Three people were killed, including the suspect, and 14 people were injured in a mass shooting on West Sixth Street early March 1 that law enforcement officials are investigating as a "potential matter of terrorism."

The shooting near Buford's at 700 W. Sixth St. was reported shortly before 2 a.m. March 1. A suspect had driven a large SUV around the block several times before opening fire on bar patrons with a pistol, then parking nearby and shooting at people nearby with a rifle, Davis said. Police stationed around the East Sixth Street entertainment district arrived on scene in about a minute and killed the suspect.

Officials credited city police and paramedics for their coordination around weekend entertainment hours, and said first responders likely saved multiple lives.
The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the shooting in coordination with APD and the incident may be linked to terrorism, although a federal official said it was too early to confirm as of March 1.

The 183 North Mobility Project is nearly finished, with new southbound express lanes and a flyover connection to MoPac opening Feb. 28.

What to expect: Drivers exiting the express lanes have multiple options:

• Stay right to continue south on US 183 toward Burnet Road, Payton Gin Road, Lamar Boulevard, or I‑35.
• Stay left for a direct route onto the MoPac Express Lane.
• Or exit right onto a side road to bypass traffic lights at Steck Avenue and Spicewood Springs Road.

The express lanes will use variable toll pricing, with the price displayed before entry.

What else? The northbound express lanes opened earlier this year, along with a direct connector linking MoPac and 183. The $612 million project, funded with toll revenue bonds and federal funding, also added a fourth non-tolled lane in each direction and includes 4,200 feet of shared-use paths and 11 miles of ADA-compliant sidewalks. Crews are now completing finishing touches and landscaping. Some lane closures will continue, but the project is expected to be fully completed later this year.

City officials will soon consider a 66% increase to expected construction costs for the Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion.

The details: The plant first opened in the late 1970s with the ability to process 18 million gallons daily, or MGD, and it's grown over the years to its current 75 MGD capacity. Actual treatment levels are closer to 60 MGD today but expected to near that 75 MGD limit in just a few years due to population growth, requiring the expansion initiative increasing capacity to 100 MGD by 2032.

Multiple contracts totaling more than $1 billion, both for the expansion and related modernization and facility improvements, were approved in 2024. An additional $600 million is now needed due to various cost escalations, according to AW.

Austin Water has anticipated securing federal and state loans for a large share of the project cost, and using local revenue bonds supported by rising utility charges.

Check out the top six trending stories in the Austin area Feb. 23-27. 

1. Major highway overhaul underway between Leander and Georgetown

2. Updates on a dozen businesses serving west Georgetown

3. The League Kitchen & Tavern to close in Lakeway; Cousin Louie’s location announced

4. Costco to open new store in Liberty Hill this March

5. Lane closures over Mays Street bridge in effect

6. 9-mile stretch of US 183 expansion nears finish line

Mandola’s Italian Kitchen is celebrating 20 years of serving Texas on March 3.

The details: The locally owned restaurant from Damian and Trina Mandola first opened in North Austin's The Triangle in 2006. Since then, it has expanded to three additional Austin-area locations including in Southwest Austin, Bee Cave and Cedar Park. Additionally, Mandola's can be found in Florida.

The counter-service restaurant offers Italian dishes alongside market items like bread, pastries, gelato and cured meats and cheeses. To celebrate 20 years March 3, each Mandola's location will be offering 20% off meals and a gift card giveaway.

Also of note: The couple also owns Trattoria Lisina, a Tuscan-inspired Italian restaurant in Driftwood.

• 4700 W. Guadalupe St., Ste. 12, Austin; 4301 W. William Cannon Drive, E-1, Austin; 12100 W. Parmer Lane, Ste. 200, Cedar Park; 12815 Shops Parkway, Ste. 400, Bee Cave