Austin established a new public review process when city parks are targeted for eminent domain proceedings by other entities, including local school districts like Austin ISD that have moved to condemn areas like playgrounds on city-owned parkland.

The details: Under longstanding city policy, the condemnation of public parkland could take place without City Council sign-off or public review. New rules adopted Aug. 27 add more protections to manage any future condemnation proceedings, and offset potential impacts on public parks access.

What else: Separately, the city is also working to improve coordination between Austin and local school districts that may be shutting down campuses. The move came as Austin ISD school closure plans advanced earlier this year, and city staff are continuing to evaluate how those sites are being used and whether Austin could partner future redevelopments.

Two candidates will be on the ballot for the Hays County Commissioners Court Precinct 4 seat in the upcoming November 3 election.​​​​​​​

Zooming in: Democratic candidate Angie Unger and Republican candidate Rob McClelland will be vying for the position. Current Precinct 4 representative Walt Smith is not running for reelection.

Q: Why are you running for this position?
Unger: "I’m running because care must become action. Raised by a hardworking single mother and grounded in 30 years of family roots here, I understand sacrifice. Hays County deserves people-powered leadership that protects what money cannot replace—our water, land and community. I am yours, not theirs."

McClelland: "I’m running because Hays County needs experienced, common sense leadership that can manage growth, protect taxpayers, support public safety, and invest responsibly in infrastructure. I’ve spent years serving our community as a school board trustee and veteran, and I’m ready to bring that experience to county government."

A data center in Hutto, the Texas Municipal Center in Georgetown and a 7 Brew in Austin are among the five most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Colovore Hutto ($280 million): This project involves the construction of a 192,694-square-foot, one-story data center building.

2. Texas Municipal Center ($60 million): The Texas Municipal League will be relocating its headquarters to downtown Georgetown.

3. Frontier ER ($2 million): This project involves the construction of a freestanding emergency medical facility.

4. C Store ($1.2 million): A new C store convenience store is coming to Bastrop, with construction expected to conclude next September. 

5. 7 Brew ($400,000): A new 7 Brew location will be coming to Austin. The drive-thru coffee shop has locations in Manor and Round Rock.

On Sept. 1, the State Board of Education moved forward with an overhaul of what Texas high schoolers will learn in four social studies courses: U.S. History, U.S. Government, World History and World Geography.

What's happening: Roughly 100 Texans testified about the high school curriculum rewrite at an Aug. 31 meeting, with the debate revolving around how students would learn about the two largest world religions, Christianity and Islam.

Dozens of Muslim Texans asked that students learn about the religion’s core principles and how Muslims have contributed to advancements in math, science and medicine throughout history.

Some testifiers said the social studies curriculum should highlight the role of Christianity in the founding of Texas and the U.S., praising the board for prioritizing “American exceptionalism” and topics that they said would teach students to love the country.

The context: The discussion comes as the Republican-led board nears the finish line on its new K-12 social studies curriculum standards.

If approved, the new requirements will be rolled out to public school classrooms in the 2030-31 school year.

Four candidates are running for Texas lieutenant governor—the second-in-command to the governor—in the Nov. 3 election.

What's happening: Libertarian Anthony Cristo, Democrat Vikki Goodwin and Green Party candidate Kevin McCormick are challenging Republican incumbent Dan Patrick, who is seeking a fourth term.

The lieutenant governor leads the Texas Senate and can exercise the powers of the governor if the governor dies, resigns, is removed from office or is absent from the state, according to the Texas State Historical Association.

How we got here: Patrick won his Republican primary race in March, while Goodwin advanced to the general election after beating another Democrat in a May primary runoff, Community Impact reported. Cristo and McCormick were selected as their parties' respective candidates during nominating conventions in April.

Looking ahead: Early voting in the midterm election runs from Oct. 19-30, and Election Day is Nov. 3.