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FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 2025

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

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TODAY’S WEATHER

H: 85° / L: 64°. Cool, breezy weekend, per Fox 7 Austin.

TOP NEWS

“SXSW 2025: Spring festival season kicks off in downtown Austin” Fox 7 Austin

“Downtown to see increased safety measures for SXSW after last year's deadly hit and run” CBS Austin

“Sixth Street closing to traffic during SXSW”KXAN

“Gov. Abbott requiring state employees to return to the office full-time” Fox 7 Austin

“Austin Rep. Ellen Troxclair files another bill to kill Project Connect” AAS ($)

THE BLOTTER

“Austin police looking for man accused of assaulting elderly woman on bus” Fox 7 Austin

“Austin woman shot cousin, attempted to make it look like suicide, police say” Fox 7 Austin

“3 killed, including a 4-year-old, in deadly 3-vehicle crash in Blanco County” Fox 7 Austin

“Austin police say missing teen has returned home” Fox 7 Austin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

“Prompted by convention center controversy, Council seeks changes to public art program” Austin Monitor

BUSINESS NEWS

“COTA eyes tentative opening date for amusement park” ABJ ($)

“SpaceX loses contact with Starship rocket minutes into test flight as spacecraft falls apart” AP

“Southwest Airlines closing its flight attendant hub in Austin” KVUE

QUICK LINKS

~ At dinner in Austin, 50 Best announces first ever best restaurants list for North America - Austin American-Statesman

~ SXSW through the years: 38 years of music, movies and photos - Austin American-Statesman

~ Waymo robotaxi on Uber is now available in Austin. Here's how to request a driverless car - Austin American-Statesman

~ Feds fine Tesla nearly $50K after worker’s death at Austin gigafactory - KUT

~ Election Q&A: Meet the Cedar Park City Council Place 1 candidates - Community Impact Austin

~ ‘No criminal charges’ after fatal crash with Austin Fire engine - KXAN

~ New program supports Hays County schools in combating fentanyl crisis - Community Impact Austin

~ San Marcos to use Barnacle to address parking violators - KXAN

~ The District breaks ground, to elevate Round Rock - Community Impact Austin

~ Don't be alarmed: Here's why you'll see an increased law enforcement presence in Round Rock - KVUE

~ Urban Transportation Commission recommends new strategic plan for downtown streets - Austin Monitor

~ Andino Artisan Gelato serves up handmade family desserts in South Austin - Community Impact Austin

~ $43M in renovations approved for new Austin public safety, office facilities - Community Impact Austin

~ Chicken Express closes in Round Rock - Community Impact Austin

~ Georgetown-based Katï Coffee roastery blends community together - Community Impact Austin

~ Election Q&A: Meet the Lake Travis ISD board of trustees Place 4 candidates - Community Impact Austin

~ Council adds funding to bolster Integral Care’s mental health efforts - Austin Monitor

~ Donations and prominent hires supercharge UT tech programs - ABJ

~ As hordes of visitors descend on Austin for SXSW, Barton Spring Pool is closed for cleaning - Austin Monitor

~ Ikea plans another store south of Austin as it continues shift to smaller layouts - ABJ

~ After pivoting from EV industry, Cedar Park-based Hyliion sees bright future ahead - ABJ

~ New retail development to hit Buda, bringing Amici, Ola Pop, Trianon Coffee and more - ABJ

~ John Goff's Crescent Real Estate to build luxury development in Horseshoe Bay - ABJ

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ SXSW: “SXSW 2025 on a Budget: Get All the Free Drinks and Food You Can Handle in Austin” Eater Austin

~ NEW DIVE BAR / RESTAURANT: “NY cocktail bar with divey vibes opening in Austin” Culture Map Austin

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND

** Here are the top 7 things to do in Austin this weekend Culture Map Austin

Fri

~ TEXAS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: #1 Texas at Ole Miss (Oxford, MS). 5pm tip. Airs on SEC Network.

~ LIVE MUSIC: Rod Stewart (with Cheap Trick). Moody Center. Doors at 6:30pm, show at 7:30pm. Tix $45 and up here.

Sat

~ TEXAS MEN’S BASKETBALL: Oklahoma at Texas. 7pm tip off. Moody Center. It’s Senior Night. Resale tix $29 and up here. Airs on SEC Network.

~ AUSTIN FC: Colorado at Austin. Q2 Stadium. 7:30pm. Tix $39 and up here. Airs on Apple TV.

COOL JOB ALERT

~ Texas Water Development Board. Government Relations Specialist. Salary: $4,848.67 - $6,111.00/monthly. Info / apply here.