Hutto ISD trustees approved a proposal for the school district's operating budget for the 2026-2027 financial year in June.

What you need to know: The district's operating budget, also known as the general fund, is used for daily operational expenses such as payroll and transportation. This budget was passed with planned expenditures equal to expected revenues for this financial year, which is also known as a balanced budget. 

The balanced budget passed June 25 for the 2026-27 financial year—which starts July 1—is the first in six years, according to the district.

The details: The approved budget balances $134.5 million in planned expenses against $134.5 million in expected revenue from local property taxes, state and federal funding. 

Austin-based restaurant Hopdoddy Burger Bar has been acquired by by Founders Table Restaurant Group.

What's happening: Hopdoddy CEO Jeff Chandler will transition to an advisory role. Hopdoddy Vice President of Operations Kenny Jett will assume the role of president.

"I've had the privilege of seeing firsthand what makes this brand so special—from our incredible team members to the loyal guests who support us every day," Jett said in a news release. "I'm honored to step into this role and excited to build on the strong foundation we've created as we continue growing the brand."

The background: Hopdoddy was founded in Austin in 2010 and has 47 locations today, including in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio.

Founders Table was founded in 2020. The brand's portfolio includes Chopt Creative Salad Company, Dos Toros Taqueria and Protein Bar & Kitchen.

Danelle Houck, the executive director of the Williamson Museum, sat down with Community Impact to discuss the history of the museum ahead of its move from the farmer’s bank into the historic courthouse just across the Georgetown Square.

What do you do in your role as executive director?
My job is really to tell the stories [and] to support the staff—everything from what they need [for] exhibits to talking to different cities [about] how we can help tell their history, making sure it's all preserved.

That's what's really fun is being able to tell history in a way that's accessible and fun and engaging, but also reflects our county.

What are your goals for the museum?
We want to make history fun. Like it's not your just boring history class, right? If it's not behind a case, we want people to touch and interact with it.

Check out six transportation project updates across the Austin metro.

$131M in CAMPO grants to fund WilCo road projects: The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization dedicated about $131 million in federal funding for nine road projects and one trail project. The projects span Georgetown, Hutto, Leander, Liberty Hill, Northwest Austin and Round Rock.

Austin seeks to rein in 'chaotic' e-moto use: A resolution advanced by city leaders this spring will now result in proposed updates to city code defining electronic motorcycles and mini-bikes and their legality, establishing when and where they're permitted and setting related penalties. A report on those changes will be presented by late July.

I-35 northbound lanes to temporarily close for up to 4 weekends: The Texas Department of Transportation will close the I-35 northbound main lanes between Slaughter Lane and SH 71/Ben White Boulevard as part of the I-35 Capital Express South Project from 11 p.m.-9 a.m. on July 10 and 11, July 17 and 18, and July 24 and 25 if needed.

Texas' Republican-led State Board of Education approved a sweeping rewrite of the state's social studies curriculum standards and a list of dozens of books that students will be required to read each school year, both of which are infused with biblical references. The new requirements will begin rolling out to public school classrooms in the 2030-31 school year.

The details: As many as 25 texts will be read each year in early elementary school grades, with about 10 books required in later grades. The reading list was created under a 2023 state law requiring “at least one literary work” per grade.

The new social studies curriculum standards will expand lessons about Texas and American history, deemphasizing some teachings about world cultures and people of color. The standards also expand the amount of content students will be expected to learn each year.

The debate: Proponents of the new standards and reading list said they will teach students to love their state and country, while critics said the policies do not include diverse perspectives.