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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.

MotoGP bets on Austin to grow its U.S. audience

The three-day race weekend runs Friday through Sunday at COTA.

MotoGP&#x27;s only U.S. race returns to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Austin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin" data-vars-content-id="13f9a9c2-6856-41b2-a214-808ccf9b184c" data-vars-headline="MotoGP bets on Austin to grow its U.S. audience" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin" target="_self">Austin</a> this weekend, putting the city at the center of the racing series&#x27; bid to grow in America.Why it matters: Circuit of the Americas serves as MotoGP&#x27;s lone foothold in the U.S., making Austin a test case for whether <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="another European motorsport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/10/17/formula-1-austin-women-fans" data-vars-content-id="13f9a9c2-6856-41b2-a214-808ccf9b184c" data-vars-headline="MotoGP bets on Austin to grow its U.S. audience" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/10/17/formula-1-austin-women-fans" target="_self">another European motorsport</a> can break through with American fans.

Texas basketball faces a big moment

Texas men's basketball is a Cinderella — and the women have been dominant.

For the first time since 2004, the University of Texas men&#x27;s and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="women&#x27;s basketball teams" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/01/30/texas-women-basketball" data-vars-content-id="ebbbf9c6-1d78-4297-bc61-bf16538451b0" data-vars-headline="Texas basketball faces a big moment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/01/30/texas-women-basketball" target="_self">women&#x27;s basketball teams</a> are playing in the Sweet 16 in the same year.Why it matters: The squads come to the crucial <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="post-season moment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/04/07/texas-march-madness-money" data-vars-content-id="ebbbf9c6-1d78-4297-bc61-bf16538451b0" data-vars-headline="Texas basketball faces a big moment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/04/07/texas-march-madness-money" target="_self">post-season moment</a> very differently, each compelling in its own way.

Austin FC looks to score more goals in 2026

Facundo Torres, acquired for a reported $9.5 million during the offseason, will replace Osman Bukari on the right wing.

Austin FC is hoping to rebound from a largely <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="disappointing 2025 campaign" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/06/13/austin-fcs-not-so-great-half-season" data-vars-content-id="168e442e-991e-4ea7-b58a-aa2bcbe8db8c" data-vars-headline="Austin FC looks to score more goals in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/06/13/austin-fcs-not-so-great-half-season" target="_self">disappointing 2025 campaign</a> with some fresh offensive firepower.Why it matters: Franchise owners spent big in the offseason, hoping to recapture the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="excitement surrounding the team" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/10/28/austin-fc-mls-playoffs" data-vars-content-id="168e442e-991e-4ea7-b58a-aa2bcbe8db8c" data-vars-headline="Austin FC looks to score more goals in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/10/28/austin-fc-mls-playoffs" target="_self">excitement surrounding the team</a> in its pandemic-era early years.

Venus Williams set to play in Austin tournament

"I'm so excited to be heading to Austin and playing my first ATX Open," Williams said.

Former Wimbledon champion <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Venus Williams" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/05/22/barbie-venus-williams-role-model-athletes-dollls" data-vars-content-id="68db64c0-3b68-4617-8a5f-d85f88edd377" data-vars-headline="Venus Williams set to play in Austin tournament" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/05/22/barbie-venus-williams-role-model-athletes-dollls" target="_self">Venus Williams</a> will play in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ATX Open" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/11/08/austin-tennis-stadium" data-vars-content-id="68db64c0-3b68-4617-8a5f-d85f88edd377" data-vars-headline="Venus Williams set to play in Austin tournament" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/11/08/austin-tennis-stadium" target="_self">ATX Open</a> later this month. Why it matters: Even though she&#x27;s not the player she once was — she&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ranked" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wtatennis.com/players/230220/venus-williams/stats" data-vars-content-id="68db64c0-3b68-4617-8a5f-d85f88edd377" data-vars-headline="Venus Williams set to play in Austin tournament" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wtatennis.com/players/230220/venus-williams/stats" target="_blank">ranked</a> 549th in singles and 145 in doubles — Williams still brings glamor to the young tournament.

UT women are dominating the hardcourt

Coach Vic Schaefer says they need to be "monsters" to win big games.

The Longhorns <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="women&#x27;s basketball team" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/02/12/texas-womens-basketball-madison-booker" data-vars-content-id="e49ba077-ff71-4db4-82d2-053c85f77fd3" data-vars-headline="UT women are dominating the hardcourt" 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">women&#x27;s basketball team</a> is crushing it on the court, ranked fourth nationally as February approaches.Why it matters: The 20-2 Longhorns are now a little over a month from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="postseason tournament" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/04/03/texas-south-carolina-womens-final-four" data-vars-content-id="e49ba077-ff71-4db4-82d2-053c85f77fd3" data-vars-headline="UT women are dominating the hardcourt" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/04/03/texas-south-carolina-womens-final-four" target="_self">postseason tournament</a>, and they&#x27;re having what feels like a possible championship season.

Austin FC enters playoffs as underdog

The Verde and Black play a three-game series against LAFC.

Austin FC is making its second post-season appearance in club history as a sixth seed in the Western Conference. Why it matters: The club&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="makeover" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/02/20/austin-fc-2025-season-brandon-vasquez" data-vars-content-id="542fd29b-bc04-4609-9d70-3e1552d77a89" data-vars-headline="Austin FC enters playoffs as underdog" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/02/20/austin-fc-2025-season-brandon-vasquez" target="_self">makeover</a> during last off-season <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hasn&#x27;t resulted in better offense" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/06/13/austin-fcs-not-so-great-half-season" data-vars-content-id="542fd29b-bc04-4609-9d70-3e1552d77a89" data-vars-headline="Austin FC enters playoffs as underdog" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/06/13/austin-fcs-not-so-great-half-season" target="_self">hasn&#x27;t resulted in better offense</a>, but the team has played well enough to compete for the MLS Cup.

Why a majority of new Formula 1 fans are women

Women now account for 3 in 4 new F1 fans.

When <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Formula 1" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/10/18/formula-one-f1-weekend-cota" data-vars-content-id="93ca9198-c4c7-4141-95bb-284c93a9873c" data-vars-headline="Why a majority of new Formula 1 fans are women" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/10/18/formula-one-f1-weekend-cota" target="_self">Formula 1</a> roars into Austin this weekend, the drivers at the Circuit of the Americas for the U.S. Grand Prix will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="all be men" data-vars-click-url="https://www.formula1.com/en/drivers" data-vars-content-id="93ca9198-c4c7-4141-95bb-284c93a9873c" data-vars-headline="Why a majority of new Formula 1 fans are women" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.formula1.com/en/drivers" target="_blank">all be men</a> — but many fans in the grandstand will be women. Why it matters: The globetrotting motorsport, a marketing juggernaut, is increasingly trying to draw in women.

Scrutinized Arch Manning faces SEC test

How Arch Manning stacks up, in the early going, against Eli and Peyton

Arch Manning, once the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="best schoolboy quarterback" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/06/23/eli-peyton-manning-nephew-ut" data-vars-content-id="1e4d098e-de02-44a8-86d0-229dff403520" data-vars-headline="Scrutinized Arch Manning faces SEC test" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/06/23/eli-peyton-manning-nephew-ut" target="_self">best schoolboy quarterback</a> in the country, is for the moment another 21-year-old trying to find his footing.Why it matters: The highly vaunted University of Texas quarterback has had an uneven season, his first as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="No. 1 on the depth chart" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/08/28/texas-ohio-state-college-football-columbus" data-vars-content-id="1e4d098e-de02-44a8-86d0-229dff403520" data-vars-headline="Scrutinized Arch Manning faces SEC test" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/08/28/texas-ohio-state-college-football-columbus" target="_self">No. 1 on the depth chart</a>, leading some fans to wonder whether he&#x27;s got the right stuff.

Sports 🏅

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

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

MotoGP bets on Austin to grow its U.S. audience

Texas basketball faces a big moment

Austin FC looks to score more goals in 2026