Read the top stories from the past week in the Austin area.

Cedar Park-Leander

Leander ISD adds 17 early-release school days to give teachers planning time

Leander ISD students will be released two hours early on some Wednesdays through the rest of the school year to give teachers dedicated planning times.

New Braunfels


New Braunfels hot spot: 5 businesses now open or coming soon at County Line Retail center

A new retail center located at 1187 W. County Line Road is now open, and suites are available for lease.

Georgetown

New Italian restaurant coming to Georgetown plus more business news


Keep up to date on new businesses coming to Georgetown.

Williamson County

Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody spends nearly $700,000 in final month of re-election bid

In his final campaign finance report before the Nov. 3 election, Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody's campaign reported spending nearly $700,000 in one month's time.


Northwest Austin

Monumental $7.1 billion transit plan with North Austin rail stations in the hands of Austin voters

The city of Austin and Capital Metro will ask Austin voters Nov. 3 to fund a plan that would connect neighborhoods throughout Northwest Austin to downtown through public transportation. Project Connect, a $7.1 billion investment, with about $3.85 billion coming from local property tax funds, would include two light-rail lines, an additional commuter rail line and a downtown, underground train station.

Taylor Girtman, Lauren Canterberry, Ali Linan and Iain Oldman contributed to this report.