There are many things that Austin, the capital of Texas in the USA, is well-known for, but one reigns supreme – barbecue. Indeed, the whole state is obsessed with the stuff, and Texans really do it bigger and better than anyone!
That’s why, on a 35-degree day, we’ve joined a long queue at famous food joint Franklin Barbecue to get our hands on their brisket.
You may have to queue, but it’s worth it. Credit: supplied
Shuffling slowly towards the door, we can see people coming out with trays of meat, coleslaw and potato salad, and it looks delicious.
Finally it’s our turn and the food does not disappoint – the brisket is cooked for hours in the restaurant’s smoker, it falls apart as you touch it and tastes amazing.
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We add a pork rib and some turkey to the mix (well, we had to try it, right?) and all of it was sublime.
Lunch Tray pork ribs, smoked turkey, sausage, brisket & pulled pork. Enough for you? Credit: Supplied
Stuffed full, we step back out into the heat to head towards some more of the Austin landmarks – although we’re taking them in from the comfort of a bus with Austin Detours’ The Real Austin tour.
Our driver takes us to the imposing pink granite Texas Capitol building, and we head inside to see the impressive and historic place for ourselves.
A drive around some other hotspots – including the famous Greetings From Austin mural, food trucks and well-known stores – gives us a great overview of the city and introduces us to yet another Austin must-see – the bats!
Every summer night at sundown, thousands of bats fly out from under the Congress Avenue Bridge, and tourists flock to see the spectacle – it’s certainly impressive!
Colonies of bats live under Austin’s Congress Ave bridge. Credit: supplied
Back to food and it’s time for dinner. We hit up Kemuri Tatsu-Ya – a restaurant we had seen on Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil.
A fusion of barbecue and Japanese cuisine, this place is well worth a visit, with the brisket and gouda stuffed tofu pockets a real highlight.
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Phil, you were right, this is amazing. Credit: supplied
Once again full to the brim, we hop on some electric scooters to ride to our next famous Austin landmark – The White Horse Honky Tonk bar in East Austin.
Austin is a music town, and this place is the real deal, filled with couples doing the Texas Two Step to live music. It’s great fun, and if you’re feeling brave enough, you can head out on to the dance floor, too!
If you’re not done after a boogie here, head to 6th Street. This is where you’ll find more bars, clubs and restaurants, and music playing every night.
Another favourite is the fun Rainey Street, where houses have been turned into bars and a host of food trucks feed the partiers. Both places will have you out ’til late!
Austin’s iconic 6th St will have something to suit all night owls. Credit: Supplied
Of course, there is far more to the city of Austin than just booze and barbecue, so we also make sure to head to Blanton Museum of Art.
This impressive museum houses the famous art and architecture work ‘Austin’ by Ellsworth Kelly, and is great to get to if you’re in the area. An afternoon spent here is a nice way to beat the heat, and see a different side to the town the locals want to “stay weird”.
An Uber ride to the super cool shopping district of South Congress, including the famous Allens Boots store where we try on a load of boots, tops off the day.
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Wandering through boutiques and trying on Stetsons is fun, and there are plenty of food stops and bars should you get tired.
While famous for its barbecue and bats, adding great shopping, music and art to the mix means that Austin, in fact, has something for everyone.
Where to stay
The Loren at Lady Bird Lake is the perfect place to rest when you’re in Austin. It’s across the lake from the city, so you get great views of the skyline AND you’re a little removed from the action.
This luxe hotel also has a fitness centre with a yoga studio, and rooftop pool – great for when the temperature rises and that Texan sun hits hard.
We had a king room complete with a great view over the trees to the water, and the most comfortable bed we have ever slept in!
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Austin’s Loren at Ladybird Lake. Credit: supplied
The restaurant Nido is well worth a visit too – combining Texan cuisine with fine dining and really, really good cocktails.
A walk (or ride) across the bridge and you’re firmly in the action of downtown Austin, plus you’re also close to the water if you’re keen on paddle boarding (or a swim in Barton Springs pool).
Accident or crime scene cordon tape, police line do not cross. via Getty Images
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas – A juvenile has been arrested Saturday after an early morning double-homicide near Round Rock.
The situation ended after officials successfully negotiated a barricade situation with the minor, they say.
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Williamson County double-homicide
What we know:
Williamson County authorities got the shooting call around 2 a.m. from the 8900 block of Brushy Gate Cove, outside the Round Rock city limits.
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Williamson County sheriff’s deputies found two men dead of gunshot wounds at the scene. The suspect was barricaded inside a bedroom in the home.
Williamson County SWAT and crisis negotiators responded, and the suspect peacefully surrendered around 6:30 a.m.
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Officials say there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Williamson County officials comment
What they’re saying:
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“On our arrival, we found two deceased people from the residence, adult males,” said Commander John Foster of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.
“Anytime you have a barricaded subject inside of a home where we believe two people are deceased, you know, we’re going to take all precautionary measures that we can to ensure our safety and the safety of the neighbors as well,” said Foster.
Investigators say everyone involved resided in the house and that this was an isolated incident.
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“Information is going to be very limited, because this is a juvenile investigation, and certain laws protect certain information regarding juveniles,” said Foster.
What we don’t know:
The identity of the minor suspect has not been released.
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The victims were not identified.
The motive behind the shooting has not been commented on.
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The Source: Information in this article came from the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.
Samsung is taking steps to provide Apple with image sensors built with advanced technology for iPhones. Reportedly, the sensors for the iPhone will be manufactured in Samsung’s current Austin, Texas facility, and the company is anticipated to soon have production equipment installed for the upcoming project.
The image sensor of the iPhone is expected to have a three-stack design for better low-light performance and a higher density of pixels with multiple layers stacked vertically. This results in less power consumption, a dynamic range that’s higher, and faster speeds for readouts.
It’s believed that the new sensor will be made for the upcoming iPhone 18 in 2027. Apple and Samsung have reportedly arrived at a deal where Samsung will be supplying the component for the sensor. This marks the first occasion Apple will be going with another company apart from Sony as their main supplier for image sensors for its iPhones.
Texas football has lost its fair share of players to the NFL draft and transfer portal over the past few weeks, dwindling the roster. Despite the loss of a few big names such as linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., safety Michael Taaffe and others, the Longhorns have held onto star quarterback Arch Manning.
While it was unlikely that Manning would enter the portal, there was some hype surrounding the possibility of the first-year starter entering the NFL Draft. Why did the young star decide to forego the pros? According to Manning, his journey at Texas isn’t quite finished.
Manning Wants to Continue His Development With Texas
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Nov 28, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning keeps the ball and runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Texas A&M Aggies at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
“I felt like I developed a lot this year, especially towards the back half, and I want to keep it going,” Manning said, according to Inside Texas’s Evan Vieth. “There’s no reason to leave. I feel like I got a lot more football left to play, and excited to still be a part of this team.”
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Manning didn’t quite have the season that most fans and analysts envisioned for him, struggling at the start of the year. Despite these struggles, Manning went on to improve throughout the regular season, demonstrating why he is one of the nation’s top quarterback talents.
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At the start of the season, Manning’s accuracy and timing were a bit off. The offense as a whole seemed out of sync, and Texas was not looking like the powerhouse that was promised heading into the season.
Eventually, though, Manning found his stride, and more than just improving his stats, the Longhorn quarterback looked more comfortable. Eventually, the stat sheet reflected his improvements, posting 1,625 passing yards over the last six games of the season, alongside 16 total touchdowns.
Now, returning to Texas for what will likely be his last year in college before departing for the NFL, next season should be an exciting one for the Longhorns. Not only is Manning more experienced as the team’s top quarterback, but the wide receiving core will have developed as well.
Texas wide receivers had their struggles with drops this season, but showed improvements at some points throughout the year.
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Though it may be difficult to abstain from declaring for the draft, ultimately Manning made perhaps the best decision for his career and development. With another year to grow, by the time he enters the NFL, Manning will be much more experienced and likely better prepared.
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Manning will have one more chance to take the field this season in the upcoming Citrus Bowl, where Texas will take on the Michigan Wolverines on December 31.
