The setup: After a longtime interest in the coffee industry, Michelle and Ryan Bell decided to open their first coffee spot in 2020 as a coffee truck. The couple met at a coffee shop in 2018 and opened their first brick-and-mortar in Cedar Park in 2023. 

What they offer: The Instill Coffee Co. menu features a selection of organic coffee, matcha, sweet and savory toasts, and pastries. The drink that inspired Michelle and Ryan Bell to open the shop is the Long Buzz Latte, which they previously made at home. The drink includes organic medium-chain triglycerides oil, espresso, ghee and steamed milk.

What’s next: On Sept. 17, Instill Coffee Co. expanded to a new location in Round Rock. In 2026, the owners plan to train their assistant managers so they can step back from day-to-day operations to be more hands-on and engaged in the community.

• 406 W. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park

Neal Amador started running in his mid-50s after his wife suffered a back injury. To help her heal, she took up walking and Amador joined in support. The pair started a couch-to-5K program in 2014 and Amador has been running ever since.

“In a seven month window, I went from not having run before to doing a 5K, a 10K and a half marathon,” Amador said.

The background: Mark King, owner of Fleet Feet Round Rock, first opened the store in 2013 and opted to host a run club at the location. Amador joined a Fleet Feet run club in 2015 and in early 2016 he took over as director, continuing to mentor and coach fellow runners. He recently completed his 23rd half marathon and said if he can start running, anyone can. 

The run clubs have a 5K and 10K programs available for runners with scheduled training sessions and goal races.

Austin’s attempt to keep in place a local ordinance limiting low-level marijuana enforcement has likely ended more than three years after city voters adopted it.

Residents passed the “Austin Freedom Act,” or Proposition A, in May 2022. The two-part ballot measure prevented local enforcement of some drug-related misdemeanors including marijuana possession, and also banned Austin police from executing “no-knock” search warrants.

Attorney General Ken Paxton sued several cities including Austin over similar marijuana enforcement policies last year, claiming they conflicted with Texas drug laws, and an appeals court eventually sided with the state's push to block Austin's policy. The city sought further review of its case from the Texas Supreme Court, which was denied in December.