Elon Musk hyped the near-term prospects of Tesla's new Giga Texas factory during the company's quarterly earnings call in which the company revealed profits far beyond projections - $3.7 billion in the first quarter of 2022.
Another local billionaire, Paul Mitchell's John Paul Dejoria, has continued his longtime relationship with the homeless support organization Mobile Loaves and Fishes with a $5 million donation.
An Austin judge has delayed the trial of Alex Jones in the Sandy Hook defamation case, blasting his lawyers for improperly filing bankruptcy for Jones' Infowars network.
Travis County DA Jose Garza is adding to his workforce to address the spike in homicides seen in Austin as of last year (part of a national trend).
Also in local law enforcement, Austin has almost doubled the number of 911 calls diverted away from APD in favor of mental health service response over the last year.
Austin is found to be the second-highest-ranked city in the U.S. for fastest rising rent, up 38% on average in a single year, only behind Portland, Oregon.
Yesterday's 4/20 pro-marijuana legalization rally at the Capitol was sparsely attended - however, the Prop A measure to formally end marijuana possession arrests in Austin appears to be primed to pass.
The new 48-story tower known as The Republic is preparing for its groundbreaking near Republic Square Park at 4th and Guadalupe.
Changes in the UT area: Real estate company Blackstone has bought American Campus Communities for a whopping $12.8 billion - those holdings include several high-rise West Campus apartment buildings such as The Castilian and J26. Meanwhile, Wooten Barbershop (an American Campus tenant) has been booted from its storefront on the Drag after 58 years in business.
Austin's rate of food insecurity has risen above the national average, while the USDA identifies 33 distinct "food deserts" across the city, meaning the closest grocery stores are miles away from residents.
As a wave of property demolition plans appear to threaten several downtown Austin LGTBQ-friendly bars, plans to tear down the Iron Bear are on hold while the city considers that structure's historical value.
Austin FC came up short in their first U.S. Open Cup match against San Antonio, dropping the match 2-1. Meanwhile, allegations of domestic abuse appear to be at the center of the MLS investigation of midfielder Cecilio Dominguez that has resulted in his suspension from play.
A lifeguard shortage isn't the only problem at Barton Springs Pool lately - a pair of geese have taken to attacking swimmers, and federal wildlife protections prevent the removal of the offending fowl.
Eater Dot Com has listed Austin's Essential Breakfast Tacos, and the Essential Restaurants for Affordable Dining in Austin.
Live music options this weekend include the three-day Austin Reggae Festival at Vic Mathias Shores Friday thru Sunday, the ongoing Old Settler's Music Festival at Tilmon, Texas near Lockhart also thru Sunday, Billy Strings at Waterloo Park's Moody Amphitheater on Friday, Girl Talk at Emo's on Saturday, and Everclear at Empire Control Room and Garage on Sunday.
