ATX-PFH: Impact 9/24/2025

The Story Book Emporium and Bookshop is expected to open along Hwy. 79 in Hutto.

The setup: The business, owned by Ash O’Rourke, will be the city’s only book store when it opens. Along with curated book selections, the store will host a variety of events, writing workshops and support local creatives. It will also feature a coffee shop and wine and beer bar.

“We’ll be focused on highlighting local and independent authors whenever we can [and] we’re going to carry artwork from local and independent artists as much as we can,” O’Rourke said.

After graduation, some Georgetown and Hutto ISD special education students help operate a 1.5 million-square-feet resort and indoor water park in Round Rock.

The districts’ Project SEARCH program, located at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, offers job training and work experience for young adults with disabilities. Additionally, the program raises awareness and acceptance around disabilities in the community, GISD instructor Kraven Rowry and HISD skills trainer Kristian Davis said.

What they're saying: “They are capable, and they will be successful,” Davis said about Project SEARCH interns at Kalahari.

How it works: Project SEARCH interns work alongside Kalahari staff in the retail, food and beverage, maintenance, housekeeping and laundry departments. The program is open to young adults from age 18 to their mid-twenties who have a disability and have completed their high school credits.

Going forward: Project SEARCH is looking to partner with more local businesses that will hire interns with a disability, knowing they will be accompanied by a job coach to support them.

Texas voters will decide on 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution during the Nov. 4 election.

The overview: The propositions, which were adopted by state lawmakers earlier this year, include measures aimed at reducing property taxes, funding water supply projects and creating a state dementia research institute.

“This is an opportunity to make your voice heard about the governing document of our state,” Secretary of State Jane Nelson said in a June 25 statement.

More details: Texans have until Oct. 6 to register to vote in the upcoming election. Early in-person voting runs from Oct. 20-31, and Election Day is Nov. 4.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas has announced the development of a new Ronald McDonald House for patients at Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin.

What to know: Construction has begun at Austin’s latest Ronald McDonald House which sparks the start of the first phase of A Place Like Home, RMHC CTX’s capital campaign, a news release states.

The campaign is dedicated to increasing capacity while ensuring families have access to comfort, care and community throughout their child’s medical journey.