› No regular City Council meeting this week, although a joint meeting on Tuesday with the Capital Metro board heard a final briefing on the Project Connect urban rail proposal. Next Thursday, June 26, Council will decide whether to move forward with the plan for roads and rail.
› As anticipated, last week the Austin Firefighters Association filed to intervene in the federal court asked to approve the consent decree over cadet hiring between the city and U.S. Department of Justice. If approved, the decree would abrogate union negotiating rights for four to eight years.
› On Monday, the Austin Community College board of trustees approved a November bond proposal of $386 million, to cover Highland Mall repurposing, new construction, and renovation of older campuses.
› Big news for the weekend’s Republic of Texas motorcycle rally – no fatal crashes, after five years of at least one crash death during the weekend.
› Austin ISD trustees approved the district’s latest Facility Master Plan, a ten-year blueprint for building and infrastructure investment – with the caveat that it be reconsidered in six months and in a year, and revised if necessary. It also sets the board the unwelcome but necessary challenge of redrawing school attendance zone boundaries to get the most out of existing schools.
› AISD officials reported Tuesday that four new sexual abuse allegations have been filed against Alfredo Andrade-Gaytan. On Friday, the Walnut Creek Elementary teacher was jailed on a charge of sexually assaulting a 6-year-old student.
› Longbranch Inn was in the hot seat last week after an account assuming the identity of the East Austin bar tweeted, “We are all wetbacks.” According to owner James Stockbauer, the account was created by a staff member’s brother without authorization; the alleged imposter has since promised to delete the account. See Newsdesk online for more.
› Another unseasonal storm blasted Austin last week: Three storm cells converged on June 12, dumping welcome rain but leaving thousands of homes without power during a huge lightning display.
› Reproductive-rights advocates are drafting the “orange army” for a new campaign. Fight Back Texas combines an oral history of the 2013 HB2 filibuster with a renewed call for activism. Pro-choicers may sign a pledge at www.fightbacktx.com.
› On Wednesday morning, the Court of Criminal Appeals heard arguments in the political conspiracy and money laundering case against former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, as Travis County prosecutors tried to reinstate a conviction that had been overturned by the Third Court of Appeals. Said Craig McDonald of Texans for Public Justice, “Facts show that DeLay and his co-conspirators knowingly broke Texas election laws.”
› Break out your “Run, Hillary, Run” signs: Former Secretary of State and putative 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton will be in town June 20 for a book signing at BookPeople and a conversation at the Long Center. Details here.
This article appears in June 20 • 2014.