Axios Austin

May 28, 2026
It's Thursday.
🌧️ Today's weather: Mostly sunny then slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, with highs in the mid 80s.
🍔 Situational awareness: Hopdoddy at Plaza Saltillo is offering free burgers 11:30am-8pm today for National Burger Day. Gluten-free and vegetarian options are available.
🎂 Happy birthday to our Axios Austin member Chyrisse Miller!
Today's newsletter is 918 words — a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: Regulations possible for e-motos
The Austin City Council today will consider taking an initial step toward regulating electric dirt bikes and mini motorcycles, or e-motos.
Why it matters: A growing number of children and teens are riding the high-powered bikes on Austin streets, alarming residents and prompting safety concerns from local officials.
Driving the news: The resolution from Council Member Paige Ellis would direct the city manager to update regulations and enforcement for the bikes and train Austin police officers on the new rules.
- The resolution also directs the city manager to explore a designated recreation area where riders could legally use e-motos off public streets and trails.
What they're saying: "In conversations with my constituents and APD, it's clear that this is an important safety issue," Ellis, who represents West Austin, said in a statement.
- "I'm eager to find a way forward that prioritizes child safety and creates more clarity for everyone when it comes to how to minimize danger when using e-moto bikes."
How it works: Electric dirt bikes and e-motos aren't the same as e-bikes.
- E-motos have a similar frame to e-bikes, but they have a throttle — like a motorcycle's — that propels the e-moto without pedaling.
- E-motos can go 30-60 mph, while e-bikes are pedal-assisted and the electric motor cuts out at 28 mph.
Zoom in: In Austin, there is no local code dictating where e-motos can operate, meaning they can be ridden on roads, bike lanes, sidewalks, shared-use paths, park trails or drainage infrastructure, according to Ellis.
Context: The city doesn't track accidents involving electric dirt bikes or e-motos specifically.
Zoom out: Austin joins a growing number of cities and states beginning to regulate e-motos as their popularity surges, especially among young riders.
- The bikes have become increasingly visible in neighborhoods, in parks and on major roadways, where riders are often seen weaving through traffic, riding wheelies or operating without helmets.
What's next: City Council members will meet at 10am.
- You can watch online or in person at City Hall.
2. 🤷 1 big (potential) basketball decision
👋 Hi, it's Asher.
Lately a lot of my old friends have been asking me about my rooting interest as the NBA Finals roll around.
The backstory: I grew up on the Upper West Side of NYC, a diehard Knicks fan.
- My favorite tee, in heavy rotation in junior high, featured the big man Patrick Ewing and a postal-style stamp that said "Return to Sender."
- But just over two decades ago, shortly after grad school, I moved to Austin — when the Knicks were really bad and the Spurs were fantastic.
True story: One of our kids carries the middle name Emmanuel, in honor of Spurs great Manu Ginobili.
The rub: The Knicks have won the Eastern Conference Finals and could face the Spurs — putting me in a potentially tough spot.
- The Spurs, who have made a concerted play to win more Austin fans, are down 2-3 in the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
- They must win Game 6 tonight to force a decisive Game 7.
The big picture: Austin is a town of newcomers, and many of us have to balance old loyalties with new ones.
The bottom line: I'm sorry to disappoint my 15-year-old self, but should San Antonio survive their series against the Thunder and face the Knicks, the rooting decision will be an easy one — Go Spurs Go.
3. 🤠 The Roundup: Wrangling the news
🎓 Gov. Greg Abbott extended a tuition freeze for Texas public universities. (KLBJ)
📱 Thousands have signed a petition criticizing Alamo Drafthouse's QR-code ordering, arguing it changes the moviegoing experience in Austin. (Austin American-Statesman 🔒)
🏗️ The car dealer company Carvana is planning to build a 172,000-square-foot facility east of State Highway 130. (Austin Business Journal 🔒)
🤑 A Leander resident has claimed a share of a $20 million Powerball jackpot. (Fox 7 Austin)
4. Our weekend guide
Here's what caught our eye this weekend...
Friday
🩰 Watch "Ballet Under the Stars," by Metamorphosis Dance, at the Zilker Hillside Theater, with performances on Friday and Saturday at 8pm. Free.
🇧🇷 Swing your hips to Brazil Night at the Sahara Lounge, with performances by Zazueira Allstars and Ginga Brazil. $14. 7:30pm.
Saturday
🎭 Attend "Light," a one-woman play about the bond between a father and daughter told partly through Chinese shadow puppetry. 7:30pm at the Dougherty Arts Center. Tickets run $39.
Sunday
🏟️ Cheer on the Sol, the Austin professional ultimate frisbee team, as they face Seattle at Parmer Field at noon. $14, kids under 12 free.
5. 🐾 1 very important bulldog update to go
Hizzoner has named his doggies.
Catch up quick: Earlier this month we told you that Austin Mayor Kirk Watson had adopted a pair of dogs from Austin Bulldog Rescue — and had yet to land on names.
- You wrote in with your (very sweet) suggestions.
- Our favorites might have been Barton and Eddy.
The bottom line: Watson revealed in his latest Watson Wire newsletter that his English bulldog will be known as the Bear — a name several of you had suggested. He'll also be known as Sugar Bear, Honey Bear or just plain old Bear.
- "The little Frenchie goes by le nom Coco (as in Coco Puff)," he wrote.
Thanks to Astrid Galván and Bob Gee for editing this newsletter.
🚗 Asher is imagining a version of himself that buys this vehicle.
🛳️ Nicole is out.
Sign up for Axios Austin







