🏅 The best of Austin in 2025

🐶 Austin Animal Services Wants Inmates To Clean Kennels

Austin Animal Services is considering having inmates in the Travis County Jail help clean kennels and work outside at the city’s shelter during the week from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Some civil rights advocates say the plan could be exploitative. [Austin American-Statesman]

🏴 New Downtown Banners Feature Iconic Texans

Photos of artists like Kacey Musgraves, Gary Clark Jr., Spoon, and more are on new banners in downtown’s Second Street District. The artists featured have all performed on “Austin City Limits.” [KXAN]

🎸 The New Yorker Goes Long on Willie Nelson

I’ve been slowly making my way through this very long profile of Willie Nelson and it is delightful. So far I’ve learned Nelson’s hair is thicker than it appears in photos, and that he pays for the upkeep of his hometown church in Abbott. [The New Yorker]

🍽️ 10 Austin Dishes Named Best in 2025

The Austin Chronicle has released its list of the city’s best 10 dishes in 2025 and it includes items from restaurants Le Calamar, Rocco’s, and Lao’d Bar. [The Austin Chronicle]