U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas will give a lecture Wednesday at the University of Texas, "in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence," per UT.

Why it matters: The talk, from one of the court's most conservative justices, comes as the university has had an institutional push rightward.

Catch up quick: The past half-dozen years have seen the creation of conservative-minded centers and institutes at UT, including the School of Civic Leadership, supported by conservative lawmakers.

• Last fall, the top official overseeing UT welcomed the Trump administration's demands on how the school is run in exchange for federal funding preferences — though no deal was ultimately inked.
• In February, UT president Jim Davis announced the consolidation of seven ethnic and gender studies departments into two new departments, which faculty warned would jeopardize the university's intellectual leadership.

The big picture: The Trump administration has emphasized the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence as it has canceled diversity initiatives and reexamined the teaching of U.S. history.

• Last year, for example, the Trump administration said it would prioritize grants to arts organizations that "celebrate and honor the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence," per reporting by Axios.

What they're saying: A message left with the U.S. Supreme Court's press office addressed to Thomas about the shape of his remarks and how the lecture at Texas came about was not immediately returned.

• A spokesperson for UT did not immediately respond to an interview request.
• Thomas has attacked the landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling, handed down a major opinion striking strict limits on concealed weapons and invited challenges to precedents on rights to contraception and same-sex marriage.

State of play: Thomas has given lectures at universities across the country, from Notre Dame to Catholic University of America, but canceled an in-person event at a legal conference in February over security concerns, the New York Times reported.

• He delivered remarks virtually.

The bottom line: The lecture, at the Hogg Memorial Auditorium at 3:30pm on Wednesday, is not open to the public.

One Austin bar is already going fully phone-free — while others are just starting to experiment with unplugged dining.

Why it matters: In a city built around socializing, phones can quietly take over the table — and some venues are pushing back.

The big picture: Across the U.S., bars and restaurants are testing phone bans or incentives as part of a broader shift toward disconnecting and creating a more immersive dining experience.

• Americans check their phones about 144 times and spend roughly 4.5 hours on them — per day.
• Younger diners are leading the pullback: 63% of Gen Z say they intentionally unplug, followed by millennials (57%).

Zoom in: Austin's version of the trend is small — but real.

Powder Room requires guests to check their phones in a lock box at the door. "To foster an immersive environment, Powder Room enforces a no-phones policy, encouraging guests to be present and engaged during their visit so plan accordingly," reads the speakeasy's website.

• Waterloo Ice House offered a 20% discount during "De-Device Night" in February if customers put their devices away.
• Bakery and restaurant Swedish Hill on South First Street has turned off wifi as part of an effort to keep laptops off tables. "Tables are for dining and chatting only," read signs posted by the eatery.

The bottom line: Austin isn't broadly phone-free — but the idea is no longer hypothetical here.

🛒 Royal Blue Grocery is planning a new location in the Mueller neighborhood, with a construction cost of roughly $800,000. (MySA)

🕳️ Waymo and Waze are piloting a pothole-mapping program in Austin. (KXAN)

💻 Some Hutto residents are rallying against a proposed data center. (Community Impact)

Here's some after-work fun this week.

Monday

👃 Pass the patchouli at a homemade deodorant workshop, at the library's Little Walnut Creek Branch, 5:30-7:30pm. Free.

Tuesday

🧢 Cheer on the Longhorns baseball team as they face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Tickets start at $6. 6:30pm at Disch-Falk Field.

Wednesday

🎥 Catch the noir classic "Gun Crazy," about a star-crossed romance between two criminals, at AFS Cinema at 6pm. $14.

Thursday

🪩 Swing your hips at the Hotel Vegas' Fiesta de Cumpleaños de Selena, 6pm-1am, with dance classes, DJs and live music. Free.

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👋 Hey, it's Axios Texas reporter Madalyn Mendoza! Road tripping for dinner isn't my usual routine, but Old City Hall in New Braunfels is worth the trek down I-35.

Catch up quick: The restaurant, which opened in February, is housed in a nearly century-old building that once served as City Hall.

The vibe: Every pocket of the sprawling space, from the main dining room to the bar to the patio, felt lively.

• The restaurant leans into its history with subtle nods to the past, like original tile floors and art deco pendant lighting.

What to try: The steak frites ($34) was perfectly prepared, but the real star was the herb and bourbon sauce it's served with. My friends even dipped their burgers in it. Who needs ketchup?

• The Tito's-based lemon drop ($16) comes topped with a limoncello cold foam that tastes like lemon meringue in a glass.
• For dessert, the sundae ($10) is a showstopper with a mound of housemade whipped cream, miso caramel and salty crushed pretzels over vanilla ice cream.

Six-word review: Rich and craveable, a unanimous yes.