Plus, pick the library's new card design ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
Wednesday, July 1 

Your Daily Guide

🫨 Happy Wednesday-that-is-actually-a-Thursday! San Marcos has become the first city in Texas to ban data centers. I’m really interested in how this will play out!

Display ad for Your City Could be Better: A new weekly podcast from City Cast.

What Austin's Talking About

Voting on New Library Card Designs Is Open

Finally, some fun election news! Through July 31, you can vote on new library card designs in honor of Austin Public Library’s 100th birthday. Three designs will be chosen and released in September. [KUT]

City Releases Commons Ford Parking Rules for the Fourth

Austin is limiting vehicle capacity at Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park Friday through Sunday for Fourth of July weekend. Park rangers will be directing traffic and the city recommends carpooling. [City of Austin]

Records Reveal Timeline for Condos at Nau’s Enfield Drug

Construction on a mixed-use condominium project above Nau’s Enfield Drug store, which closed in 2022, is expected to start in January, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation records show. The project is slated to be wrapped in January 2029. [Austin Business Journal]

CapMetro Workers Vote To Strike

CapMetro workers voted to strike yesterday as contract negotiations have stalled, the union representing the workers announced. Most CapMetro workers can’t afford to live in Austin and need wage increases, the union said. CapMetro said it has contingency plans in place in case of a strike. [KXAN]

How To Prep Your Pets for Fourth of July Fireworks

A black labrador retriever hiding in a pantry.

My dog Malcolm has recently taken up hiding in the pantry during scary events like fireworks, storms, and vacuuming. (Kelsey Bradshaw/City Cast Austin)

With fireworks expected this weekend for the Fourth of July, I’m here with some helpful tips on keeping your pet safe during all the holiday fun.

Whether you have a scaredy guy like my Malcolm or an animal that sleeps through fireworks, here’s what you need to know:

Prepare Your Pet

Shelters see an increase in lost and stray animals around the Fourth of July due to fireworks. The loud sounds can scare animals and cause them to run away.

“Animals — dogs and cats — can hear and feel the fireworks four times further than a human can," Dr. Michael Bailey, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, told NPR.

What does that mean for you?

  • Put a collar with an ID tag on your pets ahead of fireworks and make sure they are microchipped.
  • Take them outside for a bathroom break before nightfall.
  • Always use a leash when outside.
  • Make sure your pet gets exercise during the day so they’ll be sleepy during fireworks.
  • Set up a cozy spot for your animal away from windows.
  • Austin Pets Alive! recommends turning on the TV or some music to help reduce stress.

The Fourth Is a Great Time To Help

Austin Animal Center is looking for fosters to take dogs for the Fourth of July. Getting dogs out of the shelter gives them a break from a shelter environment, which only gets louder with the stress of fireworks. Fostering at this time also frees up space in the shelter for the increase in intake that comes with the holiday. The center needs fosters to be able to take dogs for at least two weeks.

Austin Pets Alive! is also looking for fosters and adopters as their shelter is near where the city’s fireworks celebration is. The shelter is offering $25 adoption fees through Friday.

What To Do if You Find a Lost Animal

If you find an animal this weekend, don’t panic! Austin Pets Alive! recommends walking around your neighborhood to see if you can run into the animal’s owner — it’s possible they just got out during fireworks.

Your next step if that doesn’t yield results is to take the animal to a vet, local fire station, or pet supply store and check to see if they have a microchip. You can also file a found pet report with Austin 311.

Make use of Nextdoor or found pet groups on Facebook, too, by posting photos of the lost animal.

What To Do

Wednesday, July 1

Thursday, July 2

Friday, July 3

More Austin Events

🍔 If you are sad about the Capital Plaza P. Terry’s closing, the chain has announced six of its stores are moving to 24-hour service to soften the blow!

Kelsey Bradshaw

mailtoyoutubeinstagramtiktok