The city of Kyle is exploring the establishment of independent nonprofit foundations to support projects through private donations, grants, sponsorships and other opportunities.

During a regular meeting Aug. 5, City Council directed the Arts & Cultural Board, Library Board, Parks and Recreation Board and Train Depot Board to look into establishing independent foundations. 

The big picture: The purpose of the item is to explore new ways the city can partner with the community to raise private donations, as the programs compete with essential city services for limited taxpayer dollars, according to agenda documents.

“This is an agenda item that I placed on here due to the financial constraints that we have as a city currently,” Kyle Mayor Yvonne Flores-Cale said.

Looking ahead: The boards were asked to return to City Council within six weeks with recommendations, proposed next steps and any legal or operational considerations.

A well-known shoe brand known for athletic footwear will soon open a standalone store at the San Marcos Premium Outlets.

The whole story: Popular retailer Hoka will open a dedicated store in the outlet mall. The brand makes footwear for individuals at all levels of physical activity, including:

• Professional runners
• First-time runners
• Marathon participants
• Hikers
• Walkers
• Trail runners

• Opening TBD
• San Marcos Premium Outlets, 3939 N. I-35, San Marcos

Check out the top trending stories from Aug. 3-6 in the Austin area.

1. New 40,000-square-foot fitness center to open in Kyle

2. Bee Cave issues cease and desist to developers near Sweetwater community

3. Woodside neighborhood developer proposes 500-home expansion to Sun City in Georgetown

4. Conejo's Tex-Mex Cantina to hold soft opening Aug. 5

5. Leander ISD committee proposes $591.2M-$708.5M 2026 bond

6. McDonald’s second Bastrop location to hold ribbon-cutting

A New Braunfels food truck specializing in Mexican treats is expanding with a brick-and-mortar location this fall.

Check this out: Munchies Locos is opening a second location at 840 S. Business I-35 in early October, Owner Juanita Rocha said.

The new location will offer inside seating. Rocha said she is "sticking strictly to snacks," but wants to try to get a little more creative with an expanded menu now that she'll have more space. She said she plans to offer fresas con crema, dirty sodas, waffle cones and ice cream cones.

One more thing: Rocha said she plans to keep the food truck, with plans to move it to San Marcos or Kyle.

• 840 S. Business I-35, New Braunfels

Within the next year, Texans will likely see changes to when they can vote early in elections, including expanded weekend voting hours.

The overview: Last year, state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 2753, which shifts Texas’ early voting window closer to election day, cutting out a three-day gap between the two voting periods and adding more Saturday and Sunday voting.

While the changes did not take effect immediately and were designed to help boost voter turnout, local election administrators said the law will also significantly raise costs for municipalities and delay the release of election results.

Election officials said the current three-day break allows staff to set up polling places for election day and prepare submitted ballots so results from early and mail-in voting can be released quickly after the polls close on election night.

The impact: Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth estimated that the shift would raise the cost of administering a large election by 30% and increase costs for smaller elections by 9%, due to personnel, equipment and voter education needs.