Check out nine events for locals to attend in Southwest Austin and Dripping Springs happening in September. Activities include painting with goats, live music and a Mexican Independence Day celebration. 

This list is not comprehensive, and all events are subject to change. 

Mommy & Me Poolside Playdate
Head to Goldfish Swim School for a parent playdate featuring crafts, swimming and creativity.

• Sept. 4, 10:30 a.m.-noon
• 3601 Davis Lane, Bldg. 3, Austin

• Sept. 5, 3-11 p.m.
• 100 S. Congress Ave., Austin

• Sept. 27, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• 13551 FM150 W., Driftwood

City Council adopted Austin's $6.6 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-27 on Aug. 12 alongside a property tax increase and other adjustments to city rates and fees. During and after their deliberations, officials weighed in on their support or opposition to the final spending plan that passed 9-2.

The details: Most council members who voted for the FY 2026-27 budget highlighted the month-long review process that led up to their final decision, and the millions of dollars in funding that were maintained for the city's extensive social service programs.

On the other hand, Mayor Kirk Watson and council member Marc Duchen criticized the decision to advance a budget without deeper cuts and more focus on the expenses being passed on to residents. Both voted against adopting the final FY 2026-27 budget and tax rate.

Residents will be able to view the completed spending plan in October, when Austin's next fiscal year begins.

Check out some of the most-read stories about the Austin area from Aug. 10-13. 

1. Franklin Barbecue to temporarily close in East Austin

2. Cedar Park officials approve $5.6M for transportation, community projects

3. New running shoe store to open in San Marcos outlets

4. Claw machine arcade coming soon to New Braunfels

5. Discount Tire opens second location in Georgetown

6. H-E-B plans store upgrades in Pflugerville

The long-awaited Buc-ee’s location along I-35 in San Marcos officially opened its doors to customers and travelers on Wednesday. Along with local leaders, Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the company’s founder and president Arch "Beaver" Aplin III celebrated the event with much fanfare.

The two-minute impact: The 74,707-square-foot travel center is expected to serve over 10,000 visitors a day and provide access to 128 fueling stations, said San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson.

An economic development agreement made between Buc-ee’s and the city ensures the location will bring over $50 million in capital investments to San Marcos and create over 300 jobs with an emphasis on hiring local applicants, Hughson said.

Another thing: Abbott and Aplin shared remarks on the location’s opening before personally chopping some of the rest stop’s famous brisket.

What’s available: The travel center features a wide array of Buc-ee's branded merchandise, clean restrooms and popular food options, including barbecue, fudge and Beaver Nuggets, Abbott said.

• 3245 N. I-35 frontage road, San Marcos

Ahead of the 2026-27 school year, public school leaders in Community Impact’s coverage areas shuttered at least nine individual schools to respond to repeated state accountability issues and stave off state intervention. A new Texas Education Agency rule may make it harder for districts to do so in the future.

The details: Beginning Aug. 16, if a district closes a D- or F-rated campus and transfers the largest share of students from the closed campus to a school with a C, D or F rating, the closed campus’ rating will be assigned to the new campus. 

Districts will only avoid transferring a shuttered school’s rating history if they relocate a plurality of students to an A- or B-rated campus.

Stay tuned: The TEA is scheduled to release A-F ratings for the 2025-26 school year on Aug. 14. If a school receives five failing ratings in a row, the TEA is required under state law to close that campus or replace the district’s board of trustees with a state-appointed board of managers.