Two candidates will be on the ballot for the Hays County Commissioners Court Precinct 4 seat in the upcoming November 3 election.​​​​​​​

Zooming in: Democratic candidate Angie Unger and Republican candidate Rob McClelland will be vying for the position. Current Precinct 4 representative Walt Smith is not running for reelection.

Q: Why are you running for this position?

• Unger: "I’m running because care must become action. Raised by a hardworking single mother and grounded in 30 years of family roots here, I understand sacrifice. Hays County deserves people-powered leadership that protects what money cannot replace—our water, land and community. I am yours, not theirs."

• McClelland: "I’m running because Hays County needs experienced, common sense leadership that can manage growth, protect taxpayers, support public safety, and invest responsibly in infrastructure. I’ve spent years serving our community as a school board trustee and veteran, and I’m ready to bring that experience to county government."

Editor's note: This article is based on a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations filing. Community Impact will provide updates as more information is available.

Renovations on the San Marcos Premium Outlets’ canopy play court are expected to begin on Labor Day, refreshing the amenity.

The gist: The outlet mall’s 3,000-square-foot canopy play court will receive major updates, including:

• Site preparation
• Synthetic turf
• Tunnel and slide PlayMounds
• Concrete edging
• Accessibility improvements
• Large shade structures

Construction on the amenity is scheduled to begin on Sept. 7 and be completed on Oct. 2, according to the filing.

What they offer: The San Marcos Premium Outlets features a wide variety of stores, shops and dining options for community members and visitors.

• 3939 N. 1-35 frontage road, San Marcos

Several transportation projects across the Austin metro are moving forward, with new construction, funding and schedule updates.

The details: Hays County secured more than $39 million in federal funding for a planned $49 million Centerpoint Road overpass over the Union Pacific Railroad crossing. The project is in the right-of-way acquisition and final design stages.

In Pflugerville, construction on Parkway Drive is expected to begin in mid-September following City Council’s approval of a $3.1 million construction contract. Work is scheduled through July 2027.

The MoPac South expansion in Austin is now estimated to cost $1.3 billion, an increase of more than $400 million. The project would add express lanes and shared-use paths between Cesar Chavez Street and Slaughter Lane.

Meanwhile, Round Rock’s Red Bud Lane North widening remains on schedule despite weather delays. Construction also continues on Cedar Park’s Toro Grande Boulevard improvements. In Buda, final asphalt paving has begun on Middle Creek Drive following substantial completion in August.

On Sept. 1, the State Board of Education moved forward with an overhaul of what Texas high schoolers will learn in four social studies courses: U.S. History, U.S. Government, World History and World Geography.

What's happening: Roughly 100 Texans testified about the high school curriculum rewrite at an Aug. 31 meeting, with the debate revolving around how students would learn about the two largest world religions, Christianity and Islam.

Dozens of Muslim Texans asked that students learn about the religion’s core principles and how Muslims have contributed to advancements in math, science and medicine throughout history.

Some testifiers said the social studies curriculum should highlight the role of Christianity in the founding of Texas and the U.S., praising the board for prioritizing “American exceptionalism” and topics that they said would teach students to love the country.

The context: The discussion comes as the Republican-led board nears the finish line on its new K-12 social studies curriculum standards.

If approved, the new requirements will be rolled out to public school classrooms in the 2030-31 school year.