A series of Lake Austin-area properties are slated to exit the city's full jurisdiction under a new state law, following years of resident complaints over lacking public services and taxation.

The details: The roughly 150 properties total nearly $300 million in combined taxable value for the city, and will likely be followed by a wave of dozens more next year. Landowners are disannexing from Austin under a new state law, Senate Bill 1844, that went into effect this year to allow waterfront properties to leave cities if they aren't connected to public infrastructure services.

Affected residents said they've experienced lengthy 911 response times and problems connecting to Austin's water systems in recent years. Those issues come after a 2019 City Council vote to add Lake Austin-area tracts to the city's tax rolls in a reversal of a 1980s decision to exclude the land from taxation.

East Austin’s culinary, arts and hospitality scenes continue to grow, with new openings, relocations and community updates spanning restaurants, galleries and boutique stays. This list is not comprehensive.

Now open
Kobini
The new sushi spot opened inside the Papercut cocktail bar. The restaurant serves nigiri, sashimi and crudos featuring a variety of protein options, including wagyu, madai, maguro zuke and kanpachi.

HOPE Outdoor Gallery
The outdoor art park and creative campus has reopened in Austin. The new home for the gallery, near the Austin airport, is complete with outdoor park space, mural walls and a 6,000-square-foot gallery event space. It also features a coffee bar, gift shop and art supply store.

Coming soon
Bohème
The new boutique is expected to pay homage to Austin’s soul and heritage, as stated in a news release. With 20 unique rooms, guests will have the opportunity to have an individualized experience combined with the city’s culture and history.

Buffalo Wild Wings Go
The to-go restaurant will serve different types of wings, crispy chicken dippers, burgers, sandwiches and appetizers.

A French-American restaurant is now open in downtown Austin, in the AMLI building, helmed by Guy and Larry Restaurants along with chef and proprietor Harold Marmulstein.

On the menu: Highlights of the menu at Restaurant François include:

• Seafood such as the Maine Lobster Thermidor
• Crudos
• Dry-aged steaks
• Dishes such as the Boneless Wagyu Short Ribs Bourguignon and Stuffed Lamb Saddle en Croute
• Puff pastry desserts

• 401 W. Third St., Ste. 100, Austin

Texas voters will see 18 statewide races on the ballot in 2026.

The overview: Texas will hold Republican and Democratic primary elections on March 3 to determine who will appear on the statewide ballot in November. Texas is one of 17 states with open primaries, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, meaning registered voters can cast their ballots in either primary and do not need to register with a specific party.

What to know: The 18 statewide races on the 2026 primary ballots are:

• U.S. Senate
• Governor
• Lieutenant governor
• Attorney general
• Comptroller of public accounts
• General land commissioner
• Agriculture commissioner
• Railroad commissioner
• Texas Supreme Court, chief justice
• Texas Supreme Court justice, Place 2
• Texas Supreme Court justice, Place 7
• Texas Supreme Court justice, Place 8
• Texas Court of Criminal Appeals judge, Place 3
• Texas Court of Criminal Appeals judge, Place 4
• Texas Court of Criminal Appeals judge, Place 9
• 15th Court of Appeals, chief justice
• 15th Court of Appeals justice, Place 2
• 15th Court of Appeals justice, Place 3