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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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Culture
How to spend the day on Burnet Road
Whether you’re looking to eat, drink, shop, see a game, or just explore the city, Burnet Road has everything you need across 7.2 miles.
August 4, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles sit at a Comic-Con panel. Padalecki is on the left with shoulder-length hair and a casual jacket over a graphic t-shirt, with a name card reading "Jared Padalecki" in front of him. Ackles is on the right, with shorter hair and wearing a dark jacket, looking toward him. Both are seated behind microphones, with Comic-Con logos on the table and the backdrop behind them. Bottled water is on the table.
Culture
29 celebrities who live in Austin
It’s not just us who love Austin — dozens of celebrities have chosen to forgo New York and Los Angeles in favor of the Capital City.
July 31, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
A modern, open-concept living space with a neutral color palette, featuring a beige sofa, a black coffee table, and a dining area with a round wooden table and matching chairs. The space has textured, curved walls, large windows allowing natural light, and minimalist décor, including abstract artwork and a black pendant light above the dining table. The kitchen in the background has wooden cabinetry and stainless steel appliances.
Real Estate
ICON breaks ground on a dozen new 3D-printed homes in Mueller
Act fast if you’re interested in living in one of the new Mueller homes, because only a few are still available.
July 31, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
A large crowd browses tables stacked with books under a white event tent. People of various ages flip through pages, chat, and examine titles. The tables are neatly arranged with colorful book covers, and the atmosphere is lively and bustling.
Events
Texas Book Festival announces R.L. Stine, Chelsea Handler, and Ali Hazelwood in initial lineup
The annual free book festival will share the full lineup of 250+ authors in early September, but here’s a sneak preview of 18 that are on the list ahead of November.
July 30, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
Cars cruise along I-77 with the Uptown Charlotte skyline in the distance.
Real Estate
How much it could cost to rent in Charlotte based on the neighborhood
Trying to move neighborhoods? We looked at 10+ different neighborhoods around Charlotte to compare the cost of rent to the local average.
July 29, 2025
 · 
Maria Adnado
An overhead look at dipping ramen noodles, fried chicken, and mole.
Food
Ramen Del Barrio will move into its first brick-and-mortar this year
The Bib Gourmand Japanese-Mexican fusion restaurant will stay in north Austin and take over the former Bullseye Bakery space.
July 28, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
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Events
The Back 2 The Video Store pop-up is now open in Downtown Austin
Bask in 1990s nostalgia at this hyper-themed speakeasy, where the video store comes back in a new way with cocktails, community, and pop-culture.
July 24, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_AntonesSXSW
City
Downtown Austin Alliance debuts new XOXO app and photo competition
Downtown’s nonprofit city preservation organization created an app to make exploring the Capital City easier.
July 22, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
Two hands clink colorful cocktails against a bright turquoise background. One drink is pale with a chili-lime rim and a purple orchid garnish; the other is pink with crushed ice, topped with shredded coconut and skewered blueberries.
Food
Celebrate National Tequila Day with one of these local specials
Agave up your worries this Thursday, July 24 because these local bars + restaurants are celebrating National Tequila Day with fun drink specials.
July 22, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
A shot of Austin FC fans at Q2 Stadium.
Sports
How to celebrate the 2025 MLS All-Star Game all week long
The “biggest party in Austin” has a week-long itinerary to celebrate Q2 Stadium’s first time hosting the pros for the 2025 MLS All-Star Game.
July 17, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
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
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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
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