ATX-NNW: Impact 11/7/2025

North Austin’s EastVillage development is expecting to gain an additional dining option with Flame Broiler joining the scene in 2026.

On the menu: Diners can find Korean spicy chicken, bowls and plates featuring steak bulgogi, tofu and white meat chicken, salads, mini bowls and more.

The background: Founded by Young and Sarah Lee, the chain’s first location launched in 1995 in Orange County, California, as stated on the company’s website. The company has opened 130 locations across Arizona, California, Florida, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Texas.

• 3500 E. Parmer Lane, Ste. 12140, Austin

The University of Texas at Austin opened a 10,000-square-foot laboratory facility in North Austin, UT Innovation Labs, to support emerging health care and life sciences companies.

The wet lab space for UT researchers and private sector tenants was first announced in 2023 and is now launching under UT's Discovery to Impact startup program. The new labs are meant to serve as an accelerator in the life science space as the sector goes through "expansive growth" in Central Texas, according to UT.

The campus at 12829 Parmer Ridge Drive, Austin, is one of several new Central Texas developments with lab space for life science tenants. It joins similar institutional facilities such as Austin Community College's Bioscience Incubator and planned Texas State University life science incubator in Round Rock.

UT's Discovery to Impact is actively seeking early-stage biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical companies. UT marked the labs' opening with its inaugural BioBash life sciences event Nov. 6.

Travis County Commissioners approved $500,000 on Nov. 5 to support families facing sharply rising food needs as SNAP benefits lapse during the ongoing federal government shutdown. More than 87,000 people in about 45,000 households are expected to be affected, with benefits totaling over $16 million monthly. County staff warned that even if the government reopens, delays will prevent immediate benefit distribution, and federal contingency funding would only cover about half of monthly allotments.

Local action taken: The funding will go to Central Texas Food Bank, which partners with more than 107 local agencies and now distributes roughly $2 million in food weekly. The nonprofit has expanded distributions for families and federal workers, using reserves to meet demand. CEO Sari Vatske said participation has roughly doubled and shows no signs of slowing.

Looking ahead: Residents in need can locate nearby mobile pantries or partner agencies using the food bank’s interactive map or by calling 211. Those who want to help can make monetary donations or volunteer their time.