The Leander City Council unanimously voted Aug. 20 to reject a zoning change for the lagoon-anchored Leander Springs development. Residents raised numerous concerns, ranging from the proposed 4-acre lagoon’s impact on groundwater to traffic in neighboring communities, during a public hearing that lasted over two hours. 

What they're saying: “Timing is everything," Mayor Na'Cole Thompson said. "When this project probably came to council nine or 10 years ago, it was probably the right move at that time, but the city has grown and developed and changed."

Looking back: The Leander Springs project received an initial approval from the city’s planning and zoning commission June 25, allowing developers to pitch plans to city council for a 4-acre lagoon surrounded by 1,200 apartments, over a million square feet of commercial space, a 275-room hotel, a 20,000-square-foot conference center and 21 acres of parkland. While many residents voiced concerns about different features of the project during the June 25 meeting, water for the lagoon emerged as a major topic of discussion. 

Leander ISD scored 87 out of 100 possible points in the Texas Education Agency's A-F accountability ratings, maintaining a "B" rating from last year. The TEA released the 2025-26 ratings for Texas school districts on Aug. 14.

How it works: According to the TEA, ratings are based on measures of student achievement including State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR tests; graduation rates; and college, career and military readiness outcomes. "A," "B" and "C" ratings are considered passing, while "D" and "F" are failing ratings. Campuses rated "D" or "F" for two or more consecutive years are required to implement state turnaround plans.

Breaking it down: Per the data, LISD has:

• 19 "A"-rated campuses
• 13 "B"-rated campuses
• 11 "C"-rated campuses
• 2 "D"-rated campuses
• 2 "F"-rated campuses

A countywide burn ban is now in effect in Williamson County as drought conditions increase across the area.

A closer look: The Williamson County Commissioners Court issued the ban at 11:05 a.m. Aug. 18. The order can remain in effect for up to 90 days, though the commissioners court or county judge may lift it earlier if conditions improve.

The ban prohibits outdoor burning of combustible materials unless the fire is contained within an enclosure that contains all flames and sparks. This includes burning household yard waste such as leaves, grass, brush and other trimmings, as well as burning trees, stumps, shrubs or other vegetation for land clearing.

Violating the burn ban is a class c misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500, according to a county news release. Residents can view the full order and additional restrictions on the Williamson County burn ban status webpage.

This November, Libertarian Ted Brown, Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico are running to be Texas' next U.S. senator.

The overview: Each state has two U.S. senators serving staggered terms, with Ted Cruz and John Cornyn currently representing Texas. Cornyn ran for reelection but lost his primary race, and the winner of the November election will replace him in January.

Paxton advanced to the general election after beating Cornyn in a primary runoff, while Talarico beat two other contenders in the Democratic primary, Community Impact reported. Brown was selected as the Texas Libertarian Party's candidate during an April nominating convention.

At the polls: Early voting runs from Oct. 19-30 for dozens of statewide and local races. Election Day is Nov. 3.