🌱 Patch AM: Will Austin’s new bond “decision tree” change how your taxes rise?

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:

• Will Austin’s new bond “decision tree” change how your taxes rise?
• Have you seen this 73-year-old man last spotted at an Austin motel?
• Which massive 2026 tours are hitting Austin’s Moody Center?

Also on today's calendar: The Ruby Hotel & Bar Hosts Live Music Saturday Featuring JJ Plasencio and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: I am on a seafood diet. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high of 63 and low of 38 degrees.
• Monday: Intervals of clouds and sun, temps: high: 63, low: 43.
• Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high of 63 and low of 44 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Mayor Kirk Watson proposes 'decision tree' to guide Austin bond planning (statesman.com) — Austin’s mayor wants a new “decision tree” to make future city bond elections more disciplined after voters recently rejected the Proposition Q tax hike. The proposal, headed to the Audit and Finance Committee this week, aims to ensure Austin’s big-ticket projects are better planned and funded before they ever reach the ballot.
   

2. Silver Alert issued for Oregon man last seen at Austin motel (fox7austin.com) — Austin police have issued a Silver Alert for 73-year-old Charles Evans, last seen Friday evening at the Motel 6 on Airport Commerce Drive and believed to be in medical danger. He uses a walker and was wearing a green jacket, orange shirt, hat, and blue jeans. If you spot him, you’re urged to call 911 immediately or submit a tip through the Austin PD mobile app.
   

3. Biggest concerts headed to Austin in 2026 (mysanantonio.com) — Austin’s Moody Center is packed with huge 2026 shows, from Los Tigres Del Norte in February to Doja Cat in November, with multi-night runs by Lady Gaga, TWICE, Ariana Grande, and more. Dates, times, and starting ticket prices are laid out so you can plan which big-name tours to catch without leaving town.
   

4. PGA Tour drops Napa, Mississippi from schedule (newstribune.com) — Austin will host the new Good Good Championship as part of the PGA Tour’s revamped FedEx Cup Fall schedule, bringing top-level pro golf back to the city for the first time since the 2023 Dell Match Play. The fall slate drops long-running events in Mississippi and Napa while adding tournaments in Asheville and Austin and reshuffling several others.
   

5. Celebrate America's 250th with the Texas Historical Commission (thepostnewspaper.net) — The Texas Historical Commission is rolling out America 250-themed events statewide, including a January 24 genealogy and preservation workshop at Austin’s French Legation State Historic Site. From family photo preservation in Austin to history lectures and kids’ activities elsewhere in Texas, residents can plug into hands-on ways to explore and protect Texas history.
   

📸 Around Austin

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Austin

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday January 17

• The Runarounds
  Emo's Austin, 2015 E Riverside Dr, Austin
  6:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday January 10

• The Ruby Hotel & Bar Hosts Live Music Saturday Featuring JJ Plasencio
  The Ruby Hotel , 400 Fannin Ave , Round Rock
  7:00 pm
• Spud Boy Allstars
  Regal Rooms , 1204 Regal Row , Austin
  7:00 pm
• 24 HR Play Festival
  Inspired Minds Art Center , 121 Main St , Buda
  7:30 pm
• Candlelight: Tribute to Adele
  The Mansion (TFWC) , 2312 San Gabriel St , Austin
  8:45 pm

Sunday January 11

• Sunday Funday: Recycled Holiday Cards
  Neill-Cochran House Museum 2310 San Gabriel Austin, TX 78705
  11:00 am
• Sunday Sound Bath at Hotel ZaZa Austin
  Hotel ZaZa Austin Downtown , 400 Lavaca St , Austin
  4:00 pm

Wednesday January 14

• Pasta + Wine: Intero x Cape Bottle Room
  Cape Bottle Room , 500 San Marcos St , Austin
  6:30 pm

Thursday January 15

• Bonsai Workshop at Hold Out Brewing
  Hold Out Brewing , 1208 W 4th St , Austin
  7:00 pm

Wednesday January 21

• Madison Cunningham
  04 Center , 2701 S Lamar Blvd , Austin
  7:00 pm

Friday January 30

• Jay Pharoah
  Capitol City Comedy Club , Bldg B , 11506 Century Oaks Terrace Unit 100 , Austin
  7:00 pm

Friday February 6

• Kelsey Cook
  Capitol City Comedy Club , Bldg B , 11506 Century Oaks Terrace Unit 100 , Austin
  7:00 pm

📣 Austin Shout Outs!

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• TRAFFIC ALERT: SH 45 Southeast flyover to northbound I-35 will be closed nightly beginning Sunday, Jan. 11 to Wednesday, Jan. 14, from 8. to 5 a... (X: TxDOTAustin)
• Officers have responded to the 4600 block of Teri Rd for a SWAT callout. Officer Townsend is on scene and will give a media briefing in the parking... (X: Austin_Police)

• YMCA of Austin posted a job opening for Kids Play Team Member (East Communities) in Austin. Apply here.
• Whataburger posted a job opening for Restaurant Porter - Unit 576 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 see food and I eat it.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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