Take Us with CNN's Zain E. Asher. (6 p.m.)
  • AISD Community Input Session: "Explaining 313 Agreements" at Eastside ECHS. (6 p.m.)
  • Panic at The Paramount Presents: "The Faculty" with Introduction and Q&A with Director Robert Rodriguez at The Paramount Theatre. (6 p.m.)
  • Declan McKenna with Annie Dirusso at Empire Garage. (7 p.m.)
  • Upchuck at Empire Control Room. (7:30 p.m.)


    Community Chatter:

    • 🤘 Longhorn Football schedule for this week: "On the road again 🤘 🏈 Texas at Oklahoma State 📅 Saturday, Oct. 22 | 2:30 PM CT 📍Boone Pickens Stadium 📺 ABC" (Texas Football via Facebook)
    • 👀 Guess who's reuniting and heading to Austin? "Fans truly can get 'Any Way You Want' because Journey will be coming to the Austin Moody Center in February 2023." This will definitely be a show you won't want to miss. (KVUE via Facebook)
    • ✨ Five-day festival of lights kicks off next week. Dreamland will host a Diwali celebration on October 23. (CultureMap Austin)

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    Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll see you 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

    The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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