Welcome to SXSW 2026! If you're planning on heading downtown, things might look a little different this year. On this week's Friday News Round Up, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec and newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw to get you up to speed on the changes happening during SXSW, from street closures and venue shifts to updated safety protocols. Plus, why a historic Austin building was torn down to make room for a California restaurant, and why Cheer Up Charlies continues to face challenges. And if SXSW isn’t your scene, the team shares a few non-festival events happening in and out of town this weekend. For more, check out Nikki's Picks on our Instagram.

Check out our new City Cast podcast "Your City Could Be Better" on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. This week's episode features City Cast Chicago’s Jacoby Cochran is stepping in as guest host, to talk with D.C.’s Mike Schaffer about a new D.C. law that aims to hold federal agents accountable

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Developer Tears Down Historic Building, How To Avoid Bad Weekend Traffic, & Non-SXSW Goings-On