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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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Candidates vie to be Texas attorney general in May runoffs

Two Republicans and two Democrats face off on May 26.

News

Two Republicans and two Democrats are facing off May 26 in runoff primary elections to be Texas attorney general, though it&#x27;s likely a Republican would take the win in November.Why it matters: As <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the chief legal officer of the state" data-vars-click-url="https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/about-office/duties-responsibilities-office-attorney-general" data-vars-content-id="540fb797-a939-4df0-9776-b44ae754ab7d" data-vars-headline="Candidates vie to be Texas attorney general in May runoffs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/about-office/duties-responsibilities-office-attorney-general" target="_blank">the chief legal officer of the state</a>, the attorney general represents Texas <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in litigation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/10/30/covid-vaccine-mandate-texas-biden-contractors" data-vars-content-id="540fb797-a939-4df0-9776-b44ae754ab7d" data-vars-headline="Candidates vie to be Texas attorney general in May runoffs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/10/30/covid-vaccine-mandate-texas-biden-contractors" target="_self">in litigation</a>, defends state laws, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="initiates investigations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/07/texas-democrats-beto-orourke-paxton-investigation" data-vars-content-id="540fb797-a939-4df0-9776-b44ae754ab7d" data-vars-headline="Candidates vie to be Texas attorney general in May runoffs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/07/texas-democrats-beto-orourke-paxton-investigation" target="_self">initiates investigations</a> and enforces consumer protection laws.

Three suspects in custody following South Austin shooting spree

The suspects are connected to 12 shootings, mostly in South Austin, officials say.

Three suspects — ages 15 and 17, and a third who was also identified as a juvenile — were taken in custody Sunday after a string of 12 shootings this weekend, authorities said.Driving the news: At least four people were shot. One suffered serious injuries, and the others sustained minor injuries, police said.<ul><li>Residents in a large swath of South Austin were ordered to shelter in place for about an hour on Sunday afternoon as police searched for the suspects.</li></ul>

Violent crime rates decline in Austin

Austin Police say they are focused more on data-driven policing.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Violent crime" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/11/violent-crime-homicides-falls-major-cities-trump" data-vars-content-id="631ae4fa-9a36-41b3-a29f-2033721ecee7" data-vars-headline="Violent crime rates decline in Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/11/violent-crime-homicides-falls-major-cities-trump" target="_self">Violent crime</a> fell sharply across the largest U.S. cities, including <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Austin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/18/austin-shootings-license-plate-readers" data-vars-content-id="631ae4fa-9a36-41b3-a29f-2033721ecee7" data-vars-headline="Violent crime rates decline in Austin" 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/austin-shootings-license-plate-readers" target="_self">Austin</a>, in early 2026, extending a nationwide decline that began after the pandemic-era crime spike.Why it matters: Crime and policing have been a major factor at the ballot box in local elections, as Republicans including President Trump and Gov. Greg Abbott have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tried to pin violent crime" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/14/abbott-statewide-prosecutor-impeachment-process" data-vars-content-id="631ae4fa-9a36-41b3-a29f-2033721ecee7" data-vars-headline="Violent crime rates decline in Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/14/abbott-statewide-prosecutor-impeachment-process" target="_self">tried to pin violent crime</a> on Democrats.

Austin mayor backs license plate readers after shootings

Manor police used the technology to identify a suspect's stolen car.

Mayor <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kirk Watson" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/04/24/austin-mayor-kirk-watson-trump-interview" data-vars-content-id="a9ec8126-7356-4b19-bcee-cdb0fe14f6be" data-vars-headline="Austin mayor backs license plate readers after shootings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/04/24/austin-mayor-kirk-watson-trump-interview" target="_self">Kirk Watson</a> tells Axios the city should move forward with obtaining license plate readers, which police say could have helped more quickly track down three suspects tied to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="citywide shooting spree" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/17/south-austin-shooting-suspects-custody" data-vars-content-id="a9ec8126-7356-4b19-bcee-cdb0fe14f6be" data-vars-headline="Austin mayor backs license plate readers after shootings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/17/south-austin-shooting-suspects-custody" target="_self">citywide shooting spree</a>.Why it matters: The shootings have reignited debate over whether concerns about privacy still outweigh public safety arguments for bringing back the technology.

Texas softball gears up for title defense

Texas hopes to defend its national title.

Sports

The University of Texas <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="softball squad" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/06/09/texas-longhorns-compete-in-womens-college-world-series" data-vars-content-id="6ef3c5d1-7fb8-45a9-b72e-f9e63deb82b3" data-vars-headline="Texas softball gears up for title defense" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/06/09/texas-longhorns-compete-in-womens-college-world-series" target="_self">softball squad</a> begins its title defense Friday in Austin with the opening of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="overall No. 2 seed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncaa.com/news/softball/article/2026-05-10/ncaa-division-i-softball-committee-announces-2026-championship-field" data-vars-content-id="6ef3c5d1-7fb8-45a9-b72e-f9e63deb82b3" data-vars-headline="Texas softball gears up for title defense" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncaa.com/news/softball/article/2026-05-10/ncaa-division-i-softball-committee-announces-2026-championship-field" target="_blank">overall No. 2 seed</a>, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Longhorns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/06/05/1-world-series-softball-team-to-go" data-vars-content-id="6ef3c5d1-7fb8-45a9-b72e-f9e63deb82b3" data-vars-headline="Texas softball gears up for title defense" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/06/05/1-world-series-softball-team-to-go" target="_self">Longhorns</a> are aiming to defend their 2025 national title.

New York coffee shop to open in ATX Tower

Black Fox has positioned Austin as its Texas flagship.

New York City-based coffee roaster Black Fox Coffee will open its first Texas location Friday in Austin&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ATX Tower" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/03/15/anatomy-austin-skyscraper-321-west?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_austin&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="ea2d1368-cbc1-4d22-9e29-dd9e6ac0de2c" data-vars-headline="New York coffee shop to open in ATX Tower" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/03/15/anatomy-austin-skyscraper-321-west?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_austin&amp;stream=top" target="_self">ATX Tower</a>.Why it matters: The opening comes as the city&#x27;s coffee scene continues to gain national attention, with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Food &amp; Wine" data-vars-click-url="https://www.foodandwine.com/top-united-states-cities-for-coffee-in-2026-11930933" data-vars-content-id="ea2d1368-cbc1-4d22-9e29-dd9e6ac0de2c" data-vars-headline="New York coffee shop to open in ATX Tower" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.foodandwine.com/top-united-states-cities-for-coffee-in-2026-11930933" target="_blank">Food &amp; Wine</a> recently naming Austin the top coffee city in the U.S.

Your bulldog name suggestions

Mayor Kirk Watson adopted a male English bulldog and a female French bulldog.

Things to Do

Yesterday <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="we asked" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-austin-72062dc5-cf8f-45a6-9c52-e40f505aa60d.html?chunk=6&amp;utm_term=twsocialshare#story6" data-vars-content-id="1bbefc1c-c86f-42b7-8c3c-0a5556fba6cf" data-vars-headline="Your bulldog name suggestions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-austin-72062dc5-cf8f-45a6-9c52-e40f505aa60d.html?chunk=6&amp;utm_term=twsocialshare#story6" target="_self">we asked</a> what you&#x27;d name Mayor Kirk Watson&#x27;s newly adopted bulldogs from Austin Bulldog Rescue.Catch up quick: Watson adopted a male English bulldog and a female French bulldog.

Austin FC partners unveil Texas' first blind soccer pitch

Q2 Stadium also plans to introduce Field of Vision haptic devices.

Austin FC and several community partners have opened a soccer pitch designed for students at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) campus in Austin.Why it matters: Organizers say it&#x27;s the first pitch in Texas built for athletes who are blind or have low vision, expanding access to adaptive sports in Central Texas.

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.

Where to score vintage World Cup T-shirts

An Austin vendor has collected nearly 100 vintage World Cup T-shirts.

👋 Asher here, your fearless old-school tee correspondent. Browsing the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Guad Vintage Market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/guadvintageatx/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="9bd54a1c-7fc7-4a07-980c-22af9462d215" data-vars-headline="Where to score vintage World Cup T-shirts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/guadvintageatx/?hl=en" target="_blank">Guad Vintage Market</a> on a recent Sunday afternoon, I noticed one rack with a series of cool vintage World Cup T-shirts.

ACL Fest to include Charli XCX, Rüfüs Du Sol and Lorde

Tickets for both weekends will go on sale at noon CT Tuesday.

Charli XCX, Rüfüs Du Sol and Lorde are among the headliners of this year&#x27;s Austin City Limits Music Festival.Driving the news: Organizers released the lineup for the two-weekend festival Tuesday morning.

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.

The tech trend getting people off their phones

Immersive virtual reality is turning gaming into a shared social experience.

Partners

Americans spend hours every day on their phones, even as demand grows for new, shared experiences that bring people together in real life.The story: A new wave of entertainment concepts is using technology to create shared, in-person experiences rather than individual ones like streaming or scrolling —  reshaping what a night out in Austin looks like.

Restaurants compete with creative lamb dishes

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

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.

Things to Do 🗓

Newspaper boxes find new life as decor

Texas softball gears up for title defense

New York coffee shop to open in ATX Tower

Your bulldog name suggestions

Austin FC partners unveil Texas' first blind soccer pitch