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Community Corner

🌱 New Semi-Pro Soccer Team + Interim Schools Superintendent Okayed

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)

Hi, everyone! Happy Friday! It's Jessica, your host of the Austin Daily — back in your inbox on this chilly morning with the most important local news.

Grab your morning coffee and get comfortable while we cover:

  • Austin's getting a new semi-pro soccer team!
  • Local healthcare company announces layoffs right before the holidays.
  • An interim ISD superintendent was approved.
  • Americana star Charley Crockett is in town this evening!

But first, today's weather:

Some sunshine. High: 54 Low: 42.

Here are the top stories in Austin today:

1) Austin ISD named Matias Segura as its interim superintendent. During Thursday night's board meeting, AISD trustees unanimously approved Segura. He'll start his new role with the school district immediately. CBS Austin reports that the school district plans to name a full-time superintendent by July 1, 2023. Learn more about this developing story here.

2) A suspect entered a plea deal for the 2020 murder-for-hire case involving an Austin auto dealer. Local officials confirmed that on Dec. 14, Gilad Peled pleaded guilty to the charges of murder for hire, conspiracy to kidnap with death resulting, and kidnapping resulting in death. KVUE reports: "Peled was indicted in December 2021 – along with Austin businessman Erik Charles Maund, Byron Brockway and Adam Carey – in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Holly Williams and William Lanway in Nashville, Tennessee, in March 2020." KVUE has more on this story here.

3) Get ready to bundle up this weekend! Weather officials say yet another cold front is expected to arrive as early as this morning, and carry into next week. KVUE reports: "We normally trend around 64 degrees in the afternoons this time of the year, but we'll be trending about 10 degrees cooler this weekend. On top of the chilly temperatures, we'll be monitoring isolated rain chances on Saturday and Sunday." Head over to KVUE for the full weather forecast.

4) Austin police made an arrest in connection with the city's 66th homicide case of the year. On Dec. 6, a man was shot near the 700 block of Mankato. Officers found the 41-year-old victim unresponsive on the ground, and he later died at the scene. CBS Austin has more on this story here.

5) Austin Radiological Association announced layoffs. ARA confirmed to KXAN that "Medicare pay cuts to physicians, inflation" and "an expected recession" are at the root of its decision to cut less than 5% of its staff. Many impacted by the layoffs are "devastated" by the company's decision to reduce its workforce before the winter holidays. KXAN has more on this story here.

Today in Austin:

  • 2022 Blue Genie Art Bazaar at Blue Genie Art Bazaar. (10 a.m.)
  • Ice Rodeo at The Four Seasons Austin. (4 p.m.)
  • Charley Crockett with Greyhounds at ACL Live at The Moody Theater. (6 p.m.)
  • Peppermint Parkway at Circuit of the Americas. (6 p.m.)
  • Panoramic Voices Presents: FAs & LAs at The Austin Scottish Rite Theater. (7 p.m.)
  • Soccer Mommy with TOPS at Emo's. (7 p.m.)
  • 2023 Austin Trail of Lights at Zilker Park. (7 p.m.)
  • Bill Burr at Moody Center. (7 p.m.)
  • Hit List Stand-Up Comedy at Vulcan Gas Company. (7:30 p.m.)
  • Home Suite Home with Odie Leigh at Hotel San Jose. (8 p.m.)
  • Liam Kazar at Mohawk. (8 p.m.)
  • Main Course: Stand Up Comedy at Vulcan Gas Company. (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • 💔 Shop closure: "Iconic costume shop Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds closes for good on Dec. 17 after 38 years on South Congress Avenue." (Austin360 via Facebook)
  • ⚽ New semi-pro team next season: "Austin's newest women's semi-pro soccer team, Austin Rise FC, announced on Thursday that it will officially compete in the 2023 season. (CBS Austin via Facebook)
  • 📚 New sex ed curriculum: "The Austin district introduced a new sex education curriculum that starts in kindergarten and includes more medically accurate terms." (Austin American-Statesman via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday! I'll see you 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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