Construction on Williams Drive between Austin Avenue and Jim Hogg Road will begin Sept. 16 in Georgetown, according to a city news release.

About the project: The Williams Drive Enhancement Project aims to enhance safety, reduce congestion and improve traffic flow, according to city documents.

The first phase of the project will include constructing a raised center median, adding street lights and landscaping, and upgrading intersections and traffic signals from Serenada Drive to Lakeway Drive.

Construction is anticipated to be complete in late 2027, the news release states.

What residents need to know: Once construction begins, crews will remove the current center turn lane, preventing drivers from making left turns across the road in this section. Drivers can still access all businesses and neighborhoods, though some traffic patterns will change.

Several businesses are now open or coming soon to Georgetown, including six in the Bluebonnet Plaza on West University Avenue. Check out some of the latest updates in the area.

Velvet Taco

Located in Bluebonnet Plaza, the restaurant’s menu features over 20 tacos and bowls as well as a red velvet cake made in-house daily. This is the fifth Central Texas location for the Dallas-based fast-casual concept.

• Opened July 29

• 1316 W. University Ave., Ste. 103, Georgetown

Perky Beans Coffee

Owners Ron and Angie Diaz operate the Leander-based coffee shop, which offers coffees, teas, smoothies and grab-and-go food options. Mixed alcohol beverages will also be available in the evenings.

• Opened July 30

• 2651 E. University Ave., Georgetown

Birds Barbershop

The Austin-based full-service salon and barbershop provides haircuts, color and grooming services for men, women and children. Located in Bluebonnet Plaza, this is the company’s 10th area location.

• Opened Aug. 21

• 1314 W. University Ave., Ste. 105, Georgetown

A Kia dealership in Austin, a Walmart in Liberty Hill and an Olive Garden in Kyle are among the five most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Kia of Central Austin ($36 million): A new 206,601-square-foot Kia dealership is set to begin construction in Austin next spring.

2. Walmart ($12.2 million): A new Walmart Supercenter is coming to Liberty Hill with construction set to begin in October.

3. Hill Country Bible Georgetown ($6.2 million): This project involves the construction of new admin and student ministry buildings at the Hill Country Bible Church in Georgetown.

4. Olive Garden ($4.1 million): A new Olive Garden restaurant is coming to Kyle, with construction set to wrap up late next year.

5. 3rd Wave Climbing Gym ($2.3 million): This project involves the renovation and change of occupancy of an existing warehouse building into an indoor climbing gym facility.

Shipley Donuts is celebrating its 90th anniversary–nearly a century after its opening in 1936–with a 10-week-long promotion running until Oct. 18, according to a news release.

The special began Aug. 10 and is set to rotate through various value deals, in addition to debuting limited-time birthday-themed donuts.

The history: Shipley’s story began nine decades ago in the oven of its original bakery in Houston. The bakery’s founder, Lawrence Shipley Sr., sold his handcrafted, pillowy donuts dipped in a warm glaze wholesale for just five cents a dozen, per the release.

Flash forward to the present: the Houston-based donut parlor still serves that same hexagon-cut treat fresh every morning, now from nearly 400 locations across 13 states.

What to expect: At participating locations, customers can get a taste of the all-new Birthday Bullseye, a festive spin on Shipley’s classic Strawberry Bullseye.

The donut is available individually and as part of the limited-time 1936 Shipley Favorites Box, a nostalgic dozen consisting of other beloved flavors.

This November, four candidates are running to lead the Texas Comptroller's Office and serve as the state's chief financial officer.

The overview: Libertarian V. Alonzo Echavarria-Garza, Democrat Sarah Eckhardt, Green Party candidate Shehla Faizi and Republican Don Huffines are running for comptroller. Huffines, whom Gov. Greg Abbott appointed to the office in July, is considered the incumbent in this race.

How it works: The comptroller oversees government spending and administers the state's $1 billion education savings account program, which launched ahead of the 2026-27 school year.

Looking ahead: Early voting runs from Oct. 19-30 in the midterm election, and Election Day is Nov. 3.