Our thoughts focus on New Orleans and the rest of Louisiana impacted by Hurricane Ida - the extent of the damage will become more clear today. Local COVID stats regarding new hospitalizations and deaths remain steady at a higher than comfortable rate - deaths are now surpassing last year's count for August. UT begins offering prizes up to $10k for shots, but are still not requiring vaccines or masks. The City increases requirements for public event permits. Leander ISD sends two middle schools worth of sixth graders home for 10 days. Austin Police Department officers and staff lag behind the rest of Austin's population in vaccination rates by up to 20%, while APD officer Christopher Taylor is indicted in a second first degree murder case. A double drowning in Lake Travis remains in recovery mode. Former Lake Travis Cavalier Hudson Card is named the starting QB for Texas as the Steve Sarkisian era begins. Austin FC suffers another loss despite improved scoring, losing to FC Dallas 5-3. And Elon Musk's Tesla is looking to break into the Texas retail energy game.
