ATX PULSE 3/4/25 (free) (sponsored by No Scrubs): Extreme Fire Danger in Central TX Today, Burn Ban in Effect // Mayor Watson: City is Prepared for SXSW // S. MLK Exit on I-35 to Permanently Close Amid Expansion // Homicides Down in Jan., Feb. 2025 // Aggie Men's Bball Host #1 Auburn Tonight // Texas Men's Bball at Miss State Tonight

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TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2025

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

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TODAY’S WEATHER

H: 77° / L: 49°. Dangerous fire weather on Tuesday, per Fox 7 Austin.

TOP NEWS

“Weather Impact Alert: Extreme fire danger for Central Texas on Tuesday” KVUE

“Central Texas prepares for wildfire threat with expanded response” KVUE

“SXSW 2025: Austin is prepared for festival season, mayor says” Fox 7 Austin

“Austin expecting thousands of visitors and increased traffic during SXSW 2025” KVUE

“Southbound MLK Boulevard exit to permanently close as I-35 expansion gets underway” KVUE

THE BLOTTER

“IDEA Public Schools assistant principal arrested for touching student inappropriately: police” Fox 7 Austin

“Person seen dangling from helicopter in Hutto was power line maintenance worker: police” Fox 7 Austin

“Travis County sees decline in opioid-related deaths: ATCEMS” Fox 7 Austin

“Fiber optic cable cut in North Austin neighborhood; Spectrum offering $5K reward” Fox 7 Austin

“All SB I-35 lanes reopen at Braker Lane after semi-truck crashes into bridge” Fox 7 Austin

“US 290 reopens in Dripping Springs following DPS investigation: sheriff” Fox 7 Austin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

“Williamson, Travis County judges order outdoor burn ban for Tuesday” KXAN

“Travis County DA José Garza reframes indictment process as some defendants wait in jail” KVUE

“Austin begins 2025 with lower homicide rate than previous years” CBS Austin

“Stage 2 water restrictions return as Highland Lakes drop to 51% capacity” KVUE

BUSINESS NEWS

“Uber and Waymo officially launch autonomous vehicle service in Austin” AAS ($)

“Austin Icons: Famed music club Antone's opens at ABIA” ABJ ($)

LOCAL SPORTS

TEXAS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: “Texas’ Rori Harmon named finalist for country’s top point guard honor” KXAN

TEXAS FOOTBALL: “These 3 Texas football players could make waves at next year's NFL scouting combine” AAS ($)

TEXAS A&M MEN’S BASKETBALL: “Texas A&M vs Auburn basketball prediction: TV channel, game info for SEC matchup” AAS ($)

CENTRAL TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS: “‘Alamo’ focused LBJ hoops one win from San Antonio” KXAN

QUICK LINKS

~ $32M federal award to support residential solar projects in Austin - Community Impact Austin

~ Council sets new transparency standards for Austin public safety labor negotiations - Community Impact Austin

~ Dell Children's new robot helps kids recovery more quickly from surgery - Austin American-Statesman

~ 4 Austin-area hospitals make Newsweek's list of top 400 in U.S. - Austin American-Statesman

~ Willie Nelson’s annual 4th of July Picnic returns to Texas this summer - KXAN

~ Bastrop ISD shifts school boundaries amid growth as new facilities come online - Community Impact Austin

~ Austin airport breaks ground on new, ‘Texas-sized’ parking garage - Community Impact Austin

~ North Austin’s newest hangout Dotty’s cafe ‘here to make your day sweeter’ - Community Impact Austin

~ Infineon plans to sell Austin chipmaking plant to SkyWater Technology - ABJ

~ TV advertising software company MNTN files for IPO - ABJ

~ Austin Energy seeks to dampen fears of cooling department employees - Austin Monitor

~ Planning Commission endorses, amends updated erosion protections - Austin Monitor

~ Hutto police identify three involved in ‘apparent murder-suicide’ - KXAN

~ Austin's industrial market has boomed, but is it too much? - ABJ

~ SolarWinds to acquire San Francisco-based Squadcast - ABJ

~ Parks and Rec Board to explore "rainbow bridge" pet memorial - Austin Monitor

~ ABOR, Unlock MLS launch new AI tech to streamline home buying, selling process - ABJ

~ With new leadership, Easy Tiger undergoes changes and eyes wholesale expansion - ABJ

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ SXSW: “The 16 Best Food Panels at Austin’s SXSW 2025” Eater Austin

~ ZILKER PARK: “Zilker Park: The history of one of America's most beautiful urban parks” KVUE

~ BROADWAY SHOWS IN AUSTIN: “Hadestown, 9 more Broadway shows in Austin for 2025-26” Culture Map Austin

~ TX MEDAL OF ARTS: “Gary Clark Jr., Jimmie Vaughan, Billy Gibbons stir up Texas Medal of Arts show in Austin” AAS ($)

~ BAR SCENE: “15 Excellent Austin Dive Bars” Eater Austin

~ BEST AUSTIN PATIOS: “The Essential Austin Patios for Outdoor Drinking and Dining” Eater Austin

~ RESTAURANT CLOSING: “Dan’s Hamburgers to temporarily close Airport Boulevard location for $1.2M renovation” Community Impact Austin

~ ATX OPEN: “Austin's Ace Matthew McConaughey praises ATX Open” CBS Austin

WHAT TO DO TODAY/TONIGHT

~ MUSEUMS: Free Tuesday at the Blanton (MLK at Congress). Opens at 10am. Sponsored by the Moody Foundation. More info here.

~ TEXAS MEN’S BASKETBALL: Texas at #25 Mississippi State (Starkville, MS). Airs on SEC Network.

COOL JOB ALERT

~ Texas Ethics Commission. Director of Enforcement. Salary: $11,666.66 - $12,500.00 (Monthly). Info / apply here.