🌱 Hundreds Protest At The Capitol + Arson Case + All-Ages Play Day

Good morning, everyone! It's Jessica, your host of the Austin Patch newsletter. I've curated the most important local news and community updates, so you don't have to lift a finger!

Grab your coffee while we dive into:

• A free, all-ages play day at The Capitol!? Keep scrolling for the scoop.
• The 18th homicide of the year is being investigated.
• Weren't able to attend any SXSW events? No sweat, I've got a recap below.

But first, today's weather:

Warmer; a morning shower. High: 70 Low: 65.

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Here are the top stories in Austin today:

1) Hundreds of LGBTQ+ rights advocates rallied at the Texas Capitol yesterday to protest a slew of anti-LGBTQ+ bills. A mere hours after the rally, Texas lawmakers passed two anti-trans bills (Senate Bill 14) in committee. This new legislation would ban medical transition care for minors and changes to gender markers on their birth certificates. KUT has more on yesterday's protest here.

2) Following last month's winter storm that gave many Austinites days without power, Austin City Council members are pushing for the city to consider burying power lines. District 2 council member Vanessa Fuentes is sponsoring this resolution and states: "My item (58) would evaluate burying lines for ongoing City-funded projects. If there's construction involving our utilities in the City right-of-way ... such as city-owned roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, and other public infrastructure, we want to use that as an opportunity to bury our lines and protect our neighbors." Three other council members decided to co-sponsor Fuentes' resolution. Learn more about this story here at KVUE.

3) Austin Public Health (APH) is offering a COVID vaccine incentive. Anyone who gets a COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot at an Austin Public Health vaccination event will be eligible to receive a $50 Visa gift card. APH noted the number of individuals seeking vaccines and booster shots has dropped significantly. "As of March 1, it said, only 38% of Austin-Travis County residents had received a booster shot." The Biden administration plans to let the federal public health emergency for COVID-19 expire on May 11, so health officials recommend taking advantage while vaccines are still free. KUT has more on this story here.

4) The arson unit is investigating a fire in southeast Austin after a man was found dead late on Sunday night. A house fire was reported at the intersection of Charlotte Estates Drive and Meridian Oak Lane around 10:53 p.m. Austin Police Department and Austin Fire Department arrived around 11 p.m. to discover a man in his 30s with "obvious signs of trauma incompatible with life." This incident is being investigated as Austin's 18th homicide of the year. CBS Austin has more on this story here.

Today in Austin:

• (Free) Discover Your Family's Story: A Genealogy Workshop at Austin Public Library, Howson Branch. (10 a.m.)
• (Free, All Ages) Central Library Art Tour at Austin Public Library, Central Branch. (2 p.m.)
• (Free, All Ages) Play Day 2023 at The Texas State Capitol. (4 p.m.)
• Vance Joy: In Our Own Sweet Time Tour (Night 2) at ACL Live at The Moody Theater. (6:30 p.m.)
• Texas Two Step Dance Lesson at The Little Longhorn Saloon. (7 p.m.)
• Michael Hale Trio featuring Mac Mcintosh Live at Half Step. (9:30 p.m.)

Community Chatter:

• 👮‍♀️ Austin Police Department: "This morning, Chief Chacon pinned and congratulated the first female Rabbi Marie Betcher on her new leadership role as the Lead Chaplain for the Austin Police Department. Chaplain Betcher will oversee a team of chaplains in our department that provide support to our officers. Welcome!" (Austin Police Department via Facebook)
• ✈️ Record-setting travel at the airport: "An Austin-Bergstrom International Airport spokesperson said three of the SXSW travel dates this year rank in top 10 busiest days in the airport's history." (KVUE via Facebook)
• 📸 SXSW 2023 recap: "We doubt you made it to every event during South by Southwest, but we did. Here are our best SXSW 2023 photos from across Austin." (The Austin American-Statesman)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! See you all 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at DowntownAustin@patch.com