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Alteño to bring Mexican flavors to downtown Austin this summer

Johnny and Kasie Curiel of Fonda Fina Hospitality are slated to partner with 1 Hotel Austin to open a new Mexican restaurant this summer. 

Learn more: Alteño Austin encapsulates chef Johnny Curiel’s approach to Mexican cuisine and storytelling, according to a news release. 

“We’ve spent years exploring Austin and falling in love with its food and community,” Johnny Curiel said in a news release. “Opening a restaurant here has always been a dream, and we’re excited to become part of a city that’s inspired us for so long.”

On the menu: Menu items at Alteño include Pan De Elote, which is a jalapeno cornbread with huitlacoche butter, smoked honey and black truffle. 

Looking for a libation? For patrons looking to grab something from the bar, Alteño is set to serve classic cocktails like a paloma and old fashioned.

  • 96 Red River St., Austin
 
Latest City News
Austin budget talks begin with potential spending cuts, tax increases

Budget planning for Austin's upcoming fiscal year 2026-27 is underway, and city officials are weighing likely funding reductions while addressing rising costs and slowing revenue.

The details: The city's financial situation is due in part to slowing tax revenue partially caused by broader economic factors. Deputy budget director Erik Nelson pointed to national impacts like "stubbornly high" inflation, war-related energy price shocks and high interest rates that are affecting consumer activity and new development.

While the city isn't planning to invest in any major new programs, Austin's general fund—the largely tax-supported portion of the budget covering most public-facing services—is expected to grow about 3% in FY 2026-27. Within current constraints, millions of dollars in cuts are being considered to create a balanced budget plan while maintaining general services and programs.

What's next: City officials will also consider tax increases that'd likely raise the typical homeowner's property tax bill anywhere from roughly $100-$150. More information on potential changes to the budget and final taxing decisions will be coming throughout the summer.

 

Your Weekend To-Do List

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

2026 Red Poppy Festival

Eeyore’s Birthday Party

April 24-26, times vary
Georgetown

April 25, 11 a.m.
Austin

More info

More info

 

Austin Blues Festival

Mini-Con 2026

April 25-26
Austin

April 25, 2-5 p.m.
Cedar Park

More info

More info

 
To submit your own event, click here.

Stay In The Know
Central Texas partnership streamlines blood distribution to large-scale incidents

Austin-Travis County EMS has partnered with We Are Blood to implement a blood distribution plan for mass casualty incidents. The plan strengthens the region’s ability to respond to large-scale emergencies and helps patients receive transfusions quickly.

At a glance: The Mass Casualty Incident Whole Blood Deployment Plan is intended to quicken emergency response in Central Texas by optimizing the deployment of blood units to major incidents, according to an ATCEMS news release.

The plan outlines four distinct steps in the coordination of whole blood deployment to mass casualty incidents in the region:

  • Activation: ATCEMS notifies We Are Blood of the mass casualty incident and the estimated amount of blood needed.
  • Rapid Staging: We Are Blood prepares units of blood and pre-packed supplies for transfusions.
  • Field Deployment: ATCEMS personnel get the units from the blood bank.
  • On-Scene Management: A dedicated blood officer oversees blood and equipment distribution at the scene.
 

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Krista Box
General Manager

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