Students at Southwestern University are kicking off the spring semester, which starts on Jan. 20, by moving into two new residence halls.

The Jessie Daniel Ames Hall and the Ella Sedwick Hall are the most-recent capital projects to be completed as part of the school’s 5-year tactical plan.

The details: The Jessie Daniel Ames Hall is located in the eastern part of campus near the new Dorothy Perry White Welcome Center. It features a yoga and pilates room, and a fitness center.

The Ella Sedwick Hall residence hall is next to the McCombs Campus Center.

Both residence halls have suite-style bathrooms, outdoor lounge space, study rooms and on-site laundry facilities.

Zooming in: Eventually, the Jessie Daniel Ames Hall will house primarily first-year students, and the Ella Sedwick Hall will be dedicated to predominantly second-year students. The two buildings add around 300 beds to accommodate on-campus residents.

However, the university has currently shifted all the residents from the two older, historic residence halls into the new buildings.

Silk + Stone Acupuncture opened off of I-35 in Georgetown in early November. 

The details: Owned and operated by Raegan Raguse, the business provides wellness treatments, including herbal medicine and acupuncture for pain relief and cosmetics.

• 101 River Hills Drive, Ste. 6, Georgetown

Meet the Republican candidates running to represent State Representative District 52. The primary election will be on March 3.

A closer look: During the primary election, voters choose their party’s nominee in contested Democratic or Republican races. Members of the Texas House, known as state representatives, are elected to two-year terms. District 52 oversees party of Williamson County, including Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Liberty Hill, Georgetown and Hutto. Candidates running for the seat were asked to complete a questionnaire from Community Impact.

Candidates were asked to email responses to the following questions, keep responses within 50 words and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.

Check out six upcoming, ongoing or completed transportation projects around the Austin metro. 

Upcoming projects
Hwy. 290 extension project
Project: project seeks to reduce congestion along 15 miles of Hwy. 290 between Hwy. 130 and Hwy. 95 South in Bastrop County
Update: public survey concluded Oct. 10

• Timeline: expected to complete first draft of schematic design mid-2026
• Cost: TBD
• Funding source: TBD

• Timeline: total project completion expected in 2026
• Cost: $612 million
• Funding source: federal funding, sale of roll revenue bonds, Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act funds

Nonprofit organization Texas Rollergirls rolled into the Austin scene in 2003, originating flat track roller derby as a way to make the sport more accessible, Chief Marketing Officer Alex Massey said. Today there are over 400 leagues around the world based on the adaption of the sport created by Texas Rollergirls, she said.

Meet the team: The organization has four home teams: Hell Marys, Honky Tonk Heartbreakers, Hotrod Honeys and Hustlers. Its two travel teams, Texecutioners and Texas Chainsaws, compete globally.

“We provide a safe place for people to come and get a good workout and also build that community,” graphic designer Jessica Havlir said. “We’re just here for each other and we want people coming to our games to feel that as well.”

Check this out: The organization will attend its season opener on Feb. 21 at Austin Sports Center, which will take the format of a round-robin exhibition. All games are kid friendly and ages five and under are admitted for free. The league’s 2026 season will include games from February through September.