Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Are your Austin hospital visits still in-network with Blue Cross?

Happening soon: Slide in the DMs: A Comedy Show on the Austin Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Thursday January 1st Patch AM
Thursday January 1st Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good morning Austin! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Are your Austin hospital visits still in-network with Blue Cross?
  • What this overturned APD conviction could mean for Austin police accountability
  • How to catch Austin’s biggest-ever New Year’s Eve drone show tonight

Also on today's calendar: Slide in the DMs: A Comedy Show and 6 more events.

Find out what's happening in Austinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: Playing golf is bad for your brain. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Austinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Warm with clouds and sun, with a high of 74 and low of 56 degrees.
  • Friday: Sunny and warmer, temps: high: 85, low: 57.
  • Saturday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 73 and low of 50 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Ascension Texas, Blue Cross Blue Shield reach agreement ensuring continued in-network access (kvue.com) — If you’re in Austin and insured through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, you’ll keep in-network access to Ascension Texas hospitals and clinics, including Ascension Seton. A renewed agreement after months of negotiations protects coverage for commercial, Medicare, and ACA plan members at local Ascension facilities and outpatient centers.
   

2. Criminal attorney reacts to acquittal of ex-officer's conviction in 2019 shooting (cbsaustin.com) — An appellate court has overturned the conviction of former Austin police officer Christopher Taylor in a 2019 fatal shooting, prompting sharp debate over police accountability here. An Austin criminal attorney and the Travis County DA’s office say the rare acquittal raises serious questions about how far officers can go in using force, and whether Taylor could now seek reinstatement on the force.
   

3. Austin's New Year's Eve drone show to feature 1,500 drones (cbsaustin.com) — Austin’s official New Year’s celebration at Auditorium Shores will feature a massive 1,500‑drone show tonight, capped by midnight fireworks and live music. Gates open at 7 p.m., the drones launch around 11:45 p.m., and the free, family-friendly event will showcase imagery celebrating Austin and Texas.
   

4. 94 fatal crashes in Austin leave 98 dead in 2025: report (fox7austin.com) — Austin saw 94 fatal crashes and 98 deaths on its roads in 2025, with serious injuries dropping from more than 400 to about 300. Officials highlight speeding, distraction, and impairment as key factors, and urge residents to slow down, plan sober rides, and support the city’s Vision Zero push to reduce traffic deaths and injuries.
   

5. Austin police seek two suspects after aggravated assault with knife on East Sixth Street (cbsaustin.com) — Austin police are asking for the public’s help identifying two men suspected in a knife assault that happened early Sunday in the 200 block of East Sixth Street. One victim suffered non-life-threatening arm injuries, and APD has released detailed descriptions and Crime Stoppers contacts for anonymous tips and a possible reward.
   

📸 Around Austin

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Austin

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Austin Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

    Thursday January 1
  • 50% Off Wines Wanderlust Wine Co!
    Wanderlust Wine Co. Downtown , 612 N Interstate Hwy 35 , Austin
    3:00 pm
    • Friday January 2
  • Luminations
    Wildflower Center , 4801 La Crosse Ave. , Austin
    5:45 pm
  • Get Tickets
    900 Barton Springs Rd , Austin
    7:00 pm
    • Saturday January 3
  • Full Moon January Celebration: Release & Renewal
    Westlake Chamber of Commerce , 320 S. Capital of Texas Hwy, Building B , Austin
    10:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Austin PatchAM possible:

  • The Steam Team — (512) 451-8326
    Austin’s trusted experts in water, fire and mold restoration
  • Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
  • K&M Steam Cleaning — (512) 836-8900
    Carpet Cleaning in Austin, Texas

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • White Lodging Services Corporation posted a job opening for Public Area Attendant in Austin. Apply here.
  • FirstService Corporation posted a job opening for Porter in Austin. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Austin here.

Ok Austin! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I just heard a golfer say he had four strokes on the first hole!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Austin