Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How Austin’s $34.7 million disaster payout could help you

Also, don't miss Craft Custom Cocktail Candles - Candle Making Class by Classpop! on the Austin Patch calendar

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Saturday December 27th Patch AM
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Good day Austin! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Austin’s $34.7 million disaster payout could help you
  • How I-35’s next construction phase could change your Austin commute
  • Which Austin intersections just got safer and faster for bus riders?

Also on today's calendar: Craft Custom Cocktail Candles - Candle Making Class by Classpop! and 5 more events.

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

Today's riddle: How many sheep does it take to make a sweater? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Saturday: Very warm with some sun, with a high of 81 and low of 66 degrees.
  • Sunday: Warm with clouds and sun, temps: high: 79, low: 42.
  • Monday: Cooler; windy in the morning, with a high of 50 and low of 41 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. City of Austin awarded $34.7 million for impacts of COVID, winter storms, floods (spectrumlocalnews.com) — Austin has secured $34.7 million in disaster reimbursements, most tied to COVID-19, with additional funds from past winter storms and floods. City emergency officials say they’re still working weekly with state and federal partners and urge residents to document damage and self-report through the state’s iSTAT tool to check eligibility and support long-term recovery.
   

2. Austin's I-35 to advance billions in construction projects (mysanantonio.com) — Massive I-35 construction through Austin is ramping up in 2026, with major lane expansions, new shared-use paths, and a pedestrian bridge over Lady Bird Lake on the way. Expect ongoing work from Rundberg to Stassney and downtown, including bridge rebuilds and drainage tunnels that will reshape how drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians move through the city.
   

3. CapMetro works to improve speed, reliability for Austin's public transit system (kxan.com) — CapMetro and the City of Austin have finished 20 more ‘Streets for Transit’ projects aimed at speeding up buses and improving reliability across town. One key fix at Guadalupe and West Cesar Chavez near City Hall cut bus crashes by 60%, part of more than 60 completed projects reshaping everyday transit for Austin riders.
   

4. PHOTOS: Vehicles swept away in Independence Day floods collecting dust in county lot (kxan.com) — Six months after the Independence Day floods, dozens of damaged vehicles still sit in a Travis County lot just north of Austin along FM 1431, waiting to be claimed or scrapped. County leaders have committed about $21 million and a one-time tax rate increase for flood recovery, and they’re directing affected residents to an online hub of recovery resources and FAQs.
   

5. San Antonio, Austin firms poised to cash in on Trump's Golden Dome project (star-telegram.com) — Austin-area tech and defense companies are lined up to compete for work on President Trump’s massive Golden Dome missile defense initiative, potentially tapping into billions in federal spending. Local firms in AI, space communications, and autonomous systems are now prequalified for future contracts, positioning Austin as a key player in the project’s long-term buildout.
   

📸 Around Austin

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Austin

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📣 Austin Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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

  • 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
  • The Steam Team — (512) 451-8326
    Austin’s trusted experts in water, fire and mold restoration

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Found!!!!!
    After searching many times starting about 6am, we found my Kitty!! She was hunkered down hiding in the backyard under a tarp. She is filthy, but fine… (Nextdoor The Woods of Legend Oaks)
  • Update.
    Found her. anyone see her today please call (512)750-8912. The number on her collar is (512)850-2094. Her name is Swarmie. We were transporting her… (Nextdoor Texas Oaks South)
  • Hilton posted a job opening for Guest Service Agent (On Call) - DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Austin Downtown Capitol in Austin. Apply here.
  • Walmart posted a job opening for Cart Attendant 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 have no idea. I didn’t even know sheep could knit.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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