Laura Figi.jpg

Laura Figi

Senior Newsletter Editor

Laura Figi has called Austin home for more than 12 years and has been known to say it’s her “favorite city in the world.” A proud graduate of Texas State University, she’s been working in local news since 2020. When she’s not working and learning about the community, you can find her at the local thrift shop, spending time with her two cats, or listening to live music.

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A nighttime festival crowd gathers in front of a large stage with the illuminated Austin skyline in the background. Above the crowd, a vibrant drone light display forms the shape of a tree, while a bright moon-like light hovers to the right.
Events
A complete festival guide to ACL 2024
We don’t mean to sound like a broken record, but ACL 2024 is just around the corner and we’re here to help you enjoy the festival to the fullest.
September 20, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_BookFestival2
Culture
Texas Book Festival reveals 2024 author lineup
Expect big writers like Matthew McConaughey, Malcolm Gladwell, Ernest Cline, and 200+ more to attend the 2024 Texas Book Festival.
September 19, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A group of people preparing coffee at a coffee station. One person operates a grinder, while another pours milk into a cup. A third person stands nearby holding a menu or brochure. The setting is indoors with string lights and metal beams visible in the background. Disposable coffee cups are stacked on the counter in front of them.
Food
A quick guide to Austin Coffee Festival 2024
Back for the third year, Austin Coffee Festival will showcase some of the top coffee, tea, and chai purveyors in the country.
September 12, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
Overlooking the grounds and mansion at the Commodore Perry Estate
Travel and Outdoors
8 Austin hotels receive MICHELIN Keys
The winning hotels were chosen for their excellence in hospitality, service, beauty, personality, and going the extra mile.
September 12, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
An outdoor padel court facility with multiple courts enclosed by black wire fencing. The ground is covered in light-colored gravel, and there are gray sofas and black chairs under large, modern umbrellas for spectators. The scene is illuminated by uniquely designed streetlights with an evening sky overhead. Some people are seen playing on the courts in the background.
Sports
Padel Club Austin celebrates grand opening
With construction on the facility now complete, Austinites can try their hand at padel, a sport that melds tennis and squash.
September 10, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A display of Texas high school homecoming mums in shades of orange, white, and gold. The mums are adorned with various decorations, including ribbons, glittery streamers, feathers, and small trinkets, all arranged on a white lattice backdrop in a store setting.
Culture
Mum season is upon us in Texas
Did you know the local tradition didn’t start in Texas? Despite that, Texans have been donning mums since at least 1936.
September 6, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_ACL_Conan Gray by Todd Owyoung for ACL Fest 2022 _Z9B4517.jpg
Entertainment
All the artists with Austin ties playing at ACL 2024
At least 17 artists with ties to Austin will take the stage in front of adoring fans from around the country this October.
September 4, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A table set with a variety of breakfast dishes, including a vibrant red pancake topped with fresh berries and cream, a small bowl of granola with yogurt and mint leaves, a plate with slices of cantaloupe and assorted fresh fruits, a dish with a salad topped with sliced eggs, and a bowl of yogurt garnished with mixed berries. Two people are seated at the table, one holding a cup of coffee, and the other spooning a parfait from a jar.
Food
Restaurant duo opens this fall at Hyatt Centric
Heydey Social Club and The Traditional, An American Kitchen will open at the end of September.
September 4, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
Astronaut in a blue uniform floating inside a module of the International Space Station, holding a binder labeled "International Space Station Robotics FS." The surroundings include various equipment, laptops, and cables attached to the walls and ceiling.
Education
Meet Stephanie Wilson, the astronaut cut from the next SpaceX flight
The former Longhorn has given up her seat to help bring two stranded astronauts home from the International Space Station.
September 3, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A light grey cocktail with a dried citrus slice is the focal point of the photo, with plates of colorful dishes surrounding it. Queso and a margarita are blurry in the background.
Food
17 restaurants, bars, and coffee shops that opened this summer
Summer 2024 brought dozens of new food and beverage offerings to the Capital City — we rounded up a few that caught our eyes.
August 30, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
Madisen Skinner wearing a Texas volleyball shirt on the quad, surrounded by the Texas marching band.
Sports
Meet Madisen Skinner: H-E-B’s first name, image, and likeness deal
The Longhorn volleyball star will soon appear at UT Austin and H-E-B events, plus on your TV screens, as she celebrates her NIL deal.
August 29, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
The image shows the interior of a modern, stylish store called "Lip Lab Austin." The design features a clean, minimalist aesthetic with a combination of light and pink tones. In the foreground, there is a long counter with several white chairs neatly arranged, likely for customers to sit and participate in activities, such as customizing lip products. The back wall has a large, circular pink display with the store's name in white letters. The ceiling is adorned with round white light fixtures, adding to the chic and contemporary vibe. On the left side, there is a wall with the letters "XO" and other lip-themed decor, while the right side has shelves with various products displayed.
Culture
Lip Lab Austin is now open on South Congress Avenue
Create your ideal custom lipstick, lip gloss, or lip balm at the newly opened Lip Lab Austin location.
August 27, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
The inside of a two-story mall facing a set of escalators. One to two stores appear to have lights on, while several others are empty or dark inside. Two people are seen walking on the upper level of the mall.
Culture
Dead malls: You could shop... until they dropped
Once booming, now barren. Let’s take a peek at malls of Austin’s past — plus hope for the future.
August 23, 2024
 · 
Brianna Williams
A tres leches cake, topped with a rich, caramel sauce that drips down the sides. The top of the dessert is sprinkled with sesame seeds, adding a touch of texture and contrast. The dish is presented on a dark, minimalist plate, and the background is a rustic wooden surface, enhancing the warm and indulgent appearance of the dessert.
Food
Get hungry for Austin Restaurant Weeks 2024
Enjoy some delicious deals while helping feed Austinites in need during the event, which runs from Friday, Aug. 30 to Sunday, Sept. 15.
August 21, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
Three jars of "El Patio Legendary Salsa" displayed on a supermarket shelf. The jars are lined up side by side and labeled as "Medium," "Hot," and "Habanero" flavors, respectively. Each jar has a distinctive label featuring the El Patio brand name, with a sombrero design above the text. The price for each jar is marked as $4.48. The jars are placed on a shelf, with other salsa products partially visible on the left and right.
Food
Stay spicy: salsa and hot sauce made in Austin
Get out your grocery list, because we’re dishing out salsas and hot sauces that are founded in Austin and available at a grocery store near you.
August 21, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A vibrant park scene in the late afternoon with a large group of people gathered on a grassy field. In the background, the modern Austin skyline features a mix of unique and towering skyscrapers, including a building with a distinct, slanted design. People in the park are engaged in various activities, such as stretching, conversing, and walking, enjoying the warm, golden light of the setting sun. The atmosphere is lively and communal, with the clear blue sky adding to the open, welcoming ambiance.
Culture
Deepen your sense of community by finding a third place in Austin
Third places are public, informal gathering spaces that you frequent in your community. Here’s a list of opportune third places ready for you to become a regular.
August 20, 2024
 · 
Samantha Robertson
UT Austin tower
City
These new programs begin at UT Austin by fall 2025
Within the next year, at least four new programs from leadership to semiconductor manufacturing will begin accepting students at UT.
August 19, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
football stadium
Sports
Your guide to Longhorn Football’s 2024 season
Longhorn Football season officially begins on Saturday, Aug. 31, so get out your calendar and put those horns up, because it’s almost game time.
August 19, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
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The Rivergate Tower along the Tampa Riverwalk. There is a flag for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the foreground which reads "Be the Thunder", and the Hillsborough River runs along the right side of the photo.
Weather
The Farmer’s Almanac predicts a slightly cooler and drier fall
We’re finally getting some reprieve from the heat — the Farmer’s Almanac expects below average temps and dry conditions this fall.
August 16, 2024
 · 
Bailey LeFever
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The front of Austin's downtown City Hall
City
What to know about Austin’s 2024-2025 city budget
The City of Austin’s highest budget yet — $5.9 billion — was proposed by new city manager T.C. Broadnax and begins on October 1, 2024.
August 15, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
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An autumnal view of the Austin skyline toward Rainey Street.
Travel and Outdoors
The Farmer’s Almanac predicts a wet summer and warm fall
The warm weather is catching up with Austin — both the Farmer’s Almanac and National Weather Service expect warm weather through November.
August 15, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
aerial view of the austin skyline with skyscrapers, the colorado river, pedestrian bridges and trees
Business
The top seven fastest-growing companies in Austin, according to the Inc. 5000
Meet some of the movers and shakers on the Inc. 5000 list in Austin’s bustling business scene.
August 13, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
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