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Morgan O’Neal

Product 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

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A bustling outdoor pool scene on a sunny day, with people of all ages lounging on colorful towels and blankets on a grassy area under the shade of tall trees. The large pool in the background is filled with swimmers enjoying the cool water. The area is lively, with groups of friends and families relaxing, chatting, and soaking up the sun. The lush greenery and the relaxed atmosphere create a perfect summer day setting.
Culture
Old + new in Austin: 16 options for 8 activities
Explore some of the Capital City’s oldest establishments alongside new additions to the business + restaurant scene.
May 15, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
A man wearing a hat and sunglasses with red lenses bites into a piece of meat garnished with red cabbage and cucumbers. In the background, the Hot Luck Fest neon sign is visible, glowing in yellow, blue, and red hues.
Food
Your guide to Hot Luck Fest 2025
From brisket to brunch, Hot Luck Fest 2025 will serve up flavor and fanfare across Austin this Memorial Day weekend.
May 14, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
A vibrant collage showcasing iconic Austin, Texas experiences. At the center, a smiling woman in a floral dress and cowboy hat holds a pint of beer from "Oasis Texas Brewing Co." Surrounding her are images of local food and landmarks: a cheeseburger with crinkle fries, a bowl of ravioli, two colorful drinks on a mosaic table, the historic Paramount Theatre, and The Contemporary Austin’s “Jones Center” with multicolored windows. The background features the Austin skyline and blue sky, blending into playful patterns like leopard print and red with white stars.
Culture
10 of City Editor Morgan’s favorite places in Austin
City Editor Morgan is celebrating one year at ATXtoday by sharing her favorite local spots, from restaurants and bars to event venues and green spaces.
May 13, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
A man wearing a gray cap, green t-shirt, and glasses reaches into a refrigerated display case at a grocery store, selecting a packaged item. He holds a shopping basket in his other hand, and another person stands slightly behind him. The fridge contains beverages, pre-packaged meals, and snacks.
Culture
Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Austin
Commemorate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at these upcoming events and activations.
May 12, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
Four people wearing red bandanas and western-style outfits pose together outdoors at a Texas-themed event, with a crowd and event signage visible in the background.
Culture
Big state, big screen: 7 questions with Chase Musslewhite and Grant Wood of Media for Texas
The two movie makers are on a mission to bring Hollywood to Austin by advocating for better film incentives in their home state.
May 9, 2025
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Laura Figi
A close-up photo of Matthew McConaughey dressed in burnt orange, holding up the hook'em hand signal.
City
Oh, the places you’ll go: Famous alumni from local universities
The tassel was worth the hassle — these local universities have impressive alumni rosters.
May 8, 2025
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Laura Figi
A large, dense crowd of festival-goers gathers outdoors under a blue sky with scattered clouds. Tall, colorful vertical flags line the background, and trees are visible behind them. The atmosphere is lively and energetic, with people wearing sunglasses, hats, and summer clothing.
Culture
Sabrina Carpenter, Hozier, and Doja Cat will headline the 2025 ACL Festival
Plus, look forward to performances from Luke Combs, John Summit, The Strokes, and Doechii at this year’s festival.
May 6, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
Open-concept coworking space with people working at communal tables, lounge chairs, and leather sofas, surrounded by plants, books, and natural light from large windows.
Business
Exclusive: Switchyards will open first ‘neighborhood work club’ in Austin
The coveted workspace will release 250 memberships for its inaugural Austin location, opening early this summer.
May 6, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
A colorful hat customization shop features wooden walls lined with decorative accessories and materials. On the left, large spools of ribbon in various colors—ranging from mustard yellow to deep red and muted brown—are mounted on a wall rack. Below them, patterned scarves hang neatly. A vintage-style white glass wall sconce lights the workspace. In the center, a shelf displays lace, fabric bands, and beaded hatbands hanging from black hooks, with small signs reading “Build a Hat” and showing hat style options. To the right, wide-brimmed hats in neutral and pastel tones sit stacked on circular shelves, with more hats and small accessories arranged on a display table in front of a mirror. Decorative elements like dried flowers, feathers, and ornate frames add to the boutique’s eclectic and rustic charm.
Business
Top off your weekend at The Hat and Floral Bar
This weekend-only micro shop lets you design a hat, shop local makers, and leave with a bouquet in hand.
May 2, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
Two hands hold up identical yellow cocktails in short, clear, textured glasses filled with ice. The drinks are garnished with dried orange wheels on the rim and have a chili-lime spice blend coating the upper glass edges. Each cocktail contains a brown paper straw. The hand on the left has dark red painted nails and wears multiple colorful beaded bracelets in pink, turquoise, and purple tones. The hand on the right has a pale pink manicure and wears a delicate silver chain bracelet. In the background, tall green ornamental grasses line a stone-paved outdoor area. A round wooden table and woven-back patio chairs are partially visible.
Food
Sip half-priced margaritas at 12 Austin spots during Margarita May
Austin bars and restaurants are teaming up for a month-long initiative featuring 50% off specialty margaritas + treasure hunts for Marg Bucks.
April 30, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
View of downtown Austin, Texas, featuring a cluster of high-rise buildings under a clear blue sky. Prominent structures include the JW Marriott hotel, the Frost Bank Tower with its pointed crown-like top, and the Hampton Inn & Suites. Trees and a few low-rise buildings are visible in the foreground.
Culture
10 things locals hope never change about Austin
We’re all about sharing the new and exciting things coming to the Capital City, but here are some things Austinites hope never change.
April 24, 2025
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Kristen Templeton
A few gifts overlaid on a patchwork background, including a Carharrt lunch box and a jewelry dish.
Sponsored
What to buy for parents: Your 2025 gift guide for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day
Including Oprah’s favorite eye mask and a No. 1 best-selling beard trimmer.
Sponsored by
A visually striking dessert featuring a round labneh cheesecake with a caramelized top, layered over a crust coated in crushed pistachios, and topped with a scoop of deep pink sorbet. The dessert is served on a dark blue ceramic plate placed on a pink tiled surface with red grout.
Food
3 must-try Austin restaurant collaborations happening in April
Snag a seat at these one-night-only dinners, featuring dishes from top local chefs, at spots like Emmer & Rye and Ezov.
April 22, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
The Barton Springs Salamander, a small aquatic amphibian with a speckled brown body and pale spots. It has feathery, pink external gills near its head and tiny limbs. The salamander is resting on a rocky surface underwater, blending with its surroundings.
Travel and Outdoors
What you may not know about the Barton Springs Salamander
Meet the endangered Barton Springs Salamander, a vibrant amphibian that calls Austin’s natural springs home.
April 18, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
A table at Oribello's has a birria pizza, ube pancakes, and two Purple Ube-Ritas.
Food
Ube, birria + brunch: Oribello’s is Austin’s new hub for Filipino flavors
Meet the brothers behind Oribello’s, a new bar and kitchen on West 37th Street that will have you seeing purple.
April 16, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
An aeriel view of a work truck applying a sealcoat treatment to a street in an Austin neighborhood.
City
It’s street maintenance season in Austin. Here’s what to know
Find out if your neighborhood will be affected by ongoing street maintenance work + what to do if it is.
April 16, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
ATXtoday-Austin-Convention-Center-Art-April-2025.JPG
City
Artwork inside the Austin Convention Center rehomed
Ahead of the Austin Convention Center’s demolition, find out the fate of four legacy art installations that once called the facility home.
April 14, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
A view of Austin south of Lady Bird Lake includes the South 1st Street bridge and The Catherine apartments.
City
What Austin’s new building codes mean for local housing
Six newly adopted building codes will require air conditioning in all buildings, allow single-stairway designs, mandate electric vehicle infrastructure, and more.
April 11, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
Aerial view of a large two-story home with a tile roof surrounded by dense trees and greenery, located in a hilly suburban neighborhood. The home features a wide driveway, well-maintained landscaping, and is set against a scenic backdrop of a golf course with a sand trap. The sky is painted with vibrant pink, purple, and blue hues from the setting sun.
Real Estate
Swing into luxury: 3 golf course homes for sale in Austin
Explore three stunning homes for sale in Austin with golf course views, resort-style pools, and outdoor living spaces.
April 11, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
Outdoor seating area at Pins Mechanical Co. in Austin, Texas, featuring a large yellow sign on a dark gray brick wall. Red plastic bins for games are arranged in the foreground, and wooden picnic tables and green bean bag chairs are set up under a canopy. A television screen displays a broadcast of The Masters golf tournament.
Business
Take a first look inside Pins Mechanical Co. at St. Elmo’s
Pins Mechanical Co. brings throwback games, yard hangs, and quirky cocktails to the St. Elmo District starting Thursday, April 17.
April 10, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
A group of turtles sunbathe on partially submerged logs in a calm, reflective body of water. Two birds stand nearby on a separate log, and the scene is framed by green leaves in the foreground. The water reflects the trees and sky, adding a serene, mirror-like quality to the image.
Travel and Outdoors
A wildlife guide to Lady Bird Lake
Meet the feathered, flippered, and furry locals who share Lady Bird Lake with us.
April 10, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
A group of people lines up at a vibrant, graffiti-covered purple food truck that’s been converted from a school bus. The server leans on the counter, engaging with customers as they order. The bus features a rooftop seating area where a couple of patrons relax on lawn chairs under the trees. The truck’s design includes a large, black-and-white painted gorilla face on the front and playful curtains in the windows. The setting is shaded and urban, with surrounding trees and buildings in the background.
Food
Austin chefs vie for Lamb Jam Master title
Head to Lamb Jam 2025 on Wednesday, April 16 at east Austin’s Assembly Hall to vote for your favorite local bite.
April 8, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
A quiet, suburban street lined with single-story modern homes, each with a small front porch and gabled roof. Some roofs feature solar panels, and the homes are surrounded by green lawns, trees, and colorful flower beds. A blue SUV is parked along the road, and the sky is clear with a few wispy clouds, suggesting a calm and pleasant day.
Real Estate
Affordable home applications open for Whisper Valley
There are 48 new homes coming to the sustainable community, starting at $230,000 and designed for middle-income Austinites.
April 8, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
A vibrant brunch spread is set on a sunlit outdoor table, featuring a fresh salad with greens, beets, and grilled cheese, alongside a plate of mini waffles drizzled with caramel sauce and topped with whipped cream. Two hands hold cocktails garnished with dried citrus slices — one in a short glass with a pale yellow drink and the other in a stemmed glass with an orange-hued beverage. A green glass bottle and a matching cup add to the table’s aesthetic, while a cushioned bench with textured fabric provides a cozy background.
Food
Bunnies, egg hunts + buffets: Where to eat Easter brunch in Austin
Make your Easter Sunday egg-stra special with these local brunch specials and kid-approved activities.
April 4, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
Mayor Kirk Watson stands in front of a “Greetings from Austin, Texas” sign, smiling while wearing a gray suit, blue shirt, and red paisley tie. Behind him, an American flag and another official flag are displayed against a stone wall, with chairs lined up in the background.
City
How locals ‘Keep Austin Open’ with Mayor Kirk Watson
Your ATXtoday City Editors met with the mayor to ask him about his decades-long experience working in Austin and how his terms compare.
April 3, 2025
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Laura Figi
Arjav Ezekiel smiles and leans against a wooden shelf filled with bottles of wine, some with colorful and artistic labels. He is wearing a navy blazer over a white shirt and a blue baseball cap with a small embroidered design. Behind him, a large window with a blue frame lets in natural light, and yellow curtains hang beside it. Through the window, a tree and a house are visible in the background.
Food
Birdie’s Arjav Ezekiel named 2025 James Beard Award finalist
Though many local chefs + restaurants made the semifinalist cut, Birdie’s beverage director Arjav Ezekiel is Austin’s sole 2025 James Beard Award nominee.
April 2, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
A cozy reading nook inside Vintage Books + Wine, featuring a wooden bookshelf filled with colorful books on the left. To the right, two plush teal armchairs sit against a white brick wall adorned with a butterfly-themed mural that reads "DRINK. READ. AND STAY AWHILE." A small rug lies beneath the chairs, and a postcard display stand is nearby. An open doorway with a "MORE SEATING" sign leads to another room with wooden walls and flooring. A fire extinguisher is mounted on the wall near the doorway.
Culture
Austin’s best book nooks: 10 places locals love to read
Looking for a place to devour your new book? ATXtoday readers revealed their favorite spots to read in Austin.
April 2, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
Exterior view of the Austin Convention Center in Downtown Austin, Texas, featuring a modern architectural design with large columns, metal framework, and limestone walls. A covered entrance is visible in the foreground, along with security cameras and potted plants. In the background, a tall glass skyscraper with a large advertisement for the television series "1923" starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren rises against a clear blue sky. Pedestrians walk along the sidewalk, and orange traffic cones are placed near the entrance.
City
How Austin plans to boost tourism without a convention center
A new initiative aims to keep the city buzzing with visitors while the Austin Convention Center undergoes a major overhaul.
March 31, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
A cozy living room with eclectic decor featuring two coral-colored sofas facing each other, flanked by two cream-colored armchairs. The room has a white textured fireplace with decorative figurines and candles on the mantel. A glass coffee table sits in the center, covered with books and plants. The room is filled with colorful textiles, patterned rugs, and an array of artwork on the walls. Shelves along the right side are filled with books and various decorative items, while plants add a touch of greenery throughout the space. Natural light streams in through multiple windows
Real Estate
Historic Austin homes tour opens doors to 150 years of architecture
Peek inside stunning Austin homes designed by notable architects during this two-day tour in April.
March 27, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
A plate of barbecue from Parish Barbecue sits on a wooden table nest to a tray of pickled okra, bread slices, and a dip resembling bean dip garnished with green onions.
Food
Try Parish Barbecue, where Texas smoke gets a Louisiana kick
Holden Fulco and Jake Haygood are blending experience from Interstellar BBQ, Franklin Barbecue, and Terry Black’s BBQ to carve out a new niche.
March 25, 2025
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Morgan O’Neal
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