The paseo walkway connecting Prete Plaza to the courtyard of the Round Rock downtown public library, has opened.

The setup: The paseo is part of a broader redevelopment project tied to the renovation of the Griffith Building. City officials said the paseo is designed to improve pedestrian circulation, link major civic spaces and support downtown events and tourism.

The newly opened walkway sits alongside recent infrastructure upgrades, including a raised pedestrian crossing on East Main Street. The crossing extends the sidewalk across the roadway and includes bollards and new signage aimed at slowing traffic and improving safety for people walking between downtown destinations.

Community Impact featured a variety of restaurants in the Round Rock area this year. Check out these six dining features from 2025.

1. AustIndia Bar & Restaurant promotes North Indian cuisine in Round Rock: Since Dec. 22, 2022, AustIndia Bar & Restaurant has shaped a space for Round Rock community members to enjoy North Indian entrees and a variety of cocktails in Sky Ridge Plaza.

Must-try menu items: Amritsari Naan Kulcha Plate: a leavened, butter-topped flatbread with spicy potato filling, chana masala, raw onions and mango pickle ($12.99). Tandoori Sizzlers: kebabs marinated in yogurt and Indian spices cooked in a clay pit oven and served on a sizzling hot plate ($13.99-$24.99). 

2. Little Mama’s strives to provide new flavors in Round Rock with Filipino cuisine: For 10 years, family owned restaurant Little Mama’s has served the Round Rock community a taste of the Philippines. The counter-service eatery has fueled Filipino community members looking for a comforting meal in addition to individuals looking to put new cuisine on their plate.

Here are five of the most-read CI Texas stories from this year and the latest updates on these trending topics.

1. Texas Senate passes bill that would nearly double property tax exemption for seniors, people with disabilities: Elderly and disabled homeowners were set to receive a $200,000 property tax exemption this year.

2. Texas House bill would make it easier to remove students from the classroom: The law gives teachers more discretion to remove students from the classroom if they are repeatedly disruptive or threaten the safety of others.

3. What to know about the 17 state propositions on the Nov. 4 ballot: Nearly 3 million Texans voted in the November election, approving all 17 constitutional amendments.

4. Texas House bill would prohibit cellphone use in K-12 schools: Under House Bill 1481, cellphones and other personal communication devices are prohibited bell-to-bell in Texas public schools.

5. Texas families can now access 2022-23 A-F school accountability ratings after multiyear legal battle: The state later released ratings for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years in August.