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Residents say self-driving car killed duck in Mueller

The company has temporarily paused testing on roads near the lake.

News

Autonomous vehicle company <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Avride" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/12/03/uber-autonomous-vehicles-dallas-avride" data-vars-content-id="49456d43-da7e-42ce-b5fb-37c95ce33b93" data-vars-headline="Residents say self-driving car killed duck in Mueller" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/12/03/uber-autonomous-vehicles-dallas-avride" target="_self">Avride</a> is facing backlash after a resident said one of its cars struck and killed a duck near Mueller Lake Park on Tuesday.Why it matters: The incident <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reinforces concerns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/09/austin-shooting-puts-spotlight-on-waymo" data-vars-content-id="49456d43-da7e-42ce-b5fb-37c95ce33b93" data-vars-headline="Residents say self-driving car killed duck in Mueller" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/09/austin-shooting-puts-spotlight-on-waymo" target="_self">reinforces concerns</a> about whether autonomous vehicles can safely navigate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="complex, real-world environments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/02/waymo-vehicle-blocks-ems-austin-mass-shooting" data-vars-content-id="49456d43-da7e-42ce-b5fb-37c95ce33b93" data-vars-headline="Residents say self-driving car killed duck in Mueller" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/02/waymo-vehicle-blocks-ems-austin-mass-shooting" target="_self">complex, real-world environments</a> — especially as they operate in pedestrian-heavy areas with pets and wildlife.

Austin exploring mask ban for law enforcement

"No More Secret Police," says an Austin city council memo.

Targeting mask-wearing by federal immigration agents, Austin city officials are considering banning facial coverings among all law enforcement.Why it matters: Austin could soon join a host of cities and states that are prohibiting the coverings, as part of a wider clash between federal and local governments over policing, privacy and civil rights.

Texas women's hoops riding "off the chart" chemistry to Final Four

Led by Madison Booker and Rori Harmon, the Longhorns are looking to win a national championship.

The University of Texas <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="women&#x27;s basketball team" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/26/texas-basketball-ncaa-tournament" data-vars-content-id="5ab01d55-8c66-43d1-9ef3-0db4c0e6ea20" data-vars-headline="Texas women&#x27;s hoops riding &quot;off the chart&quot; chemistry to Final Four" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/26/texas-basketball-ncaa-tournament" target="_self">women&#x27;s basketball team</a> is playing in its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="second consecutive Final Four" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/02/12/texas-womens-basketball-madison-booker" data-vars-content-id="5ab01d55-8c66-43d1-9ef3-0db4c0e6ea20" data-vars-headline="Texas women&#x27;s hoops riding &quot;off the chart&quot; chemistry to Final Four" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/02/12/texas-womens-basketball-madison-booker" target="_self">second consecutive Final Four</a> — but this year, they&#x27;ve arrived in dominating fashion.Why it matters: After winning their four tournament games by an average of 35.5 points, the 35-3 Longhorns are two victories away from nabbing their first championship since 1986.

It's hard to track how much NIL cash student-athletes are making

An agency tracking them refuses to give breakdowns by school and sport.

Sports

Even as player sponsorship deals are remaking the college athletics landscape, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tracking the money" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/01/12/university-of-texas-releases-nil-contract" data-vars-content-id="0f0bcd74-3de2-4b80-9957-c9bc84ae6fc9" data-vars-headline="It&#x27;s hard to track how much NIL cash student-athletes are making" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/01/12/university-of-texas-releases-nil-contract" target="_self">tracking the money</a> at play is increasingly challenging.Why it matters: Student-athletes are now able to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="make a buck" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/10/10/university-texas-football-nil-deals-longhorns" data-vars-content-id="0f0bcd74-3de2-4b80-9957-c9bc84ae6fc9" data-vars-headline="It&#x27;s hard to track how much NIL cash student-athletes are making" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/10/10/university-texas-football-nil-deals-longhorns" target="_self">make a buck</a> — or several million — off their name, image and likeness, but knowing how much they&#x27;re making and where it comes from appears more opaque than ever.

Austin AI startup Circuit raises $30M in major angel round

Circuit's AI software turns technical manuals and other documentation into step-by-step workflows.

Austin-based <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Circuit" data-vars-click-url="https://circuit.ai/" data-vars-content-id="6506fbe2-bebc-4634-a18d-0884911c622a" data-vars-headline="Austin AI startup Circuit raises $30M in major angel round" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://circuit.ai/" target="_blank">Circuit</a>, an AI startup co-founded by former <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Silicon Labs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/04/texas-instruments-silicon-labs-merger" data-vars-content-id="6506fbe2-bebc-4634-a18d-0884911c622a" data-vars-headline="Austin AI startup Circuit raises $30M in major angel round" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/04/texas-instruments-silicon-labs-merger" target="_self">Silicon Labs</a> CEO Tyson Tuttle, raised $30 million from angel investors to build an AI software for manufacturing and service operations.Why it matters: It&#x27;s one of Texas&#x27; largest angel rounds — an early-stage phase where individual investors pitch in — and a bet that AI can help manufacturers capture and scale institutional knowledge.

Austin homeowners are staying put

Austin is seeing the longest homeowner tenure in at least 20 years.

Real Estate

Austin-area homeowners are staying in their houses for the longest time in at least 20 years, largely thanks to their low <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mortgage rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/07/19/texas-housing-supply-mortgages" data-vars-content-id="5e950bd0-a4e6-4840-838b-b714002c42b2" data-vars-headline="Austin homeowners are staying put" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/07/19/texas-housing-supply-mortgages" target="_self">mortgage rates</a>, data shows.Why it matters: That — along with still-high home prices and tight inventory — has kept the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026" data-vars-content-id="5e950bd0-a4e6-4840-838b-b714002c42b2" data-vars-headline="Austin homeowners are staying put" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026" target="_self">housing market</a> on ice, though it may be thawing.

New romance bookstore opens in East Austin

Finney's Books opened in December, shortly after the release of "Heated Rivalry."

Finney&#x27;s Books, a new romance bookstore in East Austin, is riding a wave of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reader enthusiasm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/03/07/hot-romance-novel-recs-houston-romance-bookstore" data-vars-content-id="ace01b72-38e0-41d7-b205-910434bffc5d" data-vars-headline="New romance bookstore opens in East Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/03/07/hot-romance-novel-recs-houston-romance-bookstore" target="_self">reader enthusiasm</a> for genre-specific spaces.Why it matters: Romance is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="having a moment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/02/10/romance-bookstores-book-clubs-romantasy" data-vars-content-id="ace01b72-38e0-41d7-b205-910434bffc5d" data-vars-headline="New romance bookstore opens in East Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/02/10/romance-bookstores-book-clubs-romantasy" target="_self">having a moment</a>. Niche bookstores like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Finney&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.finneysbooks.com/about" data-vars-content-id="ace01b72-38e0-41d7-b205-910434bffc5d" data-vars-headline="New romance bookstore opens in East Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.finneysbooks.com/about" target="_blank">Finney&#x27;s</a> are popping up across the country, and screen <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="adaptations have helped sales" data-vars-click-url="https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2023/07/10/2701952/0/en/From-Laggard-to-Leader-Record-Sales-of-Romance-Books-Reflect-Next-Generation-of-Contemporary-Readers.html" data-vars-content-id="ace01b72-38e0-41d7-b205-910434bffc5d" data-vars-headline="New romance bookstore opens in East Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2023/07/10/2701952/0/en/From-Laggard-to-Leader-Record-Sales-of-Romance-Books-Reflect-Next-Generation-of-Contemporary-Readers.html" target="_blank">adaptations have helped sales</a> of romance novels climb.

Austin's independent venues feel the squeeze

Even with their outsized economic and cultural impact, it's a tough time for indie music venues.

Austin&#x27;s independently owned venues anchor its music scene, but rising insurance costs and rents have many operators focused on survival over success.Why it matters: Independent venues aren&#x27;t just cultural touchstones that develop artists and support the city&#x27;s major festivals. They&#x27;re economic engines that underpin a multibillion-dollar state industry and Austin&#x27;s tourism economy.

The fate of Texas renewables is in jeopardy

The Trump administration is eliminating key tax credits.

Texas&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="renewable energy industry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/06/solar-power-generation-texas" data-vars-content-id="d24a2da4-c933-4d5e-a65d-f51f8931e324" data-vars-headline="The fate of Texas renewables is in jeopardy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/06/solar-power-generation-texas" target="_self">renewable energy industry</a> is bracing for a hit in the new year as the Trump administration is ending key tax credits.Why it matters: Wind and solar power are relatively speedy ways to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="add electricity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/08/04/wind-farm-upgrades-ai-energy-demand" data-vars-content-id="d24a2da4-c933-4d5e-a65d-f51f8931e324" data-vars-headline="The fate of Texas renewables is in jeopardy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/08/04/wind-farm-upgrades-ai-energy-demand" target="_self">add electricity</a> to the grid as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="demand rises" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/06/27/texas-energy-demand-record-data-center-ercot" data-vars-content-id="d24a2da4-c933-4d5e-a65d-f51f8931e324" data-vars-headline="The fate of Texas renewables is in jeopardy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/06/27/texas-energy-demand-record-data-center-ercot" target="_self">demand rises</a> — and they helped stave off power shortages in Texas during the summer.

Behind BlackRock's Texas revival

BlackRock got off the Texas naughty list with a full-court marketing and lobbying press.

No longer <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="blocked from doing business" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/08/25/texas-bans-blackrock-ubs-esg-backlash" data-vars-content-id="017d13cf-5c25-4a1f-9d8d-7d0634e0829f" data-vars-headline="Behind BlackRock&#x27;s Texas revival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/08/25/texas-bans-blackrock-ubs-esg-backlash" target="_self">blocked from doing business</a> with the state of Texas, the New York-based investment firm BlackRock is making a big marketing push in the Lone Star State.Why it matters: Billions of dollars are in play as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="BlackRock" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/08/blackrock-strikes-back-at-esg-critics" data-vars-content-id="017d13cf-5c25-4a1f-9d8d-7d0634e0829f" data-vars-headline="Behind BlackRock&#x27;s Texas revival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/08/blackrock-strikes-back-at-esg-critics" target="_self">BlackRock</a> seeks to woo institutional and individual investors.

Vintage gowns are getting a second life in latest bridal trend

Couples are embracing vintage elements and repurposing vintage gowns from family members.

Business

A growing number of brides are repurposing their mothers&#x27; wedding gowns for their own special day.Why it matters: As the costs of weddings <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="continue to climb" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/19/wedding-costs-tariffs-prices" data-vars-content-id="1e4e49fc-8641-4b5f-8527-c77f764cbb2e" data-vars-headline="Vintage gowns are getting a second life in latest bridal trend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/19/wedding-costs-tariffs-prices" target="_self">continue to climb</a>, the trend is another way couples are blending sustainability with sentimentality.

How Poppi's Allison Ellsworth spends her ideal Austin day

She likes the banana bread at Two Hands on South Congress.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Allison Ellsworth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/30/poppi-founder-allison-ellsworth-tiktok-brand" data-vars-content-id="f334c316-0d4b-4eea-83cb-98eb51ea1bdc" data-vars-headline="How Poppi&#x27;s Allison Ellsworth spends her ideal Austin day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/30/poppi-founder-allison-ellsworth-tiktok-brand" target="_self">Allison Ellsworth</a>, co-founder of Austin-based prebiotic soda maker Poppi, will be the first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="former Shark Tank contestant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/poppi-founder-allison-ellsworth/" data-vars-content-id="f334c316-0d4b-4eea-83cb-98eb51ea1bdc" data-vars-headline="How Poppi&#x27;s Allison Ellsworth spends her ideal Austin day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/poppi-founder-allison-ellsworth/" target="_blank">former Shark Tank contestant</a> to appear as a guest shark on Wednesday.<ul><li>We caught up with her recently at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Clover x Shark Tank Summit" data-vars-click-url="https://investors.fiserv.com/newsroom/detail/2827/clover-sony-pictures-television-announce-first-of-its-kind-partnership-to-champion-small-businesses-with-the-inaugural-clover-x-shark-tank-summit" data-vars-content-id="f334c316-0d4b-4eea-83cb-98eb51ea1bdc" data-vars-headline="How Poppi&#x27;s Allison Ellsworth spends her ideal Austin day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://investors.fiserv.com/newsroom/detail/2827/clover-sony-pictures-television-announce-first-of-its-kind-partnership-to-champion-small-businesses-with-the-inaugural-clover-x-shark-tank-summit" target="_blank">Clover x Shark Tank Summit</a> in Las Vegas.</li></ul>

How Dubai chocolate has upended the cookie market

Tiff's Treats is awaiting more pistachio cream from Italy before resuming production of its latest cookie.

The Dubai chocolate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="craze" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/05/27/dip-and-happy-review-dubai-chocolate-waffles-macchiato" data-vars-content-id="5e5cd58e-14e8-492a-a0e3-e68c9e2c5cf1" data-vars-headline="How Dubai chocolate has upended the cookie market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/05/27/dip-and-happy-review-dubai-chocolate-waffles-macchiato" target="_self">craze</a> has now infiltrated the cookie market.Why it matters: After Austin-based cookie purveyor <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tiff&#x27;s Treats" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/05/08/tiffs-treats-gold-bars-cookies" data-vars-content-id="5e5cd58e-14e8-492a-a0e3-e68c9e2c5cf1" data-vars-headline="How Dubai chocolate has upended the cookie market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/05/08/tiffs-treats-gold-bars-cookies" target="_self">Tiff&#x27;s Treats</a> unveiled its Dubai chocolate flavor in early September, supplies that were supposed to last one to two months ran out in some locations in only a few days.

5 questions with Poncho's Clay Spencer

Poncho and Lone Star Beer teamed up to release limited-edition merch.

University of Texas grad Clay Spencer launched Poncho in 2018 with a simple idea: Make a better fishing shirt.Zoom in: Unlike other brands at the time, Spencer&#x27;s original <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="performance shirts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ponchooutdoors.com/collections/original" data-vars-content-id="1fb1b022-a72a-4f34-8208-01ce3c82f91d" data-vars-headline="5 questions with Poncho&#x27;s Clay Spencer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ponchooutdoors.com/collections/original" target="_blank">performance shirts</a> offered different-sized fits while still making them moisture-wicking, light and offering sun protection.

😬 Brace for pricier flights

Brace for pricier Houston flights — and how to find deals

A line chart showing average homeowner tenure in the Austin metro area compared to the U.S. overall. Tenure is the time between the most recent and previous sale dates of a home. Nationally, average tenure has risen from 3.7 years in Q1 2005 to 8.6 years in Q4 2025. In Austin, average tenure has risen from 2.7 years to 7.6 years over the same period.

Business 🏦

Brace for pricier Houston flights — and how to find deals

Austin AI startup Circuit raises $30M in major angel round

Austin homeowners are staying put

New romance bookstore opens in East Austin

Austin's independent venues feel the squeeze