In mid-November, a permit with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation was filed for the construction of a new Olive Garden location in Southwest Austin.

What to know: As stated in the permit, the new location is expected to begin construction in April and should be complete by mid-December. A representative with the company confirmed that a new location is coming to the area but did not share an opening timeline for the restaurant.

On the menu: The nationwide, Italian restaurant serves appetizers, pasta entrees, soups, salads, breadsticks and desserts.

5010 W. Hwy. 290 Service Road, Austin

City Council members plan to set new guidelines for their offices' spending policies in early 2026.

The details: A proposal to enact a new set of financial accountability and transparency measures for council member spending was supported by all city officials this fall. Since then, Mayor Kirk Watson has led the effort to consolidate and clarify Austin's rules for officeholder expenses.

A draft framework released in December outlines allowable and prohibited expenses, and clarifies when spending like travel is permitted in the public interest. It also calls for internal oversight and regular public releases of council expense reports.

Council's financial committee will discuss the expanded policies in mid-January before adopting the new rules as soon as Jan. 22.

Austin ISD is taking its first steps to prepare for the closure of 10 campuses next school year.

What's happening: In early December, AISD Superintendent Matias Segura appointed principals for 17 campuses. Most of these campuses will receive new students from closing schools or implement turnaround plans following multiple failed state accountability ratings.

The details:  The district has appointed new principals for Pecan Springs, Sánchez and Wooldridge elementaries, which will be restarted after receiving three consecutive F ratings amid low academic performance.

Sunset Valley Elementary Principal Elaine Navarro will become the principal of Odom Elementary after Sunset Valley closes.

Ridgetop Elementary Principal Kara Schultz and Reilly Elementary Principal Leyla Olano were appointed as the principals of Pickle and Wooten elementaries, respectively.

AISD will keep the same principals at seven campuses that are receiving students from closing campuses that earned three consecutive F ratings. 

What's next: On Jan. 9, principals will receive survey results from current staff members on where they would like to work and may begin extending job offers.

Here are the top Community Impact stories in the Austin area from Dec. 29-Jan. 1:
1. Kohl’s will not open new store in Bastrop
2. Bastrop Sprouts seeks 82 new hires ahead of spring opening
3. Austin ISD names principals for schools affected by closures and turnaround plans
4. AI guardrails, tax rates after disasters: New Texas laws take effect Jan. 1
5. Bastrop concludes $3.5 million Agnes Street extension project
6. Austin Energy planning for 'tremendous strain,' possible billing impacts from new data centers