ATX-SWA: Impact 10/14/2025

Dripping Springs city officials, along with their Dripping Springs Art League partners, held an unveiling event for Phase 2 of the "Stars of Dripping Springs" public art project Oct. 8. With themes ranging from Hill Country landscapes to the brewing and distilling community, “startists” described their processes and inspirations surrounded by friends and family.

Inspired by the city’s status as an International Dark Sky Community, this is the second phase of the project, with six stars being installed on Mercer Street last December. This time, 10 artists were selected to expand upon the project.

Opening a small business like a cafe or coffee truck within Austin neighborhoods could soon be made easier under reforms requested by City Council this fall.

The details: A measure from council member Ryan Alter approved Oct. 10 calls to "minimize barriers to and encourage accessibility of" launching community-oriented coffee shops in residential areas. Alter cited the lack of such walkable places around Austin today as a reason he hopes to promote more businesses closer to residents' homes.

Officials' October vote is just the first step in the process and kicks off a review by city planners that could last up to a year. Alter's approved resolution calls for any regulatory changes or other updates to be made by early December 2026.

Quote of note: "I’ve visited a number of cities where you just walk out and have the ability to, let’s say, go to a little cafe or something. And that’s a positive experience," he said.

CapMetro has hired RenEarl Bowie as its new transit police chief, the agency announced Oct. 10. Bowie, who brings more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, will lead the agency’s 14-member Transit Police Department.

The overview: Bowie joined CapMetro earlier this year as a police captain. 

"I deeply believe in our mission," he said in a statement. "I am truly honored to now lead this dedicated team as we continue building relationships with out community and ensuring safety." 

His appointment follows the departure of the department’s first chief, Eric Robins, who left shortly after the agency began initial patrols this summer.

Some context: CapMetro’s transit police operate alongside public safety ambassadors and community intervention specialists as part of the agency’s three-part safety strategy launched in 2021. The ambassadors handle nonviolent issues such as welfare checks, vandalism and loitering, while social workers help connect people to housing, food and health care. Officers are trained in crisis intervention and community-oriented policing.

Austin Community College is aiming to meet a growing demand for dental hygienists in Central Texas through an expanded dental hygiene clinic.

What's happening: ACC officials celebrated the opening of the newly renovated space at the ACC Eastview Campus with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 1. Through the facility, ACC is projected to nearly double the dental hygiene program’s enrollment and provide affordable dental care to more community members, said Michelle Landrum, ACC Dental Hygiene department chair.

The details: Since 2003, ACC’s two-year program has trained students to become dental hygienists through hands-on work experience at its on-site dental clinic. The new 13,800-square-foot dental hygiene facility has increased the number of operatories from 16 to 32, allowing students to treat more patients.

The highly-competitive ACC program has now increased its annual cohorts from 18 to 34 students.

What they're saying: “Across Texas, dentists are having a very difficult time treating all of their patients because there are just not enough dental hygienists,” said Dr. Shailee Gupta, local dentist and member of Capital Area Dental Society.