City Cast Austin
📷 The Austinites displaced by the I-35 expansion
October 21, 2024 · Natalie Rivera
Why, hello! This is City Cast’s Natalie Rivera filling in for the irreplaceable Kelsey Bradshaw (I promise, she’ll be back!), here with some Austin news you should know about, including what’s top of mind for mayoral candidate and incumbent Kirk Watson. Let’s get into it!
Thank you to Tecovas, our exclusive launch sponsor and Western wear favs, for their support!
What's CITY Talking About?
🏛️ What Happens Next in Halted ‘Shaken Baby’ Case?
We’re still reeling from the Texas Supreme Court’s surprise decision late last week to halt the execution of Robert Roberson, who was set to die by lethal injection for a conviction involving “shaken baby” syndrome. The move came after a Texas House committee subpoenaed Roberson for a hearing scheduled for today. [Austin American-Statesman]
🏨 New Hotel Coming to Downtown, Others To Be Renovated
Changes are coming to downtown Austin, with the construction of the new Hotel Trinity slated to start in early January and renovations underway for the Westin and J.W. Marriott hotels. The campus-area AT&T Hotel and Conference Center, which developers expect will replace the soon-to-be-demolished Austin Convention Center, is also being redone to become the city’s next premier event venue. [🔒Austin Business Journal]
🛣️ The Human Impact of the I-35 Expansion
More than 100 homes and businesses will relocate to make way for 32 miles of a rebuilt I-35. Photographer Liz Moskowitz spent months capturing the faces of Austinites whose lives will be uprooted, and now you can learn their stories in a new photo exhibit running until October 29. [KXAN]
What Does It Mean To Vote for a Texas Railroad Commissioner?
The title, “Texas Railroad Commissioner,” might conjure an image of an old-timey railroad conductor, but in reality, the role is held by three elected officials responsible for regulating the state’s oil and gas industry. Voters will choose who will fill one of these vacant spots this November, a civil duty unique to Texans. [KUT]
- Also, today’s the first day of early voting! Check out our 2024 Austin voter guide for a voting refresher. [City Cast Austin]
Where Is This?
So it appears we don’t have many Reneé Rapp fans reading this newsletter! The “Where Is This?” photo from two weeks ago was taken steps away from Rapp as she performed during the first weekend of Austin City Limits Music Festival. The answer I was searching for was: “This was taken at the Reneé Rapp show.”
Perhaps this week’s photo will be a little easier:
Do you know where this is? Reply to this email with your best guess to be featured in next Monday’s newsletter.
Sponsored Content
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What To Do
Monday, Oct. 21
- 🧘 Yoga Storytime with ATX Yoga Girl at Austin Public Library Central Library | 10 a.m. | Free | Downtown Austin
- 🎶 Lyle Lovett & His Large Band at ACL Live at The Moody Theater | 8 p.m. | $59.50 and up | Downtown Austin
Tuesday, Oct. 22
- 🌙 Tuesday Twilights Featuring Deer Fellow at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center | 5 p.m. | $15 | Circle C Ranch
- 👄 “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at Bass Concert Hall | 8 p.m. | $45 and up | UT Campus
That’s it from me! Now I’m off to finally watch the English Teacher finale! Hopefully, I don’t catch Kayla Syndrome. 🙄
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