ATX-NNW: Impact 10/2/2025

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Applied Materials gains local support for trade relief at Austin-area sites amid tariff pressures

Austin City Council backed Applied Materials’ request for federal trade relief under foreign trade zone, or FTZ, designation at its local facilities. That program can reduce the impact of federal import and export fees, which the company says will help it remain competitive.

The details: Applied Materials, which has a broad Austin manufacturing presence, joins other area companies like Samsung and Flex already using the trade zone program. Interest in FTZs has surged following federal tariff adjustments this year, with Austin officials supporting applications from Applied Materials' and Venkel Ltd. in the past few months.

While FTZs may save companies money and free up resources, the application process has slowed due to high demand and greater federal scrutiny.

Read the full story.

Latest News

Austin firefighters contract to include pay increases, new work hours

Austin firefighters may see pay increases and a reduced work schedule after their union reached a tentative contract agreement with the city late Sept. 26.

The details: Since earlier this summer, the Austin Firefighters Association—the union representing the Austin Fire Department—has been negotiating with city officials for a four-year labor contract.

The agreement made Sept. 26 is set to be ratified by AFA then approved by City Council members in October. It includes:

Pay increases for all four years of the agreement
A reduced work schedule to be known as the “Austin Schedule”
A new, more-streamlined promotion process
More flexible hiring, including the ability to hire already-certified firefighters

Diving deeper: The pay increases included in the tentative agreement include a 2.9% pay scale adjustment in the first year of the contract. The contract also aims to eventually reduce the hours firefighters work to an average 49.9 hour work week.

80K thriving students: How Russian School of Mathematics inspires next generation of mathematicians

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YOUR WEEKEND TO-DO LIST

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

To submit your own event, click here!

Austin | Oct. 3-5 and Oct. 10-12

Austin City Limits Music Festival

More info

Round Rock | Oct. 3-5, 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

Bluebonnet Beer Co. Oktoberfest

More info

Austin | Oct 4, 3-10 p.m.

Diwali at the Domain

More info

Bastrop | Through Oct. 5

'Fiddler on the Roof'

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Austin | Through Nov. 2

Sign Bar haunted maze

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Stay In The Know

What to know about getting around Austin during ACL 2025

Thousands of music fans will gather at Zilker Park for the Austin City Limits Music Festival, taking place Oct. 3-5 and Oct. 10-12.

What you need to know: Zilker Park is closed to public access Sept. 22-Oct. 19, with road closures nearby. Expect lane reductions or full closures on Stratford Drive, Barton Springs Road, Jessie Street, Azie Morton Road, Stephen F. Austin Drive, Veterans Drive, Rollingwood Drive, and eastbound Bee Cave Road. Limited or shuttle-only access will also be in effect on streets near the park.

The city’s transportation and public works department has an interactive street closure map to view road closure and lane reduction schedules. Parking will be restricted, with several Zilker lots closed through Oct. 19. Limited parking is available at Butler Shores, Riverside Drive, Veterans Drive, and Polo Field. Heavy congestion is expected near MoPac.

What else? Cyclists should anticipate dense pedestrian traffic. Barton Creek Greenbelt, Butler Hike and Bike Trail, and Barton Springs Pool—south gate only—remain open.