1. TRUMP DEFENDS DECISION TO ABANDON KURDISH ALLIES IN SYRIA
The president casts his decision as fulfilling a campaign promise, but critics say he is sacrificing a U.S. ally and undermining American credibility. Turkey, meanwhile, says it won’t bow to Trump’s threats on its military intentions.
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2. TRUMP ENVOY TO TESTIFY IN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY
A whistleblower’s complaint and text messages released by another envoy portray Gordon Sondland as a potentially important witness to allegations that the president sought to dig up dirt on a rival in the name of foreign policy.
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3. SUPREME COURT TAKES UP LGBT EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS
The cases are the court’s first on the issue since the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy, a voice for gay rights, and his replacement by the more conservative Brett Kavanaugh.
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4. PARKING, TRASH RATES GOING UP
Parking fees are doubling in Austin. The city’s goal is to increase parking turnover by limiting the number of people who occupy spots all day. Trash fees are also going up by 65-cents per month. Austin Resource Recovery says the money will help clean up trash all around town.
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5. HOMELESS AUSTINITES FEELING HARASSED
Since ordinance changes took effect this summer, some of Austin’s homeless say they’re experiencing more harassment than ever before. Steve Harrell has been homeless for a while and tells CBS Austin the city thrust them into the spotlight and the results haven’t always been positive.
“It’s a Pandora’s Box. We wanted it, we wanted it, we got it, and now look what we have,” Harrell says.
He says he hears people yelling profanities and honking at him every day. Others living on the street say they’re angry that the homeless community has now been defined by trash and drug use, even though many of them are simply trying to get back on their feet.
