Some new dining options opened in far Northwest Austin while others have closed their doors permanently. Here are some of the latest updates from the region. 

Now open
Shallots Indian Cuisine: The restaurant serves classic Indian breakfast dishes such as dosas and idli, meat, seafood and rice dishes, and naan bread. Also on the menu are street snacks such as samosas, pakoras and Mumbai burgers, and drinks such as mango lassi and masala chai. The restaurant also has a dessert menu, and vegetarian options are also available.

• Opened in November
• 12221 Riata Trace Parkway, Ste. 190, Austin

Travis County Chief Fire Marshal Gary Howell lifted the burn ban for the unincorporated areas of Travis County on Nov. 25.

The ban had been in place since September due to the excessive temperatures and dry conditions that hit Central Texas this summer.

After an exceptionally dry start to the fall, conditions have improved recently with rain and adequate humidity levels, lowering the immediate wildfire risk throughout the county, a news release states.

Also of note: Even with outdoor burning now allowed, residents are advised to remain careful and aware of potential fire dangers. Officials urge residents to keep water nearby in case a fire spreads and call 911 immediately if a fire gets out of control.

Travis County residents can receive text alerts about burn ban status by texting TCBURNBAN to 888777.

A fifth Round Rock data center is under consideration by City Council, with the city's governing body set to vote on a measure rezoning a property near A.W. Grimes and East Old Settlers Boulevard to suit that use Dec. 4. 

What you need to know: Council will consider a measure to rezone 29.69 acres near 2501 E. Old Settlers Blvd. for a Skybox data facility. 

About the project: The proposal for the data center shows that the property itself and others it is adjacent to area zoned for industrial use.

Skybox is asking the city to rezone the property to allow a data center, ultimately dividing it into three sections with different uses to establish what is permitted on different parts of the site, such as a data center, substation and open space.

Bastrop County officials are lobbying Texas State University to expand into the community.

The details: Precinct 4 Commissioner David Glass wrote a letter of support to Brian McCall, chancellor of the Texas State University System, on behalf of the Bastrop County Commissioners Court.

“The establishment of a Texas State University presence in Bastrop County would directly strengthen our regional workforce pipeline, provide lifelong learning opportunities for residents and support employers who are investing in our community’s long-term prosperity,” he said in the letter. “It represents the kind of forward-thinking collaboration that keeps Central Texas at the forefront of global competitiveness.”