A new "state-of-the-art" hospital and medical research campus from The University of Texas at Austin and MD Anderson Cancer Center may move from its planned location downtown to a site in Northwest Austin, UT officials announced this month.

What's happening: The UT Medical Center was first announced in summer 2023 as a major new piece of UT Austin's academic health system. The project, then estimated at $2.5 billion, was envisioned as a pair of medical towers housing an MD Anderson clinical and research cancer center and UT Austin specialty hospital on the old Frank Erwin Center site off I-35.

However, university officials are now considering UT land near The Domain as the possible future home of the UT Medical Center. A timeline for a decision on whether to locate the medical campus downtown or in Northwest Austin has yet to be determined.

The possible shift away from downtown comes months after state law was changed to allow the hospital towers to be built on the Erwin Center property.

The North Austin community can check out various events to add to their calendars as they prepare to celebrate the holiday season. Events range from kids ornament making workshops to ugly sweater markets. This list is not comprehensive. Event details are subject to change.

Photos with Santa & Toy Donation for Texas Children’s Hospital
Community members can get their professional pictures taken with Santa Claus and drop off toy donations for patients at Texas Children’s Hospital.

• Dec. 7, noon-2 p.m.
• $15 (photo with Santa Claus)
• Renaissance Austin Hotel, 9721 Arboretum Blvd., Austin

• Dec. 13, 5-7 p.m.
• Free (ages 12 and under), $25 (members), $28 (nonmembers)
• Austin Pickle Ranch, 11000 Middle Fiskville Road, Bldg. B, Austin

Since its inception in 1915, The Paramount Theatre has established roots in Austin as a safe haven for community members from all walks of life and interests. While the theatre has seen many changes in physical attributes and ownership, its presence as a community staple has remained strong throughout the decades.

The impact: The theatre is home to various annual events including South by Southwest, Austin Film Festival, ATX Television Festival and Moontower Comedy Festival. In addition to these larger-scale events, community members can find all sorts of entertainment hosted at the theatre from live podcasts and comedy to special movie screenings and musical concerts.

With strong roots tied to a multitude of Austin communities, the space has become known as a hub for individuals of all backgrounds to find connection. CEO and executive director of Austin Theatre Alliance Jim Ritts said he’s come across people who call the theatre “Austin’s church” because of its reputation as a gathering place.

This year, voters in communities across Texas were skeptical of local property tax hikes and supportive of larger tax breaks for homeowners and businesses, results from the Nov. 4 election show.

The overview: Voters in Community Impact’s coverage areas approved just over half of the local bond propositions and tax rate elections on the November ballot, according to previous Community Impact reporting. Statewide, 40% of tax rate elections and 45.9% of bond propositions passed, according to Sen. Paul Bettencourt, a Houston Republican and property tax policy writer.

Zooming in: Cities, counties, school districts and other local government entities use funding from tax hikes to build new schools and facilities; hire educators and first responders; and maintain local infrastructure. However, amid high inflation nationwide, more Texas residents are tightening their belts and asking local officials to do the same, fiscal policy experts told Community Impact.

Local governments whose tax hikes were shot down are now grappling with how to make cuts while maintaining essential services, Community Impact reporting shows.