John Erler, Scott Chester, and Chris Cubas tell jokes during the Master Pancake showing of Birdemic on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Village in Austin.

The Origins of Austin’s ‘Master Pancake’: A Journey into Comedy and Film Parody

In an effort to explore the stories that matter to the community, ATXplained invites residents to share what they want investigated. One intriguing query came from Jessie Davis, who wanted to know about the origins of Austin’s beloved comedic movie-riffing show, Master Pancake. The concept of Master Pancake draws inspiration from the cult classic television…

Read More
Tommy Minyard, with the Texas Advanced Computing Center, walks down an aisle of the data center on Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Austin, Texas.

Inside Austin’s Data Centers: A Glimpse into Texas’ Rapidly Expanding Digital Infrastructure

Every day, new data centers are emerging across Texas, including a significant expansion at the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) in Austin. Tommy Minyard, the director of advanced computing systems at TACC, reflects on a pivotal moment from 2005 when his team requested additional space and power, only to be met with skepticism from University…

Read More
Austin ISD Community Voices Concerns Over Paredes Middle School Closure Proposal

Austin ISD Community Voices Concerns Over Paredes Middle School Closure Proposal

AUSTIN, Texas – With the new school year just around the corner, parents, students, and staff within the Austin Independent School District (AISD) are facing uncertainty regarding the potential closure of Paredes Middle School. A board meeting held recently provided community members with their first chance to express their concerns about the proposed closure. The…

Read More
The Evolution of Austin's Quirky Identity: Understanding the City's Embrace of Uniqueness by

The Evolution of Austin’s Quirky Identity: Understanding the City’s Embrace of Uniqueness by 2026

Austin’s Evolving Identity: A Look at Its ‘Weirdness’ Discover what makes Austin unique as the city navigates its identity amidst growth and change. The debate over whether Austin is still “keeping it weird” continues to spark conversations and reflection. The Roots of ‘Weird’ The phrase “Keep Austin Weird” has become synonymous with the city, originating…

Read More
Patrick Unveils New Texas Religious Liberty Initiatives Following Trump Panel Leadership

Patrick Unveils New Texas Religious Liberty Initiatives Following Trump Panel Leadership

Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has broadened the focus of the newly established Senate Religious Liberty Committee. On Monday, he announced seven new interim charges for Senate committees in preparation for the upcoming legislative session, three of which pertain to the Religious Liberty Committee. This increase brings the total number of charges for the committee…

Read More
Shooting on Rainey Street in Austin: One Hospitalized as Crowds Scatter

Shooting on Rainey Street in Austin: One Hospitalized as Crowds Scatter

One individual was hospitalized following a targeted shooting that occurred early Sunday morning in Austin’s bustling Rainey Street entertainment district, prompting a swift police response and a mass exodus of patrons. The incident unfolded around 1:30 a.m., resulting in a chaotic scene as gunfire erupted amidst a crowd of revelers. Authorities confirmed that the victim…

Read More