Austin, TX
Elon Musk spent over $650K to fund PAC’s attempts to unseat DA José Garza, WSJ reports
Trump: Elon Musk to lead ‘Government Efficiency’ group if elected
Trump’s comments were part of a speech delivered at The Economic Club of New York.
Elon Musk covertly funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars into a Travis County election in an attempt to block a prosecutor’s reelection, according to an exclusive report by the Wall Street Journal.
Here’s a breakdown of what the business and finance outlet uncovered.
People are also reading: Travis County quietly gave DA José Garza $115K for security, withheld details | EXCLUSIVE
Elon Musk funded Save Austin Now PAC tied to ads against DA José Garza
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO primarily funded Save Austin Now, self-described as “a nonpartisan citizen’s group dedicated to Austin’s quality of life.” The group tried (and ultimately failed) to unseat Travis County District Attorney José Garza in the March Democratic primary. Save Austin circulated fliers and texts, along with spending over $650,000 on television ads, to attack Garza, according to sources familiar with Musk’s involvement and Federal Communications Commission and corporate documents.
The political action committee accused Garza of having “radical ideology” and “letting violent criminals out of jail in Austin.” Fliers featured a bloody teddy bear with text that reads, “José Garza is filling Austin’s streets with pedophiles and killers. The next victim could be your loved one.”
The back of the flier depicts a man’s hand covering a child’s mouth, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Despite being significantly outraised by opponent Jeremy Sylestine, Garza won the Democratic primary. In predominantly blue Travis County, Garza will likely also defeat Republican challenger Daniel Betts in the Nov. 5 general election.
In June, Bell County Attorney Jim Nichols, a Republican, dismissed a lawsuit seeking to remove Garza from office. The lawsuit claimed the DA had a policy of not prosecuting certain cases, but Nichols wrote he found no such policies in place.
Two months earlier, another case sought to remove Garza under a “rogue prosecutor” statute. Travis County resident Mary Elizabeth Dupuis claimed Garza’s alleged refusal to prosecute certain criminal offenses qualified as “official misconduct” as outlined by Texas House Bill 17.
Elon Musk’s politics, financial backings
Musk, whose net worth is over $250 billion, has become a highly visible supporter of former President Donald Trump — so much so that he was recently promised a leadership position for the “Government Efficiency Task Force” if Trump is reelected as president in November.
Musk has previously been said to plan to make large donations to a super PAC supporting Trump, which he denies. In July, he made national headlines when rumors began circulating that he had pledged to donate $45 million to Trump every month.
“What’s been reported in the media is simply not true,” Musk told commentator Jordan Peterson during an interview on X. “I am not donating $45 million a month to Trump.”
‘Okay you win’: Musk responds to Taylor Swift’s Harris-Walz endorsement
The Tesla CEO’s politics drew national attention earlier this week when he took a jab at global popstar Taylor Swift.
Swift endorsed the Harris-Walz campaign just minutes after Tuesday’s debate between Harris and trump, and ended her now-viral Instagram post saying, “With love and hope, Taylor Swift, Childless Cat Lady” — a dig at Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance’s recent and repeated criticism of childless women in America.
In response, Musk took to his own platform and wrote, “Fine Taylor … you win … I will give you a child and guard your cats with my life.”
The post garnered criticism, with many users saying Musk’s response was inappropriate.
More on Taylor Swift’s endorsement: Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris for president after debate. See Donald Trump’s response
Austin, TX
Austin opens cold weather shelters ahead of freezing temps
As the Austin area prepares to plunge into freezing temperatures Sunday night, the city is initiating its Cold Weather Shelters protocol.
Those wanting to use the emergency shelters, which open when overnight temperatures reach 35 degrees or lower, must register between 6-8 p.m. at One Texas Center (OTC) on Barton Springs Road, according to a release from the city. Those interested and in need of transport can reach the OTC via bus lines 1, 7, 10, 20, 30, 105 and 801. Anyone who can’t pay bus fare but needs shelter will still be allowed to ride, a Facebook post from the city said.
Following registration, CapMetro shuttles will take guests from the OTC to a cold weather shelter. The addresses for these shelters are kept confidential due to “safety, privacy and capacity concerns,” according to the Austin American-Statesman.
The Statesman also reported that shelters provide meals and allow leashed, friendly pets.
All parks and libraries are meanwhile serving as warming centers during regular operating hours, except for Austin Public Library’s Old Quarry Branch and Willie Mae Kirk Branch.
Austin, TX
Building cleared after non-credible bomb threat made in Downtown Austin
AUSTIN, Texas — A Downtown Austin building was cleared after a bomb threat was made Saturday night.
Police say that the call came in at 9:38 p.m., after which officers arrived to the scene and cleared a nearby building at 311 E 6th St.
ALSO: H-E-B delights Austin airport travelers with surprise gift vending machine pop-up
The threat was found to not be credible, and no one was injured.
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Police say no one is in custody and they will be clearing the scene shortly.
Austin, TX
The richest small town in Texas tops our most popular Austin stories
Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Austin Mayor Kirk Watson held a press conference Friday to discuss a new deal with Southwest Airlines and its expected impact on the city.
The deal, approved Thursday by the Austin City Council, awards Southwest $2,750 for each new Austin-based hire over the next five years. In exchange, the airline plans to add 2,000 high-paying jobs with an average salary of $180,000 and invest in local workforce initiatives, including the city’s new Austin Infrastructure Academy.
Officials say the deal will strengthen Southwest’s presence at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, where the carrier already handles more than 40 percent of all passenger traffic.
The partnership is expected to bring in nearly $20 million in local tax revenue, and the incentive program will last for five years and pay Southwest up to $5.5 million.
Mayor Watson said the agreement will not only create new jobs in Austin but will improve the overall experience at AUS.
“We’re building lives and careers at the same time we’re building tarmacs and terminals,” Watson said. “Southwest is choosing Austin because our people, our workforce, and our future make us a smart investment. This deal creates thousands of good-paying jobs, improves the passenger experience, and ensures the benefits flow directly to Austin workers, families, and tourists. This agreement is proof that Austin means business and cares about the success of its people.”
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Read the full story at KVUE.com.
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