ATX PULSE 8/1/25 (free): Austin Now Has Tallest Bldg in TX // Enrollment Open Houses Held for AISD Middle Schools // Major Crash on SH 71 in Spicewood Injures 18 // ATX Council Approves Maximum Tax Rate // Noodles is Home!

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2025

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

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

TODAY’S WEATHER

H: 97° / L: 75°: Rain chance this weekend? Forecast from Fox 7 Austin.

Seasonable heat, summertime storms to start August, per KXAN.

TOP NEWS

“Austin now has the tallest building in Texas“ Fox 7 Austin

“Enrollment open houses held for reset Austin ISD middle schools“ CBS Austin

“APD reopens one lane on northbound I-35 after early morning crash and fuel spill“ CBS Austin

“Austin food influencer who lost dog after car was stolen says he has been found“ KVUE

THE BLOTTER

“Major crash on SH 71 in Spicewood injures 18, sends 15 to hospital for treatment“ CBS Austin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

“Austin City Council votes to approve maximum tax rate allowed under Texas law” Fox 7 Austin

“Austin group nears 20,000 signatures to pause Austin Convention Center project” KVUE

BUSINESS NEWS

“Austin AI development startup Anaconda valued at $1.5 billion” ABJ ($)

LOCAL SPORTS

TEXAS FOOTBALL: “Longhorns receiver lets everyone know the difference between Arch Manning, Quinn Ewers” KXAN

TEXAS BASEBALL: “Texas baseball: The Longhorns just lost 16 transfers. Is that a lot?” AAS ($)

QUICK LINKS

Waterline, Texas' new tallest tower, tops out in Austin - Community Impact

Hays County Commissioners table approval of more license plate readers after pushback - Community Impact

The Bae Spot to open dessert food truck in far Northwest Austin - Community Impact

All-you-can-eat soup, salad concept to open next year in far Northwest Austin - Community Impact

Check out the 6 most-read July stories in San Marcos, Buda and Kyle - Community Impact

Looking for end-of-summer plans? Check out 13 events around Austin - Community Impact

Data center slated for construction in Cedar Creek - Community Impact

Mani Toes Nail Salon and Spa permanently closed in Round Rock - Community Impact

Victim's mother clarifies incident details amid Barton Springs alleged hate crime investigation - KVUE

Friday funeral for Islam Mossaad, former Austin imam, killed while crossing North Lamar - KXAN Austin

Effort underway to hit the brakes on Austin’s $1.6B convention center project - KXAN Austin

Analysis finds Austin city funds were spent on costly meals, flights - KVUE

Video: Inside Texas’ tallest tower right here in Austin - KXAN Austin

Experts urge Texas to reform land use policies after July floods - Austin American-Statesman

Austin eyes major property tax increase to close growing budget gap - Austin American-Statesman

Police: Man set vacant Bartlett home on fire to 'release demons' - Austin American-Statesman

Austin's affordable housing efforts could be thrown off by new Texas law - ABJ

BigCommerce loses the 'big' and rebrands to Commerce - ABJ

Quanta Services acquires Austin-based Dynamic Systems for $1.35 billion - ABJ

Austin joins program to accelerate municipal AI usage - ABJ

Beyond business essentials: Leaders on mentorship, philanthropy and growing Austin together - ABJ

It's a good time to be a tenant in Austin's industrial market - ABJ

Powering cities differently: Why Cordia supports Austin’s energy future - ABJ

Behind-the-scenes look at construction on Texas' tallest building, Waterline - KEYE

Austin City Council votes to approve maximum tax rate allowed under Texas law - FOX 7 Austin

City, parks boards weigh funding options to stem expected shortfalls - Austin Monitor

Austin ISD plans to cut staff despite receiving federal education grants - KEYE

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ BRUNCH: “The Best Brunch Restaurants in Austin” Eater Austin

~ DINING: “'It's kind of for everyone' | Paperboy serving up the same great food at a new location” KVUE

~ H-E-B: “Food & Wine names top 5 H-E-B foods every Austinite should try” Culture Map Austin

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND

Fri

~ LIVE MUSIC: Reverend Horton Heat. Buck’s Backyard (Buda). 8:30pm. Sold out!

Sat

~ LIVE MUSIC: Pat Green. Johnny’s Steaks and BBQ (Salado, TX). 6pm. Sold out.

~ LIVE MUSIC: Bob Schneider. Gruene Hall. 9pm. Sold out. Limited resale tix here.

~ LIVE MUSIC: Randy Rogers Band. Whitewater Amphitheater (New Braunfels, TX). 7:30pm. Tix $75 and up here.

Sun

None.

COOL JOB ALERT

~ Program and Grants Manager. Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). Salary: $5,797 - $9,508 / monthly. Info / apply here.