🌱 Patch AM: How a new ACC Round Rock lab could reshape local tech careers

Good day Round Rock! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How a new ACC Round Rock lab could reshape local tech careers
• How did a Round Rock native help spark Huston-Tillotson’s big win?
• How a former Round Rock leader will reshape Pflugerville policing

Also on today's calendar: The Truth about ‘The Christmas Story’: There are Two Stories, Neither One is True, and Scholars Know and 1 more event.

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: Nice with plenty of sun, with a high of 66 and low of 50 degrees.
• Saturday: Breezy in the morning, temps: high: 76, low: 51.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny and cooler, with a high of 65 and low of 52 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Three Texas colleges so far advancing semiconductor research and development – [your]NEWS (yournews.com) — Austin Community College is using a $3.6 million state grant to build an advanced semiconductor manufacturing lab and a new welding training lab at its Round Rock campus, boosting local high-tech job training. The project is part of a broader Central Texas push, including Temple College and UT Austin, to make the region a major semiconductor corridor and expand career pathways for students and veterans.
   

2. Career nights from Blackmon and Halliburton lift Huston-Tillotson past Hastings (Neb.) (aframnews.com) — Round Rock native Nikolas Morin chipped in 12 points off the bench as Huston-Tillotson’s men’s basketball team snapped a five-game skid with an 83–67 home win over Hastings College. Led by career nights from Ja’Patrick Blackmon and Isaiah Halliburton, the Rams built a big lead, survived a late push, and head into the holiday break on a high note.
   

3. New Pflugerville police chief to prioritize community outreach (statesman.com) — Round Rock residents may recognize longtime Round Rock assistant police chief Willie Richards, who has just been sworn in as Pflugerville’s new police chief and plans to expand community outreach. He brings three decades of Austin-area law enforcement experience and hopes to replicate Round Rock’s “Step N2 Success” shoe program to support economically disadvantaged kids while strengthening trust between police and residents.
   

4. Texas State University Cancels Black History 101 Mobile Museum Visit, Prompting ACLU Challenge (artnews.com) — Texas State University’s Round Rock campus is part of a broader Black History Month schedule that no longer includes the Black History 101 Mobile Museum, a decision now challenged by the ACLU of Texas on First Amendment grounds. The museum’s canceled 2026 visit, tied to statewide DEI restrictions and political climate, raises questions about academic freedom and future Black history programming.
   

📸 Around Round Rock

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 Round Rock

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday December 20

• The Truth about ‘The Christmas Story’: There are Two Stories, Neither One is True, and Scholars Know
  Howson Branch, Austin Public Library, 2500 Exposition Blvd, Austin
  11:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday December 19

• The Light Park
  Dell Diamond , 3400 E Palm Valley Blvd , Round Rock
  7:30 pm

Tuesday December 23

• Hometown Holiday Shows
  Downtown Round Rock , 221 E Main St , Round Rock
  4:00 pm

Friday December 26

• The Light Park
  Dell Diamond , 3400 E Palm Valley Blvd , Round Rock
  7:30 pm

📣 Round Rock 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

Friday December 19

• 2025 Morning Edition, hosted by NEXT LEVEL URGENT CARE
  Next Level Urgent Care , 14900 N I-35 , Austin
  8:00 am
• 2025 Morning Edition, hosted by Sage Valley Senior Living
  Sage Valley Senior Living , 1100 Rausher Road , Pflugerville
  8:00 am
• Move & Groove
  Pflugerville Library , 1008 Pfluger St W , Pflugerville
  10:30 am
• Ribbon Cutting: CI Innovative Collective
  The Hutto Wine Bar , 105 East St , Hutto
  12:30 pm
• Paint with P.F. Red:
  Pflugerville Library , 1008 Pfluger St W , Pflugerville
  4:00 pm
• Live at Hutto Wine (Solo Performance) — Xavier Gonzalez
  Hutto Wine Bar , 105 East St , Hutto
  6:30 pm
• After Hours community Paint night
  Pflugerville Library , 1008 Pfluger St W , Pflugerville
  6:30 pm

Saturday December 20

• Music Bingo!
  Wanderlust Wine Co. Eastside , 702 Shady Lane , Austin
  12:00 pm
• Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
  Alma Thomas Fine Arts Center , 1001 E University Ave , Georgetown
  8:45 pm

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 Round Rock PatchAM possible:

• My Favorite Handyman — (512) 701-2684
  Tile, Paint, Repairs & More — Locally Owned & Trusted

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

• I am so grateful right now, thanks to a few neighbors.
  My daughter is having a great birthday and it makes me so happy to see her so happy thank you neighbors I would post your names, but you know who you… (Nextdoor Gattis School Rd)
• Update: covered!
  Found a foster! Want some short-term puppy cuteness to brighten your holidays? A short-term foster is needed for these two little boys only until… (Nextdoor Siena)

• Wendy's posted a job opening for Shift Manager in Round Rock. Apply here.
• Twin Peaks Restaurant posted a job opening for Janitor / Busser in Round Rock. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Round Rock here.

Ok Round Rock! 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 don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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