Daily average of new COVID hospitalizations hits a steady five-day rise, while local CRT continues rising as well. City and County officials extend pandemic mandates through June - new studies show only a 30% protection rate for current vaccines against infection, but better protection against severe disease. Austin Water is distributing meter keys and bib covers to help locals prepare for future winter freezes. Williamson County officials agree to a $5 million settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Javier Ambler's family, while WilCo commissioners withhold federal relief funds from Round Rock and Leander ISD's over books in their libraries they find objectionable. A Texas Longhorns football player faces jail after being charged with distributing revenge porn. A study finds that Austin home sellers are enjoying huge profits, while Uptown ATX gets a green light to build over 7 million square feet of business, residential, shopping and hospitality space. A rundown of how to tell the various Moody-named live music venues apart. And more near-record heat for the rest of the workweek, with a wet cold front expected late Friday.
