🦎 Why this man made up a fake Austin zoo

👮‍♀️ City Council to Vote on New Police Chief

City Manager TC Broadnax has picked Lisa Davis, currently the assistant chief of the Cincinnati Police Department, to be Austin’s new police chief. Davis earned the nomination over more than 30 applicants and one other finalist. Mayor Kirk Watson and the City Council will vote on the nomination tomorrow. [KXAN]

🌮 Fresh Coat of Paint for Austin Icon

Cisco’s Restaurant, Bakery & Bar received a $50,000 grant from the National Trust for Hispanic Preservation as part of an effort to support independent, historic businesses. Cisco’s, a Tex-Mex staple in Austin since 1950, plans to use the funds for much needed repairs to its over 120-year-old building. [Austin Monitor]

🦎 Fake Zoo, Real Lizards

A Texas man pleaded guilty to violating the Endangered Species Act after using falsified documents for a bogus organization to transport 165 Australian reptiles into the United States. The Department of Justice said Don Church presented fake records for the “Austin Reptile Center” to deceive Australian officials and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Church faces up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. [Austin American-Statesman]

🏫 Musk’s New Montessori School

Elon Musk is planning to open a new Montessori school in Bastrop this fall. The school, which shares its name — Ad Astra — with others Musk has opened previously, has capacity for 48 kids ages 3-9, and will teach a curriculum that’s said to foster critical thinking, problem solving skills, and something called “global citizenship and cultural awareness empathy.” According to the school’s website, first year tuition will be subsidized. [KXAN]

• Related: Why is Elon Musk so obsessed with Austin? [City Cast Austin 🎧]

😷 The Sick-As-a-Dog Days of Summer

We may have some cases of measles in town, and a new strain of COVID is on the rise. Austin Public Health medical director Dr. Desmar Walkes sat down with City Cast Austin host Nikki DaVaughn to talk about what that means, and how Austinites can stay safe. [City Cast Austin 🎧]

Congratulations to Cassie B. for guessing last week’s photo correctly. This mural, “We Rise” by Austin artist Chris Rogers, is located at the intersection of East 12th and Chicon streets in East Austin.

Can you guess this week’s photo? ⬇️

Do you know where this lovely outdoor stage is? Guess correctly and you could be featured in next week’s newsletter!