The local COVID situation continues developing rapidly as health officials warn of the "imminent" return of Stage 4 recommendations - all Austinites, vaccinated or not, are now advised to mask up - and confidence in a safe return to school in the fall is now undermined. Breakthrough cases, pediatric cases and those among young adults are all rising with the continued spread of the Delta variant. The sixth Texas Democratic lawmaker in D.C. to test positive, announced yesterday, is Rep. Donna Howard of Austin - the denial of quorum, for now, is stopping further action in the ongoing special session to expand limits on the teaching of the impacts of racism in Texas public schools - including removal of discussion of the Ku Klux Klan. Neighbors of two proposed homeless encampment sites in Austin are predictably opposed. The iHeartCountry Festival sets a late October return to the soon-to-be-demolished Frank Erwin Center. Congress Avenue's Elephant Room announces they're shutting back down due to COVID. The Austin Business Journal presents its annual list of Austin's best workplaces. And local jewelry artist Nina Berenato's work enhances the appearance of Megan Thee Stallion in Sports Illustrated.
