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.

Support Good Local News
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
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
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
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
Load More