🌱 Parents Concerned About Teacher Absences + Texas Voter Issues

Hey, people of Round Rock! Nicole Fallon-Peek here with today's issue of the Round Rock Daily.

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First, today's weather:

Plenty of sun. High: 65 Low: 42.

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Here are the top 3 stories in Round Rock today:

1. Round Rock ISD's COVID-related teacher absences and substitute shortages continue to worsen, with only 35 percent of Friday's 800 staff absences covered by subs. Local parents are concerned about what their children are learning, and many are calling for greater transparency from the district on when students' classes are and aren't being covered. "Parents ... should know if their kids are not getting a full education because they're being crammed in with teachers or subs or they're not learning," RRISD parent Jennifer Flok White told KVUE. (KVUE.com)
2. A Round Rock resident, along with thousands of other Texans, was impacted by a new state voting law that flagged certain voters as potential "noncitizens," even if they are indeed U.S. citizens. Impacted residents received letters saying they would be kicked off the voting rolls if they couldn't produce the proper documentation to prove their citizenship. Monty Tew, who was born in Texas and currently resides in Round Rock, said after he received his letter, he paid $30 for a copy of his birth certificate and sent a photo of it to the county to resolve the issue. (Associated Press)
3. This weekend, Williamson County and surrounding areas saw multiple wildfires, prompting a local state of emergency and a temporary burn ban throughout the county. The largest fire in the area happened on Friday night in Florence near Farm to Market Road 970, about 30 minutes north of Round Rock. By the time the fire was contained, it had spread to upwards of 170 acres. Officials say warm temperatures, dry conditions, and high winds were responsible for the fires. (KXAN)

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Today in Round Rock:

• Virtual Book Discussion Group Hosted By Round Rock New Neighbors (1:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• The Teravista Elementary PTA has announced a new deadline for 5th-grade recognition ads due to virtual students being welcomed back on campus. Ads are now available online until Jan. 22. Click to learn more. (Facebook)
• The American Legion, George Johns Post 447 has announced that it is an official drop spot for the Brady's Bridge Fundraiser. If you would like to participate and support this organization, please bring your new or gently-used shoes to 1000 N Georgetown St. now through Feb. 15. (Facebook)
• Looking for a new Round Rock home? Check out these five local properties for sale. (Round Rock Patch)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.