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FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2024
Compiled byMatt Mackowiak
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P.S. We will be off on Monday for Labor Day.
TODAY’S WEATHER
H: 94° / L: 75°. Rainy holiday weekend ahead. Latest forecast from Fox 7 Austin’s Scott Fisherhere.
TOP NEWS
“Austin expected to have some of the longest TSA lines in the country for Labor Day weekend,” Austin American-Statesman’s Beck Andrew Salgado — “Labor Day with its three-day weekend is consistently one of the most popular holidays for travel and this year is poised to be one of the busiest yet. As passengers head to beach getaways in Florida or to play slots in Las Vegas, airports across the country are expected to be humming with long TSA lines and packed flights.
Texas is expected to be no different as latest research predicts that Austin’s Bergstrom International Airport is going to have some of the longest TSA lines in the nation over the holiday weekend.
With Labor Day quickly approaching, here’s how long wait times are expected to be in Austin, what a weekend of record travel could look like and the best tips for travel.
A study has revealed that Austin–Bergstrom International Airport is expected to have the seventh-longest TSA security lines of any large airport hub in America. Data collection experts SOAX analyzed data from Qsensor on security wait times at America's 31 largest airport hubs — each of which had over 10 million passengers in 2023.“ AAS ($)
TSA wait times were gathered for each hour of each day of the week, creating an average for each airport and highlighting the busiest and least busy times to go through security. It should be noted that the wait times shown are an average and not the busiest hour.
THE BLOTTER
~ “Six injured in overnight crash involving Austin ISD bus,” CBS Austin’s Tara Brolley – “Six people were injured, including one with potentially serious injuries, in a crash involving an Austin ISD bus overnight.
Just after 11:30 p.m. Thursday, Austin-Travis County EMS and the Austin Fire Department responded to the two-vehicle collision at the intersection of North Lamar Boulevard and San Gabriel Street.
According to AFD, it was a head-on collision. CBS Austin’s crew saw that a school bus and a black sedan were damaged at the scene.
ATCEMS medics took an adult patient to Dell Seton Medical Center with potentially serious injuries. The other five patients suffered minor injuries and were evaluated at the scene.
CBS Austin has reached out to Austin ISD and the Austin Police Department for more information.” CBS Austin
~ “APD investigating body found near Rollingwood,” KVUE’s John Diaz – “Police are investigating a body discovered near a business shopping center in southwest Austin.
The body was found just before 9 a.m. Thursday near the West Woods Shopping Center on Bee Caves Road near Old Walsh Tarlton.
According to police, officers responded to the area after a call about an urgent welfare check. When they arrived, they found the deceased person.
Police have not identified the body at this time and say the death is not currently being investigated as a homicide.” KVUE
~ “‘I don’t want to be shot sleeping in my bed’: Neighbors concerned over rise in crime in southeast Austin neighborhood,” KVUE’s Jessica Cha – “Some residents living in southeast Austin say they are fed up after being awakened by gunshots overnight.
Residents say crime in the Montopolis Drive neighborhood is on the rise, and now they live in fear.
Delwin Goss says he woke up to a loud pounding sound on the outside wall of his bedroom wall at around 1:30 a.m. Thursday.
“That's when I thought somebody was trying to break into the house,” Goss explained.
However, after taking a look around, Goss discovered that what he had heard was actually gunshots.
From Goss' home security footage, he says he heard several shots minutes apart around 1:25 a.m., then six to eight rounds at 1:30 a.m., then three more after that.
“It’s making the hair on my arms stand up,” Goss said. “To hear eight, nine, 10 shots. Just bam, bam, bam. Where are those bullets going?”
Goss says he called 9-1-1 immediately and was told that the Austin Police Department (APD) was already on the scene. He says police vehicles had already blocked off the corner of Ponca Street and Thrasher Lane.
But Goss says the neighborhood is no stranger to the sounds of gunshots.
“I’ve talked to the lady that lives behind me … She said she hears gunshots in the neighborhood two-to-three times a week on a regular basis,” Goss explained.
He says the Montopolis neighborhood has always been rough since before he moved to the area 30 years ago.
“I've watched it for the last five, six, seven years and it just gets a little worse," Goss said. "I see more open drug use in this neighborhood, more drug dealing."
Goss says he blames it on a lack of police presence in the area. Goss acknowledged that APD is severely understaffed, with the department currently staffed 50% below where nationally recognized law enforcement groups recommend staffing to be.
He says the city needs to pay attention.
“They’re not out here protecting me, or my 85-year-old heart transplant neighbor, or the widow that's in her 70s next door,” Goss said.
Austin City Councilwoman Mackenzie Kelly says leaders are already working on addressing his concerns. She said she has communicated with Goss through email about the incident, with him relaying his fear since it occurred.
Kelly says she's already reached out to APD about the gunshots and she's toured Goss's neighborhood before.
“He feels as if his part of the district, part of town, is neglected, and I firmly believe that everyone, despite what district they are in, deserves the opportunity to feel safe in their own homes,” Kelly said.
Kelly says the city is doing everything it can to retain and recruit more APD officers because people like Goss deserve to feel safe.” CBS Austin
~ “Williamson County Sheriff’s Office investigating 2 overdose deaths this week,” KVUE’s Johann Castro – “The Williamson County Sheriff's Office is investigating two overdose deaths that occurred in the county this week.
According to the sheriff's office, on Monday, Aug. 26, deputies responded to a call reporting a suspected overdose death in the 2000 block of Aster Way in Round Rock. Police located a 34-year-old man who was dead at the scene.
Deputies searched the residence and subsequently seized suspected fentanyl, ketamine, marijuana and THC.
On Wednesday, Aug. 28, deputies responded to another overdose call, this time in the 16000 block of Terrace Dr. in Austin. Deputies arrived and discovered the body of a 34-year-old woman, who was declared dead at the scene.
Deputies searched the residence and seized fentanyl, methamphetamine, LSD, Xanax and psilocybin mushrooms.
The sheriff's office says it's still actively investigating both cases.” KVUE
~ “Buda deadly shooting: No murder charges filed against man who killed teen, says DA,” via Fox 7 Austin – “Murder charges will not be filed against a man who shot and killed a teenager in Buda earlier this month, says the Hays County Criminal District Attorney.
A Hays County Grand Jury has voted to "no-bill" the case against a 21-year-old man in the shooting death of 17-year-old Erick Alejandro Marin.
At around 5:17 p.m. on August 5, Hays County Sheriff's deputies responded to a shooting in a drainage area behind homes in the 800 block of Shadow Creek Boulevard. When they arrived, they found Marin who had been shot. He later died at the scene.
The Hays County Sheriff's Office says that all people involved in a deadly shooting in Buda on August 5 have been identified.
Videos of the shooting given to investigators showed two groups that had met at the location to fight. A juvenile relative of Marin's had been fighting the 21-year-old man.
During the fight, Marin pulled a handgun and began shooting at the man.
Another juvenile from the other group returned fire, and the man grabbed that weapon and shot Marin, killing him, says the Hays County DA.
The DA's office says it reviewed the evidence and concluded that the shooting that killed Marin was justified under the Texas laws related to self-defense and defense of a third person.
The case was then presented to the grand jury on Wednesday, August 28, which agreed that the shooting had been justified.
The DA's office says that the other juveniles who were present and involved may still face charges for other conduct related to the incident.” Fox 7 Austin
~ “Man arrested after assaulting owner of Royal Blue grocery store in downtown Austin,” CBS Austin’s Stephanie Becerra – “A man was arrested last Monday after assaulting the owner of the Royal Blue grocery store in downtown Austin.
APD officers responded to a disturbance call on August 19 at around 12:55 p.m. at the grocery store located at 609 Congress Avenue.
Upon arrival, they found the owner had a man, later identified as George Cary Martin Jr., pinned to the floor.
Booking photo of George Cary Jr Martin. (Photo: APD)
The owner says Martin Jr. was causing a scene outside the store and when he was asked to leave and escorted away, Martin Jr. charged and headbutted the owner. After a scuffle, he was able to pin Martin to the ground until police arrived.
The victim sustained minor injuries in the incident.
Martin Jr. faces a charge of assault with injury and criminal trespass.” CBS Austin
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
~ “Austin City Council approves $1.25 million in settlements for 2020 protest injuries,” CBS Austin’s Stephanie Becerra – “Austin City Council approved nearly $2 million in settlements Thursday that stemmed from the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests.
The city approved a $1.1 million settlement with Alyssa Sanders, who sued the city claiming she suffered a brain injury when an officer shot her during the protest.
The city also approved a $150,000 settlement with Ge’Michah Volter-Jones, who says he was shot with non-lethal bean bag rounds during the protest.” CBS Austin
2024
~ “Judge’s order halts Nov. 5 charter election,” Austin Monitor’s Jo Clifton – “Travis County District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble on Thursday ordered the city of Austin to eliminate 13 proposed charter amendments from the Nov. 5 ballot because City Council violated the Texas Open Meetings Act in setting a hearing on the proposed charter items. Other items on the ballot, such as Council races, are not impacted by the order.
In granting the temporary injunction sought by the Save Our Springs Alliance, Bill Bunch and Joe Riddell, the judge found that Council “did not provide adequate notice for the Council’s August 14, 2024 meeting, agenda item number 12, to approve the election.”
The plaintiffs complained that although the city widely publicized the fact that Council would be voting on the new budget on Aug. 14, there was no special advertising about the proposed charter amendments. According to the lawsuit, Council violated the Texas Open Meetings Act by failing to list each of the proposed charter amendments, even though the public would be asked to vote on each of those amendments individually. The judge agreed.
In addition, the judge found that the plaintiffs would likely suffer irreparable injury if the temporary injunction were not granted. Ballots for Hays and Williamson counties will be set today, Aug. 30, and ballots for Travis County will be set on Sept. 5.
The judge found that if a temporary injunction were not issued, there would be a charter election on Nov. 5 without the city “having strictly complied with the Texas Open Meetings Act … to allow for public testimony on such agenda items of special interest to the public to provide sufficient notice of the subjects of any meetings pertaining thereto.”
The judge set a hearing on a permanent injunction in the case for Jan. 21, 2025, which is after the election. Council could certainly ask the 3rd Court of Appeals for an expedited hearing and ruling, but even an expedited process would take weeks if not months.
Gamble’s ruling followed issuance of a temporary restraining order by Judge Daniella DeSeta Lyttle on the same issues on Aug. 22.
In addition to the district court case, plaintiffs’ attorney Bill Aleshirealso asked the Texas Supreme Court to intervene and prevent the city from holding the contested charter election. After winning the argument in district court on Thursday, Aleshire told the Austin Monitor that the Supreme Court had rejected his clients’ request to take action on the matter.” Austin Monitor
OTHER NEWS
~ “Why Barton Springs is closed,” KXAN’s Juliana Russ – “On Thursday, the AustinParks & Recreation Department (PARD) announced Barton Springs Poolwould be temporarily closed.
According to the department, the close was due to maintenance.
“Staffis working diligently to reopen the facilityas quickly as possible,” PARD said.
According to a statement, the maintenance was associated with the pool andnot the Joan Means Khabele Bathhouse Rehabilitation project.
The City of Austin said further updates on the pool’s status were available online.” KXAN
SPORTS
~ WESTLAKE FOOTBALL: “No. 4 Westlake runs away from No. 15 Prosper 35-14 with big 2nd half,” KXAN’s Billy Gates — “Westlake junior quarterback Rees Wise hit Brody Wilhlem with an 18-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to ice the season opener for the No. 4 Chaparrals, leading to a 35-14 win over No. 15 Prosper on Thursday at Crusader Stadium in Belton.
Wise threw four touchdown passes on the night, three to Wilhelm, and the Westlake defense stood strong in the second half by not allowing any points. The Chaps trailed 14-13 at halftime.
Westlake’s Justice Johnson rushed for a 1-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to stretch the Chaps’ lead to 28-14. Wilhelm caught his second score of the night just after halftime and the Chaps converted a 2-point play to take a 21-14 lead.
Prosper quarterback Braeden Imhoff threw for both of the Eagles’ touchdowns, an 8-yard score to Dallas Boozer and a 39-yard pass to Lathon Latiolais in the second quarter.” KXAN
~ CENTRAL TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES: All here.
~ PARALYMPICS: “Cedar Park teen sets personal best while competing for Team USA in Paralympics,” KVUE’s Jeff Jones — “The Central Texas teen representing Team USA at the 2024 Paralympics is settling in nicely.
On Thursday, 15-year-old Jordan White scored 10 points four times in the second half of his first match en route to scoring a personal best 580 points.
White, who is from Cedar Park, hasn't competed in archery for very long. And while the score probably wasn't what he wanted, he managed to settle down as the competition went on.
"First round was a huge struggle," White said, according to USA Archery. "I felt a lot of pressure ... I was able to turn it around for that second round."
White will take that energy into elimination rounds next Wednesday when he faces off against Lukasz Ciszek of Poland.” KVUE
AUSTIN CULTURE
~ BRUNCH: ”Jack Allen’s Kitchen owners opening brunch-centric Day Maker Half Day Cafe” Austin Eater
~ SUPPORT OUR LOCAL RESTAURANTS: Austin Restaurant Weeks starts today and lasts until Sept. 15. More info here.
~ OLD AUSTIN: ”Clever passport rewards locals for visiting 10 Old Austin institutions” Culture Map Austin
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND
Fri
~ LIVE MUSIC: 30 Seconds to Mars with AFI. Germania Insurance Amphitheater (COTA). Doors 5:30pm. Show 6:30pm. Tix start at $29.50 here.
Sat
~ UT FOOTBALL: Colorado State at #4 Texas (DKR Stadium / ESPN). 2:30pm kickoff. Sold out. Tix for resale available here.
~ AUSTIN FC:Vancouver at Austin FC. Game at 7:30pm. Tix here. Also airing on Apple TV.
All weekend
~ Full list of things to do this weekend. KVUE
~ Water park Typhoon Texas is offering FREE ADMISSION to all first responders this weekend (Sat., Aug. 31 through Mon, Sept. 2). CBS Austin
~ DATE NIGHT: “The Best Date Night Restaurants in Austin” Austin Eater
COOL JOB ALERT
~ Senior Events Program Coordinator: Kay Bailey Hutchison Energy Center, University of Texas at Austin. Salary: $55k-$60k+ depending on qualifications. Apply / info here.
