ATX PULSE 8/8/25 (free): Austin Loses $105M in Federal Funding for Cap-and-Stitch // Sales and Hotel Tax Dip Forecast for 2026 in Austin // MLK/35 Bridge to Close for Demolition Fri, Sat Night // Longhorn Volleyball Ranked #5 in Preseason Poll // Austin FC Hosts Hoston Sat night

FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 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: 101° / L: 75°: Sunny and hot, per Fox 7 Austin.

Abundant heat, limited rain chances next 7 days, per KXAN.

TOP NEWS

“Austin loses $105M in federal funding for I-35 Cap and Stitch project“ CBS Austin

“Austin forecasts a drop in sales and hotel taxes in 2026“ ABJ ($)

“Traffic Alert: MLK bridge over I-35 to close for demolition Friday, Saturday night“ KXAN

“Numerous fish found dead in Austin's Mueller Lake Park“ KVUE

“Lawmakers look to require warning sirens, camp evacuations“ KXAN

THE BLOTTER

“1 dead, Slaughter Lane shut down near I-35 after vehicle crashes into pole“ CBS Austin

“Former Austin ISD teacher sentenced to 71 years for child sex abuse charges“ Fox 7 Austin

“Burnet County crash: Driver charged has history of DWIs, court docs show“ Fox 7 Austin

“Leander man sentenced to 37 months for $1 million wire fraud scheme“ CBS Austin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

“Williamson County Commissioners Court talks budget recommendations” KXAN

“Hays County Jail renovations almost complete” Fox 7 Austin

BUSINESS NEWS

“Cedar Park joins spaceport initiative north of Austin, replacing Burnet County” ABJ ($)

“Midway Development's $40M boutique hotel is a go in San Marcos” ABJ ($)

LOCAL SPORTS

TEXAS FOOTBALL: “This stat will decide if Texas football sustains defensive dominance” AAS ($)

TEXAS FOOTBALL: “Goodbye, fast food. Quintrevion Wisner has another 1,000 yards to rush for” KXAN

TEXAS VOLLEYBALL: “Longhorns slotted No. 5 in preseason AVCA poll” KXAN

QUICK LINKS

Austin city council deciding how much higher to raise the tax rate? - KEYE

Feds yank millions in funding for I-35 park deck in downtown Austin - Austin American-Statesman

Slaughter Lane closed early Friday morning after deadly crash - KVUE

Uplift Development Opens Austin Storage Facility - Multifamily Housing News

CBS Austin's Walt Maciborski accepts TAB's 2025 TV Broadcaster of the Year award at gala - KEYE

Up, up and away: Firefly Aerospace has huge IPO as investors nab part of the space economy - ABJ

Southwest Key Programs lays off over 1K in Texas - ABJ

SkyWater Technology outlines upbeat expectations for its new Austin facility - ABJ

Federal government just dealt Austin a major blow - ABJ

Austin named No. 2 best BBQ city in the US. See which city took No. 1 - Austin American-Statesman

Austin-area's Firefly Aerospace secures $9.8B valuation in trading debut - Austin American-Statesman

Travis County may raise taxes to repair roads and bridges damaged in July floods - Austin American-Statesman

Golden: As Ohio State beckons, how much is Texas focusing on tackling? - Austin American-Statesman

Austin to revamp local hate crime response amid yearslong rise in bias incidents - Community Impact

Latest data shows Eanes ISD 2025-26 enrollment up from earlier projections - Community Impact

Georgetown gives initial OK to include Parmer Ranch Boulevard extension in mobility plan - Community Impact

Hutto ISD's first day of school is Aug. 12, other important dates - Community Impact

Sunless tanning salon goGLOW to hold grand opening Aug. 26 - Community Impact

Pvolve to offer functional fitness classes in Bee Cave - Community Impact

Lakeway recognizes community members for July flood recovery efforts - Community Impact

175 years: First Baptist Church of Bastrop members celebrate - Community Impact

Pflugerville ISD students to start school Aug. 13 - Community Impact

Smooth Aesthetics relocating within Round Rock - Community Impact

Floods unearth dinosaur tracks in Sandy Creek area - KVUE

Free breakfast and lunch will be offered to all Austin ISD students at 76 campuses - KVUE

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ DINING: “Austin's Dead Rabbit replaces next door café with new Irish eatery” Culture Map Austin

~ DANCE: “Austin dance company marks 10 years with show about end of the world” Culture Map Austin

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND

Fri

None.

Sat

~ LIVE MUSIC: Ron White. Paramount Theater. Shows at 7pm, 9:30pm. Tix $75 and up. 7pm show here. 9:30pm show here.

~ AUSTIN FC: Houston at Austin. Q2 Stadium. 7:30pm. Tix here.

Sun

~ LIVE MUSIC: Macy Gray. Paramount Theater. 7pm. Tix $25 and up here.

~ LIVE MUSIC: Monte Montgomery. Antone’s. 7pm. Tix $15 here.

COOL JOB ALERT

~ Communications Manager. Texas Oil and Gas Association (TxOGA). Salary: Commensurate with experience. Info / apply here.