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🌱Migrant Busing Program Costs Millions + Zebra Mussels At E. ATX Lake

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Jessica Collins, Neighbor
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Good morning, friends and neighbors. It's Jessica Collins here with your fresh copy of the Austin Daily, filled with all the local news you need to know right now.

Grab your morning java and settle in while we dive into:

  • Gov. Greg Abbott's migrant busing program is costing Texas $12 million.
  • Meet the seven candidates running in the upcoming mayoral election.
  • Zebra mussels have officially infested Lake Walter E. Long in east Austin.
  • Two-stepping lessons, Shoal Creek Social, and much more ➡️

First, today's weather and allergy report:

🌧️ High: 94 Low: 74. A shower and a thunderstorm.
🍃 Grass Pollen: low. Ragweed: moderate. Mold: moderate. Dust & Dander: extremely high.

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Here are the top stories in Austin today:

1) Gov. Greg Abbott's migrant busing program is costing Texas $12 million. According to the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the state of Texas has spent more than $12 million (costing an average of $1,304.35 per trip per person) sending migrants to East Coast cities. More than 7,400 migrants have been bused to Washington D.C., and over 1,500 have been sent to New York City. The Texas Tribune has more on this story here.

2) Interested in voting in the 2022 Austin Mayoral Election? Meet the hefty list of candidates running. Mayor Steve Adler has reached his term limit and cannot run for re-election, but seven local candidates have filed the paperwork to run for mayor of Austin. KVUE has a breakdown of each of the candidates here.

3) Zebra mussels have officially infested Lake Walter E. Long in east Austin. A press release from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) said the infestation signifies that the mussels have an established population and are continuing to reproduce in the lake. TPWD said zebra mussels have now spread to 34 Texas lakes, with 30 of them considered "fully infested." That includes both Lake Travis and Lake Austin.

TPWD senior scientist Monica McGarrity, said, "Really, once zebra mussels get into a lake, it's extremely rare that anything can be done to eradicate them." She said the message now is for people to take precautions and prevent further spread into more Texas lakes. Head to KXAN to learn more about how you can take proper precautions.

4) Gov. Greg Abbott claims raising the age to buy an assault-style rifle is "unconstitutional." During a campaign event on Wednesday, Abbott said, "It's clear that the gun control law that they're seeking in Uvalde, as much as they may want it, it has already been ruled to be unconstitutional."

On Friday, a federal judge ruled that a Texas law banning 18- to 20-year-olds from legally carrying a handgun is unconstitutional and therefore unenforceable. However, the Statesman reports that a judge stayed his ruling for 30 days or until an expected appeal is ruled upon by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The Austin American-Statesman has more on this story here.

5) SXSW announces its first set of 2023 speakers! The 37th annual conference is running from March 10-19, and there is no shortage of talented individuals from the sports industry, film, politics, tech, food, and even cannabis being included in this year's programming. Check out the full list of speakers here at The Austin Chronicle.

Today in Austin:

  • Shoal Creek Social at Shoal Creek Trail. (9 a.m.)
  • Kehlani With Rico Nasty and Destin Conrad at Moody Amphitheater. (6 p.m.)
  • Line Dancing Class at McKinney Falls State Park. (6:30 p.m.)
  • "The Inheritance," Pt 1 at ZACH Theatre. (7:30 p.m.)
  • Javier Jara at The Vortex. (8 p.m.)
  • Chill Down with WILLTOTHE and Rudi Devino Birthday Celebration at My Oh My. (8 p.m.)
  • MEGADETH Record Signing at Waterloo Records. (11:30 p.m.)

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new 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

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