ATX PULSE 8/19/25 (free) (sponsored by Pacaso): Scores Improve at 31 Area School Districts // COA Sued over Tax Rate Election Language // ATX to Unify Emergency Comms Dept? // Tesla Incentives from Travis County Questioned

In partnership with

PRESENTING SPONSOR: Pacaso

Learn from this investor’s $100m mistake

In 2010, a Grammy-winning artist passed on investing $200K in an emerging real estate disruptor. That stake could be worth $100+ million today.

One year later, another real estate disruptor, Zillow, went public. This time, everyday investors had regrets, missing pre-IPO gains.

Now, a new real estate innovator, Pacaso – founded by a former Zillow exec – is disrupting a $1.3T market. And unlike the others, you can invest in Pacaso as a private company.

Pacaso’s co-ownership model has generated $1B+ in luxury home sales and service fees, earned $110M+ in gross profits to date, and received backing from the same VCs behind Uber, Venmo, and eBay. They even reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.

Invest for $2.90/Share

_{Paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the NASDAQ is subject to approvals.}

TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2025

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

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

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TODAY’S WEATHER

H: 100° / L: 74°: Rainy week ahead, per Fox 7 Austin.

Improving rain chances, ‘cooler’ temps later this week, per KXAN.

TOP NEWS

“TEA accountability ratings: 31 Central Texas school districts saw improved scores“ Fox 7 Austin

“Travis County residents push back on Tesla incentives amid proposed tax hike“ AAS ($)

THE BLOTTER

“U.S. Marshals capture Austin homicide suspect in Louisiana after months-long search“ KVUE

“APD: Series of business burglaries over the weekend appear to be connected“ KXAN

“Firefighters working South Austin house fire off South Congress Avenue“ CBS Austin

“Accused 'wedding scammer' facing felonies in Travis County for SXSW venue rental scheme“ Fox 7 Austin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

“Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, entire city council sued over tax rate election language” Fox 7 Austin

“Violence intervention receives double last year’s budget in Austin” KXAN

“Austin considers 'Unified Emergency Communications Department,' eyeing faster response times” KVUE

“262-acre property earmarked for EV industry project is up for sale” ABJ ($)

2025

“Liberty Hill and Hays school districts to vote on property tax increase in November” KVUE

BUSINESS NEWS

“Hutto Megasite road project complete; industrial projects move forward” ABJ ($)

“Southwest bringing new nonstop flights to Austin airport: Here's where they'll fly” AAS ($)

LOCAL SPORTS

TEXAS ATHLETICS: “Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte to receive lengthy extension” AAS ($)

QUICK LINKS

Franklin Barbecue owner says expanding iconic Texas BBQ restaurant 'would kill the magic' - Austin American-Statesman

'Yellowstone' creator Taylor Sheridan set to build largest film studio in Texas - Austin American-Statesman

Journal Profile: Whitney Knight is focused on downtown Austin's growth - ABJ

Office buildings sold in Northwest and Southwest Austin - ABJ

Member club Soho House going private in $2.7B deal - ABJ

Texas city ranked among 25 best vacation destinations in the US - MySA

POLL: How are your kids getting to school this year? - KEYE

Chuy's is bringing its Tex-Mex flavor to a new Central Texas location. Find out where - Austin American-Statesman

East Texas lawmakers weigh in on Texas House Democrats returning to Austin - KLTV.com

Texas promised to winterize its energy grid. An audit found big problems. - KUT

Allergy Report: Austin and Central Texas - KXAN Austin

APD: 1 dead after crash involving 18-wheeler on north I-35 - KXAN Austin

Hays County ESD 9 looks to increase property taxes; decision delayed after pushback - Community Impact

Eanes ISD maintains A rating from state in 2024 and 2025 - Community Impact

Water2Wine prepares to celebrate 20 years in October - Community Impact

Lil’ Ramen Tatsu-Ya launches on the Drag in West Campus - Community Impact

The Terrace Bar & Grill combines American fare and views in downtown - Community Impact

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ AUSTIN ICONS: “Austin blues club Antone's honors the genre with special box set” Culture Map Austin

WHAT TO DO TONIGHT

None.

WHAT TO DO TOMORROW

None.

COOL JOB ALERT

~ Membership Specialist. Texas State Historical Society. Salary: $45,000 - $55,000 / annually. Info / apply here.