Hot Headlines

Best local swimming holes, North Austin's massive new development, and more top stories

Hamilton Pool and 11 more great spots for swimming.

Editor's note: The longest week there ever was is finally coming to a close. (But seriously, that was a long week, right?) The stories that got people's attention were all about change: new developments, sad shutters, and even a brand-new park taking over a former shopping mall. Read on to find out more of the week's hottest headlines.

1. Popular North Austin bar says goodnight for good after unexpected closure. It was a real kick in the gut(ter ball) when news broke that The Goodnight had unexpectedly closed its doors. Lucky for bowling fans, the entertainment extravaganza has plans to open another outpost in downtown Austin this fall.

2. Massive new development bringing hotel, restaurants, and more to North Austin neighborhood. A 66-acre plot near the Domain is poised to become a North Austin entertainment/business/retail destination. Plans for a hotel, restaurants, office space, and, naturally, condos, are expected to be approved by the Austin City Council on May 24.

3. New North Austin park transforms former Highland Mall into trail and green space. Highland Mall's remarkable transformation from a former shopping mall continued this week when developers opened the Highland Greenway Park, the first of three parks coming to the development.

4. Hip pingpong bar finally serves Austin with opening date — and A-list party. Sharpen those paddles (or whatever you do to paddles) and prepare for Austin's newest nightlife hot spot. Spin, which opens this weekend, is part venue, part bar, part pingpong palace.

5. Dive right into the best swimming holes in and around Austin. 'Tis the season, friends. I learned a lot editing this piece by contributor Mark Henricks. For example, did you know Robert Redford learned to swim in Barton Springs? Learn fun facts plus the best spots to take a dip in this handy roundup.

hot-headlines

Reexamining Don Draper

Jon Hamm, Henry Winkler, and more headed to Austin for TV festival

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Jon Hamm is coming to Austin to talk about Don Draper.

From May 29 to June 1, 2025, the ATX TV Festival will take over downtown Austin, and this year Jon Hamm will be joining the festival for the first time.

Hamm will be here for an event called A Mad Men Retrospective, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the show's finale. In this panel (the moderator of which is not yet announced), Hamm will reflect on his Emmy-winning performance as Mad Men's Don Draper, the uniqueness of the character in the TV canon, and the show's influence 10 years after it ended.

Jon Hamm may be best known as Draper, but he's also given celebrated performances in several movies and other shows like Fargo, Black Mirror, and — fun fact! — Gilmore Girls.

Celebrating TV is what the ATX TV Festival is all about. This annual summer event is put on by ATX TV and consists of screenings, Q&As, and panel conversations; plus all sorts of parties, live music, happy hours, and other events. It's known for reunions of classic series and cult hits, and according to the website, it's like "TV camp for grownups."

Jon Hamm isn't the only heavy-hitter in this year's lineup.

Programming also includes an acting class and Q&A with Henry Winkler himself, a live script reading of classic episodes from The Golden Girls and Designing Women (guest actors to be announced), a reunion of the creatives and cast of the HBO hit series The Leftovers, a live recording of the podcast Sidebar: A Suits Watch Podcast with Suits stars and co-hosts Sarah Rafferty and Patrick J. Adams, and much more.

Additionally, the festival's annual Pitch Competition is still accepting open pitch submissions through January 17. This gives creatives in Austin a chance to pitch their show idea in front of some of the industry's biggest showrunners and executives. Those in the top 10 will receive a year of support to make the next steps in their TV careers.

Festival badges and passes ($150-535) are on sale now.

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