The U.S. Supreme Court declines to intervene in a new abortion restriction law, enacted today in Texas, that bans abortion beyond the six-week mark in a pregnancy - effectively suspending Roe v. Wade. 666 (!) new state laws go into effect today across the state, including advances in medical marijuana, a new committee dedicated to producing "patriotic" Texas history materials, the founding of an active shooter alert system, a statewide public camping ban, and the ending of the prohibition on beer and wine sales before noon on Sundays. Coming soon, the controversial voting restriction bill that House Democrats walked out over - it's on it's way to the Governor. Local COVID numbers in both new cases and new hospitalizations continue to drop, leading to cautious optimism among health authorities - but that optimism is diminished with the first reported COVID death of a child in Travis County. Two Waco-area teachers have died of COVID, while Eanes, Lake Travis and Burnet ISD's say they lack the resources to conduct testing of students. Governor Abbott's masking mandate ban is thus far receiving a cool reception in the Legislature's second special session - for now. Two unrelated shootings in Southeast Austin early Wednesday result in deaths. Several more Austin establishments kick in for Hurricane Ida relief, including Veracruz All Natural who are opening a new Mueller location next spring and a new Los Angeles outpost this month. And Broadway In Austin may have your inside track for Hamilton tickets.
