Austin, TX

Hazel Coffee Co. cafe opens in Ann Arbor with Austin, Texas, vibes

Published

3 months ago

November 8, 2025

Hazel Coffee Co. cafe opens in Ann Arbor with Austin, Texas, vibes

ANN ARBOR, MI — A coffee shop with Austin, Texas, “vibes” has arrived in Ann Arbor.

Hazel Coffee Co, 2111 Packard St., unveiled its offerings in a soft opening Wednesday, Nov. 5, co-owner Bryan Caragay said.

“The community around here has been the most supportive,” Caragay, 29, said. “We have had dozens of people yesterday and today just say how happy they are for us that we got through it and congratulating us.”

Caragay co-owns the shop with his wife, Hailey Polidori Caragay. The two hope to make their coffee shop unique by adding a “coffee-and-community tagline.”

“We really wanted to bring that Southern hospitality to the Midwest and just have a really collaborative, creative environment,” Hailey Polidori Caragay, 29, said. “We want it to be a place people gather from all aspects of creativity.”

Hazel Coffee Co. comes after years of doorstop drop-offs and event-catering, Bryan Caragay said.

The couple, originally from the Plymouth-Canton area and both 2018 Central Michigan University graduates, started a coffee catering company in 2020 when they resided in Austin.

Bryan said his wife dropped off coffee orders door-to-door and used one espresso machine to prepare drinks at the start.

The couple moved to Ann Arbor in 2022 and transitioned their coffee business to catering carts. Bryan said they opened the coffee shop as “a home base” for patrons.

“We get a lot of people saying that they loved our coffee at our catering events but there was nowhere they could actually come and enjoy the coffee themselves,” Bryan said.

The couple “blindly moved” to Ann Arbor because the city has “similar vibes to Austin.”

They began seriously touring potential sites about two years ago, but the locations were either too expensive or “the landlords weren’t great.”

Construction of Hazel Coffee Co., named from an early memory of Hailey’s mother drinking hazelnut coffee, began in May in a vacant lot, close to YORK Food and Drink and Core Collective.

Bryan credits the coffee shop’s landlords, whom he calls “the most amazing landlords you could ever imagine,” for helping him and Hailey with the shop’s initial financial struggles.

Hailey said many local business owners have already stopped by the coffee shop and are excited to collaborate.

“We took a lot of inspiration from coffee shops down in Austin, Texas where everything is super welcoming,” Bryan said. “Our whole thing is you should be able to walk in and get a very well-dialed espresso like a specialty coffee shop would offer. But also, if you’re somebody who’s not into that and you want a chai or a matcha, we’ll be able to provide that for you as well.”

Bryan said the couple does not want customers to be judged for their drink orders.

Menu items include a cinnamon sugar latte, maple sea salt latte and other house-made drinks.

“(Customers) should expect to feel welcomed immediately when they walk in the door,” Bryan said. “They should always feel like someone has made a connection to them and that when they come in, we’re going to make sure that they leave with something they were happy with.”

Hazel Coffee Co is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.

The couple is also passionate about technology. In their sophomore years at CMU, they came up with Guarded Safety, a smartphone safety app that alerts users’ contacts if they feel like they’re in a dangerous situation.

The couple’s product won the October 5×5 Night pitch competition at Fenn Valley Vineyards in Fennville in 2017.

Read more: CMU students’ app to improve college safety wins 5×5 Night contest

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page.

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Austin, TX

Austin leaders to hold discussion on APD’s immigration policies

Published

7 hours ago

January 27, 2026

Press Room

Austin leaders to hold discussion on APD’s immigration policies

AUSTIN, Texas — Following a controversial deportation involving a 5-year-old, Austin City Council members and the city’s police chief will hold a community conversation to discuss the police department’s immigration policies.

On Thursday, Feb. 5, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis, Mayor Pro Tem José “Chito” Vela and Councilmembers Vanessa Fuentes and José Velásquez will host a community conversation on “APD’s policies that impact our immigrant community.” It was originally scheduled for Jan. 26, but it was moved due to icy roads.

The discussion is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. at Govalle Elementary Cafeteria, 3601 Govalle Ave. Spanish interpretation services will be provided. Those interested in attending virtually can RSVP here to receive a Zoom link.

This comes after an Austin mother and her 5-year-old child were deported after the mother called 911 from her home. APD officers called Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on the mother after seeing an “administrative warrant” in a federal database. Following the incident, Austin City Council members released a statement condemning the actions of APD, and APD said they would update their ICE policy.

Nationwide, protests have erupted due to the actions of ICE officials, mainly in Minneapolis, Minn., where incidents like the detention of a father and his 5-year-old son to an immigration facility in Dilley, Texas, and the killings of Renee Nicole Good and VA nurse Alex Pretti by ICE officers have enraged residents.

In response to Pretti’s killing on Saturday, the Austin Immigrant Rights AC will hold a protest on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 5:30 p.m. at the Texas Capital south entrance. The group had previously held a protest in early January after Good was killed.

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Austin, TX

FULL LIST: Tuesday, Jan. 27 closures, delays for Central Texas schools

Published

20 hours ago

January 26, 2026

Press Room

FULL LIST: Tuesday, Jan. 27 closures, delays for Central Texas schools

AUSTIN, Texas – The winter storm has made its way to Central Texas, causing impacts across the region, including to schools.

Some Central Texas school districts, colleges and universities have adjusted their operations for Tuesday, Jan. 27, due to the arctic blast.

You can view the full list below:

School district closures/delays

What we know:

Austin ISD

All Austin ISD schools and offices will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Austin Community College

ACC will remain closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Bartlett ISD

Bartlett ISD schools and offices will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27, due to unsafe road conditions.

All extracurricular activities are canceled.

Blanco ISD

All Blanco ISD schools will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Brentwood Christian School

Brentwood Christian School will be closed for Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Burnet CISD

All classes, activities, and events scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 27 are canceled.

Champions School of Real Estate

Champions School of Real Estate Austin campus will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Chapparral Star Academy

Chapparral Star Academy will be closed for Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Child Inc Head Start

Child Inc Head Start will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Cedars International Academy Schools

Cedars International Academy Schools will be closed for Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Del Valle ISD

All Del Valle ISD schools and offices will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Dripping Springs ISD

All Dripping Springs ISD campuses are canceled for Tuesday, Jan. 27.

District offices will be closed, as well.

Eanes ISD

All campuses and district offices will be closed for Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Elgin ISD

All campuses will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Florence ISD

Florence ISD will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Fredericksburg ISD

Fredericksburg ISD will be closed Tuesday, January 27.

Georgetown ISD

All Georgetown ISD campuses will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Granger ISD

Granger ISD has canceled school for Tuesday, Jan. 27, due to expected icy road conditions.

All schools will return to normal operations on Wednesday, Jan. 28.

Harper ISD

Harper ISD will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Hays CISD

All schools will remain closed for Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Huston-Tillotson University

Due to ongoing winter weather conditions, Huston-Tillotson University will operate remotely on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Hutto ISD

Hutto ISD has canceled school for Tuesday, Jan. 27, due to continued freezing temperatures and the potential for icy roadways.

Hyde Park Schools

All schools will be closed for Tuesday, Jan. 27.

IDEA Public Schools

IDEA Public Schools Greater Austin Region will be canceling all classes and activities for Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Jarrell ISD

All Jarrell ISD campuses are closed for Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Johnson City ISD

Johnson City ISD will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Lago Vista ISD

All campuses will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27 due to hazardous road conditions from icy and refreezing streets.

Lake Travis ISD

All schools will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27, due to possible road conditions.

Lampasas ISD

Lampasas ISD will remain closed for Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Leander ISD

Leander ISD schools and facilities will remain closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Lexington ISD

Lexington ISD will have a two-hour delayed start on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Buses will run two hours later than normal.

Liberty Hill ISD

Liberty Hill ISD will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27, due to ongoing weather conditions.

Llano ISD

Llano ISD will remain closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Llano Christian Academy

Llano Christian Academy will remain closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27, due to icy roads.

Lockhart ISD

All Lockhart ISD schools will operate on a two-hour delay on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Manor ISD

All schools and offices will remain closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27, due to winter conditions.

Marble Falls ISD

All campuses will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Rockdale ISD

All Rockdale ISD schools and district facilities will remain closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Round Rock ISD

All Round Rock ISD classes and before- and after-school activities are canceled for Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Regents School of Austin

Regents School of Austin will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

San Antonio ISD

San Antonio ISD will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 27, with a two-hour delayed start for students only.

San Marcos CISD

All San Marcos CISD campuses and offices will operate on a 2-hour delay for Tuesday, Jan. 27.

San Saba ISD

San Saba ISD will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27, due to road conditions.

St. Mary’s Catholic School

St. Mary’s Catholic School in Taylor has decided to remain closed for Tuesday, Jan. 27.

St. Michael’s Prep

St. Michael’s Prep will be closed for Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Southwestern University

Southwestern University has canceled all classes on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Taylor ISD

Taylor ISD schools will remain closed Tuesday, Jan. 27 due to lingering icy conditions and roadways that may refreeze overnight.

Extracurricular activities are canceled or will be rescheduled.

Texas Empowerment Academy

Texas Empowerment Academy will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Texas State Technical College

Texas State Technical College’s Williamson County campus will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Texas State University

The San Marcos campus will operate as normal on Tuesday.

The Round Rock campus will have a delayed start at noon.

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas at Austin will remain closed through Tuesday, Jan. 27.

The Source: Information from school districts

Winter WeatherEducationAustin

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Austin, TX

George Strait Announces Back To Back Shows At The Moody Center In Austin, Texas | Whiskey Riff

Published

1 day ago

January 26, 2026

Press Room

George Strait Announces Back To Back Shows At The Moody Center In Austin, Texas | Whiskey Riff

Another round of shows for the King.

After another successful year in 2025 for the living legend that included a limited run of stadium shows with Chris Stapleton and being honored by President Trump at the Kennedy Center back in December, George Strait is showing no signs of slowing down heading into 2026.

If you recall, back in October, he announced a one-night only show in Death Valley, home of the Clemson Tigers in Clemson, South Carolina at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026. Here, he’d call upon none other than fellow Texan troubadour, Cody Johnson, along with the stellar Wyatt Flores.

In November, he’d up the ante, announcing not one but two separate shows at Texas Tech’s Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas, on Friday, April 24th and Saturday, April 25th. Similarly to the Clemson show, he’d be calling on a mix of young star power with Miranda Lambert and hot up-and-comer, Hudson Westbrook, opening night one and reigning CMA New Artist of the Year, Zach Top, as well as the severely underrated Dylan Gossett setting the stage for night two.

As time passed, it became a bit unclear if the “Amarillo By Morning” singer was going to make those shows his only dates for 2026. That, however, changed today.

Just announced, Strait announced back-to-back nights at the iconic Moody Center in Austin, Texas, with the underrated traditionalist, William Beckmann, on April 9th and 11th.

In case you’re unfamiliar with Beckmann, he recently had a new song with the red-hot Carter Faith, “Lay Your Heartbreak Onto Mine,” featured on season two of Taylor Sheridan’s hit show, Landman. Additionally, he’s scored some hits on streaming such as “Bourbon Whiskey,” “Tennessee Drinkin’,” “Danced All Night Long” and a country-fried cover of Bruce Springsteen’s classic, “I’m On Fire.” Though names like Zach Top, Jake Worthington and Drake Milligan typical dominate lists of young traditional country acts, Beckmann undoubtedly deserves more recognition for his unique, classic sound.

In the Instagram comment section of the announcement post, Beckmann would call the opening spot a dream come true.

“I can’t wait sir! This is literally such a dream come true. Thank you.”

Presale for the back-to-back shows begin TODAY at 10 a.m. CT with signups being available right now. General sale, on the other hand, will begin this Friday, January 30th, at 10 a.m. CT.

As previously mentioned, given the fact that Strait has yet to announce a full set of dates for 2026, these shows very well may be his only shows for 2026. If you recall, back in 2012, he announced that he was retiring from full-length tours. Obviously, that hasn’t stopped him from still going on limited runs over the past 14 years. With that being said, however, at 73 years old, it’s becoming clear that he’s been slowly taking a step back from touring throughout the year. With less and less shows being scheduled per year for the King, I would not hesitate on tickets if you’re in the Austin area.

Before you go, fire up “Troubadour” for ‘ol time’s sake.