Good morning. We're looking at another hot one today, with a high of 102 degrees. Here's some of the region's top overnight stories.
Rebuilding Grants for Bastrop Fire Victims
It’s been just over one year since wildfires tore across Central Texas. Many fire victims are still rebuilding their lives.
Now, the Texas General Land Office is taking applications for federal aid from people whose homes were lost or damaged in the Bastrop fires.
The money is coming from more than $30 million dollars in Community Development Block Grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Applications are due Sept. 28. You can find information on how to apply on the General Land Office’s website.
Tableau Software Bringing Jobs to Austin
Tableau Software, a self-described “global leader in rapid-fire business intelligence software,” has opened an office in Austin – and plans to hire as many as 150 people. The company will be hiring developers and sales talent.
Tableau will host an open house recruiting event on Thursday, Sept. 13 to introduce itself to the community and provide an opportunity for candidates to discuss current and future open positions. Those interested in attending the open house should register before attending.
Tableau is temporarily located in the Arboretum area, but the company is looking for a permanent home in downtown Austin.
“Austin’s geography, talented workforce and reputation as a business and technology center make it an ideal location for our continued expansion,” Brett Thompson, Vice President of Human Resources at Tableau Software says in a statement on the company's website. “We are seeking candidates who share our passion to help people see and understand data.”
Tableau started out of a Stanford University research project in 2003 and moved its headquarters to Seattle shortly after. The company is one of the world's fastest-growing business intelligence companies and develops software that creates graphical or visual displays of data.
Tennis Star Andy Roddick Retires at the US Open
Austin’s Andy Roddick played his final game of professional tennis yesterday. He was defeated by Juan Martin Del Potro. Roddick had announced his plans to retire after the US Open before the tournament began.
He exceeded expectations by lasting through the eleventh day of the two-week long tournament. After his loss, he spoke to fans at Arthur Ashe Stadium:
“It’s been a road of a lot of ups and downs, a lot of great moments. I appreciate your support all the way. I really do appreciate and love you guys with all my heart. Hopefully I’ll come back to this place one day and see all of you again.”
Roddick’s career did include many ups and downs, but the most unforgettable years in his rocky career had to be 2003 and 2004. In 2003, Roddick was ranked the world’s number one tennis player and took home his lone title in a Grand Slam event, the US Open.
Roddick’s career never reached the peaks some experts expected, but he will be forever remembered for his tremendous serves, which were virtually unhittable due to their 130 – 150mph speeds.
