ATX-NNW: Impact 5/7/2026

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Top Story

Task force proposes nearly $770M bond to fund Austin housing, parks, flood prevention

The resident-led task force tasked with recommending the scope of Austin's next bond produced two options in May: a $766.53 million package and a narrowed $436 million proposal, which will now be used by City Council to shape a final plan this year.

The details: Competing visions for the new bond have emerged as it was developed over the past several months, based both on public feedback and council requests. Elected officials will weigh multiple bond recommendations over the coming weeks before potentially advancing a fall bond election.

City staff previously projected every $100 million in a new bond would equate to more than $14 per year in new costs for the median homeowner. The task force's larger option would increase the typical property tax bill by more than $100, while the smaller version would be closer to $60.

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How to stay sun-safe in Central Texas: Dermatologist details advanced skin cancer prevention tips

On The Business Beat

Neighbor Coffee & Friends celebrates 5 years on Burnet Road

Caleb and Morgan Williamson opened Neighbor Coffee & Friends in April 2021, bringing a simplified and approachable coffee selection to north Austin.

Craving coffee? Neighbor Coffee & Friends serves classic cortados, cappuccinos, cold brew and drip coffee. The trailer also brews specialty lattes, including vanilla lavender, spiced cookie, hazelnut cream and bourbon caramel.

Patrons can also order a selection of baked goods, including biscuits, banana bread and scones.

The backstory: The Williamsons opened their trailer half a decade ago to serve quality coffee while making new connections. The couple opened their second coffee trailer on Oltorf Street in south Austin in October, serving classic and specialty drinks and small bites.

5000 Burnet Road, Austin; 1305 W. Oltorf St., Ste. 200, Austin

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CI Texas

Q&A: John Cornyn and Ken Paxton face off in May Republican runoff for US Senate

On May 26, Texas Republican voters will choose their nominee for the U.S. Senate in a runoff election between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton.

The big picture: The Republican race for U.S. Senate is one of several statewide contests that advanced to May runoffs after no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the March 3 primary election.

Cornyn and Paxton were the two highest-performing candidates in the eight-way primary race, with Cornyn securing 42% of the vote to Paxton's 41%.

At the polls: Early voting in Texas' runoff elections runs from May 18-22, and runoff election day is May 26.

Looking ahead: The winner of the May 26 overtime round will face the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate—state Rep. James Talarico of Austin—in the November midterm election. Third-party and independent candidates may also appear on the November ballot, and the winner of that election will be sworn in to the U.S. Senate in January 2027.