COVID hospitalizations remain at a low ebb, but new cases and our local community transmission rate are both rising, indicating a likely winter spike on the way. Holiday travel for a great many Austinites - give yourself as much time as you can, and give your fellow travelers lots and lots of patience. Austin Grammy nominees include Willie Nelson, Black Pumas, Jack Ingram, Conspirare, and Sarah and Shawna Dodds. Texas faces Kansas State on Friday morning, desperate to turn around a disastrous season, while local high school football teams representing Lake Travis, Bowie, Vandegrift, Westlake, Cedar Park, Leander, Liberty Hill, LBJ Austin, Wimberley and Lago Vista head into the third Regional round of this year's playoffs. And Thanksgiving rain starts tonight and should wrap up by late Thursday morning.