Local news and fun, every day 6am.
Featured
austonia newsletter
Most viewed

Mozart's Coffee on May 9, when the city would have been at Stage 2 had the city debuted its risk system earlier that month. (Emma Freer/Austonia)
According to Austin-Travis County Interim Health Authority Mark Escott, the city of Austin has dropped its hospitalization rates down to Stage 3 territory and the city could follow suit by the end of the week.
Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 are down 57% since Feb. 1, Escott said in a joint session with the Austin City Council and Travis County Commissioners' Court. In Stage 3, recommended business capacity would raise from 25-50% to 50-75%, and residents would be advised to avoid gatherings greater than 10 instead of greater than two.
Austin has not been at Stage 3 levels since Nov. 17, 2020.
If cases continue to decline, Escott said Austin could even reach Stage 2 by the end of March or early April. In Stage 2, individuals who are not high risk would be recommended to avoid gatherings larger than 25, and business capacity would be recommended at 75%.
The news comes as Travis County prepares to receive the recently-passed single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Texas has received 200,000 doses for this week with Austin set to receive some next week.
Austin Public Health is almost done playing catch-up after the winter storm halted all vaccination appointments for a week. Since appointments resumed on Monday, Feb. 21, the department has administered 33,562 vaccines. While most appointments become available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, APH also released an additional 4,000 first-dose appointments after a week of extra work led to excess appointment openings.
Despite the department's overtime work, many Austinites that qualify for 1A or 1B are still struggling to book an appointment. Around 85% of those who have signed up through APH still have no vaccine, some are reporting system glitches, and many more are waiting weeks for an email or text to confirm their second dose appointment.
In response, APH has released a queuing system to help with the second-dose delay. After their first dose, residents will be put on a waitlist and will have 10 minutes to schedule their next appointment once they reach the top
If vaccines continue to roll out more quickly and case rates decline, the city's Stage 4 restrictions could be lifted.
Regardless of the situation, Escott said that the city would need to avoid lifting too much, too soon and bringing back a surge of cases. Escott continues to recommend masks and said he hopes Gov. Greg Abbott will not lift the mask mandate too soon.
Escott's urging comes after Abbott made comments in a press conference last week that mask restrictions could be lifted "very soon." Abbott is holding a 1:30 p.m. press conference Tuesday with some "exciting news," which some are speculating about on social media.
Thank you Texans for your support.
I will have some exciting news for you tomorrow. https://t.co/xX15LUwsoN
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) March 2, 2021
- After racing for a first dose of the vaccine, some Austinites find ... ›
- Complete guide to 5-county Austin-area COVID vaccine providers ... ›
- Travis County COVID-19 death rate decreasing despite surge ... ›
- Austin healthcare offering COVID-19 vaccine waitlists - austonia ›
- Some Austin businesses will keep masks despite Abbott's order - austonia ›
- Austin moves to stage 3, APH will not vaccinate group 1C - austonia ›
- Austin public health officials reflect after one year of COVID - austonia ›
- Mark Escott says COVID restrictions could be gone by fall - austonia ›
- Austin Public Health won't downgrade to Stage 2 COVID guidelines - austonia ›
- Austin Public Health won't downgrade to Stage 2 COVID guidelines - austonia ›
Popular
(Gulfstream)
Elon Musk has placed an order for a new, top-of-the-line private jet: a Gulfstream G700, Austonia has learned. Delivery is expected in early 2023.
Billed as offering “the most spacious cabin in history,” the aircraft seats 19 and soars above the rest of us at up to 51,000 feet. Base price: $78 million.
The Gulfstream G700 was awarded the 2022 International Yacht & Aviation Award for excellence in cabin design this year. (Gulfstream)
According to the Gulfstream website, the G700 can fly up to 7,500 nautical miles without refueling, enough range to fly nonstop from Austin to Hong Kong. Powered by two Rolls-Royce engines, it has its own Wi-Fi system, 20 oval windows measuring 28” x 21”, and two lavatories.
The sweet new ride will replace his current top-of-line private jet: a 2015 Gulfstream G650, the aircraft that has been made somewhat famous by the automated @elonjet Twitter account, which tracks and reports his personal aircraft’s movements using public data.
Landed in Austin, Texas, US. Apx. flt. time 44 Mins. pic.twitter.com/jZ7HI0i4iV
— ElonJet (@ElonJet) June 24, 2022
Musk has repeatedly championed “free speech” as a guiding ethic in his planned purchase of Twitter. Last December, Musk offered the teenager who built the @elonjet tracker $50,000 to shut it down, citing security concerns. It’s still up.
According to the @elonjet account, Musk’s jet last traveled to Austin, where it’s been since June 23. The associated data says that his flight to Austin burned $2,573 worth of aviation fuel and discharged 4 tons of carbon dioxide.
- Elon Musk's Austin residence is $12 million Lake Austin home ... ›
- Elon Musk challenges the Kremlin to a fight on Twitter - austonia ›
- Grimes reveals secret baby, a daughter, with Elon Musk - austonia ›
- Elon Musk reportedly bringing new Australian actress girlfriend to ... ›
- Elon Musk attends Charro Days festivities in South Texas - austonia ›
(Valencia Hotel Group)
Live music and beer? Say no more. With a location in Austin, and others throughout Texas, the court hotels by the Valencia Hotel Group have a new offering for weekend stays: Live Music & Longnecks.
Enjoy live music all weekend long and check out the hotels’ state-of-the-art amenities between sets. Make a splash in the pool, enjoy outdoor fire pits, or challenge your friends in a yard game while enjoying a weekend full of live music! Did we mention the package includes deluxe accommodations and a bucket of beer? Oh, and if you needed more convincing, this pet-friendly hotel means the whole family can join in on the fun.
The hotels
Explore any of the Court Hotels by Valencia Hotel Group for a memorable escape. Each property offers a unique experience remnant of yesteryear but with all of the modern amenities that make for a fun and comfortable stay. With acres of landscaped courtyards, relax and unwind in an outdoor environment perfect for doing everything or absolutely nothing at all. With locations in Austin, College Station, Irving, and Lubbock your urban retreat has never been so close.
The music
Locals and travelers alike are invited to enjoy the deep roots of Texas music all summer long with a robust lineup of live performances. From the banks of the San Antonio Riverwalk to Irving’s manicured streets, Valencia’s hotels are a place to gather and reconnect, offering uniquely Texan settings for the weekly performances.
“We’re proud of the community we’ve fostered among Texas musicians and the many rising stars who perform at our properties,” says Amy Trench, corporate director of brand marketing & PR for Valencia Hotel Group.
In Austin, you can catch good ol’ fashioned Texas country by Drew Moreland and Clayton Gardner, bluegrass by Reagan Quinn, and much, much more.
With unique programming at each of Valencia’s properties, there’s something for everyone to enjoy all summer long.
The perks
If you’re a Valencia Hotel Group Rewards member, the perks are plentiful. Enjoy up to 10% off the Best Available Rate, and for a limited time, members can save up to 15% off a stay of 2 nights or more, for select stays in 2022.
But that’s really just the beginning. At select locations, you can enjoy discounts on weeknight stays, a complimentary third night, or curated packages for a romantic getaway or a night of watching the Verde at Q2 Stadium. You’ll also find special rates for AAA and AARP Members, educators, and front-line heroes including military, law enforcement, fire, and rescue workers.