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Axios Austin
See which athletes from Austin are headed to the Paris Olymics
At least three athletes will represent Central Texas in Paris later this summer.Why it matters: The Olympics are all about discovering rooting interests in sports you watch only every four years, and beyond all the flag-waving, it's fun to root for a hometown hero.Driving the news: The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee announced the 592-member Olympic team this week.The Paralympic team will be announced later, after the Paralympic trials finish.Zoom in: The team includes 25-year-old Alison Gibson (diving), who grew up home-schooled in Austin and graduated from the University of Texas — and also competed in the 2020 Olympics.24-year-old Kate...
Where to get Austin's arguably best empanadas
Always on the lookout for really good, unpretentious eating — and easy parking — we recently stopped by the new Little Patagonia, by 29th and Guadalupe. Why it matters: Argentina faces Colombia in the Copa América final on Sunday at 7pm, and if you want the immersive experience of rooting for Lionel Messi while dining on food he himself might enjoy, this is the place for you.The scene: Nifty rustic, with butcher-block style tables sharing space with sleek chrome empanada displays and a couple of televisions perfect for watching a game.Little Patagonia shares a lot with the now-shuttered Flamingos Vintage, so we're calling it a mini-strip-mall, and thus confirming our theory that joint parking lots oddly correlate with yummy eats.What we ate: Beautifully flaky, scrumptious empanadas (they run from $3.20 to $3.95 apiece) — a minced lamb with sautéed onions and a tuna with green olives, onions and hard-boiled eggs were our favorites.The queen of the meal was the choripan, a chewy chorizo sausage sandwich ($13) served with tangy chimichurri sauce in a crisp baguette roll.Six-word review: Root for Messi while stuffing face.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Austin.
University of Texas football heads to the SEC
With its move to the Southeastern Conference, Texas football is about to get even bigger.Why it matters: The move catapults the already storied Texas program into one of the wealthiest, most visible athletic conferences in the country, with consequences for the university's profile and its ability to rake in television money and alumni donations.It also rekindles rivalries with historic foes Texas A&M (Nov. 30) and Arkansas (Nov. 16), which previously shared conferences with Texas.Texas nemesis Oklahoma is also making the move, maintaining the Red River showdown (Oct. 12).The big picture: The move, years in the making, aligns Texas with the...
Things to do in Austin this weekend, July 11-14
Here's what we're eyeing for some weekend fun.🎸 Check out Kingdom Collapse at Spiderhouse Ballroom, Friday at 6:30pm. Tickets start at $20.🦄 Take your kids to a magical wonderland at Unicorn World on Saturday and Sunday. $32 for kids and adults.🎶 Get nostalgic at the New Kids on the Block concert, featuring Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff. 7pm Friday at the Germania Insurance Ampitheater. General admission starts at $25.🎻 Catch the final nights of the Austin Chamber Music Festival, with classical music performances Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets start at $25.👟 Cut loose at the Hill Country Galleria's opening weekend of "Footloose: The Musical" with performances every Wednesday through Saturday at 8pm through Aug. 10. Free.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Austin.
Austin apartments remain on the small side
Austin's apartments remain the smallest in Texas, despite their average size increasing over the last decade.Why it matters: Developers nationwide are catering to people who want more space while they postpone house purchases or work from home, according to a recent report from rental listing website RentCafe.By the numbers: The average size of an Austin apartment built between 2014 and 2023 is 883 square feet, per RentCafe.That's 29 square feet more than those built prior to 2014 — or enough room to add a full-sized bed to your apartment.Yes, but: Apartments under construction in Austin will be smaller than what's...
Vote for the top Texas attraction: Big Bend or the Alamo
Perhaps no two places exemplify the idea of Texas more than the Alamo and Big Bend.Why it matters: Axios Texas readers have voted those two destinations as the state's top two attractions. Now it's up to you to determine our No. 1 attraction.Vote by 2pm Thursday and we'll announce the winner Friday.The big picture: Big Bend National Park, 800,000 acres of rugged beauty, squares off against the Alamo, the site of a world-famous battle that saw 189 Texans perish and became a symbol of Texas independence.Tale of the tape: Big Bend — where the Rio Grande carves deep canyons and a mountain range rises above the desert — is home to sea fossils, dinosaur bones and a dizzying array of species. And it's about the only place in the state where you can't get a cellphone signal. The Alamo was built in 1718 as a Spanish mission, but its significance is imbued by the fateful battle in 1836. The area around the Alamo is undergoing a massive renovation to improve the visitor experience.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Austin.
Austin heat waves are longer
New data shows the upward march of heat waves in the U.S.The big picture: The EPA info, part of a wider new report on climate metrics, shows heat trends in the 50 largest U.S. metro areas.Heat waves are becoming longer, more frequent and more intense.Zoom in: Often defined as "a persistent period of unusually hot days," our Austin heat waves last two more days, on average, than in the 1960s. How it works: EPA tracked events of two or more consecutive days when daily, humidity-adjusted temps topped the 85th percentile of historical July-August temps in 1981-2010.The bottom line: "Heat waves are more than just uncomfortable," the EPA authors write, "they can lead to illness and death," as well as damaging crops and increasing wildlife risk. "Unusually hot days and heat wave events are a natural part of day-to-day variation in weather. As the Earth's climate warms, however, hotter-than-usual days and nights are becoming more common," they observe.Full EPA analysisGet more local stories in your inbox with Axios Austin.
Vote in our Final Four for the top attraction in Texas
The largest national park in Texas dominated in our Elite Eight matchups of top Lone Star State attractions, easily gliding past another hiking haven closer to home: Enchanted Rock.But will the rugged isolation of Big Bend hold up against Fredericksburg’s allure of antique shops, German cuisine and Hill Country wine?What's next: That's where you come in. Help us determine Texas' top attraction by voting in our Final Four by 2pm Wednesday.Zoom in: Our second matchup pairs the emblem of Texas independence in the heart of San Antonio with the spring-fed pool known as the soul of Austin.Both tout rich histories: the Alamo was built more than 300 years ago as a Spanish mission; Barton Springs was considered sacred by the Tonkawa and Comanche and has been a public pool for more than a century.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Austin.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson reports huge haul in re-election campaign
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson is cementing his front-runner status in his re-election bid with an impressive campaign cash haul and a vast set of endorsements.Why it matters: Money buys yard signs, campaign staff and television and radio ads, and in a citywide race, name ID is critical.Having served as mayor in the late 1990s and Austin's state senator for 13 years, Watson is already a known quantity among dedicated Travis County voters, but with Austin mayoral elections now coming in presidential years, candidates need to acquaint themselves with the wider electorate that will turn out to the polls.By the numbers:...
Joe Biden to visit LBJ Library to mark Civil Rights Act anniversary
Amid intense coverage of his campaign's fate, President Biden is scheduled to visit Austin next week.Why it matters: By the time Biden visits Austin, he may very well have pulled out of the race — or he may have doubled down in his re-election effort.Driving the news: Biden will deliver the keynote Monday at the LBJ Presidential Library's commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, signed into law by President Johnson in July 1964.What they're saying: "It is fitting that he returns to the library to mark this milestone as our 46th president whose administration is committed...
Vote in round 2 of our top Texas attractions bracket
Round 2 of our top Texas attraction bracket features the ultimate Alamo City showdown, and some other intriguing matchups.The shrine of Texas independence squares off against the nearby historic walking path through the heart of San Antonio.The big picture: Pick your favorite way to cool off: a dip in the cold waters of Austin’s favorite swimming hole or a day at the state’s No. 1 water park.Wine-fueled antiquing or wave-jumping at the tip of Texas?Texas’ largest granite dome or largest desert refuge?What’s next: Vote in our March Madness-esque bracket by 2pm today and you'll help determine the final four.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Austin.
Vote in round 2 of our top Texas attractions bracket
Round 2 of our top Texas attraction bracket features the ultimate Alamo City showdown, and some other intriguing matchups.The shrine of Texas independence squares off against the nearby historic walking path through the heart of San Antonio.The big picture: Pick your favorite way to cool off: a dip in the cold waters of Austin’s favorite swimming hole or a day at the state’s No. 1 water park.Wine-fueled antiquing or wave-jumping at the tip of Texas?Texas’ largest granite dome or largest desert refuge?What’s next: Vote in our March Madness-esque bracket by 2pm today and you'll help determine the final four.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Austin.
Even as Beryl pummeled Houston, Austin remained relatively dry
Even as Hurricane Beryl pummeled Houston and East Texas, greater Austin went unscathed.Why it matters: Beryl left more than 2 million Texans without power as it plowed a path of destroyed homes and drowned vehicles.Winds topped out at 92 mph as the Category 1 hurricane crashed ashore Monday morning and moved directly over Houston.Threat level: The prospects of thunderstorms in Austin top out at 20% every day this week, per federal forecasters.The storm is projected to move northeast as it heads inland in coming days.What they're saying: "Minimal impacts are expected across the Hill Country and the Austin/Interstate 35 corridor,"...
Vote for top Texas attractions
Texas' premier water park vs. Texas' premier amusement park. A trendy high desert escape vs. miles of sandy beaches. Texas' top attractions are about to face off bracket-style.And you get to pick the winners.The big picture: We want to crown the top Texas attraction. So we're doing a March Madness-esque bracket featuring 16 of our biggest draws, from an iconic Austin swimming hole to history-changing spots in San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston. Readers from all four of Axios' Texas newsletters will participate.By the end of the week, we'll have a champion.What's next: Vote for your favorites here by 2pm Monday.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Austin.
Things to do in Austin this weekend
Here's what's on deck for the rest of your weekend.🚂 Check out hundreds of Lego creations at Brick Rodeo, Friday through Sunday at the Renaissance Austin Hotel.🎵 Listen to Sarah McLachlan on her "Fumbling Towards Ecstasy" tour Friday at the Moody Amphitheater. Tickets start at $33.🪩 Dance to your favorite artist's favorite artist at The Ballroom on Friday at 10:30pm, featuring music from Chappell Roan, boygenius, Reneé Rapp, and more. Tickets start at $15.🏓 Compete in East Side Pies' monthly ping pong tournament from 1:30pm to 4pm on Sunday with a full afternoon of matches for all skill levels. Free entry.🎨 Experience the culture of lowriding at the Bullock Museum with free admission Sunday to the "Carros y Cultura: Lowriding Legacies in Texas" special exhibition. Family-friendly activities run from 10am to 2pm.🦈 Lean into summer with a screening of "Jaws" at the Paramount's annual summer classic film series on Sunday. Tickets are $12, and the show starts at 3pm.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Austin.
Where to watch fireworks in Austin
Austin's premier Fourth of July event — the Austin Symphony Orchestra's concert and fireworks celebration — kicks off at 4pm tomorrow at Auditorium Shores.State of play: The free, family-friendly event includes musical acts from 5pm to 8pm.The orchestra performs at 8:45pm, and fireworks begin at 9:30pm to close out the night.Yes, but: There are plenty of other fireworks shows and events in the Austin area tomorrow.Pflugerville's "Red, White and Boom" show begins at 9pm from the field next to the Typhoon Texas waterpark.Hill Country Galleria's festival runs from 4pm to 10pm in Bee Cave, featuring live music, water games, face painting, and a fireworks show.Round Rock's parade begins at 8:30am, and the day continues with pepper-eating contests, pig races, music, and fireworks at Old Settlers Park.Taylor's festival begins with a parade at 9am. Events continue around town throughout the day, concluding with a sunset fireworks show at Bull Branch Park.Buda's "Red, White and Buda" event kicks off with a bike parade at 9am and festivities continue from 4pm to 10pm.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Austin.
City rakes in parking fees on South Congress
The conversion of the trendy South Congress strip to paid parking has led to more than $1 million in revenue for the city in its first nine months of operation, per data obtained by Axios through state open records laws.Why it matters: As Austin continues to expand paid parking outside of downtown, the city is collecting more money from those parking spots for pedestrian projects and other improvements.Flashback: The city introduced paid parking in the area last fall as part of a broader solution to the area's parking challenges, which included merchants complaining that spots weren't opening fast enough for...
Construction begins on Longhorn Dam pedestrian-bike bridge in East Austin
Construction kicks off Monday on a key bridge across East Austin.Why it matters: Expect detours and traffic as the city remakes Longhorn Dam on the eastern end of Lady Bird Lake.Catch up quick: That part of the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail has long made for a nervy crossing point for pedestrians and cyclists — and it's been a high crash area for drivers to boot.The new "wishbone"-shaped pedestrian-and-bicycle bridge will span just under a half-mile with connections to the hike-and-bike trail.The project also will update the pedestrian underpass running underneath South Pleasant Valley Road, adding lights...
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