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Talarico notches record fundraising haul

The Democratic state lawmaker's campaign took in more than $27 million in the first quarter of 2026.

Politics & Policy

Texas Democratic Senate candidate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="James Talarico" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/17/james-talarico-austin-church-security" data-vars-content-id="4280cf01-0ea7-4500-a77f-00565937b52d" data-vars-headline="Talarico notches record fundraising haul" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/17/james-talarico-austin-church-security" target="_self">James Talarico</a> hauled in more than $27 million in the first quarter of 2026, his campaign announced Wednesday.Why it matters: The money raised by the state legislator from Austin dwarfs the amount incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn raised during the same period and will play a key role in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="persuading voters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/10/15/how-texas-talarico-is-leveraging-social-media-in-his-bid-for-the-senate" data-vars-content-id="4280cf01-0ea7-4500-a77f-00565937b52d" data-vars-headline="Talarico notches record fundraising haul" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/10/15/how-texas-talarico-is-leveraging-social-media-in-his-bid-for-the-senate" target="_self">persuading voters</a> in what is shaping up as a very expensive race.

Trump and Biden admin officials gather in Austin

Roughly 200 invite-only attendees are expected at the second annual Endless Frontiers retreat.

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Trump administration officials will gather alongside top Biden-era national security figures, scientists, tech founders, and investors this week at a private retreat in northwest Austin to plot how to shore up American strength.Why it matters: The off-the-record bipartisan talks come as Washington remains deeply divided and at a time of geopolitical and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="technological upheaval" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/19/nsa-anthropic-mythos-pentagon" data-vars-content-id="dab2eff0-4608-44ff-9432-b53632bc01c9" data-vars-headline="Trump and Biden admin officials gather in Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/19/nsa-anthropic-mythos-pentagon" target="_self">technological upheaval</a>.

Restaurants compete with creative lamb dishes

Six restaurants are competing in Lamb Jam, a national showdown that doubles as a real-time menu experiment.

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Editor&#x27;s note: This story was written by University of Texas student Trinity Orosco for Axios Austin.Six Austin restaurants have spent the month of April transforming lamb into crispy arancini, laab and tostadas for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lamb Jam&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://americanlamb.com/lamb-jam-2026-austin/" data-vars-content-id="d66bfd10-b5f3-42f5-acc7-e535d5bb4dfc" data-vars-headline="Restaurants compete with creative lamb dishes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://americanlamb.com/lamb-jam-2026-austin/" target="_blank">Lamb Jam&#x27;s</a> restaurant competition.

1983 Longhorns baseball champs get the documentary treatment

"Summer of '83: Texas vs. Tide" is scheduled to air Wednesday night.

The 1983 University of Texas <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="baseball team" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/04/17/texas-longhorns-baseball-auburn" data-vars-content-id="11f75302-e63e-4901-807b-8d7ddd942229" data-vars-headline="1983 Longhorns baseball champs get the documentary treatment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/04/17/texas-longhorns-baseball-auburn" target="_self">baseball team</a>, a storied squad that included Roger Clemens and a handful of other future big leaguers, is the focus of a new documentary about the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="College World Series" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/06/23/lsu-takes-home-8th-college-world-series-championship-in-tigers-history" data-vars-content-id="11f75302-e63e-4901-807b-8d7ddd942229" data-vars-headline="1983 Longhorns baseball champs get the documentary treatment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/06/23/lsu-takes-home-8th-college-world-series-championship-in-tigers-history" target="_self">College World Series</a> that year.Driving the news: &quot;Summer of &#x27;83: Texas vs. Tide&quot; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="premieres Wednesday" data-vars-click-url="https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2026/03/sec-storied-summer-of-83-texas-vs-tide-sets-sec-network-premiere-date-april-15/" data-vars-content-id="11f75302-e63e-4901-807b-8d7ddd942229" data-vars-headline="1983 Longhorns baseball champs get the documentary treatment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2026/03/sec-storied-summer-of-83-texas-vs-tide-sets-sec-network-premiere-date-april-15/" target="_blank">premieres Wednesday</a> on the SEC Network.

Dells announce $750 million donation to the University of Texas

The money will support medical research, computing and student scholarships.

With their latest gift of $750 million, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Michael and Susan Dell" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/13/doe-dell-genesis-mission" data-vars-content-id="7554664d-7d26-4adb-a91a-1660b77f576c" data-vars-headline="Dells announce $750 million donation to the University of Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/13/doe-dell-genesis-mission" target="_self">Michael and Susan Dell</a> have now given more than $1 billion to the University of Texas, school officials announced Tuesday.Why it matters: The donation situates the university — and Austin — to become a leading health research center, drawing new jobs and investment to the region.

Roxie’s serves up homestyle comfort food

Chicken, all-you-can-eat sides, dessert and more.

I have a recommendation for your next free afternoon.What&#x27;s happening: I recently took a trip to Buda to try out <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Roxie&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.roxiesbuda.com/" data-vars-content-id="fd6b3884-bc0c-4267-bffe-eef51479e8fa" data-vars-headline="Roxie’s serves up homestyle comfort food" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.roxiesbuda.com/" target="_blank">Roxie&#x27;s</a>, the new restaurant from Salt Lick BBQ owner Scott Roberts, and to check out the town, where a growing number of friends and acquaintances have moved.

Preservation Austin gets ready for its latest homes tour

This year's tour includes a house from the 1970s and one in Montopolis.

Preservation Austin hosts its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026 Homes Tour" data-vars-click-url="https://www.preservationaustin.org/events/2026-homes-tour" data-vars-content-id="9192e01f-8989-478f-ae61-496350f07519" data-vars-headline="Preservation Austin gets ready for its latest homes tour" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.preservationaustin.org/events/2026-homes-tour" target="_blank">2026 Homes Tour</a> this weekend, with a rich variety of architectural styles in neighborhoods across town on display.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the best chance to peek into Austin&#x27;s most beautiful <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/02/12/austin-homeowners-are-staying-put" data-vars-content-id="9192e01f-8989-478f-ae61-496350f07519" data-vars-headline="Preservation Austin gets ready for its latest homes tour" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/02/12/austin-homeowners-are-staying-put" target="_self">homes</a>.

Desert Island Dish with Donna Wilkins

A single location of this Austin Italian restaurant serves 10,000 meals a month.

As part of our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="running feature" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/01/13/desert-island-dish-david-munoz" data-vars-content-id="1da79c40-5d86-4cf8-8751-b9d9b8f55d41" data-vars-headline="Desert Island Dish with Donna Wilkins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/01/13/desert-island-dish-david-munoz" target="_self">running feature</a> about the favorite meals of Austin chefs and restaurant owners, we recently chatted with Donna Wilkins, co-owner (with her husband) of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Juliet Italian Kitchen" data-vars-click-url="https://www.juliet-austin.com/" data-vars-content-id="1da79c40-5d86-4cf8-8751-b9d9b8f55d41" data-vars-headline="Desert Island Dish with Donna Wilkins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.juliet-austin.com/" target="_blank">Juliet Italian Kitchen</a>.Stunning stat: Wilkins tells us that the comfort-food restaurant&#x27;s Barton Springs Road and Arboretum locations each serve 10,000 meals a month. They also operate a cafe in Georgetown.

Austin 3D firm Icon hires Will Hurd

The Austin 3D printing firm is hiring the former Republican congressman as it seeks government contracts.

Will Hurd, the former Republican congressman from San Antonio, has joined Austin-based 3D construction firm <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Icon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/11/3d-printing-company-icon-expands-austin" data-vars-content-id="7a180b70-2587-492f-83cd-b32d76fdff07" data-vars-headline="Austin 3D firm Icon hires Will Hurd" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/11/3d-printing-company-icon-expands-austin" target="_self">Icon</a> as it makes a push for more government contracts.Why it matters: The firm is looking to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="diversify its revenue streams" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/11/3d-printing-company-icon-expands-austin" data-vars-content-id="7a180b70-2587-492f-83cd-b32d76fdff07" data-vars-headline="Austin 3D firm Icon hires Will Hurd" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/11/3d-printing-company-icon-expands-austin" target="_self">diversify its revenue streams</a> amid a housing market still slowed by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high interest rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/27/austin-mortgage-rates-rise-as-iran-war-affects-u-s-housing-market" data-vars-content-id="7a180b70-2587-492f-83cd-b32d76fdff07" data-vars-headline="Austin 3D firm Icon hires Will Hurd" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/27/austin-mortgage-rates-rise-as-iran-war-affects-u-s-housing-market" target="_self">high interest rates</a>.

Clarence Thomas to give University of Texas lecture

One of the most conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices will deliver a talk Wednesday.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Clarence Thomas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/24/justice-thomas-abortion-supreme-court" data-vars-content-id="90511b49-a010-411e-891c-be524c679d07" data-vars-headline="Clarence Thomas to give University of Texas lecture" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/24/justice-thomas-abortion-supreme-court" target="_self">Clarence Thomas</a> will give a lecture Wednesday at the University of Texas, &quot;in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence,&quot; per UT.Why it matters: The talk, from one of the court&#x27;s most <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="conservative justices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.scotusblog.com/2025/07/supreme-courts-most-conservative-justices-part-ways/" data-vars-content-id="90511b49-a010-411e-891c-be524c679d07" data-vars-headline="Clarence Thomas to give University of Texas lecture" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.scotusblog.com/2025/07/supreme-courts-most-conservative-justices-part-ways/" target="_blank">conservative justices</a>, comes as the university has had an institutional push rightward.

Needlepoint stitches together a younger crowd

Etsy searches for "beginner needlepoint items" are at a 208% year-over-year increase.

Editor&#x27;s note: This story was written by University of Texas student Darby Tippit for Axios Austin.A nearly 50-year-old Austin needlepoint store is drawing a younger crowd as Gen Z turns toward <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analogue hobbies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/23/analog-bag-screen-free-wellness" data-vars-content-id="80e5c91c-8ead-48f4-88d3-00ad502a0c28" data-vars-headline="Needlepoint stitches together a younger crowd" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/23/analog-bag-screen-free-wellness" target="_self">analogue hobbies</a> to beat screen fatigue.Why it matters: Needlepoint, along with hobbies like knitting, sewing and quilting, have seen a rise in popularity as younger generations find crafty, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="offline activities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/07/needlepoint-grandma-hobbies-tiktok" data-vars-content-id="80e5c91c-8ead-48f4-88d3-00ad502a0c28" data-vars-headline="Needlepoint stitches together a younger crowd" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/07/needlepoint-grandma-hobbies-tiktok" target="_self">offline activities</a> to ditch their phones.

News 🗞

Dells announce $750 million donation to the University of Texas

Airport parking increases

Texas job growth slowed in February

Trump and Biden admin officials gather in Austin

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