ATX PULSE 7/30/25 (free): Austin United PAC Seeks to Halt Convention Center Renovation // Broadnax to Reimburse City for ~$4k in Expenses // Man Shot, Killed at Leander Park // 2 Found Dead in E. ATX Home // Fire Chief Defends Staffing Cuts

WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 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.

P.S. Some personal news: Amy and I are expecting our first child!

TODAY’S WEATHER

H: 101° / L: 73°: Warming trend continues, per Fox 7 Austin.

Couple days of 100s ahead of weekend rain chance, per KXAN.

TOP NEWS

“Effort underway to hit the brakes on Austin's $1.6B convention center project“ ABJ ($)

“Austin leaders used taxpayer funds for Sweetgreen solo lunches, steak dinners and upgraded flights“ AAS ($)

“Glass panel found broken at the same Downtown Austin high-rise site for the 4th time in 4 months“ KVUE

“Monday ceremony marks official restoration of Killeen army post’s name back to Fort Hood“ KXAN

THE BLOTTER

“Man shot, killed at Leander park; police investigating“ Fox 7 Austin

“2 dead in East Austin home; APD investigating“ Fox 7 Austin

“8 apartments, 3 cars burned in North Austin apartment fire; nearly 40 displaced“ Fox 7 Austin

“16-year-old, 2 others arrested in connection with North Austin deadly auto-ped crash“ Fox 7 Austin

“Austin plans major investments in flood prevention and management“ CBS Austin

“Cedar Park house fire under control, no injuries reported“ CBS Austin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

“At city council, Austin fire chief defends proposed staffing cuts” KVUE

“Historic east Austin Public Housing property to be redeveloped” KXAN

2026

“Residents back tax hike for 2026 bond projects, survey shows” Austin Monitor

BUSINESS NEWS

“Data center company buys land for $500M Hutto project” ABJ ($)

LOCAL SPORTS

TEXAS FOOTBALL: “Arch Manning among the biggest questions going into Texas practice” AAS ($)

TEXAS BASKETBALL: “Longhorns face Arizona State to open Maui Invitational” KXAN

QUICK LINKS

Market indicators point to stability in the Central Texas housing market - ABJ

St. David's aims to keep growing in Austin area - ABJ

$16.5B Samsung-Tesla pact is a 'big deal' for Austin - ABJ

Critical metals startup relocating HQ to Austin from San Antonio - ABJ

Nonprofit Con Mi MADRE seeks new leader - ABJ

Partners Real Estate names a new top executive in Austin - ABJ

Austin leaders make moves to create Texas’ first FAA air traffic control academy - Community Impact

Austin to support convention center, hotel development at Circuit of the Americas - Community Impact

Q&A: Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County nears completion on Shepherd's Village - Community Impact

Grounded Performance now offering group personal training in North Austin - Community Impact

Check out 10 events happening around the Pflugerville, Hutto area - Community Impact

EquiZen Sanctuary relocates to Elgin, now includes nonprofit rescue - Community Impact

A fight to save an Austin middle school puts families at odds with Texas over how to rate schools - The Texas Tribune

Bee Cave Arts Foundation celebrates 15-year anniversary - Community Impact

2 dead in East Austin home; APD investigating - FOX 7 Austin

Sabey starts work on second data center at Texas campus in Austin - Data Center Dynamics

Clint’s Liquor opens newest branch in Leander - Community Impact

Infamous Netflix dating show casting singles in Central Texas - MySA

Austin police investigating assault outside Barton Springs as possible hate crime - KVUE

'Love Is Blind' is heading back to Texas - Chron

What is the future of THC in Texas as lawmakers meet in Austin? - NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

1 dead after shooting at Robin Bledsoe Park in Leander - KVUE

Austin plans major investments in flood prevention and management - KEYE

Don't wait for the Perseids in August — look for meteors in Austin's skies this week - KUT

Corrie MacLaggan named executive editor of KUT News and The Texas Newsroom - KUT

Witnesses: Transgender woman, friends assaulted at Barton Springs; man hurt intervening - KXAN Austin

Southwest Austin homeowners frustrated as utility companies tear up neighborhood yards - KVUE

Austin Police names pedestrian hit, killed in July 18 collision - KXAN Austin

Alamo Beer has hiccup in getting ‘King of the Hill’-themed brew into stores - Austin American-Statesman

Austin police investigate possible hate crime at Barton Springs - Austin American-Statesman

After Central Texas floods, Austin urges FEMA to restore grant for stalled levee project - Austin American-Statesman

Austin police arrest suspect in deadly July drive-by shooting - Austin American-Statesman

Two found dead by delivery driver in East Austin home - KEYE

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ DINING: “Austin sushi restaurant debuts lab-grown salmon made from fish cells” Culture Map Austin

WHAT TO DO TONIGHT

~ LIVE MUSIC: Jessie Murph. ACL Live. 8pm. Tix $37 and up here.

WHAT TO DO TOMORROW

~ LIVE MUSIC: ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic. Bass Concert Hall. 7:30pm. Sold out. Limited resale tix here.

COOL JOB ALERT

~ Senior Transformation Specialist. Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). Salary: $6,377 - $7,962 / monthly. Info / apply here.