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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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
ATX_airbnblakebluff
Real Estate
Navigating buying vs. renting in ATX
Using the Austin Board of Realtors’ Buy vs. Rent Index, we’re breaking down which housing option is more lucrative in the long run.
July 31, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
Three colorful cups topped with pansies sit on the outdoor table at Aba.
Food
Restaurant-submitted summer drink recipes
Enjoy some of your favorite sips from home with these summer drink recipes, submitted by readers and restaurants from Austin and beyond.
July 27, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
A shiny bar with multicolored wood and bar stools.
Events
How to celebrate Leo season in Austin
Leo season is from now until August 23, so grab your fellow fire signs and let’s get astrological.
July 25, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
Trees and a bench along the shore of Lady Bird Lake.
City
Breaking down Austin’s 2023-2024 proposed city budget
Interim City Manager Jesús Garza said this year’s budget is about going “back to basics,” proposing a $5.5 billion city budget, which is $500 million higher than that of 2022-2023.
July 21, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
Two clear and blue drinks on the counter at Estelle's.
Events
Drink Up Month: Try the Bluebonnet at Estelle’s
Enjoy this limited-edition cocktail, the Bluebonnet, the last week of July in partnership for Drink Up Month.
July 21, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
An overhead view of Inn Cahoots' food truck garden and stage.
Development
Multipurpose events venue Inn Cahoots opens this weekend
Group hotel Inn Cahoots will celebrate with a weekend of giveaways, live music, pep rallies, and eats from several on-site food trucks.
July 19, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
Rainey Street.jpg
Events
“Love Island” is taking auditions this weekend in Austin
Take to the pop-up mobile villa this weekend to audition for an upcoming USA season of “Love Island” while celebrating the show’s new season.
July 19, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
Barbie San Antonio
Travel and Outdoors
Barbie’s perfect day in SA
Come on Barbie, let’s go party at one of these San Antonio locales celebrating the release of the hotly anticipated “Barbie” movie.
July 18, 2023
 · 
Nicholas Caballero
The Austin skyline in front of a pink, glittery stamp.
Events
Barbie’s perfect day in Austin
Come on Barbie, let’s go party at one of these Austin locales celebrating the release of the hotly anticipated “Barbie” movie.
July 17, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
The Green Dragon cocktail in a pineapple-shaped glass, next to some pineapples and jalapeños.
Food
Celebrate National Tequila Day with an at-home cocktail recipe
You don’t have to go out to celebrate Drink Up Month — we’re bringing the sips home with a cocktail recipe from Wu Chow.
July 17, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
party
Culture
Austin, Portland, Asheville: Which city is the weirdest?
All three cities have adopted the slogan “Keep Austin/Portland/Asheville Weird.” We crossed state lines to explore the quirky characteristics of each place.
July 13, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
Silo Mural
Culture
Asheville, Austin, Portland: Which city is the weirdest?
All three cities have adopted the slogan “Keep Asheville/Austin/Portland Weird.” We crossed state lines to explore the quirky characteristics of each place.
July 13, 2023
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
keep portland weird music millennium.jpeg
Culture
Austin, Portland, Asheville: Which city is the weirdest?
All three cities have adopted the slogan “Keep Austin/Portland/Asheville Weird.” We crossed state lines to explore the quirky characteristics of each place.
July 13, 2023
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
Goats behind a sign reading "Goats Working."
City
Goats at work: Trail Conservancy releases herd to clear invasive plants
The Trail Conservancy partnered with Rent-a-Ruminant to clear the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike trail of unwanted brush in an eco-friendly way.
July 13, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_Waterloo_amp_concert
Culture
How to celebrate the 30th anniversary of “Dazed and Confused”
The Austin Film Society will put on some pretty “alright, alright, alright” events to celebrate the Austin-made classic film.
July 11, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
A purple and white boba tea in front of a neon sign.
Food
Drink Up: Meet the Austin Boba Girls of Terrazzo Tea
The brand-new, vibey boba tea shop in East Austin is the perfect place to spend your day or night.
July 7, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
The ACL flags flapping over a crowd of festival-goers.
Business
How much do Austin’s festivals contribute to the local economy?
ACL, SXSW, and the US Grand Prix contributed an economic equivalent of three Super Bowls combined in 2022.
July 5, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
A close up of a breakfast taco from Cenote.
Food
The delicious history of breakfast tacos
You know them, you love them, but where were our beloved breakfast tacos invented? The answer may confuse you.
July 5, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_oscarhome
Real Estate
Hot Homes: 5 Hill Country dream homes on the market right now
Get a little bit out of of the city with a dream home in one of these lakeside towns, like Lago Vista or Spicewood.
July 3, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_Zanzibardrinks
Events
How to celebrate the Fourth of July in Austin
We rounded up some local Independence Day events — like Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July picnic— to try out on America’s birthday
June 29, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
A spray-painted mural of three players on the left, Swindell on the right.
Culture
The Moody Center debuts “Tempo” art walking tour
The music venue is practically an art gallery, so the Moody Center wants to treat it like one.
June 27, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
A spread of Kerbey Lane's new menu items on a table.
Food
Kerbey Lane on South Lamar is open 24 hours again
Celebrate Kerbey Lane bringing late hours back with a new cocktail, seasonal menu, vegan options, and unconventional happy hour.
June 23, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
The National Water Ski Kite Flying Champonships on July 30-31, 1970. The championship was held on Austin's Town Lake during the Austin Aqua Festival, a 10 day celebration featuring water sports. The contestants must fly a slalom course marked by distinctive water geysers, an innovation of the Austin Ski and Boat Club. The Hotel Gondolier is visible in the background as the competitor is pulled behind a speed boat in the air with skis and a kite
Events
Entering the splash zone: The history of Austin Aqua Festival
We’re talking about the city’s first major festival, Austin Aqua Festival, which ran for 36 years.
June 21, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
Founders Lisa and Laura sit underneath a sign that reads "I love you so mutts" with their three dogs.
Wellness
MUTTS Canine Cantina opens haven for both pups and their owners
Dogs and humans alike are invited to enjoy the full facilities for free during the opening weekend.
June 21, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
Isabel Torrealba and Iliana de la Vega smile while working with a mortar and pestle.
Food
Eat your way through Mexico with El Naranjo Chef Iliana de la Vega’s cultural culinary tours
The James Beard Award-winning El Naranjo chef — and master of Mexican cuisine — will host special menus inspired by different regions in Mexico and destination tastings in the next year.
June 19, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
The Red Line pulling into the Downtown station.
City
11 reasons to ride CapMetro’s Red Line, Austin’s first railway
The city’s current rail system is small, but mighty enough to take Austinites throughout North Austin and Downtown.
June 15, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
A view of the Henry Green Madison Cabin, which sits behind a large tree.
City
The Henry Green Madison Cabin’s restoration project is underway
The Henry Green Madison Cabin will undergo a renovation project to the tune of at least $85,000 to preserve the site for future generations.
June 15, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
An overhead view of blue dishes filled with a marouli salad, grilled octopus, and Greek meatballs.
Food
Have a meal at Yamas for a trip to Greece without leaving Austin
New Allandale restaurant Yamas invites you to experience its ‘filoxenia’ hospitality, the Greek tradition of making a stranger into a friend.
June 13, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
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