Free Lawn Concert Finale Downtown + $6.6B Budget Finalized
Austin, TX · August 13, 2026
Mid-August heat is humming early, but evening shade brings the season finale of free lawn music downtown today.
The Lead
City Council finalized a $6.6 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2026–2027 following late-night discussions and extensive community testimony. The approved package directs $1.5 billion toward the General Fund and $4.3 billion to capital projects, locking in key neighborhood investments across all ten council districts. Highlights include $7.8 million for local housing vouchers, $6 million for permanent supportive housing services, and $1.2 million to maintain public parks and refurbished municipal pools. Responding to public feedback, council members also restored $1.4 million to create the Office of Joint Emergency Communications alongside overtime funding for emergency medical services. Next, city staff will begin implementing the operational spending plan when the new fiscal year officially takes effect on October 1.
Local Pulse
CapMetro Expands Eastside Bus Route Access Route 2 now offers expanded two-way service along Springdale Road to directly connect Eastside riders with downtown.
I-35 Frontage Night Closures Wrap Up Overnight work on the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard bridge concludes this morning as project crews shift alignment.
Austin FC Hosts Club América at Q2 Tonight’s Leagues Cup matchup gives the local club a direct shot at advancing to the tournament quarterfinals.
Today's Outlook
- High 101°F · Low 79°F — Partly cloudy
- Keep hydration handy and limit afternoon sun exposure during peak triple-digit heat today.
What's On Around Town
Sound Break: Moontower Duo Blanton Museum of Art (200 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd), 2:00–3:00 PM Classical guitar performance inside the museum galleries with included general admission.
Hotel Van Zandt Pool Club Kickoff Hotel Van Zandt (605 Davis St), 3:00–7:00 PM Western-themed poolside launch with live DJ sets and summer cocktail specials.
The Drop-In Summer Concert Finale The Long Center Lawn (701 W Riverside Dr), 7:00 PM Free season-closing lawn show featuring local artists with skyline views.
Leagues Cup: Austin FC vs. Club América Q2 Stadium (10414 McKalla Pl), 7:30 PM Quarterfinal spot on the line as local squad takes on Liga MX powerhouses.
Magic Rockers of Texas Residency Hole in the Wall (2538 Guadalupe St), 8:00 PM High-energy local garage rock show on the iconic drag stage.
Spotlight & Story
- Seaholm Power Plant
- Built in 1950 as a municipal oil-and-gas generating facility, this Art Deco landmark produced electricity for forty-six years. Today, its decommissioned turbine hall and four iconic smoke stacks frame a pedestrian plaza surrounded by cafes, tech hubs, and high-rise living.
Austin Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.
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