National MS Society officials are hopeful the 42nd annual Texas MS 150 will generate about $11.3 million for multiple sclerosis initiatives, turning a weekend ride into the organization’s largest fundraising effort of the year.

The details: Emily Garcia, the assistant vice president of Endurance Events for the National MS Society, told Community Impact the Texas MS 150—which will run April 25-26—is historically the top fundraising event for the National MS Society. 

Notable quote: “There are 49 other bike events that are happening around the country, and ours is the largest by more than double,” she said. “The wonderful thing about our event is that we engage communities all across Texas.”

Bastrop diners will soon have more options for fresh-cut steaks when the area’s first LongHorn Steakhouse opens its doors in the upcoming Burleson Crossing East shopping center.

Some context: Construction on the 5,780-square-foot, $2 million project began in mid-2025, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

What they offer: Part of the Darden Restaurants group, which also owns brands like Olive Garden and Cheddar's, LongHorn Steakhouse serves a variety of fresh-cut steaks, seafood, chicken, lamb and more.

Learn more: Construction on Burleson Crossing East is underway, with a Sprouts Farmers Market set to open in March.

• Burleson Crossing East, 653 Hwy. 71 W., Bastrop

From expanded electric bus fleets to new toll lane projects and the city’s first transit police force, 2025 brought major shifts in Austin-area transportation that are reshaping how residents get around.

1. CapMetro announces new MetroRapid services
Beginning Feb. 23, Capital Metro will introduce two new MetroRapid service lines—Route 800 Pleasant Valley and Route 837 Expo Center—connecting parts of East Austin to destinations in and around downtown Austin. 

Claimed to be “the most significant service changes CapMetro has completed in several years,” the two routes are a part of CapMetro’s Project Connect contributions intended to expand and improve the city’s transit network.

2. Toll rates increased Jan. 1 across six express lanes in the Austin metro, following approval by the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority in October.
Most toll collection points rose between 2% and 3%, a change officials say reflects the impact of inflation in recent years.