ATX-CPF: Impact 10/21/2025

The Whataburger location at Lake Creek parkway and FM 620 is now open after closing temporarily for renovations, Whataburger employee Brad Keane confirmed. The fast food restaurant officially reopened on Oct. 11. 

What we know: Renovations to the space were primarily interior and focused on the lobby, Keane said. 

What they offer: The chain restaurant is most known for its burgers, as well as chicken sandwiches, breakfast plates, salads and desserts. 

More details: Whataburger currently has 767 locations across Texas, with the far Northwest Austin location coming in at #709. 

• Reopened Oct. 11
• 13235 Ranch Road 620 N., Ste. M, Austin

Leander residents looking for a sweet treat will be able to check out Ked’s Ice Cream when it holds its soft opening Oct. 22.

The details: The Dallas-based ice cream franchise offers a selection of more than 95 unique flavors, and takes inspiration from several South Asian and Middle Eastern desserts. In addition to ice cream treats like cones and sundaes, the franchise offers faloodas, crepes, waffles, boba drinks and refreshers.

The franchise has seven other locations throughout Texas, including spots in Irving, Plano, Allen and Frisco.

• Opening Oct. 22
• 15241 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Ste. 106, Leander

Travis County and Austin officials have issued a local disaster declaration as wildfire risk rises across Central Texas, following a renewed statewide proclamation by Gov. Greg Abbott.

“The risk is real,” Travis County Judge Andy Brown said.

The overview: Local declarations allow the city and county to respond quickly to emergencies by temporarily bypassing time-consuming contract processes.

Some context: Though summer rains fueled vegetation growth, dry conditions have turned it into additional fire fuel, creating a “critical point,” Travis County Fire Marshal Gary Howell said. Between Oct. 17-19, two brush fires broke out, including one near the Circuit of the Americas, briefly threatening nearby homes.

Action taken: The city is updating wildfire evacuation plans for neighborhoods with limited access, working closely with residents to prepare communities.

What you should know: Officials urge homeowners to create defensible space, maintain gutters, and remove flammable materials within 5 feet of their homes. Residents can request free Structural Ignition Zone Evaluations and sign up for emergency alerts at WarnCentralTexas.org to stay prepared this wildfire season.

Early voting is now underway and local voters can cast their ballots in support of or against Austin's Proposition Q for a 20% city tax rate increase.

The local tax rate election, or TRE, is required after City Council passed a budget this summer backed by a tax rate above Texas' voter-approval rate. Proposition Q's passage would keep the budget and rate in place as approved, while its rejection would force city leaders to cut down their fiscal year 2025-26 spending plan and tax rate within the state cap.

The TRE would add about $110 million to Austin's general fund, which supports public-facing city services like public safety, parks, public health and housing programs. Council members dedicated tens of millions of dollars to their priorities in those subject areas during their summer budget deliberations.

Campaigns for and against Proposition Q are well underway, drawing tens of thousands of dollars for and against the TRE over the past several months.