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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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How to chaos garden in Austin

Garden experts warn that tossing random seed packets into the yard doesn't always work as advertised.

News

Chaos gardening — the viral <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="TikTok" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/chaosgardening" data-vars-content-id="d7a5e7c3-ae20-4449-96a1-48f8eb1b440f" data-vars-headline="How to chaos garden in Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/chaosgardening" target="_blank">TikTok</a> trend of scattering seeds and &quot;letting nature decide&quot; — is taking root as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="demand for native plants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/04/21/seven-native-plants-for-gardening-in-austin" data-vars-content-id="d7a5e7c3-ae20-4449-96a1-48f8eb1b440f" data-vars-headline="How to chaos garden in Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/04/21/seven-native-plants-for-gardening-in-austin" target="_self">demand for native plants</a> is rising in drought-stricken Central Texas.Why it matters: Chaos gardens appeal to homeowners seeking lower-maintenance yards that also help local wildlife thrive.

Where to find a Hugo spritz in Austin

Austin's Aba has brought back its "spritz tower," allowing customers to mix and match.

Food and Drink

The spritz is looking a little less orange these days.The big picture: Although Aperol spritz remains a warm-weather staple, the pale green Hugo spritz — typically made with prosecco, elderflower liqueur and soda water with mint and lime for garnish — is emerging as a major summer cocktail.

5 questions with Austin director Damon Brown

The Zilker Summer Musical has been an Austin tradition since 1959.

Director Damon Brown is preparing to bring &quot;Singin&#x27; in the Rain&quot; to Zilker Hillside Theatre this month, marking his return to the iconic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Austin stage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/07/2026-box-domestic-office-start" data-vars-content-id="009d627c-5e4c-4047-866b-5eb6678bc57a" data-vars-headline="5 questions with Austin director Damon Brown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/07/2026-box-domestic-office-start" target="_self">Austin stage</a> more than two decades after performing there.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Zilker Summer Musical" data-vars-click-url="https://zilker.org/" data-vars-content-id="009d627c-5e4c-4047-866b-5eb6678bc57a" data-vars-headline="5 questions with Austin director Damon Brown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://zilker.org/" target="_blank">Zilker Summer Musical</a> has been an Austin tradition since 1959, drawing tens of thousands of attendees each summer.

Desert Island Dish with Abby Love of Abby Jane Bakeshop

The bakery shares a space with Barton Springs Mill and uses the mill's flour in its pastries and bread.

Abby Love spends her day creating some of Central Texas&#x27; best pastries. But if she&#x27;s stranded on a desert island, she&#x27;s skipping the croissants and reaching for a basket of fried Gulf shrimp.Catch up quick: Love is the owner of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Abby Jane Bakeshop" data-vars-click-url="https://abbyjanebakes.com/" data-vars-content-id="9de1d0b6-f540-4045-97cd-6ae508ebe5c6" data-vars-headline="Desert Island Dish with Abby Love of Abby Jane Bakeshop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://abbyjanebakes.com/" target="_blank">Abby Jane Bakeshop</a> in Dripping Springs, which she opened in 2021 after working as the head pastry chef at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dai Due" data-vars-click-url="https://www.daidue.com/" data-vars-content-id="9de1d0b6-f540-4045-97cd-6ae508ebe5c6" data-vars-headline="Desert Island Dish with Abby Love of Abby Jane Bakeshop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.daidue.com/" target="_blank">Dai Due</a> in Austin.

How Austin uses AI to address tree canopies

Austin leaders want to reach 50% citywide tree canopy coverage by 2050.

As Austin confronts <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hotter summers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/16/summer-temperatures-lingering" data-vars-content-id="b968b287-cfb4-4f13-9834-338bcebb0dbc" data-vars-headline="How Austin uses AI to address tree canopies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/16/summer-temperatures-lingering" target="_self">hotter summers</a>, city officials are turning to Google&#x27;s AI to address shade disparities.Why it matters: Neighborhoods with less tree cover often face higher <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heat exposure," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/08/14/austin-students-face-extreme-heat" data-vars-content-id="b968b287-cfb4-4f13-9834-338bcebb0dbc" data-vars-headline="How Austin uses AI to address tree canopies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/08/14/austin-students-face-extreme-heat" target="_self">heat exposure,</a> and AI-driven analysis can help target where shade could have the greatest impact.

Austin realtor launches Texas move-out service

Politics, weather and affordability are driving moving discussions for Texit clients.

An Austin realtor has launched <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.timetotexit.com/" data-vars-content-id="a0415546-a540-47d3-a784-0a17bbc53994" data-vars-headline="Austin realtor launches Texas move-out service" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.timetotexit.com/" target="_blank">Texit</a>, a real estate service aimed at helping Central Texans looking to move out of state.Why it matters: Citing the state&#x27;s politics or increasingly hot climate, some Texans have been looking to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="leave Texas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/08/17/texas-lgbtq-other-states-migration" data-vars-content-id="a0415546-a540-47d3-a784-0a17bbc53994" data-vars-headline="Austin realtor launches Texas move-out service" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/08/17/texas-lgbtq-other-states-migration" target="_self">leave Texas</a>.

Recent rain creates "breeding ground" for mosquitos

Nine mosquito pools have tested positive for West Nile in Travis County this season.

Mosquitoes carrying <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="West Nile virus" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/03/26/mapped-west-nile-cases" data-vars-content-id="03ba60bd-61cb-41dc-934d-cc6c3bda9a89" data-vars-headline="Recent rain creates &quot;breeding ground&quot; for mosquitos" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/03/26/mapped-west-nile-cases" target="_self">West Nile virus</a> have been detected in Travis County following heavy rainfall, public health officials warn.Why it matters: Roughly 20% of people infected with West Nile develop symptoms such as headache, body ache, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash, and infections can also lead to seizures, coma or death.

"Fire weather" is happening more often

Wildfire risk has been driving up insurance premiums.

Hot, dry and windy weather that helps <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildfires" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/14/climate-change-extreme-wildfire-season" data-vars-content-id="eb5fc7b7-e071-43c5-b11c-5afff21579ee" data-vars-headline="&quot;Fire weather&quot; is happening more often" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/14/climate-change-extreme-wildfire-season" target="_self">wildfires</a> spread is becoming more common across much of the U.S. amid climate change, a new analysis finds.Why it matters: What used to be several months of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;fire season&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/05/15/us-wildfire-outlook-2024-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="eb5fc7b7-e071-43c5-b11c-5afff21579ee" data-vars-headline="&quot;Fire weather&quot; is happening more often" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/05/15/us-wildfire-outlook-2024-climate-change" target="_self">&quot;fire season&quot;</a> is stretching in some places into a yearlong phenomenon, straining fire departments and others tasked with controlling or containing wild blazes.

Early season heat wave hits Austin

On average, Austin doesn't hit 100° until July 8, according to forecasters.

Austin is bracing for a blistering heat wave this week that could shatter daily temperature records and set a new all-time high for the month of May.Why it matters: Extreme temperatures are a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="major public health threat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/14/climate-change-heat-related-deaths-surge-lancet-report" data-vars-content-id="606d03dd-0ae7-46f2-bd51-0d4d833a08ee" data-vars-headline="Early season heat wave hits Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/14/climate-change-heat-related-deaths-surge-lancet-report" target="_self">major public health threat</a> and play a role in droughts and wildfires.

Texas Parks partners with bee-sniffing dogs

Darwin's Bee Dogs and Texas Parks and Wildlife are working together to understand threats to pollinator habitats.

As the sun crept below the Wildflower Center&#x27;s Savanna Meadow, Gerty the German shorthaired pointer was hard at work, following the scent of bee nests hidden throughout a field.Why it matters: Ecologists like Jacqueline Staab, Gerty&#x27;s handler and BFF, hope bee-sniffing K-9s will help advance our understanding of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bumblebee nesting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/29/us-bee-farms-increase" data-vars-content-id="b3117139-7b90-4727-92b7-85e87edb9def" data-vars-headline="Texas Parks partners with bee-sniffing dogs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/29/us-bee-farms-increase" target="_self">bumblebee nesting</a> and potential threats to pollinators in Texas.

Worsening drought conditions loom for Central Texas

Austin's weather station Camp Mabry hasn't seen rain since Sept. 5.

It may be cooler this week, but Central Texas is facing worsening drought conditions.Why it matters: Severe drought and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extreme heat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/09/11/austin-fall-temperatures-rise" data-vars-content-id="cf0c7f8e-e219-4214-b24d-728bf6c7f07a" data-vars-headline="Worsening drought conditions loom for Central Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/09/11/austin-fall-temperatures-rise" target="_self">extreme heat</a> can lead to high fire risks and water shortages and impact trees and other plants.

Why Austin allergies are so bad

Central Texans deal with a nearly year-round allergy season.

Climate

Grab a tissue. Seasonal allergies are hitting Central Texans hard this month.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Climate change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aamc.org/news/do-seasonal-allergies-seem-be-getting-worse-blame-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="49c4262a-d90e-4c2a-89da-af63486ca6c1" data-vars-headline="Why Austin allergies are so bad" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aamc.org/news/do-seasonal-allergies-seem-be-getting-worse-blame-climate-change" target="_blank">Climate change</a> is making allergy seasons longer and more intense in many cities.

How Austin uses AI to detect wildfires

New cameras continuously scan the area and use AI to spot smoke.

Austin Energy and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pano AI" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pano.ai/" data-vars-content-id="1f8dcdec-2b33-426f-9a10-d3f36969d427" data-vars-headline="How Austin uses AI to detect wildfires" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pano.ai/" target="_blank">Pano AI</a> have teamed up to change the way wildfires are detected in Central Texas.Why it matters: A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent analysis by Core Logic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.corelogic.com/intelligence/top-15-metro-areas-with-wildfire-risk/" data-vars-content-id="1f8dcdec-2b33-426f-9a10-d3f36969d427" data-vars-headline="How Austin uses AI to detect wildfires" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.corelogic.com/intelligence/top-15-metro-areas-with-wildfire-risk/" target="_blank">recent analysis by Core Logic</a> found that Austin ranks fifth in the nation for homes at risk of wildfire damage. Plus, warmer and drier weather due to climate change continues to put Central Texas <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="at a higher risk" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/07/13/weather-austin-texas-wildfire" data-vars-content-id="1f8dcdec-2b33-426f-9a10-d3f36969d427" data-vars-headline="How Austin uses AI to detect wildfires" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/07/13/weather-austin-texas-wildfire" target="_self">at a higher risk</a> of fires.

Austin's summer heats up

Heat index values as high as 110 are expected through Thursday.

Triple-digit temperatures aren&#x27;t behind us yet.Why it matters: Beyond extreme heat&#x27;s role in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="droughts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/08/25/austin-driest-summer-since-1910-drought" data-vars-content-id="42dcf5e0-6051-4a20-9fec-102d32c97a01" data-vars-headline="Austin&#x27;s summer heats up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/08/25/austin-driest-summer-since-1910-drought" target="_self">droughts</a> and wildfires, it raises questions about how the state&#x27;s power grid and local utility operators will manage in our increasingly hot summers.

Climate 🌿

Texas company pulls drinking water from the air

Tropical Storm Arthur forms in Gulf, threatens flooding across Southeast

How Austin uses AI to address tree canopies

These are the new bills meant to prevent another Camp Mystic tragedy

Austin realtor launches Texas move-out service