ATX PULSE 1/23/25 (free): ABoR: Elevated Prices, Interest Rates to Harm Affordability in 2025 // Austin Archbishop Moved to Galveston-Houston // APD Seeks Public Help to Identify Suspect in Bus Company Aggravated Robbery // AISD Seeks Solution for Increased Requests for Special Education // Z Tejas For Sale // #7 Texas Women Host #17 Tennessee Tonight at 7pm

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2025

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

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TODAY’S WEATHER

H: 57° / L: 27°. Freezes not over yet. Latest forecast from Fox 7 Austin’s Zack Shields here. At least two more freezes before warmer, wetter days, per KXAN.

TOP NEWS

“Elevated prices, interest rates will continue to curb housing affordability in 2025” ABJ ($)

“‘It’s disrespectful’: Travis County property being used as dump site” KXAN

“Pope Francis appoints Austin's bishop as Archbishop of Galveston-Houston” KVUE

THE BLOTTER

“Man sentenced to life in prison for August 2022 Leander homicide” KXAN

“APD seeks public help to identify suspect in Tornado Bus Company aggravated robbery” KXAN

“Man attacks woman during aggravated robbery in South Austin: APD” Fox 7 Austin

“Signs at Pease Park warn of car break-ins and thefts” Fox 7 Austin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

“Austin ISD faces financial strain with outsourced special education services” KVUE

“Wimberley ISD dismisses early today due to power outage” CBS Austin

BUSINESS NEWS

“PepsiCo finalizes $1.2B purchase of Austin-based Siete Foods” KVUE

“The 35-story Luminary, downtown Austin’s newest planned condo tower, opens sales office” AAS ($)

“Owner of longtime Austin restaurant chain Z’Tejas seeks to sell its four locations” ABJ ($)

LOCAL SPORTS

TEXAS FOOTBALL: “Texas Longhorns: 5 under-the-radar breakout candidates for 2025 football team” AAS ($)

TEXAS MEN’S BASKETBALL: Golden: “It wasn't that Texas basketball beat Missouri, but how the Horns did it” AAS ($)

QUICK LINKS

~ New Big Lots owner letting go of 500 stores, including 3 Austin-area locations - ABJ

~ Trump pardons online drug marketplace Silk Road founder, Austin native Ross Ulbricht - Austin American-Statesman

~ Buc-ee’s to break ground in San Marcos - Community Impact Austin

~ ProSource of South Austin opens in Kyle - Community Impact Austin

~ Indian grocery store Naya Bazaar now open in Round Rock - Community Impact Austin

~ Elgin hires interim city manager following release of former City Manager Tom Mattis - Community Impact Austin

~ Fringe Apothecary Salon & Boutique now offering hair cuts, coloring services in Cedar Park - Community Impact Austin

~ Austin shines in James Beard semifinals - KVUE

~ Illegal dams see new pushback from Texas lawmaker - KXAN

~ New Central Austin hypnotherapy practice helping navigate life’s ‘subconscious drivers’ - Community Impact Austin

~ Austin winds down cold weather response; shelters to remain open through Jan. 23 - Community Impact Austin

~ Commission endorses historic zoning for Castle Hill estate - Austin Monitor

~ New Waterloo Records co-owner discusses carrying the torch for an iconic business - ABJ

~ Palm Park improvements are among the next steps for Waterloo Greenway project - Austin Monitor

~ New CEO tapped for company that oversees part of SH 130 toll road - ABJ

~ December home sale prices increase across Cedar Park, Leander - Community Impact Austin

~ Bastrop EDC moves into former Utility Services Department inside City Hall - Community Impact Austin

~ Loro now offering Southeast Asian, Japanese flavors at Domain Northside - Community Impact Austin

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ LIVE MUSIC: Let the music thaw: Best concerts in Austin from bossa nova to Belarussian post-punk AAS ($)

~ DINING: The Best Affordable Restaurants in Austin Eater Austin

~ CACTUS CAFE: Iconic UT Austin cafe tunes up star-studded 45th anniversary celebration Culture Map Austin

~ ASCENSION SETON MARATHON: Everything you need to know about the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon 2025 this February AAS ($)

~ CONCOURSE PROJECT: EDM in Austin: Seismic Dance Event, Concourse Project bring global scene to heart of Texas AAS ($)

~ SXSW 2025: John Fogerty and Bluesky CEO join SXSW 2025 speakers lineup Culture Map Austin

~ SXSW 2025: Hollywood in Austin: SXSW's 2025 Film and TV Fest kicks off with Seth Rogen's 'The Studio' AAS ($)

WHAT TO DO TONIGHT

~ TEXAS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: #17 Tennessee at #7 Texas. Moody Center. 7pm. Tix $9 and up here.

COOL JOB ALERT

~ Growth Manager. Meta. Salary: $200,214 - $249,700 / annually. Info / apply here.