We Are Blood is teaming up the Greater Austin YMCA and YMCA of Central Texas to host the fifth annual Winter Blood Drive Challenge.

What's happening: The end-of-year challenge, taking place from Dec. 22 through Dec. 31, aims to combat a decline in blood donations during the holidays due to travel, school and office closures, and weather. Despite a usual drop in donations this time of year, demand throughout the 10-county region served by We Are Blood often increases, according to a news release.

The details: Multiple YMCA locations across the Austin area will participate in the blood drive challenge. The location with the highest number of donations will win the challenge, taking home a trophy and earning bragging rights for a year.

Donors who participate will receive a We Are Blood sweatshirt and do not have to be YMCA members.

Looking for a way to avoid the kitchen Dec. 25? Check out these restaurants in the Austin area open on Christmas. This list is not comprehensive.

Acre 41
Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas Day dinner and Christmas Day brunch will be served at the restaurant featuring a slow-braised short rib, a full à la carte menu and gingerbread pancakes.

• Hours: 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (brunch); 5 p.m.-9 p.m. (dinner)
• 1901 San Antonio St., Austin

• Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
• 8212 Barton Club Drive, Austin

• Hours: noon-10 p.m.
• 5510 S. I-35 Frontage Road, Austin

From major construction milestones and airline expansion deals to staffing challenges and behind-the-scenes upgrades, these nine Austin-Bergstrom International Airport updates shaped how travelers moved through the ABIA in 2025.

1. Airport ground breaking on 'Texas-sized’ garage
Airport and city officials gathered just north of the economy parking lot to break ground on a new parking garage at ABIA on Feb. 28.
Marking another milestone in the parade of projects coming online for the airport's sweeping multimillion-dollar expansion, the new 2.5-million-square-foot parking garage will add an estimated 7,000 spaces.

2. Airport patio reopens to public
For travelers passing through the Austin airport, the little-known outdoor patio is once again open to the public.
The outdoor patio, located near Gate 2, offers front-row views of planes taking off and landing on the airport’s two runways.

3. Airport breaks ground on latest 12,000-square-foot expansion
City and airport officials celebrated the start of construction May 12 on the Atrium Infill Project that will result in an additional 12,000 square feet for the Arrivals and Departures Hall.  

From polling locations to EMS services and more, read about the top 10 government stories affecting Hays County residents in 2025.

1. Hays County calls for pause on property tax exemption decisions: Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra formally requested in a letter that the Hays Central Appraisal District halt decisions on several tax exemption applications until the state provides legal guidance, according to a news release.

2. Hays County Commissioners Court passes resolution in support of countywide polling locations: The program allows voters to cast their ballots at any polling location within the county, regardless of their specific precinct, according to a Jan. 28 news release.

3. Hays County removes, relocates polling locations ahead of early voting: Hays County residents will not be able to vote at Sunfield Station, Driftwood Community Center or Dripping Springs ISD Center for Learning and Leadership in the upcoming election due to Americans with Disabilities Act non-compliance.