ATX Pulse 6/8-9/26 (free): Affected Businesses Prepare as Project Connect Moves Forward // APD: Man Dies After Taser Used in Arrest // Silver Alert Issued for 73-Year-Old Man Last Seen Downtown on Sat // ATX's Firefly Wins NASA Moon Base Contract // UT Baseball Wins Regional, to Meet UGA Sat at 6pm in Omaha // Austin FC Names New Coach

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MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2026 - TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2026

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

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WEATHER

Today: H: 92° / L: 77°. 20% chance of isolated thunderstorms.

Wednesday: H: 94° / L: 77°. 10% chance of rain. AM Clouds, PM Sun.

Thursday: H: 94° / L: 77°. Partly cloudy.

Friday: H: 94° / L: 77°. Partly cloudy.

TOP NEWS

"Austin Light Rail project moves forward, leaving some local businesses preparing for relocation" via KVUE — Austin’s multibillion-dollar light rail system is advancing toward construction, and some local businesses along the proposed route are preparing for relocation.

Among them is the 1972 Women’s Sports Pub, a year‑old establishment on The Drag that has quickly become a gathering place for women’s sports fans.

Co-owner Debra Hallum said the pub was founded with a commitment to showing only women’s sports on its TVs. "It was from our heart to do something in the community for, again, women putting women on the pedestal, giving them a space of their own,” Hallum said.

But the business is now facing displacement as Project Connect moves into its next phase in the light rail project. (KVUE)

"New Downtown Austin trail reimagines Waller Creek, makes it accessible to visitors" via KVUE -– Despite hot and humid conditions this weekend, Austinites packed downtown to explore a new trail that leaders say will help connect some of the city's most recognizable destinations while restoring a key piece of the urban environment.

The newly opened trail, known as The Confluence, links the area surrounding the future Austin Convention Center redevelopment to Lady Bird Lake through a pedestrian and bike-friendly route along Waller Creek.

Visitors who stopped by during opening weekend said the project offers a unique blend of nature and city life in the heart of downtown.

"It was on our radar," said southwest Austin resident Donn Gauge. "When we saw on the news that it was finally opened, we decided to come down and walk it and see everything. It's absolutely stunning." (KVUE)

"Austin suburb secures No. 1 ranking as safest midsize city in Texas" via CultureMap Austin –- Georgetown is the No. 1 safest midsize city in the state.

As the greater Austin area continues to grow with an influx of new residents, two popular northern suburbs are leading the nation with balancing the trifecta of affordability, opportunity, and safety.

Georgetown and Round Rock have been named the safest midsize cities to live in Texas, and they rank among the top 100 safest cities in the country, according to a new SmartAsset report.

The report, "America’s Safest Midsize Cities – 2026 Study" reviewed the crime rates and natural disaster risk across 333 midsize cities with populations between 65,000 to 250,000 residents. Disaster risk and auto fatality rates were evaluated on the county level. (CultureMap Austin)

"These Austin and San Antonio suburbs top list of 'America's New Boomtowns'" via AAS -– New Braunfels was named as America's No. 2 boomtown. The San Antonio suburb, known for its river floating and German heritage, saw a substantial increase in its housing units and labor force over the past five years.

State records reveal that Karnes County National Bank is planning an expansive mixed-use development project in New Braunfels, located on a sprawling stretch of land just outside of Gruene.

With residents and businesses flocking to both cities, a pair of Austin and San Antonio suburbs topped a list of “America’s New Boomtowns.” Georgetown, about 30 miles north of downtown Austin, ranked No. 1 and New Braunfels, about 40 miles northeast of San Antonio, ranked No. 2 in a new survey from financial technology firm SmartAsset.

They were among seven Texas cities in the top 10 of the survey, which evaluated more than 400 cities with populations of 65,000 or more. The new boomtowns were ranked on five-year shifts in economic output, housing units and labor force size to rank the places experiencing “visible momentum.” (AAS)

THE BLOTTER

"Man dies after police use Taser during North Austin arrest, APD says" via KVUE -– A man is dead after police deployed a Taser during an arrest in North Austin on Saturday.

According to the Austin Police Department (APD), the incident happened around 6:31 p.m. on June 6 in the 7600 block of Grover Ave., in the Crestview neighborhood.

Police responded to reports of a prowler, where the suspect was allegedly trying to force entry into a home that was occupied by an armed homeowner.

When officers arrived on the scene, they located the 32-year-old suspect outside “displaying erratic behavior and a possible medical emergency,” APD said. (KVUE)

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