ATX-SWA: Impact 10/6/2025

Dripping Springs ISD officials are offering parents and community members insight into district operations, finances and programming as well as guided campus tours with the Taxpayer Tuesday series.

The gist: Throughout the school year, DSISD will host six Taxpayer Tuesdays, with presentations about various topics, including bond updates and demographics.

The Taxpayer Tuesdays dates for the 2025-26 school year are:

• Oct. 7, Wildwood Springs Elementary School
  • Cents & Sensibility: A Strategic Look at Legislative Impact on School Budgets
• Nov. 4, Dripping Springs High School
  • Texas Tidbits: Legislative Session Roundup
• Dec. 2, Rooster Springs Elementary School
  • Money Matters: Texas Schools Edition (Taxes & Recapture)
• Jan. 13, Sycamore Springs Middle School
  • Elevating Education: The DSISD Way (Academics)
• Feb. 3, Cypress Springs Elementary
  • Bond Dollars at Work (Bond Updates)
• May 5, Dripping Springs Elementary School
  • DSISD by the Numbers (Demographics)

Tex-Mex and barbecue food truck Neon Armadillo is moving into its permanent space in the Texas Hill Country in November.

What to know: The restaurant will open in The Junction, a city center about four miles from Wimberley Square. With 30,000 square feet of entertainment, bar and dining space, the eatery is bringing a combination of family-style Tex-Mex barbecue and sustainability.

Ingredients will be sourced from local ranchers and farmers dedicated to regenerative, pasture-raised and organic practices, as stated in a news release.

On the menu: Diners can look forward to Force of Nature smoked brisket and tri-tip, smoked grass-fed lamb carnitas, al pastor-style pulled pork, guacamole, queso, salsa, potato salad and more. 

Diners looking to complete their meal with a drink can check out the restaurant’s bar program which will highlight a curated spirits list focused on organic and sustainable brands such as Pantalones Tequila and Rosaluna Mezcal. Non-alcoholic options will include agua frescas and house-made sodas.

• 9595 RR 12, Wimberley

From Oct. 13-19, Texas residents will not have to pay to apply to in-state public colleges and universities.

The details: During Free College Application Week, application fees will be waived for all Texas residents applying to undergraduate programs at public colleges and universities located in Texas. First-time college students, transfer students and students returning to school are eligible, according to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

To qualify for the fee waiver, all applications must be submitted through ApplyTexas, the state’s college application portal.

What they're saying: “Texas prioritizes opportunities for students to pursue the best education they need to succeed in high demand, good-paying jobs after graduation,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in an Aug. 29 news release. “By supporting our students today, we are investing in a stronger Texas tomorrow.” 

Put in perspective: Most high school seniors apply to 5-10 colleges or universities and each application costs about $60-$75, state lawmakers estimated in June.

Here are the top trending Community Impact stories in the Austin metro from Sept. 29-Oct. 3.

1. New restaurant Grey Orchard to open in Round Rock

2. Nana B's Country Kitchen now serving comfort food in Round Rock

3. Jet's Pizza opens Round Rock shop near Old Settlers Boulevard

4. Texas Roadhouse to open in Leander this November

5. Austin ISD adopts lower tax rate for 2025-26, homeowners could see savings

6. Q&A: Meet 4 candidates for Pflugerville mayor