🌱Abbott Sues Feds Over Vax Mandate + Omicron Surges In Austin

Austin TX

04 January, 2022

3:23 PM

Description

Happy Wednesday, people of Austin! It's me again, your host, Meagan Falcon. I am back for another fresh edition of the Austin Daily. I hope everyone had a happy new year. As we've officially rung in 2022, I'm back to share with you our five-minute guide on everything you need to know about what's happening today. First, today's weather: Warmer with plenty of sun. High: 74 Low: 40. Your weekly weather forecast: A gradually warming trend is expected through Wednesday before another front arrives Wednesday afternoon and then another stronger cold front arrives Thursday with more chilly air and blustery conditions. Slight chances of rain enter the forecast across far eastern portions of the area Saturday morning. The next cold front could arrive on Sunday. Here are the top 6 stories today in Austin: A 546-acre film studio and entertainment district is set to open near Austin in August 2023, according to a report from the Austin Business Journal. (Austin Patch) Texas Gov. Greg Abbott expressed his intent to sue the federal government over its COVID-19 vaccine mandate Tuesday in a letter to members of the Texas National Guard. (Austin Patch) How long will we be dealing with this surge of COVID-19, fueled by the omicron variant? Health leaders predict it could be a couple months. Here's what we know. (KXAN.com) Austin Public Health report 30 percent of last week's tests are positive for COVID-19. APH teams administered 5,578 tests between Dec. 27 and Dec. 30. The positivity rate among APH sites alone is more than 28 percent. Here's what we know. (AustinTexas.gov) A federal judge in Texas has granted a preliminary injunction stopping the Navy from acting against 35 sailors for refusing on religious grounds to comply with an order to get vaccinated against COVID-19. (Austin Patch) Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick tested positive for COVID-19 last week and is currently recovering in quarantine, according to a statement from his campaign Monday. (Austin Patch) Today's Austin Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at GoodRx — the best way to save money on your prescriptions. GoodRx helps you locate the lowest prices for medications at local pharmacies, so you're not overpaying. Works for pet medications too! To see how much you can save, go to GoodRx.com. From my notebook: KUT Austin: "The U.S. is now averaging more than 400,000 new COVID-19 cases a day. And even those staggering numbers are probably an undercount. via NPR" (Facebook) Austin Chamber of Commerce: "Looking for something fun to do this week? PINSTACK has got you covered." (Facebook) Caritas of Austin: "As temperatures have dropped drastically in recent days, we are thinking about the hundreds of people here in Austin without a warm place to call home." (Facebook) Nextdoor Neighbor, Austins' Colony: "At home COVID-19 test: Hello neighbors! I know this is a long shot, but does anyone have a rapid at home COVID-19 test? My husband has been looking all day and had no luck!" (Nextdoor) Nextdoor Neighbor, Villages of Shady Hollow: "Our dog, Coco ran off when the fireworks started again on the 1st. She is friendly but skittish. If you see her, please call us at 512.226.3131 or 512.786.8474. She is about 6 years old, slender." (Nextdoor) More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news! Featured businesses: Something More — (Visit website) Add your business here Events: Strange, But Perfect by Carlo Lorenzo Garcia (January 5) Second Saturday Divorce Workshop — What Everyone Needs to Know About Divorce (January 8) Add your event Announcements: Fort Worth-based Flow Therapy Opens New Clinic in Live Oak (Details) Add your announcement Loving the Austin Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved: Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe Get your local business listed in front of readers Send me a news tip or suggestion at [email protected] Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update! Your friendly neighborhood journalist, Meagan Falcon Meagan covers local news for Patch in Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander and Pflugerville. About Meagan: I was born and raised in Corpus Christi and spent three years covering breaking news and things to do in South Texas before I moved to the Austin Metro. When I am not reporting the news, I am enjoying a good book, tending to my garden and spending time with my pup. I am a green thumb novice so if y'all have gardening tips, I would love some. Quote of the Day: "Happiness is good health and a bad memory." — Ingrid Bergman via BrainyQuote.com