I rode in a car with no driver in Austin twice. And by the second trip, it already felt normal.

Why it matters: Waymo is street-mapping the city with human drivers. Once testing is complete, the company's driverless fleet will roll out in phases.

Here are three main takeaways from my recent rides:

• Having no one behind the wheel removes the downsides of human rideshares, from safety concerns to getting stuck in small talk.
• The novelty wears off. At first, I was hyper aware that no one was driving. But once I noticed how cautious these robotaxis drive, that feeling faded.
• The ride is smooth, but these cars definitely play it safe. Mine drove like an overly cautious teenager taking their driver's license test, following every rule and adhering to the speed limit, if not a little under.

Keep reading about my experience

💼 See who's hiring around the city.

1. Assistant Dean for Business and Personnel at University of North Carolina - Charlotte

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

The Charlotte Hornets host the Detroit Pistons in their regular-season home finale tonight at Spectrum Center.

Why it matters: The Hornets (No. 9 in the Eastern Conference at 43-37) are in a tight race for playoff positioning in the East.

State of play: The game tips off at 7pm. Tickets start at $57.09.

Zoom in: The Hornets face the Pistons (No. 1 in the East) and the New York Knicks (No. 3 in the East). The Hornets' regular-season finale is Sunday, April 12, at Madison Square Garden at 6pm.

What we're watching: The Hornets have been on a hot streak since the calendar turned, but their final three games come against the top teams in the East. They lost to the Boston Celtics (No. 2 in the East) on Tuesday, 113-102.

The bottom line: While the Hornets have already clinched a spot in the Play-In Tournament, they're looking to advance to the playoffs for the first time in a decade.

🥤 South Block, a fast-casual chain known for its acai and cold-pressed juices, is opening in Plaza Midwood's Commonwealth development on April 11.

🌮 Mooresville-based Mexican restaurant Casa Azteca has expanded to Uptown. Its new location is at 129 W Trade St. (Instagram)

🍻 All Purpose Bar opens in the former Protagonist Brewing spot in NoDa April 13. (Instagram)

🏗️ UNC Charlotte is launching the Albert School of Construction this fall, offering new degree programs and hands-on training to help meet the region's growing demand for construction professionals. (WFAE)

🍽️ Chefs from Charlotte and South Carolina will collaborate on a multi-course dinner at Ever Andalo on May 18 in partnership with euphoria: Greenville's popular food, wine and music festival. (euphoria)

🎤 The Ivey will host "The Sound of Music" actor Dan Truhitte on May 4 for an evening of music, storytelling and memory-focused programming exploring the connection between music and brain health. Tickets are $20.

🌾 The Uptown Farmers Market kicks off its regular season this Saturday, April 11, from 8am to 12:30pm at 300 S. Davidson Street.

From a colorful cottage in Plaza Midwood to a new build with a European feel in Villa Heights, this week's hot homes listings offer a peek into how Charlotteans are living right now.

Zoom in: The Plaza Midwood cottage pictured above, for example, leans into the neighborhood's colorful, eclectic vibe.

• At 1,074 square feet, it has two bedrooms and one bathroom.
• Notable features include: a covered front porch, mature landscaping, wood-burning fireplace, low-maintenance garden, and high walkability.
• It's listed for $599,000.

More hot homes

New events to check out

📅 See what's going on around the city.

• Sip & See at The Collection at Charles on April 11: Come gather, sip and experience the newest townhomes in NoDa at The Collection at Charles.
• The Spring Mix f. Cory Wong, Snarky Puppy, Victor Wooten and more at TD Amp Ballantyne Apr 11: kick off the outdoor concert season with an all-day event.
• Spring Break at Carowinds now through April 12: Carowinds is where the Carolinas come together for Spring Break fun, with high‑speed coasters, family adventures, and sunny spring vibes. From world‑class thrills to Camp Snoopy fun for little ones, it's the perfect place to kick off the season.
• Charlotte Checkers Pooch Party at Bojangles Coliseum tomorrow: Bring your dog to the Charlotte Checkers' annual Pooch Party game. Dogs will be seated in a special pet-friendly section at Bojangles Coliseum. $35.
• Spring Plant Sale at Wing Haven's Nursery April 16-18: Shop a wide variety of local favorites and unusual plants assisted by our knowledgeable staff and volunteers. All proceeds benefit Wing Haven gardens, programs and educational outreach.
• Science on the Rocks: Down the Rabbit Hole at Discovery Place Science April 17: Venture down the rabbit hole at the Alice in Wonderland-inspired Science on the Rocks. An adults-only event with optical illusions, the science of psychedelics and a dark spin on croquet. $24+.

Want more things to do? Check out our Event Board.

Hosting? Purchase an Event Listing.

The Charlotte Latino Film Festival returns April 16–26 with international films, local creators and a theme centered on resilience and storytelling.

Why it matters: The fast-growing festival highlights Latino filmmakers and perspectives. The lineup includes a dozen feature films and one local short, plus filmmaker talks and community events.

What to expect: Screenings run April 16–26 at Independent Picture House, with a closing event at Divine Barrel Brewing.

• Opening night features a reception and the Southeast U.S. premiere of "Aún es de noche en Caracas," which follows a woman navigating a collapsing city after her home is seized by militia.

The big picture: This year's theme, "joy in resistance," explores resilience, identity and storytelling in the face of adversity.

• Films represent Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Spain, Venezuela and the U.S.

Browse lineup and get tickets

Might I recommend Emmy Lou's for a date night or girls' night out?

Why it matters: Charlotte has plenty of cool wine bars. Emmy Lou's is one of our newest, and it's by the owners of Customshop in Elizabeth.

Dig in: We tried the wagyu beef tartare ($19), baked feta ($14), shrimp cocktail ($16) and we built our own meat and cheese board ($18).

• For dessert, we had the tiramisu ($10) and seasonal sundae ($10).

💬 My thought bubble: It's not quite a dinner destination — but you could turn it into one with a multi-course lineup. I recommend going on a weeknight before dinner or for a nightcap.

Stop by: Emmy Lou's is at 2400 Park Road.