From fall crafting workshops to a music festival in Buda, check out some of the events taking place in Hays County this August and September. 

August
Hay There, Scarecrow! Maker Studio Workshop
In this beginner-friendly class for ages 9 and older, participants can create 3D wooden scarecrows using layered wood and paint to create a unique piece of fall decor.

• Aug. 29, 4-6 p.m.

• Inspired Minds Art Center, 121 Main St., Buda

September
Native Plants Organic Gardening Class
Participants will explore the ecological and practical benefits of incorporating indigenous flora into their gardens and learn which plants can create a thriving, low-impact landscape.

• Sept. 12, 9 a.m.

• City of Kyle Community Garden, 193 Goddard, Kyle

9th Annual Emergency Preparedness Fair
In partnership with the City of Kyle, the Hays County Office of Emergency Services will host an event centered on community partners, local first responders, and vendors to help residents prepare for natural disasters. 

• Sept. 12, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

• La Verde Park, 3901 Burnham, Kyle

Many businesses in San Marcos have made major recent progress, from large-scale rest stops opening to large grocers nearing the end of construction. Check out 12 city business updates.

Now open

Buc-ee’s

• Opened August 12

• 3245 N. I-35 frontage road, San Marcos

Kolacny’s Kolaches

• Opened June 6

• 801 Chestnut St., San Marcos

Coming soon

H-E-B

• Opening fall 2026

• 1074 E. McCarty Lane, San Marcos

Hoka

• Opening TBD

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

Closings

The Sweet Spot

• Closed July 29

• 232 N. LBJ Drive, San Marcos

Check out some of the most-read stories about the Austin area from Aug. 10-13. 

1. Franklin Barbecue to temporarily close in East Austin

2. Cedar Park officials approve $5.6M for transportation, community projects

3. New running shoe store to open in San Marcos outlets

4. Claw machine arcade coming soon to New Braunfels

5. Discount Tire opens second location in Georgetown

6. H-E-B plans store upgrades in Pflugerville

The Texas Education Agency released public school accountability ratings for the 2025-26 school year on Aug. 14.

"We use [A-F ratings] as a way to evaluate our own performance as adults, and then build action plans so that the way that we run our schools next year can be even better than last year," Education Commissioner Mike Morath said during an Aug. 14 news conference.

The overview: Across the state, 85% of campuses received a C rating or higher, which is considered “acceptable" academic performance.

Schools are rated based on three criteria: student achievement, school progress and closing the gaps.

Zooming in: Austin ISD is at risk of being taken over by the TEA after two of the district's middle school campuses received their fifth consecutive failing grades this year. Under state law, the agency must either shutter those campuses or take control of the affected districts.

Any potential state-mandated closures or takeovers will not happen immediately, as districts with concerns about their ratings have through Sept. 11 to appeal individual scores to the TEA.