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Community Corner

🌱 Mayoral Candidates Share Their Vision + Events This Week 🎤

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 Monday, everyone! I hope you all had an incredible weekend. It's Jessica here with your Monday edition of the Austin Daily, filled with all of the local news and community updates.

Settle in and grab your morning java while we dive into:

  • Austin Mayoral candidates discuss their vision for the future of the city.
  • 18 dams in Central Texas were classified as "in poor condition".
  • UT's dining halls vow to reduce their carbon emissions by 25 percent.
  • Top events for this week, Longhorn football updates, and much more ➡️

🎤 Before we dive in: this is your opportunity to make your voice heard – I want to hear from YOU. How have you been enjoying the Austin Daily Digest? Click here to send me your feedback.

Today's weather and allergy report:

☀️ High: 94 Low: 61. Sunny, breezy, and hot.
🍃 Grass Pollen: high. Ragweed: low. Mold: medium. Dust & Dander: extremely high.

Here are the top stories today in Austin:

1) Austin Mayoral candidates discuss local hurdles for the city during "The Next Mayor" panel. Two of Austin's Mayoral candidates, Celia Israel and Kirk Watson, sat down with Bridget Grumet (Austin-American Statesman columnist) to share their vision for the future of Austin this past weekend at the Texas Tribune Festival. Topics discussed included: the future of policing and safety in our community, affordable housing, homelessness, and much more. Head to CBS Austin to get a full recap of the event.

2) 18 dams in Central Texas were classified as "in poor condition" resulting in more concern over infrastructure deficiencies. Eight of the identified dams are owned by the City of Austin.

The City said the goal is to have no poor dams, but with aging and constant maintenance, that is not always possible. But, with three major projects underway and more being planned, they say improvements are coming. Head to KVUE to learn more about the city's plans.

3) The University of Texas' dining halls have vowed to reduce their carbon emissions by 25 percent. Officials from UT's Housing and Dining department said they're focusing sustainability efforts on carbon emissions because climate change is a "very prominent concern." How do they plan to do this? By serving more plant-based meal options on campus.

The Statesman reports that twenty-five percent of greenhouse gases come from the food and agricultural sector, and animal products make up two-thirds of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Wow! Head to the Austin-American Statesman to learn more about UT's sustainability plans.

4) Cooler temps on the horizon this week? Cooler temperatures are swooping in which will result in drier air, and a breeze (up to 25 mph!!). KVUE reports that highs throughout the next few days will be in the lower 90s and slowly taper into the high 80s. KVUE has a full weather forecast for this week here – check it out.

Today in Austin:

  • (Kid-Friendly) Young Rembrandts Art Class at Wells Branch Community Library (6 p.m.)
  • Heart To Gold at Mohawk. (7 p.m.)
  • Red Wanting Blue "Thumbs to the Road" Summer Tour at Parish. (7 p.m.)
  • Motown Mondays with The Matchmaker Band at Far Out Lounge. (7 p.m.)
  • Harry Styles with Gabriels (Night Two) at The Moody Center. (8 p.m.)
  • The Mellows at Continental Club. (10 p.m.)

Top Events this Week:

Community Chatter 💬 :

  • 🎞️ Hollywood in Austin: Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep graced the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center on the University of Texas campus for "A Celebration of Film," a gala for a new endowment in honor of De Niro himself as well as the center's 65th anniversary. Check out the event recap at Austin 360. (Austin360 via Facebook)
  • 🏈 Longhorn Football updates: The Red Raiders beat the Longhorns in a Big 12 opener for the first time in six tries and ended a six-game home losing streak. (KVUE via Facebook)
  • 📽 Fun fact: the first Alamo Drafthouse Cinema opened 25 years ago – wow!! Austin 360 has a story about how the weirdest little theater in town changed the moviegoing landscape back in 1997. (Austin360 via Facebook)
  • 🍸 Records, cocktails, and snacks on South Congress – the perfect trifecta! South Austin hotels are opening up listening bars with vinyl and artisanal cocktails. (Eater Austin via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. 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 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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