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Axios Austin
Austin-area groups supply morning-after pills at coffee shops
Customers in some Austin-area businesses can find emergency contraceptives on bathroom countertops, part of an effort to expand access to the morning-after pill while abortion remains illegal in Texas and the fate of abortion-inducing drugs remains up in the air.Driving the news: In response to an April federal court decision, which is no longer in effect but would increase restrictions on abortion-inducing drugs, reproductive health brand Stix recently announced it would donate its emergency contraceptives to local activist groups distributing supplies across Austin.The morning-after pill — available without a prescription to reduce the chance of pregnancy after unprotected sex —...
Austin-area groups supply morning-after pills at coffee shops
Customers in some Austin-area businesses can find emergency contraceptives on bathroom countertops, part of an effort to expand access to the morning-after pill while abortion remains illegal in Texas and the fate of abortion-inducing drugs remains up in the air.Driving the news: In response to an April federal court decision, which is no longer in effect but would increase restrictions on abortion-inducing drugs, reproductive health brand Stix recently announced it would donate its emergency contraceptives to local activist groups distributing supplies across Austin.The morning-after pill — available without a prescription to reduce the chance of pregnancy after unprotected sex —...
Daniel Perry sentenced to 25 years for BLM protest murder
A man convicted of killing a Black Lives Matter protester in Austin in 2020 was sentenced to 25 years in prison.Driving the news: Texas state District Judge Clifford Brown handed down Daniel Perry's sentence Wednesday for the murder of protester Garrett Foster during a confrontation at an Austin BLM demonstration.Yes, but: Perry might not spend much time in prison.The intrigue: Last month, a day after a Travis County jury convicted Perry of murder, Gov. Greg Abbott announced that he had asked that the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles determine if Perry should be granted a pardon."I look forward to...
Texas bill would dismantle city rules
A bill that officials in Austin and other Texas cities worry would dismantle many local regulations — governing everything from beekeeping practices to renter protections — is quickly making its way through the Texas Legislature.Driving the news: The Texas Senate could vote on House Bill 2127 any time, after it passed the House and a Senate committee approved the bill last week. Its passage in the Senate would send it to Gov. Greg Abbott, who supports it.Why it matters: The bill could scale back more than a century of cities' home rule authority in Texas, per the Texas Municipal League....
New wine bar opens on South First in Austin
Underdog, a Korean-influenced wine bar, restaurant and retail space, opens today on South First.The big picture: Momofuku alum Richard Hargreave and marketing and events professional Claudia Lee operate the new shop at 1600 South First St., and we took an early look inside the space Tuesday.Step inside the retail section of the shop for bottled wines, caviar and a selection of curated products every day from 11am-7pm.Or grab wine and a bite in the tasting room Sunday through Thursday from 4-11pm and Friday and Saturday from 4pm-midnight.Plus, a wine program will showcase bottles from up-and-coming producers.What they're saying: “By focusing...
New wine bar opens on South First in Austin
Underdog, a Korean-influenced wine bar, restaurant and retail space, opens today on South First.The big picture: Momofuku alum Richard Hargreave and marketing and events professional Claudia Lee operate the new shop at 1600 South First St., and we took an early look inside the space Tuesday.Step inside the retail section of the shop for bottled wines, caviar and a selection of curated products every day from 11am-7pm.Or grab wine and a bite in the tasting room Sunday through Thursday from 4-11pm and Friday and Saturday from 4pm-midnight.Plus, a wine program will showcase bottles from up-and-coming producers.What they're saying: “By focusing...
Brace for air travel hell in Austin and beyond
Austin airport officials are expecting a record-breaking summer for air travel, echoing warnings from airlines, national aviation officials and the Transportation Security Administration.Driving the news: Flying is shaping up to be an absolute nightmare, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick writes.A record number of travelers will likely pass through the country's airports this summer, TSA administrator David Pekoske told Bloomberg.Plus, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport officials told Axios that they're expecting a record-breaking summer, starting in mid-May.Why it matters: It's unusual for all these powers that be to hint so loudly that we're in for a rough few months — and travelers would be wise...
Podcast examines memory, confessions and the Texas Rangers
In "Just Say You’re Sorry," a new podcast from the Marshall Project and Sony Music, we're introduced to a famed Texas Ranger — and to a prisoner who says the officer coerced him into a false murder confession.The second episode of the six-part series drops Monday.Why it matters: The podcast, which includes original interviews and fascinating interrogation audio, investigates critical questions of the reliability of memories and the coercive power of those in authority.The podcast comes as Texas lawmakers are considering banning testimony obtained through hypnosis.It's also the 200th anniversary of the Texas Rangers.We interviewed Austin-based criminal justice reporter Maurice...
Podcast examines memory, confessions and the Texas Rangers
In "Just Say You’re Sorry," a new podcast from the Marshall Project and Sony Music, we're introduced to a famed Texas Ranger — and to a prisoner who says the officer coerced him into a false murder confession.The second episode of the six-part series drops Monday.Why it matters: The podcast, which includes original interviews and fascinating interrogation audio, investigates critical questions of the reliability of memories and the coercive power of those in authority.The podcast comes as Texas lawmakers are considering banning testimony obtained through hypnosis.It's also the 200th anniversary of the Texas Rangers.We interviewed Austin-based criminal justice reporter Maurice...
Visit Austin's AAPI restaurants with this passport
This Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Austinites can celebrate AAPI culture through a restaurant "passport" system that comes with discounts.Details: The $45 book encourages support of local AAPI-owned businesses.Proceeds support the Austin Asian Community Health Initiative, which aims to improve the health and well-being of Asians in Central Texas.The Family Style Passport, designed by Austin artist Jeremy Hsu, contains more than $350 in discounts from about 30 restaurants.How it works: To participate, order your passport online — which will then be mailed to you.You can use your passport through April 30, 2024.It can only be used when payment is made in person.Zoom in: Deals include —Buy one, get one free at Sazan Ramen.Free kimchi arancini bowls and nutella spring rolls with a $40 purchase at the Peached Tortilla.Two cocktails for $10 at Fierce Whiskers Distillery.Of note: The first person to complete the passport by visiting and getting a stamp at every restaurant will win the grand prize — a three-course dinner for 10 people at Chef Ling Qi Wu’s restaurant, Qi.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Austin.
Visit Austin's AAPI restaurants with this passport
This Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Austinites can celebrate AAPI culture through a restaurant "passport" system that comes with discounts.Details: The $45 book encourages support of local AAPI-owned businesses.Proceeds support the Austin Asian Community Health Initiative, which aims to improve the health and well-being of Asians in Central Texas.The Family Style Passport, designed by Austin artist Jeremy Hsu, contains more than $350 in discounts from about 30 restaurants.How it works: To participate, order your passport online — which will then be mailed to you.You can use your passport through April 30, 2024.It can only be used when payment is made in person.Zoom in: Deals include —Buy one, get one free at Sazan Ramen.Free kimchi arancini bowls and nutella spring rolls with a $40 purchase at the Peached Tortilla.Two cocktails for $10 at Fierce Whiskers Distillery.Of note: The first person to complete the passport by visiting and getting a stamp at every restaurant will win the grand prize — a three-course dinner for 10 people at Chef Ling Qi Wu’s restaurant, Qi.
Austin voters opt for more police oversight
With police labor negotiations in the balance, Austinites have signaled they want more civilian control of cops.Driving the news: Austin voters overwhelming passed Proposition A, supported by criminal justice reformers, which aims to strengthen civilian oversight in the investigation of police misconduct cases.Meanwhile, voters rejected Proposition B, supported by the police union, which would have limited the powers of the Office of Police Oversight and civilian Community Police Review Commission.Yes, but: Amid the contentious politics of policing, it's not clear Prop A will ever get meaningfully enacted.The intrigue: Texas lawmakers are considering banning civilian entities from investigating officer misconduct.And Prop...
Austin voters opt for more police oversight
With police labor negotiations in the balance, Austinites have signaled they want more civilian control of cops.Driving the news: Austin voters overwhelming passed Proposition A, supported by criminal justice reformers, which aims to strengthen civilian oversight in the investigation of police misconduct cases.Meanwhile, voters rejected Proposition B, supported by the police union, which would have limited the powers of the Office of Police Oversight and civilian Community Police Review Commission.Yes, but: Amid the contentious politics of policing, it's not clear Prop A will ever get meaningfully enacted.The intrigue: Texas lawmakers are considering banning civilian entities from investigating officer misconduct.And Prop...
No Mow May comes with caveats
Your neighborhood may be quieter this month as some homeowners opt into No Mow May, a viral movement that encourages residents to ditch their lawn mowers and let their grass go wild till June.Why it matters: With spring gardening season underway, homeowners are wrestling with personal decisions about how to tackle lawn care, Axios' Jennifer Kingson reports. To mow or not to mow? Irrigate? Fertilize?The "No Mow" and "Low Mow" campaigns aim to make yards more conducive to bees and butterflies — but you might face blowback from your neighbors if you try it out.Homeowner associations have been clamping down...
Things to do this weekend in Austin, May 5-7
It could get into the 90s this Cinco de Mayo weekend, so wear something comfortable.🎼 Head to Cinco para Cinco, with performers Los Alcos, Mala Nota, Adriana Rosso, Miguel St. Michael and Ayo Tamz — plus vintage mall vendors — at the Far Out Lounge, 8504 South Congress Ave., 6pm Friday. $10.🇮🇳 Nosh on popular snacks from India, part of the Austin Public Library's Snack the World series, 3:30-4:30pm Saturday at the Howson library branch, 2500 Exposition Blvd. Free.🛩 Gawk at radio-controlled airplanes at the Ken White Scale and Warbird RC Airshow, at the Austin Radio Control Association at 8705 Lindell Lane, 10am-6pm Saturday. Free.🏟 Cheer the Austin Sol, a men's professional ultimate frisbee team, as they take on the Dallas Legion, 7pm Saturday at The Pitch, 13000 Harris Ridge Blvd. Tickets run $10 for ages 12-17, $15 for adults. Kids under 12 free.🏳️🌈 Listen to the Austin Gay Men's Chorus perform its spring concert, Ascending Colour, at First Baptist Church, 901 Trinity St., 8pm tomorrow and 4pm Sunday. Tickets start at $20.
Four Cinco de Mayo celebrations in Austin
There are plenty of celebrations Friday to mark Cinco de Mayo, or Mexico's defeat of France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.We rounded up four spots to mark the day — from breakfast to margs:1. Joe's Bakery and Coffee Shop Photo: Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesThe iconic local bakery is partnering with the French Legation to host a history lesson on East Austin panaderías and the French connection to Mexican pan dulce through Saturday.Details: Find pink cake, conchas and other sweet bread favorites while enjoying an archival sound installation of Joe's Bakery founder Joe Avila speaking...
Austin cell phone use data point to slow downtown recovery
Data: University of Toronto; Chart: Alice Feng/AxiosCellphone use in downtown Austin is about half of what it was pre-pandemic.The big picture: It's the latest sign of how the core part of the city remains a lighter version of itself, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick and Alice Feng report.Details: The new data is according to anonymized mobile device connectivity data analyzed by researchers at the University of Toronto's School of Cities.Why it matters: Downtowns became ghost towns during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic as people sought to "flatten the curve" by staying at home as much as possible.Even as the pandemic ebbs,...
The view from Texas on the future of community banks
With the recent collapse of at least three banks — Silicon Valley, Signature and First Republic — we checked in with Gabe Krajicek, CEO of Austin-based Kasasa, a community banking service company to ask about the state of play on the local banking level.Kasasa's Austin clients include Capitol Credit Union, Keystone Bank, Austin FCU, Lone Star Capital Bank and Travis County Credit Union.Dallas clients include America's Credit Union, Fannin Bank and Susser Bank.Why bank at a community bank or credit union?"They're going to provide better interest rates in today's environment. Megabanks have benefitted from the flight to safety. But the...
DK Sushi serves Austin for more than three decades
Take a trip to DK Sushi, a local staple for more than 30 years.Why it matters: Longtime Austinites know the pure, mouth-watering delight of walking through the doors of DK Sushi, and new residents should add it to their list.State of play: The unassuming Japanese and Korean restaurant — part of a low-slung strip mall with a liquor store and tattoo parlor — was the brainchild of the late DK Lee.Lee, who died in October, moved to Austin in the mid-1970s and set up shop on South First Street in 1991.He opened the second location in Brentwood on North Lamar...
IBM will move to new Domain building by 2027
IBM will move its Austin workforce into a new, 500,000-square-foot office development in North Austin by 2027, the company is announcing today.Why it matters: The announcement comes two days after CEO Arvind Krishna's acknowledgement that IBM plans to replace jobs with AI and as tech industry downsizing has led companies to pull back on leasing office spaces.Driving the news: Construction for the new project at 11901 N. MoPac Expressway is expected to begin later this year, featuring two 14-story interconnected towers that include eight stories of parking.IBM will occupy one full tower, plus two floors in the adjacent tower.The development...
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Axios Austin, anchored by Nicole Cobler and Asher Price, is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.
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