The city of Bastrop wants a Texas State University campus or satellite instructional center within the community. 

The details: Dori Kelley, business attraction, retention and expansion manager for the Bastrop Economic Development Corp., cited that the Texas State University System has previously expressed interest in expanding its footprint in Central Texas. 

“Bastrop’s unique combination of historic charm, rapid population growth and economic expansion makes it an ideal location for consideration as a potential satellite instructional center or full campus,” she said in a staff report. 

Zooming in: During a Nov. 18 meeting, Bastrop City Council will vote on whether to allow Mayor Ishmael Harris to send a letter of support to Brian McCall, chancellor of the Texas State University System.

Judy’s Dogs is carving out its niche at the Chestnut Grove Food Truck Court in Bastrop with elevated takes on the classic hot dog.

The details: Steve Moore, the owner, named the business in memory of his mother, Judy Lockwood Moore.

“She always had the dream of opening up some kind of food establishment,” he told Community Impact. “She died in 2006 from scleroderma and never got to see that happen. I always promised myself that if I ever opened up any kind of food establishment, I would name it after her.”

The menu: Judy’s Dogs’ menu ranges from basic hot dogs to hot dogs made with chili, cheese and lobster.

• Chestnut Grove Food Truck Court, 710 Chestnut St., Bastrop

Wondering what’s behind recent lane changes or detours? Several road and pedestrian projects across Austin are reshaping local traffic and enhancing safety for all road users.

Upcoming work:
South Lamar Boulevard mobility program: Construction along roughly 3 miles of South Lamar Boulevard from Barton Springs Road to Hwy. 290 will see mobility improvements, including bike and pedestrian facilities, intermittent medians, intersection improvements and upgraded traffic signals.

• Timeline: construction expected to begin early 2026
• Cost: $60.5 million
• Funding source: 2016 Mobility Bonds

• Timeline: project expected to be completed in 2027
• Cost: $2.5 million
• Funding source: 2020 Mobility Bond and 2022 Safe Streets and Roads For All grant

Texans began receiving full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits Nov. 14, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission announced.

The renewed SNAP payments came after two weeks of delays due to the 43-day federal government shutdown, which ended Nov. 12.

The overview: SNAP is a federally funded program that provides low-income individuals and families with monthly stipends to spend on groceries.

The food assistance program ran out of funding Nov. 1, one month after the government shut down amid disagreements over federal health insurance subsidies.

The details: Over 3.5 million Texans receive SNAP benefits each month, according to Feeding Texas, the statewide network of food banks.

Payments are issued on a rolling basis throughout each month.

“For SNAP clients who receive benefits on or after the 14th of the month, full benefits will be issued on their normal issuance date,” the HHSC website states. “SNAP clients who already received partial benefits will receive the rest of their monthly amount on or after Nov. 14.”