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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.

Icon to sell its 3D-printing robots to builders

Icon has rapidly expanded its footprint in Central Texas in recent years.

Icon, the Austin-based <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="3D-printing construction company," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/12/11/icon-unveils-lakefront-3d-printed-homes" data-vars-content-id="92c68e09-5977-4307-8efc-ae1fa26cba54" data-vars-headline="Icon to sell its 3D-printing robots to builders" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/12/11/icon-unveils-lakefront-3d-printed-homes" target="_self">3D-printing construction company,</a> is selling its technology to other builders for the first time, allowing them to operate the company&#x27;s latest robotic building system.Why it matters: The country is facing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing shortage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/10/real-estate-congress-housing-act" data-vars-content-id="92c68e09-5977-4307-8efc-ae1fa26cba54" data-vars-headline="Icon to sell its 3D-printing robots to builders" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/10/real-estate-congress-housing-act" target="_self">housing shortage</a> coupled with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high construction costs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/01/trump-tariff-exclusions-construction-housing-affordability" data-vars-content-id="92c68e09-5977-4307-8efc-ae1fa26cba54" data-vars-headline="Icon to sell its 3D-printing robots to builders" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/01/trump-tariff-exclusions-construction-housing-affordability" target="_self">high construction costs</a>, and Icon is betting that automation can dramatically lower the cost of building homes.

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.

What's next for Austin's skyline

Austinites will see fewer cranes in the sky this year.

Downtown Austin is entering a new phase after years of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nonstop construction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/06/04/apartment-building-permits-plummet-austin" data-vars-content-id="ed1fb90b-a551-43e5-8e70-51613dc14f3e" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next for Austin&#x27;s skyline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/06/04/apartment-building-permits-plummet-austin" target="_self">nonstop construction</a> — and experts say it&#x27;s a healthy shift, not a warning sign.Why it matters: Expect far fewer cranes in the sky compared to the years of a pandemic-era construction boom, when developers worked to build towers as fast as possible.

Real estate experts' hot Austin takes of 2026

Expect a softening in prices for at least the first half of the year.

We asked experts to give us their crystal ball predictions for Austin&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/12/10/austin-home-values-plummet" data-vars-content-id="348569bb-15b8-4ee0-a8e3-60ed5bcfc59b" data-vars-headline="Real estate experts&#x27; hot Austin takes of 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/12/10/austin-home-values-plummet" target="_self">housing market</a> in 2026.Why it matters: The fate of the housing market is tied to factors both national (like interest rates) and local (the job market) — and homeownership remains part of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="American dream" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/03/american-dream-job-market-housing-price-marriage" data-vars-content-id="348569bb-15b8-4ee0-a8e3-60ed5bcfc59b" data-vars-headline="Real estate experts&#x27; hot Austin takes of 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/03/american-dream-job-market-housing-price-marriage" target="_self">American dream</a>.

5 questions with French Cowboys Hospitality

They want to carve out a middle lane between budget hotels and luxury resorts.

A pair of French American hoteliers is turning forgotten properties into unique stays for weekend escapes.Why it matters: Franklin Dusserre and Dylan Petrich, owners and operators of Austin-based <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="French Cowboys Hospitality" data-vars-click-url="https://frenchcowboys.com/" data-vars-content-id="b3f8ea13-2ac4-4615-b9d3-ac08d76b9d2e" data-vars-headline="5 questions with French Cowboys Hospitality" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://frenchcowboys.com/" target="_blank">French Cowboys Hospitality</a>, want to carve out a middle lane between budget hotels and luxury resorts, and their strategy is to renovate neglected properties about two hours from a major city.

Icon unveils lakefront 3D printed homes

The lakefront Canyon Club along Lake Travis will have 25 homes, including five made with 3D printing.

Austin <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="company Icon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/11/29/icon-nasa-moon-construction-austin" data-vars-content-id="b7a7d254-c5c1-44ea-b8b4-a3a0d83463d2" data-vars-headline="Icon unveils lakefront 3D printed homes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/11/29/icon-nasa-moon-construction-austin" target="_self">company Icon</a> has completed its first 3D printed model home at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Canyon Club" data-vars-click-url="https://www.canyonclub.com/" data-vars-content-id="b7a7d254-c5c1-44ea-b8b4-a3a0d83463d2" data-vars-headline="Icon unveils lakefront 3D printed homes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.canyonclub.com/" target="_blank">The Canyon Club</a>, a luxury lakeside resort community about 45 minutes northwest of Austin.The big picture: It&#x27;s the latest development in Central Texas by Icon, which broke ground on 3D printed homes in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mueller neighborhood" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/03/04/austin-icon-houses-mueller" data-vars-content-id="b7a7d254-c5c1-44ea-b8b4-a3a0d83463d2" data-vars-headline="Icon unveils lakefront 3D printed homes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/03/04/austin-icon-houses-mueller" target="_self">Mueller neighborhood</a> earlier this year.

TownLake YMCA eyes major redevelopment with housing

The YMCA is pushing to transform its TownLake site into a mixed-use hub with homes, child care and community programs.

The Greater Austin YMCA is proposing a sweeping redevelopment of its more than 50-year-old <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="TownLake" data-vars-click-url="https://www.austinymca.org/locations-townlake/" data-vars-content-id="f617c58d-1258-43f6-a3fe-aa99332e9c7b" data-vars-headline="TownLake YMCA eyes major redevelopment with housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.austinymca.org/locations-townlake/" target="_blank">TownLake</a> facility, reimagining the site as a mixed-use hub with housing, child care and expanded social service programs.Why it matters: The overhaul would modernize the Y&#x27;s flagship campus into a larger 110,000-square-foot facility anchored by three residential towers — a scale of development that would mark a major shift in the area just west of downtown.

Austin home values decline

A greater portion of Austin homes lost value over the past year than in almost any other major U.S. city.

A greater portion of Austin homes lost value over the past year than in almost <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="any other major U.S. metro" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/08/home-value-loss-map" data-vars-content-id="2c037426-6242-48ab-aab9-ee55f625c9fa" data-vars-headline="Austin home values decline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/08/home-value-loss-map" target="_self">any other major U.S. metro</a>, a recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Zillow analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.zillow.com/research/home-value-decline-35724/" data-vars-content-id="2c037426-6242-48ab-aab9-ee55f625c9fa" data-vars-headline="Austin home values decline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.zillow.com/research/home-value-decline-35724/" target="_blank">Zillow analysis</a> shows.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a major reversal in a market that spent the pandemic shattering <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="price records" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/06/07/housing-costs-austin-overpay" data-vars-content-id="2c037426-6242-48ab-aab9-ee55f625c9fa" data-vars-headline="Austin home values decline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/06/07/housing-costs-austin-overpay" target="_self">price records</a>. Still, most homeowners &quot;have plenty to feel good about,&quot; the real estate site <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://zillow.mediaroom.com/2025-11-17-53-of-U-S-homes-lost-value-in-the-past-year,-the-most-since-2012" data-vars-content-id="2c037426-6242-48ab-aab9-ee55f625c9fa" data-vars-headline="Austin home values decline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://zillow.mediaroom.com/2025-11-17-53-of-U-S-homes-lost-value-in-the-past-year,-the-most-since-2012" target="_blank">reports</a>.

Austin realtor launches Texas move-out service

Politics, weather and affordability are driving moving discussions for Texit clients.

An Austin realtor has launched <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.timetotexit.com/" data-vars-content-id="a0415546-a540-47d3-a784-0a17bbc53994" data-vars-headline="Austin realtor launches Texas move-out service" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.timetotexit.com/" target="_blank">Texit</a>, a real estate service aimed at helping Central Texans looking to move out of state.Why it matters: Citing the state&#x27;s politics or increasingly hot climate, some Texans have been looking to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="leave Texas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/08/17/texas-lgbtq-other-states-migration" data-vars-content-id="a0415546-a540-47d3-a784-0a17bbc53994" data-vars-headline="Austin realtor launches Texas move-out service" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/08/17/texas-lgbtq-other-states-migration" target="_self">leave Texas</a>.

Homes bought in Austin younger than national average

The data reflects the trend of Austinites getting priced out and moving to the suburbs.

Austin-area homebuyers are snatching up much newer homes than other shoppers around the country, per a new report by Redfin.Why it matters: The data reflects the trend of Austinites getting priced out and moving to the suburbs, home to newer and cheaper housing.

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.

Real Estate 🏠

Icon to sell its 3D-printing robots to builders

Austin homeowners are staying put

What's next for Austin's skyline

Real estate experts' hot Austin takes of 2026

5 questions with French Cowboys Hospitality