An 85-acre residential and commercial development along Hwy. 195 received preliminary approval from Georgetown City Council at a Jan. 13 meeting.

The details: The project is designed as a walkable community, with retail along the highway frontage and residential behind it, according to city documents. The development plan includes:

• Up to 425 residential units with a minimum of three housing types
• At least 10 acres of commercial space
• A 10-foot concrete regional trail that connects with Dry Berry Creek
• Open space on one-third of the site
• Amenities, such as playgrounds and dog parks

Williamson County commissioners court meeting agendas will no longer include detailed contract information, following a vote to enhance the county’s security measures against artificial intelligence scams at a Jan. 13 meeting.

What residents need to know Although documents between the county and contractors will not be included on the public agenda items, individuals can still access the contracts through a public information request.

County agendas are posted on Wednesdays by 5 p.m. the week before commissioners court meetings. Agendas will still include who the county is contracting with, and the cost of the service or equipment.

What they’re saying: “None of us like the fact that we have to do this because that’s not what open government is about,” Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey said. “But we feel like ... the risk to the county is greater.”

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Austin-area will have several events dedicated to celebrating, serving the community and educating people about the holiday.

MLK Day of Service: The city of Pflugerville will host a day of service to help clean up Pfluger Park and the surrounding areas. Participants will meet at the Gilleland Creek Park pavilion for a short orientation before beginning the cleanup.

• Jan. 17, 9 a.m.-noon
• 700 N. Railroad Ave., Pflugerville

• Jan. 19, 9 a.m.-noon
• 445 E. Morrow St., Georgetown

• Jan. 19, 9:30 a.m.; 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
• 1100 Congress Ave., Austin

Texas Children’s Hospital in North Austin has become the first pediatric hospital to have its own helicopter based in Austin.

The helicopter will allow Texas Children’s Hospital to provide faster critical care to more patients across Central Texas.

In their own words: “[The helicopter] represents Texas Children's long-term investment in this region and a commitment to bringing world-class pediatric, neonatal, and maternal care closer to home,” said Jeff Shilt, Texas Children's president of Austin and Central Texas, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Jan. 12.

How it works: Through the new helicopter, Texas Children’s may pick up patients from community hospitals who need specialized pediatric care and transport them to the North Austin hospital.

The mobile intensive care unit is operated by Texas Children’s Kangaroo Crew of registered nurses and respiratory therapists who can begin providing ICU therapies to stabilize patients at their bedside before arriving at the hospital.

The impact: The Austin-based helicopter can travel within a 120-nautical-mile service area, including Waco, San Antonio, Houston and College Station.

Some Texas film industry leaders say the state is on its way to becoming the third “media coast,” joining Los Angeles and New York as film production hubs. A recent increase in state funding is helping buoy that growth, said Chase Musslewhite, co-founder of Media for Texas, an Austin-based nonprofit that advocates for the advancement of the state’s film industry.

The details: Through 2035, $1.5 billion in state incentives will be available for movies, television shows, documentaries and related projects created in Texas.

To be eligible for the program funding under Senate Bill 22, at least 35% of a production’s cast and crew must live in Texas and at least 60% of the work must be done in-state, according to the Texas Film Commission. Grant reimbursements start at 5% and go up to 31%, depending on how much a production spends and other aspects of the project.

The local impact: After SB 22 became law Sept. 1, some local governments across Texas—including Austin, San Antonio and Houston—expanded or launched their own film incentive programs.