Why is Travis County suing the state of Texas? Who can we thank for the dramatic and sad video of Barton Springs Pool’s repairs? And Tuesday is HAAM Day — what exactly is it, and where and when can you see live music? (Answer: Everywhere, and literally all day). We get into all of it today on the Friday News Roundup, with host Nikki DaVaughn, Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw, and our guest, Rikki Hardy of HAAM. And stick around after the roundup for our Don’t Go Gently tip for this weekend. 

We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. 

Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. 

Follow us @citycastaustin

You can also text us or leave a voicemail. 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

We recently explored why dating in Austin sucks for straight singles. But as you may know, the Austin area has one of the country’s largest concentrations of LGBTQ-plus people, and dating is just as hard for us. For today’s episode, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Mase Kerwick, a multi-disciplinary storyteller and one of the hosts of Queertowne, a weekly podcast. We discuss it all — how to find love in our ever-changing city, including Mase’s advice on where to meet other queer Austinites, and the clubs we wish we could bring back. 

We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. 

Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. 

Follow us @citycastaustin

You can also text us or leave a voicemail. 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Austin has long touted itself as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” but for many years, there wasn’t much of a safety net to help local artists survive and thrive. That’s all changed now, in large part because of Austin Texas Musicians, which organized musicians behind a push to create The Live Music Fund, the first-ever sustainable public funding for music in the U.S. using hotel occupancy taxes. Host Nikki DaVaughn, a local musician herself, is joined by Patrick Buchta, the CEO of Austin Texas Musicians, about how local organizations like his are empowering musicians. And stay tuned for our special weekly segment, A Mile in Their Boots, featuring a bonus interview with Kathleen McElroy, a professor in the School of Journalism at the University of Texas at Austin. 

This is the last of five episodes we’re doing about the music community in Austin, brought to you by our exclusive launch sponsor, Tecovas. Tecovas knows more than handmade boots and fine Western wear — they’ve got an ear for great music, too. From legends of the past to rising stars on the scene, they love supporting musicians and music fans right here in Austin. So if you’re headed for a good time on the stage or in the crowd, go in good boots from Tecovas. 

You can find the rest of our Austin in Stereo series here: 

Episode 1: How Can We Save Austin’s Live Music Venues? 

Episode 2: Can Rising Musicians Still Make It in Austin? 

Episode 3: Why ‘Love Island’ Is Crucial to This Austin Songwriter 

Episode 4: Why Suzanna Choffel Says Austin’s Music Community Is Magical 

Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. 

Follow us @citycastaustin

You can also text us or leave a voicemail. 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Fall means flu season, and as Austinites make plans to roll up our sleeves and get the flu vaccine, don’t forget to get the latest COVID vaccine, too. The latest FDA-approved mixture fights a new Omicron strain of COVID that spread through Austin this summer and is recommended for anyone over the age of 6. Last month, host Nikki DaVaughn spoke to Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin Public Health’s medical director and health authority, about the latest strain, as well as other vaccines Austinites shouldn’t skip. 

We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. 

Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. 

Follow us @citycastaustin

You can also text us or leave a voicemail. 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

City officials estimate there are some $25 billion worth of construction improvements currently underway in Austin, projects that will dramatically change the way people move around this growing town. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Kelsey Thompson, a transportation reporter at KXAN, to discuss the big projects that will impact our area’s planes, trains, and automobiles. Plus, just how much patience will Austinites need to have in this next decade of transformation? 

We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. 

Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. 

Follow us @citycastaustin

You can also text us or leave a voicemail. 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

For this week’s Friday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec to break down a few stories that caught our eye this week. On our agenda: Barbs B Q in Lockhart wins a place on another prestigious list, a worker at Superstition sues over harassment and unpaid wages, and how to celebrate Diez y seis, the kick-off for National Hispanic Heritage Month. Stick around after the roundup for our Don’t Go Gently tip for this weekend. 

We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. 

Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. 

Follow us @citycastaustin

You can also text us or leave a voicemail. 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Austin skews young, with a median age of 34, and with great weather most of the year and an endless list of things to do, it may seem like the perfect place to find the right mate. But it’s not. And today, host Nikki DaVaughn peels back the layers of dating suckiness with Rose McMackin, a writer who recently penned a story for Austin Monthly Magazine, “Why Is Austin Dating So Cursed?” But don’t worry, we won’t leave you in a puddle of despair for too long — we’ll follow up soon with an interview that will help you succeed in dating, even here.  

We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. 

Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. 

Follow us @citycastaustin

You can also text us or leave a voicemail. 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

For decades, Suzanna Choffel has called Austin home, and found a magical music community among others who play at our local bars and venues. David Garza, who produced her fourth and latest album, called her “the voice of Austin,” and it’s not hyperbole, as her diverse influences reflect the richness of Austin’s local music scene. She joins host Nikki DaVaughn to share what makes Austin’s music scene so special, and why she still loves it even as the city changes. And stay tuned for our special weekly segment, A Mile in Their Boots, featuring a bonus interview with Marc Nathan, a “superconnecter” who helps investors connect with local entrepreneurs. 

This is the fourth of five episodes we’re doing about the music community in Austin, brought to you by our exclusive launch sponsor, Tecovas. Tecovas knows more than handmade boots and fine Western wear — they’ve got an ear for great music, too. From legends of the past to rising stars on the scene, they love supporting musicians and music fans right here in Austin. So if you’re headed for a good time on the stage or in the crowd, go in good boots from Tecovas. You can hear Suzanna Choffel, along with Alex Marrero and Julie Bouchard, play live at our Austin in Stereo showcase, from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12, at the Tecovas store on South Congress.  

Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. 

Follow us @citycastaustin

You can also text us or leave a voicemail. 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

School vouchers are expected to be a big issue once more at the Texas Capitol when lawmakers return in January — in fact, they’ve recently come up in a hearing to prepare for the next session. So today, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Rep. James Talarico, a “deeply religious” Democrat from Austin who sits on the House’s public education committee and, as a former public school teacher himself, cares deeply about public schools. He’ll break down just what exactly vouchers are, how they work in other places, and who’s behind the push behind the Texas effort. 

We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. 

Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. 

Follow us @citycastaustin

You can also text us or leave a voicemail. 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Fall is in the air, and for some in Central Texas, the itch to spend more time outside must be scratched. Host Nikki DaVaughn likes nature from afar, and is joined by Pam LeBlanc, adventurer extraordinaire, to share all of her top tips for where to pitch a tent this fall, how to prepare for a successful outing, and why the best views in nature are actually found on the loo. Among her tips: Reserve state campsites in advance, check out the LCRA’s glamping options, borrow gear, and sign up for a guided camping trip if you’re just getting started. 

We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. 

Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. 

Follow us @citycastaustin

You can also text us or leave a voicemail. 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE