Austin's most recognizable painted crosswalks, including the city's rainbow crosswalk downtown, will be removed by the end of July to comply with a state directive.

Why it matters: The plan for their removal caps a months-long effort by state officials to force cities to remove roadway artwork.

• Critics have argued the effort is politically motivated and targets artwork celebrating LGBTQ and minority communities.

The other side: TxDOT officials have said the crosswalk removals are necessary for roadway safety.

• The agency's edict came after Gov. Greg Abbott directed the agency to ensure cities "remove any and all political ideologies" from streets.

Driving the news: The city detailed its plan for the crosswalks' removal in a letter submitted yesterday to the Texas Department of Transportation and provided to Axios.

• City officials say they'll add black thermoplastic to cover the rainbow crosswalk at West Fourth and Colorado streets, along with a seal coat to cover "Black Artists Matter" along East 11th Street.
• The burnt orange "TEXAS" painted along Guadalupe Street at the University of Texas will be covered with a seal coat, per the action plan.

Zoom in: The city will also have to remove a river-themed crosswalk on Lake Austin Boulevard and art at two traffic circles at East 22nd and Salina streets and another at East 53rd Street and Avenue H.

Catch up quick: The action plan comes after TxDOT rejected the city's request last month to keep some of its street art.

• A city spokesperson said officials did not have an estimate for the cost of the removals.

What they're saying: "While we're disappointed by the state's decision, our community's future is not defined by a crosswalk," Todd Hogan, president and CEO of the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement provided to Axios.

• "It is defined by the people, small businesses, artists, and entrepreneurs who continue to make Austin stronger every day. The best response is to keep investing in those people, LGBTQ+ and allied businesses, and the local economy they help drive."

Read the rest

Zipline, the world's largest autonomous drone delivery company, announced today it that it plans to expand into Austin later this year.

Why it matters: Our skies could soon see mini-drones dropping burritos from the skies.

Catch up quick: The California-based company has operated in Texas since 2025, with drones in Dallas and Houston delivering personal items and food from small businesses and major chains, such as Walmart and Chipotle.

How it works: After customers place an order through the Zipline app, an aircraft picks it up, flies to the customer, lowers the item down on a tether from the sky and flies back to a charging base — all autonomously.

• Zipline has flown more than 135 million commercial autonomous miles "without a serious injury," per company officials.

Follow the money: Zipline announced earlier this year it had raised more than $600 million in new funding to pay for expansion.

• The company's drones also deliver medical supplies in multiple African countries.

What they're saying: The company has been focused on "what would be an inspiring mission," Zipline CEO Keller Rinaudo Cliffton told the venture capital news site Sourcery earlier this year.

• "How could we build a part of the sci-fi version of the future we'd be proud to hand to our kids and grandkids?"

🗳️ A petition seeking mandatory external audits of city of Austin spending was certified, setting up an Austin ballot question in November. The City Council could also take up the measure. (KVUE)

🏥 An Austin woman filed a complaint alleging local hospitals denied her miscarriage treatment amid confusion over Texas abortion restrictions. (Austin American-Statesman)

✈️ Delta will cancel two nonstop routes — to New Orleans and Memphis — from Austin starting in October. (KXAN)

🏀 Dailyn Swain, who starred for the University of Texas last season, was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 15th overall pick in the NBA draft last night. (Longhorns Wire)

What will future generations think of Texas when they open America's Time Capsule — a nationwide project to preserve pieces of U.S. history as part of the country's 250th anniversary celebration?

The big picture: The 900-pound steel capsule reportedly includes over 200 artifacts from the federal government and all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., and five territories, meant to create an authentic record of American life in 2026.

• It will be buried in Philadelphia with the idea that future Americans will open it in 2276 — 250 years from now.

What Texas is adding

The Lone Star State decided to keep its offerings government focused:

• The Texas state seal reproduced on a chiseled glass paperweight.
• The state flag.
• A copy of the Texas Declaration of Independence.

Plus, a copy of the 2026 PGA Tour schedule will also be packed inside, which includes competitions in Houston, San Antonio and Austin.

What else Texas should have added

• A cowboy hat: Who knows what fashion will look like in the 23rd century? The reemergence of Texas' trademark headwear could spark a new trend.

What do you think Texas should have included in the capsule?

• Reply to this email.

One of Austin's latest revered taco places is opening a location on Guadalupe Street.

Driving the news: Tijuana-style street taco purveyor Taquería de Diez notes on its website that it will soon open on Guad.

• The taco spot, which operates downtown, on South Lamar Boulevard and in West Lake, did not return messages from Axios asking when it plans to open.
• But recently its signature "Tacos: Open Late" sign went up at the site previously occupied by Jamaican joint Bikkle.

What we said: When Nicole visited the original Taquería de Diez, she wrote that it "feels cool." The tacos were "no-nonsense" and "packed with flavor."

The intrigue: Down the street is an outpost of Fort Worth-based Salsa Limón, whose El Capitán tacos are among our favorites.

The bottom line: May the best taco win.