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Community Corner

🌱 Hotel Conversion Updates + Adopt A Senior Program + Nutcracker

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)

Hello, and good morning, neighbors! My goodness, how are we already halfway through December?! Jessica here with your Thursday edition of the Austin Daily, filled with the most important local news and community updates – all in one place.

Settle in with your morning coffee while we discuss:

  • A visual breakdown of the Austin mayoral runoff race results.
  • Austin's hotel conversion initiative continues to press on.
  • A suspect was charged with the murder of Justin Haden.
  • Tickets are still available for Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite by Ballet Afrique this evening!
  • A comedy legend is coming to town – we've got the scoop.

But first, today's weather:

Plenty of sun. High: 65 Low: 40.

Here are the top stories today in Austin:

1) Gavin Roberts was officially charged with the murder of 34-year-old Justin Haden in his apartment in The Domain. According to an affidavit, Roberts admitted to stabbing Haden to death after an argument. He also admitted to disposing of his body. FOX 7 Austin has more on this story here.

2) Now that the race is over, are you curious how your neighborhood voted in Austin's mayoral election? KXAN put together an infographic that shows just how divided local voters were over this race – check it out! Be sure to identify I-35 and Mopac while evaluating the chart.

3) In the coming months, Austin's hotel conversion initiatives will become home to hundreds of low-income tenants. Community Impact reports: "The newly-converted hotels will add to those already operating in the city, including Austin's two bridge shelters linked to its encampment-clearing HEAL initiative that has relocated more than 400 people since last spring." City officials stated that the hotel conversion initiative provides housing across Austin where it's typically unavailable — for a fraction of the cost and with reduced build timelines. Community Impact has more on this story here.

4) Autonomy, a California-based, short-term electric vehicle subscription service, officially expanded its footprint to Austin. Scott Painter, founder and CEO, made a press statement emphasizing the rapid adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in Travis County: "Today, Texas has more than 156,000 EVs on the road, with 22,122 in Travis County alone — the highest-ranking EV county in Texas." Head to Business Wire to learn more about Autonomy.

5) Did you know more than 3 million Americans are living in nursing homes, and roughly 50 percent of those seniors have no family or friends who visit them? Heartbreaking! A local, homegrown initiative called "Adopt-A-Senior Austin" aims to bring a little holiday cheer to those in need this holiday season. This year, the organization's goal is to help 250 seniors — let's help them make it happen, neighbors! CBS Austin has more information on how you can support this cause.

Today in Austin:

  • 2022 Blue Genie Art Bazaar at Blue Genie Art Bazaar. (10 a.m.)
  • (Free) Winter Cheer Annual Winter Concert by Allandale String Quartet at Austin Public Library, Yarborough Branch. (10:30 a.m.)
  • Outdoor Teddy Bear Storytime at Austin Public Library, Milwood Branch. (2 p.m.)
  • Ice Rodeo at The Four Seasons Austin. (4 p.m.)
  • Peppermint Parkway at Circuit of the Americas. (6 p.m.)
  • 2023 Austin Trail of Lights at Zilker Park. (7 p.m.)
  • Ballet Afrique Dance Company Presents: Duke Ellington's The Nutcracker Suite at The Paramount Theatre. (7 p.m.)
  • Daddy Yankee at Moody Center. (7 p.m.)
  • The Austin Symphony Orchestra Presents: Elf in Concert at The Long Center. (8 p.m.)
  • Late Night Talking: A Harry Styles Appreciation Night at Parish. (8 p.m.)

Community Chatter:

  • 🎟️ A comedy legend is coming to town! "After starting the tour in early February, Adam Sandler will perform at Austin's Moody Center ATX on Feb. 14." This comedy show could be a fun Valentine's Day date! (KVUE via Facebook)
  • 💔 Shop closure announcement: Anna's Toy Depot announced its closing its doors on Christmas Eve after more than 30 years in business. (KXAN)
  • ⚠️ Winter Wonderland Fakeout! "A weather model showing Texas with feet of snow on Christmas got a lot of attention online. But meteorologists say to take it with a grain of salt. A very big one." (KUT Austin via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right! See you tomorrow for 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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