Last week, President Donald Trump announced the end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, upsetting supporters of the program in cities throughout the nation, including Austin.
Here's more to know this week:
The effect of Hurricane Harvey still felt in Texas
- Austin City Council last week approved three interlocal agreements with the cities of Houston, Victoria and Rockport to help with public safety, transportation and water/wastewater infrastructure.
- Local nonprofit 24BackPacks is requesting donations of school supplies for students affected by Hurricane Harvey. Supplies such as backpacks, glue, highlighters, scissors and rulers are being collected through an Amazon wishlist registry.
- The road to recovery for Harvey survivors could take months or even years, according to a Hurricane Katrina survivor. There are many ways to provide continued support to families in need, especially as the holidays approach.
Trail of Lights opening date announced
Austin's famous Trail of Lights will run this year from Dec. 9-23, according to a recent press release. Special events will include a tree lighting celebration, a fun run and a University of Texas night.
Sunset Valley to appoint new police chief
A new police chief will be appointed to the Sunset Valley Police Department at Tuesday's City Council meeting. Lenn Carter, the current deputy police chief in the Denton Police Department, has been recommended for the appointment.
Cancellation of DACA rocks the Austin community
- Austin's public and higher education systems are rushing to determine how they will handle the revocation of DACA protections for many of its students and staff members should Congress allow the cancellation of the program within the next six months. Last Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced he plans to end the program, which provides legal status for children brought into the United States by parents who entered the country without legal permission.
- Numerous organizations in Austin provide free or low-cost legal counsel to immigrant communities. A list can be found here.
Austin ISD breaks graduation record for ninth consecutive year
Austin ISD's 2016 graduating class once again broke the district's graduation record with a rate of 90.7 percent of seniors leaving the district with a high school diploma. Gains were also made in the graduation rates of specific student groups, including African American and special education student populations.
