On June 28, the Edwards Aquifer Authority, or EAA, celebrated its 30th year of serving the community. To celebrate the milestone, the EAA released an episode of its Recharge Zone Podcast detailing the agency’s history and future, is holding a "Rooted in Saving Water: Conserve and Share It" photo contest and released a celebratory and instructional YouTube video.

The gist: The EAA is a regional water management agency responsible for regulating the use of the Edwards Aquifer, a resource that provides water to a large number of Texans and municipalities.

In 1993, the Texas Legislature adopted the EAA Act, a piece of legislation that created the EAA as a political subdivision of the state to preserve and protect the aquifer, according to the EAA website. The act was passed to keep the federal government from taking control of the aquifer under the Endangered Species Act.

Also of note: The EAA’s photo contest aims to celebrate the history of the agency by highlighting community members’ efforts to preserve the aquifer.

Blind and low vision travelers at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport now have access to Aira Explorer, a free app that provides on-demand visual interpreting assistance throughout the travel process at AUS. 

How it works: The app connects travelers with a professionally trained visual interpreter and utilizes the traveler's smartphone camera and microphone to provide real-time assistance for a variety of travel-related tasks. Interpreters can: 

• Describe surroundings
• Read signs and information displays
• Help with navigation throughout the airport, including curbside drop-off locations, airline check-in counters, security checkpoints, and gates
• Locate amenities such as dining options, shops, bathrooms and pet relief areas

Austin's summer heat can affect mental health, particularly for people managing conditions like schizophrenia, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or bipolar disorder, according to Ziyad Nuwayhid, chief medical officer at Integral Care, Travis County's mental health authority.

The impact: Nuwayhid said mental illness can impair temperature perception, and some psychiatric medications reduce the body's ability to stay hydrated.

A 2026 study by UT Austin researchers and the city found 85% of Austin single-family homes pose significant heat risk for elderly residents during a heatwave combined with a power outage.

Keep in mind: All Austin Public Library branches and Austin Parks and Recreation facilities serve as cooling centers during normal operating hours, according to Austin Emergency Management.

Travis County community centers are open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CapMetro offers complimentary rides to cooling centers when cooling hours are extended for those who cannot afford fare, according to the city.

Integral Care operates a 24-hour crisis hotline for mental health support and cooling shelter referrals.

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

Upcoming projects

New Braunfels EDC invests $405K in pedestrian improvements: The NBEDC is funding the final design of Phase 2 of pedestrian improvements along five roadways. If approved, construction is expected to begin in 2028.

Ongoing projects

Legacy Ranch Drive expansion
Project: Crews are working to expand approximately 0.6 miles from Seward Junction North Loop in Liberty Hill to a CR 258 extension east of US 183, including new signals, pavement improvements, and turn lanes serving a future LISD site. 
Update: Contractors broke ground March 6.

• Timeline: completion expected this summer

• Cost: $1.4 million

• Funding source: Williamson County 2023 road bond