🌱 Tech Office Closure + New SXSW Speakers + Missing Man Found In Lake

Good morning, everybody! Happy Hump Day. We've made it halfway through the week — let's keep up the momentum! I'm back with your new copy of the Austin Patch newsletter.

Grab your morning java and get comfy while we dive into:

• Lawmakers challenge Gov. Abbott's mandate to stop diversity hiring initiatives.
• Another major tech employer will close its Austin office.
• Movie night at Central Machine Works tonight — you won't want to miss it!
• SXSW continues to expand its speaker roster. Keep scrolling for the scoop.

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But first, today's weather:

More humid with a shower. High: 76 Low: 47.

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Here are the top stories today in Austin:

1) The family of Jason John, 30, confirmed that his body was found on Monday night in Lady Bird Lake. John was last seen just after 2 a.m. on Feb. 5, walking home from Rainey Street. KXAN has more here.

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2) Two organizations representing Black and Latino lawmakers are pushing back on Gov. Greg Abbott's warning that state entities cannot consider "diversity, equity and inclusion" in employment practices. The Texas Legislative Black Caucus and the Texas NAACP held a press conference on Tuesday, encouraging national sports organizations to refuse to hold championship games in Texas if Abbott doesn't reverse his office's directive to state agencies to end the use of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in hiring practices. The Austin American-Statesman has the full story here.

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3) Amid acknowledgment of Texas' record budget surplus, a state senator submitted two pieces of legislation that would prioritize expanding water infrastructure and research into new technology. According to the bill, those projects could include initiatives like "the acquisition of water rights from another state, infrastructure to transport water from another state, and desalination efforts of marine or brackish water." KXAN has more on these pieces of legislation here.

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4) Walmart will close its tech hub in Downtown Austin. Following the office closure, Walmart sent its staff a memo that the company "hopes to relocate most of its workers and will pay for location transfers. Some will be allowed to become full-time remote workers, and those who leave will be given severance pay." The Austin American-Statesman has more on this story.

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Today in Austin:

• Central Library Art Tour at Austin Public Library, Central Branch. (10 a.m.)
• (Free Crafts) Sew Much Fun: Hearts at Austin Public Library, Ruiz Branch. (4 p.m.)
• Big Thief at ACL Live at The Moody Theater. (7 p.m.)
• Eric Bellinger with Trevor Jackson and June Poole at Parish. (7:30 p.m.)
• Broadway In Austin Presents: Disney's Aladdin at Bass Concert Hall. (8 p.m.)
• Movie Night: "10 Things I Hate About You & She's All That" at Central Machine Works Brewery. (8 p.m.)

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Community Chatter:

• 🍻 Batch Craft Beer & Kolache is expanding: Batch owners recently announced its new food trailer, LOTE, plus a new beer program led by Ryan Monahan. "Located in the open-air beer garden, LOTE offers a selection of Tortas made with Batch's kolache dough, burritos, tacos, nachos and bulitas." (CultureMap Austin)
• 🎞 Film industry news: "The Austin Film Society announced that beloved character actress Margo Martindale will receive an honor at the upcoming, annual Texas Film Awards." (Austin American-Statesman)
• 🎤 New talent added to SXSW: "The South by Southwest speaker list expands to include Tilda Swinton, Robert Downey Jr., Paul Giamatti, New Order, and many more." (Austin Chronicle)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday. See you all tomorrow morning 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at DowntownAustin@patch.com