Austin officials approved more than $4 million in contract extensions for public health, housing, legal aid and food access programs Sept. 24.

The details: The approvals came despite some reservations about spending and oversight after compliance issues were reported across Austin's social services portfolio; city memos outlining the contracts and detailed staff evaluations weren't distributed to officials until after they voted.

Most council members still voted to extend the more than a dozen contracts this fall to avoid service gaps in the months ahead. And both elected officials and city staff are planning for a more rigorous review and funding changes for social service contractors ahead of the next fiscal year 2027-28.

The team at Austin Regional Clinic's South 1st Pediatrics location is celebrating its 5-year business anniversary.

The gist: The South Austin location first opened on Oct. 4, 2021.

ARC South 1st Pediatrics offers pediatric services specializing in child care, alongside Bone density scans, DEXA body composition scan and lab services. Mammograms are expected to become available soon.

• 3816 South 1st St., Austin

Check out the latest transportation project updates across the Austin metro.

Austin Transit Partnership approves lease for new downtown office: The ATP board approved a $13.5 million agreement to lease office space for 48 months at 203 Colorado St.—the agency's current office—as well as space next door at 201 Colorado St. Officials said this will help as the agency anticipates growing as Project Connect plans move forward.

Blakey Lane plan advances with Jessica Place connection: Bastrop is moving ahead with a Blakey Lane extension intended to connect the Sendero and Burleson Crossing shopping areas with businesses to the east. The plan has drawn opposition from Riverside Grove residents over opening a subdivision street called Jessica Place to through traffic.

State invests approximately $1.5B in Austin-area roadway improvements: Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of Transportation recently announced a 10-year transportation plan that will invest almost $140 billion in roadway improvements across the state. The funding includes $95 billion for projects across the state and $43 billion for development and routine maintenance.

Austin ISD students at Patton Elementary kicked off their Marathon Kids season Sept. 25 with music, cowbells and pom-poms.

"Ultimately, what we want the kids to say is 'I get to run' instead of 'I have to run,'" said Jason Daniel, CEO of Marathon Kids.

The details: More than 20,600 AISD students at 96 campuses took part in the free program last school year, working toward running or walking 26.2 miles. Teachers track miles in real time through the Marathon Kids Connect app, and schools will gather again in May for a finisher celebration.

Zooming out: AISD adopted an $887 million budget in June, closing a $181 million shortfall with $205 million in cuts. Earlier options included adjusting elementary PE, art and music schedules.

Marathon Kids is now launching its "Keep Austin Kids Moving" initiative, aiming to raise $50,000 to sustain programming at participating campuses.

"Our belief is that it takes an entire community to raise healthy children," Daniel said.

Brooks Running sponsors the program, and its Girls Movement serves girls in grades 4-8.