Austin leaders are preparing for the arrival of new advanced aircraft like electric vertical take-off and landing, or eVTOL, vehicles.

The details: Under a new Federal Aviation Administration program, the vehicles are now being evaluated for passenger and cargo transportation as well as emergency response. The Texas Department of Transportation-led Project Nexus aims to eventually extend air taxi networks between Austin, Houston, Dallas and San Antonio.

As the FAA manages airspace, Austin officials noted the city will likely have little authority over eVTOL operations. However, Austin's transportation, aviation, public safety, land use and legal departments will be involved in a local response to the arrival of the aircraft in town.

The city and LIFT Aircraft had previously partnered on an unsuccessful application to the FAA's eVTOL testing initiative. That proposed "Project AMP" would've used LIFT's fleet for air taxi operations cross Greater Austin, according to the 2025 project application obtained through a public records request.

The Leif Johnson Ford of Austin team is relocating from Koenig Lane after 65 years to open a new dealership in West Austin.

The details: The same ownership and team will run the new location.

Quote of note: “This is a new address, not a new company,” said Jeff Buhl, president of Leif Johnson Ford Group, in a news release. “We built this new home in West Austin for where Austin is headed, and the Johnson family will keep showing up the same way we have for more than 65 years, just from a location built for the future.”

• 9300 W. Hwy. 71, Austin

Check out the latest transportation project updates across the Austin metro.

Austin leaders look to local preparations as air taxis take off in Texas: New mobility options like electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles are now being evaluated for uses from passenger and cargo transportation to emergency response. Local officials are now moving ahead with extensive planning and outreach before the aircraft arrive.

Georgetown to reduce rideGTX operation hours, increase base cost: RideGTX, the city of Georgetown's ride voucher service, will soon eliminate overnight hours and increase its base price to combat rising costs. Once the changes go into effect, rideGTX will operate from 6 a.m. to midnight and cost a base fee of $5.

TxDOT, Mobility Authority seek public input on 290 Toll extension into Bastrop County: The two agencies are accepting comments on proposed improvements to about 15 miles of Hwy. 290 until Oct. 30. The entities are evaluating the feasibility of extending tolled main lanes alongside existing nontolled lanes, adding signalized intersections, and enhancing pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.

Central Texas is hosting several local fall events across multiple cities, including Austin, Bastrop, Bee Cave, Buda, Elgin, Cedar Park and Georgetown. These seasonal activities feature pumpkin patches, festivals and Halloween celebrations.

Key events scheduled for the holiday season include:

• Pumpkin Nights in Austin, an immersive half-mile exhibition running from Sept. 17-Oct. 31.

• The 43rd annual Viva la Vida Festival & Parade celebrating Día de los Muertos in downtown Austin on Oct. 24.

• Boo Bash, a free Halloween celebration in downtown Bastrop on Oct. 31.

• A free Haunted Trail in Bee Cave from Oct. 22-23, recommended for ages 13 and up.

• The city of Buda's annual Booda Halloween on Oct. 24, featuring trick-or-treating and a kids costume contest.

• The Evergreen Farms Pumpkin Hunt in Elgin from Sept. 26-Oct. 31.

• The Sweet Eats Adventure Farm & Petting Zoo fall festival in Georgetown, running from Sept. 19-Nov. 8.