City officials signed off on an economic incentive framework to support an expansion of Southwest Airlines' operations at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The move comes as the airline is moving to lease a majority of new gates to be added at ABIA amid its multibillion-dollar expansion.

The gist: The framework would see Austin pay an estimated $5.5 million to Southwest for roughly 2,000 new local hires over a five-year term, while the city would benefit with nearly $12 million in new tax revenue. The airline would also take on $7.5 million in infrastructure development at the city-owned airport if it selects ABIA for its expansion.

What's next?: Southwest CEO Bob Jordan, Gov. Greg Abbott, City Manager T.C. Broadnax and ABIA CEO Ghizlane Badawi are scheduled to make an economic development announcement at the airport Dec. 12.

City officials highlighted the agreement's potential to bring high-paying union jobs, child care funding and other community benefits.

The 2025-26 school year will be the last spent at an existing campus for some students in KIPP Texas Public Schools. 

What you need to know: Seven Central Texas-area KIPP Texas Public Schools are set to close at the end of the current school year, the charter school district announced Dec. 11. The charter school system operates over 45 schools across the state.

The details: Seven KIPP schools will close at the end of the current school year, spread across the system's Commerce, Austin South and Austin Ridge campuses.

Located in a predominantly residential area in South Austin, Culture Club has formed a family-friendly bar and eatery for community members to enjoy a classic rock-inspired experience.

The background: Owned by Justin Knoch, the bar’s concept was nine years in the making before its launch in November 2024. As a resident in the Menchaca Road neighborhood, Knoch said he was interested in crafting a space that would be unique to the area while maintaining a family-friendly vibe like the spaces he enjoyed frequenting when he moved to Austin 19 years ago.

The atmosphere: Walking into the eatery, customers can find swings with animal patterns hanging in front of the bar and pinball machines lining one of the dining room’s walls. The bar’s red lights, motorcycle display and guitar wall decor create a vintage feel with 70s and 80s influences. Knoch said he drew inspiration from a handful of rock artists including ACDC, Metallica, KISS and Guns & Roses.

12000 Menchaca Road, Bldg. 2, Ste. A, Austin

Self-driving car company Waymo has issued a voluntary software recall for its autonomous vehicles.

The move by Waymo comes amid an ongoing investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into reports of Waymo vehicles failing to stop for Austin ISD school buses. This school year, the district has recorded 20 incidents in which a Waymo vehicle illegally passed a stopped school bus, according to an AISD spokesperson.

What happened: On Nov. 20, AISD asked Waymo to immediately cease operating its self-driving vehicles between the hours of 5:20 a.m.-9:30 a.m. and 3-7 p.m. At the time, the district had recorded 19 incidents of Waymo cars illegally passing AISD buses through its school bus stop arms, averaging 1.5 violations a week. Waymo received its 20th citation of the school year on Dec. 1.

The update: Waymo issued a voluntary recall of its software with the NHTSA earlier this week, a Waymo spokesperson said. The company identified software issues that contributed to Waymo vehicles initially slowing to stop but then proceeding past a stopped school bus.