Leander is set to get its first Shake Shack location in 2027, according to Kate DeMarco, a spokesperson for the company.

The details: The Shake Shack menu is stacked with burgers, chicken sandwiches, chicken bites, hot dogs, fries and shakes. 

Construction on the burger and shake chain is slated to begin in later this year, wrapping up in early 2027, according to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing. The build out is expected to take place on the 183A Toll Frontage Road, costing an estimated $1 million.

• 10209 183A Toll Frontage Road, Leander

Leander officials approved an ordinance Jan. 15 that allows Google Fiber to install fiber-optic cables in public right of way.

The details: The company is expected to begin work later this year, said John-Michael Cortez, government and community affairs manager at Google Fiber, during a Jan. 6 City Council meeting.

Fiber-optic internet is already available in parts of Leander through other service providers, including AT&T and Spectrum. Cortez said the company will look at which areas of the city do not currently have fiber internet available from other providers when determining which areas to prioritize. Another factor that will play into decisions about which areas to install fiber-optic cables first will be proximity to Google Fiber’s central hub.

The city’s agreement with Google Fiber to allow fiber installation is nonexclusive, meaning the city can still approve other companies to install their own fiber-optic cables in public right of way.

Meet the Republican candidates running to represent State Representative District 52. The primary election will be on March 3.

A closer look: During the primary election, voters choose their party’s nominee in contested Democratic or Republican races. Members of the Texas House, known as state representatives, are elected to two-year terms. District 52 oversees party of Williamson County, including Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Liberty Hill, Georgetown and Hutto. Candidates running for the seat were asked to complete a questionnaire from Community Impact.

Candidates were asked to email responses to the following questions, keep responses within 50 words and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. For more information about your local ballot, visit www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.

The Williamson County Republican Party will require voters to use a polling location in their specified precinct on election day for March primaries, a county official said.

This change will also require the Democratic Party to move to precinct-based voting in response, according to Williamson County Elections Administrator Bridgette Escobedo.

What you need to know: Historically, Williamson County voters have been able to cast their ballot at any county-run polling location. This will still be the case during early voting, which runs from Feb. 17-27, the official said.

However, on election day, March 3, voters must use a polling location in their specified precinct. An up-to-date voting precinct map can be found here. Residents can also check their voter registration card to determine which precinct they reside in.

Specific polling locations haven’t been released yet.

In related news: Voters in Williamson County will use hand-marked ballots, rather than a machine, following a commissioner court vote in June to switch to a ballot-on-demand system.

Check out the top six trending stories in the Austin area for Jan. 12-15. 

1. Round Rock council gives initial go-ahead for speed limit reduction on Greenlawn Boulevard

2. LongHorn Steakhouse saddles up for Bastrop opening

3. Tunnels complete for Lake Travis deep-water intake project

4. Updates on 8 current and future transportation projects in Georgetown

5. Check out 13 of Leander’s latest launches, leavings and local leaps

6. From Thai food to beer: Check out 6 business updates in Dripping Springs

Hundreds of Texas private schools have been approved to participate in the state’s new education savings account program, per a map released by the state comptroller in early January.

The overview: As of press time, 775 private schools and prekindergarten providers had been approved to accept education savings accounts, or ESAs. There are over 1,300 accredited private schools in the state, according to the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission. 

Of the approved schools, there are:

• 233 schools in the Houston area
• 195 schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth area
• 94 schools in the San Antonio area
• 70 schools in the Austin area