OLINO Medical Aesthetics by Austin Regional Clinic has opened as part of the new ARC South Specialty clinic in South Austin.

A closer look: The new office is led by Dr. Steven E. Rasmussen, an Austin-based dermatologist. OLINO Medical Aesthetics, which was formerly known as ARC Medical Aesthetics, provides medical and cosmetic dermatology services to patients using state-of-the-art equipment, according to a news release.

The clinic space comprises 3,100 square feet and 11 patient rooms geared to complete laser treatments, injections and other medical aesthetic procedures. The location also features a Serenity Room for patients to relax before appointments.

• 708 W. Ben White Blvd., Ste. 200, Austin

The Hays County Commissioners Court approved a resolution establishing a 180-day emergency water protection review period for high-usage development applications, including data centers, and creating a review board to evaluate the proposals June 23.

The overview: During the temporary review period, commissioners will not consider discretionary approvals related to industrial projects that utilize high amounts of water, within the county’s legal authority, according to the resolution.

A closer look: In addition to the 180-day emergency water protection review period, the approved resolution will create the Hays County High Water Demand Development Review Board, an advisory board to the Commissioners Court and Development Services Department.

The review board will be composed of commissioner-appointed participants with a variety of experience and knowledge on water availability and the region.

The board will evaluate proposed industrial developments requiring large amounts of water and their potential impact on the region and surrounding area, according to the resolution. They will make recommendations to the Commissioners Court based on their findings.

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Dr. Akshay Yadhati, a surgeon with Austin Regional Clinic, performed two different high-tech spine surgeries this year that were both Austin-area firsts, according to a spokesperson for the medical group. Yadhati spoke to Community Impact about the procedures and what they mean for spine care in Central Texas.

The overview: Yadhati performed a robotic navigated spinal interbody fusion on an adult patient and an endoscopic spine surgery. Both techniques are significant steps forward in spinal care, he said, because they improve the safety and accuracy of the surgeries and minimize invasiveness and recovery time.

Why it matters: “If I were dealing with [these problems], these are the techniques I would want done on my back,” Yadhati said. “That’s the main theme that I try to anchor a lot of my decisions in. If I’m the patient, or my mom, dad, brother or wife is the patient, how do I want them to be going through a surgery?”

Texas education officials gave preliminary approval June 23 to the state’s first mandatory reading list, which includes nearly 200 literary works that public school students would begin reading as soon as 2030.

The overview: The proposed list incorporates about a dozen stories from the Bible, including the tale of David and Goliath in second grade and direct biblical excerpts beginning in fourth grade. In total, students would be required to read more than two dozen texts in early elementary grades and about 10 literary works per year from sixth grade through high school.

What's happening: Members of the Republican-led State Board of Education voted 9-5 to cut several titles from the reading list June 23, following nearly eight hours of public testimony a day earlier.

More than half of those who testified June 22 asked the board to shorten the list, include more diverse authors and remove religious references. Others praised the SBOE for creating a list that they said would teach students about “American exceptionalism” and prioritize classical literature.