💔 1972 Pub is closing

Monday, August 17

City Cast Austin is brought to you by Zach Theater

🎉 Hello, hello! It’s a big day here at City Cast Austin! We’re welcoming new members: Jacob D., Shanze N., Gabrielle M., Tracy C., and Dave V. These five are getting a free and really cute pennant that shows their love for this town and you could, too! Becoming a member means more perks, more events, and more fun!

I’ve also got an announcement about newsletter land. You’ll find that today’s newsletter looks a little different. We’re trying something new: You’ll still get your news of the day, but now we’re expanding on a topic each day. It’s going to be fun! Let’s do it! 👇

First Up

A group of people wearing red and holding white protest signs.

Education Austin, the union for AISD employees, rallied in June against budget cut proposals. (Mikala Compton/The Austin American-Statesman/Getty Images)

AISD Heads Back to Class As State Takeover Looms

The first day of school for Austin Independent School District students is tomorrow and if you’ve been reading this newsletter, you know a lot has been going on with the district over the summer.

The district as a whole brought its state ratings up to a B grade from last year’s C, but Burnet and Webb middle schools received their fifth consecutive failing accountability rating. The failing ratings triggered a state law that allows the Texas Education Agency to either close the schools or replace the school board with a board of managers. [Austin Current]
Parents and educators have formed a coalition against a state takeover, saying Texas has taken “draconian” measures in other districts it has controlled. [KUT]
Superintendent Matias Segura said the district will see if they can appeal the state’s ratings. Appeals can be made through Sept. 11 and the TEA will make its final decisions in December. [CBS Austin]

What Austin's Talking About

Austin FC Goes Purple

A third uniform kit has been added to Austin FC’s repertoire and it’s purple. The uniforms honor the city’s violet sunset skies and are available for purchase. [Tribeza]

1972 Pub To Close

Austin’s first women’s sports bar, 1972 Pub, will have its last day at its Guadalupe Street location on Aug. 30. Owners say there are not immediate plans to relocate. [1972 Pub]

First Case of West Nile in Central Texas Confirmed

Central Texas’s first case of West Nile virus this year has been detected in a person in Hays County. Across the state, 23 cases of West Nile have been confirmed. [Austin American-Statesman]

Old Austin Java Is Now a New Bagel Shop

Shug’s Bagels is now open at 1206 Parkway just south of Pease Park in the former location of Austin Java. The bagel shop, which has locations in Dallas and New Orleans, is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. [CultureMap Austin]

Where Is This?

A colorful coffee shop with murals on the walls.

It is so cute in here! (Kelsey Bradshaw/City Cast Austin)

Congratulations to Katie P. for being the only person to guess last week’s “Where Is This?” correctly! This photo was taken at Cenote on East Seventh Street. I had not been to the coffee shop since it left its Cesar Chavez Street location and I loved it! The walls are covered in art and it’s bright and sunny inside. You should definitely visit if you haven’t yet!