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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.

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Culture
Make your Valentine’s Day extraordinary with these specials, experiences, and deals
We want to make it a bit easier to make your Valentine’s Day plans, so we rounded up a few specials to keep in mind before the big day rolls around.
January 23, 2024
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Laura Figi
Rebecca Wright holds her chore coat, a green and white coat made from a vintage quilt, to her left.
Business
Have your style, and make it too, with Shop Slow
Rethink the way you shop and consume with custom-made fashion made with items you love to perfectly fit your style and body type.
January 19, 2024
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Laura Figi
People swimming in Barton Springs Pool, with trees behind them framing the skyline.
City
A brief history of Austin’s beloved Barton Springs Pool
Locals have been relaxing at Barton Springs Pool for more than a thousand years, dating back to Native American settlers.
January 17, 2024
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Laura Figi
A can of Blackberry Clean Cause yerba mate on the left and an orange mocktail topped with a dehydrated lemon and mint on the right.
Food
Take a sip of the SIMS Foundation’s Dry January Campaign
Try a Dry January mocktail at one of 11 participating venues in support of the mental health awareness and the SIMS Foundation.
January 17, 2024
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Laura Figi
ATX_goodiesSEAtoday.png
Culture
What we’re sending the SEAtoday editors after the Longhorns lost to the Huskies
UT lost the 2024 College Football Playoff Semifinal. Now, ATXtoday is paying the price in the form of goodies.
January 12, 2024
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Laura Figi
Dr. Rhodes in headshot, sitting in his office
City
7 Questions and answers with the 2024 Austinite of the Year, Dr. Richard Rhodes
We spoke with the 12-year chancellor of Austin Community College and education enthusiast, who will receive his award in February.
January 11, 2024
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Laura Figi
The iconic Hi, How Are You mural off of Guadalupe Stree.
Events
Hi, How Are You Day 2024 celebrates with a Robin Pecknold, Valerie June concert
The sixth annual local holiday pays tribute to local artist Daniel Johnston through live music, kind conversations, and a fundraiser in support of mental health.
January 11, 2024
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Laura Figi
FTW-train-snow-skyline
City
Could ERCOT soon be connected to the southeastern US power grid?
The federal and state governments have granted approval to build a connection between the power grids through the Southern Spirit Transmission project.
January 10, 2024
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Kate Mazade
Three coffee drinks sitting on top of a white picnic table.
Live
27 wonderful coffee shops to try out in Austin
If you don’t have coffee already in hand, consider this your sign to grab some.
January 9, 2024
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Gabe Guarente
Two young girls silhouetted in front of a wall of colorful fish.
Culture
How to plan a kid’s perfect day in Austin
From breakfast to dinner, we’ve rounded up a day full of kid-friendly activities for the whole family to enjoy.
January 9, 2024
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Emily Shea-Owen
A view of Lady Bird Lake and a kayaker
Culture
Asked: Your 2024 local predictions
Peer into the future and use your knowledge of our city to predict what will happen in 2024.
January 8, 2024
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Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
The Austin skyline as seen from Lady Bird Lake, with buildings reflected in the water.
Development
Southern Spirit Transmission project aims to connect ERCOT to the southeastern US power grid
The project, in partnership with state regulators and Pattern Energy, could provide ERCOT with up to 3,000 megawatts of power in case of emergency.
January 5, 2024
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Laura Figi
A rendering of a tall building with plenty of greenery spilling out the sides, and organic architecture at the bottom.
Development
New condo Luminary will bring 286 residences to Downtown Austin
Developed by Canadian hospitality group Northland Living, Luminary will also make room for retail and restaurant space along 14th and Guadalupe Streets.
January 5, 2024
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Laura Figi
A golden hue sets over the houses and lake of Mount Bonnell at dawn.
Wellness
New Year’s resolutions for 2024, according to ATXtoday readers
We asked our dear readers to share their plans, goals, and New Year’s resolutions for 2024 so we can spread the good vibes.
January 3, 2024
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Laura Figi
Someone dipping a chicken flauta in a bowl of queso.
Food
17 places to get some delicious queso in ATX
To be an Austinite is to love queso, so give one of these 17 local restaurants and chains to satisfy your cheesy cravings.
January 3, 2024
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Laura Figi
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Events
16 New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day celebrations in Austin
Start your year off right with a party, brunch, dinner, or cocktail hour at one of these 16 local hangouts to ring in 2024.
December 20, 2023
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Laura Figi
Kids tend a garden at PEAS/Cunningham School Park Garden.
Travel and Outdoors
Austin Parks Foundation awards $205,600 grants to local parks
In partnership with Austin City Limits Music Festival, APF and the community selected a few parks around town to receive some TLC.
December 20, 2023
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Laura Figi
A brown dog stands close to the camera with his tongue out.
Culture
10 pets to bring home for the holidays
We partnered with Austin Pets Alive! to show off these adoptable pets who are ready to come home with you for the holidays.
December 18, 2023
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Laura Figi
A search bar that says "What did Austinites Google most in 2023?" overlayed a photo of downtown Austin.
City
What Austinites Googled this year
2023’s Google Year in Search is out — check out what Austinites were searching most this year (it might surprise you).
December 18, 2023
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Brianna Williams
Alejandro Hendricks wearing glasses, peering at the camera in the dark.
Culture
Artists to watch: Alejandro Hendricks turned filmmaking from a dream into a reality
Hendricks — an AfroTech alum and rising star — is a local filmmaker who specializes in creating a moment through the magic of film.
December 14, 2023
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Laura Figi
Torchy the baby devil statue under a sign that reads "Torchy's Tacos" during the daytime.
Business
Austin Made: How Torchy’s Tacos became a ‘damn good’ staple
From a humble food truck to a national chain with more than 100 locations, Torchy’s Tacos remains an Austin-founded favorite.
December 14, 2023
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Laura Figi
UW Huskies players celebrate the 2023 Pac-12 Championship win by hoisting a trophy and being showered with confetti
Culture
UW in the Sugar Bowl: Talking trash with our Texas counterparts
What should we send the ATXtoday folks if we lose?
December 12, 2023
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Gabe Guarente
AXTtoday - Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium via UT
Sports
Tale of the tape: why Austin is the sweetest city
Texas will face off against the Washington Huskies at the 2024 Allstate Sugar Bowl and we’re willing to bet — literally — that the Longhorns win.
December 12, 2023
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Laura Figi
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Bars
6 speakeasies and hidden bars to visit in San Antonio
From an alternate timeline-themed hideout to walk-in freezer secrets, we’re here to help find your next hideaway.
December 11, 2023
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Nicholas Caballero
The pond at Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest District Park in Allandale, with a bench set to the right side.
Real Estate
How much it could cost to rent in Austin based on the neighborhood
Trying to move neighborhoods? We looked at 13 different neighborhoods around Austin to compare cost of rent to the local average.
December 6, 2023
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Laura Figi
View of the Austin, Texas skyline from the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail.
Travel and Outdoors
What you need to know about the 2023 State of the Trail
Let’s take a look back at what improvements the Ann & Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail saw in 2023, and have a sneak peek into what the future holds in 2024.
December 4, 2023
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Laura Figi
More than two million lights make up the 70+ displays and tunnels on the Trail. | Photo via @danyetteheine
Culture
11 holiday light displays in and around Austin to catch this season
Allow us to take you on a sleigh ride trip through the Austin area’s huge collection of holiday lights, shows, and displays.
November 30, 2023
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Laura Figi
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Food
Meet the 2023 class of Austin-San Antonio Rising Stars
Industry magazine StarChefs named 4 local chefs, restaurateurs, and community members from San Antonio on its 2023 Austin-San Antonio Rising Stars list.
November 29, 2023
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Nicholas Caballero
ATX_StarChefsWinners
Food
Meet the 2023 class of Austin-San Antonio Rising Stars
Industry magazine StarChefs named 16 local chefs, bartenders, sommeliers, and tastemakers from Austin on its 2023 Austin-San Antonio Rising Stars list.
November 28, 2023
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Laura Figi
A rendering of the station intersecting Guadalupe Street at Republic Square.
City
Answering your questions about Project Connect
We attended the recently revived Issues & Eggs series with the Downtown Austin Alliance and Austin Transit Partnership to learn about what’s going on with Project Connect.
November 28, 2023
 · 
Laura Figi
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