ATX PULSE 2/17/25 (free) (sponsored by No Scrubs): City Council Approves Creation of Downtown Strategic Initiative // City Opens Cold Weather Shelters // 23k Participate in Seton Marathon // 4 Dead in 2 Domestic Violence Incidents // ABJ: Austin 'Unlikely' to Get WNBA Team Anytime Soon // #3 Horns Women Take Down #6 LSU // Horns Men's Bball Gets Needed Win over #15 Kentucky // #1 UT Softball Improves to 11-0

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

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TODAY’S WEATHER

H: 51° / L: 46°. Chilly day, then warm up, per Fox 7 Austin. Strong cold front could bring Arctic air to Central Texas next week, per KVUE.

TOP NEWS

“Austin starts effort to keep downtown vibrant as big projects disrupt it” ABJ ($)

“City of Austin set to open cold weather shelters starting Sunday night” CBS Austin

“Austin Marathon: Runners and supporters take over streets” Fox 7 Austin

THE BLOTTER

“Teenager killed in 140 mph crash in Cedar Park” KVUE

“4 people dead in one week, both cases ruled domestic violence” Fox 7 Austin

“Austin teen charged with murder gets bond reduced from $800,000 to $100” CBS Austin

“Pflugerville police shoot suspect during stolen vehicle pursuit” CBS Austin

“Austin fire department rescues one pinned in vehicle collision in Northwest Austin” CBS Austin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

“Planning Commission hears complaints, offers amendments on new STR ordinance in marathon hearing” Community Impact Austin

“City of Austin creates new office dedicated to Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment” CBS Austin

“Austin school district enacts spending, hiring freezes amid growing $110M budget deficit” AAS ($)

“Facing thousands of unpaid citations, Austin ISD begins cracking down on drivers illegally passing school buses” KVUE

BUSINESS NEWS

“Austin not likely to get WNBA team anytime soon, sources say” ABJ ($)

“One of Buda's oldest and biggest employers is laying groundwork for a major expansion” ABJ ($)

LOCAL SPORTS

TEXAS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: “No. 3 Texas grinds out 65-58 win over No. 5 LSU with ‘really special’ 4th quarter” KXAN

TEXAS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: “Texas gives women's basketball coach Vic Schaefer 3-year contract extension” KVUE

TEXAS MEN’S BASKETBALL: “Texas gets much-needed victory, knocks off No. 15 Kentucky 82-78” AP

TEXAS SOFTBALL: “Texas softball stays unbeaten, tops Texas Tech twice behind Kavan’s arm at Bevo Classic” KXAN

TEXAS BASEBALL: “Texas baseball pummels Oklahoma State, secures winning weekend in Arlington: Game thread” AAS ($)

QUICK LINKS

~ Planning Commission hears complaints, offers amendments on new STR ordinance in marathon hearing - Austin Monitor

~ Evaluation will resume this month on proposal to consolidate and eliminate some boards and commissions - Austin Monitor

~ Austin airport conducting emergency drill at South Terminal Thursday - KXAN

~ Party City's Round Rock location among stores closing after retailer files for bankruptcy - Community Impact Austin

~ Austin prepares for its first-ever esports competition - KXAN

~ Central Texas mom awaits nearly $40K in child support. Parents owed $21B statewide - KXAN

~ North Austin to become newest testing ground for transportation technologies - Community Impact Austin

~ Bee Cave to hold election for City Council, new public safety building, road fund - Community Impact Austin

~ Korean semiconductor supplier receives $2.4M grant to expand Killeen facility - ABJ

~ ‘Ambitious and challenging:’ Austin leaders look to meet 10-year homelessness investment goals - Community Impact Austin

~ Buda City Council explores concerns with mobile food vendor regulations - Community Impact Austin

~ Excavation begins for Old Lampasas Dam Modernization project in Northwest Austin - Community Impact Austin

~ New plant, gift shop The Plant Society takes root in East Austin - Community Impact Austin

~ Planned Hutto entertainment center to be rebranded as grand opening approaches - ABJ

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ DINING: “Austin's famous 24 Diner returns to 24-hour service” Culture Map Austin

~ COFFEE: “Highly anticipated Radio Rosewood opens in East Austin” Culture Map Austin

~ AUSTIN RESORT: “This Austin resort ranked No. 2 best in Texas, per U.S. News” Culture Map Austin

WHAT TO DO TONIGHT

~ LIVE MUSIC: Mary J. Blige (with Ne-Yo and Mario). Moody Center. Show at 7pm. Tix $99 and up here.

COOL JOB ALERT

~ Lazard. Vice President - Geopolitical Advisory. No salary info provided. Info / apply here.