ATX-LTW: Impact 7/2/2026

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Permit filed for Sorelle Studio in Lakeway

Sorelle Studio, a pilates studio and “wellness sanctuary,” is coming to Lakeway in the fall, according to the Sorelle Studio website and a filing from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

The overview: Sorelle Studio will offer three types of classes, according to the website.

Gentle Strength: Restorative pilates emphasizing recovery and restoration
Sorelle Signature: Reformer pilates focused on full body conditioning and mobility
Control Strength: Advanced pilates that incorporates hand weights for greater strength and endurance

The studio will also offer a variety of wellness treatments including massages and lymphatic drainage, per the website.

The details: Sorelle Studio is currently accepting applications for 30 founding members. Founding members will receive preferred membership rates held for life, early access to the studio and other exclusive benefits, according to the website.

Opening this fall
3502 Wild Cherry Drive, Bldg. 13, Lakeway

See more details.

Travis County Coverage

Travis County struggles to meet public defense obligations amid attorney shortage

The problem: Travis County must provide attorneys to residents who can't afford one by the end of the first business day after a request, but its primary contractor, the Capital Area Private Defender Service, has lost half its attorney roster over the past decade, dropping from roughly 250 attorneys to about 125.

Because 80% of county public defense cases flow through CAPDS, the shortage has real consequences for case quality and client outcomes.

What's being done: Travis County Community Legal Services Executive Geoff Burkhart presented nine potential solutions to Commissioners Court on June 24, ranging from $50,000 to more than $4 million, including expanding the Public Defender's Office, raising attorney fees, offering loan forgiveness and creating a pipeline through internships.

Preliminary budget investments are expected in late July, though officials warned the fix will span multiple budget cycles.

Read the full story.

New Red Ball tennis program brings beginner-friendly matches to local breweries

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What Austin’s heat means for mental health

Austin's summer heat can affect mental health, particularly for people managing conditions like schizophrenia, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or bipolar disorder, according to Ziyad Nuwayhid, chief medical officer at Integral Care, Travis County's mental health authority.

The impact: Nuwayhid said mental illness can impair temperature perception, and some psychiatric medications reduce the body's ability to stay hydrated.

A 2026 study by UT Austin researchers and the city found 85% of Austin single-family homes pose significant heat risk for elderly residents during a heatwave combined with a power outage.

Keep in mind: All Austin Public Library branches and Austin Parks and Recreation facilities serve as cooling centers during normal operating hours, according to Austin Emergency Management.

Travis County community centers are open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CapMetro offers complimentary rides to cooling centers when cooling hours are extended for those who cannot afford fare, according to the city.

Integral Care operates a 24-hour crisis hotline for mental health support and cooling shelter referrals.