Editor's note: This story was written by University of Texas student Trinity Orosco for Axios Austin.

Six Austin restaurants have spent the month of April transforming lamb into crispy arancini, laab and tostadas for Lamb Jam's restaurant competition.

Why it matters: For Austin restaurants, events like Lamb Jam double as creative challenge and low-risk test in an industry where every menu change can hit the bottom line.

Driving the news: The American Lamb Board, an organization dedicated to increasing the demand for American lamb, brought Lamb Jam back to Austin this month as part of an eight-city national competition.

Zoom in: At Holiday on 7th, head chef Peter Klein revisited a dish from last year: fried risotto balls stuffed with braised lamb arancini and fontina, served with anchovy-mint aioli.

• "I think it's an approachable way to have something rich and unique, but still really homey and comforting tasting," Klein tells Axios.

How it works: Chefs serve limited-time lamb dishes while diners vote for a winner, entering a chance to win tickets to an exclusive dinner hosted by the winning chef.

• The board supplies each participating chef with 75 pounds of lamb, helping restaurants stay profitable and encouraging menu experimentation.
• At the end of the month, one chef will be named a winner and take home a year's supply of American lamb.

Between the lines: Lamb Jam is part of a broader push to make lamb a bigger player in American diets and to convince diners it's more than a special-occasion splurge.

• Only about 30% of lamb sold in the U.S. originates domestically, making Lamb Jam a tool to boost demand for American producers, according to Megan Wortman, executive director of the American Lamb Board.

Austin diners can head to these participating restaurants through the month of April to try their lamb creations:

• Lao'd Bar: Grilled lamb laab.
• Nixta Taqueria: Lamb tostada.
• La Barbecue: Charcoal‑grilled lamb kafta.
• Boni's Bar Next Door: Lamb meatballs.
• Ezov: Spiced lamb hummus.
• Holiday on 7th: Lamb arancini.

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Data center construction is booming nationwide, but the AI buildout is separating the friendliest states from the most resistant, with Texas and Maine on opposite ends.

Why it matters: Americans are bracing for what trillions of dollars in AI infrastructure investment will mean for them.

State of play: Texas, with its low electricity prices and abundance of land, is drawing a wave of data center investment.

• Texas has 212 operating data centers as of 2024 and 651 have been announced, according to data firm Aterio. Another 157 are under construction, beating Virginia.
• The state also offers one of the most generous tax incentives in the nation, worth more than $1 billion annually.

Zoom in: The Austin area has become a major hub for data centers, with more than 70 between Temple and San Antonio, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

Yes, but: While Texas may be optimal for industry, residents are concerned over water demands in a state experiencing drought and electricity demands that could lead to higher bills.

• Jobs and economic development — the main benefits politicians and companies point to — could be short-lived unless local governments secure longer-term gains for local communities.
• "Texas is at a different point because we do have leadership that has been looking at this for over 11 years. The idea of data centers is not something that just happened," Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-Irving) said at a recent Axios event in Dallas.

How other states approach data centers

🚔 The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement is investigating the Del Valle ISD Police Department over alleged rules violations related to hiring and training. (KXAN)

🏃‍♀️ The Cap10K race set the second-largest attendance record, with 24,427 registered participants and 19,570 finishers. (CBS Austin)

⛔️ Local vendors received no warning when Painted Tree Boutique's nationwide shutdown closed its Round Rock location. (KVUE)

We've got you covered with some workweek plans.

Monday

🍿 Catch an outdoor screening of "Dazed and Confused" at Top Notch Hamburgers, where some scenes were shot. 6pm, free.

Tuesday

🎶 Learn about the economic impact of Austin's live music industry at Austin Chamber's "Music as an Economic Force" event at Moody Center. 3-6pm, $95.

Wednesday

🎬 Head to the Indie Meme Film Festival, featuring the best of independent South Asian cinema with screenings at AFS Cinema through Sunday. Badges and single-show tickets available for purchase.

Thursday

🩰 Celebrate artistic director Stephen Mills for his 25 years at Ballet Austin, featuring appearances and live performances by longtime collaborators at Paramount Theatre. 7:30pm, $75.

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Why it matters: Your support helps keep our coverage focused on what matters most in your community, from big decisions to everyday changes shaping where you live.

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👋 Nicole here, with a recommendation for your next free afternoon.

What's happening: I recently took a trip to Buda to try out Roxie's, the new restaurant from Salt Lick BBQ owner Scott Roberts.

🍽️ To order: Start with the pimento cheese ($11.95), which is served with saltines and Ritz crackers (the only correct vessel).

• "The Experience" — an entrée with all-you-can-eat green beans, mashed potatoes, creamed corn and biscuits — is the move.
• I loved the fried chicken ($23.95), which is hand-breaded and fried to crispy perfection, but you can also opt for chicken-fried steak, pork steak, country fried chicken tenders or baked chicken as your main.
• Honestly, I could've made a meal out of the biscuits alone, which use a recipe passed down from Roberts' grandmother.

🍰 Save room for dessert: The key lime pie ($8.95) hits a perfect balance of sweet and tart. Refreshing finish after a heavy meal.

📍 If you go: Roxie's plans to roll out homestyle lunch specials in the coming weeks, ranging from $11-$13. Come hungry.

Six-word review: Worth the detour, stay for biscuits.