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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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Texas GOP voters oust Cornyn in Paxton upset

Cornyn's loss marks one of the most significant defeats for a Republican senator in years.

Politics & Policy

Republican primary voters on Tuesday rejected U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, one of the Senate&#x27;s most senior GOP members, in favor of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump-backed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/19/trump-endorsement-texas-senate-race-ken-paxton" data-vars-content-id="319ecb20-8e5a-415d-9d5a-b2a8fc1d11fc" data-vars-headline="Texas GOP voters oust Cornyn in Paxton upset" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/19/trump-endorsement-texas-senate-race-ken-paxton" target="_self">Trump-backed</a> Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.Why it matters: Cornyn&#x27;s loss marks one of the most significant defeats for a Republican senator in years and underscores how loyalty to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="319ecb20-8e5a-415d-9d5a-b2a8fc1d11fc" data-vars-headline="Texas GOP voters oust Cornyn in Paxton upset" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">President Trump</a> continues to reshape GOP primaries nationwide.

How the Talarico-Paxton race could play out

Talarico links the affordability crisis with corruption, while Paxton frames the Democrat as out of touch.

With Ken Paxton&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="GOP primary win" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/27/texas-senate-gop-cornyn-paxton" data-vars-content-id="f1d8eded-ce80-478f-a801-449ff75d69a2" data-vars-headline="How the Talarico-Paxton race could play out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/27/texas-senate-gop-cornyn-paxton" target="_self">GOP primary win</a> this week, Democrats now have the Republican Senate candidate, tactically speaking, they were hoping for.<ul><li>Now the question is whether their nominee, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="James Talarico" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/27/texas-senate-gop-cornyn-paxton" data-vars-content-id="f1d8eded-ce80-478f-a801-449ff75d69a2" data-vars-headline="How the Talarico-Paxton race could play out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/27/texas-senate-gop-cornyn-paxton" target="_self">James Talarico</a>, a young state lawmaker from Austin, can deliver them out of the wilderness.</li></ul>

Middleton defeats Roy in Texas AG race

Middleton successfully cast himself as the MAGA candidate, even as President Trump didn't endorse in the race.

Politics

State Sen. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mayes Middleton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/18/texas-attorney-general-may-runoff" data-vars-content-id="742ac211-8db8-41c8-b685-203a2d2ed8d7" data-vars-headline="Middleton defeats Roy in Texas AG race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/18/texas-attorney-general-may-runoff" target="_self">Mayes Middleton</a> of Galveston defeated U.S. Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chip Roy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/08/chip-roy-texas-attorney-general-paxton-cornyn" data-vars-content-id="742ac211-8db8-41c8-b685-203a2d2ed8d7" data-vars-headline="Middleton defeats Roy in Texas AG race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/08/chip-roy-texas-attorney-general-paxton-cornyn" target="_self">Chip Roy</a> in the GOP runoff for Texas attorney general Tuesday night.Why it matters: Middleton successfully cast himself as the MAGA candidate, even as President Trump didn&#x27;t endorse in the race.

Austin City Council to consider rules for e-motos

In Austin, there is no local code governing where e-motos can operate.

News

The Austin City Council on Thursday will consider taking an initial step toward regulating electric dirt bikes and mini motorcyles, or e-motos.Why it matters: A growing number of children and teens are riding the high-powered bikes on Austin streets, alarming residents and prompting safety concerns from local officials.

5 questions with singer Iris Copperman

The Nashville singer will perform in Austin at the Andy Roddick Foundation's Lasting Legacies Benefit Concert.

At just 14 years old, Nashville singer-songwriter Iris Copperman is already turning painful middle school experiences into introspective pop music.Driving the news: Copperman will open for Fort Worth-native Leon Bridges Friday night at the Andy Roddick Foundation&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lasting Legacies Benefit Concert" data-vars-click-url="https://www.andyroddickfoundation.org/legacies" data-vars-content-id="c39e5af5-433a-42bc-8e32-7534189ee340" data-vars-headline="5 questions with singer Iris Copperman" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.andyroddickfoundation.org/legacies" target="_blank">Lasting Legacies Benefit Concert</a> at Stubb&#x27;s in Austin.

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.

Austin's independent venues feel the squeeze

Even with their outsized economic and cultural impact, it's a tough time for indie music venues.

Austin&#x27;s independently owned venues anchor its music scene, but rising insurance costs and rents have many operators focused on survival over success.Why it matters: Independent venues aren&#x27;t just cultural touchstones that develop artists and support the city&#x27;s major festivals. They&#x27;re economic engines that underpin a multibillion-dollar state industry and Austin&#x27;s tourism economy.

Spotify: Austin's top songs of 2025

Kendrick Lamar's "luther (with sza)" took the top spot.

Culture

Kendrick Lamar&#x27;s &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Luther" data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/track/45J4avUb9Ni0bnETYaYFVJ" data-vars-content-id="ebe6bf30-29fa-46f0-baf4-1495af208a6f" data-vars-headline="Spotify: Austin&#x27;s top songs of 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/45J4avUb9Ni0bnETYaYFVJ" target="_blank">Luther</a>&quot; (with SZA) was the most-streamed song on Spotify in Austin this year.Why it matters: Austin&#x27;s Wrapped shows a more Spanish-language tilt with Bad Bunny&#x27;s &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="DtMF" data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/track/3sK8wGT43QFpWrvNQsrQya?si=aa214c82321c4990" data-vars-content-id="ebe6bf30-29fa-46f0-baf4-1495af208a6f" data-vars-headline="Spotify: Austin&#x27;s top songs of 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/3sK8wGT43QFpWrvNQsrQya?si=aa214c82321c4990" target="_blank">DtMF</a>&quot; landing in the No. 2 spot.

What to know before going to ACL Music Festival

Getting to the fest, what to bring and more.

Austin City Limits Music Festival returns Friday, with performances from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local artists to big names" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aclfestival.com/lineup" data-vars-content-id="edf89090-a879-4c30-802d-acb6a871fd4d" data-vars-headline="What to know before going to ACL Music Festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aclfestival.com/lineup" target="_blank">local artists to big names</a> like Sabrina Carpenter, Hozier and The Killers.Why it matters: The festival takes over Zilker Park for two weekends each year and brings thousands of music fans to Austin.

Hot Summer Nights festival returns to Austin

Over 150 artists will perform across 18 venues in the Red River district.

Hot Summer Nights, the three-day music and arts festival, returns to the Red River Cultural District on Thursday.Why it matters: The free festival, founded in 2017, provides additional revenue to venues and artists during slow summer months.

Texas grocer H-E-B gets into the music game

Marcia Ball's Boogie Trinity plays on Saturday.

H-E-B is partnering with Austin nonprofit <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Housing Opportunities for Musicians and Entertainers" data-vars-click-url="https://homeaustin.networkforgood.com/" data-vars-content-id="372b194d-4764-4fc4-ba25-a5af53414fe6" data-vars-headline="Texas grocer H-E-B gets into the music game" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://homeaustin.networkforgood.com/" target="_blank">Housing Opportunities for Musicians and Entertainers</a> (HOME) to host a new monthly concert series at the South Congress H-E-B.Why it matters: HOME provides financial housing assistance for aging musicians in need.

Willie Nelson celebrates 92

The red-headed stranger helped define Austin's musical identity.

Willie Nelson celebrates his 92nd birthday Tuesday.Why it matters: Nelson, a cultural icon in his own right, has become a living symbol of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Austin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin" data-vars-content-id="fe1c6c23-a6c3-4991-abc4-daba8dce448c" data-vars-headline="Willie Nelson celebrates 92" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin" target="_self">Austin</a>. He helped define the city&#x27;s weirdness and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="progressive identity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/07/14/beto-orourke-and-willie-nelson-raise-thousands-for-texas-dems" data-vars-content-id="fe1c6c23-a6c3-4991-abc4-daba8dce448c" data-vars-headline="Willie Nelson celebrates 92" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/07/14/beto-orourke-and-willie-nelson-raise-thousands-for-texas-dems" target="_self">progressive identity</a>, and his influence was instrumental in shaping Austin&#x27;s reputation as a hub for live music.

Things to do in Austin this week

Food and Drink

We&#x27;ve got you covered with some work-week plans.<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Monday</h2>🤣 Find a lineup of comedians throughout the week at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Moontower Comedy Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.austintheatre.org/moontower-comedy/" data-vars-content-id="961d64a8-dcef-40db-a6c5-991a0869ca0f" data-vars-headline="Things to do in Austin this week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.austintheatre.org/moontower-comedy/" target="_blank">Moontower Comedy Festival</a>. Badges are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="still available" data-vars-click-url="https://www.austintheatre.org/moontower-comedy/badges/" data-vars-content-id="961d64a8-dcef-40db-a6c5-991a0869ca0f" data-vars-headline="Things to do in Austin this week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.austintheatre.org/moontower-comedy/badges/" target="_blank">still available</a> or you can snag tickets to individual shows.

10 Austin artists to watch at ACL

Plus, at least 10 city musicians will take the stage each weekend.

Austin City Limits Music Festival is a chance to see big names, but it&#x27;s also jam-packed with local and Texas-based artists.By the numbers: More than 30 Texas artists will perform at this year&#x27;s ACL Fest, including recognizable names like Leon Bridges, Norah Jones and the increasingly popular Khruangbin.