Here are four updates for those interested in recreation and community spaces in Cedar Park and Leander:

1. Leander senior center to open in January
The city of Leander plans to open its new senior center in January. City Manager Todd Parton said the city is planning on holding a ribbon-cutting in January and a formal dedication ceremony later in the year, likely March.

2. Twin Lakes Family YMCA expansions slated to open by summer
Two major projects at the Twin Lakes Family YMCA in Cedar Park, the Avery Family Pavilion and the Orr Family RCI Adventure Course, are slated to open at the end of May.

3. Cedar Park eyes 2027 completion of pedestrian bridge
The city of Cedar Park expects to complete a pedestrian bridge connecting Lakeline Park to the Twin Lakes Family YMCA campus by the end of 2027.

4. Future uncertain for Leander Municipal Athletic Complex
The future of the planned Leander Municipal Athletic Complex is uncertain after the design process identified significant challenges with regard to water.

Jersey Mike’s officially opened on Dec. 31 serving cold subs, hot subs, drinks, sides and desserts in Leander at Hero Way Crossing. 

Dig deeper: Franchise owner Corby Cronin is holding a grand opening fundraiser Dec. 31-Jan. 4, benefitting Helping Hand Home of Austin, according to a news release. Customers who present a fundraising coupon at the new location can make a minimum $2 contribution to the nonprofit in exchange for a regular sub. 

Learn more: The new Leander store is open seven days a week and joins 3,255 locations nationwide. 

• Opened Dec. 31 
• 11312 Hero Way West, Ste. 160, Leander

Each school year, Austin-area school districts are tasked with meeting federal and state nutrition guidelines while serving meals that are appetizing to students.

These regulations, ranging from limits on sodium, sugar and fat, are intended to help prevent disease in the United States but can present challenges for districts who must attract students to generate funding, said Susan D'Amico, President of the Texas Association for School Nutrition.

“We don't get money for a meal unless a child takes it ... so we have to make the food appealing to students also," D'Amico said.

Something to note: Nationwide, Austin ISD has set a gold-standard for school nutrition through its scratch cooking and sourcing products from local farmers, said Stacie Sanchez Hare, director of No Kid Hungry Texas—a national nonprofit that advocates to end childhood hunger.

Dig deeper: Although federal and state funding covers the cost of meals for some students, No Kid Hungry and local nonprofits like Hungry Souls are partnering with school districts to address food insecurity experienced by families in Central Texas.

Looking for ways to ring in the new year? Check out these events happening in the Austin area, including family friendly events and outings for adults age 21 and older.

This list is not comprehensive, and all events are subject to change. 

Lakeway Polar Bear Plunge
Community members are invited to end the year with a trip down the water slide at Lakeway Swim Center. After a dip in the pool, attendees can hang out and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa.

• Dec. 31, 9-10 a.m.
• Free
• 3103 Lakeway Blvd., Austin

• Dec. 31, 8-11 p.m.
• Free
• 3519B, N. RM 620, Austin

Approximately three dozen new Texas laws are scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, impacting how artificial intelligence is used in state government, when local officials can raise taxes after natural disasters and how much of businesses' inventory is taxed.

The background: The changes come after Texas’s biennial legislative session ended in early June. Gov. Greg Abbott signed over 1,100 laws passed by state lawmakers, many of which took effect in June or September.

The details: Some of the bills becoming law in the new year are:

• House Bill 9, which will expand a tax exemption for business owners
• House Bill 30, which will tighten regulations on counties' and cities' abilities to raise tax rates after natural disasters
• House Bill 149, which will regulate the fast-growing AI industry
• House Bill 247, which will exempt certain border security infrastructure from property tax increases
• House Bill 1399, which will create a property tax exemption for stores selling animal feed
• House Bill 2508, which will establish a property tax exemption for the surviving spouse of certain military members