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We make podcasts and newsletters that connect people with the cities they love.

City Cast Austin

Elissa Castles

Welcome to your City Cast Austin news quiz! From time to time, we’ll publish a quiz to test your newsletter prowess. We want to see how much you paid attention this week. 😉 Answer the following questions and your score will appear at the end. 

Test your Austin knowledge with these other trivia questions.

New World screwworms have been found in Texas this month. (Joel Angel Juarez/

Natalia Aldana

The month celebrating the experiences, cultures, and contributions of Latina/e/o/x and Hispanic communities in the U.S. began Sept. 15 and runs through Oct. 15. Hispanic Heritage Month was 

Why does this heritage month start in the middle of September? It marks 

a significant period in the region’s liberation from its colonizers

, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua declared independence from Spain on Sept. 15, 1821. Mexico celebrates independence on Sept. 16 and Chile on Sept. 18. Belize declared independence from the United Kingdom on Sept. 21, 1981.

Here are some ways you can celebrate this month:

Día de los Muertos: Coleccionando Memorias

Club Cumbia with Flor de la Frontera & The Cumbia Cunh + Free Dance Class

Centennial and Latino Heritage Celebration

 at the Southeast Community Branch - Austin Public Library

🖼️ Sept. 19-20 & Sept. 26-27 (and beyond): 

Anthropos All-Stars Present: Cumbia Dance Part

 at Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center

 at the Little Walnut Creek Branch - Austin Public Library

Changarrito Residency: Sandra C Fernandez

Taino Harvest - Casabe Workshop & Ceremony

Plus, even more events for children and adults at 

no shortage of Latin American restaurants

 — perhaps too many to list here. But our favorites include: 

. Order the seasonal chiles en nogada if they’re on the menu!

 has tons of cute T-shirts, socks, tote bags, hats, keychains, books, pins, patches, puzzles, greeting cards, and more in its store.

💅 Get your nails done or acquire a tooth gem at 

, a Latina-owned salon in South Austin. The salon also sells jewelry, nail care items, and more online.

, a Latina-owned brand offering up great accessories, candles, jewelry, flower crowns, and literally anything else you can think of.

Hispanic Heritage Month runs through Oct. 15. 

Where to Celebrate and Dine During Hispanic Heritage Month in Austin

The Best Ways to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Austin

Find the best of everything that Austin has to offer. 

Austin’s Best

Austin's Best

Kelsey Bradshaw

Miles Bloxson is the new host of City Cast Austin and will make her podcast debut on Sept. 22. Bloxson is a native Austinite, who grew up on the East Side and attended LBJ High School. She is a Longhorn and seventh generation Central Texan with family ties to Bastrop, Smithville, and Manor.

Bloxson comes to us from KUT where she served as a midday host and producer. She will continue producing “Black Austin Matters” and co-hosting “Pause/Play” at KUT. She will also keep hosting her podcast “Miles To Mogul.”

Bloxson has a specific vision for City Cast Austin: It’ll be like getting the inside scoop from your bestie. Listeners can expect a fun, conversational podcast with the news you both 

Whether you’re a news junkie or you try to avoid the daily barrage, City Cast Austin is going to be for you, Bloxson said.

“I’m here for everybody,” she said. “I want to have fun! I want news to be fun.”

The podcast will feel comfortable, enjoyable, and like it’s coming from someone who loves her city. As a born-and-raised Austinite, Bloxson is curious about what’s happening to her hometown as it changes and changes and changes. Fun fact: Being curious is like half the work of being a journalist!

“I’m just so passionate about what’s happening in my city,” Bloxson said.

Austin’s identity can often be hard to pin down. Are we hippies or tech bros? Is this city weird anymore? Who can even afford to live here these days? Enter: Bloxson.

Austin is is a guiding question for our new host.

“I’m really out here. I’m always checking the pulse of the city, talking to community leaders and entrepreneurs. I want to bring you the insight that I’m getting when I’m in these different rooms and different spaces,” she said.

Bloxson plans to focus on underrepresented voices in the Austin community and hopes the show truly reflects the fabric of the city and the people who live in it.

“It will be something for the newcomers, the natives, and the longtimers,” she said. “I hope that everybody gets something from this show regardless of what bucket you fit into.”

 we needed some rapid fire questions to get you more acquainted with Bloxson! Let’s do it:

Baby A’s, Mr. Catfish, Juiceland, and the Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen on Interstate 35. “I’ve been skipping class since I was 15 to go to Pappadeaux,” Bloxson said.

 Rihanna and Austin’s Anastasia Hera and J Soulja

“It’s such a sweet city. Everybody is doing their thing and everybody is nice about doing their thing. There’s no stranger here.”

“There was a time I could go from my house to the University of Texas at Austin in a whopping 14 minutes. I could leave at 7:45 a.m. and make my 8 a.m. class. Not anymore!”

This wouldn’t be a local podcast if I didn’t ask Bloxson what the weirdest things about her are! Her answers are great:

“The only hot sauce I like is Tabasco,” she said. Do with that information what you will.

Bloxson’s nickname growing up was “Gizmo” after the main gremlin in the 1984 movie “Gremlins” and its sequels. “People said I laughed like Gizmo,” she says.

A Gemini, Bloxson was born on the same day as her favorite rapper: Tupac Shakur.

The City Cast Austin Podcast Is Back. Meet the New Host.

News and updates about the City Cast Austin podcast, newsletter, and team.

City Cast Austin In The Press

In The Press

Festival season never really ends around here, but September appears to be 

time for festivals. Here are a few to keep on your calendar:

 and runs through Oct. 15, and Austin has lots of ways to celebrate. 

 like storytimes, dance performances, and more throughout the month. Latinitas is 

It’s around this time of the year that I weep at photos my friends in other states start sharing of their fall decor and pumpkin spice lattes. But Austinites know that September is still the thick of summer, despite the month technically being the start of meteorological fall. With 

of that said, I’ll make this quick: Temperatures in the Austin area are forecasted to be warmer than normal, with some triple-digit days possible. But it’s not all bad! 

 at Bass Concert Hall starts this month with “Mrs. Doubtfire.” The show is based on the classic Robin Williams film and runs Sept. 22-27. 

Austin City Limits Music Festival may not be until next month, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start preparing now! Howler Brothers is releasing its 10th anniversary collection 

. The local brand always makes really fun merch for the festival, so I can’t wait to see what they’ve cooked up for 2026!

Your Guide to September 2026 in Austin

The breakfast taco is arguably Austin's go-to morning meal. But there's a new kid in town trying to eclipse the breakfast taco's reign. Enter: the bagel.

 for more than a decade, color me surprised when I moved back to Austin to find so many gourmet bagelries trying to take on the New York classic. The bagel boom in Austin is very real, with shops popping up all over town in recent years. Newer additions include: Shug's Bagels, which opened its doors just a few weeks ago, and the viral 

If you're curious to know where to find a great bagel and what to order, I did some real shoe-leather reporting last week to help you narrow down your choices:

5501 N. Lamar Blvd. Open everyday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This spot is hard to miss, with its bright orange accent color and cute dog logo. I can only assume the dog is named Charlie and is a nervous little guy! Nerves aside, the bagels are great! Most people order The Longhorn or The Classic, but I got the bagel with lox. Another classic combo for the savory folks who aren't afraid of smoked fish and capers at 8 a.m.. The best part is I went on a Saturday morning assuming it would be chaotic but instead it was orderly and lines moved quickly. Nervous Charlie’s also has a Cedar Park location and another 

1206 Parkway. Open everyday from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

I first attempted to go here on a weekend, and to quote Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman," that was a "

" The line was out the door and continued down the street with no shaded spots to offer relief from the August sun. So, I decided to try my luck again on a Monday afternoon. There was still a line but it was much more manageable. Shug's has a lot of fun sandwich combos including a 

. I opted for the turkey club on an onion bagel. By the way, they were out of everything bagels which feels like a sin. The grand total for my sandwich was $17.32, which I wasn't expecting since prices aren't printed on their menu, and it nearly took my breath away. Was it worth it? In some ways, yes. The bagel was truly top-tier: a perfectly crispy exterior and soft, chewy interior. Perhaps next time I'll opt for the more economical bagel and schmear option. If you decide to venture here, be prepared to spend some money and may the line gods be ever in your favor!

2427 Webberville Rd. Open Thursday - Friday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday - Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The award for most creative combos goes to this bagel trailer. Their colorful menu showcases an array of out-of-the-box sandwiches that make it hard to pick just one. After much debate I ended up ordering the Jam Sesh, a creative spin on the classic bacon, egg, and cheese. This sandwich is made with maple coffee bacon jam, scrambled eggs, and cheddar cheese. It's both savory and sweet and really hits it out of the park. The prices here are slightly on the higher end (my sandwich was $14 with tax) but I would say it was well worth it for the innovation. Plus, as you wait for your bagel, you can pop over to Fleet Coffee next door!

4715 S. Lamar Blvd. Open Wednesday - Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This unassuming shop located in South Austin stands out from the rest because its bagels are made with sourdough. And wow, are they good! Their expertise lies in the fermenting power of their products which includes not just bagels but also kombucha and kimchi. I ordered the tuna salad on an everything bagel which I scarfed down in record time. But the most popular options, according to an employee, are the bagel and lox sandwich, and bagels with schmear and kimchi. I'm definitely going back to try those and probably their whitefish salad as well which I am a sucker for!

1900 Rosewood Ave. Open Monday - Friday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on weekends from 7:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The most popular combo at this no frills spot, according to the helpful cashier, is an everything bagel loaded with scallion cream cheese – a combo after my own heart and exactly what I ordered. Plus, I added bacon, an elite move. The bagel was pretty good but the schmear stole the show for me! It was so fresh and delicious, with bright green scallions perfectly balanced in the tangy cream cheese. The prices are much more affordable. Plus, they have dollar-off, build your own bagels everyday from noon to close. The downside is they don't offer a huge variety of sandwich options like some other spots around town. I think this a go-to spot if you're more into the bagel basics.

422 W. 5th St. and 11101 Burnet Rd. Open Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on weekends 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Before going here, I had heard a lot of mixed reviews. It's either the best bagel in Austin or overrated and not worth it. But I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed my B.A.T. on an everything bagel. This sandwich takes a spin on the BLT by including avocado and lime poblano scallion schmear. Delish! I must also give credit to the actual bagel which is 

in everything seasoning – there's not a plain spot on that thing. The most popular orders here are the Rose'n Shine and the Bodega Bagel. Rosen's has two locations: one near the Domain on Burnet Road and one downtown in Republic Square. A third location is set to 

My favorite bagel

What's your go-to bagel spot?

More and more bagel spots are popping up around town.

Your Ultimate Guide to Austin’s Growing Bagel Scene

The latest on the best and newest restaurants and bars in Austin. We'll help you find where to eat, drink, and socialize.

Austin Food & Drink

Food & Drink

Becky Fogel

Enemies to lovers. Fake relationships that lead to real feelings. Best friends destined to end up together. Inject every version of these romance novel tropes into my veins, whether they involve hockey players, mystical beings, or journalists. (Wink, wink.)

If you, like me, are an avid consumer of romance fiction, Saturday is your time to shine… or should I say, swoon. Aug. 15 is 

 across the U.S. and beyond. A number of 

 in the Austin area are participating in the annual event, which first began in 2019.

 can be discouraging, romance readers are bucking that trend with about 

. Jean Elizabeth Buckner, the owner and general manager of 

, said one reason this genre is so popular is because “love stories remind us what it means to be human.”

“When the world feels tough, romance novels remind us that even when life delivers you your 'third act breakup' you can still find your happily ever after,” Buckner added.

Get ready for a blind date you might actually enjoy.

Bookstores will have special Romance Day editions of 

. Although the books will be wrapped to conceal their titles, there will be clues to help you figure out if the book is your perfect match. 

 will be offering book blind dates and the cafe there is also going to offer a special romance-themed menu.

Romance authors will mingle with readers at local shops dedicated to selling the genre, such as 

 in the morning, a happy hour in the evening, and prize wheel giveaways throughout the day. (They had me at mimosas.)

Looking for a bargain on classic romance novels? 

 is having a big sale and offering a 10% discount on used romance books, too. Vintage Bookstore also has a deal on romance novels: If you buy one romance novel, you’ll get 10% off the second.

And really, this is just a sampling of all the activities Austin book shops are planning to sweep readers off their feet.

Bookstore Romance Day Gives Austin Readers a Reason to Swoon 

 for unincorporated Travis County through Sept. 29 as wildfire risk increases due to dry and hot conditions.

All outdoor burning in unincorporated areas of Travis County are part of the ban. The ban does not include prescribed burns, and outdoor welding, cutting, grinding, or other hot work operations in accordance with Travis County Fire Marshal’s Office guidelines.

Austin’s seven-day forecast shows high temperatures in the 100s and dry conditions, 

according to the National Weather Service

. Vegetation in the area will continue to dry out without rain, Travis County officials said.

They said residents should keep a water source and fire extinguisher nearby and take extra precautions during the burn ban.

“With the hot and dry conditions, even a small spark from a tossed cigarette or a lawn mower can ignite dry grass or shrubs and cause fire to spread extremely quickly,” said Travis County Fire Marshal Gary Howell. “This burn ban is a necessary step to reduce the risk of wildfires and protect our residents, property, and first responders.”

If you’re worried about wildfires, there’s a few steps you can take 

Remove debris like leaves and other vegetation in your gutters, litter on your roof, and dried grass from your home. This will help slow down the spread of fire.

 and make an evacuation plan with your family.

Receive burn ban updates from the county by texting TCBURNBAN to 888777.

Make your home fire resistant by removing combustible materials from your deck or porch, bringing flammable items like door mats and wreaths inside on high fire danger days, and making sure wooden fences do not directly connect to your home.

Wildfire risk has increased due to hot and dry conditions.

Burn Ban in Effect As Austin Experiences Hot, Dry Conditions

Get to know the natural side of Austin: the plants, animals, weather and more that make our city unique.

Austin Urban Almanac

Urban Almanac

Triple digit temperatures and humid days abound, so thank goodness it’s Freeze Week.

Freeze Week is an annual celebration of frozen drinks, of course. Here’s how it works: All you have to do is get a frozen drink from one of 13 participating locations and boom, you’re part of Freeze Week. Take it a step further by picking up a punch card from one of the locations and 

 is really, really cute. It has a cowboy on a pair of skis and although I am generally against single-event T-shirts for environmental reasons, this one may be worth it!

The event runs through Sunday and is sponsored by Campari America and Espolòn Tequila.

You’ll be able to vote on your favorite frozen drink at any of the bars, too. Fun drinks are also part of the week. Kinda Tropical, which is acting as the hub for Free Week, is offering 

 made with Skyy Vodka, orange juice, and lime and Holiday on 7th is 

Our executive producer Becky Fogel tried the guava drink at Kinda Tropical for journalism reasons and said it was delicious!

“I love all things guava so it was an easy sell for me, but I especially liked that it wasn’t too sweet,” she said.

It’s Freeze Week in Austin. Here’s What You Need To Know.

 instead of June and that means all of the best events are happening soon.

 at Moody Amphitheater as part of Austin Pride Week. The movie shows at 9 p.m., but starting at 7 p.m. you can hang out on the lawn, try food and drink vendors, listen to a set by DJ Eriq Stylez, and more. The event is free to attend.

 at Meanwhile Brewing Co. and includes a music lineup of country, Americana, folk, and roots. The event benefits OUTLaw Pride and the Transgender Education Network of Texas. Tickets for the 6 p.m. event are $12.21.

 at ACL Live at the Moody Theater. Next of Kin, The Cowgays, Brigitte Bandit, and Ed West are all performing as part of a showcase. Attendees can shop from a market that showcases queer-owned business and artists, too. The event starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $29.80.

The Austin Pride Foundation is hosting its 

annual Pride Festival and Parade on Aug. 22

. The day starts at 11 a.m. with a free festival at Fiesta Gardens near Lady Bird Lake in East Austin. The parade starts at 8 p.m. downtown near the Capitol. Whether you’re spectating or walking the parade, it’s sure to be a fun night!

. Head over to The VORTEX in East Austin starting at 11 a.m. for shopping, speakers, and entertainment. The march itself starts at 4 p.m. Everything is free to attend.

Your Guide to Austin Pride 2026

Your Austin News Quiz

Explainers

What Austinites have been wondering. We break down why things in Austin are they way they are and how they work.

Austin, Explained

If you’re a Virgo like me and enjoy a nice, organized schedule, it may also bug you that Austin’s Pride Month does not line up with national Pride Month. We officially do ours in August, while national Pride Month is in June.

Austin has a couple of reasons for doing things differently. Hosting Pride in August gives Austin Pride Foundation better opportunities to book talent and get visitors to come to town as it costs thousands to put the festival and parade on, 

The events would also require costly rain insurance if they weren’t held in August, a historically dry month in Austin. 

August is also when thousands of college students return to the city for the school year, and they make up the majority of the roughly 400 volunteers Austin Pride Foundation needs to put on its festival.

Pride honors the Stonewall Uprising of June 1969, when fights broke out after police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City. The uprising 

 and set the gay rights movement in the U.S. in motion. On the anniversary of the uprising, the first Pride march was held in NYC. Pride celebrations in Austin can be traced back to 1970, and in 1990, the events were sanctioned as 

Today, Pride celebrations aim to honor Stonewall, remember those who’ve died from HIV/AIDS, recognize LGBTQ+ contributions to society, and to simply celebrate who you are. Expect rainbow-filled parties, parades, and more in Austin in June and August!

Austin’s Pride Month does not line up with national Pride Month.

Why Is Austin Pride In August?

Trying to find a parking spot at Barton Springs Pool can be terrible. Whether you’re at the south lot off Azie Morton Road or in the smaller one on William Barton Drive, getting a spot on a busy weekend day often feels like a Sisyphean task as you wait behind a person with their blinker on or end up stuck in a traffic jam.

as a way to help reduce traffic congestion in the area

The city is running a free shuttle service around Zilker Park through Labor Day weekend so you can avoid parking headaches. The shuttle service operates Saturdays and Sundays and on holidays through Sept. 7, and includes four stops on its route: Stratford Lot, Barton Springs Pool, Beverly S. Sheffield Zilker Hillside Theater and the Violet Crown Trail Head, and Zilker Botanical Garden.

You get two hours of free parking if you park in the Stratford Lot at 2228 Stratford Dr., 

. Otherwise, the cost is $3 per hour. The lot is the area covered in gravel near the intersection of Stratford Drive and Lou Neff Road. From there, you can get to 

. No pets or coolers are allowed on the shuttle.

The Loop runs noon to 6 p.m., and comes by every 20 minutes or so. During the Zilker Summer Musical July 10 through Aug. 16, the shuttle will run until performances end. This is the first year that the shuttle is taking riders to the hillside theater.

Getting to the city's most popular swimming pool doesn't have to be a headache!

How To Get to Barton Springs Pool Without Waiting for a Parking Spot

After weeks of tinkering, Austin Independent School District’s Board of Trustees approved an $887 million operating budget for the upcoming school year.

The district was facing a possible deficit of $181 million during budget discussions. But with millions of cuts and possible property sales, the district should have a balanced budget going into the 2026-27 school year.

The budget includes cutting a total of 580 positions, decreasing the district’s number of full-time employees from 10,392 to roughly 9,750. More than 360 staffers whose positions were cut have already found new roles within the district, 

The district is also discontinuing bus routes for several of its schools and the Alternative Learning Center to help the budget. Late activity buses at middle and high schools 

Austin, Explained

Your Austin News Quiz

Elissa Castles

Test your Austin knowledge with these other trivia questions.

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