New Braunfels could exempt vehicles with Purple Heart or Congressional Medal of Honor license plates from downtown paid parking.

The overview: New Braunfels City Council unanimously approved an ordinance change on first reading Nov. 9 to add vehicles with Purple Heart and Congressional Medal of Honor license plates to the paid parking exemptions in the downtown and river recreation areas.

“Whoever has these plates, thank you so much,” District 4 council member Lawrence Spradley said.

How we got here: In November 2025, City Council approved an ordinance change that exempts vehicles with disabled veteran license plates, disabled parking plates and vehicles displaying a disabled parking placard from paying for parking downtown, according to agenda documents.

During an Oct. 19 special council meeting, the dais directed staff to consider adding Purple Heart and Congressional Medal of Honor license plates to the exemption list.

Stay tuned: The ordinance change will be considered by council on second and final reading at a future meeting.

An urgent care clinic has moved in New Braunfels.

What happened: Methodist Healthcare’s CareNow Urgent Care at 160 Creekside Way, Ste. 602 relocated to 2286 Sophie Lane on Oct. 17, according to an email from a Methodist Healthcare representative.

What they offer: The new location offers a range of healthcare services, including HIV screenings, testing for COVID-19, on-site X-rays, sports physicals and vaccinations.

CareNow Urgent Care offers treatment for allergies, pink eye, strep throat, sexually transmitted infections and urinary tract infections. The clinic also offers telehealth along with CDL and employment exams and drug and alcohol testing.

• 2286 Sophie Lane, New Braunfels

Work is continuing on Comal County’s 16,000-square-foot Mental Health Extended Observation Unit, or EOU, and Crisis Residential Unit, or CRU, Facility.

The $8.75 million project, located in New Braunfels at 3115 W. San Antonio St., aims to address the growing need for accessible mental health crisis services in Comal County and the surrounding area, Project Manager Jaclyn Andrada said in an email to Community Impact. The project is being funded by American Rescue Plan Act funds.

What you need to know: The EOU and CRU facility will serve individuals experiencing mental health crises and support timely intervention while reducing reliance on emergency departments that may not be equipped to provide specialized behavioral health services, Andrada said in the email.

The EOU component of the project is intended to provide short-term observation, assessment and stabilization services for individuals facing a mental health crisis. The project’s CRU component will provide a structured, supportive environment for short-term residential crisis stabilization services for individuals needing additional support, Andrada said in the email.

Texas lawmakers and legislators-elect began filing new bills on Nov. 9, unofficially kicking off the 90th state legislative session. By noon, they had submitted more than 1,000 legislative proposals that they hoped would be considered at the state Capitol next year.

The overview: When the 90th legislative session begins Jan. 12, Texas will be led by all Democratic statewide officials. Democrats also won control of the Texas House during the Nov. 3 election, while Republicans retained Senate control.

Zooming in: Democratic lawmakers were the first to file bills in both legislative chambers, signaling some of the party's priorities as Texans prepare for the first Democratic-led state government and divided legislature in a generation.

State Rep. John Bucy, D-Austin, filed bills to expand who is eligible for Medicaid in the state, while Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, proposed tightening regulations on the booming data center industry.

More details: Lawmakers had filed at least 57 constitutional amendments before press time Nov. 9, including measures on property taxes, sports betting and term limits for elected officials.