From tax rate increases to student development, Boerne ISD has had various accomplishments in 2025. Here are six stories covering district milestones throughout the year.

Straight to Trades program launches at Boerne ISD, combining trade skills with entrepreneurship: Vocational students in Boerne ISD have a new program to take advantage of, offering 12th grade students the opportunity to learn entrepreneurial and leadership skills before graduation.

Boerne ISD tax rate election results canvassed, leading to higher staff pay: The Boerne ISD tax rate is officially approved following the canvassing of the Nov. 4 election results, which showed voter support for the district to use its remaining golden pennies—a funding mechanism the district can use to generate revenue not subject to state recapture.

What else? Other headlines in 2025 included: 

• Boerne ISD focuses on safety, security leading into new school year
• Boerne ISD announces purchase of 70-acre tract of land south of Boerne
• Boerne ISD reviews enrollment projections over next 10 years
• Boerne ISD Aquatic Learning Center reaches substantial completion

Learn more about these new local businesses in Boerne heading into 2026, plus a local closure and a big anniversary.

1. Inside 9 Golf opens new golf simulator in Fair Oaks Ranch
2. Bush’s Chicken permanently closes lone Boerne location
3. TLC Total Lawn Care celebrates 25 years in San Antonio
4. Waymo autonomous vehicles to expand into San Antonio

From restaurant openings to Kendall County conservation easements, check out five trending stories from Community Impact's coverage of the San Antonio Metro.

The Weighted Plate to reopen in downtown New Braunfels following recent closure

A local bar, grill and live music venue that recently closed in New Braunfels is planning to make a comeback early next year.

Some context: The Weighted Plate will be reopening at a new location at 118 S. Union Ave., in downtown New Braunfels, in early 2026, according to a Facebook post by owner Cody Teer.

Judson ISD approves calendar for the 2026-27 school year

The Judson ISD board of trustees unanimously approved the district’s 2026-27 academic calendar Dec. 18.

What you need to know: According to the approved calendar, the first semester of the 2026-27 school year will be Aug. 12 through Dec. 18.  

During its Dec. 16 meeting, the Bexar County Commissioners Court approved for the fourth and final phase of an interactive, electronic history of Bexar County known as the "Story Maps, Seeds of Texas Project.”

Two-minute impact: Designed to be a free-to-access educational and research tool, the final phase will focus on the county’s history from 1945 to the present day. The project will explore a variety of historical subjects, such as civil rights, the creation of tourist attractions and local arts and culture.

The project is estimated to be completed in January 2029.

Learn more: “Story Maps, Seeds of Texas” will reside in the Bexar Heritage Center and on the Bexar County website.

Closures of nationwide brands and openings of new local favorites made the headlines in 2025. Here are 10 business impacts of note from Community Impact coverage of North San Antonio.

• Starbucks shuts down several San Antonio locations amidst nationwide closures
• Genre-first bookstore Book Nerd opens in Castle Hills
• New local taco joint opens in North San Antonio
• San Antonio, New Braunfels Joann locations to close amidst nationwide closures
• The Porch bar replaces Billie Jean in Stone Oak
• Santikos planning new theater, retail space in North San Antonio
• Trader Joe's officially opens new location in North San Antonio
• Elsewhere Garden & Bar to open new location 'Elsewhere Too' in North San Antonio
• Chick-fil-A cancels plans for Stone Oak Parkway location
• Launch Entertainment to open three parks in greater SA