Here's a look at new businesses, closings, retailers coming soon and more with these updates from across New Braunfels in December.

Yasaka Sushi & Ramen
The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant serves specialty sushi rolls and bowls of flavored ramen. Yasaka Sushi & Ramen also offers a wide selection of hibachi and tempura options.

• 348 I-35 N., New Braunfels

• 1671 I-35 S., Ste. 208, New Braunfels

• 221 Elliot Knox Blvd., New Braunfels

• 3516 FM 306, New Braunfels

The national smoothie chain, Smoothie King, has expanded its New Braunfels footprint with a second location on South Walnut Avenue.

The details: The New Braunfels franchise is locally owned by Paul Flores and serves a variety of smoothie blends and bowls featuring different flavor options as well as nutritional enhancers, including protein, fiber and collagen.

• 654 S. Walnut Ave., New Braunfels

2026 is a big election year in Texas. Voters will see 18 statewide races, all congressional seats, most state legislative seats and a variety of local positions on the ballot.

The overview: The Republican and Democratic primary elections will be held March 3, and the midterm election is set for Nov. 3.

Texas holds primaries for all partisan elected positions, such as state officials; state and federal lawmakers; and county judges, commissioners and justices of the peace. Third-party candidates, including independents, Libertarian Party candidates and Green Party candidates, have separate election processes will not be listed on the primary ballots in March. Eligible candidates representing various parties will appear on the November ballot.

Looking back: All statewide offices on the ballot are currently held by Republicans, although some are not running for reelection. No Democrat or third-party candidate has won a statewide office in Texas since 1994, election records show.

Check out the full article for more details on election processes and an overview of state-level races.