Outdoor burning remains prohibited in unincorporated Bastrop County as dry conditions and elevated fire risks persist.

In a nutshell: Bastrop County Commissioners Court extended the Aug. 24 emergency order for two more weeks during a Sept. 14 meeting.

A closer look: Emergency Management Coordinator James Altgelt said the county's average Keech-Byram Drought Index, or KBDI, reached 660, with a 14-day countywide average of about 663.

The KBDI scale ranges from 0-800. The Texas A&M Forest Service reports that any level above 400 indicates an increased potential for wildfires.

For reference, the KBDI on Sept. 4, 2011, the day the Bastrop County Complex Fire ignited, was 789.

What you should know: Bastrop County outlined the following enforcement measures when suspected outdoor burning is reported:

• Fire departments may respond to put out the fire

• A peace officer can be sent to investigate

• Violators could face a Class C misdemeanor and a fine of up to $500

The burn ban will expire Sept. 28 at midnight unless Commissioners extend or lift it earlier.

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

Georgetown to reduce speed limit on Ronald Reagan Boulevard: Georgetown City Council gave preliminary approval Aug. 25 to adjust speed limits on Ronald Reagan Boulevard and Westinghouse Road, as well as in school zones on Hwy. 195 and Woodlake Drive.

Planning continues for Hwy. 46 expansion project in New Braunfels: The Texas Department of Transportation is continuing to work on a $1.4 billion project geared toward improving traffic flows on Hwy. 46 in Comal and Guadalupe counties. For Comal County, the project looks to construct elevated main lanes over the existing Hwy. 46 roadway and two direct connecting flyover ramps between Hwy. 46 and I-35. In Guadalupe County, TxDOT officials are proposing to expand Hwy. 46 to a four-lane controlled-access highway with two-lane, one-way frontage roads.

Southwest Airlines to open lounge at Austin airport: Southwest Airlines will open a lounge at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, set to welcome guests in late 2027. The lounges are already under construction.

This November, Libertarian Ted Brown, Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico are running to be Texas' next U.S. senator.

The overview: Each state has two U.S. senators serving staggered terms, with Ted Cruz and John Cornyn currently representing Texas. Cornyn ran for reelection but lost his primary race, and the winner of the November election will replace him in January.

Paxton advanced to the general election after beating Cornyn in a primary runoff, while Talarico beat two other contenders in the Democratic primary, Community Impact reported. Brown was selected as the Texas Libertarian Party's candidate during an April nominating convention.

At the polls: Early voting runs from Oct. 19-30 for dozens of statewide and local races. Election Day is Nov. 3.