Austin's COVID hospitalization rate has hit a new record high and shows no sign of slowing - however, new cases ARE slowing somewhat, leading to optimism about the medium term in spite of dire current conditions. The City has opened a new federally-funded program to help struggling local music professionals. Marijuana possession decriminalization in Austin will officially be on the November ballot. A former aide to Mayor Adler pleads guilty to charges related to a non-profit he founded in 2015, while State Rep. Celia Israel prepares an announcement today in relation to her plans to run for Mayor. Texas Monthly releases a new guide to the best BBQ in Austin. Westlake High School is set to announce their new head football coach today, while former Texas Longhorn and NFL kicker Phil Dawson takes the head coaching job at Hyde Park Schools. A new study finds that Austin's cost of living rose 19% from 2010 to 2020, ranking us #12 in the country. Virgin Atlantic launches its first new U.S.-based route since 2015, a new non-stop between Austin and London. And we've got a late-week warmup coming, prior to another cold weekend.
