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The cost of removing Austin's street art

The final total may increase, city officials tell Axios, as more costs roll in.

News

We can now put a dollars-and-cents figure on a state directive to get rid of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="roadway artwork" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/06/23/austin-painted-crosswalks-removal-abbott" data-vars-content-id="f4ef181f-e518-4c06-a5b1-5e51aaf150f4" data-vars-headline="The cost of removing Austin&#x27;s street art" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/06/23/austin-painted-crosswalks-removal-abbott" target="_self">roadway artwork</a> in Austin.Why it matters: Critics have argued the state order is politically motivated and targets artwork celebrating <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="LGBTQ+" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/20/lgbtq-americans-housing" data-vars-content-id="f4ef181f-e518-4c06-a5b1-5e51aaf150f4" data-vars-headline="The cost of removing Austin&#x27;s street art" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/20/lgbtq-americans-housing" target="_self">LGBTQ+</a> and minority communities.

Test your knowledge of Texas U.S. Senate history

As James Talarico and Ken Paxton battle it out, we ask questions about Texas' U.S. senators.

Three recent polls have shown state Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="narrowly leading" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/04/poll-talarico-has-slim-lead-over-paxton-in-texas-senate-race" data-vars-content-id="82789aa2-a444-4d28-9a1b-b7e26c84946e" data-vars-headline="Test your knowledge of Texas U.S. Senate history" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/04/poll-talarico-has-slim-lead-over-paxton-in-texas-senate-race" target="_self">narrowly leading</a> state Attorney General Ken Paxton in the U.S. Senate race.<ul><li>For this week&#x27;s quiz, show us just how much of a Texas political junkie you are.</li></ul>

Austin scores World Cup bump

New data suggests the tournament brought more visitors to the city.

Austin didn&#x27;t host a single World Cup match, but the tournament still appears to have brought more visitors and spending to the city.Why it matters: The World Cup offered a test for whether cities outside the host lineup could capitalize on one of the world&#x27;s biggest sporting events.

UT's power line sensor could better detect grid trouble

The sensors could help utility workers identify issues with power lines in real time.

University of Texas researchers say they&#x27;ve developed a new tool that could help spot problems on power lines before they <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lead to outages" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/31/us-electric-grid-extreme-weather" data-vars-content-id="006173f0-d798-4909-a6a7-48462f515cce" data-vars-headline="UT&#x27;s power line sensor could better detect grid trouble" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/31/us-electric-grid-extreme-weather" target="_self">lead to outages</a>.Why it matters: As Texas adds <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/12/02/the-data-center-boom-upwardly-revised" data-vars-content-id="006173f0-d798-4909-a6a7-48462f515cce" data-vars-headline="UT&#x27;s power line sensor could better detect grid trouble" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/12/02/the-data-center-boom-upwardly-revised" target="_self">data centers</a>, renewable energy and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more people" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/31/texas-population-surge-latinos-2026-senate-race" data-vars-content-id="006173f0-d798-4909-a6a7-48462f515cce" data-vars-headline="UT&#x27;s power line sensor could better detect grid trouble" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/31/texas-population-surge-latinos-2026-senate-race" target="_self">more people</a>, utilities are looking for better ways to monitor an aging <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="electric grid" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/06/12/texas-power-grid-summer-demand-ercot-forecast" data-vars-content-id="006173f0-d798-4909-a6a7-48462f515cce" data-vars-headline="UT&#x27;s power line sensor could better detect grid trouble" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/06/12/texas-power-grid-summer-demand-ercot-forecast" target="_self">electric grid</a> in real time.

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.

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.

How to celebrate Fourth of July weekend in Austin

We've rounded up the top Fourth of July weekend events around Austin.

Austin is gearing up for a lively July Fourth as America celebrates its 250th anniversary.The big picture: From Willie Nelson&#x27;s annual picnic to fireworks over Lady Bird Lake, here are our favorite shows, celebrations and giveaways all weekend long.

Desert Island Dish with Alex Dubey

What the co-owner of a mainstay Austin Italian restaurant would bring to a desert island.

As part of our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="running feature" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/01/13/desert-island-dish-david-munoz" data-vars-content-id="f2f86d99-355f-44de-add1-70d13c7927f8" data-vars-headline="Desert Island Dish with Alex Dubey" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/01/13/desert-island-dish-david-munoz" target="_self">running feature</a> about Austin restaurateurs&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="favorite meals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/12/10/desert-island-dish-brian-batch" data-vars-content-id="f2f86d99-355f-44de-add1-70d13c7927f8" data-vars-headline="Desert Island Dish with Alex Dubey" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/12/10/desert-island-dish-brian-batch" target="_self">favorite meals</a>, we recently caught up with Alex Dubey, co-owner (with his wife, Cristina Yoder) of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Quattro Gatti" data-vars-click-url="https://www.quattrogattiaustin.com/" data-vars-content-id="f2f86d99-355f-44de-add1-70d13c7927f8" data-vars-headline="Desert Island Dish with Alex Dubey" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.quattrogattiaustin.com/" target="_blank">Quattro Gatti</a>, the beloved little Italian restaurant on Congress Avenue, by the Capitol. Background: Dubey, 40, grew up in Florida, and has worked in the food industry since college, starting as a server at the French restaurant Jean-Georges in New York.

Cool off at Austin's Kyoko Coffee

The cafe operates out of a greenish-baby-blue mini-van.

Things to Do

As part of our running summer series on cold drinks around town, we stopped by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kyoko Coffee" data-vars-click-url="https://kyokocoffee.com/" data-vars-content-id="506f8ef9-f7bd-4846-91a9-457e2cc24ece" data-vars-headline="Cool off at Austin&#x27;s Kyoko Coffee" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://kyokocoffee.com/" target="_blank">Kyoko Coffee</a>, on Airport Boulevard, just by Austin Community College&#x27;s Highland campus.Why it matters: Life is short and summer is long.

Hoover's Cooking owner: "I ain't done yet"

The founder of Hoover's Cooking reflects on closing the East Austin institution and his plans for the future.

After nearly three decades serving Texas comfort food in East <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Austin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/signup/austin" data-vars-content-id="457a9166-fa7c-46e7-bad8-f56aa54173bc" data-vars-headline="Hoover&#x27;s Cooking owner: &quot;I ain&#x27;t done yet&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/signup/austin" target="_self">Austin</a>, Hoover Alexander says the decision to close Hoover&#x27;s Cooking came down to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="business realities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/12/10/restaurants-we-re-missing" data-vars-content-id="457a9166-fa7c-46e7-bad8-f56aa54173bc" data-vars-headline="Hoover&#x27;s Cooking owner: &quot;I ain&#x27;t done yet&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/12/10/restaurants-we-re-missing" target="_self">business realities</a>, changing priorities and a desire for more balance in his life.Driving the news: On Monday, customers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gathered for &quot;Hoova&#x27; Palooza,&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/06/11/hoovers-cooking-austin" data-vars-content-id="457a9166-fa7c-46e7-bad8-f56aa54173bc" data-vars-headline="Hoover&#x27;s Cooking owner: &quot;I ain&#x27;t done yet&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/06/11/hoovers-cooking-austin" target="_self">gathered for &quot;Hoova&#x27; Palooza,&quot;</a> a farewell celebration where Mayor Kirk Watson presented Alexander with a key to the city in recognition of the restaurant&#x27;s impact on Austin.

Austinites rally to celebrate Hoover's Cooking owner

After almost 50 years in the restaurant business, Hoover Alexander is closing the doors of his beloved soul food restaurant.

After nearly five decades in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="restaurant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/10/restaurant-survival-closures-map" data-vars-content-id="19693bcb-7eb2-45ef-aaba-90600c27b991" data-vars-headline="Austinites rally to celebrate Hoover&#x27;s Cooking owner" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/10/restaurant-survival-closures-map" target="_self">restaurant</a> business, Hoover Alexander is closing the doors of his beloved soul food restaurant, Hoover&#x27;s Cooking.Why it matters: The closure of Hoover&#x27;s marks the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest longtime Austin institution" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/12/10/restaurants-we-re-missing" data-vars-content-id="19693bcb-7eb2-45ef-aaba-90600c27b991" data-vars-headline="Austinites rally to celebrate Hoover&#x27;s Cooking owner" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/12/10/restaurants-we-re-missing" target="_self">latest longtime Austin institution</a> to shutter, underscoring how difficult it is for independent restaurants to survive for decades.

New York coffee shop to open in ATX Tower

Black Fox has positioned Austin as its Texas flagship.

New York City-based coffee roaster Black Fox Coffee will open its first Texas location Friday in Austin&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ATX Tower" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/03/15/anatomy-austin-skyscraper-321-west?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_austin&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="ea2d1368-cbc1-4d22-9e29-dd9e6ac0de2c" data-vars-headline="New York coffee shop to open in ATX Tower" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/03/15/anatomy-austin-skyscraper-321-west?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_austin&amp;stream=top" target="_self">ATX Tower</a>.Why it matters: The opening comes as the city&#x27;s coffee scene continues to gain national attention, with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Food &amp; Wine" data-vars-click-url="https://www.foodandwine.com/top-united-states-cities-for-coffee-in-2026-11930933" data-vars-content-id="ea2d1368-cbc1-4d22-9e29-dd9e6ac0de2c" data-vars-headline="New York coffee shop to open in ATX Tower" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.foodandwine.com/top-united-states-cities-for-coffee-in-2026-11930933" target="_blank">Food &amp; Wine</a> recently naming Austin the top coffee city in the U.S.

Desert Island Dish with Austin pitmaster Evan LeRoy

We caught up with LeRoy ahead of the cookbook's release for our Desert Island Dish series.

Pitmaster Evan LeRoy wants to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="give you his secrets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/11/12/michelin-guide-texas-austin-restaurant-winners" data-vars-content-id="51da4411-1778-4b62-9513-7339725475fd" data-vars-headline="Desert Island Dish with Austin pitmaster Evan LeRoy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/11/12/michelin-guide-texas-austin-restaurant-winners" target="_self">give you his secrets</a>.Driving the news: LeRoy, the chef and co-owner of LeRoy and Lewis, and Paula Forbes are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="releasing a new cookbook" data-vars-click-url="https://leroyandlewisbbq.com/newschoolbbqcookbook/" data-vars-content-id="51da4411-1778-4b62-9513-7339725475fd" data-vars-headline="Desert Island Dish with Austin pitmaster Evan LeRoy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://leroyandlewisbbq.com/newschoolbbqcookbook/" target="_blank">releasing a new cookbook</a> — &quot;New School Barbecue: Recipes for Next-Level Smoking and Grilling&quot; — with nearly 100 techniques and recipes, encouraging home cooks to go beyond the &quot;classic&quot; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="barbecue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/08/18/austin-beer-barbecue-brewery-tour-guide" data-vars-content-id="51da4411-1778-4b62-9513-7339725475fd" data-vars-headline="Desert Island Dish with Austin pitmaster Evan LeRoy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/08/18/austin-beer-barbecue-brewery-tour-guide" target="_self">barbecue</a> dishes everyone serves.

Shakey Graves' very best Austin day

The inventive Austin musician has a new album coming out.

Music

Folk-blues musician Shakey Graves is a very busy man.Why it matters: Nearly 40 years old, he leads a new generation of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Austin musicians" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/music" data-vars-content-id="84c9c2de-84cd-4cc0-838d-3474916da2ce" data-vars-headline="Shakey Graves&#x27; very best Austin day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/music" target="_self">Austin musicians</a> even as he is a father to a young child.

Food and Drink 🍽

Things to do in Austin this week

What we ordered at Abby Jane Bakeshop

Desert Island Dish with Abby Love of Abby Jane Bakeshop

Where to find a Hugo spritz in Austin

How to celebrate Fourth of July weekend in Austin