City Cast Austin

City Cast hosts are on the pulse of what's happening in our communities. So Nikki DaVaughn and all 12 other hosts sat down with City Cast CEO David Plotz to talk about creative local problem solving that might work in your hometown too and to commiserate about stressors affecting most of our cities, from unaffordable housing to bike lanes. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 20th episode: Tecovas Visit Port Aransas Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Zach Theatre

Once a month, Austinites gather at The Living Room: Storytime for Grownups to share their stories in front of a live audience. Local writer, director, actor, and former professor Amparo Garcia-Crow created this space for creativity and connection 15 years ago, and she's still the host. Garcia-Crow joins executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec to talk about the story of Austin, her take on the local arts scene, and what it's like creating alongside her family — including her son, musician Shakey Graves. Learn more about the sponsor of this June 18th episode: Tecovas 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 all know Austin's official Pride celebration takes place in August — but there's one event that you shouldn't miss in June: The Majestic Ball, this Saturday, June 21. House of Lepore Founder and Mother, Icon Natalie Lepore, joins host Nikki DaVaughn to talk about ballroom in Austin, how ballroom picks up where biological families fail LGBTQ-plus relatives, and why Lepore is now giving up on Austin and advising her trans children to do the same.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 18th episode: Tecovas Visit Port Aransas Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Zach Theatre 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 

Rainey Street has had a multitude of lives — from working-class Chicano neighborhood frequently overlooked and underserved; to Craftsman-style homes transformed into bars and restaurants bustling with bodies, especially for Sunday brunch; to unforgettable SXSW experiences; and now the high rise-lined wind tunnel where the sun never shines with one extremely worthwhile and Austin-ey cocktail bar. So what even is Rainey Street today? Is it still cool? Could it ever be again? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw, and Nikki's friend, local musician Doug Leveton, to discuss.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 17th episode: Tecovas Cozy Earth - use code COZYAUSTIN for 40% off best-selling temperature-regulating sheets, apparel, and more. Visit Port Aransas Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Zach Theatre 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 

Every session of the Texas Legislature, Republicans file bills that affect Texans' access to reproductive health, in particular, limiting abortions. In a state that has outlawed most abortions already (even though most Texans support at least some access to abortion), lawmakers found some room for improvement at the local level and banned city and county programs like Austin's fund for abortion travel for residents. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Lucie Arvallo, the executive director of Jane's Due Process, to talk about which abortion-related bills passed and which ones failed at the Texas Legislature this year.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 16th episode: Tecovas Visit Port Aransas Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Zach Theatre 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

Governor Greg Abott has ⁠called in⁠ the Texas National Guard after ⁠13 were arrested⁠ at Monday's anti-ICE protest in Austin and a clown-themed ⁠"No Kings"⁠ protest gets planned for Saturday. On today's Friday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec to unpack it all. Plus, we talk about the latest ⁠staffing issues⁠ at the Austin airport, a Taylor Pride ⁠update⁠, and where Governor Abbott sits on the ⁠THC ban⁠.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 13th episode: ⁠Tecovas⁠ ⁠XOXO Downtown Austin⁠ 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 

Summertime in Austin means the return of our frenemy, the heat dome, but we're hoping this year's is friendly enough to let in some rainfall here and there. To prepare us for the sweltering heat, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by CBS Austin meteorologist Avery Tomasco. Join us in praying for a nice, gentle tropical storm in the gulf, and in letting your lawn brown. It'd be a lot cooler if you did.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 12th episode: Tecovas XOXO Downtown Austin 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 

Let's face it, Austin, it's just too hot to cook inside. Enter: Grilling season. To get you grillmaster-ready, we're revisiting a conversation host Nikki DaVaughn had last year with Cairo-born and Texas-trained pitmaster Kareem El-Ghayesh, of KG BBQ. The award-winning, self-proclaimed “Lambassador of Texas” shares his best tips and tricks for cooking meat like a pro, his favorite place to buy meat, and where he had the first taste of barbecue that forever changed his life.  This episode originally aired on August 29, 2024.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 11th episode: Tecovas XOXO Downtown Austin 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

If we were to grade Austin Independent School District's paper right now, they'd probably get a B — could be better, but certainly could be a lot worse. After getting repeated “F's,” three AISD middle schools are being forced to shape up, in a year that the school district's budget has shrunk to deficit level. But now that state lawmakers have funneled $8.5 billion into public schools, increasing the basic student allotment and giving teachers raises, will AISD be able to balance its books? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Austin American-Statesman reporter Keri Heath to discuss it all, including other education-related bills passed by the Texas Legislature.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 10th episode: Tecovas XOXO Downtown Austin Cozy Earth - Use code COZYAUSTIN for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. 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 

Texas lawmakers wasted no time this legislative session setting up a school voucher program, and eventually passed an $8.5 billion public school funding bill. And, lawmakers found new ways to impact the lives of LGBTQ-plus Texans. But some items are yet to be decided. Will Gov. Greg Abbott veto a bill banning virtually all consumable hemp in Texas? And will voters approve increases to homestead exemptions on property taxes and changes to the bail system? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by KUT's Blaise Gainey to get into it all.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 9th episode: Tecovas XOXO Downtown Austin 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 

The Texas Legislature is finally out of our hair, the city of Austin is ending its use of automatic license plate readers (at least for now), and there's some tragic news on the heels of the King of the Hill reboot announcement. On today's Friday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec to discuss it all. Plus, we discuss why the mayor of Taylor is refusing to sign a proclamation for this year's Taylor Pride event, and where you can celebrate Pride Month in Austin. And hey, please do send us a voicemail or email and let us know what you think about Rainey Street! We want to hear all the opinions.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 6th episode: Jones Dairy Farm Visit Port Aransas InKind - Get $25 off your next order of $50 or more! LBJ Presidential Library 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 

What kind of people can you meet by spending 24 hours in one spot in Austin? KUT's podcast, “24 Hours in Austin,” dispatched a team of producers to find that out. From Sixth Street to coffee shops to a call center for mental health emergencies, characters abound on Austin's streets. KUT's projects editor and podcast producer, Matt Largey, joins host Nikki DaVaughn to discuss what happens when you slow down, start a conversation, and connect with the strangers in your city.  This episode originally aired December 5, 2024 Learn more about the sponsors of this June 5th episode: Jones Dairy Farm Visit Port Aransas InKind - Get $25 off your next order of $50 or more! LBJ Presidential Library 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 

Is Amy's Ice Cream still the best ice cream shop in town? Who has the best frozen summer drinks, with or without booze? And where are we drinking our iced lattes? In today's episode, host Nikki DaVaughn contemplates where to find the best cold treats in town with Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw (she's a Sandy's stan) and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec (whose lactose intolerance prefers Dulce Neve Gelato). And a warning: This episode may give you a brain freeze.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 4th episode: Jones Dairy Farm Visit Port Aransas InKind - Get $25 off your next order of $50 or more! LBJ Presidential Library 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 

Looking to get away this summer but don't want to deal with the hassle of airports and travel delays? A staycation in Austin might be just what you need, whether you're planning a relaxing getaway for you and your boo, a fun-filled weekend with kids, or an action-packed adventure with friends. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Austin Monthly's Editor-in-Chief Madeline Hollern to dish on all of the best local spots. You can read more about Austin Monthly's summer travel guide here.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 3rd episode: Jones Dairy Farm Visit Port Aransas InKind - Get $25 off your next order of $50 or more! LBJ Presidential Library Cozy Earth - Use code COZYAUSTIN for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. 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 

The City of Austin is facing a $33 million budget deficit, even as it moves forward with multi-million and billion-dollar projects like the I-35's caps and stitches and the Austin airport expansion. If you're scratching your head wondering how that math adds up, you're not alone. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by City Budget Officer Kerri Lang to get an inside look on how the city's budget really comes together. They dig into where the money comes from, what city bonds actually do, and how Lang's team works overtime to build the budget that will go up for a vote in August. Plus, how you can weigh in on where those dollars go. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 2nd episode: Jones Dairy Farm Visit Port Aransas InKind - Get $25 off your next order of $50 or more! LBJ Presidential Library 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

Summer storms slammed Austin this week, including one on Wednesday that left nearly 40,000 residents without power and one person dead. On this week's Friday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw to discuss the severe weather and how to be summer storm ready. Later, Leslie Rangel, senior editor of investigations for The Barbed Wire joins to talk about the Texas Legislature passing both a THC ban and a film incentives bill, and what these new state laws mean for Austinites. Plus, we discuss which Austin BBQ joints made Texas Monthly's Top 50 list and our weekend plans, including attending the ATX TV Festival, and a Juneteenth exhibition at the Bullock Texas State History Museum.  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 

The city is full of tourists, the kids are everywhere, and we're praying for rain: Happy June, Austin! The entire world is celebrating Pride month, and while Austin's festivities mostly take place in August (read this if you're wondering why), host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec and local sex therapist Adam Maurer to share tips on commemorating Stonewall right here, from the Majestic Ball to QUEERBOMB and more. Plus, we discuss our favorite watering holes, chlorinated and not, and how we are all prepping for summer.  For even more tips on how to make the most of June in Austin, check out Hey Austin's take on what to do this month.  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 

Last week, Austin City Council voted to designate $104 million to help fund the I-35 "caps and stitches" project. They also agreed to add solar panels to publicly-owed buildings in an effort to stay on track with the city's climate goals. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Amy Standbury, editor-in-chief of The Austin Common, to break down these latest council actions – plus why some housing advocates are urging the city to reconsider a redevelopment plan at Acacia Cliffs apartment complex, what's in the works for Austin's water, and why some vape shops might soon be banned. You can find the city survey Amy mentioned, here. And for more on Nikki's midweek mood boost, read this.  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

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is taking shape in the heart of downtown Austin right now: The redevelopment of Sixth Street. Unlike other redevelopment projects in town, a single entity — Stream Realty — owns most of the street, and is spending an undisclosed amount of money on making it look old again. Host Nikki DaVaughn, a Sixth Street aficionado herself, is joined by Sky Currie of Clayton Korte, the architecture firm turning Dirty Sixth back into Old Sixth, to discuss what Sixth Street will look and feel like in the not-too-distant future.  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 

If you're planning on traveling in or out of the Austin airport this Memorial Day Weekend, you might want to be prepared for a possible delay. On this week's Friday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec to talk about the recent air traffic staffing shortages affecting Austin Bergstrom International Airport. We also discuss some good and bad news about higher education in Austin, The Infatuation's Summer Spots list, and our Memorial Day weekend picks including Hot Luck Live Food and Music Fest, the Jaws Movie Party at Alamo Drafthouse, and more.   Learn more about the sponsors of this May 23rd episode: Tecovas Williamstown Theatre Festival 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 

The Paramount Summer Classic Film Series returns tonight for its 51st year of bringing iconic cinema to the heart of Austin. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by local journalist Eric Webb to unpack the criteria for what makes a movie "classic", this year's must-see picks, and how to soak up all the beauty this 110-year old building has to offer. Turns out, the silver screen isn't the only thing worth looking at! Learn more about the sponsors of this May 22nd episode: Tecovas Williamstown Theatre Festival 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

You might not be one of them — but the hundreds of Austinites who volunteer their time on boards, commissions, advisory groups, and more in town are imperative for Austin's success. After living in Austin for several years, Dewi Smith decided she needed to get more involved, and since then, she's created the perfect imbalance of work, life, service, and fun. Smith joins host Nikki DaVaughn to share how she does it all, and why she needs more than just brunch to feel connected.  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 

The Austin Gamblers are the reigning champions of the 2024 Professional Bull Riding Team Series, and their top cowboy just won the world championship. In other words — they're really good, and their next season is about to kick off. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Michael “Gman” Gaffney, the Gamblers' coach and a Professional Bull Riders champion himself, to get us up to speed.   Learn more about the sponsors of this May 21st episode: Tecovas Williamstown Theatre Festival This episode originally aired on August 20, 2024.  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 

Aaron Franklin is a barbecue icon, a household name among meat aficionados, and a guru to restaurateurs. At Franklin Barbecue and his second local spot, Uptown Sports Club, Franklin is constantly collaborating with and boosting other local chefs — and for this weekend's Hot Luck, a food and music festival, he cast his net nation-wide. Aaron Franklin joins host Nikki DaVaughn to share how he personally selects the chefs featured at the festival, what he loves about East Austin, and the restaurants other than his own that he recommends to visitors.  Learn more about the sponsors of this May 20th episode: Tecovas Williamstown Theatre Festival 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 City Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison wants East Austin, where she was raised and now serves, to keep changing. That can put her on the other side of historic preservation at times, but she has her reasons why, and her vision for what East Austin could be. She joins host Nikki DaVaughn to discuss gentrification, food insecurity, and how she found her peace while balancing city council responsibilities and mental health.  Learn more about the sponsors of this May 19th episode: Tecovas Williamstown Theatre Festival 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

Unless you live in a very dark and cool cave, you already know we just survived our first heat wave of 2025. A little early in the season, no? On this week's Friday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec to talk about the heat wave that broke records and made national news. Plus, we discuss how a new court ruling could impact Austin's marijuana ordinance, the latest on state lawmakers' effort to ban consumable hemp (and how much said ban could cost the state), the grocery store that truly does more and is now hosting a live music series, and our weekend plans, including attending the Affordable Art Fair. Finally, don't forget to vote for all your faves in the Austin Chronicle's Best of Austin 2025!  Learn more about the sponsors of this May 16th episode: Tecovas Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off Austin PBS 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 had a reputation for being bicycle-friendly — maybe it's the Lance Armstrong factor, or the extensive hike-and-bike trail system, or the veloway, or the multi-million dollar bike infrastructure projects. But what's it really like to commute daily on Austin's streets, solely on two wheels? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Abi Robins, who ditched their truck a year ago and has pedaled all over town since. Robins shares their favorite off-road trails, best and worst bike lanes, how cycling helps them better connect with the city, and the volunteers who cycle around downtown, handing out food, drinks and necessities to folks in need. Plus, how you can be like Abi at least for a day — tomorrow's Bike to Work Day!  Learn more about the sponsors of this May 15th episode: Tecovas Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off Austin PBS 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

Local arts organizations are hurting, especially after the recent announcement of federal funding cuts coming at the end of the month. But it's not just artists who are facing financial uncertainty. Who can afford to buy art right now? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by local artist and the director of the Affordable Art Fair Cori Teague to talk about the how, the why, and the where of buying art in Austin. Plus, she dishes on her favorite local artists, the state of the local arts community in 2025, and how social media has changed the way we discover and connect with art — including that viral banana artwork. Don't miss Teague's Affordable Art Fair May 15-18! And for more on Nikki's midweek mood boost, read this.  Learn more about the sponsors of this May 14th episode: Tecovas Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off Austin PBS 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

Grab your partner, leave your drinks on the table, and hit the dance floor, Austin! Summertime is prime time for two-stepping with your sweetie — there's just something about twirling around, sweaty but satisfied, in a pair of boots that just feels right. Don't know how? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by the perfect guide, Keighley Voorheis, who documents the dancing scene on her social media. We're talking about what makes Austin's two-stepping style unique, and giving y'all a guide to the local dance floor circuit and two-stepping field trips.   This episode originally aired on October 10, 2024.  Learn more about the sponsors of this May 14th episode: Tecovas Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off Austin PBS 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 

According to recent reports, Austin's tree canopy is something to be proud of — but only if you don't zoom in. Locally, there's a big difference between the concentration of lush shade trees on the West Side of town and those in East Austin, and some in town are trying to change that. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by TreeFolks' Executive Director Andrew W. Smiley to talk about Austin's latest Tree Canopy Report, how our canopy compares to those in other cities across the country, and why it matters. Plus, they discuss the Ashe Juniper and why one state lawmaker is trying to make it easier to cut them down, and why now's the time to nominate your favorite tree in town for the Tree of the Year awards.   Learn more about the sponsors of this May 12th episode: Tecovas Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off Austin PBS 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

To kick off Mother's Day weekend, City Cast Austin's got a great story about a special pair of Concordia University graduates to share on this week's Friday News Roundup. Plus, the ACL Festival lineup is officially here, and host Nikki DaVaughn has some thoughts — as do newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec. Love it or hate it, though, you can't deny the festival's enormous impact. Also on the agenda: What the City of Austin removed from an East Side park encampment, which was prioritized to be cleared in preparation for flash flooding season; and our weekend picks.     Learn more about the sponsors of this May 9th episode: Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST LBJ Presidential Library Zach Theatre 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 

East Side favorite Nickel City recently landed a spot on North America's Best Bars list, proving that the Austin bar scene can hold its own on the national stage. But as beloved staples like Skylark Lounge and Outer Heaven shut their doors, a wave of new bars are reshaping the city's drinking landscape. Beer, food and drink writer Ruvani de Silva sits down with host Nikki to unpack the shifting bar scene–which new spots are worth the hype, which ones to skip, and what these changes say about Austin right now.  Learn more about the sponsors of this May 7th episode: Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST LBJ Presidential Library Zach Theatre 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 

The University of Texas' Women's Basketball team came closer to being national champions this year than almost ever before. And among the millions of fans who watched the pennant chase was one Austinite who was simultaneously digging into the program's very beginnings. Even before Title IX, Lady Longhorns played basketball — and for some time, played the sport exclusively, before it gained popularity among Texas men. Journalist and newly-minted PhD Jessica Luther joins host Nikki DaVaughn to dive into how the team's past is still impacting its performance.  Learn more about the sponsors of this May 7th episode: Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST LBJ Presidential Library Zach Theatre 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

If you've lived here long enough, you've experienced the loss of your favorite bar/restaurant/coffee shop/corner store closing, only to be replaced with something substantially less cool. Why does it feel like things in this old city —  it was founded in 1837, then called “Waterloo” — are constantly in a state of change? Is it absolutely necessary for Austin to tear down the old to make way for the new? Preservation Austin's Meghan King joins host Nikki DaVaughn to discuss how we're trying to honor the past while planning for the future.  This episode originally aired on August 19, 2024  Learn more about the sponsors of this May 6th episode: Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST LBJ Presidential Library Zach Theatre Cozy Earth - Use code COZYAUSTIN for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. 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

They call it “The Texfactor” — maybe it's the tacos, or the stars at night, or the friendly people — it's that bit of extra magic that makes people fall in love with shooting movies and TV shows in Texas. But that Texfactor comes at a price, and our incentives to film here aren't high enough for Texas-set shows like “English Teacher” and “Ransom Canyon” to actually shoot in the Lone Star State. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Chase Musselwhite of Media for Texas, which has joined forces with Austin's biggest stars to push lawmakers to adopt more lucrative film incentives.  Learn more about the sponsors of this May 5th episode: Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST LBJ Presidential Library Zach Theatre 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 

There's a second case of the measles in Austin — and this time, it's in a vaccinated adult. On today's Friday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec to talk about how the city is responding to the statewide outbreak amid federal funding cuts, and what Austinites should be doing now to be protected. Plus, the lineup for ACL Festival comes out soon, so we're sharing our predictions for this year's throwback band, and sharing our recommendations for what to do this weekend. At the top of our list: Celebrate the Skylark Lounge's last weekend before the legendary blues bar closes for good.   If you enjoyed the interview with Austin Bergstrom's International Airport Public Information Office Division Manager, Kimmie Hey, learn more here! Learn more about the other sponsors of this May 2nd episode: Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Visit Port Aransas Cozy Earth - Use code COZYAUSTIN for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. 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

It's that magical, very short-lived time of the year just before it gets scorchingly hot: May! Now is the time to squeeze in that last outdoor activity during Austin's final gasp of spring, and we've got a few ideas for you. Check out Waterloo Greenway! Find a watering hole before the kids are out of school! Explore one of the area's trails! Local musician Alex Marrero joins host Nikki DaVaughn and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec in sharing our best tips to get outside this month, plus the live music we're heading out to see (don't sleep on the Continental Club Gallery), and what we're looking forward to eating in May (we're still obsessed with KG BBQ). For even more food recommendations, don't miss Hey Austin's guide to our city's best new restaurants.  For even more tips on how to make the most of May in Austin, check out Hey Austin's take on what to do this month.  Learn more about the sponsors of this May 1st episode: Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Visit Port Aransas 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

At the beginning of April, Austin City Council learned that they'd be facing a $33.4 million budget deficit that's only expected to get larger. Meanwhile, council members finally made a plan to accept $32 million in grant money to replace the bridge over Barton Springs, and add a cool $8 million of the city's own. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Amy Stansbury, editor-in-chief of The Austin Common, to talk about all that — plus why outreach teams are crucial to the city's homelessness response, what we're doing with a new batch of EPA money, the future for historic Palm Park, and a new AC rule that will keep all Austinites cool this summer.  Learn more about the sponsors of this April 30th episode: Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Visit Port Aransas 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's very short-lived patio season is upon us, and now is the time to eat, drink, and be merry under shade trees and umbrellas beneath the not-too-scorching sun. So, executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec is joined by Nicolai McCrary, senior staff writer at The Infatuation, to bring you a guide to Austin's best patios. We're getting into which patios have the best food, where to go if you love beer, the best patio for a first date, our favorite spots if you're working-from-patio, and more. Plus, find out what makes Meanwhile Brewing Co.'s patio Nicolai's all-time favorite patio in town.  Learn more about the sponsors of this April 29th episode: Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Visit Port Aransas Cozy Earth - Use code COZYAUSTIN for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. 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

A few weeks after Gov. Greg Abbott ordered all state agencies to have employees get back to the offices “as soon as practicable,” host Nikki DaVaughn checks in with KUT reporter Andrew Weber to find out how things are going. And, spoiler alert: It's not great. Texas is the largest employer in Austin, and in early March, thousands of employees started swarming into their offices, straining parking and resources. At one agency, employees have to check out computer monitors to get their work done. So why the frenzied return? We have some ideas.  Learn more about the  sponsors of this April 28th episode: Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Visit Port Aransas 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're full of positive news this week on the Friday News Roundup — and there's truly something for us all to celebrate. After years of rising overdose deaths, the Travis County Medical Examiner announced that accidental overdose deaths and fentanyl deaths both declined in Austin in 2024. Is the $6 million-plus we've spent on programs actually working? Plus, the Texas Legislature might actually finally legalize fentanyl testing strips. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec to discuss that, plus why Austin celebrates a depressed donkey's birthday, and the exceptional Austin high school senior who's going to save us all. Oh, and we toss in some weekend picks.  Learn more about the sponsors of this April 25th episode: Zach Theatre Tecovas Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Cozy Earth - Use code COZYAUSTIN for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. 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 

The Domain tends to invoke a strong feeling in Austinites: We either love it or hate it. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec to unpack our thoughts on the sprawling mixed-use mall north of town, which we grouped into a few buckets: The good, the bad, and the cringe. But hey, we want to hear your thoughts on The Domain, too!! Text us.  Learn more about the sponsors of this April 24th episode: Zach Theatre Tecovas Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST 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