A five-day slide in our daily COVID hospitalization average ends with a slight rise on Tuesday - we remain firmly in Stage 5, and the return of school will likely slow efforts to recover. Austin Public Health begins offering booster shots to the immuno-compromised. New data emerges on pediatric and so-called "breakthrough" cases in Austin. Drama with "mask war"-fighting parents at elementary schools mars the first day of school. Governor Greg Abbott is isolating - and receiving advanced, experimental monoclonal treatment - at the Governor's Mansion after testing positive, despite reportedly having received a third vaccine shot, and after having hobnobbed this week with maskless supporters and guitarist Jimmie Vaughan. Refugees from Afghanistan begin arriving in Texas and here in Austin - there are volunteer opportunities if you'd like to help. Williamson County is primed to sue the City of Austin over the homeless housing project at the Candlewood Suites hotel. East Austin taco slinger Discada loses their truck to a car accident and funds are being raised to help them replace it. And Netflix is looking for hip Austin twenty-somethings for "the largest reality casting call ever".
