The Pease Park Conservancy is expanding its operations and maintenance responsibilities to cover the entire 84-acre Pease District Park, Austin's oldest public green space.

What happened: Following a unanimous recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Board, the Austin City Council approved the updated agreement Nov. 5.

Under the new phase plan, the conservancy takes over lead responsibilities from the city parks department, including:

• Facilities maintenance

• Programming, concessions and volunteering coordination

• Trash and other waste collection

• Graffiti abatement

• Expanded public engagement related to the park

The nonprofit will also lead proposed park improvements, starting with a comprehensive signage plan running into 2027.

The agreement is expected to save the city money and offset staff workload, and includes no city dollars for upcoming expenses that'll be covered through private funding.

A guide to Austin-area Christmas tree farms highlights eight local options for harvesting or purchasing pre-cut trees in 2026:

• Elgin Christmas Tree Farm in Elgin offers choose-and-cut pine and Cypress, plus pre-cut Fraser Fir, starting Nov. 21.
• Pipe Creek Christmas Tree Farm in Pipe Creek features choose-and-cut Afghan Pine, Leyland Cypress and Arizona Cypress, alongside pre-cut and living trees, starting Nov. 23.
• Evergreen Farms in Elgin opens Nov. 27 with Virginia Pine, Leyland Cypress, Arizona Cypress and pre-cut options.
• Jenschke Orchards in Fredericksburg sells choose-and-cut trees and pre-cut Noble, Nordmann and Douglas Firs starting Nov. 27.
• Lee County Christmas Trees in Lincoln offers choose-and-cut Virginia Pines and Murray Cypresses starting Nov. 27.
• Grigsby Farms in Salado provides fresh-cut Fraser Firs and handmade wreaths starting Nov. 27.
• Brungot Farms in Cedar Park supplies Fraser Fir wreaths, trees, stands, lights and delivery starting Nov. 22.
• Sweet Eats Farm in Georgetown offers choose-and-cut Murray Cypress and pre-cut Fraser and Douglas Firs starting Nov. 28.

Check out the latest transportation project updates across the Austin metro.

Ongoing projects

Kohlers Crossing water line project

Project: Crews will install a 24-inch water transmission line in Kyle from the FM 1626 tanks on the north side of the bridge over the train tracks to the water well at the corner of Benner Road and Kohlers Crossing.

Update: The right lane of westbound traffic on Kohlers Crossing between FM 1626 and Benner Road was closed on Sept. 21. The lane closure is expected to last through December.

• Timeline: August 2026-April 2027

• Cost: $6.4 million-$7 million

• Funding source: 2025 Certificates of Obligation Bonds

Completed projects

Wyoming Springs Drive extension

Project: The project includes construction of a four-lane divided roadway in Round Rock with shared-use paths, extending over Brushy Creek from Creek Bend Boulevard to Old Settlers Boulevard.

Update: The roadway opened to traffic Oct. 22.

• Timeline: November 2024-October 2026

• Cost: $29.7 million

• Funding sources: city of Round Rock, Williamson County

Democrats saw decisive wins up and down the ballot in Texas and across the nation in the Nov. 3 election, flipping the Lone Star State to Democratic control for the first time in a generation.

The big picture: Texas has had a Republican governor, state Senate and state House since 2003. Next year, the state will be led by a Democratic governor, with a Democratic lieutenant governor presiding over the Senate and House lawmakers likely electing a Democrat to lead the chamber—however, the senators themselves will remain majority-Republican.

More details: How much power Lt. Gov.-elect Vikki Goodwin will have over the Texas Senate is largely up to senators, who will approve the chamber's new rules when the legislature convenes in January.

Sam Hooper, a legislative attorney and consultant, said he was "hopeful" that the election results would lead to "a more collegial Senate" and cooperation among lawmakers of both political parties.

The majority-Republican Senate and majority-Democrat House will have to find a balance, as bills cannot become law without approval from both chambers.