Construction on district projects to expand campuses, add Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant playgrounds and improve infrastructure is underway in Round Rock ISD this fall.

The district shared an update on select projects Nov. 5.

The details: All projects are funded by the $932 million bond package voters passed in 2024. This list is noncomprehensive.

Latest update: Project updates shared in November include additions to the C.D. Fulkes Middle School auditorium and Berkman Elementary School campus.

Austin officials voted Nov. 5 to formally update the city's 10-year housing plan, creating a new framework to guide affordable housing construction and preservation from 2028-37. The update will replace the current Strategic Housing Blueprint, adopted in 2017 with a high-level goal of adding 135,000 housing units by 2027.

The details: The new planning effort is funded with $750,000 of a $6.7 million federal housing grant, using no city dollars. Key elements of the updated strategy will include:

• New goals for affordable housing development and preservation

• An updated Opportunity Map to guide housing placement in desirable areas

• A shift toward supporting deeper levels of housing affordability

• A focus on displacement and preserving naturally occurring affordable housing

• Housing strategies for specific populations, including the homeless, youth, students and domestic violence victims

Travis County will spend up to $67.8 million on three new STAR Flight helicopters, about $7.8 million more than the county had planned.

Commissioners voted unanimously Nov. 10 to approve a contract with Bell Textron for three Bell 412EPX helicopters, with the option of a fourth. The first is due by the end of 2027.

Why it matters: STAR Flight provides air ambulance service, search and rescue, and aerial firefighting. Its current fleet has two helicopters available only about 75% of the time, and the program uses its third helicopter for parts because replacements take so long to arrive, STAR Flight officials said.

The cost: The county will pay from its reserves for now and repay itself with debt it plans to issue in spring 2027. The total does not include money from selling the current fleet.