Delta Airlines is expanding its flights out of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport with new routes launching to Phoenix and Bozeman, Montana, later this year.

Additionally, the global airline plans to offer new routes from Austin to Asheville, North Carolina; Columbus, Ohio; Kalispell, Montana; and Kansas City, Missouri, in 2026.

What's happening: Delta Airlines announced it will launch twice-daily nonstop flights to Phoenix from ABIA beginning Nov. 9.

The new route to Bozeman will begin June 13 with Saturday-only flights. Delta will expand the route with daily trips from Austin to Bozeman from Dec. 19 to March 28.

The impact: The new Phoenix route will connect Central Texans to Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, which is known for its championship golf courses, culinary scene, desert hiking and access to Scottsdale and Sedona, according to Delta Airlines information.

The additional Bozeman flights will allow flyers to travel to Montana during peak ski season and visit Yellowstone National Park.

Anna Grace Husted and Wade King are seeking votes in the Dripping Springs City Council, Place 2 race. King is currently serving as the Place 2 council member.

Mitch Royer and Wm. Travis Crow will be on the ballot for the Place 4 race.

What you need to know: Read some of the key dates released by Hays County.

• April 2: last day to register to vote for the May 2 election
• April 20: first day of early voting in person; absentee ballot application deadline (received in the Elections office, not postmarked)
• April 21: San Jacinto Day holiday (no voting)
• April 28: last day of early voting in person
• May 2: election day
• May 8: canvass, release of official results

Wm. Travis Crow and Mitch Royer are seeking votes in the Dripping Springs City Council, Place 4 race. Crow is currently serving as the Place 4 council member.

Ana Grace Husted and Wade King will be on the ballot for the Place 2 race.

What you need to know: Read some of the key dates released by Hays County.

• April 2: last day to register to vote for the May 2 election
• April 20: first day of early voting in person; absentee ballot application deadline (received in the Elections office, not postmarked)
• April 21: San Jacinto Day holiday (no voting)
• April 28: last day of early voting in person
• May 2: election day
• May 8: canvass, release of official results

Check out some of the most-read stories in Austin from March 16-19. 

1. 44,000-square-foot indoor sports club headed to Leander, Cedar Park

2. Round Rock outlet mall to get refresh

3. Luxury retailer in San Marcos outlets prepares to close with major sale

4. 320-unit apartment complex coming to Liberty Hill, Georgetown line

5. 'Future of aviation': Air taxi testing coming to Austin under federal pilot program

6. From breakfast to barbecue: Check out these 15 business updates in Southwest Austin

On March 31, Texas’ roughly 9,000 licensed consumable hemp retailers will face sweeping regulations, including a more than 3,000% increase in annual licensing fees and a ban on most smokable cannabis products.

The overview: The new rules, which also include age verification requirements, stricter packaging guidelines and more rounds of product testing, were originally proposed in December. The Texas Department of State Health Services, which regulates the state’s hemp industry, adopted the rules March 2.

The debate: Supporters of the increased regulations previously said they hoped the changes would result in more comprehensive oversight of Texas’ hemp industry and improve consumer safety. 

Some experts said they were concerned the new rules were taking effect too quickly and could lead some hemp businesses to close their doors.

"It is really tragic that these entrepreneurs are being faced with this, especially in a state like Texas that touts being pro-business ... and here we are shutting down businesses and relegating consumers to an illicit market," said Heather Fazio, director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center.