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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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Two drinks on a wooden ledge in a bright restaurant: one is a frozen yellow cocktail garnished with a dried lime wheel and a paper straw, and the other is a dark iced beverage with a creamy foam top, served in a stemmed glass. In the background, wooden tables are set with napkins and silverware, and large windows reveal greenery outside.
Food
Suerte’s expanded happy hour will have you feeling lucky
The MICHELIN-recommended Mexican restaurant now serves its happy hour every day, giving you an excuse to unwind with a $10 signature cocktail and wagyu tacos.
July 15, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
Two hands hold up matching Alamo-branded beer cans against a lively nighttime street scene in downtown Austin. A crowd of people fills the background, with colorful neon signs from venues like the Paramount Theatre and State Theatre glowing brightly under string lights.
Food
“King of The Hill”'s signature Alamo Beer will launch in stores this month
The preferred brew of Arlen’s back alley hangouts will be available in H-E-B in late July, just before the series reboot drops on Hulu.
July 15, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
The front of T-Loc's Sonoran Style Hot Dogs food truck.
Food
These eight food trucks are the best in Austin, according to Yelp
Austin is home to some of the best food trucks, including the No.1 truck in the continental US, plus seven other trucks that put the city on the map.
July 14, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
A person wearing glasses and a dark blue shirt stands in a produce storage area, holding a bunch of green onions. Around them are black plastic crates filled with vegetables including cilantro, orange bell peppers, and cabbage. The setting appears to be a refrigerated storage room with metal shelves and insulated walls.
Food
‘Once you taste this food, it’s really hard to go back': How to eat local with Farmhouse Delivery
Farmhouse Delivery founder Stephanie Scherzer answered our questions about the newly relaunched local food delivery service, which aims to get people eating local.
July 8, 2025
 · 
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.
July 8, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
A muddy river flows swiftly under an overcast sky, with visible rapids and cloudy water. On the left side, several tan apartment buildings with red tile roofs sit behind a dense line of trees, some of which appear bent or damaged. The riverbank in the foreground is rocky and uneven.
City
How to give back to Central Texans impacted by Guadalupe River flooding
Thousands of Texans were affected by major flooding events over the Fourth of July weekend — here’s how you can do your part in aiding recovery efforts.
July 7, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
A sunlit table set with an assortment of dishes, including two pizzas—one topped with pepperoni, basil, and mushrooms, and another featuring greens and thinly sliced vegetables. A folded pizza with pesto and cheese sits on branded parchment paper, accompanied by a burger, a basket of cookies, and a powdered pastry. The table also holds cocktails and iced drinks, with wooden plates, napkins, and utensils arranged for dining.
Live
33 places to get a great pizza in Austin
Dig into Austin’s must-try pizza shops including New York-style, Roman pizza, wood-fired, Detroit-style, and creative pies.
July 3, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
Austin skyline
Culture
Thrive in the second half of 2025 in Austin
It’s halftime, folks, so let’s make the rest of the year count with these local ideas. What will the next six months look like for you?
July 3, 2025
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
A bakery display case filled with an assortment of cupcakes in various flavors and colors. The cupcakes are topped with sprinkles, frosting swirls, and other decorative elements. Behind the cupcakes, there are several full-sized cakes stored under glass covers. Labels indicate flavors like lemon and strawberry, and the store interior features teal accents
Food
Where to get birthday freebies in Austin
Party like it’s your birthday with these gifts from nearby businesses to you.
July 3, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
a black and white dog wearing sunglasses lounges in front of the pool at kitty cohen's
Business
6 bars + restaurants with pools in Austin
I’ll have an espresso martini and a bottle of sunscreen on the side, please.
July 1, 2025
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
ATX_BarHacienda
Culture
Bar Hacienda is now open underneath Tiger Lilly
The new, underground bar comes from industry veterans and the folks behind Here Nor There.
June 30, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
Horseback riders in a stream
Culture
23 classes to take in Austin
Class is in session. Learn some new skills — from cooking to gardening to learning a new language — with the help of the Austin community.
June 24, 2025
 · 
London Gibson
A piña colada in the foreground with the Austin skyline in the background.
Entertainment
13 Austin speakeasies to visit
You’ll need to be pretty savvy to get into these Austin speakeasies, which range from rooftops and garages to basements and caves.
June 23, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
Two hands holding glasses of orange-colored craft beer, raised for a toast in an outdoor setting. The scene features a cozy beer garden with trees, string lights, picnic tables, and a mix of casual seating in the background. The ambiance is relaxed, with the evening sky transitioning from day to dusk, and people are sitting around, enjoying the space.
Play
Your ultimate guide to Austin breweries
Sip your way through the Capital City at these 23 local breweries.
June 20, 2025
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
A display of delicate gold and silver chain bracelets, charms, and jewelry pieces arranged neatly on trays at a boutique or pop-up jewelry station. Small price tags label the items, and a person with a white sleeve is partially visible in the background behind the counter.
Business
Loveweld’s new flagship location to open on North Lamar Boulevard
The permanent jewelry bar offers 14k gold and sterling silver chains that can be customized with charms and welded onto the wearer.
June 19, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
Coat of arms-style emblem featuring a red, white, and blue shield outlined in gold with a gold oil lamp in the blue section at the top. Above the shield is a winged crest with a red cross on a gold sword, and a stylized crown. Below the shield, the text “City of Austin” is written in curved, dark blue capital letters.
City
What does the City of Austin’s flag mean?
Austin’s crest and flag have been around since 1915 and still hold modern significance to this day.
June 17, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
Three dishes on the table at KGBBQ
Food
A history of James Beard winners and semifinalists in Austin
There are dozens of Austin James Beard Award winners and semifinalists from years’ past — let’s get to know them a little bit ahead of the 2024 awards.
June 17, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
A cozy, eclectic lounge area with a mid-century modern vibe. In the foreground, a wooden apothecary-style cabinet holds an open coffee table book flanked by two wooden lamps with white shades, surrounded by leafy green plants. Small bowls filled with chocolate and matchbooks sit on either side. In the background, a tan leather couch is centered below a geometric textile hanging on the wall, with a round, glowing paper lantern suspended above. Large windows line the right side, letting in natural light.
Business
Exclusive: Peek inside Austin’s first Switchyards work club
The “neighborhood work club” begins offering memberships on Wednesday, June 18 — and they’ve been known to sell out in minutes.
June 16, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
Modern urban streetscape featuring contemporary multi-story buildings with large glass windows and vertical wooden slats. The corner building has a ground-floor café with outdoor seating filled with people. Pedestrians, cyclists, and cars move along the tree-lined street, while clear blue skies and birds in flight complete the scene.
City
Peek inside the upcoming redesign for the Twin Oaks Shopping Center
The former site of the temporary H-E-B at South Congress Avenue will be redeveloped to include retail, office, and residential space.
June 12, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
A person leans over a pool table aiming a cue stick at a white ball, preparing to take a shot. The table has "SPARE BIRDIE" branding printed on the green felt. The venue features multiple pool tables, bar seating, and a high ceiling with exposed ductwork and purple ambient lighting. People are seated and mingling in the background, contributing to a lively and social atmosphere.
Events
Last-minute ideas to celebrate Father’s Day
We’ve got dad-itude. Father’s Day falls on Sunday, June 15, and we’re here to help you show love to the parents in town.
June 10, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
An LED Butterfly sculpture suspended from the ceiling in a dark room. Red and blue bean bags are on the floor and people look up at the sculpture.
Culture
Balloon Museum will open an exhibit in Austin this summer
The “Let’s Fly – Art Has No Limits” exhibit will set up shop to showcase work from 19 international artists in Austin all summer.
June 10, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
The Austin skyline in front of a red and purple sky.
Live
How well do you know Austin trivia?
We’re bringing you 35 fun facts about the Capital City, so you’ll want to quiz yourself whether you’re a trivia fiend or local enthusiast.
June 6, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
barton springs pool on a summer day with a green lawn full of people laying on towels
Culture
50 ways to cool off in Austin
From historic pools and lazy rivers to lakeside parks and splash pads, here’s where you can dive in and cool down around the Capital City this summer.
June 5, 2025
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
Downtown Austin from the east, featuring train tracks running through a busy street, lined with trees and vegetation in the foreground. Modern high-rise buildings with glass and steel facades dominate the skyline, interspersed with older, low-rise structures. Cars navigate the streets below, and traffic lights and street signs add to the busy, bustling atmosphere. Clear skies with light clouds above the city.
Culture
If Downtown is Austin’s living room, what does that make the rest of town?
Mayor Kirk Watson calls Downtown “Austin’s living room,” so we’re speculating on what that means for the rest of the city.
June 2, 2025
 · 
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.
May 29, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_ATXTVFestival
Culture
Your guide to the 2025 ATX TV Festival
Don’t touch that dial. Some of the most iconic TV productions are coming to Austin for a weekend of binge-watching, star-spotting, and tons of fun.
May 27, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
A warm-toned photo of the Pennybacker Bridge looking South.
Travel and Outdoors
The zodiac signs as Austin landmarks
Combine your big three — or even add a loved one’s signs — for a tiny tour of Austin.
May 24, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
The pond at Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest District Park in Allandale, with a bench set to the right side.
Real Estate
How much it could cost to rent in Austin based on the neighborhood
Trying to move neighborhoods? We looked at 15 different neighborhoods around Austin to compare cost of rent to the local average.
May 21, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
A plane flying over Austin-Bergstrom International Airport at dusk.
Travel and Outdoors
Fly away on one of these nonstop flights out of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
You’ll never have to deal with a layover again, because these are just a few of ABIA’s nonstop flights, which will take you to over 100 cities in the US and abroad.
May 21, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
The capitol building, as seen from the grounds
Events
Memorial Day remembrance events in Austin
Here are three events Austinites could attend to remember fallen service members.
May 20, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
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