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Community Corner

🌱 Summer Cool Off Sites In Austin + 2nd Austin Starbucks May Unionize

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

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Gabriela Cantu Couvillion, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Welcome back, Austin. I'm here in your inbox today to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on around town. Because community information is power! Keep reading for the latest.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and hot. High: 103 Low: 77.

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Here are the top stories in Austin today:

  1. As summer temperatures rise, it's important to watch out for signs of heat stroke. To help, "the city of Austin is offering multiple sites as a place to cool off." According to EMS Captain Christa Stedman, "now is the time to be aware of the effect the heat can have on you, especially heat stroke." She said, "The key indicator that someone has progressed from heat exhaustion to heat stroke is truly that alteration in their level of consciousness and if they've stopped sweating. So, when their skin is really hot to the touch, that's a true medical emergency that can be fatal in a matter of minutes." For a list of cooling centers in Austin visit: (kxan.com)
  2. After meeting with "the Living Wage Working Group, made up of unions and workers' advocates," the "Austin City Council is considering raising the wages for city workers from $15 to $22 an hour." Minerva Camarena-Skeith of Central Texas Interfaith said, "The high cost of living makes it difficult for city employees to live in the city that they work in." The wage increase "would apply to most city workers, from construction workers to airport employees to lifeguards, as well as workers for companies contracted by the city or companies which receive tax abatements." For more details please visit: (fox7austin.com)
  3. After "the Starbucks on 45th Street and Lamar Boulevard became the first location to officially unionize in Texas," now a second Starbuck's location in Austin, "on 24th and Nueces streets" near the UT campus," will find out this Friday, June 10, if they will become "a recognized union" as well. For more on this story please visit: (KVUE.com)
  4. Two University of Texas (UT) athletes earned "2021-22 Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarships," per "the Big 12 Conference office" in Austin. They are tennis player Nevin Arimilli and swimmer Julia Cook. Awards are based on "a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.200 on a 4.000 scale and participation in at least two years of intercollegiate athletics at the nominee's respective institution." Also, "student-athletes must graduate from their respective member institutions and enroll in graduate or professional school of their choice within 15 months of their selection of the postgraduate scholarship." (TexasSports.com)
  5. Recently the "fire, police, and EMS departments" in Austin "presented its budget forecasts for FY2023 to public safety commissioners" for next fiscal year. They "are forecasting increases in their budgets for the fiscal year 2023 between $5-10 million, and that's just the starting point." The departments also presented a list each "of unfunded priorities, totaling millions more." For details on budget forecasts for each public safety department visit: (cbsaustin.com)

Today in Austin:

From my notebook:

  • "4,000 miles, 70 days, $13 million raised in the fight against cancer by students at The University of Texas at Austin. See how Texas 4000 for Cancer is changing the world with an epic bike ride:" (The University of Texas at Austin via Facebook)
  • Texas Longhorns, get ready for the championship series! Hook Em!" (Texas Longhorns via Facebook)
  • "Passengers won't be able to board Austin's light-rail lines until 2029 at the earliest. Construction is slated to begin in late 2024 or early 2025." (KUT Austin via Facebook)
  • "'What we really want isn't good guys with guns stopping bad guys with guns,' said Professor Louis Klarevas, who studies gun violence. 'What we really want is bad guys without guns. That's a better strategy.'" (KUT Austin via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll see you around!

— Gabriela Cantu Couvillion

About me: I'm an active mom of two grown sons and lifelong San Antonio resident. I received a BA in Spanish from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and in my free time I immerse myself in creative writing. Thanks for reading Patch, and feel free to reach out if you have any news and happenings that you think may appeal to our readers!

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Austin Daily? Contact me at DowntownAustin@patch.com

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