From elections to funding, read about three education stories affecting families in Hays County.

1. Hays CISD OKs preliminary budget decisions, $12M cuts: The proposed cuts include the loss of 125 positions and the suspension of 970 stipends, directly affecting more than 1,000 employees.

2. San Marcos CISD opens District 2 seat applications through April 20: The single-member District 2 seat on the San Marcos CISD board of trustees will soon be vacant, and community members now have the opportunity to submit an application to be appointed to fill the seat.

3. Dripping Springs ISD opens out-of-district transfer applications: Starting April 1, Texas families will be able to apply for an out-of-district transfer to Dripping Springs ISD.

Want to know what's new in Kyle? Here’s the latest, including a new fitness option, sweet treats and updates to a public space.

1. Jeremiah’s Italian Ice (opened March 31): The shop offers 30 flavors of housemade Italian ice and soft serve with rotating flavors. The two treats can be layered to create the brand’s “jelati.”

2. JuiceLand (opened March 26): Set in the former INta Juice spot, which closed Nov. 10, 2024, the cafe offers smoothies, lattes, wellness shots and snacks.

3. Pretty LUXE Beauty (opened in March): Locally owned and operated by esthetician Mandy Montoro, the studio offers tanning, waxing, lash lifts and more.

4. We Are Blood (opening this summer): The blood donation nonprofit will offer whole blood donation, platelet donation and double red donation.

5. PAWS Shelter of Central Texas (40th anniversary): The nonprofit, no-kill rescue organization is dedicated to saving vulnerable pets in Hays County.

6. Kyle Public Library (grand reopening was March 28): A ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated renovations, including a refreshed interior, a new circulation desk and more.

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

Ongoing projects
Oak Knoll Flood Risk Reduction
Project: The project will improve the storm drain system in part of the Oak Knoll neighborhood to reduce the risk of flooding. 
Update: According to Austin Capital Delivery Services, crews will next install storm drains along Woodcrest Drive and Columbia Oaks Court, during which time a 24-hour flagger station on Columbia Oaks Drive and J. Gregg Cove will be set up to control traffic.

• Timeline: 2025-27

• Cost: $9 million

• Funding source: city of Austin 2018 bond

Completed projects 
CARTS boosts metro-bound Bastrop County routes to cut traffic, emissions
Bastrop County commuters gained new transit options March 2 with the launch of two regional bus routes culminating in downtown Austin: one connecting Bastrop and Smithville, and the other connecting Georgetown and Round Rock. Riders can park at CARTS Park & Ride locations and take coach buses into Austin, offering an alternative to driving and downtown parking.

Texas retailers can resume selling smokable hemp products after a Travis County judge temporarily blocked some of the state’s sweeping new regulations on the hemp industry.

The background: On March 31, the state health department enacted rules changing how THC content is measured in consumable hemp, which industry experts said effectively outlawed most smokable hemp products.

The Texas Hemp Business Council, a federal hemp industry group, and several local hemp companies sued the state April 8, arguing that the state health department does not have the authority to reclassify legal THC levels. State officials have defended the rules, saying they are in line with a September executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott, who at the time called for stricter oversight of the multibillion-dollar hemp industry.

The latest: Travis County District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble sided with the hemp industry in an April 10 ruling, directing the state not to enforce the new THC testing requirement and a restriction on the transportation of hemp products between states. An additional hearing is scheduled for April 23.