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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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ERCOT prepping for winter electric demand

The grid operator has been closely watched since mass outages in 2021.

News

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's vice-presidential chances

A prolific fundraiser, the border governor is a Trump loyalist.

Politics

Texas kids losing Medicaid insurance in overwhelmed system

Lapsed coverage means kids miss emergency medical care.

Texas' strongest THC gummy hits the market

It's 50% stronger than the strongest legal edibles previously available.

Health

What to do this weekend in Austin

Things to Do

Here&#x27;s what&#x27;s in store this weekend.✈️ Head to Mueller Lake Park for the annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Merry and Bright celebration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/events/839471514323483/?ref=newsfeed" data-vars-content-id="362f0943-63c7-43c0-b58b-d92fcc259fe2" data-vars-headline="What to do this weekend in Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/839471514323483/?ref=newsfeed" target="_blank">Merry and Bright celebration</a> Friday at 6pm, featuring a street fair, live music, cotton candy and the holiday lighting of the former airport&#x27;s iconic air traffic control tower.

Illustration of a cassette tape with the tape unspooling to spell weekend. 

Six Halloween-themed bars in Austin

Try these spots for scary vibes and cocktails.

Food and Drink

There are plenty of spots to grab Halloween-themed drinks before the month ends.What&#x27;s happening: We&#x27;ve rounded up four spots for themed cocktails, scary decorations and more.

What to know before heading to ACL Music Festival

Grab a hat and pack your sunscreen. ACL Fest is back.

Austin City Limits Music Festival kicks off Friday, with performances from local artists to big names like Kendrick Lamar, Shania Twain, Foo Fighters and Hozier.The big picture: If you&#x27;re headed to Zilker Park on Friday, we&#x27;ve rounded up your guide to the two-weekend festival.

A Central Texan's guide to fall

From hayrides to haunted houses, we've got you covered.

Grab your favorite blanket and cozy up with a pumpkin spice latte.What&#x27;s happening: Thunderstorms coupled with a cold front moving in Wednesday evening will bring highs in the 70s this weekend, according to National Weather Service forecasters.

Austin metro sees household income increase

The area's median income was $94,604 in 2022.

The median household in the Austin-Round Rock metro area made slightly more last year than before the pandemic, per new census data.<ul><li>The area&#x27;s median income was $94,604 in 2022, compared to $93,581 in 2019 (inflation-adjusted).</li></ul>

Central Texas' pandemic-era migration brought billions to the region

In terms of total monetary increase, Travis County ranked highest in Texas.

Newcomers

Counties across Central Texas saw the state&#x27;s highest increases in income thanks to new migration between 2020 and 2021.<ul><li>The findings come by way of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new analysis of tax data" data-vars-click-url="https://eig.org/high-earners-migration/" data-vars-content-id="fcea963a-6e06-4d6e-8d1a-023cf9479791" data-vars-headline="Central Texas&#x27; pandemic-era migration brought billions to the region" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://eig.org/high-earners-migration/" target="_blank">new analysis of tax data</a> from the Economic Innovation Group, a nonpartisan think tank.</li></ul>

Where to swim for free in Austin

Try these five neighborhood spots before they close this month.

We&#x27;re staring down another week of triple-digit temperatures, but many of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Austin&#x27;s public pools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.austintexas.gov/pools-splashpads" data-vars-content-id="84a126df-649e-4e64-88d9-167189b77d24" data-vars-headline="Where to swim for free in Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.austintexas.gov/pools-splashpads" target="_blank">Austin&#x27;s public pools</a> close Aug. 6 or Aug. 13.The good news: City parks officials have extended the operation of Garrison, Govalle, Mabel, Northwest, Shipe and Walnut Creek through Sept. 24 due to the heat.

New to Austin? Here's everything you need to know

Now that you're here, let's go get a margarita.

Welcome to Austin.State of play: Maybe you&#x27;re among the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="116-odd people" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2022/03/31/how-many-people-are-moving-to-austin-each-day.html" data-vars-content-id="59839b8e-fda0-4a4e-8bfb-b6b3400696a0" data-vars-headline="New to Austin? Here&#x27;s everything you need to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2022/03/31/how-many-people-are-moving-to-austin-each-day.html" target="_blank">116-odd people</a> who <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="move here daily" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/03/31/census-data-texas-population-booms" data-vars-content-id="59839b8e-fda0-4a4e-8bfb-b6b3400696a0" data-vars-headline="New to Austin? Here&#x27;s everything you need to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/03/31/census-data-texas-population-booms" target="_self">move here daily</a>, most likely from another <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="part of Texas or one of the coasts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/01/05/one-way-u-hauls-austin-relocation" data-vars-content-id="59839b8e-fda0-4a4e-8bfb-b6b3400696a0" data-vars-headline="New to Austin? Here&#x27;s everything you need to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/01/05/one-way-u-hauls-austin-relocation" target="_self">part of Texas or one of the coasts</a>.<ul><li>Or perhaps you graduated from McCallum High in the &#x27;70s, stuck around to attend the University of Texas on the five-year plan and now find yourself an empty-nester perched up high <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in a new Rainey Street tower" data-vars-click-url="https://austin.towers.net/rainey-streets-future-skyline-looks-like-a-second-downtown-austin/" data-vars-content-id="59839b8e-fda0-4a4e-8bfb-b6b3400696a0" data-vars-headline="New to Austin? Here&#x27;s everything you need to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://austin.towers.net/rainey-streets-future-skyline-looks-like-a-second-downtown-austin/" target="_blank">in a new Rainey Street tower</a>, with one bedroom drawer dedicated exclusively to your old tie-dye tees.</li></ul>Either way: Howdy!The big picture: The fact is, Austin has always been a fast-growing outpost, with the greater metro doubling in population every couple of decades since at least the 1960s.Between the lines: What&#x27;s shifted is our city&#x27;s character.<ul><li>Once a magnet for hippies and the progressive country rockers known as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cosmic cowboys" data-vars-click-url="https://www.amazon.com/Cosmic-Cowboys-New-Hicks-Countercultural/dp/0190610352" data-vars-content-id="59839b8e-fda0-4a4e-8bfb-b6b3400696a0" data-vars-headline="New to Austin? Here&#x27;s everything you need to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.amazon.com/Cosmic-Cowboys-New-Hicks-Countercultural/dp/0190610352" target="_blank">cosmic cowboys</a>, Austin is now a major landing spot for Silicon Valley tech bros.</li><li>No longer a sleepy college town, Austin now draws <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="far-flung immigrants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/08/09/out-of-towners-wealthier-than-locals" data-vars-content-id="59839b8e-fda0-4a4e-8bfb-b6b3400696a0" data-vars-headline="New to Austin? Here&#x27;s everything you need to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/08/09/out-of-towners-wealthier-than-locals" target="_self">far-flung immigrants</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="entrepreneurs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/06/08/canva-east-austin-office" data-vars-content-id="59839b8e-fda0-4a4e-8bfb-b6b3400696a0" data-vars-headline="New to Austin? Here&#x27;s everything you need to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/06/08/canva-east-austin-office" target="_self">entrepreneurs</a> — all following the promise of the Austin dream.</li></ul>The bottom line: Now that you&#x27;re here, let&#x27;s go get a margarita.<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">What to eat</h2><figure><img alt="" height="2205" id="5f736168-e5b2-46f1-a64d-85448213c937" src="https://images.axios.com/RqeRpNyltaJuKORrX0wLYd3zIgk=/2023/06/21/1687379893485.jpg" width="4012"/><figcaption>A spread from Taco Bronco at Saddle Up. Photo: Nicole Cobler/Axios</figcaption></figure>You&#x27;ll find no shortage of good food in Austin, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="we&#x27;ve rounded up the bites you can&#x27;t miss" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/06/23/essential-restaurants-austin" data-vars-content-id="59839b8e-fda0-4a4e-8bfb-b6b3400696a0" data-vars-headline="New to Austin? Here&#x27;s everything you need to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/06/23/essential-restaurants-austin" target="_self">we&#x27;ve rounded up the bites you can&#x27;t miss</a> when you first arrive.<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">What to do</h2><figure><img alt="" height="2992" id="21d0d404-23d9-480b-9c12-d07f6fea8fb2" src="https://images.axios.com/g6qZnn_d_2EJiHZ0HdoHAMbHUQw=/2023/06/21/1687379822625.jpg" width="3992"/><figcaption>Deep Eddy Pool is a perfect spot to cool off in the summer heat. Photo: Courtesy of Austin Parks and Recreation</figcaption></figure>Get a feel for our city <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="with these activities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/06/23/best-things-to-do-austin" data-vars-content-id="59839b8e-fda0-4a4e-8bfb-b6b3400696a0" data-vars-headline="New to Austin? Here&#x27;s everything you need to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/06/23/best-things-to-do-austin" target="_self">with these activities</a>.<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">What to read, watch and hear</h2><figure><img alt="Stevie Ray Vaughan playing guitar" height="2400" id="ca35978c-3e4e-4f96-afb7-aa2b60b8cca8" src="https://images.axios.com/4sGlXxhgD6SNKp49D4TJUron4Tk=/2023/06/22/1687445547603.jpg" width="3725"/><figcaption>The late, great Stevie Ray Vaughan. You can find a statue honoring him by Lady Bird Lake. Photo: Ebet Roberts/Redferns via Getty</figcaption></figure>Once known as Waterloo, Austin is a college town, a tech town, a music town and, of course, a capital town. <ul><li>We&#x27;ve rounded up <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="what to read, listen to and watch" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/06/23/an-austin-newcomers-guide-what-to-read-and-watch" data-vars-content-id="59839b8e-fda0-4a4e-8bfb-b6b3400696a0" data-vars-headline="New to Austin? Here&#x27;s everything you need to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/06/23/an-austin-newcomers-guide-what-to-read-and-watch" target="_self">what to read, listen to and watch</a> to get you acclimated. </li></ul>

12 best things to do in Austin

Take in the skyline, go for a swim and discover new music.

Get a feel for our city with these activities.First up: Take in the skyline from the Pfluger Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge.

12 essential Austin restaurants

Prioritize these spots when you first arrive in Austin.

You&#x27;ll find no shortage of good food in Austin, but we&#x27;ve rounded up the bites you can&#x27;t miss when you first arrive.🍔 ATX staples: Prioritize these spots when you first find yourself in our city.

George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress

The House is slated to vote to expel Santos on Friday.

Politics & Policy

Ahead of a vote that could make him the first House lawmaker to be expelled in more than 20 years, Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) is introducing an expulsion resolution on Thursday targeting a House lawmaker from his own state. Why it matters: Santos — who faces an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="uphill battle in a vote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" target="_self">uphill battle in a vote</a> to remove him from office following a scathing House Ethics report — is seeking an expulsion vote on Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jamaal Bowman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" target="_self">Jamaal Bowman</a> (D-N.Y.), who pulled a fire alarm in one of the House office buildings.

George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers

Rep. Robert Garcia encouraged fellow Democrats to support Republicans' expulsion measure.

House Democrats and Republicans finally have something they agree on: booting Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" data-vars-content-id="4eec0a24-5338-46c4-8b6e-5526cda73c0f" data-vars-headline="George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) from Congress.Driving the news: In an email sent to Democratic congressional offices on Thursday, Rep. Robert Garcia&#x27;s (D-Calif.) office advocated for Republicans&#x27; resolution to expel the embattled Long Islander.

GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early

Multiple GOP lawmakers expect former House Speaker <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kevin McCarthy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" data-vars-content-id="dbdacc28-b2ed-40c2-a4cb-3bf4792a4d9b" data-vars-headline="GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" target="_self">Kevin McCarthy</a> (R-Calif.) to step down from his seat before the end of the year, Axios has learned.Why it matters: The potential exit of McCarthy — who privately told donors he is looking to &quot;get the hell out,&quot; according to a source familiar with the conversation — could leave the House GOP with an even narrower majority.

Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social

Trump warned that his indictments have opened up a "very big and dangerous Pandora's Box."

Former President Trump has spent the last 24 hours on Truth Social unleashing a torrent of grievances, vengeful promises and links to online conspiracy theories about his political rivals.Why it matters: Trump&#x27;s online rhetoric has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="frequently dipped into violent extremism" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" data-vars-content-id="4ce9173c-4439-425e-8986-ec54c92037e6" data-vars-headline="Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" target="_self">frequently dipped into violent extremism</a> since he left office, escalating as his legal troubles have mounted. Public fatigue and the pro-Trump echo chamber created by Truth Social have at times softened the shock value of the GOP front-runner&#x27;s daily musings.

Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote

Santos is the first Republican to be expelled from the House.

The House on Friday voted to expel Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) over his many fabrications on the 2022 campaign trail and his two federal indictments.Why it matters: The vote makes Santos just the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sixth lawmaker" data-vars-click-url="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" target="_blank">sixth lawmaker</a> – and first Republican – to be expelled from the House in U.S. history.

Newcomers ✨