On Sept. 1, the Kyle City Council approved an updated Drought Contingency Plan, altering how much residents may water their yards under the current drought restrictions.

What happened: The Kyle Water Utilities Department developed the new plan to provide clearer criteria for increasing or decreasing restrictions.

It additionally reduces the need for drought stage amendments and helps the city better manage its water resources, according to a city news release.

The city is currently under Stage 3 Drought restrictions under the new plan. Water customers can now irrigate once a week. Kyle was previously under Stage 2 Amended Drought restrictions, only allowing watering once every other week.

The details: Residents can water by hose and sprinkler or a spray irrigation system from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. or by drip irrigation or soaker hose from 7 p.m. to 10 a.m. on their designated outdoor water use day.

Customers can also water by handheld hose or handheld watering can from 7 p.m. to 10 a.m. on any day.

New businesses have just opened or are set to open soon in San Marcos, from music spots reopening under new management to new stores at the outlet malls.

Check out the five new business updates in the city.

Coming soon

Waterford, Wedgwood, Georg Jensen, Royal Copenhagen: A new store at the San Marcos Premium Outlets will unite the four lifestyle brands under one roof.

What’s next: Filings made with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

Sally Beauty Supply: The Tanger Outlets in San Marcos will soon add a new beauty supply store, giving customers a new place to buy hair and skincare products.

San Marcos Premium Outlets: Renovations on the San Marcos Premium Outlets’ 3,000-square-foot canopy play court began on Labor Day, refreshing the amenity.

In the news

Duett’s Texas Club: The popular dining and live music spot officially closed its doors on March 28. After almost six months, the business reopened.

Worth the trip

Pressed Coffee Co.: A new coffee shop has opened off FM 1102 in New Braunfels.

The first public air taxi test in Texas debuted in Fort Worth Sept. 10 with an audience that included U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, Sen. Ted Cruz and numerous federal, state and regional leaders.

The takeaway: The Texas Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration, officially launched Project Nexus at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport. The project is a pilot program for electric vertical takeoff and landing, or eVTOLs.

The initiative will bring together federal, state and regional transportation leaders with aviation manufacturers and operators to begin testing how advanced air mobility can be safely integrated into the nation’s transportation system, according to a news release.

“For those of y'all who are old enough to remember 'The Jetsons,' I remember flying cars and we’re at the verge of seeing flying cars,” Cruz said. “We’re at the verge of air taxis and drones and transportation being transformed.”

Check out the latest transportation project updates across the Austin metro.

Georgetown to reduce speed limit on Ronald Reagan Boulevard: Georgetown City Council gave preliminary approval Aug. 25 to adjust speed limits on Ronald Reagan Boulevard and Westinghouse Road, as well as in school zones on Hwy. 195 and Woodlake Drive.

Planning continues for Hwy. 46 expansion project in New Braunfels: The Texas Department of Transportation is continuing to work on a $1.4 billion project geared toward improving traffic flows on Hwy. 46 in Comal and Guadalupe counties. For Comal County, the project looks to construct elevated main lanes over the existing Hwy. 46 roadway and two direct connecting flyover ramps between Hwy. 46 and I-35. In Guadalupe County, TxDOT officials are proposing to expand Hwy. 46 to a four-lane controlled-access highway with two-lane, one-way frontage roads.

Southwest Airlines to open lounge at Austin airport: Southwest Airlines will open a lounge at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, set to welcome guests in late 2027. The lounges are already under construction.