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Austin launches redesigned city website under multimillion-dollar digital update

Austin's redesigned city website launched early March 19, capping off a multimillion-dollar project intended to modernize and streamline the site.

The details: Austintexas.gov is now search-based, a layout the city called more intuitive for visitors by providing quicker navigation to the webpages or information they're seeking. The search tool was updated to add filtering options and other functions for more accurate results, according to the city, and is now the primary feature visitors are greeted with.

The redesign is the result of a multiyear, $5.5 million contract with Austin-based consultant Material Holdings authorized back in 2024. City communications and information technology officials previously said the redesign was needed to improve the website's organization and accessibility. Changes were long overdue, they said, as the previous version was overcrowded with thousands of individual webpages and proved difficult to navigate for some.

 
now open
Finney’s Books brings romance-only bookstore to North Central Austin

Finney's Books, a romance-only bookstore, opened in North Central Austin in December.

What you need to know: The independent bookstore is a LGBTQ, woman-owned business that celebrates "every kind of happily-ever-after" love story, owner Cameron Lagrone said. Readers can participate in monthly book clubs.

  • 3823 Airport Blvd., Ste. D, Austin

 

FOODIE FRIDAY
Check out these new restaurants and bars opening across the Austin area.

Hanami AYCE Sushi now serving signature rolls, fresh-cut sashimi in North Austin

The family-owned Japanese restaurant provides an all-you-can-eat dining experience, featuring more than 40 signature sushi rolls and fresh-cut sashimi. Handcrafted cocktails, as well as hot and cold sakes, are available.

Read now.

 

☕️ Bastrop's Coffee Dog reopens under new owner, adds Scoops Chicken Salad
(Read more)

🍖 Tejas Meat Supply expands with Round Rock opening
(Read more)

🧋 Handcrafted bubble tea coming to Dripping Springs
(Read more)

🍗 Slim Chickens in San Marcos to fill former Zaxby's spot
(Read more)

 

Beyond Pompeii Pizza serves up family-style pies in Leander

Independently run and family-owned, Beyond Pompeii Pizza is a “true mom-and-pop shop.” Owner Bob Khan had one rule when he dreamed of opening a restaurant: make it for families, run by family, everything family. More than a decade after immigrating from India and settling in Leander, he and his family made it happen.

The family put their Indian heritage on the menu. The Palak Paneer pizza features spinach, Indian cottage cheese, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, green chilies and a spice blend. Sides include chicken wings, cheesy bread and lava rocks, which are garlic butter and Parmesan bread bites, and the menu showcases a selection of Blue Bell ice cream for dessert.

Read now.

Latest News
Tickets now on sale for inaugural Good Good Championship

Ticket sales began March 18 for the inaugural Good Good Championship golf tournament headed to Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa’s Fazio Canyons Golf Course this November.

The details: The tournament is the second-to-last event in the PGA Tour’s FedExCup Fall, a series of events that allows players to improve their rank positions prior to the 2026 FedExCup Season starting at the end of November. The upcoming November game is the first time in three years the PGA Tour has come to Austin, according to PGA Tour.

The Good Good Tournament features a field size of 120 PGA Tour professionals, who will compete for a $6 million purse and 500 FedExCup points for the winner, according to the news release.

The event will be held Nov. 9-15 and is open to the public Nov. 12-15. General admission ticket prices are:

  • Nov. 12: $80
  • Nov. 13: $90
  • Nov. 14: $120
  • Nov. 15: $100

 
CI Texas
Data: See where the most Texas students are applying for education savings accounts

More than 229,000 students have applied to receive state funds for private education or homeschooling under Texas’ education savings account program, according to the state comptroller’s office.

By the numbers: State data indicates that the most applications have been submitted on behalf of students living in urban areas and the surrounding suburban communities. As of March 8, students living in Houston ISD’s boundaries led the pack with over 8,900 applications, followed by 6,700 applicants in Dallas ISD.

The data reflects how many students living in each district's boundaries have applied, including those not currently enrolled in a public school.

The background: State lawmakers created the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program in 2025.

Students accepted for the 2026-27 school year will receive $10,474 for private education or up to $2,000 for homeschool. Students with disabilities can receive up to $30,000 each.

More details: Of the first 152,000 program applicants, nearly three-quarters were not enrolled in a public school during the 2025-26 school year, data obtained by the Texas Center for Voucher Transparency shows.

 

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Elle Bent
Editor

Krista Box
General Manager

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