1 big thing: Migrant tragedy becomes political fodder

2. Tesla leads surge in U.S. electric car sales

3. 🤠 The Roundup: Wrangling the news

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4. ⛽️ A Fourth of July staycation for the rest of us

Do you see yourself with a new career?

5. Introducing you to our favorite bostock

Welcome to Wednesday, the official sponsor of middles of the week everywhere. 

☀️ Today's weather: Sunny with a high near 97.

Situational awareness: Abortions can resume in Texas after a judge blocked a pre-Roe ban.

With this temporary restraining order, abortions can continue up until the sixth week of pregnancy — though later this summer the state's more restrictive post-Roe ban on all abortions will take effect. 

Today's newsletter is 904 words — a 3.5-minute read.

🙌 Asher is impressed with the roster of folks who have gone through training at Leadership Austin. 

Applications for the next round of the community leadership program are due Thursday.

😔 Nicole is heading to a sad farewell dinner for two friends moving to San Diego.

Readers are some of our best sources. If you have news, tips or leads that deserve coverage, write us at austin@axios.com — or just reply to this email.

Austin

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Austin. Written by Nicole Cobler and Asher Price.

Axios Austin

1 big thing: What the end of Roe means for Texas 

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2. The distance for an abortion

Photo illustration of the Willie Nelson statue in Austin checking the news on its phone.

4. The future of self-managed abortion care

On the job hunt?

5. The weekend in two photos

Demonstrators in Austin hold up signs after the Supreme Court overruled Roe V Wade

☔️ Today's weather: A chance of much-needed afternoon showers. Mostly sunny with a high near 98.

Today's newsletter is 907 words — a 3.5-minute read.

🗞 Asher is reading Statesman reporter Madlin Mekelburg's account of a group of Texans traveling to New Mexico for abortions.

👓 Nicole is reading this column by Matthew McConaughey about his thoughts on the bipartisan gun safety bill President Biden signed this weekend.

Want free Axios swag? Refer your friends to Axios Austin and get cool merch like stickers, totes, hats, T-shirts and more!

1 big thing: How global warming becomes Austin's problem

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2. Austin woman accused of killing elite cyclist captured

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4. Your Fourth of July plans

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New jobs to check out

5. Lists we're *not* on

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It's Friday — very arguably the best day of the week. 

🌤 Today's weather: Partly sunny, with a high near 98. 

Programming note: We're off for the Fourth of July holiday, so there won't be a Monday newsletter in your inbox.

Don't fret! We'll be back bright and early Tuesday morning.

Today's newsletter is 911 words — a 3.5-minute read.

🍉 Asher is looking forward to eating a lot of cold watermelon this weekend.

✈️ Nicole is heading to Baton Rouge to see her brother, who is a city hall reporter for The Advocate.

1 big thing: What's next for LGBTQ+ rights in Texas

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2. How out-of-state Dems are aiming to lure back Texas businesses

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4. Red light, green light

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Now hiring: New job openings

5. La Piscina offers up poolside Mexican cuisine

6. 1 perfect sign-off to go

It's Thursday. We've almost reached the weekend, y'all.

Situational awareness: At least four more neighborhood pools — Martin, Dottie Jordan, Ramsey and Mabel Davis — will open by July 10 as the city hires more lifeguards — but 14 still have TBD opening dates.

Today's newsletter is 905 words — a 3.5-minute read.

✉️ Asher's thinking of signing his emails "Lox of love." 

🥯 Nicole tried to win a Rosen's bagel giveaway on Instagram that asked followers to write bagel puns in the comments. She was not selected.

Give people the gift of Sinschmearly — flip this newsletter to your friends and family and let them know it’s free to subscribe. 

1 big thing: Tech companies face tough decisions

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2. I-35 expansion faces court battle

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4. 📚 Local podcast breaks down romance novels

Fresh job openings around town

5. Charted: "Moving to Canada" searches

6. 1 very wet photo to go

🤞 Today's weather: We could get rain two days in a row. Otherwise, mostly sunny with a high near 94.

Situational awareness: The bodies of at least 46 people were found dead inside an abandoned tractor-trailer in San Antonio on Monday after a presumed migrant smuggling attempt.

At least 16 others, including children, were taken to local hospitals suffering from heat stroke, heat exhaustion and apparent dehydration.

At least three people have been taken into custody.

Today's newsletter is 85o words — a 3-minute read.

🎤 Asher is entranced by this grainy 1983 New York Hot Tracks video of Run-DMC's "It's Like That."

🥱 Nicole is trying to figure out the right blanket situation to stay cool at night. Her duvet is way too hot. Send those recs.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday imposed major constraints on the breadth of the EPA's authority to limit carbon emissions from power plants.

Why it matters: By making it harder for the White House to take aggressive action on climate change, the challenge of global warming is expected to be taken up by progressive cities, like Austin, that have limited control over major emissions.

Case in point: As part of its commitment to slash fossil fuel emissions, city-owned Austin Energy had planned to retire its share of the coal-fired Fayette Power Project by the end of this year.

But talks stalled with the plant's co-owner — the Lower Colorado River Authority, a state-formed utility — over future liability and other matters last fall. 

Austin Energy told City Council members last week that it will reduce the amount of coal it burns — but not stop altogether.

Between the lines: For more than a decade, Austin has had the Office of Sustainability, which aims to ratchet down emissions from the city's vehicle fleet, promote bicycling and find ways to cut down on landfill waste, among other things.

Meanwhile: Green-minded legislation is a non-starter with the state's Republican leadership.

The SCOTUS decision is "a big win for Americans who worry about skyrocketing energy costs due to expensive federal regulations that threaten our energy industry," Gov. Greg Abbott said Thursday.

Still: Market forces related to the cheap cost of natural gas have been the key factor in coal plants shuttering in Texas, per industry experts.

The bottom line: Without the muscle of the federal government, greenhouse gas emissions will be tough to rein in.

How global warming just became Austin's problem

Environmental legislation is a non-starter with Texas' Republican leadership.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="imposed major constraints" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/30/west-virginia-epa-supreme-court-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="0cb9cda7-95dd-4bed-b84b-72059a367d7f" data-vars-headline="How global warming just became Austin&#x27;s problem" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/30/west-virginia-epa-supreme-court-climate-change" target="_self">imposed major constraints</a> on the breadth of the EPA&#x27;s authority to limit carbon emissions from power plants.Why it matters: By making it harder for the White House to take aggressive action on climate change, the challenge of global warming is expected to be taken up by progressive cities, like Austin, that have limited control over major emissions.

News

Business

With travel expenses through the roof, this Fourth of July is shaping up as one for staying at home. 

The big picture: Gas prices in Austin on Tuesday averaged $4.56 a gallon — down from $4.65 a week ago but up from $2.72 a year ago.

What they're saying: "If you want to see great fireworks, save money and stay safe, go to a professional show," Texas Fire Marshal Orlando Hernandez said.

Also: "There are no safe fireworks for children." 

Some sparklers burn at nearly 2,000 degrees, as hot as a blowtorch.

Plus: Most communities don't allow you to use fireworks within city limits or during local burn bans. Check with your local fire department to see what's allowed.

🏆 Pro tip: We love spreading out our picnic blanket at St. Edward's hilltop campus and watching the downtown Austin fireworks from afar.

Why Austinites might stick around this Fourth of July

"There are no safe fireworks for children."

Fourth of July fireworks on July 4th, 2021. 

Fourth of July was celebrated last year at Typhoon Texas Waterpark in Pflugerville with fireworks. Henry Huey Photo / USA TODAY NETWORK

With travel expenses through the roof, this Fourth of July is shaping up as one for staying at home. The big picture: Gas prices in Austin on Tuesday <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="averaged $4.56 a gallon" data-vars-click-url="https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=TX" data-vars-content-id="121cf369-39dd-4c6a-bcc7-ed696ea7866b" data-vars-headline="Why Austinites might stick around this Fourth of July" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=TX" target="_blank">averaged $4.56 a gallon</a> — down from $4.65 a week ago but up from $2.72 a year ago.

Things to Do

The deaths of more than 50 migrants in San Antonio have already become political.

Driving the news: Gov. Greg Abbott, who has made immigration a focal point of his re-election campaign, blamed President Biden within hours of the tragedy on Monday, tweeting that the deaths "are a result of his deadly open border policies."

The other side: Biden fired off a response Tuesday.

"Exploiting vulnerable individuals for profit is shameful, as is political grandstanding around tragedy, and my administration will continue to do everything possible to stop human smugglers," he said.

Between the lines: While the federal government is in charge of Texas-Mexico border security, Abbott has tried to claim the mantle of border czar, directing billions from Texas' coffers toward law enforcement efforts.

Those efforts did not prevent a humanitarian tragedy within Texas' borders, and now he is pointing fingers at Biden.

Catch up quick: Accusing the federal government of inaction, Abbott launched Operation Lone Star in March 2021 to boost protection of the southern border from drug smugglers and people illegally crossing.

The Texas Legislature dedicated nearly $2 billion toward the plan, tripling the amount the state spends on border security. 

The state later shifted nearly $500 million away from other agencies, including the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, to help pay for the Texas National Guard deployment after costs exceeded what the Legislature had approved.

But National Guard troops have called the operation a disaster, and lawyers for arrested migrants have accused the state of due-process violations, per reporting in the Texas Tribune. 

On Tuesday, Abbott announced the National Guard had launched the "Border River Mission" to prevent illegal immigration. 

What they're saying: Immigration experts and advocates argued that Abbott's claim of an open border is inaccurate, and point out that some of former President Trump's signature border policies are intact.

Biden was forced by court order to restart a Trump-era COVID policy known as Title 42, allowing authorities to continue to expel migrants while their cases are considered in the U.S.

"With the border shut as tightly as it is today for migrants from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, people have been pushed into more and more dangerous routes. Truck smuggling is way up," Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, policy director for the advocacy group American Immigration Council, told the Houston Chronicle.

Meanwhile: "This is devastating," Democratic nominee for governor Beto O'Rourke wrote. "Our thoughts go out to the families of those who lost their lives in San Antonio today."  

"We need urgent action — dismantle human smuggling rings and replace them with expanded avenues for legal migration that reflect our values and meet our country's needs."

The bottom line: When tragedy strikes — see Uvalde — politicians often make it political.

Dallas

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Dallas. Written by Michael Mooney and Tasha Tsiperas.

Axios Dallas

Axios Dallas Thought Bubble

Dallas Alerts

Migrant tragedy underscores border policy divide

Gov. Greg Abbott, who has made immigration a focal point of his re-election campaign, blamed President Biden within hours of the tragedy.

Emergency vehicles  at the scene where a tractor-trailer was discovered with migrants inside. Photo: Sergio Flores via Getty Images

The deaths <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="of more than 50 migrants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/28/texas-migrants-dead-san-antonio" data-vars-content-id="4ff39862-daff-442f-b898-3e1034d7115b" data-vars-headline="Migrant tragedy underscores border policy divide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/28/texas-migrants-dead-san-antonio" target="_self">of more than 50 migrants</a> in San Antonio have already become political.Driving the news: Gov. Greg Abbott, who has made immigration a focal point of his re-election campaign, blamed President Biden within hours of the tragedy on Monday, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tweeting that the deaths" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/GregAbbott_TX/status/1541596214705135617" data-vars-content-id="4ff39862-daff-442f-b898-3e1034d7115b" data-vars-headline="Migrant tragedy underscores border policy divide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/GregAbbott_TX/status/1541596214705135617" target="_blank">tweeting that the deaths</a> &quot;are a result of his deadly open border policies.&quot;

Politics

The widening of I-35 is destined for a long, contentious fight, as a trio of nonprofits is now suing the state highway department over its plans.

Catch up quick: The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) wants to widen and make other alterations to the 28-mile stretch between Pflugerville and Buda.

But the nonprofits argue that the project is "wasteful and harmful."

Between the lines: Officials at the Texas Public Interest Research Group, Environment Texas and Rethink35 accuse the transportation department of breaking the highway expansion into three separate plans to avoid more rigorous, federally-required environmental review and public engagement. 

The big picture: TxDOT has claimed that expanding I-35 is necessary to accommodate the region's booming population, improve emergency response times and ease traffic.

Yes, but: Some traffic experts say expanding the highway will actually add more vehicles to Austin's roads.

What they're saying: "The public has a right to consider options for I-35 that will actually work, including alternatives to driving, not just expansion," said Rethink35 executive director Adam Greenfield. "This is also a major equity issue: Widening freeways worsens serious and fatal traffic crashes, air pollution, noise and carbon emissions, all of which disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color."

TxDOT officials did not respond to Axios' request for comment.

Flashback: KUT reported earlier this year state and city engineers were considering ways to ease opposition to the project, such as:

Lower I-35 under more cross streets, including Holly Street and Woodland Avenue, and increase the number of pedestrian crossings.

Reduce speed limits on frontage roads, in keeping with speeds on Burnet Road, Lamar Boulevard and East Riverside Drive.

Shift frontage roads downtown entirely to the west side of the highway, freeing up the east side for more park land.

All those options remain under consideration, per a June 9 city memo. 

The bottom line: Avoid traffic-heavy I-35 at all costs.

I-35's Austin expansion faces federal court battle

The project is "wasteful and harmful," a trio of nonprofits suing TxDOT say.

Traffic along northbound I-35 in downtown Austin. Photo: Mikala Compton/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

The widening of I-35 is destined for a long, contentious fight, as a trio of nonprofits is now suing the state highway department over its plans.Catch up quick: The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) wants to widen and make other alterations to the 28-mile stretch between Pflugerville and Buda.

In light of the overturning of Roe — and with the prospect of other red-state restrictions on marriage — Democrats are trying to win back businesses that have fled to lower-tax, lower-regulation havens like Texas.

What they're saying: "Some of you may have left the state; come on back," California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Friday, after the Supreme Court ruling. He continued: "It's a point of pride that we welcome you back, we want to celebrate that we have you back."

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy wrote to businesses in Texas and other states after the leaked draft of the decision to overturn Roe, saying the ruling would have a "chilling effect" on "your ability attract and retain top female talent." 

Flashback: After Texas passed a law last year effectively banning abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont made this plea to Texas companies, per reporting by Politico: "We don't have oil and natural gas, but we have one of the most productive, best trained, most innovative workforces in the world. And that starts with the fact that we have more women participating in our workforce than just about anywhere else." 

Reality check: It's a lot cheaper for Texas-based companies to pay for out-of-state abortions than to reestablish their brick-and-mortar headquarters in far-away states.

Plus: The reason many of them relocated to Texas in the first place was because of low regulations and taxes — as well as big talent pools and easy logistics.

And Texas' socially conservative policies are not new.

The bottom line: "Not going to happen," corporate location adviser Dennis Donovan, of WDG Consulting, tells Axios, of the prospect of Texas companies picking up for blue states because of abortion restrictions.

But, he said, public-facing businesses and technology companies will think twice about relocating to Texas and other red states for fear of blowback from employees and customers. 

What we're watching: Some GOP lawmakers have pledged to file legislation barring companies from doing business in Texas if they choose to pay for abortions.

Out-of-state Democrats try to lure back Texas businesses

Companies are unlikely to leave Texas over abortion, experts say — but they might think twice about relocating to red states.

In light of the overturning of Roe — and with the prospect of other red-state restrictions on marriage — Democrats are trying to win back businesses that have fled to lower-tax, lower-regulation havens like Texas.What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;Some of you may have left the state; come on back,&quot; California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Friday, after the Supreme Court ruling. He continued: &quot;It&#x27;s a point of pride that we welcome you back, we want to celebrate that we have you back.&quot;

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Stories

How global warming just became Austin's problem

Out-of-state Democrats try to lure back Texas businesses

Migrant tragedy underscores border policy divide

Why Austinites might stick around this Fourth of July

I-35's Austin expansion faces federal court battle

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