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City Cast Austin

Kelsey Bradshaw

Not only is voting amazing because of that whole democracy thing, but you can also get a lot of free and discounted stuff! Who doesn’t love stuff?

Early voting runs through Oct. 30 before Election Day on Nov. 3. Here’s your guide to the best deals you can get by showing your “I Voted” sticker:

$1 off Lone Star Tallboys, $3 off frozen drinks,

 on Election Day, but you can bring your sticker if you early voted.

Who doesn’t love getting a sticker?! (Kate Castles for City Cast Austin)

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

Elissa Castles

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

 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.

Texas has a really beautiful state cemetery. Whether you have a penchant for graveyard visits or you’re a Texas history buff, the cemetery makes for a nice afternoon.

 It’s located at 909 Navasota St. in East Austin and is free to the public. It is an active cemetery though and will close for funerals, so you can always give them a call to make sure it’s open at 512-463-0605.

The cemetery is pretty big at 18 acres, spanning from East Seventh Street to East 11th Street. Roughly 3,500 people are buried at the cemetery.

Street parking is available around the cemetery. Accessible parking can be found in front of the cemetery’s visitors center.

I know visiting a cemetery may seem like a weird recommendation. But walking along the graves of great Texans is really special. The site is also quite beautiful with grassy hills, a quiet pond, and shady trees.

It can also be really cool to visit a place that’s been around since 1851. The cemetery was originally created for lawmakers and public servants but has since been expanded to include Texans who have made significant contributions to history.

“The Texas State Cemetery has come to represent the best of Texas and what makes this great state a unique and special place,” 

 and memorials are also on site, including the 19th Century Black Legislators Monument and the Texas Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

You could spend weeks learning about every person buried at the Texas State Cemetery. For our purposes, I’ll just list off a few:

 before it became Austin, was the first person to be buried at the cemetery.

 who was one of three Black students to integrate O. Henry Middle School in the 1960s. He went on to play in three World Series with three different Major League Baseball teams.

What To Know About Visiting the Texas State Cemetery in Austin 

Everything to know about Austin neighborhoods: What to do, eat, shop, drink, and more.

Austin Neighborhood Guides

Neighborhood Guides

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?

Explainers

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

Austin, Explained

, but Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest Pool has been around a while.

The pool turns 70 this year and the city is throwing a party 

. Entry fees will be waived for the party, which starts at noon and includes snacks, drinks, old photos, memorabilia, and a look at the pool’s recent renovation. The pool is located at 7000 Ardath St., just west of Burnet Road in North Austin.

Before it was a pool, the parkland where the water is now was the quarry that 

supplied the limestone for the state’s capitol

 building. The city purchased the parkland in 1955 and completed it, along with a bathhouse, the following year. The modern circular bathhouse is the first of its kind in Austin.

“(The bathhouse) is a rare surviving example of mid-century civic design, and its preservation has been a priority through every renovation the site has undergone since,” 

The pool opened on July 28, 1956 for its first swim meet and was formally dedicated on Aug. 9, 1956. In its first month, more than 31,000 people visited the pool, outpacing Barton Springs Pool at the time. It’s important to note that Austin’s public pools were not desegregated 

Austin was allowed to qualify for national swim meets when the pool opened because of its 50-meter, Olympic size.

“Almost overnight, Austin had put itself on the competitive swimming map,” 

The pool was renamed in 2001 in honor of 

, a former parks and recreation director who played a key role in 

developing the city’s parks, pools, and greenbelts

. Sheffield’s daughter Sally and son Steve will be at the 70th birthday celebration.

The pool underwent a major renovation in the spring and now includes a refreshed lap pool, a zero-entry toddler pool, two shade structures, new benches, renovated bathhouses and family restrooms, and 

The pool is open every day except Thursdays 

Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest Pool turns 70 this year. 

How To Celebrate One of Austin’s Oldest Pools

The city of Austin is asking for feedback on renaming Cesar Chavez Street following sexual assault accusations made against the labor leader 

The street runs east from MoPac Boulevard (Loop 1) to U.S. 183. Previously named Water Avenue and then First Street, it was renamed for Chavez after 

. El Concilio Mexican-American Landowners de East Austin, a local nonprofit, originally organized a call to rename First Street to honor Chavez. Now, the group is among several Austinites who want the street changed back to its original name or renamed completely.

 for residents to take about the possible renaming. The survey includes questions about a person’s relationship to Cesar Chavez Street and what factors the city should consider in renaming it.

Two names the city is considering because of their historic ties to the road are La Primera Street and First Street. You can also submit your own ideas for what the street should be named, with a couple of rules:

Cannot contain numbers, complicated words, or unconventional spellings

No offensive, libelous, derogatory or copyrighted words can be used

Only characters of the standard English alphabet are allowed

Updating the current street signs and highway signs, and notifying impacted businesses and residents would cost between roughly $413,700 and $1,223,700, 

In addition to the survey, the city is hosting 

 to gather community feedback on the renaming:

Aug. 11 at 5 p.m. at Austin Public Library’s Central Library

Aug. 15 at 2 p.m. at Sanchez Elementary School

Austin Wants Your Feedback on Cesar Chavez Street

What's being decided in Austin City Hall and why it matters. We monitor local elections, political news, and Austin City Council. 

Austin Election and City Hall News

Local Civics

The Best Austin Freebies You Can Get With Your 'I Voted' Sticker

Find the best of everything that Austin has to offer. 

Austin’s Best

Austin's Best

Becky Fogel

It feels like all eyes are on Texas for the midterm elections and 

has been off the charts. If you didn’t take advantage of early voting (which ends Oct. 30), Travis County will have 

 on Election Day. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and as long as you are in line by 7 p.m., 

Thundercloud Subs is hosting their 36th annual 

 on Thanksgiving morning on Nov. 26. You can do a five mile run (pass!) or a one mile walk (now we’re talking) that begins at the 

. Registration fees do increase as the deadline approaches from as low as $25 to as much as $45.

,” you’ve got the stamina for the many fun festivals happening in and around Austin in November. There’s the 

 is a free, annual event that gives you a unique window into the work of local artists throughout the city. You can find a beautiful print for your apartment, get a behind-the-scenes look at artists’ studios, and step into unexpected gallery spaces. Need an excuse to explore? Here you go! This year, the Austin Studio Tour is happening on Nov. 14 and 15 as well as Nov. 21 and 22.

Spending Thanksgiving with your chosen family? Prepare to knock everybody’s socks off with a cooking class! 

” class. If the $105 cost of the class is too steep, I’m currently obsessed with these 

. An affordable seasonal treat that’s also a crowd pleaser.

Your Guide to November 2026 in Austin

The first weekend of Austin City Limits Music Festival has come and gone and it will go down 

 Zilker Park was coated in gloopy, yucky mud.

Whether you prefer “RainCL” or “Mud City Limits,” the festival was marked by weather. Hair-raising forecasts warned eight inches of rain may fall in some areas of the city, a flood watch was issued, and attendees waited to see if the festival would end up canceled. 

 were recorded between Thursday and Friday, leaving Zilker Park wet for the fest’s first day.

But despite it all, Austinites and visitors filled the park all weekend long. They clomped through the sludge, donned ponchos as steady rain fell on Friday, and some took it a step further with 

 and others straight up rolled around in the goop each day.

Saturday’s opening was delayed by two hours due to the muddy conditions. Festival officials attempted to fix the mud situation on Day 2, bringing in TexasTurf to lay down 60,000 square feet of artificial turf to make it easier to traverse the park. The artificial grass company said they 

got the call to come out at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday

Mulch and pallets were laid over the mud, 

 according to the festival, in some areas, too. Tractors shoved mud into piles that were then cordoned off. Trucks laying down pallets and moving mud around could be seen throughout the day.

Austin City Council Member Ryan Alter, who represents a portion of Zilker Park, released a statement saying the company that puts on the festival, C3, 

needs to be held accountable for the condition

“ACL is a great event for Austin, its residents, visitors, and our economy but the damage we’ve witnessed to the Great Lawn is unacceptable,” he said.

A little mud didn't deter festival attendees from having a great time. 

Austin's Best

The Best Austin Freebies You Can Get With Your 'I Voted' Sticker

Kelsey Bradshaw

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

Your Ultimate Guide to Austin’s Growing Bagel Scene

Burn Ban in Effect As Austin Experiences Hot, Dry Conditions

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

What To Know About Visiting the Texas State Cemetery in Austin

Why Is Austin Pride In August?

How To Celebrate One of Austin’s Oldest Pools

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