Thirsty Penguin owner Brent Cloyd comes from a background in commercial real estate and software development, but he has always had a love for Louisiana flair. Frequently traveling to the bayou state, Cloyd drew inspiration to open up a beer barn with frozen daiquiris and brews to go.

The context: Thirsty Penguin officially opened four years ago, selling frozen drinks, draft beer, seltzers, jello shots and nonalcoholic beverages.

The stars aligned for the concept while Cloyd was renovating Thirsty Penguin’s current location—Gov. Greg Abbott declared that to-go alcohol was permanently permitted. The Liberty Hill curbside cocktail stop sold roughly 300 gallons of rum in the first weekend.

“We had to shut down for two more weeks after that because we didn't expect it to be as crazy as it was,” Cloyd said.

Another detail: On the patio, Thirsty Penguin patrons can get their drinks to go and enjoy them outdoors, along with an on-site food truck, Taqueria Mi Ranchito Jaimes. Thirsty Penguin also hosts live music outdoors.

Liberty Hill City Council is weighing the annexation of a 21-acre tract of land along Hwy. 29 near Butler Farms Boulevard. City Council gave planning and development staff the go-ahead at its April 22 meeting to negotiate an agreement with the landowner.

The details: The tract of land is referred to in city documents as Sutton Natalie Commercial.

According to city staff, property annexed into the city of Liberty Hill defaults to agricultural zoning, but the developer is requesting permission to rezone the property for commercial use immediately.

Why it matters: If the city annexes the property, the city will become responsible for providing municipal services, such as infrastructure and sanitation.

However, annexation would also mean that the city would receive sales tax revenue from any future businesses on the site.

What's next: City Council will hold a public hearing and consider the annexation and zoning of the property at its May 27 meeting.

The overview: Texans are expected to save millions in sales taxes on emergency supplies—everything from tarps to generators—during an annual tax holiday April 25-27.

How it works: The sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. April 24 and lasts until midnight April 27.

Texans are expected to save about $2.4 million in state and local taxes, according to the comptroller’s office. Last year, Texans saved about $2.3 million, agency spokesperson Kevin Lyons said.

According to the comptroller’s office, items qualify for the tax exemption if they are priced at:

• Less than $75 for items including household batteries, fuel containers, flashlights, smoke detectors, tarps and first aid kits
• Less than $300 for hurricane shutters and emergency ladders
• Less than $3,000 for portable generators

Demand on the Texas power grid could more than quadruple in the next six years, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas announced April 15.

The details: The state grid operator projected that peak electric demand could hit 367,790 megawatts by 2032—more than four times the current demand record of 85,508 megawatts, which was set during an August 2023 heat wave. Much of this forecasted growth is due to data centers, according to ERCOT documents.

However, ERCOT leaders warned that the growth forecast is “preliminary” and needs adjustments.

What's happening: During an April 17 meeting, ERCOT officials told the Public Utility Commission of Texas that they plan to work with utility providers to issue a revised forecast in the coming weeks.

“I think it's clear we need to engage in the process and look at ways to refine this number to something that's more usable,” PUC Chair Thomas Gleeson said.

Stay tuned: ERCOT said it expects peak electric demand on the grid this summer will hit between 90,500-98,000 megawatts, which would shatter the current demand record.