Bastrop County residents have a chance to weigh in on future groundwater management as a 90-day public comment period opens for proposed “Desired Future Conditions” in Groundwater Management Area 12, according to the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District.

What’s happening: The comment period follows a supermajority vote by five regional groundwater districts, including the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District, which approved draft long-term planning targets in April.

The details: The proposal sets 50-year benchmarks for aquifer levels, spring flows and available groundwater under a state-required planning process that guides how local groundwater is managed. The framework is intended to balance water supply needs with conservation, environmental impacts and private property rights.

What’s next: Each district will hold public hearings where residents can submit feedback in person or in writing to [email protected]. All input will be reviewed before a final regional vote, which must be completed by Jan. 5, 2027, according to the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District.

Bastrop residents can celebrate Pride Month with events throughout June, including a street fair, karaoke night, a community hike and a Pride bike ride. Bastrop Pride is also hosting an online silent auction benefiting LGBTQIA+ programming and community care across Bastrop County. This list is not comprehensive. All events are subject to change.

Pride Street Fair
Bastrop Pride’s annual street fair will feature vendors, live entertainment, a kids zone and community programming. The event is free and open to all.

• June 5, 5-10 p.m.
• Free
• 1028 Main St., Bastrop (in front of Calvary Church)

Bridges Emporium Pride Celebration
Bridges Emporium will host a Pride celebration featuring sash decorating, LGBTQ+ history buttons, an ally chalk mural, local art shopping and refreshments.

• June 5, 4-8 p.m.
• Free
• 920 Main St., Bastrop

Check out the latest transportation project updates across the Austin metro. 

Upcoming projects
MoPac South expansion
Project: The project features a number of express lanes along the 8.7-mile stretch from Cesar Chavez Street to Slaughter Lane in Austin, alongside shared-use paths and pedestrian crossings, according to the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority.
Update: Public comment on the proposed project closed May 3. West Lake Hills and Rollingwood officials issued a conditional letter of support for the project in April.

• Timeline: TBD
• Cost: $825 million
• Funding source: TBD

• Timeline: 2025-27
• Cost: $7 million
• Funding source: city of Leander certificates of obligation bonds

Julian Buscicchio and Sebastian Menard expanded French cuisine offerings in South Austin with a new cafe: Alice Poulain. The Parisian-inspired patisserie serves a range of quiches, daily pastries and imported wines and cheeses. 

The cafe’s opening was announced May 14 in a news release.

On the menu: Alice Poulain Café has daytime and evening offerings, including a Parisian breakfast with toast, butter, jam, a croissant, scrambled eggs, orange juice and coffee. Available pastries include pain au chocolat, cinnamon brioche and rotating cakes.

Learn more: Lunch and dinner bites include omelettes, salads, sandwiches and charcuterie spreads. Patrons can order a salade niçoise made with tuna, eggs, green beans, potatoes, olives and vegetables with a vinaigrette. 

• 2214 S. First St., Austin