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Community Corner

🌱 Nurses Demand Safer Staffing + MetroRail Expansion

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, everyone! Happy Friday!! We survived another week. It's Jessica, your host of the Austin Daily. Here as usual, with the most important local news and community updates.

Grab your morning coffee and settle in while we cover:

  • R&B legend Ginuwine is in town this evening.
  • Civil rights lawsuit filed against a Rainey Street restaurant.
  • The MetroRail gets its first upgrade under "Project Connect."

But first, today's weather:

Times of clouds and sun. High: 58 Low: 47.

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Here are the top stories in Austin today:

1) Ascension Texas and Blue Cross Blue Shield reached an agreement to continue in-network coverage. Five days ahead of the Jan. 31 deadline, Ascension put out a statement declaring that patients' plans will not change: "The new agreement ... ensures that the community can continue to access quality care with Ascension's well-known and trusted providers. Patients can continue scheduling appointments with their providers as normal." KUT has more on this story here.

2) Dozens of Austin nurses gathered on Thursday evening as part of a nationwide protest against unsustainable working conditions and staffing shortages. Taylor Critendon, an ICU nurse at Ascension Medical Center, tells KXAN: "We had 60 out of 70 of our nurses sign this letter that was asking to have negotiations regarding safe staffing ratios on my unit. And when that letter was given to my manager, the response was, I can't accept this letter. And there is no staffing problem." Multiple nurses at the event reported that hospital management is aware of their complaints and has taken no action. Learn more about the nationwide rally here at KXAN.

3) A federal civil rights lawsuit was filed against Rainey Street restaurant Cantina 512. On July 16, 2022, two men alleged that they tried to enter Cantina 512 and were denied entry due to the restaurant's "no dreadlock policy." Cantina 512's management has since denied the existence of such a policy. CBS Austin has more on this story here.

4) As the egg shortage continues, many Austinites are getting creative with how they source eggs. Coop, an Austin-based business that specializes in "chicken coop cleaning, chicken sitting and beginners courses for those new to the backyard hobby" report that it's seen a 20% spike in people inquiring about its beginner's classes. The 90-minute workshop is designed to teach students how to raise their own chickens. Coop co-founder AJ Forsythe tells KXAN: "It's a travesty that everyone's talking about eggs right now, because there's so many birds that are dying from avian flu. But at the same time, I think this is a good watershed moment for people to take food, growing their own food in their backyard into their own hands with their families." Learn more here at KXAN.

5) Community help needed: a local nonprofit, Mission Accomplished, had its box truck stolen on Monday, Jan. 23. Mission Accomplished provides laundry services to our unhoused community, and the truck pulls the organization's laundry trailer and stores supplies. The organization is looking for donations and support as the investigation continues for the missing truck. Learn more here at KXAN.

Today in Austin:

  • Friday Fieldtrip for Homeschoolers at Austin Public Library, Yarborough Branch. (10 a.m.)
  • All Ages Storytime at Austin Public Library, Central Branch. (10 a.m.)
  • Ginuwine at ACL Live at The Moody Theater. (6 p.m.)
  • DAYGLOW Record Signing at Waterloo Records. (6 p.m.)
  • The Lone Bellow with Robert Ellis at The Paramount Theatre. (7 p.m.)
  • The Dinner Detective Interactive Murder Mystery Dinner Show at Holiday Inn Austin Airport. (7 p.m.)
  • ZACH Theatre & Deaf Austin Theatre present Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella at ZACH Theatre. (7:30 p.m.)
  • Trouble in the Streets - Single & Music Video Release party with Viben and The Submer at Parish. (7:30 p.m. )
  • The Latino Comedy Project Presents: Gentrif*Cked at The George Washington Carver Museum. (8 p.m.)

Community Chatter:

  • 👩‍⚖️ Former radio host files lawsuit: "Former 101X radio host Deb O'Keefe has filed a lawsuit against station owners Waterloo Media, seeking monetary relief of over $1 million." The lawsuit alleges misogyny and discrimination by owner Bob Sinclair. (Austin Chronicle)
  • 🚉 MetroRail expansion: "The MetroRail Red Line is now set up to offer more frequent service to Leander. It's the first upgrade of the local passenger rail line under Project Connect." (CBS Austin via Facebook)
  • 🎸 Music festival alert: "Austin Psych Fest revives its classic name and format as an all-in-one-place festival running April 28-30 at the Far Out Lounge." (Austin Chronicle via Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with 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

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