After more than 15 years in Central Texas kitchens, chef Dau Maran is putting his own spin on Asian cuisine at Dau Sushi, serving fresh fish flown in from Japan and original sushi rolls inspired by Texas ranching to diners in Leander and Liberty Hill.

A closer look: The restaurant is best known for its sushi, nigiri and sashimi, which feature fresh fish flown in from Japan. The menu also includes:

• Original signature sushi rolls, such as the Liberty Hill roll featuring Japanese A5 wagyu beef

• Teriyaki proteins, bulgogi and katsu

• Appetizers including edamame, gyoza, shrimp wrapped in potato strings and takoyaki

• Asian alcoholic beverages, such as sake, wine and beer, alongside nonalcoholic drinks like Ramune

Of note: Maran and his family have lived in Liberty Hill for six years. He aims to provide local residents with a nearby gathering place for dates, family outings or hanging out with friends.

Neading Insurance Solutions now offers a variety of insurance policies in the Liberty Hill area.

The details: The business is operated by Jacob Neading, a personal lines insurance broker providing home, auto and life insurance. The business compares policies from more than 50 companies to help customers find the best rates, Neading said.

Neading said the business focuses on client education so that customers have all the coverage they need for whatever claims may come up. The business hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Liberty Hill Chamber of Commerce Nov. 6.

• 13563 W. Hwy. 29, Ste. 3, Liberty Hill

Austinites will soon be able to fly directly to Fayetteville, Arkansas beginning in March.

The overview: Delta Air Lines announced the new nonstop destination on Nov. 3. This is the latest domestic expansion for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and the first nonstop connection between Central Texas and the state of Arkansas, according to an ABIA news release.

At a glance: Fayetteville, Arkansas is home to The University of Arkansas and is located in the Ozark Mountains. The flight will service passengers daily.

A new worship building for a church in Round Rock, an addition to the public works facility in Buda and a Dave’s Hot Chicken in Kyle are among the five most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Bastrop Modular Vivarium ($19.6 million): This project involves the construction of a seven-module building complex with an added vestibule for the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

2. New Worship Building ($10.9 million): Cityview Bible Church will be constructing a new worship building featuring a 1,200-seat auditorium with a stage designed to accommodate worship services, presentations and community events.

3. City of Buda Public Works and Parks Expansion ($5.5 million): This project involves a 7,790 square-foot building addition and 2,071 square feet of renovations to the existing Public Works and Parks facilities in Buda.

4. Discount Tire ($950,000): A new Discount Tire location is coming to Hutto, with construction set to wrap up next August.

5. Dave’s Hot Chicken ($525,000): A new Dave’s Hot Chicken location is coming to Kyle.

Texas' first female lieutenant governor, Austin state Rep. Vikki Goodwin, held her first news conference since the election on Nov. 10 in Austin.

What happened: Goodwin, a Democrat, also announced her political transition team, which is led by lobbyist Angela Hale and outgoing state Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie.

The team, which includes four former state senators—two Democrats and two Republicans—will help prepare Goodwin to take over as lieutenant governor in January and work with state senators.

"My focus right now is sitting down with each senator, many of whom I worked with while in the House, to talk about their individual priorities and how we can work together so they can represent their districts," Goodwin told reporters Nov. 10.

More context: Goodwin will preside over the Republican-majority Texas Senate. How much power she will have over the chamber is largely up to senators, who will approve new Senate rules when the legislature convenes Jan. 12.