The Austin Transit Partnership is starting to plan an extension of Austin Light Rail to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

The details: The rail network is part of the Project Connect transit initiative approved in 2020. Although cost increases in 2023 led to scaled-down plans that removed the airport connection, officials announced on Nov. 10 that they are starting planning to bring a rail line to the airport with overall system construction set to begin in 2027.

Zooming in: The roughly 3-mile extension from Montopolis will be a mostly elevated structure. The new planning process will take up to a year and involve:

• Coordinating with the airport to integrate the proposed rail line and station with the Journey With AUS expansion program

• Starting a new federal environmental review for the extension project

• Assessing the extension's costs and timing, and investigating other funding options

Hank's owners Andy Means and Jessie Katz opened a New York-style pizza spot next door. It's open for 3-10 p.m. for dinner and takeout only, with slices, whole pies and cocktails. Means and his wife, Jessie Katz, opened Hank’s in 2018.

What's on the menu: Big Al’s serves slices and 20-inch whole pies, according to its menu. Pies include The Sting, topped with soppressata, ‘nduja sausage and Al’s chili crisp honey, and a spicy lamb sausage pie with whipped ricotta, za’atar and a sesame crust.

Big Al’s is open 3–10 p.m. daily for dine-in and takeout, and welcomes kids and dogs, according to its website. Online ordering is set to launch Nov. 11, according to the website.

What's in a name: Both restaurants are named after Means’ grandfathers: Al, and Henri, who went by “Hank,” according to the Big Al’s and Hank’s websites.

• Opened Oct. 29

• 5811 Berkman Drive, Bldg. H, Austin

• www.bigalsaustin.com

Austinites will soon be able to fly directly to Fayetteville, Arkansas beginning in March.

The overview: Delta Air Lines announced the new nonstop destination on Nov. 3. This is the latest domestic expansion for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and the first nonstop connection between Central Texas and the state of Arkansas, according to an ABIA news release.

At a glance: Fayetteville, Arkansas is home to The University of Arkansas and is located in the Ozark Mountains. The flight will service passengers daily.

A new worship building for a church in Round Rock, an addition to the public works facility in Buda and a Dave’s Hot Chicken in Kyle are among the five most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Bastrop Modular Vivarium ($19.6 million): This project involves the construction of a seven-module building complex with an added vestibule for the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

2. New Worship Building ($10.9 million): Cityview Bible Church will be constructing a new worship building featuring a 1,200-seat auditorium with a stage designed to accommodate worship services, presentations and community events.

3. City of Buda Public Works and Parks Expansion ($5.5 million): This project involves a 7,790 square-foot building addition and 2,071 square feet of renovations to the existing Public Works and Parks facilities in Buda.

4. Discount Tire ($950,000): A new Discount Tire location is coming to Hutto, with construction set to wrap up next August.

5. Dave’s Hot Chicken ($525,000): A new Dave’s Hot Chicken location is coming to Kyle.

Texas lawmakers and legislators-elect began filing new bills on Nov. 9, unofficially kicking off the 90th state legislative session. By noon, they had submitted more than 1,000 legislative proposals that they hoped would be considered at the state Capitol next year.

The overview: When the 90th legislative session begins Jan. 12, Texas will be led by all Democratic statewide officials. Democrats also won control of the Texas House during the Nov. 3 election, while Republicans retained Senate control.

Zooming in: Democratic lawmakers were the first to file bills in both legislative chambers, signaling some of the party's priorities as Texans prepare for the first Democratic-led state government and divided legislature in a generation.

State Rep. John Bucy, D-Austin, filed bills to expand who is eligible for Medicaid in the state, while Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, proposed tightening regulations on the booming data center industry.

More details: Lawmakers had filed at least 57 constitutional amendments before press time Nov. 9, including measures on property taxes, sports betting and term limits for elected officials.