ATX-SBK: Impact 5/7/2026

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Top Story

New mural to be installed in San Marcos’ City Park

Following the removal of roadway murals and markings in San Marcos, the City Council approved the installation of a large-scale mural in City Park. The artwork is intended to enhance the recreational space while creating a cultural landmark.

The two-minute impact: The Arts Commission will select a local artist to design a mural for the public basketball court at City Park along the San Marcos River, according to agenda documents. The painted court will serve as a visual landmark to support tourism and creative placemaking.

The city hopes the installation will encourage outdoor recreation and wellness, generate community partnerships and celebrate the community’s identity through an addition to the city’s public art collection, according to agenda documents.

The new mural will build on recent city investments in playground equipment and beautify a well-used park feature, according to agenda documents.

The city will now call for local and area artists interested in designing the mural. The Arts Commission will review and select artists who will then work with professional basketball court mural installers.

In Your Community

San Marcos installs first-ever gateway sign

San Marcos crews began installing a new city marker along S. I-35, San Marcos, highlighting aspects of the community’s identity.

The gist: The city’s first-ever gateway sign is taking shape along the Texas Department of Transportation’s, or TxDOT, right-of-way. City crews will continue to install stonework, landscaping and lighting to complete the signage.

The marker’s design is consistent with existing wayfinding and park signage in San Marcos, featuring colors and materials inspired by the area’s natural surroundings, including:

flowing river currents
wild rice
limestone from area riverbanks and Hill Country vistas

Diving deeper: The gateway sign was funded with remaining dollars from the Ranch Road 12 extension project, according to the city of San Marcos. The project was completed in 2010 and the funding could only be used within the TxDOT right-of-way.

Read here.

Statewide News

‘It’s not sustainable’: Texas House lawmakers study causes of rising health care costs

As health care costs continue rising in Texas and across the nation, state lawmakers are working to understand the factors that make health care unaffordable and what can be done to rein in prices.

The big picture: About 5.2 million Texans, or 16.7% of the state’s population, did not have health insurance in 2024, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

For years, advocates have called on Texas lawmakers to pass laws to drive down health care costs and improve access to health insurance. During a two-day hearing April 30 and May 1, a Texas House committee examined why health care costs are rising. Lawmakers will discuss potential policy solutions later this year, committee chair Rep. James Frank, R-Wichita Falls, said.

What's happening: Yale University professor Zack Cooper said that since 2000, U.S. health care spending has grown three times faster than inflation. The average health insurance premium for a family of four is $27,000 per year, he said.

“Every family is basically buying a new Toyota Corolla worth of health insurance," Cooper told lawmakers.