ATX PULSE 9/5/25 (free) (sponsored by 1440 Media): Homeless Navigation Center to Move from Sunrise? // Dead Bodies Found Downtown, UT Campus // Dead Body Found at Homeless Shelter Last Month // AISD: 12 Campuses Must Change After ‘F’ Ratings // Related Co. Plans Massive Mixed Use Project S. of River

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2025

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

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WEEKEND WEATHER

SAT: H: 86° / L: 72°:

SUN: H: 84° / L: 70°:

Forecast:

~ Rain possible this weekend, per Fox 7 Austin.

~ Scattered weekend showers and storms, but not as hot, per KXAN.

TOP NEWS

“City plans relocation of homeless services hub from South Austin's Sunrise Community Church“ Community Impact Austin

“Longhorn home games return this weekend with anticipated economic boosts“ CBS Austin

THE BLOTTER

“Police investigating after body found in Downtown Austin“ KXAN

“UT police respond to call of 'possible deceased individual,' but say no threat to public“ AAS ($)

“Person found dead at downtown Austin homeless shelter last month“ CBS Austin

“Woman charged with intoxication manslaughter after Labor Day crash“ Fox 7 Austin

“Austin crime: Police warn of suspects stealing items from gym locker rooms“ Fox 7 Austin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

“Austin ISD warns 12 campuses of changes or closures coming amid F ratings“ AAS ($)

“Former Austin city council member launches petition to ditch new city logo“ KXAN

BUSINESS NEWS

Matt Mackowiak, Derrik Fox & Dustin Byington guest column: “Austin’s time has come: Why we deserve Major League Baseball,” via Austin American-Statesman -- "If you grew up in Austin in the 1990s, our city was a great place to live — but it was missing something: a major league sports franchise.

Today, Austin is the 13th largest city in America, with more than a million residents inside the city limits and 2.5 million in Central Texas. That makes us the largest U.S. city without a top-four professional sports team — and one of the fastest-growing large TV markets.

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has said he hopes to expand the league from 30 to 32 teams before 2029. Cities like Nashville and Salt Lake City have already launched organized bids. That’s why we formed the Austin Baseball Commission in July 2024: to give our city the strongest possible case for an expansion franchise.

Our mission is simple — harness Austin’s cultural, professional and civic energy to build an elite baseball franchise. Our vision is a stadium district that serves as a “third downtown,” modeled on successful mixed-use projects in Atlanta and Arlington. The stadium would be surrounded by housing, restaurants, retail, green space and a youth baseball complex.

Just as importantly, it would serve as a gathering place that unites Austinites from all walks of life and creates year-round activity for families, workers and visitors. Eastern Travis County offers promising possibilities with affordable land, airport access and future growth.

Austin is already a baseball town. The University of Texas program is the second winningest in the country, and pairing it with an MLB team would create a true baseball hub. A professional franchise would also inspire the next generation of young athletes, giving Little Leaguers and high school players in Central Texas a new level of aspiration.

The cost will be significant. Expansion fees are projected at more than $2 billion, with stadium construction pushing the total investment to about $4 billion. But the return would be transformative. Expansion helps MLB secure a stronger labor deal and media package while creating 80 new player jobs. And for Austin, the payoff would include thousands of construction and hospitality jobs, increased tourism and the long-term boost of a major-league identity on the national stage.

Why Austin? After more than 500 meetings, we’re convinced this city can win because we have:

• A strong income base: Austin has the highest median income among expansion contenders, key to sustaining 81 home games a year.

• Corporate support: Our booming tech sector can deliver unmatched sponsorships, naming rights, and suite sales — without the divided corporate bases of other cities.

• Growth and momentum: The Austin-San Antonio region already totals 5.3 million people and is projected to reach 8 million by 2050. Owners will see the long-term opportunity here.

We’ve also engaged with the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros, who understand that a third Texas franchise would only strengthen the game. Just as the NBA has shown, intrastate rivalries fuel fan passion and create some of the sport’s most memorable moments.

To prepare, we’ve assembled a first-rate team: a former MLB deputy commissioner as chairman, a stadium executive who has opened eight major league venues, and the nation’s top sports architecture firm. We’ve launched a $2 million seed round — we're 25% of the way there after only three events — to fund economic, market and real estate studies, the groundwork for a world-class bid.

Austin is ready. We are a city of innovation, creativity and growth. With the right vision, an MLB team here wouldn’t just bring baseball. It would build community, strengthen our economy and elevate Austin onto the global stage.

As entrepreneurs who love this city and plan to stay here, we believe now is the time for Austin to step into the big leagues. Learn more and join us at atxmlb.com.

Matt Mackowiak, Derrik Fox and Dustin Byington are the co-founders of the Austin Baseball Commission, which was founded in July 2024 to produce the strongest bid to bring an expansion Major League Baseball team to Austin." AAS ($)

“Skyline changing project to be considered by Austin City Council“ ABJ ($)

TEXAS SPORTS

WESTLAKE FOOTBALL: “No. 15 Westlake bounces back, rumbles to 66-0 win over San Benito“ KXAN

QUICK LINKS

Tesla releases Robotaxi app to general public. Can you catch a ride in Austin? - Austin American-Statesman

Austin Convention Center expansion enters construction phase. Here's what to know. - Austin American-Statesman

DPS dog Zara helps seize 47 pounds of meth in South Austin - Austin American-Statesman

THC still legal for all ages after Texas lawmakers leave hemp unregulated again - KUT

City of Austin unveils new brand - KVUE

Another subdivision headed for upzoning in Northwest Austin - Austin Monitor

Austin ISD: A dozen schools could close or ‘restart’ after receiving multiple F ratings from state - KXAN Austin

APD identifies several suspects in string of car burglaries at city parks - KXAN Austin

‘Frozen to death,’ Nursing home management charged in 73-year-old’s death - KXAN Austin

More than 20 Austin ISD campuses must develop turnaround plans after 'unacceptable' ratings - KVUE

3 arrested after Kyle police discover stolen mail, credit cards during traffic stop - KVUE

Skyline changing project to be considered by Austin City Council - ABJ

New Manor retail center to have Chuy's, Bojangles and more - ABJ

Austin Habitat for Humanity doubles fundraising goal for affordable housing development - ABJ

City of Austin Brand Initiative Aims to Enhance Unity, Cohesion of City Services - AustinTexas.gov

Death at Austin homeless shelter confirmed by city - KVUE

Natural Grocers® Announces Closure of Austin, Texas - Arbor Walk Store on Sept. 30, 2025 - WJHL

Chuy's to build restaurant near Georgetown, Leander border - Community Impact

Austin unveils first-ever city logo and unified brand amid mixed public reaction - KEYE

From donation to destination: Austin’s Pease Park celebrates 150 years - Community Impact

Grit & Gyle Brewing Co. to open $3M brewery in Kyle - Community Impact

Pepita’s offers Mexican-American dining in Rollingwood - Community Impact

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ TAILGATE: “Here’s the game plan for food & drinks at CultureMap Austin’s Tailgate” Culture Map Austin

~ DINING: “A new beer hall and sliders get the party going in Austin food news” Culture Map Austin

~ PECAN STREET FESTIVAL: "Austin's Pecan Street Festival returns to Bee Cave and more top stories” Culture Map Austin

~ AUSTIN SYMPHONY: “Austin Symphony Orchestra's 115th season adds interactive elements” Culture Map Austin

~ COCKTAIL HISTORY: “The birthplace of the Mexican martini moved 4 times, building and all” AAS ($)

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND

Sat

~ TEXAS FOOTBALL: San Jose St. at #7 Texas. 11am. DKR Memorial Stadium. Re-sale tix $25 and up here. Airs on Fox (network).

~ LIVE MUSIC: Gin Blossoms and Blues Traveler. Whitewater Amphitheater (New Braunfels, TX). 6pm. Tix $88 and up here.

Sun

~ AUSTIN FC: Austin FC at Seattle. 6pm. Airs on Apple TV.

COOL JOB ALERT

~ Policy Specialist. Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). Salary: $5,098 - $6,701 / month. Info / apply here.