Morgan O'Neal.jpeg

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 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
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Morgan O’Neal
This historic photograph of the Texas State Capitol features the text "Austin, The Friendly City" in a stylized, cursive font above the image. Captured from the Austin History Center at the Austin Public Library, the image offers a classic view of the Capitol grounds, with lined pathways and symmetrical landscaping leading up to the grand building.
History
Time capsule from 1943 dubs Austin “The Friendly City”
Travel eight decades back in time, and find out how friendly we are today.
October 31, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
ATXtoday-Halloween-Map-of-Austin-October-2024.jpg
Culture
Your dating horror stories in Austin
We get it — dating in the Capital City can be scary.
October 29, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
An espresso martini is being held by a person in a dimly lit, stylish bar setting. The drink is presented in a sleek, coupe glass, with its frothy top adorned by three coffee beans, a traditional garnish for the cocktail.
Food
Your short n’ sweet guide to espresso martinis around Austin
If you’re headed to see Sabrina Carpenter in concert at the Moody Center on Monday, Oct. 28, sip on that me espresso first.
October 25, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
A cocktail garnished with lime in a "Scream" themed glass sits on a table with a pumpkin, a skull decoration, and four scary baby dolls.
Events
10 Halloween events in Austin
From spine-chilling drag shows to eerie outdoor movie nights, Austin has a haunting lineup of events to celebrate Halloween on Thursday, Oct. 31.
October 25, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
On a fall day, two people wearing pumpkins on their heads pose for a kiss. One wears a khaki jacket and black pants, and the other wears jeans and a long-sleeved white shirt. Leaves are all around them on the ground, and a wooden fence is behind them. In the background, trees are changing color with the autumn season.
Culture
Got ghosted? Share your Austin dating horror story
Now’s the time to spill the local date fright that keeps you up at night.
October 17, 2024
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Samantha Robertson
An orange graphic of the Austin skyline is in the background. The two ATXtoday city editors, Figi and Morgan, are in the foreground wearing party hats. The text reads "Happy Third Birthday" with the ATXtoday logo in the middle. Orange balloons and sparkles are spread out throughout the image.
Culture
Celebrating ATXtoday’s third birthday
We’re partying like it’s our birthday... because it is.
October 17, 2024
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Laura Figi
A large, illuminated moon sculpture floats between tall trees in a park at night. The moon's surface features detailed craters, and it emits a soft, white glow, lighting up the area around it. People are seated in chairs scattered across the grass, facing the moon, some standing and talking nearby. The trees are a mix of dark greens, with their leaves lit by the moon's glow and the ambient light of the evening. In the background, faint orange and yellow light filters through the trees.
Arts
‘Museum of the Moon’ orbits Austin
The internationally traveling artwork by Luke Jerram will stop in Texas for the first time and be unveiled at Domain NORTHSIDE on Thursday, Oct. 24.
October 15, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
A live music performance featuring Chris Stapleton and Willie Nelson on stage. Chris Stapleton wears a cowboy hat, holds an electric guitar and points to Willie Nelson. Nelson wears a bandana and plays an acoustic guitar. The stage lighting casts a warm glow over the musicians. The background features vibrant red and orange tones and another band member plays in the background.
Culture
Iconic moments at ACL Fest weekend two
From Willie Nelson’s surprise performances to Dua Lipa wearing burnt orange, let’s relive ACL Fest weekend two together.
October 14, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
A white Waymo self-driving car is parked on the street with the Texas State Capitol building in the background. The vehicle is equipped with sensors and cameras mounted on its roof, used for autonomous navigation. The scene features bright, clear skies, with trees and a traffic cone visible near the car, creating a mix of urban and natural elements.
Business
Behind the ride: answering questions about autonomous vehicles and Waymo
City Editors Figi and Morgan took a fully autonomous Waymo ride with products communications manager Chris Bonelli to answer questions about AVs.
October 14, 2024
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Laura Figi
ATX_farmersmarket_lemons
City
Breaking down Austin + Travis County’s first-ever food plan
The Austin/Travis County Food Plan aims to address equity, sustainability, and resilience within the area’s food system.
October 11, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
The image shows the interior of a large tent, decorated in a circus or carnival theme. The red and white striped ceiling adds to the festive atmosphere, with string lights hanging across the tent. A chandelier in the center adds a touch of elegance. At the front, there is a black horse statue standing on its hind legs, roped off with red velvet ropes. To the side, a large target-like game wheel can be seen, and throughout the tent are long picnic tables for seating. The décor includes bunting flags and various whimsical carnival elements.
Business
5 local haunts with Halloween decor + cocktails
Austin bars are embracing the Halloween spirit with creepy cocktails, haunted decor, and ghoulish gatherings throughout October.
October 9, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
A conceptual drawing of a lively outdoor plaza with the Texas State Capitol in the background. The scene depicts a vibrant public space with a mix of pedestrians, cyclists, and people sitting at outdoor tables, enjoying food and conversation. Large trees provide shade, while food trucks line one side of the plaza, offering various dining options. There's a water fountain feature in the center where people are gathered, adding a refreshing element to the setting. The atmosphere is casual and bustling, with a strong emphasis on community and recreation. A mural on a nearby building adds an artistic touch to the environment.
City
A new plaza and more improvements proposed for Congress Avenue
Project leaders want Congress Avenue to be more human-centered and have a “clear and attractive identity.”
October 9, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
A festival crowd sits and stands on a grassy field with colorful flags on tall poles surrounding them. The flags have various abstract designs in bright colors, and people are scattered across the area, some in groups and others sitting alone. The scene is lit by late afternoon sunlight.
Culture
5 lessons learned at ACL Fest weekend one
We’re talking dust, totems, crowds, and can’t-miss performances.
October 7, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
A nighttime aerial view of downtown Austin featuring the proposed development of I-35, with green spaces, pedestrian paths, and modern architectural structures brightly lit. In the foreground, a colorful circular structure glows with pink and orange lighting, surrounded by trees and people walking. A light rail train is visible on the left, moving along the tracks. The skyline in the background shows tall buildings, including a Hilton Garden Inn and other lit high-rise buildings, while cars travel along the highway on the right side. The cityscape is vibrant and modern, showing a lively urban scene at night.
City
Feast your eyes on the (potential) future of central Austin
Pending Austin City Council approval, Our Future 35’s vision plan for Austin could become a reality.
October 1, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
ATX_Esther-Follies-October-2024.jpg
Business
Stamp passports, win prizes: 10 longtime businesses to visit in October
During Legacy Business Month, locals are invited to celebrate Austin’s community fixtures through a competitive challenge.
October 1, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
A lively group of people enjoying a sunny day by the pool at an outdoor bar. They are seated under white umbrellas with scalloped edges, with drinks in hand. Some are waving their arms and smiling with excitement, creating a joyful, relaxed atmosphere. The people are dressed in colorful, casual summer outfits, with one person wearing a vibrant tropical shirt and another in a graphic tee that reads 'Your Hole is My Goal.' In the foreground, there is a pool with shimmering water.
Sports
East Side Mini Open tees up for sixth year
Score a hole-in-fun at east Austin’s charitable mini-golf showdown.
September 25, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
A rendering of Cesar Chavez St. over I-35, with green space to the background and walkways with gardens bordering the street.
City
Our Future 35 to unveil cap and stitch plans
Austinites are invited to take a first look at the Vision Plan before it heads to Austin City Council.
September 25, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
People walking around in rainbow light inside Ellworth Kelly's "Austin."
Culture
Sketch your plan for Austin Museum Day
Over 30 museums in the area will offer free admission, special programming, and activities for Austin Museum Day’s 27th annual celebration.
September 19, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
A variety of pressed sushi with various fish and toppings sit in a geometrical pattern on a black table.
Food
Aburi Oshi Sushi is coming to Austin
Aburi Restaurants, which operates Canada’s first-ever Michelin-starred sushi restaurant, is bringing a new to-go concept to Austin.
September 17, 2024
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Morgan O’Neal
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