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Stay informed about the latest local news in Southwest Austin and Dripping Springs, including Austin City Hall headlines, Capital Metro, the local real estate market and all things Dripping Springs.

Government

Travis County Judge Andy Brown announced the next round of funding Oct. 7 for the countywide affordable child care initiative Raising Travis County. (Haley McLeod/Community Impact)

Travis County affordable child care expansion reaches $55 million

By Haley McLeod

Travis County commissioners approved an additional $21 million in contracts Oct. 7 to expand child care under the newly rebranded Raising Travis County initiative, formerly known as Travis County CARES.

Proposed sewage plant draws some protest in ...

Top Election News

Election

Nonprofits, labor groups and council members top ...

Election

Texans have through Oct. 6 to register ...

The view of the Texas Capitol dome from inside the capitol basement.

Election

What to know about the 17 state ...

Election

Austin City Council members, challengers raised $200K ...

Election

Unofficial results show around 70% voter approval ...

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Top Restaurant News

An image of some of the food and drinks served at the restaurant.

Dining

Neon Armadillo to launch brick and mortar ...

An image of the drinks served at the business.

Dining

The Alley now serving boba tea in ...

Mi Ranchito sits at 817 Farm to Market 1626, Austin, just a few blocks from their previous location of 15 years. (Sienna Wight/Community Impact)

Dining

Mi Ranchito offers a "memory of Mexico" ...

Mendocino Farms serves fresh sandwiches, salads, soups and sides. (Courtesy The Howard Hughes Corp.)

Dining

Mendocino Farms soon to offer seasonal eats ...

Polyphonic Coffee pays homage to Austin as the live music capital of the world. (Sienna Wight/Community Impact)

Dining

Polyphonic Coffee honors “voices” of the coffee ...

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Top Development News

Development

4,000-capacity live music venue breaks ground in Austin's River Park development

By Ben Thompson

The venue from AEG Presents opening in 2027 is the first piece of the 109-acre Riverside mixed-use community.

Top Education News

Education

Austin ISD unveils plans to close 13 schools in 2026-27 school year

By Chloe Young

The district has proposed closing 13 campuses, revising attendance boundaries and changing campus programming amid budgetary constraints, declining enrollment and failed A-F ratings.

Top Transportation News

Transportation

5 updates to know in October on ...

Dozens of Austin businesses line the planned Austin Light Rail route, with funding annually reserved to assist those impacted by future displacement. (Haley McLeod/Community Impact)

Transportation

Austin light rail planning advances; dozens of ...

Austin City Limits Music Festival will take place at Zilker Park on Oct. 3-5 and 10-12. (Courtesy ACL Fest)

Transportation

What to know about getting around Austin ...

Participants park their bikes outside Austin City Hall as part of the Week Without Driving campaign, a citywide initiative to explore car-free mobility. (Haley McLeod/Community Impact)

Transportation

Week Without Driving sheds light on daily ...

Under a safety intiative, Austin replaced temporary water barriers with concrete barricades along East Sixth Street downtown. (Courtesy city of Austin)

Transportation

Plans to transform Austin’s iconic Sixth Street ...

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Top Government News

Government

Proposed sewage plant draws some protest in Dripping Springs

By Karoline Pfeil

Proposed by land development company Allied Development, the plant’s permitting has been protested by some residents and members of the Save Barton Creek Association.

Top Business News

Business

Pancakes and free movies: 11 Austin events ...

The Betty Lash team offers a range of cosmetic services from lash lifts to facials. Pictured above is one of the treatment rooms. (Courtesy Betty Lash)

Business

Betty Lash now open in Dripping Springs

Business

Pumpkin patches and haunted houses: 16 seasonal ...

An image of the outside of one of the church locations.

Business

Mosaic Church celebrates 30 years of worship ...

Among this week's trending Community Impact stories is an article from Editor Grant Crawford about Grey Orchard, a new restaurant opening later this year in Round Rock. (Courtesy Grey Orchard)

Business

6 trending Austin-area stories: new restaurants, AISD ...

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Top Texas Legislature News

Texas Legislature

Kelly Hancock speaks at the comptroller's office.

New York-based tech company to run Texas’ education savings account program

By Hannah Norton

Odyssey will be tasked with processing program applications, approving vendors, reviewing complaints and advertising the program. Applications for the state-funded program are scheduled to open early next year.