
City Cast Austin
🚙 Waymo to file software recall
December 9, 2025 · Kelsey Bradshaw
🎊 Hello, hello! It’s day two of our year-end membership campaign and I’m inviting you to become a City Cast Austin Neighbor!
In 2026, we want Austin to feel like a place where people know each other a little better and care a little more. If that sounds like you, join us and help make this city feel more like one big neighborhood.
And if you become a member today, you’ll be entered to win tickets to two Paramount Theatre shows! We’re giving away tickets to the Dec. 21 Rebecca Havemeyer and Stanley Roy show and Bob Schneider's Great Big Spectacular New Years Eve Party!
For $10/month or $100/year, you’ll unlock perks that help you engage more deeply with local life — and support this daily newsletter made for locals, by locals. Join this week and we’ll send you a City Cast beanie, which is perfect for the actual winter weather we’re having!

What's CITY Talking About
🍝 L’Oca d’Oro Offering Pay-What-You-Can Meals
On Tuesday nights, L’Oca d’Oro is offering pay-what-you-can meals so more people can enjoy a three-course meal. The restaurant has set up a GoFundMe page to help subsidize them. [L’Oca d’Oro]

🤔 Austin’s Dangerous Intersections Seeing Less Crashes, City Says
Fewer vehicle crashes are being reported out of Austin’s most dangerous roads, which include North Lamar Boulevard and South First Street. City transportation officials say it’s proof that Austin’s pledge to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries is working. [City Cast Austin 🎧]
🚙 Waymo To File a Software Recall
Waymo plans to file a software recall after cameras caught the autonomous vehicles illegally passing school buses in Austin, and in Atlanta, Georgia. [NPR]
🗳️ Who Is Running for What in Austin?
- The candidate filing deadline for the March 2026 Democratic and Republican primary elections came and went on Monday. [Texas Secretary of State]
- State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt filed to run for Texas Comptroller, ending her campaign for U.S. House District 10. [KXAN]
- Austin Congressman Lloyd Doggett will officially retire now that the U.S. Supreme Court has allowed Texas to use its newly drawn congressional maps for the 2026 election. [KUT]
- Colin Allred dropped out of the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, leaving Austin Rep. James Talarico in the race against U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who just announced her candidacy. [The Texas Tribune]
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Do Downtown for the Holidays
Happy Y'allidays! Downtown Austin Alliance’s holiday hub is your free resource for very merry pop-ups, seasonal shows, 80+ deals from local bizzes for holiday shopping, and all things festive fun.
Text “ATX HOLIDAYS” to (512) 890-3099 or visit https://xoxodowntown.com/ for updates + happenings sent directly to your phone.
See you downtown!

What To Do
Tuesday, Dec. 9
- 🎨 Watercolor Workshop at Stargazer Cocktails and Coffee | Govalle
- 🤘 Primitive Man at Empire Control Room & Garage | Downtown Austin
- 🎞️ Cult and Genre Film Trivia at Hyperreal Film Club | East Austin
- 🎶 Guillermo’s Classical Music Trivia at The Brewtorium | Highland
Wednesday, Dec. 10
- 👠 Sorting Hat Drag Bingo at Punch Bowl Social | The Domain
- 🎤 The Moth at Paramount Theatre | Downtown Austin
- 🌟 Grand Opening: Austin Trail of Lights (through Dec. 23) at Zilker Metropolitan Park | Barton Hills
- 🍿 “The Grinch” at St. Elmo Brewing Co. - Springdale | LBJ
🫶 Shout out to our newest members Julia M. and Daphne M.! Welcome to the best community in Austin!
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