Editor's note: The top Austin news of the week finds Austin in the national and global spotlight via a booming suburb and prestigious university. Plus, an iconic Austin venue is on the move. Read on for our most popular stories, then find the best weekend happenings right here.

1. Bustling Austin suburb declared America's No. 1 new boomtown. What do you get when a city is surging in population, housing growth, and economy all at once? For Georgetown, it adds up to being named America's No. 1 newest boomtown.

2. UT Austin declared world's No. 35 best university in new global report. The University of Texas at Austin is soaring to the top of the class worldwide. The Center for World University Rankings has ranked UT at No. 35 in the world on its Global 2000 list for 2026.

3. Friday Night Lights cast and producers reunite 20 years later in Austin. The cast and crew of Friday Night Lights reunited on May 29 at the ATX TV Festival for an unforgettable panel celebrating the show's 20th anniversary.

The full cast and crew at the Friday Night Lights reunion. Photo by Manny Pandya

4. Iconic Austin venue Emo's moving as LA company's new venue takes over. A new venue owned by Los Angeles events company AEG Presents is taking over Emo's longtime Riverside location.

5. Silent horror show turns Austin’s haunted Tavern into immersive theater. A century-old Austin sports bar known for its burgers, game-day crowds, and ghost stories will become the setting for a silent cosmic-horror experience inspired by the writings of H. P. Lovecraft.