6 trending Austin-area stories: Round Rock, Leander development updates and more

Check out the full story by Reporter Sam Schaffer.

2. 3 recent Round Rock development stories

• Round Rock to rebid water treatment plant improvement project
• Dam under construction to reduce flood risk in Round Rock
• Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Round Rock to open Level III NICU June 3

3. Hero Way Crossing to bring restaurants, retail stores to Leander in 2025

New strip mall Hero Way Crossing is slated to bring several dining and retail options to Leander this year.

Confirmed dining tenants include:

• Layne’s Chicken Fingers
• Tropical Smoothie Cafe
• Jersey Mike’s Subs

• Sherwin Williams
• Sports Clips

4. Austin to halt police license plate reader program after public pushback

The Austin Police Department's use of dozens of automated license plate readers, or ALPRs, will end this month following community pushback against the data collection initiative.

City Council was scheduled to vote on June 5 to indefinitely continue an ALPR pilot program that started last March and was temporarily extended this spring. However, City Manager T.C. Broadnax moved to withdraw the item after council's recent review of the city's program audit and a June 3 discussion that drew dozens of people to City Hall against the item.

Learn more from Reporter Ben Thompson.

5. Brunch, seafood and healthcare: 13 business, dining updates in Cedar Park

Cedar Park locals can enjoy meals at restaurants serving signature brunch items or Georgian European cuisine in addition to checking out a handful of new businesses and health care centers.

Check out the full list of updates by Editor Steve Guntli and Reporters Sam Schaffer, Dacia Garcia and Chloe Young.

6. High-rises, housing and retail proposed for Anderson Square in North Austin

A familiar commercial site in North Austin—the longstanding home of a pink gorilla statue and infamous Bingo hall—could see transformative redevelopment after Austin City Council approved a zoning change May 22.

Read the full story from Reporter Haley McLeod.