Austin could partner with Capital Metro and Travis County to expand fare-free voting availability around this fall's general election.

The details: CapMetro typically suspends transit fares on Election Day in even-numbered years, which a transportation agency spokesperson said can "simplify operations and maximize access" when voter turnout is highest.

In an effort to broaden voting access, City Council recently supported a request to extend fare-free offerings to early voting days leading up to the election. The service expansion was first proposed by Austin's African American Resource Advisory Commission in April before securing council approval in late May.

Going forward: With council's recent approval, the city will now work with CapMetro and Travis County on possible extra free-fare days for this fall. CapMetro typically generates between $50,000-$75,000 from fares on an average day. The agency spokesperson said more review will be needed before any final decisions on added fare-free dates.

Baylor Scott and White - Austin Tech Ridge expanded its non-cancerous hematology services in February to make benign hematology services more accessible to patients in the area.

The overview: These treatments include iron infusions, B12 injections, therapeutic phlebotomies and other services that help those with benign hematological disorders, or non-cancerous blood conditions.

Previously, these treatments were only available at Baylor Scott and White’s Round Rock location, yet due to the large volume of chemotherapy patients, many patients were waiting months for benign hematology treatments, as chemotherapy can be long infusions, said Dr. Vinod Kondragunta, oncologist at Baylor Scott and White.

The details: Treatments are currently offered at the Tech Ridge clinic on Mondays and Wednesdays, yet Dr. Kondragunta said this could soon be increased to Thursdays as well due to demand.
 

Austin ISD will increase the number of instructional days in the 2026-27 academic year from 169 to 171, the district announced in a news release.

What’s changing: The AISD board passed the addition of two instructional days during a May 21 board vote.

The days are to be added in October and February as part of what the district describes as a strategic effort to strengthen academic outcomes and expand learning opportunities for students.

Some context: The calendar update is part of a longer-term plan to gradually reach 175 instructional days in future school years, according to the district.

Once the district reaches its goal of 175 instructional days, it would become eligible for supplemental funding under the Texas Education Agency's Additional Days School Year program.

Check out six ongoing transportation project updates across the Austin metro.

Rockride Lane
Project: This work will upgrade Rockride Lane in Georgetown to a two-lane collector roadway with a continuous center left-turn lane and a 10-foot-wide shared-use path along one side from SE Inner Loop to Sam Houston Avenue.
Update: As of February, the contractor had completed work on the west side of the road and began working on the east side. 

• Timeline: 2022-26

• Cost: $12 million

• Funding source: city of Georgetown

William Cannon Bridge
Project: The William Cannon Bridge over I-35 will be blocked off with lane reductions on the main lanes and frontage roads in both directions for the second weekend in a row as part of the I-35 Capital Express South Project. Once completed, the project will feature two high-occupancy-vehicle lanes and a southbound bypass lane. 
Update: The bridge will be blocked off from June 19 at 10 p.m. through June 22 at 5 a.m. 

• Timeline: 2022-28 (total project)

• Cost: $548 million (total project)

• Funding source: Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, TxDOT