The Austin Community College district board of trustees unanimously approved a balanced budget for fiscal year 2026-27, keeping the district's tuition and mandatory fees unchanged for the 13th consecutive year and continuing to fund the college’s free tuition program.

The details: Under this budget, local students will continue to pay $67 per credit hour—or $85 including mandatory fees—while the out-of-district price is held at $201 per credit hour.

The budget also includes a 2% annual raise and a $1,700 one-time lump sum for full-time employees in addition to retaining the district's $23/hour minimum wage.

What they’re saying: The budget for FY 2026-27—which begins Sept. 1—is funded through state appropriations, property tax revenue, and tuition and fees, of which the first two are currently seeing shifts.

The dumpling restaurant opened its latest location in Austin in early June, according to a representative from the business.

The location was initially projected to open in late January or early February, according to previous Community Impact reporting. 

On the menu: The new spot serves soup dumplings, dim sum, noodles, bao buns and bubble tea in the Arboretum. Popular dishes include the spicy
chicken wontons, cucumber salad, orange chicken and fortune cookie cheesecake. 

Something to know: Ugly Dumpling notes the difference between soup dumplings and dumplings on its website, stating that “traditional dumplings are filled with meat or vegetables, while soup dumplings (Xiao Long Bao) also contain rich, savory broth inside the wrapper.”

More details: Ugly Dumpling operates additional locations in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode
Island and Virginia. The Arboretum restaurant marks the brand’s first Texas spot.

• 10000 Research Blvd., Bldg. A, Austin

Music, auctions and a mission to support medically fragile children will come together when Abbey Lights Up COTA returns for its eighth year.

What’s happening: The fundraising gala will feature auctions, drinks, food, music, raffles and more.

“The Daytripper” creator and host Chet Garner will serve as emcee.

Where funds go: Proceeds will support the Abigail E. Keller Foundation’s financial assistance, hospice care baskets, birthday celebrations and more.

Funds will also advance plans for Abbey House—a proposed pediatric respite and hospice facility in Central Texas.

Why it matters: Abbey House would provide temporary overnight care outside a hospital, giving caregivers time to rest or tend to other family needs.

What they’re saying: “The vision for Abbey House is rooted in the belief that no family should have to face those challenges alone,” foundation President and CEO Melissa Keller said.

• Aug. 22, 5-10 p.m.

• $350 (admission); $500 (VIP)

• Circuit of The Americas, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., Austin

Check out the latest transportation project updates across the Austin metro.

Cedar Park to improve more neighborhood roads: Cedar Park City Council approved a change to the city’s contract with Lone Star Paving on June 25. The change order adds ten new streets to the project, with the existing asphalt removed and replaced with a new 2-inch asphalt surface.

Gattis School Road lane closures in effect through end of July for construction: A section of Gattis School Road between Via Sonoma Trail and High Country Boulevard will be reduced to one lane in each direction until the end of July. The closure will facilitate installation of three waterline crossings.

Roadway plans move forward as Dog's Head site prepped for major industrial project: Preparations for the first major addition to the recently annexed Dog's Head are underway, while local leaders ready to adopt a long-term public financing plan for upgrades across the more than 4-square-mile East Austin megasite. A range of mixed-use development is possible after city officials' initial vote for a long-term deal this spring.