Community members can explore generations of Bastrop County’s western history this September during Cowboy Heritage Day at the Bastrop County Museum & Visitor Center. 

Why it matters: "For generations, the cowboy way of life has been woven into the story of Bastrop County," officials said. "From the early vaqueros who first worked this land to the cattle drives that crossed Central Texas to the enduring tradition of Juneteenth Rodeos, our community's western heritage continues to inspire today."

The details: The day will offer live demonstrations, cowboy tales and songs, historic photos, artifacts and hands-on activities.

Also of note: Bastrop Mayor Ishmael Harris will share his family’s connection to Juneteenth rodeos during the museum's upcoming lunch-and-learn on Sept. 2. Admission and lunch are free.

One more thing: Both events accompany the museum’s Soul Circuit: Juneteenth Rodeos in Texas exhibit, which runs through Sept. 19.

• Sept. 12, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

• $8 (museum admission); free (members, children 12 and younger, military and veterans)

Scooter’s Coffee baristas are now pouring drinks in Bastrop after weather-related construction delays postponed its planned July opening.

What they're saying: "Our baristas are ready, the coffee is brewing, and we can’t wait to finally welcome you to Scooter’s Coffee Bastrop," officials said in an announcement. "Come say hi to the crew, grab your favorite drink and help us celebrate."

On the menu: Located in the Sendero shopping center, customers can order hot and iced coffees, teas, lemonades and energy drinks. 

Other options include customizable blended drinks and smoothies, breakfast sandwiches and burritos, omelet bites, baked treats and more.

One more thing: The drive-through franchise is open 5 a.m.-8 p.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m.-8 p.m. on weekends.

• Opened Aug. 24
• Sendero, 821 SH 71 W., Bastrop

A data center in Cedar Creek, a new building for the Austin Community College Hays Campus and renovations at Liberal Arts and Science Academy are among the five most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. EDCAUS ($700 million): A data center campus is being developed in Bastrop County.

2. Austin Community College - Hays Campus ($101 million): A three-story Health Sciences instructional building with classrooms, administrative offices, a testing center, vocational training, instructional spaces, and laboratories will be constructed at the Austin Community College Hays Campus.

3. LASA High School ($21.3 million): Renovations will take place at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy in Austin.

4. Bartlett's South ($4 million): A new location of Bartlett’s steakhouse is coming to Austin.

5. Smart Stop ($1.5 million): A new one-story convenience store and two future tenant spaces are coming to Pflugerville.

The Texas Department of Insurance must take action to promote competition and “prohibit excessive or unfairly discriminatory rate setting" in the state's homeowners insurance market, Gov. Greg Abbott said Aug. 24.

The background: Texans are paying the fourth-highest home insurance premiums in the nation, Community Impact previously reported. State data shows that the average Texas home insurance premium nearly doubled from $1,791 in 2016 to $3,506 in 2025.

The details: Abbott asked the TDI to prohibit insurers from using the age of a home and homeowners' personal data when setting rates; create a task force targeting insurance fraud; study the impact of inflated insurance claims; and require insurers to consider a homeowner's participation in a roof fortification program when writing policies.

Another perspective: "Under Greg Abbott, Texas has been one of the most expensive states in the country to own and maintain a home," Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic candidate for Texas governor, said in a statement. "If Abbott really wanted to lower costs, he would have done it in the last 12 years."