Gold Sponsors

Game On Bar & Grill is slated to open in Leander in early February ahead of the 2026 NFL Super Bowl Feb. 8.

At a glance: The locally-owned business will aim to provide a comfortable sports-viewing experience for patrons that is elevated through its food offerings and service, said Brian Felicella, the business's general manger, chef and consultant.

The specifics: The new sports bar will feature a 16-by-9-foot LED TV that will show a variety of sports games, including football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, tennis and cricket.

Patrons may choose from 44 different draft beers, the majority of which will be from Texas breweries, Felicella said. The classic American grill will serve smash burgers and wings as well as loaded fries and nachos.

In their own words: "We want to be your local watering hole and grill that you come back to time and time again," Felicella said.

• 15609 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Ste. A100, Leander

Kitfox’s Fun Center opened in August as Kitfoxy’s Putt Putt & Pew Pew, bringing laser tag and mini golf to Liberty Hill. 

The details: Kitfox’s Fun Center is owned by Miguel Rodriguez and daily operations are managed by his wife Karen. The pair recently changed the business’ name to accommodate trademark requirements, according to Karen Rodriguez. 

The pair chose Kitfox’s Fun Center because it allows them to easily add more attractions to the business in addition to mini golf and laser tag. 

What they offer: The indoor activity center has two nine-hole courses, a 2,000-square-foot laser tag area for players ages five and older and a private party room for events. Reservations for the mini golf courses and laser tag are not required, according to the website, but are encouraged for weekends. 

• 350 CR 277, Liberty Hill

From residential to retail, check out some of the most expensive permits filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

Donley Mixed Use: Construction of a mixed-use retail and residential development is slated to break ground in North Austin. A seven-story parking structure will be attached to the building.

• Location: 2101-2201 Donley Drive, Austin
• Estimated timeline: March 1-June 1
• Estimated cost: $70 million

• Location: 2300 E Second St., Austin
• Estimated timeline: April 1-Dec. 31, 2027
• Estimated cost: $16.3 million

The Texas Broadband Development Office awarded the Lower Colorado River Authority a $29 million grant that will expand high-speed internet access and improve flood-monitoring infrastructure throughout Central Texas. 

Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced the award Jan. 20. 

The details: The Texas Broadband Development Office expects the financing to accomplish several goals, including: 

• Extending fiber into underserved and unserved areas 
• Bolstering local economies 
• Improving access to education, health care and emergency services

Williamson County voters in the March Republican primary will see three candidates for Williamson County Precinct 2 commissioner on the ballot: Jeff Mayes, Rupal Chaudhari and David McDonald.

What residents should know: No candidates will appear on the Democratic ballot for the Precinct 2 seat. This means the winner of the Republican contest in March will run unopposed in November.

Precinct 2 covers most of Leander and Liberty Hill, as well as portions of Cedar Park and Austin.

A set of permanent regulations for thousands of Texas businesses selling consumable hemp products took effect Jan. 21, after the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission adopted them one day earlier.

The overview: The latest hemp rules do not bring significant changes to the roughly 60,000 businesses under TABC oversight. They replace similar emergency rules adopted Sept. 23, prohibiting Texas alcohol retailers from selling hemp-derived THC products to customers under 21 years old.

“The key you heard today… is the effect of THC on younger folks' development—much like alcohol, the same reasons we regulate alcohol for those 21 years old [and up],” TABC chair Robert Eckels said.

Zooming in: The TABC has limited jurisdiction over the consumable hemp industry and can only require age limits and ID checks, agency leaders said. State health officials are considering more comprehensive regulations on the industry.

“The Department of State Health Services’ rules are going to be much more robust,” TABC general counsel James Person said Jan. 20. “They actually cover the products themselves: the [THC] content, the testing and whatnot."