ATX PULSE 6/24/25 (free): CapMetro Rail Service Disrupted as Pedestrian Hit by Freight Train // Plea Deal Struck in Deadly HISD Bus Crash in Bastrop // RoboTaxi Boosts Tesla Stock // Endeavor to Develop former Joe’s Crab Shack Site on E. Riverside Dr. // Headliners Club Nearing Completion of $8M Renovation // Standout Catcher Transfers to Texas Baseball

TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2025

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

Thank YOU for reading as a FREE subscriber.

» Become a PAID SUBSCRIBER here for $5/mo. or #$50/yr. and SAVE TIME and be BETTER INFORMED.

TODAY’S WEATHER

H: 93° / L: 73°: Handful of showers, storms possible through midweek, per KXAN.

TOP NEWS

“Exclusive Austin private club undergoes major renovation inside downtown skyscraper,” KXAN’s Tom Miller — “More than seven decades after it first opened in the basement of Austin’s famous Driskill Hotel, the Headliners Club’s new home in a downtown skyscraper is getting an upgrade.

Referred to as the “third space” for many of Austin’s elite (after their homes, and offices), the club moved into the 20th and 21st floors of the Chase Tower in the mid-1970s. The construction underway now is the first major renovation to the club in the time since.

“I think the club was lovely and traditional and really represented Austin and the members, but there’s an opportunity for a commitment to some new things,” said McKinnon Morton, the club’s director of member experience.

At a cost of $8 million, the renovation includes a new grand entrance when you step off the elevators with a view looking north over downtown Austin, along with upgrades to the lounges and bar areas, dining rooms, bathrooms, and the kitchen.

“The goal was to keep the vibe the same, keep the ambience the same, but elevated,” said Morton.

The revamp is being led by Michael Hsu, the principal at Michael Hsu Office of Architecture.

Hsu said the primary focus for him is to surprise and delight members as they arrive back for the first time after construction finishes in the fall.

“We want them to be completely surprised,” he said. “Like we completely blew their expectations for what might be at the top of this building.”

To do that Hsu is using different woods with different finishes, lots of natural materials, including stone, along with custom lighting and furniture. All of those choices are aimed at threading the needle between preserving the club’s legacy while modernizing it.

“We didn’t want it to feel like it just landed here completely new,” Hsu said. “It had to sort of look backwards, but also very much look forward to the future of Austin in the design of the space.”

Among the nearly 1,000 membership holders are past presidents, current senators, business leaders, and the press that covers them.

In addition to a substantial initiation fee and monthly dues, prospective members need to be nominated by two current members in order to join.

“The club is not limited to any type of job experience or where you live or what you do,” Morton said. “It’s truly just a community that you want to be part of.”” KXAN

» RELATED: If you are interested in learning more about membership at the Headliners Club, email me.

BECOME A PAID SUBSCRIBER HERE: Paid subscribers SAVE TIME and are BETTER INFORMED.

» Monthly subscription $5/mo

» Annual subscription $50/mo

THE BLOTTER

“CapMetro rail service disrupted; pedestrian hit by freight train” Fox 7 Austin

“72-year-old woman dies after being hit by car in Central Austin” CBS Austin

“Plea deal struck in Hays CISD bus crash as truck driver accepts 18-year sentence” KVUE

“Driver hospitalized after crash on MoPac in North Austin” KVUE

“Johnson City attempted child abduction suspect identified; warrant issued for her arrest” Fox 7 Austin

BUSINESS NEWS

“Robotaxi launch boosts Tesla stock, future plans remain unclear” KXAN

“Endeavor looking to build another project near downtown” ABJ ($)

“Austin private equity firm raises $1B to invest in energy innovations” ABJ ($)

TEXAS SPORTS

TEXAS BASEBALL: “Texas hits transfer portal jackpot with first-team All-American catcher Carson Tinney” KXAN

TEXAS A&M ATHLETICS: “Texas A&M AD details cuts, changes in light of House settlement” AAS ($)

CENTRAL TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: “Xavier Warren, 2026 3-star Georgetown WR, commits to UCLA” AAS ($)

QUICK LINKS

Tesla, Waymo, Zoox: What autonomous robotaxis are available in Austin? - Austin American-Statesman

Trial begins in Austin over 2021 police shooting, with plaintiffs alleging officer misled investigators and APD botched probe - Austin American-Statesman

Tesla shares soar after first robotaxi test rides hit the road in Austin, Texas - Reuters

1st major project complete in Austin airport expansion, FAA staffing falls short - Community Impact

SEED Food & Wine Festival Austin 2025 “ROWDY GIRL” Screening - Austin American-Statesman

Austin explores tiny house pilot while leaky pipes lose billions of gallons - Austin Monitor

Lake Travis ISD significantly outperforms the state in spring STAAR scores - Community Impact

Georgetown pediatrician sees influx of patients as population trends younger - Community Impact

Domain Northside welcomes latest retailer Abercrombie & Fitch - Community Impact

UT-Austin and Texas A&M duke it out in global rankings - MySA

Protesters skeptical of Iran-Israel ceasefire at Austin anti-war demonstration - KXAN Austin

Texas Humane Heroes gets the gift of air conditioning after 15 years without it - KVUE

Austin seeks community feedback on waterway strategy update, future investments - Community Impact

Eanes ISD outperforms the state in every subject, grade level STAAR score - Community Impact

30+ new restaurants and opening soon restaurants to try in Austin, TX - ATXtoday

Bee Cave shares updates on workforce housing projects - Community Impact

May home sales mostly up year over year for Lake Travis, Westlake areas - Community Impact

Leander Springs project to return to City Council over next few months - ABJ

Gov. Abbott calls special session on THC and other vetoed bills. Here’s a look at what to expect. - KUT

Journal Profile: A lively childhood home helped spark Tom Noonan's career path - ABJ

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ DINING: “Where to Find the Greatest Sandwiches in Austin” Eater Austin

~ SHOWS: “Austin's Paramount Theatre unveils live family series for 2025-26” Culture Map Austin

~ CHARITY GALA: “Austin musicians' mental health org to host 30th anniversary gala” Culture Map Austin

WHAT TO DO TONIGHT

None.

WHAT TO DO TOMORROW

~ LIVE MUSIC: Pete Yorn (acoustic). Radio/East. Doors 7pm, show 8pm. Tix $48 here.

COOL JOB ALERT

~ Manager, Policy & Mapping: Texas General Land Office (GLO). Salary: $8,750-$10,000/month. Info / apply here.