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

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Six new murals added to South Congress

The permanent installations are on display now.

News

Austin loves electrolyte powders, but doctors say they don't work

Doctors say drinking electrolyte supplements instead of plain water is a waste of money.

Business

Complaints mount as robotaxis roll through Austin streets

There are 125 autonomous vehicles on Austin's streets.

How Austin leaders are grappling with the heat

The city has launched cooling centers, misting areas and cool pavement technology.

Climate

Over a quarter of Austin seniors still work

More than 1 in 4 Austin seniors were working past the age of 65 in 2021, a decision senior advocacy groups say is often driven by fear and financial insecurity.Driving the news: At an age when people could historically retire and get <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="full Social Security benefits" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cbpp.org/research/social-security/raising-social-securitys-retirement-age-would-cut-benefits-for-all-new#:~:text=As%20noted%2C%20the%20full%20retirement,age%20had%20remained%20at%2065." data-vars-content-id="4d288540-81a5-42f2-81d6-2aeadb56c410" data-vars-headline="Over a quarter of Austin seniors still work" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cbpp.org/research/social-security/raising-social-securitys-retirement-age-would-cut-benefits-for-all-new#:~:text=As%20noted%2C%20the%20full%20retirement,age%20had%20remained%20at%2065." target="_blank">full Social Security benefits</a>, about 27% of Austin seniors — or 25,417 people — remain in the workforce, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new study" data-vars-click-url="https://usw2.nyl.as/t1/14/9xog12klrnsxoo5swyhqehh32/0/d429572e0bafc14d06132dd0fc8ecfaf9a5c5ea69f3fee4658c50ec10a747cb4" data-vars-content-id="4d288540-81a5-42f2-81d6-2aeadb56c410" data-vars-headline="Over a quarter of Austin seniors still work" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://usw2.nyl.as/t1/14/9xog12klrnsxoo5swyhqehh32/0/d429572e0bafc14d06132dd0fc8ecfaf9a5c5ea69f3fee4658c50ec10a747cb4" target="_blank">new study</a> of recent Census Bureau data from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Illustration of an office chair with a doily on top, sitting on front of vintage wallpaper.

Rate of Austin new mothers in the workforce bounces back post COVID

About 1 million working mothers were estimated to have stopped working during the pandemic.

The percentage of Austin metro-area women who recently gave birth and remain part of the workforce is growing again after COVID, per new census data.Driving the news: Remote and flexible work is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="making it easier" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/01/working-mothers-labor-market-women-equality" data-vars-content-id="5ba8e721-637e-429e-a749-fba7cde81e40" data-vars-headline="Rate of Austin new mothers in the workforce bounces back post COVID" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/01/working-mothers-labor-market-women-equality" target="_self">making it easier</a> for new moms to juggle both parenting and their careers. (In fact, the workplace gender gap is at a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="record low" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/06/gender-gap-workplace-participation-statistics" data-vars-content-id="5ba8e721-637e-429e-a749-fba7cde81e40" data-vars-headline="Rate of Austin new mothers in the workforce bounces back post COVID" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/06/gender-gap-workplace-participation-statistics" target="_self">record low</a>.)

Austin is still one of the nation's top remote work hubs

It's the second-highest among American metro areas, per new Census Bureau data.

Remote work is holding strong here — 28% of Austin metro area workers were working from home as of 2022, compared to a peak of 32% in 2021, per newly released Census Bureau figures.Driving the news: That&#x27;s the second-highest percentage among American metro areas, the highest in Texas and well above the national average.

Pickleball facility opens in northeast Austin

The club has three tournament regulation pickleball courts.

An exclusive pickleball club wants to combine country club nostalgia with the increasingly popular sport.What&#x27;s happening: The new members-only <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Other Racquet Social Club" data-vars-click-url="https://www.otherracquet.com/" data-vars-content-id="e5cb258d-ff91-46ce-8969-962cdb21416f" data-vars-headline="Pickleball facility opens in northeast Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.otherracquet.com/" target="_blank">Other Racquet Social Club</a> opens on Friday at 2717 Manor Road with three tournament-regulation pickleball courts paired with full-service cabanas, a clubhouse and a private dining room.

5 questions with SPIbelt's Kim Overton

The brand has expanded to belts for kids, people with diabetes and more.

The idea for SPIbelt, the popular running belt for athletes to store their phones and keys, started with an uncomfortable run.Flashback: Kim Overton, the founder of SPIbelt, recalled putting her car key in her sports bra to go out on a run in 2006.

Electrolyte supplements have become a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shockingly big market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/electrolyte-mix-market-to-reach-30-1-billion-globally-by-2032-at-5-2-cagr-allied-market-research-301850813.html" data-vars-content-id="f858dfd6-9828-44e2-ac7b-d2e2aa70d031" data-vars-headline="Austin loves electrolyte powders, but doctors say they don&#x27;t work" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/electrolyte-mix-market-to-reach-30-1-billion-globally-by-2032-at-5-2-cagr-allied-market-research-301850813.html" target="_blank">shockingly big market</a> in Austin, even though they&#x27;re supported by limited scientific evidence.Why it matters: Although influencers and marketers consider electrolyte powders hydration hacks, doctors say that regularly drinking them instead of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="plain water" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/03/america-drinking-water-dehydration-effects" data-vars-content-id="f858dfd6-9828-44e2-ac7b-d2e2aa70d031" data-vars-headline="Austin loves electrolyte powders, but doctors say they don&#x27;t work" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/03/america-drinking-water-dehydration-effects" target="_self">plain water</a> is a waste of money.

Illustration of lightning inside of a water drop.

As <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="self-driving taxis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/14/robotaxis-san-francisco-sabotage" data-vars-content-id="2f728299-946f-4bd4-8668-84ca030d4c17" data-vars-headline="Complaints mount as robotaxis roll through Austin streets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/14/robotaxis-san-francisco-sabotage" target="_self">self-driving taxis</a> navigate Austin streets, city officials have been fielding complaints about dangerous encounters with the vehicles from residents and first responders.<ul><li>But the city&#x27;s hands are tied when it comes to the regulation of autonomous vehicles.</li></ul>

Central Texas' pandemic-era migration brought billions to the region

In terms of total monetary increase, Travis County ranked highest in Texas.

Newcomers

Counties across Central Texas saw the state&#x27;s highest increases in income thanks to new migration between 2020 and 2021.<ul><li>The findings come by way of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new analysis of tax data" data-vars-click-url="https://eig.org/high-earners-migration/" data-vars-content-id="fcea963a-6e06-4d6e-8d1a-023cf9479791" data-vars-headline="Central Texas&#x27; pandemic-era migration brought billions to the region" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://eig.org/high-earners-migration/" target="_blank">new analysis of tax data</a> from the Economic Innovation Group, a nonpartisan think tank.</li></ul>

Inside Veracruz Fonda at Mueller

The new brick-and-mortar restaurant opened earlier this year.

Food and Drink

Austinites can find their favorites and so much more at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Veracruz Fonda and Bar," data-vars-click-url="https://veracruzfonda.com/food-menu/" data-vars-content-id="16929bc4-da8b-4342-b670-fb3d2ad9af03" data-vars-headline="Inside Veracruz Fonda at Mueller" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://veracruzfonda.com/food-menu/" target="_blank">Veracruz Fonda and Bar,</a> the local chain&#x27;s new brick-and-mortar restaurant at Mueller.The big picture: Sisters Maritza and Reyna Vazquez opened Veracruz as a cart in East Austin in 2008 and have since grown it into a local empire with food trucks spread throughout the city.

Airbnb launches apartment platform in Austin

The move makes 2,901 units eligible for Airbnb hosting.

Real Estate

Renters in nine Austin-area apartment buildings can now list their units on Airbnb to earn extra cash while out of town.Driving the news: The company announced last week that its Airbnb-friendly apartments platform will expand to the Austin metro, making 2,901 units eligible for Airbnb hosting.

Business 🏦