Local · Trusted · Free
The Morning Impact — your neighborhood's most important stories, delivered every morning.
Here are the top Community Impact stories in the Austin area from Dec. 29-Jan. 1:
1. Kohl’s will not open new store in Bastrop
Kohl’s, an American-based department store with more than 1,100 stores nationwide, is not coming to Bastrop, after all.
Tara Hernandez, a spokesperson for Kohl’s, confirmed the update with Community Impact Dec. 29.
“At this time, we have no plans to open a Kohl’s location in the Burleson Crossing East development,” she said in an email.
Find out more from reporter Joel Valley.
2. Bastrop Sprouts seeks 82 new hires ahead of spring opening
Sprouts officials said two in-person hiring events are planned at the Bastrop Convention & Exhibit Center, 1408 Chestnut St., including:
Learn more from editor Amanda Cutshall.
3. Austin ISD names principals for schools affected by closures and turnaround plans
Austin ISD is taking its first steps to prepare for the closure of 10 campuses next school year.
In early December, AISD Superintendent Matias Segura appointed principals for 17 campuses. Most of these campuses will receive new students from closing schools or implement turnaround plans following multiple failed state accountability ratings.
Get the details from reporter Chloe Young.
4. AI guardrails, tax rates after disasters: New Texas laws take effect Jan. 1
Approximately three dozen new Texas laws took effect Jan. 1, impacting how artificial intelligence is used in state government, when local officials can raise taxes after natural disasters and how much of businesses' inventory is taxed.
5. Bastrop concludes $3.5 million Agnes Street extension project
The city of Bastrop unveiled its highly anticipated Agnes Street extension during a brief ceremony Dec. 29.
Bastrop City Council approved the Agnes Street extension project in December 2023 to reduce traffic congestion and increase access to the growing number of nearby apartments and businesses south of Hwy. 71, as previously reported by Community Impact.
The extension is also expected to reduce the response time of first responders by providing an alternate route, city officials said.
Read more from reporter Joel Valley.
6. Austin Energy planning for 'tremendous strain,' possible billing impacts from new data centers
Austin Energy is planning for operational challenges and potential billing increases as new data centers with growing electric power needs are established in the region.
