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Community Corner

🌱 Record-Setting Heat + Cooling Centers + TX Activist Leaving State

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Austin.

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Jessica Collins, Neighbor
(Patch Media)

Happy Sunday, friends! It's me, Jessica Collins, your host of the Austin Daily. Let's get your day started off on the right note with a quick dive into the most important news updates.

Settle in while we cover:

  • June was the hottest on record for parts of Texas.
  • The City of Austin is opening cooling centers for locals to beat the heat.
  • Young Texas transgender activist leaving the state over safety concerns.
  • And more ➡️

First, today's weather and allergy report:

☀️ High: 108 Low: 77. Sunny and hot, hot, HOT — stay cool and stay hydrated!
🍃 Grass Pollen: Low. Ragweed: Moderate. Mold: Moderate. Dust & Dander: Extremely High.

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Here are the top 4 stories today in Austin:

1) June was the hottest on record for parts of Texas. Austin-Mabry recorded 20 triple-digit days and the Austin-Airport recorded 15, which tied the June record from 2008. Spectrum News has the full story on the record-breaking heat here, and what we can expect throughout July.

2) City of Austin opening local cooling centers. Scorching temperatures are expected to remain across Central Texas. The city has opened a number of cooling center locations where anyone can step in and beat the heat. Find more details here on KLBJ.

3) Young Texas transgender activist leaving the state over safety concerns. After years of advocacy, 11-year-old Kai Shappley, a vocal transgender activist and Time Kid of the Year finalist, said she and her family have decided to pack up and leave Texas. KXAN has more on this story here.

4) Jacob's Well and other local swimming holes are impacted by the drought. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Integrated Drought Information System, states that 67 percent of Travis County is under severe drought, and 31 percent is in extreme drought.

Jacob's Well, a popular spring-fed watering hole outside of Travis County, is currently at it's lowest point at only 11 inches of water. Recent provisional data shows that the water level dropped from 2.66 feet to .99 feet on July 6. Check out the full story here at KXAN.

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You're all caught up for today. I'll see you around!

— 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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