Local news and fun, every day 6am.
Featured
austonia newsletter
Most viewed

Oracle founder Larry Ellison
Elon Musk may be moving to Texas, but another tech billionaire isn't following in his footsteps. Oracle founder Larry Ellison announced while he is leaving California, he is headed for blue waters.
We've compiled the latest Austin news and information to help you keep up with interesting stories and breaking news around the city. Here is what we have shared so far this week:
Dec. 15: Housing market isn't matching historic trends this time of year and 4 more headlines you might've missed
(Wikimedia Commons)
Real estate immune to pandemic: Austin's housing market was already hot before major tech companies started relocating here. KXAN reports that record-low housing inventory is causing homes to sell faster—35 days—and at higher levels—$441,000 median sales price—in Austin than usual. Even the usual holiday sales dip seems unlikely this year, experts claim.
Another Silicon Valley departure: Oracle may be moving here, but Oracle's founder is heading the other direction. Billionaire Larry Ellison already moved from California to Hawaii, using "the power of Zoom" to keep connected with the continental U.S. Ellison, the world's seventh-wealthiest person, also has some business interests in Hawaii, Austin Business Journal reports.
Return of The Pier?: Historic restaurant The Pier on Lake Austin could soon return long after being forced to shut down in the mid-2000s, but it won't make any progress until at least January, Austin Monitor reports. The Pier, a Lake Austin restaurant for 47 years, is attempting to reopen at its old location but requires a zoning change to make needed repairs. A Lake Travis version of the restaurant was short-lived.
Tiny desk treatment: Black Pumas recently hosted an at-home, stripped-down set for the Tiny Desk music series hosted by NPR. Playing a Tiny Desk show has become a right of passage for many musicians, adding to the accolades Black Pumas has received this year, including three more Grammy nominations to follow up their Best New Artist nod.
P. Terry's ventures south: The 19th location of P. Terry's Burger Stand will debut Wednesday in New Braunfels, representing the Austin-based chain's southernmost location yet. It's a precursor to P. Terry's first San Antonio location, CultureMap reports, originally scheduled for this fall but moved to summer 2021.
Dec 14: H-E-B responds to reports and 4 more headlines you might've missed
(CC)
HEB leadership responds: After last week's report from VICE that anti-maskers caused H-E-B to relax mask enforcement, Austin Business Journal talked with one of the grocery company's executives about mask use in stores and supply chain issues. Just as VICE reported, ABJ learned that mask-less patrons are not forced to leave H-E-B stores.
Country great dies of COVID-19: Charley Pride, a country music legend and trailblazer, died this weekend from COVID-19 complications. Pride, 86, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame 20 years ago, becoming the first Black singer to receive such recognition. He's also one of only three Black members of the legendary country music venue Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Austin City Limits TV recognized his 1981 performance during Season 6 of the long-running live music series.
Latin voices during the pandemic: Voces Oral History Center has interviewed nearly 100 people as part of its "Voices of the Pandemic" project documenting how the Latinx community members has coped with COVID-19. Austin Monthly profiled The University of Texas project, which began in 1999 well before the pandemic.
Hemp farmers in Hays County: The first-ever Taste of Texas Hemp Cup, a contest recognizing the state's top hemp farmers, took place this weekend in Hays County. Hemp, used to produce legal CBD products sold in Texas, looks like marijuana but doesn't give you the psychoactive effect of THC. KVUE reports the contest attracted hemp growers from the far corners of the state.
Stock cars at COTA: When NASCAR visits the Circuit of the Americas racing venue next year, the entirety of the 3.41-mile road course will be utilized. Originally designed for Formula 1 racing, COTA has 20 turns as opposed to oval track used in most NASCAR races. Jalopnik reports the late May race will be part of a full NASCAR weekend of events at COTA that will also include the Truck Series.
- Citizen smartphone app already has 50,000 Austin users - austonia ›
- This week in Austin food and drink news, Dec. 4 edition - austonia ›
- Austin thrust into national spotlight amid tech migration - austonia ›
- Austin-area grocery stores see lines filing around the block - austonia ›
Popular
Austin is in for an early start to what is threatening to be an unseasonably hot summer.
So far, this month has been the hottest May on record with Camp Mabry reporting an average temperature of 82 degrees, compared to the National Weather Service’s recorded average of 74 degrees from May 1-10.
Austin has been an average of 8 degrees hotter than normal this month—the hottest May since 1898. NWS meteorologist Keith White told Austonia that Austinites have La Niña to thank for this sweaty summer.
What is causing the heatwave?
A phenomenon characterized by cooling waters across the central and eastern pacific oceans, La Niña tends to cause cooler and wetter conditions in the northern U.S. but warmer and drier conditions across Central Texas. We would typically be on our way out of La Niña at this time of year, according to White, but the heat can be turned around with a little rain.
White explained that the sun is able to heat dry ground—due to the drought and La Niña—more efficiently than wet ground. West Austinites might be feeling more of the heat, as the drought has been worse west of town.
Austin is entering its rainy season, which tends to fall between May and October. The last 30 days have seen about 2-4 inches of rain, which is just a touch below average, but White said the end of May is looking rainy, which could quell the heat.
“There will be some dependency on if we're able to pick up some more beneficial rains here,” White said. “While at least over the course of the next week it looks likely to remain dry, there may be some rain chances returning toward the end of May.”
Does a record-breaking May mean a record-breaking summer?
Not necessarily, though in part due to climate change, all of the top five hottest summers have been recorded since 2008 with the hottest to date in 2011. Meanwhile, 2021 was only the 38th hottest summer on record.
White said that means climate variability is superimposed against climate change, meaning temperatures are gradually rising, but the amount of rain we receive could make a huge difference.
While 2011 saw more than 90 100-degree days, 2021 only saw 12 100-degree days.
“As our climate warms, the risk of excessive heat will increase because you're taking the average temperature and moving it up,” White said.
How to stay safe and cool
(Pexels)
With rising temperatures, there is always a risk of heat-related illness. In fact, White said last weekend there were 29 heat-related illness calls to Austin EMS.
The best way to avoid getting sick in the hot Texas summer is to wear light clothing, drink lots of water, take breaks in air-conditioned areas and familiarize yourself with symptoms of hyperthermia.
And prepare yourself for the first half of August, which is traditionally the hottest time of year.
(Carolyn Broussard)
🎨 ART04 Studio Tour
Tour some of Austin’s diverse creatives as they open their studios. Metal Sculptor Barry George will donate part of his proceeds to the Save Our Springs Alliance.
Starting at 11 a.m. Friday and Saturday | Thornton Road Studios, 2309 Thornton Rd.
🥃 5th annual Texas Whiskey Festival
Sip your way across Texas by tasting more than 100 whiskeys, meet the people from the 36 distilleries who made them and sing along to Piano Punch dueling pianos. Tickets start at $89 and visitors must be 21 to attend.
Starting 6 p.m. Friday or 5:30 p.m. Saturday | Star Hill Ranch, 15000 Hamilton Pool Rd.
🐱 AHS 8th Annual Kitten Shower
The Austin Humane Society is bringing back its 8th annual Kitten Shower, featuring children’s activities, a bake-off competition, kitten yoga, a kitten donation drive and local vendors. Admission is free.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday | Austin Humane Society, 124 W. Anderson Lane
🌏 CelebrASIA 2022
Celebrating Asian American Pacific American heritage month, CelebrASIA is returning with live music, activities for all ages and local food vendors. The event is free and open to the public.
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday | Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Rd.
🦞 Keep Austin Weird® Twist ‘N Snap Crawfish Boil
Over 10,000 lbs of crawfish—enough to go around—are guaranteed at Fiesta Gardens this weekend, plus extra bites from local restaurants. While you munch, enjoy games; live music from Calder Allen, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, Zach Person and more. Tickets start at $14.99.
Starting at 11 a.m. Saturday | Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Jesse E. Segovia St.
🍷 Wild World Texas: A Natural Wine & Farmhouse Beer Festival
More than 200 different types of natural wines, beers and fermented foods in a salon-style tasting at Jester King this weekend. Plus, you can gaze at the farm’s goats all the while. Tickets start at $65 and visitors must be 21 to attend.
1-6:30 p.m. Saturday, 12-6:30 p.m. Sunday | Jester King Farm and Brewery, 13187 Fitzhugh Rd.
🍾 Mimosa Fest 2022
Celebrate National Mimosa Day a little early at Mimosa Fest 2022, at this “boozy, bougie, brunchy day party” perfect for the drink’s enthusiasts. Expect live music, food and all the mimosas your heart could desire. Tickets start at $45 and visitors must be 21 to attend.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday | Fair Market, 1100 E 5th St.⚾️ Round Rock Express vs. Oklahoma City Dodgers
Catch our local Minor League play against the Oklahoma City Dodgers play at home this week. Tickets start at $10.1:05 p.m. Sunday | Dell Diamond, 3400 E Palm Valley Blvd.
⚽️ Austin FC vs. Real Salt Lake official watch party
Austin FC is facing Real Salt Lake in an away game this weekend, but true Verde fans can still support from home at the official watch party. Arrive early as space is limited.
Kickoff at 8:30 p.m. Sunday | The Pub, 214 W. 4th St. Suite A