Texas State University received a record-breaking number of applications for the 2026-27 school year, with a total of 83,479. Heading into the fall semester, the university set 11 additional attendance records as it continues to grow year over year.

The gist: Texas State’s preliminary census day count determined the university has 47,513 total students this fall, a 7% increase from the 2025-26 school year, according to a Texas State University news release. The school welcomed 12,715 new undergraduates, including 9,145 freshmen.

The increased enrollment indicates the university’s ability to provide more students with access to higher education and the opportunities Texas State offers, said Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse.

Texas State is one of the fastest-growing universities in the state, increasing access through expanded graduate programs, strengthened partnerships with community colleges, and additional opportunities through online degrees and the Round Rock campus, Damphousse said.

Also of note: The Round Rock campus will serve 4,003 students through a combination of in-person and online programs, a 37% increase, according to the release.

Two candidates will be on the ballot for the San Marcos City Council Place 4 seat in the upcoming Nov. 3 election.

What's happening: Candidates Heather Hunter and incumbent Shane Scott will be vying for the position. Early voting runs from Oct. 19-30, and Election Day is Nov. 3.

Q: Why are you running for this position?

Hunter: "I’m running because San Marcos welcomed me with kindness and open arms, and I want to give back through public service. With my grant-writing experience, I see opportunities to pursue resources we’re leaving on the table and put them to work protecting, strengthening, and investing in our community."

Scott: "I’m currently on city council and have other projects I want to see come to light."

A data center in Hutto, the Texas Municipal Center in Georgetown and a 7 Brew in Austin are among the five most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Colovore Hutto ($280 million): This project involves the construction of a 192,694-square-foot, one-story data center building.

2. Texas Municipal Center ($60 million): The Texas Municipal League will be relocating its headquarters to downtown Georgetown.

3. Frontier ER ($2 million): This project involves the construction of a freestanding emergency medical facility.

4. C Store ($1.2 million): A new C store convenience store is coming to Bastrop, with construction expected to conclude next September. 

5. 7 Brew ($400,000): A new 7 Brew location will be coming to Austin. The drive-thru coffee shop has locations in Manor and Round Rock.

Three candidates are running to lead the Texas Department of Agriculture in the Nov. 3 election.

The details: Libertarian Austin R. Kelly, Republican Nate Sheets and Democrat Clayton Tucker are vying to become Texas' next commissioner of agriculture. The commissioner's duties include regulating agriculture, administering nutrition programs and providing rural economic development assistance.

How we got here: There is no incumbent in this race after Sheets beat sitting Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller in the March Republican primary. Tucker ran uncontested in the March Democratic primary, while Kelly was selected as the Texas Libertarian Party's candidate during an April nominating convention.

The winner of the November midterm will be sworn in to succeed Miller in January.

Looking ahead: Early voting runs from Oct. 19-30 in the midterm election, and Election Day is Nov. 3.