A Texas-based bank and a credit union are set to expand to the Northwest Austin area next year.

The details: Frost Bank is slated to open a new 4,500-square-foot branch in January, which will include a drive-thru bank and offer services such as checking and savings accounts, personal financing, personal and commercial loans, trust services, treasury management, wealth advising, insurance and investments.

United Heritage Credit Union also broke ground on a new branch in October, which officials say is slated to open by next summer. Along with general financial services such as checking and savings accounts, insurance and personal and commercial loans, the credit union will feature 24/7 drive-thru ATMs and on-site investment services.

Offering input: Officials say Frost’s new location is part of the bank’s expansion across the region and state. In 2023, the institution announced plans to double its number of branches in the Austin area by 2026. Similarly, UHCU is expanding in Northwest Austin to reach new members in a “rapidly expanding part of the city," officials said. 

Austin Screen Printing and Embroidery celebrated its 50th anniversary in the Austin community this year.

The details: Founded by Ed Hargett and Ron Habitzreiter in August 1975, the business provides a variety of services, including:

• Screen printing apparel such as t-shirts, hats and hoodies
• Embroidering apparel such as polos, hoodies and hats
• Producing promotional products such as tumblers, koozies and keychains
• Fulfillment orders for online stores

• 8613 Cross Park Drive, Austin

Over the last couple decades, Home Slice Pizza has evolved from a local mom-and-pop pizzeria into an iconic Austin landmark.

What happened?: In celebration of the company’s 20th anniversary in November, the pizzeria hosted its Carnival 'O Pizza at its South Congress location—the first one since 2016, according to a news release. Judge Andy Brown kicked off the excitement by proclaiming the day as Home Slice Pizza Day.

The upwards of $50,000 raised during the event, nearly four times as much as any of the company’s previous carvicals, according to Home Slice representatives, has been donated to local nonprofit Foundation Communities for holiday gifts and emergency rent assistance.

What’s on the menu: Home Slice serves up classic New York–style pies and slices alongside calzones, subs and salads, with sodas, beer and wine available to pair with its Italian menu items.

• 1415 S. Congress Ave, Austin; 1421 S. Congress Ave, Austin; 501 E. 53rd St, Austin

Texas voters will see 18 statewide races on the ballot in 2026.

The overview: Texas will hold Republican and Democratic primary elections on March 3 to determine who will appear on the statewide ballot in November. Texas is one of 17 states with open primaries, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, meaning registered voters can cast their ballots in either primary and do not need to register with a specific party.

What to know: The 18 statewide races on the 2026 primary ballots are:

• U.S. Senate
• Governor
• Lieutenant governor
• Attorney general
• Comptroller of public accounts
• General land commissioner
• Agriculture commissioner
• Railroad commissioner
• Texas Supreme Court, chief justice
• Texas Supreme Court justice, Place 2
• Texas Supreme Court justice, Place 7
• Texas Supreme Court justice, Place 8
• Texas Court of Criminal Appeals judge, Place 3
• Texas Court of Criminal Appeals judge, Place 4
• Texas Court of Criminal Appeals judge, Place 9
• 15th Court of Appeals, chief justice
• 15th Court of Appeals justice, Place 2
• 15th Court of Appeals justice, Place 3