Who should we interview next year? | Graphic by ATXtoday
Figi here — t-minus 13 days left until 2026. I took a peek back at all the stories we ran over the last year and picked some of my favorite interviews to look back on before we embark on 2026.
Mayor Kirk Watson | We sat down with the two-time mayor of Austin to ask what changed about his terms after a 25-year gap, since he first took office in 1997.
Chase Musslewhite and Grant Wood of Media for Texas | Ever wonder why TV shows and movies that take place in Texas aren’t filmed in Texas? The duo spearheaded a campaign to bring filming incentives to the Lone Star State.
Austin Parks Foundation CEO Colin Wallis | Did you know the care for Zilker Park’s Great Lawn is financed by grants from ACL Festival? The fest’s partnership with Austin Parks Foundation has raised over $71 million to care for local green spaces.
Waymo’s autonomous vehicles have had 81% fewer crashes with injury and 84% fewer crashes with airbag deployments than human drivers, according to a report from the robotaxi company. The driverless vehicles have traversed more than 6.3 million miles across the Capital City.
Traffic
Speaking of robotaxis, Tesla’s are hitting the roads without humans inside. The vehicles have been testing on Austin streets with supervision for the past six months. (KXAN)
Sports
Former Longhorn quarterback Quinn Ewers will make his first NFL career start for the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Dec. 21. Reports say the team will bench Tua Tagovailoa, as the Dolphins were eliminated from the playoffs after a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Associated Press)
Civic
Travis County will adopt a new fire code — the 2021 International Fire Code — for the first time since 2015, aligning the area with national standards.(KXAN)
Try This
Terry Black’s Barbecue and Salt Lick Vineyards released a collaborative lineup of wines. Using the label FridayMtn., the two businesses created a mourvèdre, syrah, and tempranillo, which have all been fermenting since 2020. (CultureMap)
Closing
Vegan cheese maker Rebel Cheese is closing its Mueller shop, but fear not, vegans. Another plant-based tenant, which is yet to be named, will take over the space and continue to stock Rebel Cheese’s products in the deli case. (CultureMap)
Shop
If you’re a Costco shopper, you know about the $1.50 hot dog. But are you in on these other 10 lesser-known hacks all Costco shoppers should know about? We’re talking deals on everything from travel to tires.*
A 2026 planner to keep track of your events, to-dos, goals, and more. We love this best-selling weekly option that includes 12 months of monthly and weekly pages for easy planning + scheduling. Or, opt for this flower-adorned daily planner with monthly tabs, metal cover protectors, and a page for expense tracking.
Sometimes the best gift is the gift of choice, especially for avid readers in your life. If you’re pressed for time, a gift card to the bookstore is a thoughtful way to keep dollars local. Besides, nothing beats a shopping spree at Book People.
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