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Planet Fitness opened a new location in northwest Austin in December.

The details: The gym chain offers cardio and strength training equipment, free fitness classes and community amenities such as locker rooms, showers and free Wi-Fi. Black Card memberships provide access to massage chairs, tanning beds and free guest passes.

📍 13729 N Hwy. 183, Ste. 1200, Austin

Progress on the 183 North Mobility Project continues as the highway's new northbound express lanes and direct connector opened in January, completing another piece of the major highway project.

The update: According to a news release from the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, the northbound express lanes between Burnet Road and SH 45 North opened Jan. 2. The northbound direct connector, which connects the highway to the express lanes, opened Jan. 31 and spans from the MoPac express lane to the 183 express lanes.

Some context: The $612 million project first broke ground in January 2022. Part of the project's construction included a general-purpose lane to bring the number of nontolled lanes to four in each direction, which was completed in August 2024. The completed project will also feature new shared-use paths and sidewalks. 

Looking ahead: According to the Mobility Authority, the southbound express lanes and direct connector to MoPac are slated to open in the coming months. The project is expected to reach total completion this year.

From new worship spaces to a car wash and more, here are five of the most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week. 

1. St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church
Parishioners can soon worship at a new site, as St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church will build a two-story, 22,000-square-foot space. It will feature a seating area, a sanctuary with an altar, restrooms, a choir loft and sacristies—also called preparation rooms.

• Location: 230 Post Oak Drive, Dripping Springs
• Estimated timeline: July 1-Jan. 31, 2028
• Estimated cost: $17 million 

• Location: 800 Heatherwilde Blvd., Pflugerville 
• Estimated timeline: March 1-June 30, 2027
• Estimated cost: $5.5 million 

• Location: 3375 S. Interstate 35, San Marcos
• Estimated timeline: July 20-Feb. 26, 2027
• Estimated cost: $4 million

Round Rock ISD's superintendent received a 1% pay increase and a bonus in January. 

What you need to know: Superintendent Hafedh Azaiez will continue to lead RRISD through at least 2029, after district officials voted to extend his contract Jan. 29. 

In addition to a 1% increase to Azaiez's base pay of $350,000, trustees also awarded him a bonus of $18,520, according to the district. 

Texas families can soon apply to receive state funds for private education or homeschooling under the state’s new education savings account program, known as Texas Education Freedom Accounts.

What's happening: The application opens at 9 a.m. Feb. 4 and is designed to be completed in about 15 minutes, according to the state comptroller’s office. Families can apply through 11:59 p.m. March 17.

Parents must submit information about their family's residency, household income, their children's educational history and each child's special education status, if applicable.

The details: To be eligible for the program, students must:

• Reside in Texas
• Be U.S. citizens or lawful residents
• Be eligible to attend a Texas public school, open-enrollment charter school or pre-K program