More than 10,000 Bastrop County homes and businesses are being connected to the internet through a $43.1 million grant the Texas Broadband Development Office awarded earlier this year.

What we know: With construction now underway, Bastrop County officials and representatives from Highline—the provider installing the high-speed fiber internet to previously unserved locations—will celebrate the milestone at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Bastrop County Courthouse.

“This significant investment cements Bastrop County’s commitment to closing the digital divide,” Adena Lewis, Bastrop County’s director of tourism and economic development, said in a statement. “Access to reliable, high‐speed internet is vital for education, healthcare, business and community well‐being.”

A burn ban will remain in effect for Bastrop County through Dec. 8.

The details: James Altgelt, the Bastrop County emergency management coordinator, told Bastrop County Commissioners Court during a Nov. 24 meeting that the Keetch-Byram Drought Index—a tool used in determining forest fire potential—had a 14-day average of 602.29 from Nov. 3 to Nov. 16.

An index of 800 represents “absolutely dry” conditions, while an index of zero represents no moisture depletion, according to the Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management.

Central Texas residents can support their favorite local nonprofits on Giving Tuesday on Dec. 2.

How it works: Giving Tuesday is celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and is focused on showing radical generosity. People are encouraged to engage with, volunteer or donate to a local cause they care about. 

Get involved: For the ninth consecutive year, I Live Here I Give Here will accept donations on Giving Tuesday for various nonprofits in the Central Texas area through its Amplify ATX website. The online platform allows Central Texans to explore giving opportunities, learn about their impact and donate to organizations where they live.

Funds may be directed to a specific nonprofit or donated to the Amplify Fund, which helps support all participating nonprofits in Austin and Central Texas, according to I Live Here I Give Here.

The background: Giving Tuesday was started by a New York-area nonprofit in 2012 and has since spread to over 150 countries, with 34 million people participating globally last year.

On the heels of what proponents have called “historic” property tax relief, some Texas lawmakers are questioning whether the state can afford to continue increasing the tax exemptions passed in 2023 and 2025.

The big picture: Texas homeowners pay property taxes to various local entities, although lawmakers can limit how much entities increase taxes each year and provide state funding to expand tax exemptions.

Texas is spending $51 billion on property tax relief in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 alone and may be required to spend more to maintain existing tax exemptions in future bienniums, lawmakers said.

What they're saying: "We're kind of maxed out at what we can do for property tax reform, from a budget perspective," said Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, during a Nov. 20 event.

"$51 billion ongoing, it's a huge amount to continue to support. To think about doing anything more seems very fiscally irresponsible," Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, said.

The other side: Rep. Ellen Troxclair, R-Lakeway, said creating limits on local government spending would be critical to keeping Texas affordable.