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Austin restaurants let diners name their price

Four Austin restaurants are letting diners decide what to pay for their meals as part of a global experiment.

Food and Drink

Some of Austin&#x27;s most acclaimed restaurants will let diners decide their own bill Wednesday, part of a global experiment in making dining out more accessible.Why it matters: Dining can easily become a special-occasion expense. For one day, four Austin restaurants — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nixta Taqueria" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nixtataqueria.com/" data-vars-content-id="cacea4e9-39ff-4eb9-913c-53d51e133b05" data-vars-headline="Austin restaurants let diners name their price" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nixtataqueria.com/" target="_blank">Nixta Taqueria</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="L&#x27;Oca d&#x27;Oro" data-vars-click-url="https://locadoroaustin.com/" data-vars-content-id="cacea4e9-39ff-4eb9-913c-53d51e133b05" data-vars-headline="Austin restaurants let diners name their price" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://locadoroaustin.com/" target="_blank">L&#x27;Oca d&#x27;Oro</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lenoir" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lenoirrestaurant.com/" data-vars-content-id="cacea4e9-39ff-4eb9-913c-53d51e133b05" data-vars-headline="Austin restaurants let diners name their price" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lenoirrestaurant.com/" target="_blank">Lenoir</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Comadre Panadería" data-vars-click-url="https://comadrepanaderia.com/" data-vars-content-id="cacea4e9-39ff-4eb9-913c-53d51e133b05" data-vars-headline="Austin restaurants let diners name their price" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://comadrepanaderia.com/" target="_blank">Comadre Panadería</a> — will remove that price barrier.

Elon Musk's PAC lawyer eyes Texas congressional seat

The election of Chris Gober would give Musk a close ally in Congress.

Politics

The lawyer who helped run Elon Musk&#x27;s efforts to aid Donald Trump&#x27;s 2024 campaign is running for Congress in a Republican-friendly district that stretches from west of Austin to near Houston.Why it matters: The election of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chris Gober" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/06/01/austin-texas-spencer-pratt-campaign" data-vars-content-id="3db2a6ca-98c0-4401-bfe7-faee50e906a2" data-vars-headline="Elon Musk&#x27;s PAC lawyer eyes Texas congressional seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/06/01/austin-texas-spencer-pratt-campaign" target="_self">Chris Gober</a> would give Musk a close ally in Congress as he seeks to continue to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shape the GOP agenda" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/29/musk-pac-midterm-election" data-vars-content-id="3db2a6ca-98c0-4401-bfe7-faee50e906a2" data-vars-headline="Elon Musk&#x27;s PAC lawyer eyes Texas congressional seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/29/musk-pac-midterm-election" target="_self">shape the GOP agenda</a>.

Texas kindergarten vaccine exemptions jump

Texas exemptions are climbing, but Austin ISD vaccination rates rebound.

News

Texas&#x27; kindergarten vaccine exemption rate jumped nearly a full percentage point in the 2025-26 school year, according to new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="released" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxview/data/index.html" data-vars-content-id="edd87898-7ceb-439c-a1bd-f74e7734cb32" data-vars-headline="Texas kindergarten vaccine exemptions jump" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxview/data/index.html" target="_blank">released</a> Monday.Why it matters: The rise in exemptions coincided with efforts by the Trump administration to make <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vaccine policy changes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/26/mmr-mmrv-vaccine-shot-schedule-cdc-trump" data-vars-content-id="edd87898-7ceb-439c-a1bd-f74e7734cb32" data-vars-headline="Texas kindergarten vaccine exemptions jump" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/26/mmr-mmrv-vaccine-shot-schedule-cdc-trump" target="_self">vaccine policy changes</a> and with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="measles cases" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/25/measles-record-cases-states-numbers" data-vars-content-id="edd87898-7ceb-439c-a1bd-f74e7734cb32" data-vars-headline="Texas kindergarten vaccine exemptions jump" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/25/measles-record-cases-states-numbers" target="_self">measles cases</a> hitting levels not seen in more than three decades.

Austin Gamblers bring bull riding back to Moody Center

You can catch three days of action at the Moody Center or join the Austin Gamblers at their free Fan Fest.

Professional bull riding (PBR) will take over Moody Center this weekend during the Austin Gamblers&#x27; fifth annual Gambler Days.Why it matters: You don&#x27;t need to know a flank strap from a cowboy hat to get into it. The three-day event combines bull riding with live music, a fan festival and after-parties.

Anthropic considers Texas data center expansion

Anthropic is rapidly expanding its Texas footprint with massive data centers in the works.

Development

Anthropic is eyeing another massive <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/25/data-centers-ai-electricity-water-politics" data-vars-content-id="554aed20-cae6-45dc-a3bf-0d527c4e8823" data-vars-headline="Anthropic considers Texas data center expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/25/data-centers-ai-electricity-water-politics" target="_self">data center</a> project in Central Texas as the AI company&#x27;s footprint expands across the state.Why it matters: Anthropic&#x27;s growth comes as Texas officials, including Gov. Greg Abbott, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grapple with how" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/08/03/greg-abbott-halts-texas-data-centers-electric-grid" data-vars-content-id="554aed20-cae6-45dc-a3bf-0d527c4e8823" data-vars-headline="Anthropic considers Texas data center expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/08/03/greg-abbott-halts-texas-data-centers-electric-grid" target="_self">grapple with how</a> to accommodate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="power-hungry data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/18/ai-data-centers-federal-commission-faster-connections" data-vars-content-id="554aed20-cae6-45dc-a3bf-0d527c4e8823" data-vars-headline="Anthropic considers Texas data center expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/18/ai-data-centers-federal-commission-faster-connections" target="_self">power-hungry data centers</a> without straining the state&#x27;s electric grid.

Why Austin is serious about construction waste

Construction and demolition debris is straining landfills and raising disposal costs.

Partners

The City of Austin is working towards a zero-waste future, but construction debris is piling up faster than landfills can handle, increasing pressure on the local economy and available resources.Why it&#x27;s important: Waste decisions on construction sites shape Austin&#x27;s growth just as much as individual project outcomes.<ul><li>As landfills fill up, the city faces higher costs, increased truck traffic and added strain on natural resources — raising the stakes for how every project manages debris.</li></ul>

Austin receives $48 million EPA grant

Austin was the only city in Texas selected for the program.

City officials say they&#x27;ll use a nearly $48 million grant to expand and promote access to cleaner modes of transit, part of an EPA program that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.Why it matters: The Texas Department of Transportation is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="moving forward with plans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/03/13/i-35-expansion-project-construction" data-vars-content-id="83e6ca5f-ed76-46b7-b995-5a25055ff773" data-vars-headline="Austin receives $48 million EPA grant" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/03/13/i-35-expansion-project-construction" target="_self">moving forward with plans</a> to overhaul I-35, which is expected to lead to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more trucks and cars" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/02/13/i-35-traffic-busy-semi-trucks" data-vars-content-id="83e6ca5f-ed76-46b7-b995-5a25055ff773" data-vars-headline="Austin receives $48 million EPA grant" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/02/13/i-35-traffic-busy-semi-trucks" target="_self">more trucks and cars</a> on our already busy roads, and city officials fear that road closures and delays will increase air pollution by single-occupant vehicles.<ul><li>Meanwhile, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="construction for the 9.8-mile" data-vars-click-url="https://communityimpact.com/austin/south-central-austin/transportation/2024/03/25/71b-project-connect-light-rail-to-break-ground-in-2027/" data-vars-content-id="83e6ca5f-ed76-46b7-b995-5a25055ff773" data-vars-headline="Austin receives $48 million EPA grant" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://communityimpact.com/austin/south-central-austin/transportation/2024/03/25/71b-project-connect-light-rail-to-break-ground-in-2027/" target="_blank">construction for the 9.8-mile</a> Project Connect light rail system is scheduled to begin in 2027, which could also impact traffic.</li></ul>

New art installation at Seaholm

It's the latest art installation from the Tempo program.

A new plasma art creation is temporarily on display at the historic Seaholm Water Intake Facility.Driving the news: The piece, &quot;Sun Poem,&quot; from Austin artist Anahita Bradberry is designed to be viewed from the outside of the facility and uses two inverse hues of argon plasma illumination on the north and south walls.

Hays County residents fight proposed concert venue

The state's environmental commission meets Monday to consider the proposal.

A coalition of Hays County residents and environmental activists is sounding the alarm on a proposed concert venue near Dripping Springs.Why it matters: The friction over the proposed concert venue illustrates heightened tension between conservationists and those who want to bring big-city amenities to the Hill Country as Austin&#x27;s population pushes outward.

Zilker Park Vision Plan's future in doubt

Vocal activists lobbied city officials for months to reject the plan.

The Zilker Metropolitan Park Vision Plan has been shelved indefinitely, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson announced in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="an email to constituents Monday" data-vars-click-url="https://app.getresponse.com/view.html?x=a62b&amp;m=BW1DQH&amp;u=CExwT&amp;z=EB9LB7D&amp;o=pp_5" data-vars-content-id="b95a0f1a-b4ce-4ee7-a4fe-0a50a4b3c1da" data-vars-headline="Zilker Park Vision Plan&#x27;s future in doubt" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://app.getresponse.com/view.html?x=a62b&amp;m=BW1DQH&amp;u=CExwT&amp;z=EB9LB7D&amp;o=pp_5" target="_blank">an email to constituents Monday</a>.Driving the news: Shortly after three City Council members on Monday came out in opposition to the $200 million plan, Watson said it would be removed from the council&#x27;s Aug. 31 agenda.

The state of Austin's remote workforce, post-pandemic

32% of those who moved to Austin were remote in 2021.

Business

During the pandemic, Austin was a top destination for remote workers fleeing cities like New York and San Francisco. But will they stay?Driving the news: According to a recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New York Times data analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/06/17/upshot/17migration-patterns-movers.html" data-vars-content-id="f9e2ccb3-84e9-4631-bb92-102b9aea97bd" data-vars-headline="The state of Austin&#x27;s remote workforce, post-pandemic" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/06/17/upshot/17migration-patterns-movers.html" target="_blank">New York Times data analysis</a>, Austin saw the biggest net gain of remote workers of any major city in 2020-21.

Report: AI could displace 13% of Austin's workforce

AI software may soon be able to do all manner of jobs.

Austin is among the top 25 metro areas where artificial intelligence threatens the workforce, per a new analysis from research website <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ChamberofCommerce.org" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chamberofcommerce.org/" data-vars-content-id="cecbea3b-89c2-4940-81d4-8c243ab7b040" data-vars-headline="Report: AI could displace 13% of Austin&#x27;s workforce" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chamberofcommerce.org/" target="_blank">ChamberofCommerce.org</a>.Driving the news: Roughly 13% of Austin&#x27;s workforce is at risk of AI-related job loss, according to the group, which used U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data to analyze employment numbers within the 50 most-populated metro areas.

Austin chefs and artists head to Lockhart

Austin creatives are heading to Lockhart in search of lower cost of living and a small-town community.

Lockhart, the once-sleepy town 35 miles south of Austin, is poised for explosive growth.Catch up quick: Any good Texan knows that it&#x27;s the barbecue capital of Texas and it&#x27;s on the painful stretch of U.S. 183, where you&#x27;re sure to hit every traffic light as you head from Austin to South Texas.

Load Off Fanny's owner finds a home in Lockhart

"It doesn't feel like home to me anymore," Load Off Fanny's owner Hayley Fort says of Austin.

Load Off Fanny&#x27;s owner Hayley Fort was born and raised in Austin, and after she had a brief stint in Las Vegas, Central Texas was calling.But this time, it was Lockhart that pulled her back to the area.

Development 🏗️

Anthropic considers Texas data center expansion

Gov. Greg Abbott calls for broad data center rules

Why Austin is serious about construction waste

Austin receives $48 million EPA grant

New art installation at Seaholm