🌱 New Light Rail Plans + Arson Suspect Arrested + Free Movie Event

Happy Hump Day, neighbors! It's Jessica, back with your new edition of the Austin Patch newsletter filled with the most important local news and community updates.

Get cozy while we dive into:

• Travis County DA's Office indicts a former APD officer.
• A New Orleans-inspired bar and grill is headed to East Austin.
• A free screening of "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" this evening.

But first, today's weather:

A morning shower; warmer. High: 81 Low: 69.

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Here are the top stories in Austin today:

1) Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) hosted a community meeting to unveil the five new reduced Project Connect options for the city’s light rail system yesterday. The new light rail renderings were scaled back from the original plans presented to voters back in 2020. In the new plans, each of the light rail options is less than half the length of the original 28-mile vision. ATP cites rising costs, with the budget growing from $5.8 billion to $10.3 billion. KUT has more here.

2) Austin PD arrested a suspect connected to this weekend's arson incident. Zachary Salinas is accused of stabbing his roommate to death in the home and later setting the home on fire to try and hide the evidence. Salinas was booked into the Travis County Jail and is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree arson and tampering with evidence. KVUE has more on this story here.

3) $4 million in federal funding will be distributed among Austin Independent School District (AISD) campuses. U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett said $2 million of the funds will go toward "a local effort to provide outdoor learning to 36 school campuses" and the remaining $2 million toward college and career-readiness at AISD schools. Learn more about this initiative at Community Impact.

4) A fired Austin Police Officer was indicted yesterday for using excessive force during a March 2021 arrest. A grand jury indicted Alejandro Gaitan on felony assault and misdemeanor oppression charges, according to the Travis County District Attorney's office. KVUE has more on this story here.

Today in Austin:

• (Free) Weeknight Cinema: "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" at Austin Public Library, North Village Branch. (5 p.m.)
• Pour the Record: Whiskey & Vinyl Reception at Acre 41. (6 p.m.)
• (Kid-Friendly) Pajama Storytime at Austin Public Library, Yarborough Branch. (6 p.m.)
• "Jimmie & Stevie Ray Vaughan: Brothers in Blues" (Film Screening) at The Paramount Theatre. (7 p.m.)
• Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night at Slackers Brewing Co. (7 p.m.)
• Awful Comedy Presents: Throne Room: Stand–Up Comedy at Kingdom. (8 p.m.)
• Qk (DJ Set) at My Oh My. (8 p.m.)

Community Chatter:

• 🏀 Texas Women's Basketball: "Thank you for an incredible season, Longhorn Nation 🤘." Ladies, you'll get 'em next season! (Texas Women's Basketball via Facebook)
• 🥘 New food headed to East Austin: "Aaron Franklin and his partners are opening a New Orleans-inspired bar and grill inside a building that dates back to the late 19th century." (Austin360 via Facebook)
• 🚨 Job alert: The Dougherty Arts Center is hiring two full-time positions! Check out the deets! (Austin Parks & Rec via Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today. I'll see you around!

— 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