Well owners and residents from South Austin’s Rollingwood area to San Marcos could soon see the region’s worst drought declaration in almost 40 years as the area approaches 44 consecutive months in a drought, increasing costs and labor for well owners.

Current situation: The Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District warns that without significant rainfall, it may soon issue a Stage 4 Emergency Response Period declaration for the first time in its 39-year history, the most extreme drought stage the district can issue.

The local impact: About 50% of Texans rely on groundwater, Hlavaty said. Residents operating domestic wells in the district may be required to lower their pumps, a costly and time-consuming endeavor.

Residents receiving water from municipalities in the district’s coverage area will see increased water restrictions.

Affected municipalities will set restrictions to meet district requirements as they see fit, such as increased costs or fines for overconsumption.

Next steps: Hlavaty urged pump owners and residents to conserve water by avoiding outside watering, take shorter showers and run full loads of dishes and laundry.

Austin leaders are working to lay out an economic roadmap to continue developing the local economy, draw major projects to the area and expand the city's global presence amid a recalibration of local market conditions.

The setup: Changes are in the works a population and economic boom through the 2010s and COVID-19 pandemic, referred to by city leaders as a "hyper-growth" period. Although the city maintains a diverse economy that's drawing people and investment, planners are now looking farther ahead as that growth slows. Assistant City Manager Eric Johnson said Austin's ongoing infrastructure makeover, or "reurbanization," and stiff competition from surrounding Central Texas communities are among the reasons for current shifts.

What's new? A new economic development roadmap is now aimed at spurring growth and job creation, promoting the city as a destination for both large and local business, improving city permitting and regulations, and launching innovative economic programs to test new strategies. The plan is now coming together over a three-year timeline, with a final update on the initiative coming later this spring.

Book Drive for Kids is celebrating half a decade of operation in the Austin area this spring, said Brooke Terry, director of the Austin chapter.

How it works: The nonprofit expanded to Austin in April 2021, hosting free book fairs at Title I and low-income elementary schools. April 15 marks the organization's fifth anniversary since its inaugural distribution event.

Book fairs through the nonprofit are free for all students and schools.

Why it matters: Terry founded the organization to promote literacy by providing access to books for children enrolled in low-income schools. In half a decade, Book Drive for Kids has distributed over 50,000 books to homes and classrooms in the Austin area. During the 2024-2025 school year, the nonprofit organization helped nearly 6,500 children, including Title I students, foster care children and at-risk youth. Currently, nearly 7,000 students are on a waitlist for a free book fair, Terry said.