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Little Lotus Preschool opened its doors in the Leander community in early October.

The details: The space celebrated its grand opening on Dec. 17. The preschool is a small nature-based program where students learn through play. The school accepts enrollment for ages 0-5.

The learning environment is split into three play rooms: infants (0-18 months), toddlers (18 months-3 years) and preschoolers (3-5 years).

• 1607 High Chaparral Drive, Leander

Williamson County commissioners court meeting agendas will no longer include detailed contract information, following a vote to enhance the county’s security measures against artificial intelligence scams at a Jan. 13 meeting.

What residents need to know Although documents between the county and contractors will not be included on the public agenda items, individuals can still access the contracts through a public information request.

County agendas are posted on Wednesdays by 5 p.m. the week before commissioners court meetings. Agendas will still include who the county is contracting with, and the cost of the service or equipment.

What they’re saying: “None of us like the fact that we have to do this because that’s not what open government is about,” Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey said. “But we feel like ... the risk to the county is greater.”

Check out six upcoming, ongoing or completed transportation projects around the Austin metro. 

Upcoming projects
Hwy. 290 extension project
Project: project seeks to reduce congestion along 15 miles of Hwy. 290 between Hwy. 130 and Hwy. 95 South in Bastrop County
Update: public survey concluded Oct. 10

• Timeline: expected to complete first draft of schematic design mid-2026
• Cost: TBD
• Funding source: TBD

• Timeline: total project completion expected in 2026
• Cost: $612 million
• Funding source: federal funding, sale of roll revenue bonds, Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act funds

Texas State University will offer an aviation science degree program at its Round Rock campus beginning this spring, according to a news release.

What’s happening: The university announced Jan. 14 that it partnered with Georgetown-based Genesis Aero to expand its aviation program to the Round Rock campus. The program will provide students with a pathway to certification and licensure required for professional pilots, and Genesis Aero will provide the flight training at the Georgetown Executive Airport.

What else: Those who completed the program could find a variety of opportunities for professional piloting jobs, including working for commercial passenger airlines, cargo airlines, delivery services, federal government services and more. Nearly 17,000 openings for commercial pilots are projected each year, on average, over the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.