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Franklin Barbecue will temporarily shut its doors after an employee tested positive for COVID-19, the restaurant announced on Instagram.
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(Willard's Brewery Instagram)
As the weather cools off, it is prime time to get out and enjoy a new local brew—especially in a time when bars need support the most.
<p>These five businesses are changing the landscape of beer and bars, challenging the norm and opening mid-pandemic.</p>
Earthly Labs
<div id="499d1" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a01fe0c2fe13717300b4bfa2cbbbca66"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> <div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"> </div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CG7tN3OFK0V/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top"></a></p> </div></blockquote></div><p>Offering small-scale carbon capture technology, <a href="https://earthlylabs.com/" target="_blank">Earthly Labs</a> provides breweries with the technology to make their beers in a greener way. This technology enables brewers to capture and reuse CO2, which combats the CO2 shortage industries often face and allows them to capture the CO2 and use it before it enters the atmosphere.</p><br>But is the beer produced with CO2 capture good? Earthly Labs CEO Amy George said yes, according to <a href="https://craftbeeraustin.com/amy-george-of-earthly-labs-tackling-climate-change-with-beer-part/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=amy-george-of-earthly-labs-tackling-climate-change-with-beer-part" target="_blank">Craft Beer Austin</a>, plus CO2 capture beer helps with head retention--making for frosty beers.The Good Lot
<div id="2967f" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="5e767a8d2c17867e0f94e5c4b8d34b1d"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> <div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"> </div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp8P8Zzh3K7/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top"></a></p> </div></blockquote></div><p>Coming to Cedar Park on 2500 W. New Hope Drive, <a href="https://www.thegoodlotcp.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Good Lot</a> is a family-friendly beer garden that plans to open in 2021. The Good Lot will serve craft beers, both local and specialty, cider and wines. With food trucks planned, covered seating and non-alcoholic options, The Good Lot sounds like a perfect weekend afternoon.</p>Last Stand Brewing Company
<div id="15cf0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ddabd3d355c732f640f1c43c0e7eb5fc"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> <div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"> </div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CG7-HlgFEci/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top"></a></p> </div></blockquote></div><p>Popping up on 7601 South Congress Ave., <a href="https://www.laststandbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Last Stand Brewing Company</a> opened its doors on Oct. 22, right next door to Southside Flying Pizza, which will provide food for the brewery. This is the brewery's second location, with another location on 12345 Pauls Valley Road.</p><p>The brewery and beer garden will offer favorites like the Citra Smash IPA, Fuzzieluscious IPA and Texas Forever Lager. Plus, if pizza isn't your thing, Southside created a menu of burgers just to go with the beer.</p>Vacancy Brewing
<div id="3ff90" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="b12e7cb49ee817d11ae64270bc65fd80"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> <div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"> </div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGGRzNmF48E/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top"></a></p> </div></blockquote></div><p>While it isn't open yet, <a href="https://vacancybrewing.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Vacancy Brewing</a> is coming to 415 St. Elmo Road this December. With three year-round beers, a sparkling new interior and a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CF5JxVslv5P/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">food truck search underway</a>, Vacancy brewing is shaping up to become one of Austin's new favorite hangouts.</p>Willard’s Brewery
<div id="dbc5e" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="14a3cb3dc23948937218afcccf409417"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> <div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"> </div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CG7_8ruFa8F/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top"></a></p> </div></blockquote></div><p>Serving the North Austin and Pflugerville crowd, <a href="https://willardsbrewery.com/" target="_blank">Willard's Brewery</a> comes complete with its own food truck. Located on 2400 Patterson Industrial Drive, Willard's has a "passion for well-crafted libations" and has been open since Oct.16. Willard's offers three beers from its own brewery: "Fistful of Fury" Hazy IPA, "Forbidden Helles" Lager and "Zero Hour" pale ale.</p>When you stop by, grab a braised beef taco or a Cubano quesadilla from <a href="https://willardsbrewery.com/food/" target="_blank">Mojo</a>, the on-site food truck.From Your Site Articles
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Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 oz Tito's Handmade Vodka
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 3/4 oz simple syrup
- 1/2 oz pomegranate juice
- 1 maraschino cherry
Directions: Add Tito's Handmade Vodka, lemon juice and simple syrup to a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Sink pomegranate juice by pouring slowly over the back of a spoon into cocktail. Drop in one maraschino cherry.
(Joe Shlabotnik/CC)
A test run of a candy chute.
Families are being challenged to think outside the box this year with Halloween and recreate the holiday to be fun and safe.
<p>Since the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html" target="_blank">CDC advises adapted celebrations</a> this year—as most past Halloween celebrations are considered high risk—families have taken it upon themselves to make Halloween a safe holiday without compromising on the fun.<br/></p><p>From candy chutes to hazmat suits, nothing is off the table this year. </p><p>Annie Linebarger's kids are too young to trick or treat but that hasn't stopped her family from participating in Halloween this year. Linebarger said her neighborhood, Old Enfield in West Austin, is a popular one for trick-or-treaters and her family usually expects hundreds of children.</p><p>"I would love to just pass out candy and wear masks and gloves, but I think that you just get too close to too many people," Linebarger said. "I actually don't think very many people will come (this year)."</p><p>Linebarger said her husband originally bought a hazmat suit to pass out candy, however, instead she and her husband plan to set up a decorated table on their porch with pre-packaged bags of candy so contact is kept to a minimum.</p><p>"I think that this is a good way I can provide something, and whether or not people will come, there'll be candy there," Linebarger said. "It is what it is, so we will just make the best of it."</p><p>Many families are following in the Linebarger's footsteps, setting up tables with packaged goods. For even less contact, some families are gluing popsicle sticks to candy and sticking it in their front yard.</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="038a97a538604329c2c717b101ca1251" id="cb67d"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CG7bz6VnTu_/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif;
font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;
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</div></blockquote></div><p>Better yet, some families have made their candy part of the decorations.</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="fd8eb3ada32fb383add186fd99f4a751" id="2400b"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CG7iPrcD0C0/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif;
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</div></blockquote></div><p>Laura Nattinger's family intends to wear masks, socially distance and only trick-or-treat at houses that are doing the same in their Brushy Creek neighborhood. In fact, her son even has a mask to match his King George costume from Hamilton.</p><p>Additionally, themed masks seem to be a popular choice this year.</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="9ba3743100d490d69283e4e3d0cd9540" id="5edd0"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CG7ayZDMVG7/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif;
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</div></blockquote></div><p>Nattinger's family is taking trick-or-treating to the next level with a candy chute placed in one of their upstairs windows. While they are still working out the kinks and plan to decorate the chute, Nattinger said her kids are excited about the new take on Halloween.</p><p>"The kids are jazzed about it being something new and different this year," Nattinger said. "All the creativity is fun."</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2adb2b3ad9c7dc8e796bcf457dd32490" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="7c441" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDYzNDIzMy9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxNzEzNjI5OX0.sqx7tXwY_nr2XCL_EgkZVmvxxxMx5ppAm4a73sop78U/img.jpg?width=980"/>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">The Nattinger family doing a test run of their candy chute, which they plan to decorate with lights.</small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">(Laura Nattinger)</small></p><p>Even if your family decides not to pass out candy, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate from home. Activities like carving pumpkins, watching Halloween movies, decorating the house and scavenger hunts are considered low-risk activities by the CDC.<br/></p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="66793450429312be378edbb28432377c" id="00ed9"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
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</div></blockquote></div><p>Linebarger said she doesn't think this Halloween needs to be a disappointment for children and with a little bit of positivity, they might enjoy it just the same.</p><p>"I'm disappointed in a lot of things: not being able to go on vacation and travel and spend time with my friends and family, and this is just one of those things," Linebarger said. "The best thing about kids is with their mental capacity, I mean they're happy any way that you can provide that sort of positive attitude and activities for them. I think kids kind of have it easy in some ways—it's the parents that are struggling."</p><p><br/></p><p><strong>More on reinventing holidays: </strong></p>
<h2><a href="https://austonia.com/day-of-the-dead" target="_self">Long live Dia de los Muertos: Austinites stick to tradition and put up altars despite COVID</a></h2>
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDYzNDIxNS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyNDY4MjQ5Nn0.yAWMM_G_vbXiFkUZ9wW4RfU9lnIECsBp0aUu6Gma8RA/img.jpg?width=980" id="c02da" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="4be08e78e5114c27275e663b2c8c79ab" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />Long live Dia de los Muertos: Austinites stick to tradition and put up altars despite COVID(Chris Caselli)
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UT students, alumni debate 'The Eyes of Texas' amid national reckoning over race and cancel culture
5h
(Stephen Spillman/CapitolPressPhoto)
Longhorns fans sing 'The Eyes of Texas' on Nov. 9, 2019.
More than a century after "The Eyes of Texas" was written, Natalie Wright entered the University of Texas for her freshman year.
<p>The 2014 graduate was in the band, where she played the French horn.</p><p>"It was probably the formative part of my college experience," she told Austonia.</p><p>At the time, Wright felt the school song was a classic, one that transcended generations. "When I played it, I felt like I was part of something bigger than myself," she said.</p><p>But over the summer, like many others, Wright learned more about its origins, which include taking inspiration from <a href="https://racialgeographytour.org/tour-stop/robert-e-lee-statue/" target="_blank">a Robert E. Lee quote</a> and first being performed at a minstrel show, where white performers wore blackface and <a href="https://nmaahc.si.edu/blog-post/blackface-birth-american-stereotype" target="_blank">mimicked Black Americans</a>. </p><p>Members of a private Longhorn alumni band Facebook group are engaged in heated discussions over the song and its future, Wright said, and are divided largely along generational lines. </p><div class="rm-embed embed-media"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">There's nothing wrong w/ the current song. In fact, it has tied students together for many decades. That it was played at a disgusting minstrel show a century ago is immaterial. BTW, did you favor the removal of the current Va governor who did far worse, doing blackface himself?<br/>— Sandy Kress (@Kress_Sandy) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kress_Sandy/status/1319302376138964992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div><div class="rm-embed embed-media"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The origins of the song are in every way racist. I used to sing it with all my power too, but I won't again. Many Alumni of the Longhorn Band feel the same. Teaching the history and owning up to it, that's going to get awkward. The Redskins took time too.<br/>— garrettkeastconducts (@GarrettKeast) <a href="https://twitter.com/GarrettKeast/status/1282914742902947840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div><p>There are also students who support keeping "The Eyes of Texas" as the school song.</p><p>Longhorn quarterback Sam Ehlinger, who posted <a href="https://twitter.com/sehlinger3/status/1266904243434381313" target="_blank">in support of the Black Lives Matter movement</a> in May, defended the song in <a href="https://www.hookem.com/sam-ehlinger/20201020/misunderstanding-dallas-sam-ehlinger-explains-stayed-eyes-texas/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">a post-game press conference</a> on Oct. 12.</p><p>"I grew up singing 'The Eyes of Texas' win, lose or draw," Longhorn quarterback Sam Ehlinger said at <a href="https://www.hookem.com/sam-ehlinger/20201020/misunderstanding-dallas-sam-ehlinger-explains-stayed-eyes-texas/" target="_blank">a post-game press conference</a> on Oct. 12. "I shared that experience with my (late) dad, and never once singing that song has anything negative ever crossed my mind."</p><p>But Dr. Stefan Bradley, a professor of African American Studies at Loyola Marymount University, said this dynamic fits into a long history of campus debates, over issues such as integration and going coed. </p><p>"It will be interesting to see how this ends," he said. "But I wouldn't be surprised if young people have their way with this."</p><p>Wright would be happy with such an outcome. </p><p>"In my opinion the younger generation just keeps carrying this torch of education and awareness and antiracism," she said. "I'm really impressed with how the kids younger than me are handling things like this."</p><p><strong>Uncovered history </strong></p><p>The killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police on May 25 set off a national outcry over racism in America. </p><p>Students at UT-Austin—around 5% of whom are Black, compared to nearly 13% of the state's population—and on campuses across the country started petitions and lobbied for the removal of statues that commemorated Confederate leaders and slave owners. </p><p>In June, UT student-athletes <a href="https://twitter.com/CSterns_7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1271517512384069633%7Ctwgr%5Eshare_3&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Faustonia.com%2Fr%2Fentryeditor%2F2648552595publish" target="_blank">asked the administration</a> to take a series of actions, including renaming buildings such as the Robert Lee Moore Hall and replacing "The Eyes of Texas" with a song "without racist undertones."</p><p>The <a href="https://texassports.com/sports/2013/7/28/traditions_0728131333.aspx" target="_blank">song's lyrics</a> are not explicitly racist: </p><p style="margin-left: 20px;"><em>The Eyes of Texas are upon you,</em></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;"><em>All the livelong day.</em></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;"><em>The Eyes of Texas are upon you,</em></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;"><em>You cannot get away.</em></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;"><em>Do not think you can escape them</em></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;"><em>At night or early in the morn.</em></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;"><em>The Eyes of Texas are upon you</em></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;"><em>'Til Gabriel blows his horn.</em></p><p>But as Dr. Edmund T. Gordon, an associate professor of African and African diaspora studies and vice provost for diversity at UT-Austin, explains <a href="https://racialgeographytour.org/tour-stop/robert-e-lee-statue/" target="_blank">in his racial geography campus tour,</a> the lyrics are drawn from a quote often repeated by the supreme commander of the Confederate army, Robert E. Lee: The eyes of the south are upon you.</p><p><em></em>The next month, University President Jay Hartzell <a href="https://president.utexas.edu/messages-speeches-2020/a-more-diverse-and-welcoming-campus" target="_blank">responded with a letter</a>, entitled "A More Diverse and Welcoming Campus." Although the university announced it would fulfill some of the students' requests—<a href="https://president.utexas.edu/messages-speeches-2020/meaningful-conversations-and-actions" target="_blank">and has since taken steps to do so</a>—the administration decided to keep "The Eyes of Texas" as the school song. </p><p>"It is my belief that we can effectively reclaim and redefine what this song stands for by first owning and acknowledging its history in a way that is open and transparent," Hartzell wrote.</p><p><strong>On the field </strong></p><p>Then the football season started.</p><p>Ehlinger, who posted <a href="https://twitter.com/sehlinger3/status/1266904243434381313" target="_blank">in support of the Black Lives Matter movement</a> in May, received press attention for being one of few players to sing the song after the Texas vs. Oklahoma game on Oct. 10. Although Ehlinger called the episode a <a href="https://www.hookem.com/sam-ehlinger/20201020/misunderstanding-dallas-sam-ehlinger-explains-stayed-eyes-texas/" target="_blank">"misunderstanding,"</a> it prompted the creation of a hashtag—#StandWithSam.</p><p>A group of disappointed alumni and fans of UT, who have not publicly identified themselves, launched a petition: <a href="https://www.change.org/p/university-of-texas-president-jay-hartzell-coach-tom-herman-standwithsam-the-eyes-of-texas/c" target="_blank">#StandWithSam & The Eyes of Texas</a>. It has received more than 16,000 signatures. </p><p>On Oct. 21, three days before the band's first live performance of the football season and in the middle of the campus celebration of <a href="https://president.utexas.edu/messages-speeches-2020/free-speech-week-at-ut" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Free Speech Week</a>, The Daily Texan student newspaper <a href="https://austonia.com/longhorns-band-not-playing-eyes-of-texas" target="_blank">broke news</a>. The Longhorn band lacked the "necessary instrumentation" to play the school song at the Oct. 24 game against Baylor University.</p><p>Hartzell said there were no plans for the band to perform live at the Baylor game and said he "remain(s) truly optimistic that we will find ways to join together around our song, which has been so positive for so many Longhorns over the past 120 years," <a href="https://news.utexas.edu/key-issues/the-eyes-of-texas/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">in an Oct. 21 statement</a>. </p><p>The next day, the University of Texas System Board of Regents <a href="https://news.utexas.edu/2020/10/22/statement-from-kevin-p-eltife-chairman-of-the-university-of-texas-system-board-of-regents/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">announced</a> it's "unequivocally and unanimously in support of" Hartzell. </p><p><strong>A campus tradition </strong></p><p>Some students and alumni feel the song is a unifier that is being unfairly painted as a divider.</p><p>"I believe the anthem should remain," Jason Hannah wrote as his reason for signing the #StandWithSam petition. "Please don't allow the plague of cancel culture to destroy our history."</p><p>Others raised concerns that replacing the song would affect alumni giving to UT, <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2018/12/26/university-texas-endowment-harvard/#:~:text=Bolstered%20by%20booming%20oil%20prices,country's%20institutions%20of%20higher%20education." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">which has the second largest endowment in the country</a>, and disputed that the song was racist.</p><p>"There are no words in the 'Eyes of Texas' that should divide us," Jan Brown wrote. On Saturday, ahead of the Texas vs. Baylor game, a banner was flown around the Darrel K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium that directed people to the #StandWithSam petition homepage.</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3a527f988ae64839977d31643ec13e6e" id="223cc"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1320067787239444483"><div style="margin:1em 0">Somebody paid to have a Stand With Sam banner fly around the stadium because they want players to stay for The Eyes… https://t.co/elXNladz4H</div> — Anwar Richardson (@Anwar Richardson)<a href="https://twitter.com/AnwarRichardson/statuses/1320067787239444483">1603563660.0</a></blockquote></div><p>West Campus bar Cain and Abel's also hosted a pregame event celebrating the song, which it called "one of UT's greatest traditions" <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cainandabels/photos/a.10150286611824408/10160427489769408/" target="_blank">on its Facebook page</a>.</p><p><strong>Past precedent. </strong></p><p>Bradley, the Loyola Marymount professor, said this type of debate is par for the course. </p><p>"What ends up happening is everybody has their vision of what their university was and is," he told Austonia. "The problem is that not everybody's vision matches.</p><p>Bradley's research focuses on Black student activism during the post-WWII era, including during the Civil Rights and anti-Vietnam War movements. During these periods, some alumni and university administrators pushed back against Black student activists and others advocating for policy changes, such the creation of an African American studies department or admitting women, arguing that doing so would compromise the university's standing. </p><p>Of course, now such changes seem inevitable. </p><p>With the debate over "The Eyes of Texas," students are similarly responding to cultural shifts—such as the Black Lives Matter movement—outside of the academy's walls, which are harder for the administration to control.</p><p>"The major stakeholders at the university … the students themselves believe that the university should operate a certain kind of way, and they've begun to operate in the way that they think the university ought to," he said. "That is very, very difficult to stop." </p><p>Bradley also responded to concerns about alumni giving, saying that there may be a cost associated with defending the song when it comes to young alumni and prospective students, who have grown up watching the media coverage of Trayvon Marton's death and live streamed video of Floyd's. </p><p>"No university wants to be known as the university that's mired in racial tensions," he said. "You can't sell that on the admissions tour."</p>
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The roar of Austin FC fans will be heard soon, as the newest Major League Soccer member looks to kick off their season in a brand new stadium in 2021.
<p>A 23.5 acre site, located at 10414 McKalla Place, is the future home to the 20,500 seat Austin FC stadium—a $242 million privately-funded, state-of-the-art facility for Austin's newest team.</p><div class="rm-embed embed-media"><iframe allowfullscreen="" aria-hidden="false" frameborder="0" height="450" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3441.7050557034395!2d-97.72175558487675!3d30.387732081758692!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x8644cbd96a7af0dd%3A0x79427365a674ed87!2sAustin%20FC%20Stadium!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1603902827628!5m2!1sen!2sus" style="border:0;" tabindex="0" width="600"></iframe></div><p>"I was tracking this for a long time," Chris Welhausen said. A born and raised Austinite, Chris has been watching MLS for a while and the second there were even rumors of a team coming to Austin, Chris was on board.<br/></p><p><span></span>Rumors first started about a potential MLS expansion team that could be coming to the capital city when Two Oak Ventures, led by investor Anthony Precourt, bought the MLS Columbus Crew in 2013. The intention behind closed doors at the time was to move the franchise to one of the fastest growing areas in the country—Austin. <span></span><br/></p><p>In 2017 Two Oak Ventures made their intentions known. The ownership group announced plans to move the Crew to Austin and start playing games as soon as 2019. </p><p>Before the team could be moved, Cleveland businesses, lead by Jimmy and Dee Haslam, owners of the Cleveland Browns, <a href="https://www.dispatch.com/sports/20191010/as-team-breaks-ground-on-stadium-today-dee-haslam-says-it-was-just-honor-to-help-save-it-for-columbus" target="_blank">stepped in and bought the rights to the Crew</a>. Because the Crew would not be moving, MLS granted Two Oak Ventures a franchise, creating the expansion franchise Austin FC. </p><p><br/></p><div class="rm-embed embed-media"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="650" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://cdn.knightlab.com/libs/timeline3/latest/embed/index.html?source=1bH32AhCfE8bsG8CZVy7igJdOGlvhe1Oue1lXfp0Jue0&font=Default&lang=en&initial_zoom=2&height=650" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="100%"></iframe></div><p>In 2019, MLS announced Austin FC as the 27th official club, making it the newest official professional sports team in the city. Before the move, Austin was the largest city in the U.S. without a major professional sports league. Austin FC joins the Austin Huns Rugby Club as the only other pro league in the city.<br/></p><p>"I think it's the best possible outcome," Jeremiah Bentley said. Bentely moved to Austin after attending the University of Texas in 1992. Bentley said he makes up the core demographic of Austin FC's fans: Austinites who love the city and have been looking for a team that is their own. <br/></p><p>In August, Austin FC<a href="https://www.fox7austin.com/sports/austin-fc-sells-out-of-season-ticket-memberships" target="_blank"> sold out of season ticket memberships</a>. That is equal to about 15,000 seats or almost 75% of the stadium capacity. The club selling out season tickets still leaves about 5,000 tickets available for individual purchase for select games in the spring.</p><p>The addition of all star players like <a href="https://austonia.com/austin-fc-cecilio-dominguez" target="_self">Cecilio Dominguez</a>, the 26-year-old Paraguayan National Team forward, along with 20-year-old Paraguayan left winger <a href="https://austonia.com/sports/austin-fc-announces-paraguayan-forward-rodney-redes-as-first-club-signer" target="_self">Rodney Redes</a> adds excitement. Redes was<a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/07/06/austin-fc-announce-paraguayan-winger-rodney-redes-first-signing" target="_blank"> the first player officially signed to Austin FC</a> after he transferred from Paraguay's Primera Division Club Guarani in July. Fans can expect more players signing down the road.</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="cccf97ca6be63552fe5c80b11615d6c6" id="779b3"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1311848665942720517"><div style="margin:1em 0">If they’re as good in Austin as they are in Libertadores, we’re going to have some fun next year. A goal from Cecil… https://t.co/ox5UCWiugw</div> — Austin FC (@Austin FC)<a href="https://twitter.com/AustinFC/statuses/1311848665942720517">1601604069.0</a></blockquote></div><p>Even with the COVID-19 pandemic preventing other expansion franchisees like Charlotte and St. Louis from starting on schedule, Austin FC is still set to open their doors and play their first home game in the spring of 2021, according to Austin FC representatives.</p><p>The MLS schedule won't be released for a few more months, but fan support for the team is already building.</p><p>The official Austin FC Twitter and Instagram accounts combine for more than 80,000 followers. Austin FC already has arguably the most famous fan and now part owner, UT's Minister of Culture and Academy Award winner <a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/08/23/matthew-mcconaughey-headlines-new-partners-joining-austin-fc-ownership" target="_blank">Matthew McConaughey</a>. </p><p>"I think (McConaughey) is the guy that most represents Austin and the culture," Bentley said. "It's cool that he's really involved and really into it. He's not just another famous person who is just lending their name to sell some extra tickets. He is all in on the whole experience."</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="fd96e5c28162f99abc7811a727706bc4" id="19814"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1164934911385636864"><div style="margin:1em 0">New @MLS owner @MatthewMcConaughey is an actor, producer, and philanthropist. McConaughey, a graduate of @UTAustin… https://t.co/K8sH6YeRp0</div> — Austin FC (@Austin FC)<a href="https://twitter.com/AustinFC/statuses/1164934911385636864">1566577100.0</a></blockquote></div><p>The Austin FC front office group hosted McConaughey on a<a href="https://austonia.com/matthew-mcconaughey-austin-fc" target="_self"> Zoom call for local supporter groups</a> in August. Bentley said McConaughey talked for an hour about chants and the experience he was looking for from the club.</p><p>Fan groups sprung up almost as soon as the announcement that a MLS team would be coming to the capital city. The fan groups have shown their support for UT women's soccer games this season, drumming up excitement for the upcoming season. </p><p>Groups like <a href="https://www.losverdesatx.org/" target="_blank">Los Verdes</a>, <a href="https://capitalcitysoccer.com/2020/07/07/sgs-of-austin-fc/" target="_blank">Capital City Soccer</a> and<a href="https://austinanthem.org/about/" target="_blank"> Austin Anthem</a> are a few established supporter groups for Austin FC fans. <br/></p><p>"The fan movement and supporter culture here is unbelievable," Welhausen said. "We have a really tight knit group that's already been connecting online. It's super organized, growing really fast."</p><p><span></span>Between the new stadium, the new players and the fan support, Austin FC looks poised to surprise not only the city but the rest of MLS when the season kicks off next year.</p>
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(Capital Metro/Twitter)
Austin is making public transit electric by introducing the first interoperable charging buses in the country. In partnership with Siemens Mobility and Proterra Inc., Capital Metro now has 12 zero-emission electric buses on the roads.
The initiative is part of Project Connect, an overhaul of the city's transit system, and a bigger plan to purchase only zero-emission electric buses by 2022. The City of Austin also plans to integrate <a href="https://www.statesman.com/news/20201029/austin-spends-883k-on-electric-bikes-as-customers-opt-for-easier-ride?utm_source=SND&utm_medium=Twitter&utm_campaign=statesman" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">125 new electric bikes</a> in addition to the 200 already on the streets since February<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="10b1f4c4187884a6cb2c375c153613fb" id="904c4"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1321515894305161221"><div style="margin:1em 0">We know what you're thinking: "Wait-that's a @newflyer bus on a @SiemensMobility @Proterra_Inc charger. HOW!?"
Aft… https://t.co/1FdjcIb5ak</div> — Capital Metro (@Capital Metro)<a href="https://twitter.com/CapMetroATX/statuses/1321515894305161221">1603908916.0</a></blockquote></div><p>Electric buses provide for a quieter and greener ride, keeping the air clean with solar and wind energy. The buses come complete with USB charging ports throughout and have an open floor plan to accommodate more riders.<br/></p><p>Capital Metro is currently working on creating a new bus yard to support charging future electric-only buses. When the warehouse is complete, it will house 214 buses and be able to charge 187 buses at any time.</p><p>Electric buses already in service can be tracked <a href="https://www.capmetro.org/electric-bus-tracker" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><strong>More on Capital Metro:</strong></p>
<h2><a href="https://austonia.com/capital-metro-free-rides" target="_self">Capital Metro offers free bike, bus rides during election</a></h2>
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(Bob Daemmrich)
Decision time
You've seen and heard messaging from the city, transit opponents, and the big money PACs. You've probably read Emma Freer's in-depth, multi-part series, a fact-based exploration of Project Connect—and the tax rate election proposal, known as Proposition A, that would fund it—from multiple perspectives.
<p data-children-count="0">As Election Day approaches, here are what we think are five of the strongest arguments on both sides of the issue. </p><p data-children-count="0"><strong>Reasons to support Proposition A:</strong><br/></p><p data-children-count="0"><u>1. Congestion has been Austin's #1 community issue</u></p><p data-children-count="0">Ask any group of people in Austin "what is the biggest issue facing the city right now," and, pre-pandemic, many would say "congestion." Traffic-clogged highways reduce quality of life and limit economic growth. Building more highways is not practical in a city that's already been largely built. Adding toll lanes to major highways like MoPac has not had much impact, and does nothing to solve problems on feeder roads. Transportation experts largely agree that building new highways does not reduce congestion and instead brings more people onto the roads and encourages people to make longer commutes. Congestion is starting to reappear as more people resume their traditional routes to work and school. </p><p data-children-count="0"><u>2. We're a big city now, and this is how successful cities do transit</u></p><p data-children-count="0">Austin is the 11th largest U.S. city right now. Of the 10 ahead of us, only one, our neighbor San Antonio, has no light rail. A rail system of some kind is part of the modern city's transportation mix. Whether it's a giant system like New York's—with almost 500 stations—or the more modest systems in Houston and Dallas, rail is a proven way of moving people in urban areas. Higher housing density around transit stations may help address the city's affordability crisis and create new, walkable areas with a higher quality of life.</p><p data-children-count="0"><u>3. An effective transit system addresses social and environmental issues</u></p><p data-children-count="0">Austin was racially, economically and culturally partitioned by our highway system—I-35 and MoPac, in particular. A rail system could provide equal transit opportunity for all and help unify the city. And moving people via mass transit is more efficient than in individual vehicles, offering cleaner air, fewer carbon emissions and less fossil fuel usage. Think about the proposed line from downtown to the airport. How many car trips would be saved? And the message to visitors would be clear: We're a modern city, and we care about our environment. </p><p data-children-count="0"><u>4. The sooner we get started, the sooner we'll have it</u></p><p data-children-count="0">Best case, financing and building new lines will take a decade, maybe more. Voters turned down rail transit projects in 2000 and 2014. If Austin turns down this opportunity, it could be years before there's another one. Some projects are hard to visualize, but when they're complete, they seem inevitable. Think of how essential our city icons are: Zilker Park, the hike-and-bike trail, Barton Springs, the Forty Acres. A city-wide rail system could be the same.</p><p data-children-count="0"><u>5. City leadership supports it</u></p><p data-children-count="0">Mayor Adler and every member of the council supported putting Project Connect on the ballot this year. This is what our elected leadership thinks is best for the city. If approved, we should expect them to move quickly to start implementing, without resistance.</p><p data-children-count="0"><br/></p><p data-children-count="0"><strong>Reasons to oppose Proposition A:</strong></p><p data-children-count="0"><u>1. The total costs are unknown, and not fully funded by the ballot prop</u></p><p data-children-count="0">The $7.1 billion cost figure is an estimate—the exact costs are unknown and depend on timetable and operational issues. Boston's "Big Dig" was estimated at $2.5 billion and ended up costing more than $20 billion to build. And the Prop A tax increase, best case, will only pay for 55% of the plan. The hope is to get a federal transportation grant for the other 45%. But there are no guarantees. And with federal budget deficits at an all-time high, there's no assurance that the federal money will come. What if it doesn't? Will the project be shut down? Will there be another historic tax increase? There's no plan for this scenario. </p><p data-children-count="0"><u>2. There are no engineering studies with the proposal</u></p><p data-children-count="0">The Project Connect proposal calls for running the downtown portion of the system underground and creating underground plazas for shopping and entertainment. But no engineering studies have been done. How feasible is it to locate rail lines and plazas underground in our karst limestone geology that's marked by underground passages into the aquifer? And how much will it cost to mitigate structural and environmental issues and work around existing downtown infrastructure? These costs and operational issues are not known. <strong></strong></p><p data-children-count="0"><u>3. It's a solo effort by the city that mostly lacks regional support</u></p><p data-children-count="0">Transportation and traffic congestion are regional issues, as people regularly cross boundaries when choosing where to live and work. The city is growing more slowly than surrounding areas of our region, so the ideal solutions come from a shared regional vision, cooperation and cost-sharing. But Austin is alone in this effort. There is little cooperation with surrounding jurisdictions on Project Connect, except Leander. But that city has been close to pulling out of CapMetro for more than a year, and the result may be inevitable, given what leaders there view as inadequate rail transit ridership to and from Austin. Except for the red line in far north Austin, there's no rail service proposed west of Lamar Boulevard and no linkage to West Lake Hills and Lakeway.</p><p data-children-count="0"><u>4. This may not be the time for a big tax raise</u></p><p data-children-count="0">People are hurting. While Austin real estate prices continue to climb and some companies are creating jobs, the pandemic-driven recession has closed or impaired large numbers of businesses, leading to layoffs, furloughs and stalled hiring. Entire industries are shut down. The live music capital has no live music. With so much financial pain, is this the time for a big tax increase? By committing so much money to the transit program, the city may not have the financial flexibility to address other big issues that may ultimately be more important. </p><p data-children-count="0"><u>5. COVID may change things in ways that we can't foresee</u></p><h3 data-children-count="0"></h3><p data-children-count="0">No one knows how long the pandemic will last, and, in what ways, if any, it will change our society in the long term. It's possible that everything will return to a pre-COVID normal at some point. But it's also possible that live-work patterns will see lasting change as more people work entirely or partially from home, reducing traffic congestion. Ride-sharing and autonomous vehicles may create technology disruption that makes big transit systems obsolete. It's also possible that social distancing will become part of our culture, and people will be reluctant to ride on public transport with groups of strangers. Why make a multi-decade, multi-billion dollar financial commitment without knowing precisely what our city is going to need post-pandemic? </p><p data-children-count="0"><br/></p><p data-children-count="0"><strong>More on the argument: </strong></p>
<h2><a href="https://austonia.com/project-connect-argument" target="_self">Proponents vs. opponents: How should Austin vote on Prop A?</a></h2>
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDUyMzk5OC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxODUzNjI4OX0.FtvfXigkkJiQ466CDeQsxg0PH7sfZSeWNt6UnVjT8Ec/img.jpg?width=980" id="078d9" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c5d0d42556d24e192ef49e3ab42f1703" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />Proponents vs. opponents: How should Austin vote on Prop A?
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