The Buda Economic Development Corporation, or Buda EDC, is set to launch a program offering small businesses in the city interest-free loans.

The overview: The Targeted Help for Retention, Innovation, Ventures and Expansion, or THRIVE, program is a partnership between the Buda EDC and LiftFund, a San Antonio-based organization.

The partnership allows the Buda EDC to buy down the interest rate on loans to Buda-based businesses, said Jennifer Storm, Buda EDC chief executive officer. The program provides a financial buffer to small businesses in the city for when they experience periods of decreased revenue.

The funding will allow businesses to pay essential operational costs, such as rent or salaries, without worrying about the interest on a loan.

How it works: The Buda EDC approved an investment of $100,000 to buy down loan interests and $5,000 for set-up costs at a Dec. 8 meeting. The organization’s fund reserve will finance the program, according to agenda documents.

LiftFund will provide up to $400,000 in loan volume to Buda businesses participating in the THRIVE program.

Dining options on Buda's Main Street expanded when Salt Lick BBQ owner Scott Roberts opened his latest concept, Roxie’s.

What’s on the menu? The eatery serves dishes inspired by family recipes, with starters including pimento cheese dip, deviled eggs and sliders. The menu also features salads, burgers, chili dogs and “Roxie’s famous biscuit.”

Roxie’s also offers family-style meals with options such as chicken-fried steak, baked chicken and smothered pork steak, along with unlimited refills of Southern-style sides like mashed potatoes and creamed corn.

In addition to a menu of savory eats and sweet treats, Roxie’s offers a full bar serving everything from margaritas to frozen Bellinis.

What’s in a name? Roxie’s was named after Roberts’ grandmother, Roxanna, or Roxie.

“Roxie was more than a wonderful cook; she was the heart of every Sunday gathering,” Roberts said. "We’ve dedicated ourselves to continuing her tradition, bringing that same comfort, care and flavor to every bite.”  

• Opened Feb. 4
• 308 Main St., Buda

Four Republican candidates are running for Texas lieutenant governor—the second-in-command to the governor—in the upcoming March 3 primary election.

The big picture: Republican incumbent Dan Patrick is seeking a fourth term in the lieutenant governor's office. The lieutenant governor leads the Texas Senate and can exercise the powers of the governor if the governor dies, resigns, is removed from office or is absent from the state, according to the Texas State Historical Association.

Patrick is challenged by three Republican candidates: Timothy Mabry, Perla Muñoz Hopkins and Esala Wueschner. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes in the Republican primary, a runoff election will be held between the two top vote-getters May 26.

Stay tuned: The winning Republican candidate will face the winner of the Democratic nomination in November. The winner of that election will be sworn in for a four-year term in January 2027.

Three Democratic candidates are running for Texas lieutenant governor—the second-in-command to the governor—in the upcoming March 3 primary election.

The overview: Vikki Goodwin, Courtney Head and Marcos Vélez are seeking the Democratic nomination for Texas lieutenant governor. The lieutenant governor leads the Texas Senate and can exercise the powers of the governor if the governor dies, resigns, is removed from office or is absent from the state, according to the Texas State Historical Association.

Stay tuned: If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes in the Democratic primary, a runoff election will be held between the two top vote-getters May 26.

The winning Democratic candidate will face the winner of the Republican nomination in November, and the winner of that election will be sworn in for a four-year term in January 2027.

Following over four hours of public testimony and debate Jan. 28, the Texas State Board of Education is poised to postpone a plan to create a mandatory reading list for K-12 students.

What's happening: Board members said Jan. 28 that they wanted to get more feedback from Texans before moving forward with the policy, which would take effect at the beginning of the 2030-31 school year. The SBOE is required to create the reading list under a 2023 state law, and members said they would likely revisit the proposal during an April meeting.

The Texas Education Agency compiled a list of nearly 300 literary works for the board to consider.

What they're saying: Some speakers expressed concerns Jan. 28 that the TEA’s list was too long and focused too heavily on classical literature that “does not represent the students of Texas," while others said they wanted students to focus on classical literature and historical texts.