Families of student-athletes in Hays CISD will be required to pay athletics fees this year to help offset budget cuts and keep non-varsity teams running.

The overview: Fees will range from $10-$315 per year, depending on a variety of factors such as grade level, number of sports and financial need. Families approved for reduced lunch will pay 50%, while those approved for free lunch will receive a 90% discount, Savoy said. Fees for middle school sports start lower than high school sports.

Some context: The district announced the athletics fees as a response to districtwide budget cuts. HCISD officials announced $12.25 million in budget cuts in March after voters rejected a higher tax rate at the polls in November.

Since 2021, HCISD has been pulling from the fund balance, which serves as the district’s savings account, to maintain operations while waiting for increased state funding. While the state approved over $8 billion in school funding last June, HCISD Chief Communication Officer Tim Savoy said it was not enough to compensate for inflation.

Two candidates will be on the ballot for the Hays County Commissioners Court Precinct 2 seat in the upcoming Nov. 3 election. 

A closer look: Republican candidate Abby Gibson and Democratic candidate Johnny Flores will be vying for the commissioners court seat. Precinct 2 in Hays County runs along the I-35 corridor from East Buda to Kyle and includes downtown Kyle, according to the Hays County website.

Current Precinct 2 commissioner Michelle Cohen will appear on the ballot as the Democratic candidate for Hays County Judge, alongside Republican candidate Geoffrey Tahuahua and Independent candidate Liz "Sumter" Gajdos.

What else? Candidates were asked to keep responses within 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines or for style and clarity.

Since late May, all autonomous vehicle companies have been required to receive authorization from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to operate on Texas roads. During an Aug. 25 hearing, state senators heard the first testimony on autonomous vehicle safety since the new regulations took effect.

The overview: To date, the DMV has received 42 complaints about driverless vehicles, officials said.

No complaints have led the agency to suspend or revoke an autonomous vehicle operator's authorization. That occurs "when the operation has resulted in or is likely to result in serious bodily injury," according to Corrie Thompson, who leads the DMV’s enforcement division.

Zooming in: Lawmakers said they wanted to ensure driverless vehicles were not rolling out too quickly, adding that they hoped the vehicles would help address Texas' high rate of fatal crashes.

Lt. William White, who leads the Austin Police Department’s highway enforcement division, said first responders have seen consistent issues with AVs, including when a Waymo blocked an ambulance for about 28 seconds following the deadly March 1 Sixth Street shooting.

Democratic incumbent Erin Zwiener will be facing Republican challenger Tennyson Moreno in the race for the Texas House of Representatives District 45 seat.

What you need to know: Zwiener has represented House District 45 since January 2019. This will be Moreno's second time challenging Zwiener for the seat after losing to her in the November 2024 race.

Early voting runs from Oct. 19-30, and Election Day is Nov. 3.

District 45 encompasses the I-35 corridor of San Marcos, Buda and Kyle and stretches west towards Dripping Springs, according to the Texas House of Representatives. 

What else? Candidates were asked to keep responses within 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines or for style and clarity.