About Good Morning Travis County - You Daily Does of Good News
Good Morning Travis County is your daily, family-friendly good news fix — packed with the top local feel-good stories from Austin and surrounding neighborhoods. Whether you’re sipping coffee in South Congress, stuck in traffic on MoPac, or walking your dog near Zilker, we’ve got the smart news you need in five minutes or less.
Late-Night Shawarma, #1 Spa Resort & Middle School Salsa Business | Good Morning Travis County - Good News
Houston food truck Al Shami opens first Austin location October 25 with late-night shawarma until 4 a.m., Lake Austin Spa Resort named top destination spa in the U.S., ACL Fest Weekend One draws huge crowds to Zilker Park, new Wicked Oaks Festival launches with 60+ artists October 25-26, historic Buda Train Depot gets restored by 2026, Travis County launches $21M child care scholarship program for 1,000 families, and Ojeda Middle School students learn entrepreneurship through salsa-making class. Your daily dose of good news from Travis County with Steve Rhode.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Al Shami Food Truck Opening on Guadalupe (https://austin.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/al-shami-opening-guadalupe/)
Lake Austin Spa Resort Named #1 in U.S. (https://www.chron.com/life/travel/article/lake-austin-spa-resort-visit-21089053.php)
ACL Fest 2025 Weekend One Photos (https://austin.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/acl-fest-2025-w1-photos/)
Wicked Oaks Festival Launches (https://www.ravermag.com/blog/austins-new-wicked-oaks-festival-launches-with-charity-programs-60-artists-october-25-26)
Buda Train Depot Restoration (https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/hays-county/buda-train-depot-restoration/269-fd055456-0bbb-4b09-8c6c-4dc237695080)
Travis County Child Care Scholarships (https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/raising-travis-county-child-care-scholarships/269-6b293f38-d955-4325-8cb5-20ee39b6912f)
Ojeda Middle School Salsa Business Class (https://www.kvue.com/article/news/education/schools/salsa-class-ojeda-middle-school-del-valle-lessons/269-f92e3e58-d2de-49ca-9fd6-9bbe9f33a30f)
Join the email list at TapYourNews.com (https://tapyournews.com/) to get notified when new episodes drop.
Check out Steve's true crime podcast at TrueCrimeUnheard.com (https://truecrimeunheard.com/)
7 Oct 2025
Lunch Debt Wiped Out, Dell Children's Top 10 & Guerrilla Art Treasure Hunt | Good Morning Travis County - Good News
A generous donor paid off all student lunch debt in Taylor ISD, Dell Children's heart program ranks in the national top 10, an Austin man with Parkinson's is competing in NeuroPong at the Senior Olympics, and a local artist is leaving tiny artworks around town for strangers to discover in an artsy treasure hunt. Your daily dose of good news from Travis County with Steve Rhode.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Taylor ISD lunch debt paid off: https://www.kxan.com/news/local/taylor/donor-pays-off-taylor-isd-lunch-debt/ (https://www.kxan.com/news/local/taylor/donor-pays-off-taylor-isd-lunch-debt/)
Dell Children's top 10 heart program: https://www.statesman.com/news/healthcare/article/austin-childrens-hospital-top-10-program-us-news-21083389.php (https://www.statesman.com/news/healthcare/article/austin-childrens-hospital-top-10-program-us-news-21083389.php)
Austin man competing in Senior Olympics NeuroPong: https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/austin-parkinsons-neuropong-st-george-utah/269-da2e218a-36d8-45c0-b8ac-1933d9985087 (https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/austin-parkinsons-neuropong-st-george-utah/269-da2e218a-36d8-45c0-b8ac-1933d9985087)
Guerrilla art around Austin: https://www.kut.org/life-arts/2025-10-07/this-is-my-thing-guerrilla-art (https://www.kut.org/life-arts/2025-10-07/this-is-my-thing-guerrilla-art)
Join the email list at TapYourNews.com (https://tapyournews.com/) to get notified when new episodes drop.
Check out Steve's true crime podcast at TrueCrimeUnheard.com (https://truecrimeunheard.com/)
6 Oct 2025
ACL Fest Magic, Austin FC Playoffs & Free Fun Weekend | Good Morning Travis County - Good News
Sabrina Carpenter and Shania Twain surprise ACL Fest with an epic duet, Riize makes history as the first K-pop group at ACL, Doechii powers through her set like a pro, Austin FC clinches a playoff spot, the USMNT is coming to Austin, free events fill the weekend of October 10-12 including the Horror Film Festival and Cirque du Soleil, and Austin's haunted places get spotlighted just in time for spooky season. Your daily dose of good news from Travis County with Steve Rhode.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Sabrina Carpenter's Massive ACL Festival Crowd (https://www.statesman.com/entertainment/music/article/sabrina-carpenter-acl-fest-crowd-photos-21085558.php)
Riize Makes History as First K-pop Group at ACL Fest (https://www.statesman.com/entertainment/music/article/acl-festival-k-pop-riize-21085470.php)
Doechii Slays Her ACL Fest Set (https://www.statesman.com/entertainment/music/article/doechii-acl-fest-lineup-setlist-saturday-21081026.php)
Austin FC Qualifies for MLS Playoffs (https://www.statesman.com/sports/mls/article/mls-playoffs-austin-fc-21085753.php)
Mauricio Pochettino on Playing in Austin (https://www.kxan.com/video/mauricio-pochettino-on-playing-in-austin/11132207/)
Free And Fun Events in Austin - October 10-12 (https://austinot.com/free-and-cheap-events-in-austin-october-10-october-12-2025)
Austin's Most Haunted Places (https://www.statesman.com/news/article/most-haunted-cities-places-austin-driskill-ghosts-21075391.php)
Join the email list at TapYourNews.com (https://tapyournews.com/) to get notified when new episodes drop.
Check out Steve's true crime podcast at TrueCrimeUnheard.com (https://truecrimeunheard.com/)
3 Oct 2025
Legacy Businesses Honored, Twice K-Pop Tour & Robot Brain Surgery | Good Morning Travis County - Good News
Preservation Austin honors ten longtime local businesses for Legacy Business Month, K-pop superstars Twice bring their world tour to the Moody Center next April, Texas Children's Hospital uses advanced robotics for pediatric brain surgery helping Austin-area kids, a new law creates a 100-mile trail connecting the State Capitol to the Alamo, and downtown gets bold new bars at The Driskill and Veracruz. Your daily dose of good news from Travis County with Steve Rhode.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Preservation Austin honors legacy businesses (https://www.kvue.com/article/money/business/preservation-austin-honors-10-longtime-staple-businesses-legacy-business-month/269-d5b30dbc-fd38-44ee-9280-e1867b60f51a)
Twice K-Pop concert at Moody Center (https://austin.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/twice-kpop-tour-moody-center/)
Texas Children's Hospital robot surgery (https://www.statesman.com/news/healthcare/article/robotic-brain-surgery-texas-children-s-offers-21078268.php)
100-mile trail from Capitol to Alamo (https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/new-law-requires-100-mile-trail-connecting-state-capitol-alamo-to-be-completed-by-2036/)
Driskill and Veracruz new bars (https://austin.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/food-news-driskill-veracruz-bars/)
Join the email list at TapYourNews.com (https://tapyournews.com/) to get notified when new episodes drop.
Check out Steve's true crime podcast at TrueCrimeUnheard.com (https://truecrimeunheard.com/)
2 Oct 2025
New Driskill Bar, Rescued Dogs & Local Chefs Hit Time100 | Good Morning Travis County - Good News
The Driskill Hotel opens a new Victorian-themed bar downtown, Birdie's restaurant owners land on Time magazine's Time100 Next list, 19 rescued dogs find new hope at Austin Humane Society, Austin celebrates Arts & Humanities Month all October, and Nine Inch Nails announces a 2026 Moody Center show. Your daily dose of good news from Travis County with Steve Rhode.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Birdie's Time100 recognition: https://austin.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/birdies-malechek-ezekiel-time-100/ (https://austin.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/birdies-malechek-ezekiel-time-100/)
Victorian Bar at Driskill Hotel: https://www.statesman.com/entertainment/dining/article/driskill-hotel-victorian-bar-april-bloomfield-21073605.php (https://www.statesman.com/entertainment/dining/article/driskill-hotel-victorian-bar-april-bloomfield-21073605.php)
19 rescued dogs for adoption: https://www.fox7austin.com/news/19-dogs-rescued-from-bastrop-county-home (https://www.fox7austin.com/news/19-dogs-rescued-from-bastrop-county-home)
Arts & Humanities Month: https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/austin-celebrates-national-arts-humanities-month-with-fall-festivities/ (https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/austin-celebrates-national-arts-humanities-month-with-fall-festivities/)
Nine Inch Nails concert: https://www.kvue.com/article/entertainment/music/nine-inch-nails-moody-center-austin-2026-tour/269-542faada-536e-414b-b20f-41bb53fd2621 (https://www.kvue.com/article/entertainment/music/nine-inch-nails-moody-center-austin-2026-tour/269-542faada-536e-414b-b20f-41bb53fd2621)
Join the email list at TapYourNews.com (https://tapyournews.com/) to get notified when new episodes drop.
Check out Steve's true crime podcast at TrueCrimeUnheard.com (https://truecrimeunheard.com/)
1 Oct 2025
Climbable Forts Return, Birdie's Hits Time's List & Austin FC Eyes First Trophy | Good Morning Good News
Eight new climbable forts debut at Wildflower Center this Saturday, East Austin's Birdie's makes Time Magazine's Next 100 list for redefining modern restaurants, Texas Roadhouse brings 210 jobs to Leander next month, and Austin FC plays for its first major championship. Your daily dose of good news from Travis County with Steve Rhode.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Fortlandia at Wildflower Center: https://austin.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/fortlandia-2025-wildflower-center/ (https://austin.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/fortlandia-2025-wildflower-center/)
Birdie's owners on Time's Next 100 list: https://www.statesman.com/entertainment/dining/article/time100-next-honors-austin-chefs-changing-food-21067140.php (https://www.statesman.com/entertainment/dining/article/time100-next-honors-austin-chefs-changing-food-21067140.php)
Texas Roadhouse opening in Leander: https://www.statesman.com/business/article/leander-texas-roadhouse-new-restaurant-21075243.php (https://www.statesman.com/business/article/leander-texas-roadhouse-new-restaurant-21075243.php)
Austin FC U.S. Open Cup final: https://www.statesman.com/sports/mls/article/us-open-cup-final-sam-surridge-owen-wolff-21074585.php (https://www.statesman.com/sports/mls/article/us-open-cup-final-sam-surridge-owen-wolff-21074585.php)
Join the email list at TapYourNews.com (https://tapyournews.com/) to get notified when new episodes drop.
Check out Steve's true crime podcast at TrueCrimeUnheard.com (https://truecrimeunheard.com/)
26 Sept 2025
🍽️ Korean BBQ Spots Heat Up Austin as Cool Weather Finally Arrives
Friday brings relief from the heat with cooler mornings ahead, plus new Korean dining discoveries worth exploring and creative opportunities to connect with your community. Austin's film scene continues growing with more job opportunities, and our local high school athletes are making us proud. Your daily dose of what's getting better in Travis County. Sign up for episode notifications and contact me at TapYourNews.com (https://tapyournews.com/)
22 Sept 2025
🚨 Water Safety Reminder After Fatal Lake Travis Incident
A person died after being pulled from Lake Travis Sunday afternoon despite rescue efforts, reminding locals about water safety. Austin FC scored a dramatic stoppage-time victory over Seattle Sounders 2-1 at Q2 Stadium. Round Rock opens its first high-level NICU at Baylor Scott & White. The weekend heat continues with potential midweek relief and rain chances. Get your local news at TapYourNews.com
19 Sept 2025
🚗 Fatal I-35 Crash Snarls North Austin as Hate Crime Charges Filed in Barton Springs Attack
A deadly crash involving an 18-wheeler backs up I-35 near Tech Ridge Boulevard while arrest warrants are issued for a hate crime at Barton Springs. Plus, free entry to 30+ museums this Sunday, Austin ranks as a Top 10 coffee city, and Cedar Park reports second rabid bat this week. Get your Friday morning Travis County news update. TapYourNews.com
It’s Wednesday, September 17, and we’re bringing you Travis County’s morning scoop. Today’s show covers the $4.5 million fire at The Domain, a Kyle man facing federal charges after Austin robberies, and the return of Fantastic Fest. We’ve also got news on film casting in Austin, a community feedback session at the Carver Museum, and a Rapid Fire list to make your day better. Stick around for your dad joke of the day… and a smile to-go.
11 Sept 2025
Good Morning Travis County — Zilker Shooting, Alert Failures, and Fresh Starts
Travis County was shaken when an Austin police officer was shot near Zilker Park on Azie Morton Road. KVUE reports the officer is recovering, but the incident raised big questions about safety in one of Austin’s most familiar spots.
We’ll also dig into the confusion: Austin’s emergency alert system failed to send a shelter-in-place, and Barton Hills parents are demanding answers after a lockdown was lifted too soon. On the brighter side, East Austin now has a brand-new 40-unit domestic violence shelter providing refuge and support for families in crisis.
Plus — from weekend festivals and a new Tiger Woods–backed mini golf spot to today’s fresh dad joke — we’ll help you start the day both informed and smiling.
11 Sept 2025
Good Morning Travis County – School Safety Scare, Officer Shot, and Austin Dad Heroes
Parents in Barton Hills are demanding answers after a shelter-in-place was lifted while a gunman was still on the loose. An Austin police officer is recovering after being shot near Zilker Park — and a dad on his bike helped track the suspect down. Plus, a disturbing case at H-E-B, a wastewater spill in Manor, and some big bragging rights for Austin’s food and film scene.
Wake up with Steve — your Granddude neighbor — for the wit, wisdom, and headlines that matter in Travis County.
9 Sept 2025
Bobby Hill Skewers, Beergaritas, and Highland Park Glow-Up
East Austin celebrates a national award-winning baker, while Highland Park unveils a community sculpture that’s both art and hangout. We’ve got your weather, resilience plans, beergarita buzz, and a new Bobby Hill-inspired dish. Plus — our taco-themed dad joke of the day.
Visit TapYourNews.com to sign up for email notifications when new episodes drop.
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