City Cast Austin logo
March 13, 2026

Developer Tears Down Historic Building, How To Avoid Bad Weekend Traffic, & Non-SXSW Goings-On

City Cast Austin

Developer Tears Down Historic Building, How To Avoid Bad Weekend Traffic, & Non-SXSW Goings-On

00:00:00
View all City Cast Austin episodes

Welcome to SXSW 2026! If you're planning on heading downtown, things might look a little different this year. On this week's Friday News Round Up, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec and newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw to get you up to speed on the changes happening during SXSW, from street closures and venue shifts to updated safety protocols. Plus, why a historic Austin building was torn down to make room for a California restaurant, and why Cheer Up Charlies continues to face challenges. And if SXSW isn’t your scene, the team shares a few non-festival events happening in and out of town this weekend. For more, check out Nikki's Picks on our Instagram.

Check out our new City Cast podcast "Your City Could Be Better" on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. This week's episode features City Cast Chicago’s Jacoby Cochran is stepping in as guest host, to talk with D.C.’s Mike Schaffer about a new D.C. law that aims to hold federal agents accountable

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

And don’t forget– you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm

Follow us @citycastaustin

You can also text us or leave a voicemail.

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Learn more about the sponsors of this March 13th episode:

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Austin

Stay connected to City Cast Austin and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
April 27

An Update From City Cast Austin

The City Cast Austin podcast is taking a brief break over the next few months to regroup and develop some new concepts. In the meantime,...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art
April 24

City’s Controversial Encampment Crackdown, Firefighter Wins in Court, & Austin’s Viral Owlet

The City of Austin is considering changing how it responds to homeless encampments, including deploying daily cleanup teams. But after a...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art
April 23

Is Austin Really a Blues City?

Decades ago, Stevie Ray Vaughan brought the Texas Blues to town — but since then, Austin has birthed a well-known blues festival and kept...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art
April 22

What You Don’t Know About Austin’s Trees

Austin’s tree canopy is something to be proud of — even more so if you don’t zoom in. Did you know that the disparities between East Aust...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art
April 21

Could Austin Lose $2.5M in State Grants? Plus, Rowdy Spring Weather and Unhappy Northeasterners

On today’s Tuesday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec and Grace Reader, the city hall and...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art
April 20

Why AISD’s Deficit Just Keeps Getting Worse

The Austin Independent School District recently shared the troubling news that its deficit could balloon to $181 million next year, even...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art
April 17

Red River's Glow-Up, City Threatens Overpaid Workers, & Reggae Fest

The Red River Cultural District has unveiled a plan to revamp its so-called "Music Mile," a 10-block stretch from 15th to 5th streets. Th...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art
April 16

Are Austinites Happy?

Austin is officially the 39th happiest city in America to live in, according to a recent WalletHub survey. But what does that even mean?...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art
April 15

There’s More to Austin BBQ Than Franklin

Southern Living magazine has once again crowned Franklin Barbecue as the best in Texas, which made us wonder — is it? Host Nikki DaVaughn...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art
April 14

What the Data Center Boom Means for Texas. Plus, East Austin Shooting & Renaming Cesar Chavez St

State lawmakers held a hearing last week to examine the rise and impact of data centers in Texas, looking at both the economic benefits a...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art