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Community Corner

🌱 Gun Law Rally At The Capitol + Storms In The Forecast

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! Can you believe it's officially March!?! I hope everyone's morning started off on the right note (if not, perhaps this newsletter will help turn things around!). It's Jessica, your host of the Austin Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with the most important local news and community updates.

Settle in while we cover:

  • Austin ISD released the schedule for its 2022 bond projects.
  • Thousands gathered at the Capitol to push Texas lawmakers.
  • Get your raincoat ready for later this week — rain is in the forecast!

But first, today's weather:

More humid in the afternoon. High: 84 Low: 65.

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Here are the top stories in Austin today:

1) A rally calling for an end to gun violence took place at the Texas State Capitol yesterday. Advocates included families from Uvalde, grassroots organization Moms Demand Action, March for Our Lives, Students Demand Action and many more. Protestors called for Texas lawmakers to raise the minimum age to buy a gun and pass stricter background checks. The Austin American-Statesman has more on this story here.

2) Austin Independent School District (AISD) is set to complete all 2022 bond projects by 2029. The district received a historic $2.4 million bond package that Austinites voted for last November. It allows Austin ISD to borrow money to cover the cost of hundreds of projects districtwide. KUT reports that many of the planned projects are aimed at improving the facilities at Title 1 schools, which have a higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students. Get the full scoop here at KUT.

3) The Austin Police Association's current contract with the city of Austin ends on March 31. The negotiations between city council members, the mayor and APA have grown contentious, as some members feel the city shouldn't sign a new contract before Austinites vote on the two police oversight propositions in the May election. Others feel waiting for the election will result in a mass exodus of our local police force. Yesterday, a few city council members and local criminal justice reform advocates launched a campaign supporting Proposition A and opposing Proposition B. Head over to KVUE to read more on what's at stake with the two propositions.

4) Showers and severe thunderstorms are in the cards for Thursday. Some pockets of the Greater Austin area could see large hail and extreme wind. KXAN has more on what to expect from the weather here.

Today in Austin:

  • (Kid-Friendly) LiteratureLive! Presents: Wiley and the Hairy Man at Austin Public Library, Menchaca Road Branch. (10 a.m.)
  • Comedy Field Trip at East Austin Comedy Club. (7 p.m.)
  • Wax Tailor International Tour 2023 at Scoot Inn. (7 p.m.)
  • Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night at Fierce Whiskers Distillery. (7:30 p.m.)
  • ZACH Theatre & Deaf Austin Theatre Presents: Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella at ZACH Theatre. (7:30 p.m.)

Community Chatter:

  • 💰 Local, lucky winner!: "A Dripping Springs resident is quitting their job after winning $1 million from a Texas Lottery scratch-off game. The ticket was sold at the H-E-B located at 598 E. Hwy 290 in Dripping Springs." (CBS Austin via Facebook)
  • 🐘 "When life gives you ice… make elephants? Take a look at what an Austin woman decided to do with her dead tree from February's ice storm." (CBS Austin via Facebook)
  • 🖼 Unveiling at The Blanton Museum: "The newly-reimagined grounds at the Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas at Austin is almost ready for visitors. On Monday, museum leaders announced the grand opening celebration will be Saturday, May 13, 2023." (CBS Austin via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday. 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 Patch newsletter? 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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