Seniors living in the Lake Travis-Westlake area have a variety of living options to consider, from skilled nursing facilities to independent living. Here are 12 options local to the Lake Travis and Westlake areas.

Austin
Brookdale Westlake Hills
Type: assisted-living, independent-living, skilled nursing
Cost: starting at $6,005
Total units: 269
Insurance accepted: accepts Medicare for skilled nursing
Amenities: pool, theater, library, fitness center, general store, salon

• 1034 Liberty Park Drive, Austin

• 309 Copperleaf Road, Lakeway

• 4310 Bee Caves Road, West Lake Hills

Austin firefighters and city officials formally agreed to a new labor contract Dec. 18, capping off months of negotiations.

The details: The new collective bargaining agreement between the city and Austin Firefighters Association, estimated to cost $63 million over four years, was unanimously approved by City Council and backed by 72% of AFA members. It'll result in a new scheduling format with reduced hours for city firefighters, pay raises, and adjustments to hiring and promotional processes.

The deal also ends a dispute over fire department operations and city finances that had prompted the AFA to launch a petition campaign for a possible May election. Fire department engines and stations will now remain in service unless the city reaches a point of financial crisis, at which point Austin and AFA representatives will convene to chart a path forward.

Quote of note: "We gave management the flexibility they need to really manage a crisis properly, and we get the promises that those won’t be executed or used unless we’re in dire need," AFA President Bob Nicks said.

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.