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Community Corner

🌱 Housing Bond Potentially Added To Nov. Ballot + GRACE Act Passed

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)

Happy Friday, friends! I hope you've all managed to stay cool this week (literally and figuratively 😎). I'm back in your inbox with the most important local news.

Grab your morning java while we dive into:

  • Austin leaders push for an affordable housing bond to be added to the November 2022 ballot.
  • Austin City Council passed the GRACE Act to decriminalize abortion.
  • Community members offering a $50K reward for any tips on a hit-and-run incident.
  • And much more ➡️

Today's weather and allergy report:

☀️ High: 103 Low: 76. Partly sunny and hot.
🍃 Grass Pollen: low. Ragweed: moderate. Mold: high ( ⬆️ ). Dust & Dander: extremely high.

Be sure to check out Austin's guide for the Best Swimming Holes in Central Texas, to learn where you can go to beat the summer heat.

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Here are the top stories in Austin today:

1) Austin-area nonprofits, affordable housing advocates and some city council members are pushing for a $300 million affordable housing bond to be added to the November 2022 ballot. Austin leaders have formed a community coalition campaigning for an affordable housing bond proposition to be added to the November 2022 ballot. City Council will take the resolution up for discussion at the upcoming July 28 meeting. Check out the full story here at KXAN.

2) Austin City Council passed the GRACE Act to decriminalize abortion. City Council held a special meeting on Thursday to discuss the "Guarding the Right to Abortion Care for Everyone" Act, also known as the GRACE Act. While the passing of the GRACE Act will not legalize abortion within Austin's city limits, it will offer local officials' guidance on how to handle investigative abortion reports. KVUE has more on this story here.

3) Community members offering a $50,000 reward for any tips on a hit-and-run incident. 73-year-old Keith Culver was killed while cross-country cycling in March. At around 9 a.m. on March 30, Culver and a group of cyclists were hit by a driver who didn't stop on East Stassney Lane near Burleson Road. CBS Austin has more on this story, and how to report any tips regarding this case.

4) The Starbucks in Downtown Austin is closing after 27 years. Located at West 6th Street and Congress, the downtown Starbucks is set to officially close on Aug. 21. But fret not coffee lovers — Starbucks also has locations at 5th Street and Lamar, and 3rd Street and Lavaca! Check out the full story here at CBS Austin.

Today in Austin:

  • Virtual Zumba hosted by Stronger Austin. (8 a.m.)
  • Custom Sounds and Tint Texas Heat Wave Custom Truck, Car Show and Tattoo Expo at Travis County Expo Center. (10 a.m.)
  • BANKSYLAND Austin Exhibition at 800 Congress Ave. (12 p.m.)
  • Glow Party at Goldfish Swim School-Northwest Hills. (6 p.m.)
  • Sunflower the Musical starring Guy Forsyth at Austin Scottish Rite Theater. (7 p.m.)
  • "The Sound of Music" at ZACH Theatre. (Doors at 7:30 p.m.)
  • Regino at My Oh My. (Free – 8 p.m.)
  • Kalu & The Electric Joint Performing an Acoustic Set @ The 04 Center. (8 p.m.)
  • Community First! Village's Community Cinema & Amphitheater Presents: "Newsies" at Community First! Village. (8 p.m.)
  • Roast Battle at Vulcan Gas Company. (8 p.m.)
  • Sean Kingston - The Road to Deliverance Tour at Empire Garage. (Doors at 8 p.m.)
  • Parish Presents: The Robyn Party at Parish. (Doors at 9 p.m.)
  • Main Course Stand Up Comedy at Vulcan Gas Company. (10 p.m.)

Community Chatter 💬:

  • The University of Texas welcomes a fresh set of Longhorn Legends into the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor! Congrats, Longhorns. 🤘 (Texas Longhorns via Facebook)
  • "Over $1 million in #PublicArt projects available from the City of Austin Cultural Arts Division! Opportunities for both local and Texas-based artists. Apply by Aug. 4." (City of Austin via Facebook)
  • Beloved Italian eatery Enoteca Vespaio has been transformed into a new Oaxacan restaurant — yum! (Eater Austin via Facebook)
  • "Finally, drivers in Austin and nationwide are getting a little relief at the pump. Prices in Austin are 64 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand $1.21 higher than a year ago." (Austin American-Statesman via Facebook)

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That's it for today. Everyone have a fabulous weekend, and I'll see you all on Sunday!

— 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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