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FBI investigating Austin mass shooting as potential terrorism

The first 911 call came in just before 2am Sunday, officials say.

Politics & Policy

The gunman in an early Sunday mass shooting in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Austin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin" data-vars-content-id="a6e877be-35a3-4ad1-94d0-cc98602cf4f9" data-vars-headline="FBI investigating Austin mass shooting as potential terrorism" 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> wore a sweatshirt that said &quot;Property of Allah&quot; and another shirt with an Iranian flag design, a law enforcement official <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="told" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/austin-texas-bar-shooting-7690f931ba00f950c1828cef25399bb6" data-vars-content-id="a6e877be-35a3-4ad1-94d0-cc98602cf4f9" data-vars-headline="FBI investigating Austin mass shooting as potential terrorism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/austin-texas-bar-shooting-7690f931ba00f950c1828cef25399bb6" target="_blank">told</a> AP.<ul><li>The FBI is investigating the shooting in a downtown bar district as a potential act of terrorism.</li></ul>

James Talarico wins Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Texas

The state lawmaker defeated U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas.

Texas state Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="James Talarico" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/09/09/democrat-james-talarico-us-senate" data-vars-content-id="30e8718a-f03d-4de6-acbb-a234bf7f39bc" data-vars-headline="James Talarico wins Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/09/09/democrat-james-talarico-us-senate" target="_self">James Talarico</a> of Austin defeated U.S. Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jasmine Crockett" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/12/jasmine-crockett-house-democrats-senate-texas" data-vars-content-id="30e8718a-f03d-4de6-acbb-a234bf7f39bc" data-vars-headline="James Talarico wins Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/12/jasmine-crockett-house-democrats-senate-texas" target="_self">Jasmine Crockett</a> of Dallas for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Texas.Why it matters: Talarico&#x27;s victory sets the stage for a battle royal that promises to be among the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most expensive contests" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/01/james-talarico-raises-62-million-for-texas-senate-bid" data-vars-content-id="30e8718a-f03d-4de6-acbb-a234bf7f39bc" data-vars-headline="James Talarico wins Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/01/james-talarico-raises-62-million-for-texas-senate-bid" target="_self">most expensive contests</a> of the year, as Democrats hope President Trump&#x27;s unpopularity translates to red-state victories.

Austin pop-up fuels matcha craze

The pop-up has quickly become one of the city's buzziest stops.

News

Editor&#x27;s note: This story was written by University of Texas student Trinity Orosco for Axios Austin.An Austin matcha pop-up is drawing lines that stretch down the sidewalk, tapping into a fast-growing U.S. market for the Japanese green tea.

Find Middle Eastern flavors at South Austin's newest bakery

Try the labneh za'atar bun and pair it with Persian tea.

Food and Drink

South Austin pastry fiends who have been missing Moonlight Bakery&#x27;s cinnamon rolls, cookies and whole wheat breads have a new source for flaky dough.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Matok" data-vars-click-url="https://matokbakery.com/" data-vars-content-id="2eb4a55f-6572-4a85-9a7c-e0e44c1e2c38" data-vars-headline="Find Middle Eastern flavors at South Austin&#x27;s newest bakery" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://matokbakery.com/" target="_blank">Matok</a>, Hebrew for &quot;sweet,&quot; opened Tuesday in the old Moonlight spot, in a strip mall off South Lamar Boulevard, a few blocks south of the intersection with Oltorf Street.

LBJ Library exhibit gets a glow up

The LBJ Library is adding immersive features as it links the 1960s to today.

After a months-long renovation, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="LBJ Presidential Library" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lbjlibrary.org/" data-vars-content-id="27756209-5fc7-4bc0-8363-c2101e5165be" data-vars-headline="LBJ Library exhibit gets a glow up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lbjlibrary.org/" target="_blank">LBJ Presidential Library</a> is opening its new exhibit space on Saturday. Why it matters: More than a half-century on, the Johnson presidency feels current, as the Trump administration <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unravels" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/22/trump-2025-reverse-lbj-1965-civil-rights-poverty" data-vars-content-id="27756209-5fc7-4bc0-8363-c2101e5165be" data-vars-headline="LBJ Library exhibit gets a glow up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/22/trump-2025-reverse-lbj-1965-civil-rights-poverty" target="_self">unravels</a> LBJ&#x27;s Great Society programs.

Third victim dies in Austin mass shooting

Savitha Shan, 24, Ryder Harrington, 22, and Jorge Pederson, 30, were killed in the attack.

Authorities on Monday night said a third victim died from injuries suffered in the early Sunday morning <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mass shooting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/01/austin-mass-shooting-west-sixth-street" data-vars-content-id="0d548eba-7e01-4861-b020-a0f25a52ae27" data-vars-headline="Third victim dies in Austin mass shooting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/01/austin-mass-shooting-west-sixth-street" target="_self">mass shooting</a> in downtown Austin.The latest: Police identified the deceased victims as Savitha Shan, 21, Ryder Harrington, 22, and Jorge Pederson, 30.

How South Asians are growing political power in Central Texas

As of 2021, the U.S. Census estimated more than 450,000 Indian Americans in Texas — almost double from 2010.

Despite their historically broad support for Democrats, some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Indian Americans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/09/south-asian-hate-kamala-harris-usha-vance" data-vars-content-id="2c084ab9-78b9-4629-80c2-c9041c37a342" data-vars-headline="How South Asians are growing political power in Central Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/09/south-asian-hate-kamala-harris-usha-vance" target="_self">Indian Americans</a> are turning to the GOP — and running for office as Republicans. Why it matters: The shift comes as the party&#x27;s most prominent Indian American political candidate calls out <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bigotry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/opinion/republican-identity-divide.html" data-vars-content-id="2c084ab9-78b9-4629-80c2-c9041c37a342" data-vars-headline="How South Asians are growing political power in Central Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/opinion/republican-identity-divide.html" target="_blank">bigotry</a> within the party&#x27;s ranks.

Waymo robotaxi blocks EMS responding to Austin mass shooting

The incident raises questions about whether the cars are equipped to operate near emergency situations.

Business

A Waymo robotaxi picking up a passenger near Sunday morning&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mass shooting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/01/austin-mass-shooting-west-sixth-street" data-vars-content-id="d9e2657c-36ac-4eec-973c-e5b6f0730dcd" data-vars-headline="Waymo robotaxi blocks EMS responding to Austin mass shooting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/01/austin-mass-shooting-west-sixth-street" target="_self">mass shooting</a> in Austin blocked an ambulance from reaching the scene, according to a bystander video. Waymo and EMS officials confirmed the video shows the company&#x27;s vehicle blocking the ambulance.Why it matters: The incident raises fresh questions about how autonomous vehicles operate near <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="chaotic emergency scenes " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/22/waymo-robotaxi-san-francisco-risk" data-vars-content-id="d9e2657c-36ac-4eec-973c-e5b6f0730dcd" data-vars-headline="Waymo robotaxi blocks EMS responding to Austin mass shooting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/22/waymo-robotaxi-san-francisco-risk" target="_self">chaotic emergency scenes </a>— and whether the technology is fully prepared for unpredictable, high-stakes situations.

Travis Audubon's catio tour spotlights growing trend

Free-roaming cats kill billions of birds in the U.S. each year.

At the Hill Country&#x27;s edge, Jacob Smigel&#x27;s cats pad across a cedar plank suspended 6 feet above ground, safely enclosed in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;catio,&quot; or cat patio" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/11/18/pet-friendly-home-design-tampa-bay-cats" data-vars-content-id="e3957e55-5150-469e-8736-f151cfdc7ac0" data-vars-headline="Travis Audubon&#x27;s catio tour spotlights growing trend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/11/18/pet-friendly-home-design-tampa-bay-cats" target="_self">&quot;catio,&quot; or cat patio</a> — an increasingly popular addition for some homeowners.The big picture: Smigel&#x27;s backyard build is one of seven stops on this year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Travis Audubon catio tour," data-vars-click-url="https://travis.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/travis/event.jsp?event=21809" data-vars-content-id="e3957e55-5150-469e-8736-f151cfdc7ac0" data-vars-headline="Travis Audubon&#x27;s catio tour spotlights growing trend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://travis.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/travis/event.jsp?event=21809" target="_blank">Travis Audubon catio tour,</a> a self-guided event on March 21 that showcases enclosed outdoor cat spaces across Austin.

Austin airport aims to expand international destinations

Austin airport eyes international routes from Seoul to Dublin.

Austin officials want to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="land nonstop routes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/travel" data-vars-content-id="eead0aec-0913-42ca-a261-4b45d0d65285" data-vars-headline="Austin airport aims to expand international destinations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/travel" target="_self">land nonstop routes</a> to Paris, Tokyo, Istanbul and other international destinations, per a presentation to a city commission this month.Why it matters: Nabbing international routes elevates <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Austin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/12/20/top-spots-kill-time-austin-airport" data-vars-content-id="eead0aec-0913-42ca-a261-4b45d0d65285" data-vars-headline="Austin airport aims to expand international destinations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/12/20/top-spots-kill-time-austin-airport" target="_self">Austin</a> as a destination for business and pleasure and confirms its presence on the international stage.

Austinite competes on "Survivor" Season 50

The Austinite, now 51 years old, was a runner-up on the 2001 Outback edition.

&quot;Survivor&quot; launches <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="its 50th season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/24/survivor-50-challenge-cbs" data-vars-content-id="2ff4def0-33ec-429d-9c45-2bf01ba2e7c1" data-vars-headline="Austinite competes on &quot;Survivor&quot; Season 50" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/24/survivor-50-challenge-cbs" target="_self">its 50th season</a> (!) starting Wednesday on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CBS" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/18/trump-equal-time-colbert-youtube-cbs" data-vars-content-id="2ff4def0-33ec-429d-9c45-2bf01ba2e7c1" data-vars-headline="Austinite competes on &quot;Survivor&quot; Season 50" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/18/trump-equal-time-colbert-youtube-cbs" target="_self">CBS</a>, and we caught up with Austin&#x27;s Colby Donaldson, one of 24 players in the all-returnee season, filmed in Fiji.<ul><li>A West Texas native — he grew up just south of San Angelo — Donaldson was runner-up on &quot;Survivor: The Australian Outback&quot; (2001). He also appeared in &quot;Survivor&quot; seasons in 2003 and 2009 while working in the television business in California.</li></ul>

News 🗞

LBJ Library exhibit gets a glow up

Austin pop-up fuels matcha craze

Latino turnout surges in Dem primary in Texas, testing GOP gains

James Talarico wins Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Texas

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