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Laura Figi

Senior City Editor, ATXtoday

Laura Figi has called Austin home for more than 12 years and has been known to say it’s her “favorite city in the world.” A proud graduate of Texas State University, she’s been working in local news since 2020. When she’s not working and learning about the community, you can find her at the local thrift shop, spending time with her two cats, or listening to live music.

A basketball hoop on the ground in front of a metallic shell of the Frank Erwin Center.
City
Readers’ memories of the Frank Erwin Center
We’re saying goodbye to the Frank Erwin Center — which will be gone by fall — with memories of the venue submitted by readers like you.
April 24, 2024
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Laura Figi
ATX_ACL_Conan Gray by Todd Owyoung for ACL Fest 2022 _Z9B4517.jpg
Culture
Help us predict the ACL 2024 lineup
ACL will return to Zilker Park the weekends of Friday, Oct. 4-Sunday, Oct. 6 and Friday, Oct. 11-Sunday, Oct. 13 — we want your help guessing who will be there.
April 22, 2024
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Laura Figi
a rendering of people walking through the new TSA checkpoint on the west side of the airport.
Development
Inside the Austin airport’s West Infill project
The project will expand the airport by 75,000 sqft, add plenty of new TSA lanes at Checkpoint 3, and allow for growing demand at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
April 22, 2024
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Laura Figi
An overhead view of dozens of Manor homes and driveways.
Real Estate
Phase II of the HOME Initiative could bring minimum lot sizes down to 2,000 sqft
Austin City Council will vote on the the next phase as early as May — here’s what you need to know.
April 18, 2024
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Laura Figi
Two people playing doubles on one side of the indoor court, which is purple and green.
Sports
Austin Pickle Ranch announces north Austin location
Once it opens, the new 50,000-sqft Braker Lane facility will be one of the largest indoor pickleball facilities in Texas.
April 18, 2024
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Laura Figi
A sign reading "Machine Island" at Austin Creative Reuse.
City
Spring cleaning: Where to donate used items in ATX
Spring is here — it’s time to throw open those windows, air out those closets, and give gently used items a new home.
April 16, 2024
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Laura Figi
A spread of cheese, spices, crackers, tomatoes, and sauces on a leaf from above.
Events
Cheese and South Asian flavors unite in new event series
Rasam & Cheese will bring former Dai Due chef Deepa Shridhar and former Antonelli’s Cheese Shop employee Alex Palomo together for tastings.
April 12, 2024
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Laura Figi
An excavator moving debris in front of the nearly demolished Frank Erwin Center skeleton.
City
Say goodbye to the Frank Erwin Center
The old home to Texas basketball will be completely gone from the skyline by the end of summer.
April 12, 2024
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Laura Figi
The Mayor and more than a dozen other city and hotel employees hold a ribbon to cut in order of the proclaimation.
City
Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel celebrates centennial
Mayor Kirk Watson stopped by to proclaim April 10 “Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel Centennial Celebration Day” — say that three times fast.
April 10, 2024
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Laura Figi
People sit on a blanket wearing kimono in a sunken green area of the park, surrounded by sidewalks and pathways.
City
Taniguchi Park now open in Mueller neighborhood
The park is named after Japanese immigrant Isamu Taniguchi, who is credited with creating parts of Zilker Botanical Garden.
April 10, 2024
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Laura Figi
A close-up of food at Citizen Eatery
Live
Guide to vegan restaurants in Austin
Dig into delicious and nutritious plant-based fare in every corner of the Capital City.
April 9, 2024
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London Gibson
A spaceman kite floating facing down in front of a sky filled with dozens of other kites.
Events
A brief history of Austin’s ABC Kite Fest
The ABC Kite Fest — originally called the Kite Tournament — has been an Austin staple for almost a century, providing free fun for kids and adults alike.
April 4, 2024
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Laura Figi
Christian Alshon looking over his shoulder with a paddle in his hand on the left and Etta Wright poised to hit the ball wearing all black on the right.
Sports
Meet the players: Texas Ranchers release debut pro-pickleball roster
Austin’s Major League Pickleball Team — one of the eight founding teams in the world — is ready to announce first-pick players Christian Alshon and Etta Wright.
April 4, 2024
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Laura Figi
INDYtoday: INDY_James Beard awards Bluebeard_APR24
Food
A history of James Beard winners and semifinalists in Indy
There are 38 Indy James Beard Award winners and semifinalists from years past — let’s get to know them a little bit ahead of the 2024 awards.
April 3, 2024
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Shea Stapley
Krissy Teegerstrom stands in front of her body of work at Yard Dog Gallery, with a few people enjoying the work behind her.
Culture
Artist spotlight: Krissy Teegerstrom says “Suit Yourself”
Teegerstrom’s work is the result of “visions” that have led to her own gallery showcases, selling art to Urban Outfitters, and designing for Phoebe Bridgers’s team.
April 2, 2024
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Laura Figi
Daniel Sahad singing passionately into a microphone with his head to the sky, wearing a white suit with fringe, snake decals, and flower decals.
Culture
Celebrate Daniel Sahad’s legacy at Nané Day 2024
Nané will take the stage for the first time since 2022 in celebration of their frontrunner’s life, legacy, and music at Empire Garage.
March 29, 2024
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Laura Figi
A plan flying over Austin Bergstrom International Airport.
Work
All you need to know about Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
We’re here to make your flying process plane and simple.
March 29, 2024
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Laura Figi
a field of bluebonnets with a road down going the upper left corner.
Travel and Outdoors
Why there are bluebonnets along the highway in Texas
The Lone Star State was the first state in the union to begin planting wildflowers along highways, which has more benefits than just making Texas beautiful.
March 27, 2024
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Laura Figi
A red brick home with a black door, white fence encircling the porch, plants in front, and a historical designation marker near the front door.
Real Estate
The historic Paggi House will reopen next month as an art gallery
The Civil War-era home, now under the ownership of The Loren Hotel, will reopen to the public as an event space after a 10-year closure.
March 27, 2024
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Laura Figi
A spread of sashimi dishes from above on a dark wooden table, surrounded by cocktails, beer, a glass of wine, dishes of soy sauce and plates with chopsticks on top.
Food
18 places to get sushi in the Austin area
Whether you’re looking for omakase, sake pairings, a sushi conveyor belt, a whimsical interior, or an “Ahi Tower,” we’ve got the restaurant for you.
March 25, 2024
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Laura Figi
A graffiti-covered building as seen from above with a sign reading "Holey Moley" and a billboard reading "like golf but fun!"
Entertainment
Holey Moley: a new mini-golf entertainment venue is now open in Austin
This Australia-based entertainment space features three putt-putt courses, karaoke rooms, a full bar, and a highly Instagrammable space.
March 22, 2024
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Laura Figi
A theater lit with blue and purple lights with a crowd of people looking toward a stage, which has the letters "TEDxUTAustin" on top.
Culture
TEDxUTAustin brings nine prominent locals to the stage
The annual conference is in its seventh year, bringing Austinites like conservationist Merlin Tuttle, chef Kareem El-Ghayesh, and P. Terry’s co-founder Kathy Terry to the stage.
March 21, 2024
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Laura Figi
Malin the troll against a background of trees, with several children climbing on her.
Travel and Outdoors
Meet Pease Park’s 18-ft Thomas Dambo troll
The new troll, named Malin, is the 129th installation by the artist and sits at the park for all humans and animals alike to enjoy.
March 19, 2024
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Laura Figi
The Paramount Theater sign, as seen from the street below.
Events
All the Austin comics at Moontower Comedy Festival 2024
Before you get your laughs on at this annual April festival, we wanted to tell you about some of the comedians that call ATX home.
March 19, 2024
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Laura Figi
A map of Seattle with three dots laid atop the map. Inside of one dot is an image of the space needle, inside another is an image of Pike Place Market, and inside the last dot is a photo from Jimi Hendrix Park.
City
How well do you know the map of Seattle?
We’ve got a game for you — test your knowledge of how well you know Seattle venues by the address alone.
March 18, 2024
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Laura Figi
A side-view of the Antone's sign against the skyline, reading "SXSW 2024"
Culture
That’s a wrap: SXSW 2024 film and innovation awards
SXSW 2024 is coming to a close, so we wanted to share a few of the most special moments, innovations, and films that came to town this year.
March 15, 2024
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Laura Figi
The Austin skyline
Real Estate
State of the housing market: new listings are up, prices are stable
Austin Board of Realtors statistics from February 2024 indicate good conditions for both buyers and sellers in the Austin housing market.
March 13, 2024
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Laura Figi
Columbia-Road-Map-1265x977.jpg
City
How well do you know the map of Columbia?
We’ve got a game for you — test your knowledge of how well you know Columbia’s points-of-interest by the address alone.
March 13, 2024
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David Stringer
A map of Portland shows certain locations: Providence Park, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Veterans Memorial Coliseum, and Revolution Hall. Each point is emphasized by a circle with a photo inside.
City
How well do you know the map of Portland?
We’ve got a game for you — test your knowledge of how well you know Portland’s points-of-interest by the address alone.
March 12, 2024
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Ben McBee
Industrial purple pipes outside.
City
Save the water: inside the city’s GoPurple program
Austin City Council approved some key funding elements to help boost Austin’s reclaimed water infrastructure and initiatives through GoPurple.
March 11, 2024
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Laura Figi
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