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James Talarico's Austin church beefs up security

Talarico's North Austin church has received an influx of "negative communication."

Politics & Policy

State Rep. James Talarico&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Senate campaign" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/04/talarico-crockett-democratic-primary-senate-texas" data-vars-content-id="5cfee955-c646-4421-9359-bf1a9e55fc3c" data-vars-headline="James Talarico&#x27;s Austin church beefs up security" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/04/talarico-crockett-democratic-primary-senate-texas" target="_self">Senate campaign</a> has thrust his North Austin church into the spotlight, prompting increased security, St. Andrew&#x27;s Presbyterian Church pastor Jim Rigby told members on Facebook.Why it matters: Religion is emerging as an early flashpoint in Texas&#x27; high-profile Senate race, pitting the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Austin Democrat against" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/04/talarico-crockett-democratic-primary-senate-texas" data-vars-content-id="5cfee955-c646-4421-9359-bf1a9e55fc3c" data-vars-headline="James Talarico&#x27;s Austin church beefs up security" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/04/talarico-crockett-democratic-primary-senate-texas" target="_self">Austin Democrat against</a> the winner of a GOP <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="runoff between" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/04/cornyn-paxton-runoff-texas-republican-senate-primary" data-vars-content-id="5cfee955-c646-4421-9359-bf1a9e55fc3c" data-vars-headline="James Talarico&#x27;s Austin church beefs up security" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/04/cornyn-paxton-runoff-texas-republican-senate-primary" target="_self">runoff between</a> Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.

What it's like to ride in a self-driving car

A growing number of Austinites will have access to the technology as Waymo's cars become available on the Uber app Tuesday.

News

I recently took a trip across town in a Waymo car, which — starting Tuesday — is available for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Austin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin" data-vars-content-id="a0be9f2e-defa-4f55-9749-44cdfa07a18f" data-vars-headline="What it&#x27;s like to ride in a self-driving car" 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> riders <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="exclusively on the Uber app" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/02/05/austinites-can-opt-in-to-waymo-rides-on-uber" data-vars-content-id="a0be9f2e-defa-4f55-9749-44cdfa07a18f" data-vars-headline="What it&#x27;s like to ride in a self-driving car" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/02/05/austinites-can-opt-in-to-waymo-rides-on-uber" target="_self">exclusively on the Uber app</a>.Why it matters: A growing number of Austin residents now have access to the technology, and Waymo and Uber officials say they plan to expand the cars&#x27; service area in the future.

Austinites can opt in to Waymo rides on Uber

Waymo and Uber announced their partnership last fall to bring robotaxis to Austin.

Uber riders in Austin can now increase their chances of being <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="matched with a fully autonomous vehicle" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/09/13/waymo-uber-autonomous-ride-hailing-austin-atlanta" data-vars-content-id="8d6b4898-3e41-4e41-97fd-fd2bb793361e" data-vars-headline="Austinites can opt in to Waymo rides on Uber" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/09/13/waymo-uber-autonomous-ride-hailing-austin-atlanta" target="_self">matched with a fully autonomous vehicle</a> for trips around town.Why it matters: Waymo has been testing driverless taxi services in Austin since last year, but its partnership with Uber will make the cars more widely available.

Austin light rail plan renderings unveiled

The nearly 10-mile, all-electric train line will feature 15 stations.

Politics

Austin&#x27;s revamped light-rail plan is coming into clearer focus.The big picture: Releasing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a draft" data-vars-click-url="https://www.atptx.org/milestones/austin-light-rail-progress-update/" data-vars-content-id="ae9aed40-1d04-4eee-a635-fff32e37931c" data-vars-headline="Austin light rail plan renderings unveiled" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.atptx.org/milestones/austin-light-rail-progress-update/" target="_blank">a draft</a> of the project as it goes to federal regulators, transit planners say construction is on track to start in two years.

Austin residents and first responders report issues with robotaxis

Local officials have little authority over the vehicles.

Complaints against self-driving taxis in Austin <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="haven&#x27;t slowed since the cars first arrived in the area" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/09/07/robotaxis-texas-crashes" data-vars-content-id="de22ea57-59b2-4eff-acd8-a63c7e6b68b8" data-vars-headline="Austin residents and first responders report issues with robotaxis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/09/07/robotaxis-texas-crashes" target="_self">haven&#x27;t slowed since the cars first arrived in the area</a>, according to records from the city&#x27;s Transportation and Public Works department.Why it matters: General Motors announced this week that it will shut down its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cruise robotaxi project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/06/12/gm-cruise-robotaxi" data-vars-content-id="de22ea57-59b2-4eff-acd8-a63c7e6b68b8" data-vars-headline="Austin residents and first responders report issues with robotaxis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/06/12/gm-cruise-robotaxi" target="_self">Cruise robotaxi project</a> nationally, and the Austin records show that the company and other self-driving car companies have faced an uphill battle in gaining public trust.

Austin receives $48 million EPA grant

Austin was the only city in Texas selected for the program.

City officials say they&#x27;ll use a nearly $48 million grant to expand and promote access to cleaner modes of transit, part of an EPA program that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.Why it matters: The Texas Department of Transportation is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="moving forward with plans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/03/13/i-35-expansion-project-construction" data-vars-content-id="83e6ca5f-ed76-46b7-b995-5a25055ff773" data-vars-headline="Austin receives $48 million EPA grant" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/03/13/i-35-expansion-project-construction" target="_self">moving forward with plans</a> to overhaul I-35, which is expected to lead to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more trucks and cars" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/02/13/i-35-traffic-busy-semi-trucks" data-vars-content-id="83e6ca5f-ed76-46b7-b995-5a25055ff773" data-vars-headline="Austin receives $48 million EPA grant" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/02/13/i-35-traffic-busy-semi-trucks" target="_self">more trucks and cars</a> on our already busy roads, and city officials fear that road closures and delays will increase air pollution by single-occupant vehicles.<ul><li>Meanwhile, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="construction for the 9.8-mile" data-vars-click-url="https://communityimpact.com/austin/south-central-austin/transportation/2024/03/25/71b-project-connect-light-rail-to-break-ground-in-2027/" data-vars-content-id="83e6ca5f-ed76-46b7-b995-5a25055ff773" data-vars-headline="Austin receives $48 million EPA grant" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://communityimpact.com/austin/south-central-austin/transportation/2024/03/25/71b-project-connect-light-rail-to-break-ground-in-2027/" target="_blank">construction for the 9.8-mile</a> Project Connect light rail system is scheduled to begin in 2027, which could also impact traffic.</li></ul>

School spring breaks, SXSW misaligned

Historically, SXSW and UT, AISD spring break have coincided.

Austin could feel a lot more crowded next March.South by Southwest and spring break for area schools have been scheduled for different weeks, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the first time since 2019" data-vars-click-url="https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/in-2019-sxsw-wont-line-up-with-austin-isd-ut-spring-break" data-vars-content-id="2d1fa9ca-aa1b-465e-94eb-2e1c7bc1aa5e" data-vars-headline="School spring breaks, SXSW misaligned" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/in-2019-sxsw-wont-line-up-with-austin-isd-ut-spring-break" target="_blank">the first time since 2019</a> that there&#x27;s been a misalignment.

Longhorn Dam bridge gets federal funding

A planned East Austin pedestrian bridge now has federal cash behind it.Driving the news: U.S. Rep. Greg Casar announced Thursday that the city has received more than $4 million through Congress&#x27; Community Project Funding to complete the construction of a pedestrian bridge at the Longhorn Dam.

Austin's I-35 expansion construction timeline sharpens

Construction is scheduled to start this year and stretch through 2032.

The timeline of the state&#x27;s multibillion-dollar I-35 overhaul is coming into focus, and Austin commuters may want to reacquaint themselves with a map of the city as they try to ferret out shortcuts.Why it matters: The misery of moving north and south at rush hour through Austin&#x27;s chief arteries is about to get a lot worse.

Waymo's Austin vehicles eschew humans behind wheel

TThe company hopes Austin test will make possible a wider deployment of fully autonomous driving.

Starting Wednesday, Waymo will test its Austin vehicles fully autonomously — with no human behind the wheel — as it prepares to roll out its ride-hailing service.Why it matters: The company hopes to succeed in Austin where other companies — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="notably Cruise" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/10/30/self-driving-cars-suspend-paused-stop" data-vars-content-id="922fd5e4-9788-4dfa-b625-b34168e0fc2e" data-vars-headline="Waymo&#x27;s Austin vehicles eschew humans behind wheel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/10/30/self-driving-cars-suspend-paused-stop" target="_self">notably Cruise</a> — have had a rocky road as it tries to remake how we get from point A to point B. How it works: Waymo, a subsidiary of Google&#x27;s parent company, Alphabet, will test across 43 square miles of the city, including downtown, Barton Hills, Riverside, Hyde Park and East Austin.<ul><li>For now the company will provide rides only to Waymo employees.</li></ul>Friction point: Although robot vehicles seem nifty and futuristic, they&#x27;ve sometimes created <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="headaches for, and brought complaints" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/09/07/robotaxis-texas-crashes" data-vars-content-id="922fd5e4-9788-4dfa-b625-b34168e0fc2e" data-vars-headline="Waymo&#x27;s Austin vehicles eschew humans behind wheel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/09/07/robotaxis-texas-crashes" target="_self">headaches for, and brought complaints</a> from, Austinites and emergency workers.Between the lines: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Per a 2017 state law" data-vars-click-url="https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=85R&amp;Bill=SB2205" data-vars-content-id="922fd5e4-9788-4dfa-b625-b34168e0fc2e" data-vars-headline="Waymo&#x27;s Austin vehicles eschew humans behind wheel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=85R&amp;Bill=SB2205" target="_blank">Per a 2017 state law</a> supported by car companies, Texas cities can&#x27;t regulate self-driving cars.Flashback: The company announced last year it was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="testing its equipment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/03/31/waymos-driverless-cars-austin" data-vars-content-id="922fd5e4-9788-4dfa-b625-b34168e0fc2e" data-vars-headline="Waymo&#x27;s Austin vehicles eschew humans behind wheel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/03/31/waymos-driverless-cars-austin" target="_self">testing its equipment</a> on Jaguar SUVs in areas in and near downtown.What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;Our maturing operations in Austin builds on over 15 years&#x27; experience we&#x27;ve carefully built driving autonomously across the U.S.,&quot; Saswat Panigrahi, chief product officer of Waymo, said in a statement. &quot;Our disciplined deployment in Texas&#x27; capital brings us one step closer to safely delivering the benefits of fully autonomous driving to many more people.&quot;What&#x27;s next: Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana will participate in a SXSW <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="session" data-vars-click-url="https://schedule.sxsw.com/2024/events/PP1144932" data-vars-content-id="922fd5e4-9788-4dfa-b625-b34168e0fc2e" data-vars-headline="Waymo&#x27;s Austin vehicles eschew humans behind wheel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://schedule.sxsw.com/2024/events/PP1144932" target="_blank">session</a> about scaling up an autonomous ride-hailing service in multiple cities, including Austin.<ul><li>Waymo&#x27;s head of user experience, Lauren Schwendimann, will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="moderate a panel" data-vars-click-url="https://schedule.sxsw.com/2024/events/PP141587" data-vars-content-id="922fd5e4-9788-4dfa-b625-b34168e0fc2e" data-vars-headline="Waymo&#x27;s Austin vehicles eschew humans behind wheel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://schedule.sxsw.com/2024/events/PP141587" target="_blank">moderate a panel</a> of key disability advocates discussing the benefits of autonomous vehicles.</li></ul>

Highway expansion opponents head to the courts

A lawsuit argues that TxDOT failed to properly examine its plan's environmental impacts.

Opponents of a massive <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="I-35 expansion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/03/07/i-35-expansion-austin" data-vars-content-id="30b00f02-d3bd-49c8-aa23-e735719104bd" data-vars-headline="Highway expansion opponents head to the courts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/03/07/i-35-expansion-austin" target="_self">I-35 expansion</a> are turning to the courts to stymie the plan. Driving the news: Nonprofit Rethink35 and a coalition of interest groups have filed<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" a lawsuit" data-vars-click-url="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IBka6hC31K-L_BX4UGeRfJyY8jTOiwh7/view?usp=share_link" data-vars-content-id="30b00f02-d3bd-49c8-aa23-e735719104bd" data-vars-headline="Highway expansion opponents head to the courts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IBka6hC31K-L_BX4UGeRfJyY8jTOiwh7/view?usp=share_link" target="_blank"> a lawsuit</a> against the Texas Department of Transportation over its plans to widen 8 miles of I-35 from Texas 71/Ben White Boulevard to U.S. 290 as part of the I-35 Capital Express Central Project.

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What it's like to ride in a self-driving car

Austinites can opt in to Waymo rides on Uber