1. Travis County commissioners approve voting locations with focus on university campuses
On Aug. 29, Travis County commissioners approved a list of voting locations for the Nov. 7 election, which will include several state propositions and a county bond. Following concern that last year's election had limited polling locations for university students, the 2023 list include polling locations on the three main Austin college campuses.
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2. Council confirms Austin interim police chief appointment
Robin Henderson will officially begin leading the Austin Police Department on Sept. 3 following City Council's unanimous confirmation of her appointment as interim police chief Aug. 31.
Henderson has been with the APD for 26 years and most recently served as Chacon's chief of staff overseeing department operations and managing its specialized units. In the past, Henderson served in positions ranging from patrol and investigations to training and leadership roles.
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3. Falafel Burger serving up burgers, sandwiches near Anderson Mill
Offering dine-in, takeout and patio seating, Falafel Burger blends the traditional American burger with the Middle Eastern flavors found in a falafel.
Featured menu items include the Falafel Cheese Burger, which is a chickpea patty with cheese and tahini sauce, and fatoush falafel salad with mint leaves, radish, spices, pomegranate, molasses and fried bread.
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4. Austin Pets Alive! seeking feedback for $24M pet resource center in Hays County
Austin Pets Alive! will launch a survey Sept. 1 to all Hays County residents and community members for input on the future of the incoming Hays County Pet Resource Center. The center is slated to be around 18,000 square feet with a capacity of around 2,000 dogs and cats annually, according to a news release, and will cost approximately $24 million.
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5. Amebic infection contracted from Lake LBJ leads to 1 death, officials report
A Travis County resident died in August after swimming in Lake Lyndon B. Johnson and developing an illness caused by an amebic meningitis infection, according to an Aug. 30 news release from Austin Public Health. APH officials stated a sample specimen from the case has been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for further identification.
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