The Buda Sportsplex has undergone major changes as construction on a large renovation project progresses.

The overview: The renovated sportsplex could become a major piece of the city’s economic and recreational landscape, becoming an economic driver, according to previous Community Impact reporting.

The sportsplex renovation includes the development of four new softball fields and enhancements to the existing four softball fields. The fields feature a drainage system that will allow for play to continue approximately one hour after rainfall.

Something to note: In addition to the new and refurbished fields, the project includes:

• Maintenance building: provides staff with equipment storage
• Batting cages: available for reservation during park hours
• Concession stand: food for purchase in the facility
• Parking spaces: renovation will add 800 parking spaces

• Installation of water and wastewater lines, storm drain, fence posts and the batting cages building
• Completion of new softball field framing, dugout foundations and the maintenance facility shell

San Marcos CISD could consider implementing a Texas Education Agency funding formula called Additional Days School Year, or ADSY, in 2026-27.

The initiative would add six school days to the academic calendar and garner enough funding to pay for SMCISD's summer school program.

How it works: DSY adds formula funding for districts that add up to 30 additional instructional days beyond a minimum of 175 days to campuses serving Pre-K through 8th-grade students.

Adding between one and 30 additional half-days would generate half-day formula funding through the Texas Education Agency. 

If SMCISD were to implement ADSY's "voluntary summer learning" option, the district would be able to receive funding to pay for its summer school program.

The options: Administration proposed converting Sept. 25 and Feb. 12 from parent community day to a half school day and half parent community day, and Oct. 8, Dec. 18, Jan. 5 and April 23 from professional learning days to a regular school day. 

What's next: The board could approve the updated calendar at a future meeting.

From a mixed-use project to a Target and more, here are five of the most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Bell District Block B in Cedar Park: Boston-based General Investment and Development is building a 194-unit mixed-use project that will feature an outdoor pool courtyard.

2. Pathways at Santa Rita Courts East in Austin: The Housing Authority of the city of Austin will construct a four-story, multi-family building that totals 77 units and renovate 11 historic single-story buildings into 27 units.

3. Target in Dripping Springs: The Village at Dripping Springs will feature the area's first Target, totaling about 147,000 square feet.

4. Cigna Healthcare in Austin: The insurance provider will add a 40,100-square-foot office to its portfolio.

5. San Marcos Self Storage in San Marcos: Seven one-story self-storage buildings, totaling approximately 83,085 square feet, will be added.

Beginning April 1, Texans can no longer use food stamps to purchase sweetened beverages and candy.

How we got here: During the 2025 legislative session, Texas lawmakers passed Senate Bill 379, which prohibits Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits from being used to purchase candy and sweetened drinks. In August, the federal government approved a waiver allowing Texas to implement the prohibition beginning April 1.

Texas will be the ninth state to prohibit SNAP benefits from being used on sugary items, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

How it works: Under SB 379, Texans will not be allowed to use their SNAP benefits to buy sweetened drinks containing any artificial sweeteners or at least 5 grams of added sugar, according to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. SB 379 also bans the purchase of candy with Lone Star Cards.

It is up to Texas businesses to determine which items are no longer SNAP-eligible, update their store purchase systems and train staff to recognize the newly restricted items, according to the HHSC.