Procurement for Austin's Phase 1 light rail moved forward Friday as ATP opened bids for design and construction. Officials say construction could begin in 2027 while financing fights continue.

Rapid enrollment and years of budget cuts have left Liberty Hill ISD crowded; a recent tax vote will add funds, but parents and staff say pressure remains.

Burnet County investigators say a multi‑month probe toppled a ring that was fraudulently buying trailers across Central Texas.

UT Austin won a $10M NEH grant to create Great Books and Strategy & Statecraft majors, funding 16 new faculty and targeting a fall 2027 launch.

State records show Layne’s Chicken Fingers filed to open a 2,968‑sq‑ft West Campus spot at 701 W 24th, with construction slated Feb. 2–Apr. 30. The location joins a crowded student food scene.

An Austin trans‑owned label says the FDA warned its Bareskin binders may be medical devices; founders call the timing deliberate as they negotiate with regulators.

An Austin appeals court ruled Planned Parenthood affiliates can continue a challenge to Texas' private‑enforcement abortion law, saying the threat of lawsuits has chilled care.

Round Rock Public Library seeks community input via an online survey to inform its five-year strategic plan and improve services based on patron feedback.

Round Rock announces city office closures and events to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day, including online services for closed offices, recreational options, and the 39th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Walk.

Austin will commemorate Dr. King's legacy with the 2026 MLK Community March and Festival on January 19, an inclusive event beginning at the Texas State Capitol and ending with a festival at Huston-Tillotson University.

Governor Abbott appoints H. Dustin Fillmore III as judge for Tarrant County's 236th Judicial District Court until Dec 31, 2026.

Austin's weather will be sunny with mid-70s today, cooling to mid-50s over the weekend, and a breezy 66 degrees expected for MLK Day. Weekday forecasts suggest mild temps with a chance of midweek showers.

Buda updated city rules to make regular live music easier for downtown venues, adding a music‑venue permit, noise limits and a fee waiver through March 2027.