Austin ISD will provide free breakfast and lunch to every student at 69 campuses during the 2026-27 school year through the federally funded Community Eligibility Provision program, the district announced Aug. 7. The CEP allows schools in qualifying low-income areas to serve free meals to all enrolled students without an application.

The details: The 69 participating campuses include pre-K centers, elementary, middle and high schools, plus several alternative and child development campuses.

At non-CEP schools, meal costs still depend on a student's status, but thanks to new state funding from the Texas Legislature, students approved for reduced-price meals will now receive both breakfast and lunch at no cost.

Paid meal prices range from $1.90 to $3.65 depending on grade level and meal type.

What parents should know: Families can qualify through direct certification via state benefits programs, enrollment in foster care or homeless programs, or by submitting an application through the district website or on paper. Students with low account balances can charge a limited number of meals, and courtesy lunches remain uncapped after that.
 

Crafted by working parents for working parents, Think Lounge offers a modernized approach for post-pandemic professionals. Equipped with a cafe, childcare center, coworking center and private meeting rooms—the lounge allows locals to customize their experiences. 

How it works: Think Lounge offers two modes of childcare: drop-in and year-round programming. Drop-in childcare is available for children ages 18 months to 8 years old.

As a more consistent childcare option, children 18 months to 5 years old will join the Nature Tots and preschool programs. Kids work in small classes, blending fine and gross motor skills, play-based sensory activities, arts and crafts, and a screen-free environment.

Learn more: Think Lounge also offers coworking day passes, meeting rooms and memberships. Members get access to a dedicated desk, discounts on cafe items and conference room bookings, according to the brand’s website. 

On the menu: The cafe menu features lattes, frappes, cold brew, americanos and cappuccinos. Other beverages include teas, refreshers, smoothies and milkshakes. Think Lounge also offers light bites from other local businesses.

• 13201 Ranch Road 620 N, Austin

Yummy Mommy Thai Cuisine is making its return after temporarily closing earlier this year. The Thai restaurant is set to open at its new location on Burnet Road next month, according to the team.

"At Yummy Mommy Thai Cuisine, every meal is crafted with authentic Thai flavors, fresh ingredients, and the warmth of home,” the Yummy Mommy team shared with Community Impact. 

The Thai restaurant is led by business partners Apisit Sangrugee, Pinsuda Sangrugee, Thidarat Pradidpoka and Pimnapat Chancharoen. 

On the menu: Patrons can find signature dishes like coconut curry, tom yum soup and a selection of stir fries. Other dishes include egg rolls, chicken dumplings, crab rangoon, drunken noodles and curries.

The background: Yummy Mommy was previously located within ATX Kitchens, a ghost kitchen on East Anderson Lane. Yummy Mommy announced its opening at the ghost kitchen on Aug. 31, and its closure nearly six months later.

• 4707 Burnet Road, Austin

The interior renovation of IBC Bank in Austin, a Walmart renovation in Round Rock and a new 7 Brew in Leander are among the five most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. IBC Bank Plaza interior renovations ($6 million): This project involves the partial interior finish-out of four levels in the building, including renovations of shared core spaces, elevator lobbies and common corridors on floors 6-13.

2. Pease Community Campus Phase 1 ($2.1 million): Pease Elementary School in downtown Austin is being transformed into the Pease Community Campus.

3. Walmart renovation ($1.3 million): This project includes an interior and exterior remodel of an existing Walmart in Round Rock.

4. Tim Hortons ($750,000): This project involves the renovation of an existing 3,107 square foot space to a Tim Hortons.

5. 7 Brew ($400,000): A new 7 Brew location is coming to Leander. The drive-thru coffee shop will be 510 square feet, with construction set to wrap up this fall.