As Bastrop continues to grow, local business owners, officials and industry leaders will gather in late April for the Bastrop Regional Business Summit and Expo to discuss workforce needs, financial literacy and business development.

The details: Hosted by the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce, the event will feature panel discussions and information booths from entrepreneurs, government officials and other industry leaders focused on the area’s future.

Notable quote: “With a focus on workforce initiatives, financial literacy, business development, and growth, the summit offers a platform for knowledge exchange, networking and actionable insights,” chamber officials announced in a statement.

Before you go: In late 2025, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce awarded the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce a five-star accreditation, placing it in the top 2% of chambers nationwide.

• April 21, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
• $125 (admission)
• Bastrop Convention & Exhibit Center, 1408 Chestnut St., Bastrop

Fresh-cut steaks are now being served in the Burleson Crossing Easter shopping center following the opening of the area’s first LongHorn Steakhouse.

On the menu: The steakhouse offers a variety of fresh-cut steaks, seafood, chicken, lamb and more.

Some context: The 5,780-square-foot project was the first business to open within the new shopping center.

• Opened Feb. 16

• Burleson Crossing East, 653 Hwy. 71 W., Bastrop

From an airport expansion in Austin to a med spa renovation in New Braunfels and more, here are five of the most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Austin Bergstrom-International Airport ($60 million): Following the closure of the airport's south terminal, construction will start this summer on a six-gate southern terminal called Concourse M.

2. Texas Realtors ($2 million): A full remodel of the existing 23,847-square-foot building’s second floor will begin in late spring, along with the addition of a second-floor terrace.

3. Georgetown Logistics Park ($8.6 million): Construction is underway on a 39,200-square-foot facility.

4. Adoration Med Spa ($704,000): A former residence is being converted into a med spa. Renovations include removing the back deck, replacing windows and updating doors.

5. Kung Fu Tea–Bastrop: The specialty tea shop will fill a 1,500-square-foot space in the Burleson Crossing East shopping center.

Georgetown’s 27th annual Red Poppy Festival is returning April 24-26, for a weekend of live performances, local vendors, parades and kid-friendly activities. 

A closer look: The two-and-a-half-day festival will draw crowds from across Texas to downtown Georgetown, honoring its history and celebrating the city’s famous flowers. 

The specifics: Festivities begin on Friday evening with 175 artisan vendors, 25 food vendors, and live performances and dancing throughout the square. 

Saturday will bring a full day of fun, including the Poppy Parade, classic car show, and music from Jade Eagleson and Maddie & Tae. 

On Sunday, attendees will again have access to the artisan market, live music, pup parade and an appearance from Chet Garner, the creator, executive producer, writer and host of the travel show “The Daytripper.”

What we know: This year marks the first Red Poppy Festival since the city of Georgetown unveiled its first downtown parking garage, adding 315 parking spaces near the square in November.

The State Board of Education gave preliminary approval April 10 to roughly 200 literary works that all Texas public school students would be required to read beginning in 2030.

What happened: The SBOE trimmed about 100 titles from a list proposed by the Texas Education Agency, which board members and educators criticized as too long to be taught. The Republican-led board signed off on a revised list in a 9-5 party-line vote April 10.

The details: The draft list ranges from nursery rhymes and short stories in early grades to classical and 20th-century literature in high school. The list also includes about a dozen excerpts from the Bible. While students learn about world religions today, Texans testified that if the reading list is approved, it would be the first time in recent history that state leaders mandate religious readings in the classroom.  

Next steps: Board members are scheduled to take a final vote on the reading list in June. If approved, the list will be used in classrooms in the 2030-31 school year.