Voters across Bastrop County will decide Nov. 3 whether to allow the legal sale of all alcoholic beverages through separate local-option elections in the county’s four justice of the peace precincts and the cities of Bastrop, Elgin and Smithville.

Why it matters: Officials said the elections aim to address varying wet and dry rules that leave some neighboring businesses with different options for alcohol permits.

A closer look: In Bastrop, areas annexed after the city’s 2005 local-option election retained their dry status.

Officials said using broader ballot language now would give the city more flexibility to regulate alcohol sales later without more local-option elections.

Notable quote: “This gives us a one-time chance to just allow everything, and then if we want to pull it back from there, we’re able to do that through ordinance,” said Bastrop council member Kevin Plunkett, who owns Old Town Restaurant & Bar and co-owns Piney Creek Chop House.

What’s next: Election Day is Nov. 3 and early voting runs Oct. 19-30.

From steaks and subs to bagels and Tex-Mex, here are four dining options that have debuted at Sendero so far this summer.

1. Texas Roadhouse (opened July 27): Diners can choose hand-cut steaks, seafood and chicken; scratch-made sides; and freshly baked rolls with honey-cinnamon butter.

2. Jersey Mike’s Subs (opened June 24): The East Coast-style sandwich shop offers hot and cold subs made with freshly baked bread, meats, cheeses and vegetables.

3. Einstein Bros. Bagels (opened June 15): Menu options include bagels, cinnamon rolls, cookies, muffins, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, and hot and iced coffees.

4. Chuy’s (opened May 18): The Austin-founded restaurant serves Tex-Mex dishes, such as enchiladas, fajitas, flautas and house specialties.

The team behind Still Austin Whiskey Co. aims to bring “The Musician” to life with the opening of Still Austin Quarter in South Austin.

The big picture: The 15,000-foot space will operate as a cocktail bar and music venue, inspired by the brand’s Straight Bourbon Whiskey, “The Musician.” Still Austin Quarter is an expansion of the existing facility, which includes the distillery, a tasting room and a whiskey garden.

The new venue is divided into four areas, including:

• The Atrium

• The Vinyl Lounge

• The Music Room

• A private event space

The details: The cocktail menu will be created using Still Austin’s spirits, and the food was designed to complement the cocktails, according to a news release.

Guests can enjoy live music Thursday through Saturday nights in The Music Room. 

• 4211 Willow Springs Road, Austin

Across Texas, public school districts have approved at least 150 campus closures in the last three years as they grapple with declining enrollment, state accountability issues and hefty budget shortfalls.

What's happening: Among the closures are 56 schools in Community Impact’s coverage areas. Some districts have said that additional closures are not off the table.

Roughly 76,000 fewer students were enrolled in Texas public schools during the 2025-26 school year than the year prior. This marks the first non-pandemic enrollment drop in recorded history, according to Texas Education Agency data collected annually since 1987.

Analysts warn that this year’s enrollment decline is not a one-off, with demographics expert Bob Templeton predicting that enrollment could “drop over 100,000 kids” next year.

What they're saying: “This was a decision that I made, even knowing some of the challenges our students are going to face, because I think the alternative is untenable,” Fort Bend ISD board President Kristin Tassin said as the district voted to close seven elementary schools ahead of the 2026-27 school year.