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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Austin. Written by Nicole Cobler and Asher Price.

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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.

How to experience SXSW without a badge

Plenty of shows and parties are open to the public — and often free.

Things to Do

SXSW can get expensive fast, but some of the best parties and performances happen outside the badge system. How it works: Across Austin, hotels, bars, parks and restaurants host free concerts, markets, pop-ups and day parties that are open to anyone willing to wait in line.

Wildflower forecast predicts varied spring blooms

Wildflower blooms will depend largely on where — and how much — rain has fallen.

Uneven rainfall across Texas could mean a varied season for blooms this spring, according to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center&#x27;s annual wildflower forecast.Why it matters: Spring is arriving in Texas. Bluebonnets are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="already beginning" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVkEW2ojTDS/" data-vars-content-id="2c97f7c3-360c-4a0e-9d11-0261af0b3432" data-vars-headline="Wildflower forecast predicts varied spring blooms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVkEW2ojTDS/" target="_blank">already beginning</a> to pop up in the Hill Country, and Texas mountain laurels are blooming across Central Texas.

Austin pop-up fuels matcha craze

The pop-up has quickly become one of the city's buzziest stops.

Editor&#x27;s note: This story was written by University of Texas student Trinity Orosco for Axios Austin.An Austin matcha pop-up is drawing lines that stretch down the sidewalk, tapping into a fast-growing U.S. market for the Japanese green tea.

Travis Audubon's catio tour spotlights growing trend

Free-roaming cats kill billions of birds in the U.S. each year.

At the Hill Country&#x27;s edge, Jacob Smigel&#x27;s cats pad across a cedar plank suspended 6 feet above ground, safely enclosed in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;catio,&quot; or cat patio" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/11/18/pet-friendly-home-design-tampa-bay-cats" data-vars-content-id="e3957e55-5150-469e-8736-f151cfdc7ac0" data-vars-headline="Travis Audubon&#x27;s catio tour spotlights growing trend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/11/18/pet-friendly-home-design-tampa-bay-cats" target="_self">&quot;catio,&quot; or cat patio</a> — an increasingly popular addition for some homeowners.The big picture: Smigel&#x27;s backyard build is one of seven stops on this year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Travis Audubon catio tour," data-vars-click-url="https://travis.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/travis/event.jsp?event=21809" data-vars-content-id="e3957e55-5150-469e-8736-f151cfdc7ac0" data-vars-headline="Travis Audubon&#x27;s catio tour spotlights growing trend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://travis.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/travis/event.jsp?event=21809" target="_blank">Travis Audubon catio tour,</a> a self-guided event on March 21 that showcases enclosed outdoor cat spaces across Austin.

Austinite competes on "Survivor" Season 50

The Austinite, now 51 years old, was a runner-up on the 2001 Outback edition.

&quot;Survivor&quot; launches <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="its 50th season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/24/survivor-50-challenge-cbs" data-vars-content-id="2ff4def0-33ec-429d-9c45-2bf01ba2e7c1" data-vars-headline="Austinite competes on &quot;Survivor&quot; Season 50" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/24/survivor-50-challenge-cbs" target="_self">its 50th season</a> (!) starting Wednesday on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CBS" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/18/trump-equal-time-colbert-youtube-cbs" data-vars-content-id="2ff4def0-33ec-429d-9c45-2bf01ba2e7c1" data-vars-headline="Austinite competes on &quot;Survivor&quot; Season 50" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/18/trump-equal-time-colbert-youtube-cbs" target="_self">CBS</a>, and we caught up with Austin&#x27;s Colby Donaldson, one of 24 players in the all-returnee season, filmed in Fiji.<ul><li>A West Texas native — he grew up just south of San Angelo — Donaldson was runner-up on &quot;Survivor: The Australian Outback&quot; (2001). He also appeared in &quot;Survivor&quot; seasons in 2003 and 2009 while working in the television business in California.</li></ul>

Your favorite Chinese spots in Austin

Axios Austin readers weigh in about their favorite Chinese restaurants.

To mark the Lunar New Year, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="we asked you" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/29/lunar-new-year-lucky-foods?utm_term=emshare" data-vars-content-id="3529a191-2999-47ef-8aae-27ba84c8107e" data-vars-headline="Your favorite Chinese spots in Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/29/lunar-new-year-lucky-foods?utm_term=emshare" target="_self">we asked you</a> last week about your favorite Chinese restaurants and your go-to dishes.Liz P. recommends <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chen&#x27;s Noodle House" data-vars-click-url="https://chensnoodles.com/" data-vars-content-id="3529a191-2999-47ef-8aae-27ba84c8107e" data-vars-headline="Your favorite Chinese spots in Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://chensnoodles.com/" target="_blank">Chen&#x27;s Noodle House</a> (&quot;the best sesame bun&quot;), in northwest Austin, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Julie&#x27;s Noodles" data-vars-click-url="https://juliesnoodlesaustin.com/" data-vars-content-id="3529a191-2999-47ef-8aae-27ba84c8107e" data-vars-headline="Your favorite Chinese spots in Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://juliesnoodlesaustin.com/" target="_blank">Julie&#x27;s Noodles</a> (&quot;amazing soup dumplings&quot;), on Research Boulevard.

5 questions with Pearl Events founder Becky Navarro

Becky Navarro founded the company in 2010 and has turned it into one of the city's most recognizable planning services.

Becky Navarro is the founder and CEO of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pearl Events Austin" data-vars-click-url="https://pearleventsaustin.com/" data-vars-content-id="7a56c656-8efc-49de-a2a6-162928a5ac0b" data-vars-headline="5 questions with Pearl Events founder Becky Navarro" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pearleventsaustin.com/" target="_blank">Pearl Events Austin</a>, a luxury <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wedding and event" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/11/21/vintage-gowns-are-getting-a-second-life-in-latest-bridal-trend" data-vars-content-id="7a56c656-8efc-49de-a2a6-162928a5ac0b" data-vars-headline="5 questions with Pearl Events founder Becky Navarro" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/11/21/vintage-gowns-are-getting-a-second-life-in-latest-bridal-trend" target="_self">wedding and event</a> planning company.The big picture: Navarro founded the company in 2010 and has turned it into one of the city&#x27;s most recognizable planning services.

What to know ahead of the Austin Marathon

The race kicks off Sunday at 7am in downtown Austin.

Runners will line up Sunday morning for the Austin Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K as the city shuts down major streets to make way for one of its largest annual sporting events.Why it matters: The race draws tens of thousands of runners, and it&#x27;s a reminder of just how deeply running is woven into the city&#x27;s identity.

Easy, unromantic Valentine's Day plans in Austin

Easy date night ideas for a last-minute planner.

Food and Drink

We know a few of you have failed to make your Valentine&#x27;s Day reservations.Don&#x27;t worry. We&#x27;ve got some free, unromantic-romantic suggestions.

Things to Do 🗓

Things to do in Austin this weekend

Happy hour deals at High Road DelicaTexan

Stop at this desert deli during your next trip to Marfa

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

Austin to join No Kings protest set for Saturday

Things to do in Austin this weekend