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Morgan O’Neal

City Editor

Morgan is a Tennessee native who lives and works in downtown Austin. Before 6AM City, she wrote for Texas Highways and led the digital team at Community Impact. If she’s not out and about in the city, she’s likely paddleboarding on Lady Bird Lake, playing with her cat Louie, or making beaded jewelry

A black-and-white photograph of a suburban street covered in snow. A large Chevrolet Suburban is parked on the snowy road, with visible tracks in the slush. A person wearing winter gear is skiing behind the vehicle, holding onto a rope for balance. Snow blankets the surrounding trees and houses, capturing a rare winter moment in Austin, Texas. The image is credited to the Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.
History
The history of snow in Austin, TX
We’re digging into the historic data on snow in Texas, from annual averages to largest storms.
January 17, 2025
 · 
London Gibson
A view down Broadway at the traffic light next to Bridgestone Arena. You can see the Batman Building, Tootsies, and Legends Corner clearly.
Culture
‘Somewhere on Google Maps’ in Nashville
The “Somewhere on Google Maps” trend took social media by storm — let’s try it out in Music City.
January 16, 2025
 · 
Skylar Webb
A luxurious restaurant interior featuring bold, abstract cowhide-patterned artwork in warm red, orange, and gold tones covering the walls and ceiling. The space includes cozy leather banquettes, white dining chairs, and marble-topped tables adorned with elegant place settings. In the background, a sleek bar area with modern lighting and floor-to-ceiling windows adds to the ambiance.
Food
Date night awaits: Book your reservations for Valentine’s Day
Don’t be heartbroken at the last minute — make your Valentine’s Day plans now.
January 16, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
An elegant spread of vibrant dishes from Ema restaurant, featuring a variety of colorful plates, including salads, roasted vegetables, and entrees artfully arranged on patterned and decorative tableware. The meal includes fresh bread, appetizers, and cocktails, all displayed on a light wood table.
Food
12 restaurant openings to look forward to in 2025
Austin’s food + beverage scene is growing — here are a few new restaurants coming to the Capital City this year.
January 14, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
NOOGA | The Terminal
History
“Somewhere on Google Maps” in Chattanooga
We’re testing out this internet trend with our very own Scenic City.
January 13, 2025
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Haley Bartlett
Outdoor vintage market stall featuring a mannequin adorned with a straw hat decorated with colorful feathers, a turquoise necklace, and a vibrant patterned shawl. A woman in a white hat and red dress browses the display of eclectic items, including lanterns, brass decor, and textiles. The scene is set under a white tent with a backdrop of trees against a clear blue sky.
Travel and Outdoors
Your guide to Round Top Antiques Shows in 2025
Here’s where to shop for hidden gems, eat fabulous food, and rest your head at these one-of-a-kind festivals in the Texas countryside.
January 10, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
Three women playing an interactive arcade-style game in a dimly lit room with vibrant neon colors. One woman in the foreground, wearing a red tank top, engages with a console featuring illuminated buttons. A large pixelated LED wall displays colorful patterns, while a timer with '53 seconds' and heart icons are visible on a scoreboard in the background, adding to the dynamic, futuristic atmosphere.
Wellness
Sober-friendly activities in Austin
We’ve found 15+ things to do in ATX that aren’t eating or drinking alcohol.
January 10, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
A view of the downtown Austin skyline taken from inside a moving vehicle. The photo shows modern skyscrapers, some under construction with visible cranes, against a backdrop of a cloudy sky. The foreground includes a highway with light traffic, a grassy median, and trees lining the road, capturing a dynamic cityscape.
City
By the numbers: How bad is traffic in Austin?
Austin ranked No. 22 on a new list of the most congested cities in the US.
January 8, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
A group of runners jogs down a sunlit street. Most of the runners are wearing athletic gear such as tank tops, shorts, and running shoes. Some hold water bottles, and a few are smiling as they run. In the background, there is a white building with a sign that reads "Better Half Coffee Bar & Café" partially visible behind the trees and other runners.
Culture
An Austinite’s guide to New Year’s resolutions
Find the resources you need to stick to your New Year’s resolutions in 2025.
January 6, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
A spaceman kite floating facing down in front of a sky filled with dozens of other kites.
Play
Every Austin festival taking place in 2025
Save this page to plan your year’s worth of festivities.
January 2, 2025
 · 
London Gibson
ATXtoday-Austin-Motel-Google-Maps-December-2024.jpg
History
“Somewhere on Google Maps” in Austin
The “somewhere on Google Maps” trend is running rampant on social platforms — let’s try it out in the Capital City.
December 18, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
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.
Food
Your ultimate guide to Austin breweries
Sip your way through the Capital City at these 15 local breweries.
December 16, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
A tuna tower is plated on a white plate and garnished with cilantro. The colorful dish includes avocado, pineapple, edamame, and more ingredients.
Food
Food Network host to open new restaurant in Round Rock
Helmed by television host and restaurateur John Green, Odds Bar & Bistro will serve up elevated bar fare and craft cocktails.
December 10, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
A house and a red car are decorated with numerous strands of multicolored string lights, including blue, green, red, and yellow bulbs. The lights cover the exterior walls of the house, the car's roof, and the surrounding area, creating a bright display. A figure of Santa Claus sits in the backseat of the car. Additional lights hang from overhead wires, and the dark sky contrasts with the illuminated decorations. Bicycles and other objects are partially visible in the background.
Events
37th Street Lights returns this weekend
Don’t miss the annual DIY light display, which has brought joy to the weird in Austin since the 1980s.
December 10, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
A gif that reads "2024 Wrapped" in large letters with the ATXtoday logo on top. Orange symbols like stars, pins, and smiley faces move around on the graphic.
City
2024 ATXtoday Wrapped: Austin’s top news of the year
Hi, Austinite. It’s that time of year again — Spotify Wrapped is out, and so is ours. Ready to see how our year stacked up?
December 6, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
A lively indoor gathering at a warmly lit venue called Uptown Sports Club. The bar area is decorated with festive string lights and garlands, and the words "Cocktails" and "Sandwiches" are illuminated in neon signs on the walls. Guests are mingling, chatting, and enjoying the atmosphere. The space has a cozy yet vibrant ambiance, with rustic brick walls and a mix of modern and vintage decor.
Business
Where to host your last-minute holiday party
Whether you’re planning a family gathering, a corporate party, or a festive get-together with friends, here are a few restaurants offering spaces for your celebration.
December 6, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
A modern H-E-B grocery store entrance with a large red "H-E-B" logo prominently displayed at the top. The building features tall glass windows, a red awning with "WELCOME" written in bold letters, and multiple glass doors. The exterior includes a wide concrete staircase with railings and a decorated barricade showcasing festive designs at the bottom right corner. The sky above is partly cloudy, reflecting in the glass windows.
Business
Inside the new H-E-B on South Congress Avenue
The Texas grocer’s oldest location in Austin is now a shiny, new gem in the Violet Crown.
December 4, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
A view of Austin's skyline, featuring modern skyscrapers and architectural highlights reflected on the waters of Lady Bird Lake. A bridge spans the lake, surrounded by lush greenery and tree branches framing the scene. The sky is a vibrant shade of blue, dotted with a few clouds. Construction cranes are visible in the distance.
Culture
What Austinites are thankful for this Thanksgiving
We asked, and locals shared why they’re thankful to live in the Capital City.
November 26, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
Fran Harris cuts down a basketball net, a tradition often associated with celebrating a significant victory in basketball. Harris is wearing a Texas Longhorns basketball jersey and is captured in the act of removing the net from the hoop.
Sports
How Fran Harris is driving Austin’s WNBA dreams
An Austin local and hoops trailblazer is making the case for the Capital City to join the WNBA.
November 22, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
A box with pastries and sweets inside.
Food
Bread winners: 10 Austin bakeries you’ll love
If you knead an excuse to eat a sweet treat, these local bakeries will rise to the occasion.
November 20, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
A scene from Ballet Austin's performance of The Nutcracker. Dancers in white costumes are positioned on stage against a backdrop featuring snow-covered trees in shades of purple and blue. The set includes stylized trees, complementing the overall winter theme of the production.
Theatre
Snag tickets to these holiday shows in Austin
Visions of sugarplums are dancing in our heads... and on stages around Austin this holiday season.
November 20, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
Four arms reach forward to clink four glasses of red wine. In the background, there's a wooden table and bright green grass.
Travel and Outdoors
7 spots we love in Fredericksburg, Texas
In need of a weekend getaway? You’re in luck — we’re sharing our favorite restaurants, wineries, and stores in Fredericksburg, Texas.
November 18, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
A unique culinary creation with an artistic presentation. A small, round base, possibly a bread or pastry, is topped with a creamy, lightly toasted layer of sauce or cheese. Skewered on top are succulent, charred pieces of meat or mushroom, stacked and crowned with a tiny figurine of a skull in a top hat. The background is softly blurred, with hints of other elegantly plated dishes.
Food
7 restaurants in Austin earn MICHELIN Stars
Let’s dig into the first-ever picks, including 14 local Bib Gourmand Awards and a handful of MICHELIN-recommended spots, for the MICHELIN Guide Texas.
November 12, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
The top of the Texas State Capitol building with the Goddess of Liberty in view, as well as the American flag and the Texas flag.
Events
Veterans Day events and specials around Austin
Celebrate Veterans Day with a parade, ceremonies, and food specials.
November 8, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
A spread of colorful dishes arranged on a striped, pastel-colored tabletop. There’s a dish of roasted Brussels sprouts garnished with red chili slices, a creamy macaroni and cheese topped with breadcrumbs, a bowl of roasted corn with herbs, mashed sweet potatoes with sage and seeds, and a fresh kale and butternut squash salad sprinkled with almond slices. A small dessert square on a blue-and-white plate adds a sweet note to the scene.
Food
Thanksgiving feasts in Austin: Best spots for dine-in and to-go
Gobble up 12 of the best Thanksgiving meals available in the Capital City.
November 8, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
A wintry background with snowflakes that reads "ATXtoday's 2024 Gift Guide."
Culture
ATXtoday’s 2024 holiday gift guide: 90+ gifts for everyone on your list
Including gifts for neighbors, foodies, significant others, homebodies, students, and gifts under $20.
November 8, 2024
 · 
Sarah Leonhardt
A neon light installation featuring geometric, rectangular shapes in various colors including green, orange, and purple. The shapes are suspended and reflected in water on the ground below. The scene is illuminated with purple lighting from above, creating a contrasting dark and vibrant environment. The installation is set under an industrial structure with visible concrete beams on the ceiling.
Events
What to know before you go to Creek Show 2024
There’s more to Creek Show than meets the eye.
November 6, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
A plate of barbecue on a wooden table
Food
Your ultimate guide to Austin barbecue
There’s nothing more Texan than a good ol’ barbecue joint — so let’s explore some of Austin’s best.
November 4, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
A white, oval sticker with an American flag reads "I Voted Yo Voté" and is stuck to a finger. In the background, Austin City Hall is blurred out.
City
10 tips for Austinites on Election Day
Know your rights before you head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
November 4, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
An outdoor movie screening during dusk, with a large crowd seated facing a screen showing the opening credits of a film featuring "Willie Nelson." The scene includes an illuminated wooden building on the left, and a partly cloudy sky above as daylight fades.
Events
Celebrate western culture + film at “Look West” in Luck, Texas
The inaugural event will run Friday, Nov. 8 through Saturday, Nov. 9 on Willie Nelson’s property.
October 31, 2024
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
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