🌱 Project Connect Changes 🚇 + Coats For Kids Drive + Beef Recall

Happy Friday, everyone! It's Jessica, your host of the Austin Daily, with the most important local news and community updates – hot off the press!

Today we'll be covering:

• Big changes afoot for Project Connect.
• Thousands of pounds of beef recalled by H-E-B.
• Wet weekend ahead? Keep scrolling for the scoop.

---

But first, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy and cool. High: 55 Low: 44.

---

Here are the top stories today in Austin:

1) The light-rail tunnel slated to run under downtown Austin might get scrapped from Project Connect. Austin Transit Partnership's Chief of Architecture and Urban Design Peter Mullan told KUT: "Whether it's underground, at-grade, potentially sections being elevated, we don't know what the solution is yet, but we're looking at it as much as we can to be able to present options to the public." Skyrocketing material costs, rising labor expenses and design changes caused the project budget to creep well over the original estimate of $10.3 billion. KUT has more on how this could impact the future of Project Connect.

---

2) Paull Patterson's family plans to sue the memory care facility where he went missing. Patterson's deceased body was found yesterday evening, close to the Colonial Gardens Memory Care, where he was supposed to be provided around-the-clock supervision. During yesterday's press conference, the family's lawyer stated that they intend to pursue legal action against the facility. KVUE has more on this developing story here.

---

3) The Austin Police Department's 146th class of 63 cadets takes place today at Bannockburn Church. CBS Austin reports that 55 of the 63 new officers are new to policing and that eight have prior law enforcement experience. Head over to CBS Austin to learn more about APD's plans for its new officers.

---

4) As temps continue to drop, this is your reminder to donate to the 2022 Coats for Kids drive! It's a quick and easy way to help Austinites stay warm through the winter and bring a smile to a child's face heading into the holidays. KVUE has the details on where you can drop off gently used coats and where you can make monetary donations – check it out.

---

Today in Austin:

• The Junior League Presents: A Christmas Affair 2022: Waltz of the Snowflakes (Friday Morning Children's Party) at The Junior League of Austin's Community Impact Center. (9:30 a.m.)
• The Junior League Presents: A Christmas Affair 2022: Nutcracker Dreams' DJ PJ Party (Friday Evening Children's Party) The Junior League of Austin's Community Impact Center. (5 p.m.)
• 2022 Creek Show at Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park. (6 p.m.)
• Moontower Comedy presents: Demetri Martin at Stateside at the Paramount. (6 p.m.)
• JuKiCoLa and the Lite Flyers at NeWorlDeli (7 p.m.)
• Beach Fossils with Animals On TV at Mohawk. (7:30 p.m.)
• Austin Shakespeare presents: Sense & Sensibility at The Long Center. (7:30 p.m.)
• Booker T. Jones at Antone's. (8 p.m.)

---

Community Chatter:

• ⚠️ Beef Recall : "H-E-B has announced an all-store recall for 94,000 pounds of ground beef products." (CBS Austin via Facebook)
• 🌧️ Rain in the forecast: "A cold rain is likely in the Hill Country to start the weekend. Here's what you can expect." (KVUE via Facebook)
• 🍸 Festive cocktails and cheer: Eater Austin has compiled a list of the Holiday Pop-Up Bars to keep on your radar this year. (Eater Austin)

---

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Announcements:

• Austin Oral Surgery Working to Eradicate Sex Trafficking Through Education, Empowerment Program (Details)
• Add your announcement

---

You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow 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