🌱 New Bill Restricting Transgender Athletes + Free Genealogy Workshop

Good morning, friends and neighbors! It's Jessica back with your fresh copy of the Austin Patch newsletter. Let's get this Wednesday started off right, with a quick dive into the most important local news and community updates.

Cozy up while we cover:

• An Austin-based startup completed a $24 million fundraising round.
• The Country Music Television Awards are this weekend in Austin– we've got the details.
• The library is hosting a free, all-ages craft workshop later today.

But first, today's weather:

A couple of morning showers. High: 71 Low: 59.

Here are the top stories today in Austin:

1) Texas Senate approved a bill that limits which college sports teams transgender athletes can participate in. Senate Bill 15 was passed by the Senate 19-9 and will have to clear a final vote on Wednesday before it’s sent to the Texas House for consideration. This bill received considerable pushback from local leaders and LGBTQ+ advocates, who view this measure as discriminatory. The Texas Tribune has more on this story here.

2) A third-party auditor hired to evaluate the Austin Police Academy Curriculum Review Committee recommends disbanding the committee entirely. Kroll, the New York consulting firm hired to lead this evaluation, stated the committee was unsuccessful for multiple reasons, including "resistance" to change by academy trainers and the committee's lack of a "clearly defined mission and scope." In addition to scrapping the current committee, Kroll's report recommends establishing two different groups: a council of community members and a committee of experts and academy trainers to review current practices and make suggested changes. Learn more here at the Austin American-Statesman.

3) The Country Music Television (CMT) Awards are happening at the Moody Center this Sunday! Shania Twain, Gwen Stefani and Alanis Morissette are all headed to Austin for this event and I've got the scoop on everything you need to know:

• Interested in being a seat filler? KXAN has the details on how you can be a part of the ceremony for free.
• If you can't make the ceremony but are interested in attending other events, KUT has a list of free CMT events.

4) Yesterday marked Day 1 of the murder trial for Army Sergeant Daniel Perry, who's accused of shooting and killing an Austin protester during a Black Lives Matter rally in 2020. KVUE has detailed coverage of the first day of the trial here.

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Today in Austin:

• (Free) Discover Your Family's Story - A Genealogy Workshop at Austin Public Library, Twin Oaks Branch. (10 a.m.)
• (Free, All Ages) CREATE! Bluebonnets for Spring (Craft Workshop) at Austin Public Library, University Hills Branch. (4 p.m.)
• Ripe: Bright Blues Tour with AJ Smith at Scoot Inn. (6:30 p.m.)
• Moontower Comedy Presents: David Cross: Worst Daddy In The World Tour with Special Guest Sean Patton at The Paramount Theatre. (7 p.m.)
• KOOP & Thundercloud Present: Lonesome Nights at Sahara Lounge. (7 p.m.)
• Geeks Who Drink at Salvation Pizza, Rainey St. (7 p.m.)
• (Free) Harp Ensemble Concert at UT Butler School of Music. (7:30 p.m.)
• Broadway In Austin Presents: "Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations" at Bass Concert Hall. (8 p.m.)
• Allepakcok at Mohawk Indoors. (8 p.m.)
• Jeff Lofton Electric Thang at Elephant Room. (9 p.m.)

Community Chatter:

• 🍃 New local dispensary: "Medical marijuana operator 'goodblend' will open its first dispensary location in Texas. Headquartered in Austin, goodblend creates marijuana products cultivated and produced in the Lone Star State." (KVUE via Facebook)
• 🎤 Big concerts headed to town: "John Mayer is coming back to Moody Center, and more big names like The Cure and Lionel Richie also have Austin trips planned for 2023." (Austin American-Statesman)
• 🤖 Startup fundraises millions: "Austin's Strangeworks lands $24 million even as many tech companies are cutting jobs. Strangeworks designs quantum software tools for software developers, system managers, researchers, technical staff and chief information officers." (Austin American-Statesman)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• The Carlson Law Firm — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• DFW Behavioral Health Symposium (March 29)
• Free Concert with Tish Hinojosa (March 31)
• STEM Adventures at Kiddie Academy of Hutto (April 1)
• STEM Adventures at Kiddie Academy of Buda (April 1)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (April 4)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with a new 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