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Chris Walker

@WalkerATX • 7,074 subscribers

Asst. News Director @FOX7Austin Murrow & Emmy winner. Texas Tech & SFA alum. Texas native. Austin/Texas history nerd.

Shorts

I'm telling everyone who asks here in France that I'm from Texas. European wine snobs love to turn up their noses at American wine, but they conveniently forget that their precious vineyards would be literal dirt if Central Texas hadn't bailed them out. Back in the 1800s, a nasty root-eating bug pushed the French wine industry to the brink of total extinction until they came begging the Lone Star State for help. Today, a whopping 80% to 90% of all grapevines in France are physically spliced onto the rugged, subterranean roots of the stubborn Central Texas Mustang Grape. Because those nasty bugs are still chilling in the European soil today, French grapes cannot survive on their own. Every single bottle of overpriced French wine you buy is a total hybrid—delicate European fruit up top, riding piggyback on a tough-as-nails Texan bodyguard down below. The French really ought to be writing "thank you" notes to the rocky, sun-baked hills of Central Texas every single day. While roots from other states withered and quit, those Central Texas vines had spent centuries surviving brutal droughts and limestone dirt, making them completely immune to the bugs. In 1887, thousands of rugged Central Texas cuttings were shipped across the pond, and French farmers had to slice open their fancy vines and glue them onto Texas muscle just to keep from going belly up.

I'm telling everyone who asks here in France that I'm from Texas. European wine snobs love to turn up their noses at American wine, but they conveniently forget that their precious vineyards would be literal dirt if Central Texas hadn't bailed them out. Back in the 1800s, a nasty root-eating bug pushed the French wine industry to the brink of total extinction until they came begging the Lone Star State for help. Today, a whopping 80% to 90% of all grapevines in France are physically spliced onto the rugged, subterranean roots of the stubborn Central Texas Mustang Grape. Because those nasty bugs are still chilling in the European soil today, French grapes cannot survive on their own. Every single bottle of overpriced French wine you buy is a total hybrid—delicate European fruit up top, riding piggyback on a tough-as-nails Texan bodyguard down below. The French really ought to be writing "thank you" notes to the rocky, sun-baked hills of Central Texas every single day. While roots from other states withered and quit, those Central Texas vines had spent centuries surviving brutal droughts and limestone dirt, making them completely immune to the bugs. In 1887, thousands of rugged Central Texas cuttings were shipped across the pond, and French farmers had to slice open their fancy vines and glue them onto Texas muscle just to keep from going belly up.

257,167 views

We have video of the shooting outside Sam's BBQ

We have video of the shooting outside Sam's BBQ

74,862 views

Blue-Green Algae at Red Bud Isle☠️🐶 Austin, TX - Austin Watershed Protection staff have observed thick mats of blue-green algae, some of which may be toxic, notably near Red Bud Isle on Lady Bird Lake and at Walsh Boat Landing on Lake Austin. Samples were collected at all six monitoring sites on the lakes for testing. At this time of year, blue-green algae mats may be present in other parts of either lake and our creeks. Community members should be cautious and avoid contact with algae. They should keep dogs away from water with algae mats. The mats usually look like dark blobs floating on the surface and can be mixes of different kinds of algae. They may be mixed in with aquatic vegetation. As the weather continues to heat up, conditions for algae will become more favorable, and we expect to see more in our waterways. Assess Before You Enter Waterways If any of the following conditions are present, stay out of the water. They could indicate reduced water quality. •Algae along the shoreline •Stagnant, warm or murky water •Scum or surface film. In addition, do not enter the water if there has been rain in the past three days. After Entering the Water •Do not drink water directly from natural water bodies. •Avoid contact with algae. •Rinse skin, hair, and animal fur thoroughly after contact with water. •Do not allow pets to lick their fur before rinsing them off. If you or your pet experiences sudden, unexplained illness after swimming, contact your medical provider or veterinarian immediately. Residents are encouraged to report suspected human or animal illnesses related to algae using the City’s online reporting form. The mats of blue-green algae present at Red Bud Isle are similar in appearance to conditions in May and June in previous years. For the past five years, we have applied lanthanum-modified clay to manage sediment phosphorus in an effort to reduce the growth of algae as part of a $1.5 million pilot program. This year is a control year with no application so we can evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot program and whether it is beneficial to continue investing public funds at the previous level. Algae is not the only risk when spending time on Austin’s waterways. Natural water bodies can contain algae, bacteria, parasites, and other hazards. *Austin Watershed Protection

Blue-Green Algae at Red Bud Isle☠️🐶 Austin, TX - Austin Watershed Protection staff have observed thick mats of blue-green algae, some of which may be toxic, notably near Red Bud Isle on Lady Bird Lake and at Walsh Boat Landing on Lake Austin. Samples were collected at all six monitoring sites on the lakes for testing. At this time of year, blue-green algae mats may be present in other parts of either lake and our creeks. Community members should be cautious and avoid contact with algae. They should keep dogs away from water with algae mats. The mats usually look like dark blobs floating on the surface and can be mixes of different kinds of algae. They may be mixed in with aquatic vegetation. As the weather continues to heat up, conditions for algae will become more favorable, and we expect to see more in our waterways. Assess Before You Enter Waterways If any of the following conditions are present, stay out of the water. They could indicate reduced water quality. •Algae along the shoreline •Stagnant, warm or murky water •Scum or surface film. In addition, do not enter the water if there has been rain in the past three days. After Entering the Water •Do not drink water directly from natural water bodies. •Avoid contact with algae. •Rinse skin, hair, and animal fur thoroughly after contact with water. •Do not allow pets to lick their fur before rinsing them off. If you or your pet experiences sudden, unexplained illness after swimming, contact your medical provider or veterinarian immediately. Residents are encouraged to report suspected human or animal illnesses related to algae using the City’s online reporting form. The mats of blue-green algae present at Red Bud Isle are similar in appearance to conditions in May and June in previous years. For the past five years, we have applied lanthanum-modified clay to manage sediment phosphorus in an effort to reduce the growth of algae as part of a $1.5 million pilot program. This year is a control year with no application so we can evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot program and whether it is beneficial to continue investing public funds at the previous level. Algae is not the only risk when spending time on Austin’s waterways. Natural water bodies can contain algae, bacteria, parasites, and other hazards. *Austin Watershed Protection

28,826 views

It's 1981 in Austin and you're flying 🚁over the Disch. (45 years ago today) Texas Baseball FOX 7 Austin #HookEm

It's 1981 in Austin and you're flying 🚁over the Disch. (45 years ago today) Texas Baseball FOX 7 Austin #HookEm

30,767 views

Austin 2009 & 2026 FOX 7 Austin

Austin 2009 & 2026 FOX 7 Austin

19,444 views

FBI at Buford's.FOX 7 Austin

FBI at Buford's.FOX 7 Austin

35,066 views

Two sinkholes forming downtown Austin. It's happening on 8th and 10th streets between Congress and Brazos FOX 7 Austin

Two sinkholes forming downtown Austin. It's happening on 8th and 10th streets between Congress and Brazos FOX 7 Austin

38,808 views

Austin went pink this morning

Austin went pink this morning

20,637 views

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It's Summer 1982 in Austin and you're driving on I-35 through downtown🚘
2:14
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It's Summer 1982 in Austin and you're driving on I-35 through downtown🚘

Chris Walker

182,375 views • 1 month ago

It's 1977 and you're taking a slow ride through Austin. This is the real 'Dazed and Confused' era. FOX 7 Austin
1:03
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It's 1977 and you're taking a slow ride through Austin. This is the real 'Dazed and Confused' era. FOX 7 Austin

Chris Walker

533,042 views • 5 months ago

This is cool. Watch Austin's rain dome fail.
0:29
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This is cool. Watch Austin's rain dome fail.

Chris Walker

380,071 views • 5 months ago

The Waterline in Austin is the tallest building in Texas and this morning it made its own weather. The skyscraper is acting as an 'artificial mountain' forcing moist air upward to create its own private cloud cover through a process called urban orographic lift. Cool! FOX 7 Austin
0:23
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The Waterline in Austin is the tallest building in Texas and this morning it made its own weather. The skyscraper is acting as an 'artificial mountain' forcing moist air upward to create its own private cloud cover through a process called urban orographic lift. Cool! FOX 7 Austin

Chris Walker

419,953 views • 6 months ago

It's 1980 in Austin and you had no idea that Christopher Cross's song "Sailing" was about Lake Travis⛵️ LAKE TRAVIS, TX (FOX 7 Austin)— When you think of the definitive yacht rock anthem, you probably picture the beaches of Malibu or the coast of Maui. But the ultimate masterpiece of the genre—Christopher Cross’s iconic, 5-time Grammy-winning hit "Sailing"—actually traces its roots straight to the choppy waters of Travis County. While Cross was born and raised in San Antonio, graduating from Alamo Heights High School, it wasn’t until he moved his musical ambitions up the road to Austin that the inspiration for his signature 1980 Billboard No. 1 single truly took shape during frequent trips across Lake Travis. Cross has often noted that the classic track wasn’t written about an ocean getaway, but rather the genuine sense of escape he discovered in Travis County as he transitioned into adulthood. Reflecting on the local inspiration behind the legendary song, Cross shared: "It's about an older friend of mine who had a boat... and we would go out on Lake Travis. It was just a transition from being a kid to being an adult... just a very wonderful way to escape the transition of growing up." That peace he found on the lake ultimately became a song universally recognized as the absolute pinnacle of yacht rock. This edited video includes shots of Lake Travis.
0:50
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It's 1980 in Austin and you had no idea that Christopher Cross's song "Sailing" was about Lake Travis⛵️ LAKE TRAVIS, TX (FOX 7 Austin)— When you think of the definitive yacht rock anthem, you probably picture the beaches of Malibu or the coast of Maui. But the ultimate masterpiece of the genre—Christopher Cross’s iconic, 5-time Grammy-winning hit "Sailing"—actually traces its roots straight to the choppy waters of Travis County. While Cross was born and raised in San Antonio, graduating from Alamo Heights High School, it wasn’t until he moved his musical ambitions up the road to Austin that the inspiration for his signature 1980 Billboard No. 1 single truly took shape during frequent trips across Lake Travis. Cross has often noted that the classic track wasn’t written about an ocean getaway, but rather the genuine sense of escape he discovered in Travis County as he transitioned into adulthood. Reflecting on the local inspiration behind the legendary song, Cross shared: "It's about an older friend of mine who had a boat... and we would go out on Lake Travis. It was just a transition from being a kid to being an adult... just a very wonderful way to escape the transition of growing up." That peace he found on the lake ultimately became a song universally recognized as the absolute pinnacle of yacht rock. This edited video includes shots of Lake Travis.

Chris Walker

188,593 views • 3 months ago

Mass shooter's home in Pflugerville is being searched. FOX 7 Austin
0:46
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Mass shooter's home in Pflugerville is being searched. FOX 7 Austin

Chris Walker

362,054 views • 6 months ago

Stolen ambulance chase & crash causes I-35 shutdown in Austin
0:53
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Stolen ambulance chase & crash causes I-35 shutdown in Austin

Chris Walker

51,534 views • 26 days ago

The Warning Austin City Hall Ignored: How 1985 Foreshadowed Downtown’s Dangerous Future AUSTIN, TX -- (FOX 7 Austin) News footage from 1985 reveals a dramatic moment in Austin’s history: 6th Street in broad daylight, completely quiet during what should have been the peak lunch rush. Dozens of local merchants locked their doors, turned off their lights, and walked away from their registers to take a stand against a city proposal relocating a Salvation Army shelter just one block away. Uniting under a shared concern for their livelihood, every business along the corridor shut down as owners and staff marched down the street toward City Hall carrying handmade signs, with several prominently declaring: "SAVE SIXTH STREET." The business owners pleaded with municipal leaders, issuing a clear warning that concentrating social services immediately adjacent to an emerging entertainment district would trigger a major transient crisis and devastate the local economy. City leadership dismissed the protest as an overreaction, assuming the downtown ecosystem could absorb the change without collateral damage, and approved the relocation anyway. Four decades later, history has rendered its verdict, proving those merchants were dead wrong to trust City of Austin, but eerily accurate in their predictions. The decision created a compounding, long-term public safety and economic crisis that downtown Austin is still struggling to manage today. This 1985 footage serves as a stark case study in civic shortsightedness, offering a timeless reminder of what happens when municipal planners ignore the ground-level foresight of the small business owners who keep the city running.
0:58
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The Warning Austin City Hall Ignored: How 1985 Foreshadowed Downtown’s Dangerous Future AUSTIN, TX -- (FOX 7 Austin) News footage from 1985 reveals a dramatic moment in Austin’s history: 6th Street in broad daylight, completely quiet during what should have been the peak lunch rush. Dozens of local merchants locked their doors, turned off their lights, and walked away from their registers to take a stand against a city proposal relocating a Salvation Army shelter just one block away. Uniting under a shared concern for their livelihood, every business along the corridor shut down as owners and staff marched down the street toward City Hall carrying handmade signs, with several prominently declaring: "SAVE SIXTH STREET." The business owners pleaded with municipal leaders, issuing a clear warning that concentrating social services immediately adjacent to an emerging entertainment district would trigger a major transient crisis and devastate the local economy. City leadership dismissed the protest as an overreaction, assuming the downtown ecosystem could absorb the change without collateral damage, and approved the relocation anyway. Four decades later, history has rendered its verdict, proving those merchants were dead wrong to trust City of Austin, but eerily accurate in their predictions. The decision created a compounding, long-term public safety and economic crisis that downtown Austin is still struggling to manage today. This 1985 footage serves as a stark case study in civic shortsightedness, offering a timeless reminder of what happens when municipal planners ignore the ground-level foresight of the small business owners who keep the city running.

Chris Walker

80,585 views • 1 month ago

I zoomed in on Mount Bonnell. It's an Austin tradition to walk to the top while your car is being broken into down below.
0:35
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I zoomed in on Mount Bonnell. It's an Austin tradition to walk to the top while your car is being broken into down below.

Chris Walker

342,016 views • 6 months ago

It's 1984 in Austin and you're avoiding Town Lake because it's covered in 🗑️ FOX 7 Austin
1:11
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It's 1984 in Austin and you're avoiding Town Lake because it's covered in 🗑️ FOX 7 Austin

Chris Walker

81,517 views • 1 month ago

Let's take a helicopter ride over downtown Austin 30+ years ago. FOX 7 Austin
2:21
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Let's take a helicopter ride over downtown Austin 30+ years ago. FOX 7 Austin

Chris Walker

400,634 views • 9 months ago

This was Austin in 2016 — when BBQ for two was $40 and you still had money for a beer.
0:50
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This was Austin in 2016 — when BBQ for two was $40 and you still had money for a beer.

Chris Walker

222,732 views • 6 months ago

It's 2009 and you are creeping on the hike and bike trail in Austin.
2:04
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It's 2009 and you are creeping on the hike and bike trail in Austin.

Chris Walker

203,781 views • 6 months ago

It's 1977 and you're taking a helicopter ride over downtown Austin. FOX 7 Austin
1:11
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It's 1977 and you're taking a helicopter ride over downtown Austin. FOX 7 Austin

Chris Walker

198,740 views • 5 months ago

Watch Lady Bird turn into the chocolate river from Willy Wonka😬 FOX 7 Austin
0:23
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Watch Lady Bird turn into the chocolate river from Willy Wonka😬 FOX 7 Austin

Chris Walker

141,683 views • 4 months ago

It's Summer 1986 in Austin and you're at Barton Springs Pool (40 years ago today!)👙🩳FOX 7 Austin
0:47
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It's Summer 1986 in Austin and you're at Barton Springs Pool (40 years ago today!)👙🩳FOX 7 Austin

Chris Walker

52,275 views • 1 month ago

Those aren't fires in Austin. It's cedar. FOX 7 Austin
0:29
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Those aren't fires in Austin. It's cedar. FOX 7 Austin

Chris Walker

197,283 views • 8 months ago

Remembering SRV🎸 Austin, TX (FOX 7 Austin) — On this day in 1990, the music world lost one of its greatest stars when Texas blues legend Stevie Ray Vaughan died in a tragic helicopter crash at just 35 years old. He had just finished a huge concert in Wisconsin with his brother Jimmie and other famous musicians like Eric Clapton. Late that night, Stevie Ray got on a helicopter bound for Chicago in thick fog. Just minutes after taking off, the helicopter crashed into a hilly ski slope, killing everyone on board. Born in Dallas, Stevie Ray later moved to Austin and helped make the city famous for its music. During the 1980s, he brought blues music back to life around the world with his electric guitar playing and energetic stage presence. Playing with his band, Double Trouble, he became a local hero and a global star with famous hit albums like Texas Flood. His sudden death shocked fans across Texas and around the globe. Thousands of people and famous musicians gathered to honor him after he was laid to rest back in Dallas. Today, his legacy is still alive and well in Austin. People from all over the world still visit his life-sized bronze statue along Lady Bird Lake to remember the Texas guitar legend who changed music forever.
0:56
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Remembering SRV🎸 Austin, TX (FOX 7 Austin) — On this day in 1990, the music world lost one of its greatest stars when Texas blues legend Stevie Ray Vaughan died in a tragic helicopter crash at just 35 years old. He had just finished a huge concert in Wisconsin with his brother Jimmie and other famous musicians like Eric Clapton. Late that night, Stevie Ray got on a helicopter bound for Chicago in thick fog. Just minutes after taking off, the helicopter crashed into a hilly ski slope, killing everyone on board. Born in Dallas, Stevie Ray later moved to Austin and helped make the city famous for its music. During the 1980s, he brought blues music back to life around the world with his electric guitar playing and energetic stage presence. Playing with his band, Double Trouble, he became a local hero and a global star with famous hit albums like Texas Flood. His sudden death shocked fans across Texas and around the globe. Thousands of people and famous musicians gathered to honor him after he was laid to rest back in Dallas. Today, his legacy is still alive and well in Austin. People from all over the world still visit his life-sized bronze statue along Lady Bird Lake to remember the Texas guitar legend who changed music forever.

Chris Walker

13,006 views • 12 days ago

It's 1985 in Austin and you're 30-feet beneath Congress to see Mastodon fossils FOX 7 Austin
0:29
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It's 1985 in Austin and you're 30-feet beneath Congress to see Mastodon fossils FOX 7 Austin

Chris Walker

107,338 views • 4 months ago

It's 1988 in Austin and you're eating at The Old Spaghetti Warehouse🍝 FOX 7 Austin
0:46
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It's 1988 in Austin and you're eating at The Old Spaghetti Warehouse🍝 FOX 7 Austin

Chris Walker

87,922 views • 3 months ago