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Community Corner

🌱 Voter Turnout Up + Power Grid Updates + Fun Halloween Events 🎃

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! It's Jessica, your host of the Austin Daily — back in your inbox with the most important news and updates across our beautiful city.

Kick back with your morning coffee while we dive into:

  • A recent report shows that Texas' power grid is still vulnerable to extreme winter weather.
  • Day 1 early voting turnout in Travis County is up from 2021.
  • ABIA surpassed a new passenger record on Monday!
  • Werewolf costume contest, Día de los Muertos Festival, new restaurant announcement, and much, much more ⬇️

But first, today's weather:

⛅ Pleasant with plenty of sun. High: 80 Low: 52.

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Here are the top stories in Austin today:

1) Uh oh – a recent report shows that Texas' power grid is still vulnerable to extreme winter weather. The report from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) indicated that "the Texas electricity grid remains almost as vulnerable to extreme winter weather as it was when it nearly collapsed during a prolonged deep freeze in February 2021." State utility regulators argue that FERC's analysis is flawed. Paywall/The Statesman has a full deep dive on FERC's report and the response from Texas utility regulators – check it out.

2) Election updates: Day 1 early voting turnout in Travis County is up from 2021. Monday, Oct. 24 marked the first day of early voting for the upcoming Nov. 8 election. As of Tuesday, the Travis County Clerk's Office reported that 3.99 percent of registered voters had already cast their votes. In 2021, just .79 percent of registered voters had cast their ballots on Day 1. Neighbors, I'm so happy to see that civic engagement is up in our community (especially with the major races on the ballot this election)! Head over to KVUE to learn more about early voting turnout.

3) Austin Bergstrom Airport surpassed a new passenger record on Monday! Austin's airport had its busiest day ever on Monday, with more than 43,000 departing passengers. This time, security lines did not stretch out the door — heck yeah!! KUT reports that the bulk of departing passengers were in town for the U.S. Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. KUT has the full scoop here.

4) Austin Police have arrested a man for allegedly shooting at passing cars in North Austin. FOX 7 Austin reports: "...a 911 caller told deputies the man came out of a wooded area in the 2400 block of Ferguson Road, with a gun, and then aimed directly at his stopped car and fired. The caller said he did escape and met with the responding deputies." The suspect was then seen running and firing shots toward groups of cars. FOX 7 Austin has more on this story.

5) High Street Residential, MSD Partners and River Street Partners broke ground on a new 43-story story tower in the Rainey Street District. The Statesman reports that the high rise is slated to be complete in late 2024, and will include 3,400 square feet of retail space and more than 30,000 square feet of amenity space. Check out the full scoop here at (Paywall)The Statesman.

Patch deals of the day:

The Patch Deals team scours the web for deals we think you'll love. These limited-time offers are worth a look — especially if you're doing some early holiday shopping.

  • Seido Japanese master knife set (71 percent off) — This 5-piece set of chef-quality knives comes in at just under $70. They're sharp, durable and cost a fraction of what you'd pay for similar high-quality knives.
  • Flux 7 TWS earbuds with wireless charging case & power bank (75 percent off) — Why pay $100+ for earbuds when you can get these well-rated wonders on sale for just $25?
  • Pressure Putt Trainer (53 percent off) — Small enough to fold up and easily fit in a golf bag, the Pressure Putt Trainer was developed using drills that pro golfers use to build confidence for achieving the perfect putt.

(Patch may earn a commission on purchases. All deals are as of publication and could change.)

Today in Austin:

  • (Kid-Friendly) Outdoor Music & Movement at Austin Public Library, Pleasant Hill Branch (11 a.m.)
  • (Kid-Friendly) Sew Much Fun: Ghosts at Austin Public Library, Ruiz Branch (4 p.m.)
  • Freaky Float Presents: Psycho at the Austin Motel. (5 p.m.)
  • Werewolf Costume Contest at Meanwhile Brewing. (5 p.m.)
  • Garrison Brothers HoneyDew Pairing Dinner at Juliet Kitchen, Barton Springs. (6:30 p.m.)
  • Tasting Texas: Historic Foodways | Fall Harvest at the Neill-Cochran House Museum. (6:30 p.m.)
  • La Dispute with Sweet Pill and Pictoria Vark at Mohawk. (6:30 p.m.)
  • Deepak Chopra: Awakened Life at the Long Center. (7:30 p.m.)

Community Chatter:

  • 🎃 Stumped on where to go and what to do for Halloween? Eater Austin compiled a list of the top Halloween parties in town. (Eater Austin)
  • 🍕 New restaurant alert: The owners of Lenoir and Salt & Time are opening "Dovetail Pizza" in South Austin. A city can never have too much pizza, if you ask me — can't wait! (Paywall/The Statesman)
  • 💀 Día de los Muertos Viva la Vida Festival & Parade this weekend! This Saturday, Oct. 29, the Mexic-Arte Museum celebrates the tradition of Día de los Muertos in Austin as the city's largest and longest-running Día de los Muertos Viva la Vida Festival. "Visitors will experience a street festival and a parade down the iconic Congress Avenue, bringing together a vibrant and varied mix of traditional, contemporary, and ever-so-weird Austin." (Visit Austin)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! See you 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

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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