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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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South Congress merchants fret about light rail

As it currently stands, the nearly 10-mile, all-electric train line will feature 15 stations.

Transit

Businesses on Austin&#x27;s trendy South Congress strip are worried about what <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="light rail" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/01/14/austin-light-rail-plan-renderings-texas" data-vars-content-id="6767a5f8-9d79-4461-aaab-8bb6810f46b4" data-vars-headline="South Congress merchants fret about light rail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/01/14/austin-light-rail-plan-renderings-texas" target="_self">light rail</a> construction will mean for their bottom lines.Why it matters: When the planned light rail project — already delayed by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="politics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/05/23/austin-light-rail-plan" data-vars-content-id="6767a5f8-9d79-4461-aaab-8bb6810f46b4" data-vars-headline="South Congress merchants fret about light rail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/05/23/austin-light-rail-plan" target="_self">politics</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="inflation and redesigns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/03/14/austin-light-rail-airport-plan" data-vars-content-id="6767a5f8-9d79-4461-aaab-8bb6810f46b4" data-vars-headline="South Congress merchants fret about light rail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/03/14/austin-light-rail-airport-plan" target="_self">inflation and redesigns</a> — finally does break ground, expect lots of orange cones and parking disruptions as construction turns the area into a jackhammer and steamroller zone.

Everything you need to know about the World Cup in Texas

Houston and Dallas are hosting their first World Cup matches on Sunday.

News

Headed to the World Cup in Houston or Dallas? Our colleagues in those cities rounded up what you need to know. The big picture: Houston is hosting seven World Cup matches starting Sunday with Germany vs. Curaçao. The Netherlands and Japan play Dallas Stadium&#x27;s first match on Sunday.

Why Austin is seeing more wildflowers

Bluebonnets may have underwhelmed this spring, but Central Texas is now seeing a spectacular late-season wildflower boom thanks to May's steady rain.

If it feels like Austin is bursting with flowers, you&#x27;re not imagining it.The big picture: Our recent rains could keep landscapes greener and more colorful for longer this summer, per the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Very best day in Austin with Tim Laielli

How a cooking influencer likes to spend his day.

We caught up recently with Tim Laielli, an Instagram influencer, to describe his ideal Austin day. State of play: Born in New Jersey and raised in the Midwest, Laielli and his wife moved to Austin in 2020 when she took a job as an attorney at Vinson and Elkins.

Why your symptoms might not tell the full story

You can research symptoms, track changes and still not have a clear answer — but imaging could help guide next steps.

Partners

You now have more ways than ever to research symptoms, compare treatments and track your health.<ul><li>But even with all that information, getting a clear diagnosis isn&#x27;t always straightforward.</li></ul>The landscape: The traditional care path often focuses on managing symptoms first, either by waiting to see if symptoms improve or through treatments.<ul><li>That approach doesn&#x27;t always identify the cause of the issue, and without a clear diagnosis, care can become a series of short-term fixes instead of a targeted plan.</li></ul>

What to know about the "super flu" in Texas

Cases of the flu remain elevated nationwide, according to data from the CDC.

Texas is among a handful of states reporting the highest level of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flu activity" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/43403269.12939/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjUvMTIvMzAvc3VwZXJmbHUtc3ltcHRvbXMtMjAyNS1mbHUtaDNuMj91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX3RhbXBhJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/611c03ead69ae557c5059a10B7de07e1d" data-vars-content-id="55e9c41d-0e4c-4a51-aad8-361b26aaeb7c" data-vars-headline="What to know about the &quot;super flu&quot; in Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/43403269.12939/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjUvMTIvMzAvc3VwZXJmbHUtc3ltcHRvbXMtMjAyNS1mbHUtaDNuMj91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX3RhbXBhJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/611c03ead69ae557c5059a10B7de07e1d" target="_self">flu activity</a>, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the latest CDC data" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/43403269.12939/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2RjLmdvdi9mbHV2aWV3L3N1cnZlaWxsYW5jZS91c21hcC5odG1sP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zbG9jYWxfdGFtcGEmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/611c03ead69ae557c5059a10Bdaeab359" data-vars-content-id="55e9c41d-0e4c-4a51-aad8-361b26aaeb7c" data-vars-headline="What to know about the &quot;super flu&quot; in Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/43403269.12939/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2RjLmdvdi9mbHV2aWV3L3N1cnZlaWxsYW5jZS91c21hcC5odG1sP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zbG9jYWxfdGFtcGEmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/611c03ead69ae557c5059a10Bdaeab359" target="_self">the latest CDC data</a>, mirroring a national surge tied to the so-called &quot;super flu.&quot;Why it matters: An unprecedented rise in flu cases comes as other sicknesses — such as the &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="winter vomiting bug" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/24/norovirus-winter-vomiting-bug-variant-symptoms" data-vars-content-id="55e9c41d-0e4c-4a51-aad8-361b26aaeb7c" data-vars-headline="What to know about the &quot;super flu&quot; in Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/24/norovirus-winter-vomiting-bug-variant-symptoms" target="_self">winter vomiting bug</a>,&quot; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="COVID" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/health/coronavirus" data-vars-content-id="55e9c41d-0e4c-4a51-aad8-361b26aaeb7c" data-vars-headline="What to know about the &quot;super flu&quot; in Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/health/coronavirus" target="_self">COVID</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="whooping cough" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/28/whooping-cough-pertussis-symptoms-cases-november-kentucky" data-vars-content-id="55e9c41d-0e4c-4a51-aad8-361b26aaeb7c" data-vars-headline="What to know about the &quot;super flu&quot; in Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/28/whooping-cough-pertussis-symptoms-cases-november-kentucky" target="_self">whooping cough</a> — are slamming the U.S. this winter.

Bill targeting abortion pills misses key deadline

A bill targeting medication abortion has missed a key deadline.

An effort to limit abortion pills in Texas appears to have died in the Legislature.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Abortion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/02/20/abortion-rights-advocates-convene-in-austin" data-vars-content-id="c837a9fe-5520-490d-8a19-c5f3cc1ab956" data-vars-headline="Bill targeting abortion pills misses key deadline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/02/20/abortion-rights-advocates-convene-in-austin" target="_self">Abortion</a> is already illegal in Texas, but Republicans this session turned their attention to medication abortion, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="which accounts for most abortions performed in the U.S" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/19/medication-abortion-mifepristone-2023-study" data-vars-content-id="c837a9fe-5520-490d-8a19-c5f3cc1ab956" data-vars-headline="Bill targeting abortion pills misses key deadline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/19/medication-abortion-mifepristone-2023-study" target="_self">which accounts for most abortions performed in the U.S</a>.

Blood tests for colorectal cancer available in Austin

The test has been approved for Medicare recipients.

Austin patients are among the first in the country to have access to a new blood test capable of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="screening for colorectal cancer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/19/cancer-colorectal-death-people-under-50" data-vars-content-id="acc3c1f6-f67a-4270-8ec0-66a72e9abdc2" data-vars-headline="Blood tests for colorectal cancer available in Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/19/cancer-colorectal-death-people-under-50" target="_self">screening for colorectal cancer</a>.Why it matters: Officials of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="California-based Guardant Health" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/29/fda-blood-test-colorectal-cancer" data-vars-content-id="acc3c1f6-f67a-4270-8ec0-66a72e9abdc2" data-vars-headline="Blood tests for colorectal cancer available in Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/29/fda-blood-test-colorectal-cancer" target="_self">California-based Guardant Health</a> say their blood test will be a &quot;game changer&quot; in colorectal screenings, making the cancer easier to test and catch.

The health toll of being a food critic

"You don't have to eat everything on the plate," food writer Matthew Odam says.

Culture

With the restaurant critic for The New York Times, Pete Wells, leaving his post for health-related reasons, we decided to check in on the well-being of the dean of Austin food reviewers.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a glamorous job, but week after week of restaurant food takes a physical toll that is seldom discussed, Wells writes.

Ascension rolls out maternal health initiative

Texas has long struggled with high maternal mortality and morbidity rates.

Some Austin patients who are at risk for pregnancy complications will be part of a new Ascension program that aims to improve maternal health.Why it matters: Texas has long struggled with high <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="maternal mortality" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/07/20/maternal-mortality-texas" data-vars-content-id="c709e400-d91d-4c0a-b7f9-493b0a9582a8" data-vars-headline="Ascension rolls out maternal health initiative" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/07/20/maternal-mortality-texas" target="_self">maternal mortality</a> and morbidity rates — now under a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="magnifying glass with the state&#x27;s near-total abortion ban" data-vars-click-url="https://www.propublica.org/article/tracking-maternal-deaths-under-abortion-bans" data-vars-content-id="c709e400-d91d-4c0a-b7f9-493b0a9582a8" data-vars-headline="Ascension rolls out maternal health initiative" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.propublica.org/article/tracking-maternal-deaths-under-abortion-bans" target="_blank">magnifying glass with the state&#x27;s near-total abortion ban</a>.

Texas board proposes exceptions to abortion ban

The board clarified that an abortion is allowed in the case of an ectopic pregnancy.

Health

The Texas Medical Board&#x27;s proposed guidance on exceptions to the state&#x27;s abortion ban does not offer doctors enough clarity, critics say.Why it matters: The ban, which makes performing an abortion a felony, has led some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hospitals to refuse to treat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/07/15/texas-hospitals-patients-pregnancy-abortion-ban" data-vars-content-id="18836de5-0b2e-4b89-968f-97832254a651" data-vars-headline="Texas board proposes exceptions to abortion ban" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/07/15/texas-hospitals-patients-pregnancy-abortion-ban" target="_self">hospitals to refuse to treat</a> even patients with serious pregnancy complications — though the law makes an exception for medical emergencies.

Startup's blood testing system to launch in  pharmacies

The new system will be available in select pharmacies starting in July.

Some pharmacy customers in Austin and San Antonio will soon have the option to get routine blood tests with just a prick of the finger.Driving the news: Austin-based health care technology startup Babson Diagnostics announced Thursday that it will launch its blood testing system <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="BetterWay" data-vars-click-url="https://www.babsondx.com/betterway" data-vars-content-id="c8cdf649-9f2a-4712-8dae-5617d920b06e" data-vars-headline="Startup&#x27;s blood testing system to launch in pharmacies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.babsondx.com/betterway" target="_blank">BetterWay</a> at select Austin H-E-B pharmacies, Peoples Rx and Lake Hills Pharmacy starting in July.

Neuroscience nonprofit opens internship program

So far, it has provided 80 paid internships to students.

A local nonprofit is aiming to grow the number of women in neuroscience.Driving the news: The group, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Women in Neuroscience" data-vars-click-url="https://neurowomen.org/" data-vars-content-id="630b53d1-0222-4d6d-8996-3f43bd2af81f" data-vars-headline="Neuroscience nonprofit opens internship program" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://neurowomen.org/" target="_blank">Women in Neuroscience</a>, just opened applications for its next class of 25 interns.

Wastewater shows spike in Texas COVID cases

Texas has "high" COVID-19 wastewater levels, according to the CDC.

COVID

Texas is seeing high levels of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="COVID-19" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/21/covid-omicron-variant-coronavirus-cases" data-vars-content-id="5a55d8cf-8f77-43f2-b856-32d069e4d23b" data-vars-headline="Wastewater shows spike in Texas COVID cases" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/21/covid-omicron-variant-coronavirus-cases" target="_self">COVID-19</a> as we head into the holiday travel season.Why it matters: While many Americans by this point have some combination of natural and vaccine-induced immunity, COVID can still make people plenty sick and force them to miss school, work (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="if they can" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/06/sick-days-benefits-workers-income-statistics-chart" data-vars-content-id="5a55d8cf-8f77-43f2-b856-32d069e4d23b" data-vars-headline="Wastewater shows spike in Texas COVID cases" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/06/sick-days-benefits-workers-income-statistics-chart" target="_self">if they can</a>) and holiday activities.

Axios San Antonio

Wembanyama shows the power of emotions in sports

San Antonio

Axios Houston

Texas Children's must open country's first "detransition clinic"

Houston

Axios Vitals

Texas is one of most restrictive states for birth control access

A cartogram of the U.S. state showing contraceptive policy environments as of July 2025, as evaluated by the Population Reference Bureau. 17 states and D.C. are rated as being protective of contraception, 16 are restrictive, and 18 have mixed protections and restrictions.

Health 🩺

Wembanyama shows the power of emotions in sports

Texas Children's must open country's first "detransition clinic"

Why your symptoms might not tell the full story

What to know about the "super flu" in Texas

Texas is one of most restrictive states for birth control access