Owners Michael Portman and Jayson Rapaport will expand Birds Barbershop this summer, targeting a July opening, according to a representative from the business. 

What they offer: Birds Barbershop offers color services, styling and cuts for adults and kids with any hair length. The business is not exclusively for men, according to its website—it serves all genders, styles and ages. 

Clients can make appointments online, call ahead or walk-in for same-day services. 

The background: The shop was initially founded in 2006 and has grown to nine locations across Austin in 20 years.

• 9900 W. Parmer Lane, Ste. A-215, Austin

For many, home is where the heart is. Here are six houses in the northwest Austin metro area that echo the culture and history of their locations.

Woodbine Mansion
Through its century-long history, the Woodbine Mansion has been owned by three families. The three-story home features 17 chandeliers, seven antique mirrors and a gazebo, among other unique features. Swedish immigrants Andrew J. and Hedwig Nelson originally commissioned architects to build a Victorian-style mansion, which was completed in 1900. The home underwent a remodeling in 1931 guided by a vision of classical, Greek Revival style. By 1960, the Crier-Goodrich family owned the property and named it "Woodbine."

• Available to rent

• 405 E. Main St., Round Rock

Stubblefield Building
Stephen P. Stubblefield built this limestone structure in 1871, which remained in his family for over three decades until 1907. It is believed to be the oldest existing structure in Liberty Hill.

• Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

• 1000 Loop 332, Liberty Hill

Check out the latest Austin metro transportation updates. 

Upcoming projects
Roundabout at Sam Bass Road, Hairy Man Road Intersection
Project: A roundabout will be added to the intersection of Sam Bass and Hairy Man Roads in Round Rock to improve traffic flow and safety.
Update: Project design is 60% complete, per Round Rock city officials.

• Timeline: TBD
• Cost: TBD
• Funding source: TBD

• Timeline: total project completion expected in 2026
• Cost: $500,000 for design
• Funding source: Hutto Economic Development Corporation funding

• Timeline: summer 2024-spring 2026
• Cost: $6.9 million
• Funding source: Austin 2016 Mobility Bond

Budget planning for Austin's upcoming fiscal year 2026-27 is underway, and city officials are weighing likely funding reductions while addressing rising costs and slowing revenue.

The details: The city's financial situation is due in part to slowing tax revenue partially caused by broader economic factors. Deputy budget director Erik Nelson pointed to national impacts like "stubbornly high" inflation, war-related energy price shocks and high interest rates that are affecting consumer activity and new development.

While the city isn't planning to invest in any major new programs, Austin's general fund—the largely tax-supported portion of the budget covering most public-facing services—is expected to grow about 3% in FY 2026-27. Within current constraints, millions of dollars in cuts are being considered to create a balanced budget plan while maintaining general services and programs.

What's next: City officials will also consider tax increases that'd likely raise the typical homeowner's property tax bill anywhere from roughly $100-$150. More information on potential changes to the budget and final taxing decisions will be coming throughout the summer.

Some Texas families began learning April 22 if they were accepted to the state’s education savings account program for the 2026-27 school year, officials said.

The big picture: Over 42,600 students will receive funding notices through April 24, the state comptroller’s office announced April 22. The first awardees include low- and middle-income students with disabilities and their eligible siblings.

Families accepted to the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program will receive state funds to send their children to private school or homeschool them.

The details: The first round of awardees is set to receive about $400 million of the $1 billion allocated for the program. Up to 100,000 students are expected to qualify for the program's first year.

The comptroller's office will run a lottery the week of April 27 to determine which low-income students will be accepted based on a prioritization system.

Stay tuned: Families that do not qualify for funding will also be notified through April 24. Additional students will receive funding awards in the coming weeks, a program spokesperson said.