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Axios Austin
University of Texas diversity tactic in jeopardy
A key component of how the University of Texas aims to attract a diverse student body could soon be undone. Many applicants to the state's flagship university in Austin receive a so-called holistic review that takes race and ethnicity into account — along with grades, essays, language spoken at home, leadership qualities and standardized-test scores.
The secret reason UT adopted standardized tests
Preparing for a post-affirmative-action world, colleges are now revisiting longstanding hallmarks of the admissions process as they try to figure out how to attract a diverse student body. Between the lines: High school students applying to the University of Texas are now "encouraged to submit SAT/ACT scores, but it is...
Few Green Book sites remain in Austin
A former restaurant, hotel and several homes were once listed in "The Negro Motorist Green Book" guides as safe places for Black travelers to visit while passing through Austin. As Black History Month concludes, we took a look at what's become of those sites as the city transforms. State of...
Austin FC kicks off third season
Just three months after Austin FC played in the Western Conference Finals — making it to the Final Four of Major League Soccer — the team will kick off its third season on Saturday at Q2 Stadium. Driving the news: The Verde and Black play expansion team St....
Austin FC worth over $680M
Austin FC will open 2023 as one of the highest-valued MLS teams in the country, per Forbes' latest valuation figures. Why it matters: In just its third season, Austin FC is a booming enterprise with big brand loyalty. Renewal rate among season ticket holders ahead of this season was 97%.
Where to eat and drink before an Austin FC game
Q2 Stadium is within walking distance of five breweries, each with food trucks offering tacos (and a few other things). Why it matters: It's less fun watching soccer on an empty stomach. Details: Our favorite taco-beer combo is at Celis Brewery, located southeast of the stadium. Head to the food...
Basketball of the future built near Austin
A prototype basketball that could revolutionize the sport and featured in last weekend's NBA All-Star dunk contest was built in Pflugerville.Driving the news: The 3D Airless Prototype Basketball, designed by Wilson Sporting Goods Co., was made just north of Austin, at the lab of 3D printing company EOS.The ball looks like a giant black Wiffle ball.Houston Rockets star K.J. Martin used the ball in the contest — but didn't win.Why it matters: Basketball pickup players everywhere could soon avoid annoying pre-game conversations about which ball has the right amount of air.What they're saying: "The quality control was mind-blowing," Jon Walker,...
Austin tech leaders top 2022 gift-giving list
Three locals made The Philanthropy 50, an analysis of the biggest donors in 2022 by the Chronicle of Philanthropy. How it works: The annual report is based on gifts and pledges of cash, stock, land and real estate to nonprofit organizations. The Chronicle spoke with nonprofits, philanthropists and their representatives...
What to know about the new Lake Austin H-E-B
It'd be easy to spend an entire day inside H-E-B's new Lake Austin location. The big picture: The highly anticipated, 97,000-square-foot store at 2652 Lake Austin Blvd. opened last week and offers a True Texas BBQ restaurant, South Flo Pizza, Lake Austin's Coffee Spot and underground parking. It's everything Texans...
Five things to do this weekend in Austin
It's another busy weekend in Austinlandia. 🎉 Celebrate Black History Month from 10am-3pm Saturday at the Buda Amphitheater and City Park, with arts and crafts, food trucks, guest speakers, music, dance, poetry and more.🏃♀️ Cheer on Austin Marathon runners at The Morning Jo's Run Club watch party beginning at 7am Sunday, featuring sign making and coffee at Jo's South Congress, Jo's Red River and Downtown Jo's. Check Jo's website for details at each location.Of note: The race closes roads throughout town from Friday morning to Sunday. Event is free but RSVP is required to attend.🪘 Join Jean-Claude Lessou at the Long Center for a West African dance class with live drumming from local percussionists Saturday at 11am. No experience required. Suggested donation of $20.🎥 Spend the weekend at The Vortex Theater's OUTsider Fest, featuring an LGBTQ+ film showcase, performance art, music, visual art and more through Sunday. Tickets start at $70.🚶♀️ Take a walk and meet new friends at SweatPals' Hot Pals Walk at 10am Saturday starting at ZIKI on 102 W. Third Street.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Austin.
Austin's weekend lineup for Feb. 17-20
It's another busy weekend in Austinlandia. 🎉 Celebrate Black History Month from 10am-3pm Saturday at the Buda Amphitheater and City Park, with arts and crafts, food trucks, guest speakers, music, dance, poetry and more. 🏃♀️ Cheer on Austin Marathon runners at The Morning Jo's Run Club watch party beginning...
Songbird's fried chicken is among Austin's best
I recently swung by Meanwhile Brewing to try Songbird, a chicken sandwich food truck that opened this month at the popular Southeast Austin brewery.🤤 The big picture: You'll find a menu full of juicy chicken sandwiches, salads, bowls, sweet bites and so much Texas toast.On a recent week night, the truck had a steady stream of customers.Details: The food truck concept is operated by Chef Joshua van den Berg, winner of Food Network's "Chopped," and formerly of Michelin-starred Manhattan restaurant Aldea and Austin's Sushi Bar ATX.Songbird joins a stacked roster of food trucks at the brewery, including Side Eye Pie,...
Austin food truck find: Songbird
I recently swung by Meanwhile Brewing to try Songbird, a chicken sandwich food truck that opened this month at the popular Southeast Austin brewery. 🤤 The big picture: You'll find a menu full of juicy chicken sandwiches, salads, bowls, sweet bites and so much Texas toast. On a recent...
Gov. Greg Abbott sets legislative priorities, calls for 'education freedom'
Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday evening outlined seven priorities for the Texas Legislature — an agenda focused on school vouchers, property tax relief, ending COVID-19 restrictions and other red meat items. Why it matters: The governor designated the issues as emergency items, allowing lawmakers to fast-track bills addressing the priorities during the 140-day legislative session.The big picture: Abbott narrowed in on schools, which have become ground zero in the culture wars.The governor said lawmakers should use state-funded education savings accounts to create a voucher system, which would allow parents to use public money for private school tuition, in the name...
Gov. Abbott makes "education freedom" a priority
Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday evening outlined seven priorities for the Texas Legislature — an agenda focused on school vouchers, property tax relief, ending COVID-19 restrictions and other red meat items. Why it matters: The governor designated the issues as emergency items, allowing lawmakers to fast-track bills addressing the...
Austin-Bergstrom's on-time departures dip
Data: BTS; Chart: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosAustin-Bergstrom International Airport saw a dip in the number of on-time departures in November from the previous month, according to the latest Bureau of Transportation Statistics data.By the numbers: 76.5% of domestic flights from Austin's airport departed on time in November 2022, per the data, down from 82% in October.That's compared to the national rate of 81%.Why it matters: 2022 was a record-breaking year for ABIA, and on-time departures give a window into how the airport is managing that growth.Passenger traffic surpassed 1.8 million in November, up 16% compared to November 2021.State of play: At the...
Finding safety, friendship at ATX Hot Girl Walk
It's been nearly six months since Austin newcomer Maddie Scales organized her first Hot Girl Walk on the Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail.Now — 21 walks later — the group is still going strong, and Scales has seen as many as 45 women show up for the weekly walk on Wednesdays at 6:30pm.Catch up quick: The Hot Girl Walk, coined by Mia Lind on TikTok in 2021, quickly became a popular form of exercise, especially among Gen Z and millennials. A hot girl walk typically consists of a 3- to 4-mile walk, with a few essentials — think curated playlist and earbuds...
Vote for Austin in the Axios pizza bracket
Data: Axios survey; Bracket: Jacque Schrag/AxiosWe're coming for you, California Pizza Kitchen. What's happening: Austin edged out Seattle in the latest round of the Axios pizza tournament to make it to the Elite Ate.In the previous round, we shredded San Antonio like Parmesan. Who's next: San Francisco. Finally, a formidable opponent. Why it matters: Axios readers in the winning city will get a pizza party!What they're saying: Last year we asked you for your favorite pizza places in Austin.Via 313, Home Slice and Pieous all ranked right up there. The bottom line: Stuff that ballot box. Cast your vote here by 3pm today. Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Austin.
We tested ChatGPT's Colorado knowledge. Here's how it did.
ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence chatbot that launched late last year, is poised to transform how we learn, work and live.But it's also breaking the Internet because, to be honest, it's pretty fun!Zoom out: ChatGPT is a free site that lets users pose questions and give directions to a bot. It's trained to respond with term papers, sonnets, recipes — almost anything.The tech has already proved to be much more advanced than many in the tech industry had expected, Axios' Erica Pandey, Dan Primack and Ina Fried report.Inspired by our colleagues at Axios San Antonio, we decided to test the chatbot's...
A North Austin strip mall is home to excellent Middle Eastern fare
I recently stopped by Usta Kababgy, a halal Middle Eastern spot between Sportskingdom Plus and Action Pawn in the Northgate Shopping Center, at North Lamar Boulevard and West Rundberg Lane.It's a classic strip mall joint, one whose hominess belies the wide, uncharming parking lot that serves as its front porch.Contemporary Iraqi music is on the playlist at the roughly decade-old restaurant, which has large photos of mosques overlooking comfortable booths — a screen separates the dining room from a prayer area.What we ate: The baba ghanoush, the Adana kebab platter, a chicken shawarma wrap and a side of falafel.Everything was...
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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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