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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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An "I voted early" sticker on a finger in front of a green background.
City
Your guide to voting in the Nov. 7 general election
We’re breaking down what’s on the ballot for the general election in Travis County, so you can cast your ballot on or before Tuesday, Nov. 7.
October 25, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
Camila and Matthew McConaughey stand in front of a mural that reads "Pantalones Tequila Organico."
Business
Matthew and Camila McConaughey debut tequila brand
The McConaughey’s new tequila brand Pantalones Organic Tequila — made in Amatitán, Jalisco — pokes fun at the celebrity tequila industry and is now available online.
October 25, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_ACLLiveMoodyTheater
City
$40 million updates to Block 21 begin this week
The 2nd Street District building — home to the W Austin and ACL Live — will be under construction until fall 2024, but will remain open throughout the process.
October 23, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_F1Car
Sports
Oracle Red Bull Racing Team debuts new design for Austin Grand Prix
The team, complete with No. 1 and No. 2 drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, brought in the new vehicle design for the Austin Grand Prix via helicopter.
October 19, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_GraceSorensen
Entertainment
Getting to know Austin-based R&B singer Grace Sørensen
We met up with the ATX-born artist to chat about her first-ever ACL set, what inspires her music, and what local music she keeps on her playlist.
October 17, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_LickHonestCreams
Food
Get a free scoop for Lick Honest Ice Cream’s 12th birthday
We’ll get to the pint — Lick Honest Ice Cream is giving away free scoops of its signature flavors in celebration of 12 years in business.
October 13, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_HCGHalloween
Events
Your guide to Halloween costumes and events in ATX
Get creepy at these local Halloween costume shops and enjoy events around town when the witching hour hits.
October 11, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_SUSHIBARATX
Food
Get your dream omakase dinner in Austin at Sushi|Bar ATX
The rotating menu features a partnership with Terry Black’s Barbecue for a Texas fusion bite of gourmet sushi.
October 11, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
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Food
We’re buzzing for locally sourced Austin honey
We have the sweet details on local honey brands that are sourced from Central Texas bees.
October 9, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
A sign reading "Watch for Water on Road"
Weather
Why Central Texas is known as ‘Flash Flood Alley’
We’re talking about how Austin earned the nickname Flash Flood Alley and became the Flash Flood Capital of the US.
October 9, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
The Austin skyline, as seen at nighttime
Culture
What would give someone bad luck in Austin?
Forget breaking a mirror or walking under a ladder — what sorts of actions would bring an Austinite misfortune?
October 5, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
Little Amal leads a parade of people down a city street as they hold welcome signs.
Events
Follow Little Amal during her journey in Austin
A 12-ft puppet Little Amal is stopping in two Central Texas cities on her 11,000-mile voyage across America,and will appear at Huston-Tillotson University and the Texas State Capitol.
October 5, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
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Parks and Recreation
The life and times of Flo, Barton Springs’ most famous tree
Before the Austin community bids Flo adieu, let’s talk about why this tree means so much to locals.
October 3, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_Jo's Coffee - Fall Drink Spread - by Rickyann Ramos.jpg
Food
Fall drink specials to try during October
Enjoy a pumpkin spice, berry cobbler matcha, butter beer, or a delicious array of other fall drink specials from Austin spots.
October 3, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_ACL_Conan Gray by Todd Owyoung for ACL Fest 2022 _Z9B4517.jpg
Festivals
How to enjoy ACL 2023 without going to the festival
ACL Fest Nights gets you access to festival performers without having to brave festival grounds.
September 29, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_ATXOpen2023SinglesChamp.jpg
Sports
ATX Open returns for the second year in a row
The women’s professional tennis tournament will return to the Westwood Country Club for 13 matches in spring 2024.
September 29, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
Two women looking at art hanging on the wall.
Events
Get some Art From the Streets this October
Get some state of the art pieces at the 31st Annual Art From the Streets show, which benefits at-risk artists in the community.
September 27, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_ACLAerial by Roger Ho for ACL Fest 2022 W1_205037.jpg
Events
Your festival guide to ACL 2023
ACL 2023 is just around the corner, and we’re ready to face the music.
September 27, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
The original Kerbey Lane location in Austin's Rosedale neighborhood.
Business
Austin Made: How Kerbey Lane All Day Cafe became the family diner of ATX
The homegrown mini-chain has been serving Austinites pancakes, queso, and coffee for more than 40 years.
September 25, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
Someone holding an ice cream sandwich in front of the ACL Eats sign.
Events
The 2023 ACL Eats menu is here, and there are a lot of firsts
This year’s festival will serve general admission cocktails for the first time, host 50 food vendors, 26 market vendors, and create an ACL Sweets area.
September 15, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
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
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