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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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ATX_FlorenceItaly
City
Austin and Florence, Italy pen “historic” cooperation agreement
The Protocol of Cooperation Agreement is meant to foster relationships and collaboration between the two cities
September 15, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
Hamilton Pool on a clear sunny day.
City
Where should every Austinite visit at least once? A reader-suggested guide to ATX
We asked you, our dear readers, to share your Austin experience with us in the form of a Mad Lib. Now, we’re sharing your recommendations with this reader-suggested guide to ATX.
September 13, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
New signs at the intersection of 10th Street and Red River Street.
City
Red River Cultural District unveils fresh set of signs and banners
Historic entertainment district Red River Cultural District just got a makeover in the form of bespoke signage from East 7th Street to East 12th Street.
September 13, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
The Pennybacker Bridge with the Austin skyline in the background.
City
Help us create a reader-suggested guide to Austin
Tell us a little bit about your experience living in Austin in the form of a Mad Lib to help us craft a unique guide for residents all over the city.
September 11, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
A sloping glass house in the background, and a stylish above-ground pool in the foreground.
Real Estate
A peek inside the 37th annual AIA Austin Homes Tour
This year’s AIA Austin Homes Tour will feature nine homes, all new or newly renovated, from local architects.
September 7, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
A painting of a cat coming out of a toothpaste tube.
Entertainment
New York-based artist opens “absurd” mini residency in East Austin gallery
Artist Patrick Quinn’s residency — called “Lightning is an Angry Rainbow” — is now open as McLennon Pen Co. Gallery’s first Artist-in-Residence
September 7, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
A photo looking at the skyline from the Loren's rooftop deck.
Arts
A Christie’s residency is en route to Austin
Work from world-famous artists including Keith Haring, Frank Stella, and Roy Lichtenstein will be on display for all to see.
September 5, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
An overhead shot of a table filled with plates of Chinese food and tiki drinks.
Food
What to eat during Austin Restaurant Weeks
Enjoy $20-$60 meals and specials from some of Austin’s best restaurants while benefiting the Central Texas Food Bank during Austin Restaurant Weeks.
September 1, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_MountainTopHouse
Development
Honoring Austin’s architectural footprint with Dick Clark + Associates
We sat down for a Q+A with Dick Clark + Associates architects Mark Vornberg, Kim Power, and Kristopher White to talk about how they navigate designing architecture in Austin.
August 30, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
A shot of the SXSW stage from the crowd.
Events
First round of SXSW 2024 speakers announced
The first SXSW 2024 schedule drop focuses in on artificial intelligence, including panels with Grimes, Rosario Dawson, Alex Cooper, Peter Deng, and Tim Ferris.
August 30, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
A close-up of an orange cat.
City
Cast your vote for the Austin Pets Alive! Mayor of Pawstin
Choose between six cats and dogs for the title of “Mayor of Pawstin” in celebration of Austin’s 12th No Kill Anniversary.
August 28, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_GoldenCheekedWarbler
Travel and Outdoors
How to help local birds during fall migration with Lights Out, Texas
By turning off non-essential lights from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. you can help local birds travel safely.
August 28, 2023
 · 
Nicholas Caballero
Outdoor display of thrifted clothing and goods in front of the Treasure City Thrift store in Austin, Texas.
Play
Happy Hauling: swap meets, co-ops, vintage, and resale shops in Austin
Here’s the deal — the resale and vintage shopping scene is stellar in the Capital City. Here are 21 markets and shops to stop by on your secondhand journey.
August 24, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
Erica Yern holding a mixing bowl in her home kitchen.
Food
Baking it to the top with Cookie Wookie Kitchen’s Erica Yern
The local mini bakery sells Asian fusion takes American cookie classics to another level.
August 22, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
The Austin skyline, as seen from between trees lining the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail./
Events
‘Skip work like a professional’ at the Deep Eddy V.O.D.K.A. Conference
The multi-city “conference” is your ticket to playing hooky... or just having a good time.
August 22, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
The Austin skyline, reflected in the water with pink sky behind it
Business
The top 18 fastest growing companies in Austin, according to the Inc. 5000
Meet the local companies that made the Inc. 5000 2023.
August 21, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
biscuit sandwich
Food
Top 100 Places to Eat in Texas list names 21 Austin-area restaurants
Jim’s Smokehouse, Cuantos Tacos, T-Loc’s Sonora Hot Dogs, and 18 other local restaurants earned a spot on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in Texas list.
August 16, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_book woman
Play
Read local: Books written by authors from Austin
Don’t forget to treat yo shelf by picking up a new read — or two or three — that was written by your neighbor 📚
August 16, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
The Zilker Eagle in a vintage, black and white photo with a visible skyline.
City
All about Zilker Park’s mini-train, the Zilker Eagle
The train has been out of commission since 2019 and delayed re-opening for nearly four years, but the Zilker Eagle could come back this year
August 14, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
The Frank Erwin Center and parking lot as pictured from above.
City
Frank Erwin Center will be torn down to make room for a new hospital
Say goodbye to the Frank Erwin Center — the former home to UT basketball will be torn down and replaced with a hospital in partnership with MD Anderson Cancer Center.
August 14, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
skyline-4-WP Resize
Farmer’s Almanac predicts an unseasonably cold winter for Texans
This hot and dry summer won’t last forever, but it will last for a few more months before the cold weather rolls around in early 20234.
August 11, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
A collage-style graphic of 10 locals in the 30 Under 30 list.
Business
Get to know these 10 faces on the first-ever local Forbes 30 Under 30 list
Austin now has its own Forbes Under 30 list, showcasing 30 young locals who are changing the landscape of the city.
August 10, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
The Austin skyline, as seen from between trees on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail.
Wellness
Where to work out, according to ATXtoday readers
ATXtoday readers are an active bunch, so we asked you to share how you stay in tip-top shape.
August 10, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
The Austin skyline as seen from Lady Bird Lake, with buildings reflected in the water.
Travel and Outdoors
Farmer’s Almanac predicts an unseasonably cold winter for Texans
This hot and dry summer won’t last forever, but it will last for a few more months before the cold weather rolls around in early 2024.
August 8, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
A black and white photo of the five members of The Maine in suits.
Events
Rock band The Maine will perform for free at Domain NORTHSIDE
The event is part of Domain NORTHSIDE’s free concert series, which has brought shows like Hawthorne Heights and Suki Waterhouse to its stage.
August 8, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
Hundreds of yogis as seen from overhead at Republic Square
Live
Find your zen with our Austin yoga guide
Check out these 18 yoga studios, which offer vinyasa flows, hot studios, and teacher trainings, around the Capital City.
August 4, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
A goat standing in the brush of the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail.
City
The Goats have left the Trail
The Rent-a-Ruminant goats have left the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail... for now. The Trail Conservancy hopes to bring the goats back this fall.
August 4, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_POPCtas
Events
POP Cats Austin returns this month
Look what the cats dragged in. POP Cats is coming back to Austin for another weekend of kitty-centric entertainment and adoptions.
August 2, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
An empty pitch at Q2 Stadium.
Sports
Farewell Fagúndez: an Austin FC roster update
Expect some new faces on the pitch, because the Austin FC roster is going through some changes with the close of the secondary trade window.
August 2, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_DudeFridges
Events
Inaugural Fridge Fest opens its door in Austin
“Just the essentials” meme page @dudefridges is taking the memes out of the internet and into the streets with the first-ever Fridge Fest.
July 31, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
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