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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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Residents say self-driving car killed duck in Mueller

The company has temporarily paused testing on roads near the lake.

News

Autonomous vehicle company <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Avride" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/12/03/uber-autonomous-vehicles-dallas-avride" data-vars-content-id="49456d43-da7e-42ce-b5fb-37c95ce33b93" data-vars-headline="Residents say self-driving car killed duck in Mueller" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/12/03/uber-autonomous-vehicles-dallas-avride" target="_self">Avride</a> is facing backlash after a resident said one of its cars struck and killed a duck near Mueller Lake Park on Tuesday.Why it matters: The incident <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reinforces concerns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/09/austin-shooting-puts-spotlight-on-waymo" data-vars-content-id="49456d43-da7e-42ce-b5fb-37c95ce33b93" data-vars-headline="Residents say self-driving car killed duck in Mueller" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/09/austin-shooting-puts-spotlight-on-waymo" target="_self">reinforces concerns</a> about whether autonomous vehicles can safely navigate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="complex, real-world environments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/02/waymo-vehicle-blocks-ems-austin-mass-shooting" data-vars-content-id="49456d43-da7e-42ce-b5fb-37c95ce33b93" data-vars-headline="Residents say self-driving car killed duck in Mueller" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/02/waymo-vehicle-blocks-ems-austin-mass-shooting" target="_self">complex, real-world environments</a> — especially as they operate in pedestrian-heavy areas with pets and wildlife.

Austin exploring mask ban for law enforcement

"No More Secret Police," says an Austin city council memo.

Targeting mask-wearing by federal immigration agents, Austin city officials are considering banning facial coverings among all law enforcement.Why it matters: Austin could soon join a host of cities and states that are prohibiting the coverings, as part of a wider clash between federal and local governments over policing, privacy and civil rights.

It's hard to track how much NIL cash student-athletes are making

An agency tracking them refuses to give breakdowns by school and sport.

Sports

Even as player sponsorship deals are remaking the college athletics landscape, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tracking the money" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/01/12/university-of-texas-releases-nil-contract" data-vars-content-id="0f0bcd74-3de2-4b80-9957-c9bc84ae6fc9" data-vars-headline="It&#x27;s hard to track how much NIL cash student-athletes are making" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/01/12/university-of-texas-releases-nil-contract" target="_self">tracking the money</a> at play is increasingly challenging.Why it matters: Student-athletes are now able to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="make a buck" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/10/10/university-texas-football-nil-deals-longhorns" data-vars-content-id="0f0bcd74-3de2-4b80-9957-c9bc84ae6fc9" data-vars-headline="It&#x27;s hard to track how much NIL cash student-athletes are making" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/10/10/university-texas-football-nil-deals-longhorns" target="_self">make a buck</a> — or several million — off their name, image and likeness, but knowing how much they&#x27;re making and where it comes from appears more opaque than ever.

Texas women's hoops riding "off the chart" chemistry to Final Four

Led by Madison Booker and Rori Harmon, the Longhorns are looking to win a national championship.

The University of Texas <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="women&#x27;s basketball team" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/26/texas-basketball-ncaa-tournament" data-vars-content-id="5ab01d55-8c66-43d1-9ef3-0db4c0e6ea20" data-vars-headline="Texas women&#x27;s hoops riding &quot;off the chart&quot; chemistry to Final Four" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/26/texas-basketball-ncaa-tournament" target="_self">women&#x27;s basketball team</a> is playing in its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="second consecutive Final Four" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/02/12/texas-womens-basketball-madison-booker" data-vars-content-id="5ab01d55-8c66-43d1-9ef3-0db4c0e6ea20" data-vars-headline="Texas women&#x27;s hoops riding &quot;off the chart&quot; chemistry to Final Four" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/02/12/texas-womens-basketball-madison-booker" target="_self">second consecutive Final Four</a> — but this year, they&#x27;ve arrived in dominating fashion.Why it matters: After winning their four tournament games by an average of 35.5 points, the 35-3 Longhorns are two victories away from nabbing their first championship since 1986.

Texas’ small businesses lost $167 million in 2023 — here’s why

Wise is fighting for price transparency — because U.S. small businesses lost almost $800 million in hidden fees when sending money abroad in 2023.

Business

Small businesses in the U.S. lost almost $800 million in hidden fees when sending money abroad in 2023 alone, with Texas small businesses losing a staggering $167 million — the highest of any individual state.

Money

Texas’ small businesses lost $167 million in 2023 — here’s why