What’s in store for AUS?

• A new outbound baggage handling system able to process 4,000 bags per hour (the current system’s capacity is 1,600 bags per hour) on 1.5 miles of conveyor belts
• Six to eight new TSA lanes at Checkpoint 3
• More ticketing counters and kiosks
• New offices for AUS and TSA staff
• Upgraded HVAC equipment
• Austin Energy Green Building 3-star rating sustainability goal

The funding

In the meantime

• Donny Benét | Tuesday, April 23 | 8 p.m. | Mohawk Austin, 912 Red River St., Austin | $25 | The indie artist will be joined by OTNES on Mohawk’s outdoor stage.
• Bianca Del Rio | Tuesday, April 23 | 8 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin | $44-$54 | The colorful comic known as the “Joan Rivers of the Drag World” touches on politics, pop culture, current events, and cancel culture in her newest show, “Dead Inside.”

• Vinyasa Flow with Collette | Wednesday, April 24 | 10-11 a.m. | Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin | $10-$15 | All levels are welcome to practice their flow alongside breathwork and sound bowls — remember to bring a mat.
• Spring Pressed Flower Stained Glass Workshop | Wednesday, April 24 | 6 p.m. | Sundazed Glass Studio, 729 Airport Blvd., Austin | $85 | Learn to foil, solder, and decorate a unique stained glass suncatcher at this two-hour workshop.

• Ozomatli | Thursday, April 25 | 7 p.m. | Parish, 501 Brushy St., Austin | $30 | The longtime California rockers bring their funky salsa, jazz, reggae, and hip-hop fusion vibes to the stage.

• Blue Genie Art Bazaar May Market | Friday, April 26-Monday, May 27 | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Blue Genie Art Bazaar, 6100 Airport Blvd., Austin | Cost of purchase | The annual arts-meets-shopping event returns for its fourth year with 100+ regional artists selling their goods every Friday-Sunday through Memorial Day.

• Earl Campbell’s Taco Truck for classic Texas offerings
• The Peached Tortilla for Asian-fusion bites
• Vino Volo for wine flights
• Caffé Medici for your caffeine fix

• North American River Otters returned to the San Marcos River for the first time in ~70 years, outside of a brief sighting in 2021. Since then, four otters have been spotted, an indication that the river is a healthy environment. (The University Star)

• Yesterday, the City of Austin launched a new program called Sip Safely to raise awareness for drink spiking at bars. The program will allocate $100,000 to distribute test strips to over 50 bars, including Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden, Barbarella, and El Cockfight.

• Say hello to The Long Goodbye, a new bar and patio opening at 2808 Manor Rd. this Friday, April 26. The spot will feature and indoor and outdoor bar, two on-site food trucks, a western clothing shop called Howdy’s, and mid-century furniture.

• A “daytime version” of Justine’s Brasserie is in the works at the Blanton Museum of Art. The new cafe, which is not expected to open until spring 2025, will serve breakfast and lunch during museum hours, dinner on Saturdays, and picnic baskets.

• Hunters, listen up. Texas Parks and Wildlife approved a host of changes for hunting and mandatory game birds for the 2024-25 season. Updates include extended seasons, eliminated conservation orders, and more — read the full list. (KVUE)

• Business is booming in Austin, the No. 8 best large city to start a business, according to a study by WalletHub. Austin was the second highest city in Texas, ranking below Fort Worth, and ranked well for its business environment and access to resources.

• Will Dak Prescott stay on as the Cowboys’ quarterback in 2025? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Dallas Cowboys with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
  

• ACL Fest is organized by C3 Presents, which also produces Lollapalooza, so we suggest looking at other festival lineups.
• Typically (but not always), artists are not repeated more than once every three years.
• Artists with announced shows in Austin in the fall are unlikely to be included on the roster.
• If you want to get really serious about your guesses, check out Reddit’s speculation thread.