🌱 Longhorns Headed To Elite Eight + 21st Homicide Of 2023

Good morning, everybody! It's Jessica, your host of the Austin Patch newsletter. Let's get this Sunday morning started off right, with a quick dive into the most important local news and community updates.

Grab your coffee and settle in while we cover:

• The Longhorn Men's Basketball Team made March Madness history!
• Guess which beloved Chinese restaurant is getting a second location? Keep scrolling for the deets.
• Texas students protested a budget bill at the Capitol.
• Where are my Taylor Swift fans with little ones? I've got the perfect event for you this afternoon.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 82 Low: 58.

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Here are the top stories in Austin today:

1) Longhorn Men's Basketball is back in the March Madness Elite Eight for the first time in 15 years! The Longhorns beat Xavier 83-71 in the Sweet 16 without breaking a sweat. The squad will face Miami in the Elite Eight today at 4:05 p.m. CST. The Austin American-Statesman has more on this historic win here.

2) Austin's 21st homicide of the year took place on Thursday night — it's also the fifth murder this week. CBS Austin reported: "Homicides 17 through 20 took lives across parts of the city on Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday." A man in his 20s, later identified as Darion Dupree, was found inside a southeast Austin apartment complex with gunshot wounds on Thursday night. Lifesaving procedures were performed on Dupree at the scene but he was pronounced dead shortly after. More on Austin's rising homicide rate here.

3) Student organizers with Texas Students for DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) held a sit-in at the Capitol rotunda this week. The students protested the budget bill that would prohibit colleges and universities from using state funds for diversity, equity and inclusion policies. This budget bill comes on the heels of a directive from Governor Abbott stating that DEI criteria in hiring practices is "illegal." KUT has more on this story here.

4) The Islamic holy month of Ramadan started this week. KUT has a guide to Ramadan and how Austin's observing the month this year – check it out!

Today in Austin:

• NASCAR AT COTA at Circuit of the Americas. (10 a.m.)
• "The Art of Hip Hop" Exhibit at The Museum of Graffiti. (11 a.m.)
• (Free) Spring Vibe Market at Distribution Hall. (11 a.m.)
• (Kid-Friendly) The Rock & Roll Playhouse Presents: Music of Taylor Swift for Kids at The Far Out Lounge. (11 a.m.)
• Bad Bunny Bash at The W Hotel. (12 p.m.)
• Sunday Crawfish, Blues, Brews, & BBQ with The Larry Harris Band at Oakwood BBQ & Beer Garden. (2 p.m.)
• Sabrina Carpenter at ACL Live at The Moody Theater. (6:30 p.m.)

Community Chatter:

• 🎤 New festival alert: "The sounds of revving motorcycles and rocking music will take over 305 S. Congress Ave. next month for the Handbuilt Motorcycle Show. The show, running April 14-16 will feature musical guests curated by local independent music promoter Resound Presents." (Austin American-Statesman)
• 🥣 Foodie news: Wu Chow is opening a second location in the Rosedale neighborhood. "The new spot, at 3800 N. Lamar Blvd., is slated to open early summer near a Snooze A.M. Eatery, Flower Delivery Austin, Wood & Rose and an AT&T store." (Austin Business Journal via Facebook)
• 🚗 A Hill Country adventure: Looking for a quick getaway outside of the city? Look no further. CultureMap curated 11 reasons why the hip Hill Country town of Dripping Springs should be your next destination. (CultureMap Austin)

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Featured events:

• Modern Buddhism: Meditations for World Peace (March 26)
• DFW Behavioral Health Symposium (March 29)
• STEM Adventures at Kiddie Academy of Hutto (April 1)
• STEM Adventures at Kiddie Academy of Buda (April 1)
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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow morning 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