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 rendering of a tall building with plenty of greenery spilling out the sides, and organic architecture at the bottom.
Development
New condo Luminary will bring 286 residences to Downtown Austin
Developed by Canadian hospitality group Northland Living, Luminary will also make room for retail and restaurant space along 14th and Guadalupe Streets.
January 5, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A golden hue sets over the houses and lake of Mount Bonnell at dawn.
Wellness
New Year’s resolutions for 2024, according to ATXtoday readers
We asked our dear readers to share their plans, goals, and New Year’s resolutions for 2024 so we can spread the good vibes.
January 3, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
Someone dipping a chicken flauta in a bowl of queso.
Food
17 places to get some delicious queso in ATX
To be an Austinite is to love queso, so give one of these 17 local restaurants and chains to satisfy your cheesy cravings.
January 3, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_UpstairsatCaroline.jpg
Events
16 New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day celebrations in Austin
Start your year off right with a party, brunch, dinner, or cocktail hour at one of these 16 local hangouts to ring in 2024.
December 20, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
Kids tend a garden at PEAS/Cunningham School Park Garden.
Travel and Outdoors
Austin Parks Foundation awards $205,600 grants to local parks
In partnership with Austin City Limits Music Festival, APF and the community selected a few parks around town to receive some TLC.
December 20, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
A brown dog stands close to the camera with his tongue out.
Culture
10 pets to bring home for the holidays
We partnered with Austin Pets Alive! to show off these adoptable pets who are ready to come home with you for the holidays.
December 18, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
A search bar that says "What did Austinites Google most in 2023?" overlayed a photo of downtown Austin.
City
What Austinites Googled this year
2023’s Google Year in Search is out — check out what Austinites were searching most this year (it might surprise you).
December 18, 2023
 · 
Brianna Williams
Alejandro Hendricks wearing glasses, peering at the camera in the dark.
Culture
Artists to watch: Alejandro Hendricks turned filmmaking from a dream into a reality
Hendricks — an AfroTech alum and rising star — is a local filmmaker who specializes in creating a moment through the magic of film.
December 14, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
Torchy the baby devil statue under a sign that reads "Torchy's Tacos" during the daytime.
Business
Austin Made: How Torchy’s Tacos became a ‘damn good’ staple
From a humble food truck to a national chain with more than 100 locations, Torchy’s Tacos remains an Austin-founded favorite.
December 14, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
UW Huskies players celebrate the 2023 Pac-12 Championship win by hoisting a trophy and being showered with confetti
Culture
UW in the Sugar Bowl: Talking trash with our Texas counterparts
What should we send the ATXtoday folks if we lose?
December 12, 2023
 · 
Gabe Guarente
AXTtoday - Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium via UT
Sports
Tale of the tape: why Austin is the sweetest city
Texas will face off against the Washington Huskies at the 2024 Allstate Sugar Bowl and we’re willing to bet — literally — that the Longhorns win.
December 12, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
AmorEterno_PhotobyTXtroublemaker.jpg
Bars
6 speakeasies and hidden bars to visit in San Antonio
From an alternate timeline-themed hideout to walk-in freezer secrets, we’re here to help find your next hideaway.
December 11, 2023
 · 
Nicholas Caballero
View of the Austin, Texas skyline from the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail.
Travel and Outdoors
What you need to know about the 2023 State of the Trail
Let’s take a look back at what improvements the Ann & Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail saw in 2023, and have a sneak peek into what the future holds in 2024.
December 4, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
StarChefs-SATX-Collage.png
Food
Meet the 2023 class of Austin-San Antonio Rising Stars
Industry magazine StarChefs named 4 local chefs, restaurateurs, and community members from San Antonio on its 2023 Austin-San Antonio Rising Stars list.
November 29, 2023
 · 
Nicholas Caballero
ATX_StarChefsWinners
Food
Meet the 2023 class of Austin-San Antonio Rising Stars
Industry magazine StarChefs named 16 local chefs, bartenders, sommeliers, and tastemakers from Austin on its 2023 Austin-San Antonio Rising Stars list.
November 28, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
A rendering of the station intersecting Guadalupe Street at Republic Square.
City
Answering your questions about Project Connect
We attended the recently revived Issues & Eggs series with the Downtown Austin Alliance and Austin Transit Partnership to learn about what’s going on with Project Connect.
November 28, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_PrimaDora
Culture
ATXtoday’s 31 days of local shopping
Follow along with us as we highlight some of the best local stores in Austin this December.
November 27, 2023
 · 
London Gibson
Back in Black - APA.png
Culture
Home purr the holidays: six cats and dogs to adopt this month
We’ve rounded up six cats and dogs from Austin Pets Alive and the Austin Animal Center who are looking for a furever home with you.
November 20, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
A turkey and all the thanksgiving fixings on a table, while two people clink their glasses.
Food
14 Austin restaurants to visit for Thanksgiving dinner
Dine in, take out, or just get a few extra pies for your from local restaurants for your Thanksgiving dinner this season.
November 16, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
Plant based tacos El Furioso and El Diferente from Veracruz Tacos in Austin, Texas.
Food
ONETACO. Taquería crowned ATXtoday’s readers’ choice taco
Help us decide which taco is the best by nominating a local restaurant, bar, or food truck and you might see it qualify for the reader-suggested finals.
November 10, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_CuriousMixofPeople
Entertainment
“A Curious Mix of People” authors Richard Whymark, Greg Beets talk music at the Texas Book Festival
Catch “A Curious Mix of People” authors Richard Whymark and Greg Beets talk about their roots in the 1990s Austin music scene as UT DJs at the Texas Book Festival this weekend.
November 8, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
skyline of Austin, TX
Business
14 Austin-based businesses made Deloitte Technology’s Fast 500 Awards
Austin showed its colors as a national tech hub, with more businesses on the Fast 500 Awards list than any other city in the Lone Star State.
November 8, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_AFROTECH-Conference-1-1568x882.jpeg
Events
AfroTech conference will move to Houston next year
After two years of holding the Black-owned business conference in Austin, AfroTech will move to H-Town beginning in November 2024.
November 6, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_ItsMyParkDay
Travel and Outdoors
It’s My Park Day is this Saturday at parks across Austin
Volunteer for a cause — and get rewarded with some free treats — at this annual initiative to beautify Austin’s many green spaces.
November 2, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
HEB by Dusana Risovic for Austin Food and Wine 2022 _DSC04856.jpg
Events
A scrumptious local guide to Austin Food + Wine Fest 2023
Taking a trip to flavor town — ahem, Austin Food + Wine Festival — this weekend? Let us help you maximize your time at this annual celebration of eats.
November 2, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
A copy of "The Which Way Tree" on a table in front of Hill Country foliage.
Culture
Journeying through Texas history with Elizabeth Crook
We sat down with the acclaimed Austin author to discuss her inspiration, her passion for Texas, and her upcoming novel.
November 1, 2023
 · 
London Gibson
ATX_DiadelosMuertosWaterlooGreenway
Events
How to celebrate Dia de los Muertos 2023 in Austin
Celebrate the Day of the Dead in Austin with parades, live music, ofrendas, tamales, crafts, movies, and more through the weekend.
October 31, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_TresLeches
Food
Where to find delicious tres leches in Austin
Triple the milk equals triple the taste at these spots, which have been recommended by ATXtoday readers for their tres leches.
October 31, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
A view of a red and white Cruise car from above.
City
Cruise suspends driverless operations nationwide, including in Austin
The autonomous vehicle company is stepping back to “rebuild public trust” after an accident involving a pedestrian in San Francisco.
October 27, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
The spurs coyote waves to the crowd in a close-up.
Sports
Watch the San Antonio Spurs in Austin at these six official watch parties
The MLB team will bring the excitement to the Capital City with games, raffles, prizes, and giveaways at these six events all over town.
October 27, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
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