Austin, TX
Austin among best cities to celebrate Valentine’s Day, study says
AUSTIN, Texas — When it comes to the day of love, one Texas city outshines the rest. In a study by WalletHub, Austin landed in the top 20 best cities to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
The capital city took the No. 12 spot on WalletHub’s list of the 100 largest U.S. cities. Each one was ranked based on budget, activities, gift accessibility and weather forecast.
Cities were also judged on more specific metrics, including the most affordable cities to get a three-course dinner for two. Texas dominated the list with two cities in the top 5 — Garland at No. 2 and Plano at No. 5. On the other end of that, a few Texas cities landed in the bottom for having the least amount of florists and chocolate shops per capita.
According to WalletHub, Americans are expected to spend $29.1 billion on gifts for that special someone this year, with the average person dropping $200 for the holiday. But having a memorable day doesn’t have to break the bank.
WalletHub has these tips for those who are looking for cost-effective ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day:
- Planning a homemade dinner date
- Giving personalized DIY gifts
- Exploring free or low-cost activities like picnics in the park, nature walks or stargazing
- Setting a budget and sticking to it
- Planning ahead for discounts and deals
“It’s common to spoil your partner on Valentine’s Day, but inflation can certainly put a damper on those plans. Fortunately, the best cities for Valentine’s Day offer a wide variety of affordable date activities, food options and places to buy gifts, so you can show that you care without breaking the bank. It’s never a good idea to go into debt just to enjoy a holiday or give a gift,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.
Austin, TX
National Hockey League seeking expansion in Houston and Austin as potential targets
HOUSTON, Texas — The NHL is looking to start the expansion process in Texas, with Austin and Houston as potential targets, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.
The expansion news is being discussed at the NHL’s board of governors meeting, which is being held on Tuesday in New York.
The NHL went from 30 to 32 clubs when it added the Vegas Golden Knights (began play in 2017-18) and Seattle Kraken (debuted in 2021-22). The expansion fee for Vegas was $500 million and for Seattle was $650 million.
Earlier this month at the Stanley Cup Final, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman reiterated that the league has fielded calls from across North America from prospective cities and owners who are interested in bringing in an NHL franchise.
SEE HERE: It’s official: Aeros hockey team leaving Houston at end of season
Bettman has previously told the board of governors that any potential expansion team would likely come with at least a $2 billion fee for it to make sense.
The league has seen record revenues this season — projected to be between $7.5 billion and $8 billion. The NHL salary cap is set at $104 million for the 2026-27 season, a $8.5 million increase from this past season.
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Austin, TX
Adobro’s Filipino-Fiesta-meets-Texas-Dancehall “Right Here, Right Now” Album Release Party
Austin, TX
Barton Springs Pool to reopen June 23
AUSTIN, Texas – Barton Springs Pool will reopen to visitors this week.
What they’re saying:
The City of Austin said the pool will reopen on Tuesday, June 23, for the early morning regularly scheduled “swim at your own risk.”
The pool had closed on June 15 due to severe weather.
City staff removed large tree branches, aluminum cans, fishing hooks, and other debris from the water.
The team also cleaned off decks and reinstalled the diving board in preparation for the pool’s reopening.
The Source: Information from the City of Austin
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