Laura Figi.jpg

Laura Figi

Senior City Editor, ATXtoday

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.

Malin the troll against a background of trees, with several children climbing on her.
Travel and Outdoors
Meet Pease Park’s 18-ft Thomas Dambo troll
The new troll, named Malin, is the 129th installation by the artist and sits at the park for all humans and animals alike to enjoy.
March 19, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
The Paramount Theater sign, as seen from the street below.
Events
All the Austin comics at Moontower Comedy Festival 2024
Before you get your laughs on at this annual April festival, we wanted to tell you about some of the comedians that call ATX home.
March 19, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A map of Seattle with three dots laid atop the map. Inside of one dot is an image of the space needle, inside another is an image of Pike Place Market, and inside the last dot is a photo from Jimi Hendrix Park.
City
How well do you know the map of Seattle?
We’ve got a game for you — test your knowledge of how well you know Seattle venues by the address alone.
March 18, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A side-view of the Antone's sign against the skyline, reading "SXSW 2024"
Culture
That’s a wrap: SXSW 2024 film and innovation awards
SXSW 2024 is coming to a close, so we wanted to share a few of the most special moments, innovations, and films that came to town this year.
March 15, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
The Austin skyline
Real Estate
State of the housing market: new listings are up, prices are stable
Austin Board of Realtors statistics from February 2024 indicate good conditions for both buyers and sellers in the Austin housing market.
March 13, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
Columbia-Road-Map-1265x977.jpg
City
How well do you know the map of Columbia?
We’ve got a game for you — test your knowledge of how well you know Columbia’s points-of-interest by the address alone.
March 13, 2024
 · 
David Stringer
A map of Portland shows certain locations: Providence Park, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Veterans Memorial Coliseum, and Revolution Hall. Each point is emphasized by a circle with a photo inside.
City
How well do you know the map of Portland?
We’ve got a game for you — test your knowledge of how well you know Portland’s points-of-interest by the address alone.
March 12, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Industrial purple pipes outside.
City
Save the water: inside the city’s GoPurple program
Austin City Council approved some key funding elements to help boost Austin’s reclaimed water infrastructure and initiatives through GoPurple.
March 11, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A map of Austin with orange squares showing Zilker Park, the Austin Convention Center, The Long Center, and the Texas Capitol.
Real Estate
How well do you know the map of Austin?
We’ve got a game for you — test your knowledge of how well you know Austin venues by the address alone.
March 11, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
Black-eyed Susan
Travel and Outdoors
Become an expert on native flowers
Keep local love growing this spring with local plants.
March 7, 2024
 · 
Dayten Rose
ATX_ChiefCleopatra
Culture
Turn the “Sound ON!” for the launch of ATXN’s newest music series
The series will premiere with artist Chief Cleopatra, followed by episodes with Brother Thunder, Moving Panoramas, and Tomar & the FCs.
March 7, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A close up of a piece of sushi on a leaf.
Food
Omakase restaurant Endo is opening in ATX
Austin’s newest omakase restaurant only seats 10, but it was created with the help of some of the most accomplished sushi chefs in the world.
March 6, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
City Editors London and Figi standing in front of a SXSW mural.
Culture
Choose our adventure: local SXSW 2024 edition
Your humble City Editors will be all over the festival this year and we want your help choosing how we should spend our time.
March 5, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
The front of Austin's downtown City Hall
Real Estate
$50 million in funding approved for nine affordable housing projects across the city
It’s home sweet homes because the City of Austin’s Housing Department dedicated $50 million to creating nine new affordable housing developments across the city.
March 1, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
The spurs coyote waves to the crowd in a close-up.
Sports
Your guide to the second-ever Spurs Week
Community events + the I-35 Series = Spurs Week. The San Antonio Spurs are bringing the party to Austin with dozens of events, community enrichment, and activations.
February 28, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A view of the skyline up close during golden hour from a rooftop bar.
Culture
Answered: Why there is a Leap Day every four years
This extra day is added to the calendar every four years to keep it synchronized with the Earth’s revolutions around the sun, so we want to know what you’re going to do with the extra time.
February 28, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A white cottage that reads "everyone welcome but Jolene" with rocking chairs and a porch swing out front.
Travel and Outdoors
17 Texas Travel Award-winning destinations in Central Texas
The 2024 Texas Travel Awards honored a host of attractions in Central Texas, so don’t miss this vacation-worthy spots that are an hour or less from ATX.
February 26, 2024
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Laura Figi
An overhead view of a gulf shrimp omelette, eggs benedict, everything bagels, Belgian waffles topped with bananas, cocktails, and gold silverware.
Play
39 great brunch restaurants to try in Austin
Check out these brunch restaurants, cafes, and diners in town, serving a variety of egg dishes, mimosas, micheladas, and more.
February 26, 2024
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Laura Figi
Ben Duong wearing a black tank top, blue shorts, and a white headband, dribbling the ball while running, and being filmed by a man on a bike behind him. There are several runners surrounding him.
Sports
How Austinite Ben Duong became a basketball-dribbling, world record-breaking runner
“It doesn’t feel real,” according to Duong, who broke the world record for fastest person ever to run a half marathon while dribbling a basketball at the Austin Marathon
February 22, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_ElCockfight
Food
Get your sip on for National Margarita Day
We’ve gathered some delicious deals at five local restaurants for you to celebrate.
February 20, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A neon sign of a bowling ball and two bowling pins lit up at night. Underneath, a sign reads "Dart Bowl. Dart — Bowl — Cafe."
Culture
A brief history of Austin businesses from the past
We asked readers to share the closed Austin businesses they miss the most, so for the sake of nostalgia, we’re sharing their stories to keep the memory alive.
February 20, 2024
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Laura Figi
Ray Benson performs in front of a screen reading "The 'Dillo Lives" during the re-launch of Armadillo World at the Austin FC jersey launch party at ACL Live.
Culture
Armadillo World Headquarters and Austin FC team up for cultural collaboration
“The spirit of the ‘Dillo is still alive today,” according to Austin FC Minister of Culture Matthew McConaughey, as the sports team and iconic venue join forces.
February 16, 2024
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Laura Figi
A mid-century kitchen with a butter yellow tiled backsplash and open shelving, sliding glass doors to the right, and a wooden island-bar in the foreground.
Culture
Preservation Austin’s Homes Tour returns in April 2024
We asked Preservation Austin Executive Director Lindsey Derrington to talk about what will make this year’s Homes Tour special.
February 14, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A spread of sashimi dishes from above on a dark wooden table, surrounded by cocktails, beer, a glass of wine, dishes of soy sauce and plates with chopsticks on top.
Food
California-based Sushi Roku opens in Austin this week
The sixth iteration of the coastal sushi chain, Sushi Roku will serve upscale Japanese food along with rolls that are exclusive to Austin.
February 13, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A woman wearing flowy, white pants crowd surfing with a big smile on her face. In the background, her bandmate stands on an amp and Dr. Martens logos hand on the walls.
Events
Every single Austin-based musician performing at SXSW 2024
At least 104 Austin-based bands, musicians, and DJs will hit the stage at the upcoming SXSW 2024 festival. We’ve got a guide to all the locals you can jam out to this March.
February 8, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A photo of four men standing in front of a turquoise vintage car in front of Dirty Martin's
Development
Dirty Martin’s no longer displaced by upcoming Project Connect light rail
Dirty Martin’s Place and seven other businesses in the area will no longer be displaced, as Austin Transit Partnership reevaluates the location of upcoming light rail stations.
February 7, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_WatsonMobiltySummit
City
Why is there another mayoral election in Austin in 2024?
Have you been asking yourself that question? We’ve got the answer to why Austinites are voting for mayor just two years after the last election.
February 6, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_FlowersmithATX.heic
Culture
Treat your loved one to painted petals from Flowersmith ATX for Valentine’s Day
The local flower boutique sells flowers that are painted by hand to give petals a “whole different personality” and create a unique gift.
February 6, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
Three dishes on the table at KGBBQ
Food
A history of James Beard winners and semifinalists in Austin
There are 62 Austin James Beard Award winners and semifinalists from years’ past — let’s get to know them a little bit ahead of the 2024 awards.
February 2, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
An overhead shot of wonton chips, several colorful chips, edamame, chicken karaage, rice noodles and wings from Loro.
Sports
11 Local Super Bowl specials to make your game day delicious
Whether you’re looking for a place to watch the game or food to take home, we’ve got a few suggestions for your to consider for your Super Bowl experience.
January 31, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
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