Key indicators for COVID staging continue falling below Stage 5 for a second day. APD Interim Chief Joe Chacon is offered the job permanently. State Rep Celia Israel will forego re-election to her District 50 seat for a potential run for Austin Mayor. The Texas Senate - in its fourth try this year - passes a transgender athletics bill, which now heads to the House. Round Rock ISD board members hear hours of testimony before voting late last night to continue its masking mandate. Austin has returned to pre-pandemic employment levels and ranks fourth in the country for jobs recovery. UT's Bevo ranks #12 on a new ranking of the most unique college mascots. The Texas Book Festival announces its slate of featured writers for 2021. Austin dining ace Tatsu Aikawa prepares to open his own version of Disneyland on South Lamar. And nice, cool fall weather is here to stay for awhile.
