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 building with rainbow film, reading "XOXO Welcome to Downtown" in the windows.
City
What is the Downtown Austin Space Activation program?
Downtown pop-ups could get easier for small businesses, nonprofits, and artists with the Downtown Austin Space Activation program.
June 20, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A pool with four small fountains surrounded by blue and green umbrellas, in front of the Cabana Club.
Culture
Coffee shop, bar, and pool Cabana Club will open in time for summer
The east Austin project combines work and play with a new pool, restaurant, coffee shop, and coworking space all in one.
June 20, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
a bride and a groom stand on a platform with women in colorful dresses to the left and men in suits on the right
Theatre
5 plays to see this summer at Austin theaters
Sit back and enjoy the show.
June 19, 2024
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
The inside of Mirror Mirror salon, with arched shelves in the foreground and in the background, chairs in front of arched, well-lit mirrors.
Wellness
21 places to find the best barbershops, hair, and nail salons in Austin
Whether you’re looking for a new cut, color, beard trim, or nail set to rock, we’ve found places all over town to help you feel like your best self.
June 18, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
a tuxedo cat with green eyes sits inside a box looking at the camera
Business
5 a-mews-ing Austin businesses inhabited by cats
Got kitty fever? Here’s where you can find feline friends in Austin’s business scene.
June 17, 2024
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
A monarch butterfly close-up on a flower.
Travel and Outdoors
It’s Pollinator Week — here are a few ways to get involved in Austin
Support Central Texas’ pollinators by planting native species, attending Pollinator Week events, and supporting local beekeepers.
June 17, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A team in yellow jerseys celebrating a stage in Paris.
Culture
Austin to host BLAST.tv esports Major in June 2025
One of the largest esports events in the world will be held at the Moody Center and bring ~$40 million in economic impact to the city.
June 14, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A group of people marching down the street with a banner reading "celebrate Juneteenth."
Events
How to celebrate Juneteenth 2024 in Austin
From parades, to markets, to art shows and tours, there’s a way for everyone to get in on the celebrations of freedom.
June 12, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A blue locomotive engine trailing rainbow cars filled with waving people in the back on the tracks.
City
The Zilker Eagle mini-train is back on the rails
The highly anticipated mini-train at Zilker Park will reopen this week after four years of renovations.
June 10, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A rendering of a sleek white interior surrounded by fresh fruit and meats.
Food
Trio of local businesses opening in place of closed spaces
Radio Rosewood, OKO, and Radius Butcher & Grocery will soon open in the former spaces of Try Hard Coffee, Ah Sing Den, and Salt & Time, respectively.
June 6, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
morgan and figi smile for a selfie in front of a wall with a painting projected on it
Business
Meet your ATXtoday editors
Say hi to Morgan + Figi, the duo powering your daily newsletter.
June 5, 2024
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
A group of eight women hold a proclamation in front of City Hall.
Sports
First-ever Women and Gender Expansive Sports Week announced in Austin
Get ready for a week of celebrating women in sports through all-women matches and pop-ups from Saturday, June 8 to Saturday, June 15.
June 4, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
David Robinson and his son Corey Robinson flank Kévin D'Andrea in a white kitchen over a stovetop.
Food
Local chef Kévin D’Andrea brings Paris Olympics to Austin in new show
“Breaking Baguettes” will have Team USA athletes talking about French cuisine in Austin and premieres on Tuesday, June 4.
May 31, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A woman holding a shrimp tostada on a a square white plate.
Food
Gabriela’s Group opens Seareinas sister restaurant in Riverside
The group behind Taquero Mucho and Revival Coffee debuted its newest concept, La Seareinita, a sister restaurant to northeast Austin counterpart Seareinas.
May 29, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A map of the Charleston area with three large dots laid overtop the map. In one of the dots is a photo of Joe Riley Waterfront Park, in another is a photo of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, and in the third is a photo of Sullivan's Island Lighthouse.
City
How well do you know the map of Charleston?
We’ve got a game for you — test how well you know Charleston venues by the address alone.
May 29, 2024
 · 
Brianna Williams
A big display of vinca earrings with a mirror in the middle and a woman smiling.
Arts
How Vinca USA is keeping Austin’s jewelry weird
We spoke with local jewelry designer and boutique owner Amanda Dimova of Vinca, who has been selling her accessories “for weirdos” for almost 20 years.
May 24, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A map of Raleigh with three large dots laid on top of it. In one dot is an image of the capitol building, in another is an image of Pullen Park, and in the last is an image of the North Carolina Museum of Art Museum Park.
City
How well do you know the map of Raleigh?
We’ve got a game for you — test how well you know Raleigh venues by the address alone.
May 24, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A rendering of the station intersecting Guadalupe Street at Republic Square.
City
What Austinites are thinking about Project Connect
The Austin Transit Partnership surveyed Austinites for around two months to inform future routes, costs, connections, and locations.
May 23, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
People stand in front of a hugely projected "Woman with a Parasol - Madame Monet and Her Son"
Culture
Step inside the art of Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet at this immersive experience
“Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experience” and “Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience,” will be on display through summer.
May 21, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
The Frank Erwin Center mid-crash as four cranes standby.
City
Watch the support structure of the Frank Erwin Center come down
Crews brought “The Drum” down without any use of explosives and the site is expected to be clear and ready for redevelopment in September.
May 20, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_skyline
City
Behind the numbers of the 2024 State of Downtown Report
We’re taking a look at the last year of life, work, and entertainment in Downtown Austin — what has changed?
May 16, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A white wall with the words "Dear Austin" and love letters behind a coffee bar and petite tables.
Culture
Dear Austin Coffee Bar opens in former Irie Bean space
An ode to Austin, the new coffee and boba shop will celebrate its grand opening Friday, May 17-Sunday, May 19 with live music, discounted drinks, and special merch all weekend.
May 16, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
An overhead shot of Zilker Park at night during ACL, showing huge crowds and "ACL Fest" spelled out in drones in the sky.
City
ACL Fest drops its highest economic impact report yet
The 2023 festival generated $499.9 million toward the local economy, announcing that $8.1 will go toward the Austin Parks Foundation.
May 14, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
FTW-map-quiz-graphic
City
How well do you know the map of Fort Worth?
We’ve got a game for you — test your knowledge of Cowtown venues by the address alone.
May 13, 2024
 · 
Kate Mazade
The Austin skyline as seen from above, focusing on the new Google building and Lady Bird Lake, all the way to UT.
City
The City of Austin wants you to share your knowledge of Downtown
The City of Austin is asking locals to share their knowledge of Downtown Austin through a new survey to help inform historical elements.
May 10, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A glowing SXSW logo behind three white chairs with microphones sitting on top.
Culture
SXSW announces expansion to London in 2025
SXSW is going across the pond next year, marking its second foray outside the US and third festival overall.
May 8, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_ACLAerial by Roger Ho for ACL Fest 2022 W1_205037.jpg
Culture
ACL 2024 lineup names Dua Lipa, blink-182, Leon Bridges as headliners
The lineup, filled with A-list newcomers and ACL Festival pros alike, was released on Tuesday morning.
May 7, 2024
 · 
Adriana Christian
ATX_ACLAerial by Roger Ho for ACL Fest 2022 W1_205037.jpg
Culture
ACL 2024 lineup names Dua Lipa, blink-182, Leon Bridges as headliners
The lineup, filled with A-list newcomers and ACL Festival pros alike, was released on Tuesday morning.
May 7, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
The Austin skyline, reflected in Lady Bird Lake
City
Trio of neighborhoods vote to disannex from Austin
Lost Creek, Blue Goose Road, and River Place outparcels voted to leave Austin city limits over the weekend.
May 6, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A basketball hoop on the ground in front of a metallic shell of the Frank Erwin Center.
City
Readers’ memories of the Frank Erwin Center
We’re saying goodbye to the Frank Erwin Center — which will be gone by fall — with memories of the venue submitted by readers like you.
May 2, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
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