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The Blue Ghost lunar lander built by Cedar Park-based Firefly Aerospace is expected to finally be launched this November for its mission to the Moon.

FIREFLY AEROSPACE: Blue Ghost lunar landing prepped for November mission; New Firefly CEO takes position

Cedar Park-based Firefly Aerospace is prepping for the launch of its Blue Ghost lunar lander this November, which is built for a NASA program aimed at using private companies to take scientific … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 10/3/24

Leander ISD will continue hiring uncertified teacher for second year

Leander ISD will continue hiring and employing teachers without teaching certificates for the 2024-25 school year, marking the second year the district will obtain waivers from the Texas Education … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 10/2/24

Families enjoy outdoor activities on a cool and sunny Columbus Day holiday, and select pumpkins for Halloween at the Texas Pumpkin Festival in Leander, October 9, 2023.

SQUASH-ING COMPETITION WITH GOURD HORDE: Texas Pumpkin Fest 2024 expected to draw thousands to Leander

Drawing more smiles than the Jack-O-Lanterns around town, the Texas Pumpkin Fest returned to Leander this weekend. Featuring a gourd horde of over 750,000 pounds of pumpkin, gourds and squashes … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 10/2/24

Construction continues on Samsung’s $17 billion manufacturing facility located in Taylor, Texas, about 30 miles northeast of downtown Austin, on September 20, 2024. Media reports indicate the company recently withdrew most of its staff from Taylor and is reconsidering its strategy for the facility as a result of market conditions. Samsung Electronics had signed a preliminary agreement to receive up to $9 trillion won in subsidies from the U.S. CHIPS Act, but the current setbacks could put the agreement at risk.

SAMSUNG: Taylor plant won't be operational until 2026; Withdrawn Taylor plant staff was normal rotation

Samsung Electronics has confirmed its first $17 billion Samsung Austin Semiconductor plant in Taylor won't be operational until 2026. However, the company declined to answer questions from the … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/30/24

An aerial photograph taken Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, shows the extent of the massive grass fire along Parmer Lane that totally destroyed one apartment building and damaged two other apartment buildings at the Bexley at Silverado, located at 12820 West Parmer Lane in Cedar Park.

Williamson County, area counties issue burn bans

Burn bans are now in effect for Williamson County and most surrounding counties as they experienced sustained "abnormally dry" drought conditions this month. Williamson County, which recently … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/30/24

Construction continues on the City of Leander’s San Gabriel Elevated Storage Tank on Sept. 23, 2024. When completed, the tank will be approximately 135 feet tall and hold 1.25 million gallons of water.

Leander nears water tank completion, restart of San Gabriel Parkway project

Leander is hoping to bring residents near East San Gabriel Parkway some relief for their water demand needs and traffic congestion issues in the near future. The City of Leander expects to … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/25/24

(Pictured, left to right) Clinton Harmon, Matthew Harmon and Teresa Harmon.

Three charged in Liberty Hill attempted double murder, plot to kill Wilco judge; Investigation took half a year

After an investigation stretching over half a year, a South Dakota man and two of his family members are being charged in relation to the attempted murder of his wife and her boyfriend, and in an … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/24/24

Another dead bat test postive for rabies in Cedar Park

Another dead bat has tested positive for rabies in Cedar Park. Williamson County health officials are urging residents to avoid touching any stray or unknown animals. The dead bat was found at … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/20/24

The Cedar Park City Council poses for a photograph at their Aug. 22, 2024, meeting with City of Cedar Park Tourism Marketing Manager April Walker-Davis and Texas Film Commission Digital Media Production Consultant Matt Miller (center) to commemorate the city being the first Texas city to be designated as a "Digital Media Friendly Texas Certified Community."

Cedar Park first Texas city designated "Digital Media Friendly Texas Certified Community"

The City of Cedar Park is the first Texas city ever to be certified as a "Digital Media Friendly Texas Certified Community" under a new program created by the Texas Film Commission. The … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/18/24

South Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Hyundong Cho (center) and U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Philip Goldberg (center left) visited Taylor High School on Sept. 11, 2024, during Cho's recent trip to Texas to bolster trade between the South Korea and Texas. Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell and Taylor ISD Superintendent Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen (left side) and other officials also participated in the event.

S. Korea Ambassador: Wilco "top destination" for foreign investment; Samsung gives $200K to ACC for semiconductor training

Williamson County's profile is rising in South Korea. Hyundong Cho, South Korea's ambassador to the U.S., touted Texas for becoming a "major trading partner" for South Korea and praised … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/18/24

A sign marks the entrance into the city of Cedar Park on FM 1431 on April 21, 2022.

Cedar Park cuts tax rate by nearly 1 cent; 12th consecutive year of cuts

Cedar Park residents will see their tax rate cut for the 12 consecutive year. But, due to their home values still continuing to rise, they will see a net increase on their tax bill. The Cedar … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/17/24

Narcan kits are being installed in school campuses around Williamson County as part of a partnership between the county and Bluebonnet Trails Community Services.

Leander ISD adopting new curriculum for substance abuse prevention

Leander ISD students are going to be taught new material about substance abuse prevention this year. At the Sept. 5 Leander ISD Board of Trustees meeting, school officials presented what … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/11/24

Williamson County approves 2024-25 road district tax rates

The Williamson County Commissioners Court approved the tax rates for six road districts around the county at their Sept. 10 meeting. The road districts, which have to be created by a … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/11/24

Leander man indicted after escape from Federal Correction Institute in Texarkana

A Leander man was indicted in federal court back in August after allegedly escaping from the Federal Correctional Institution in Texarkana back on April 24 and later being captured by the U.S. … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/10/24

Leander approves flat tax rate for Fiscal Year 2024-25; First year without tax cut in 11 years, city seeking to expand city services, construction projects

Leander will keep its tax rate flat - not cutting the tax rate for the first time in 11 years - as the City of Leander seeks to meet its growing population's needs with more city services, more city … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/9/24

Cedar Park teen Jordan White conducts his final archery practice on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, before leaving to compete in the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris this month. He is the youngest person to ever earn a spot on the U.S. Paralympics Archery Team.

Cedar Park teen places 17th in first Paralympic Games

Cedar Park teen Jordan White, the youngest person ever to earn a spot on the U.S. Paralympic Games Archery Team, placed 17th in his first-ever Paralympics Game on Wednesday, Sept. 4, in Paris. … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/6/24

The Williamson County Courthouse in Georgetown.

Williamson County adopts 2-cent tax rate increase

Williamson County adopted a tax rate increase this year aimed at addressing the growing needs of the county's population boom, including adding 42 new full-time positions. The Williamson County … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/4/24

Leander ISD passes 2-cent tax rate cut

Residents in the Leander ISD district will see a tax rate cut for the seventh consecutive year. However, those taxpayers may pay net more on their tax bill this year due to their rising home … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 9/4/24

Anna Smith (incumbent), Brandi Burkman and Zach Zayner

7 candidates running for 3 Leander ISD Board seats this year; All 3 seats are contested this year

Seven candidates have filed to run for the three Leander ISD Board of Trustees seats up for election in the upcoming Nov. 5 General Elections. Early voting will begin Oct. 21. All three seats … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 8/30/24

Former Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody and former Williamson County general counsel Jason Nassour

Former Wilco Sheriff Chody, Wilco lawyer Nassour evidence tampering trial paused during appeal ruling

The criminal trial of former Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody and assistant Williamson County attorney Jason Nassour for evidence tampering charges related to Javier Ambler's 2019 death while … more

By Josh Moniz, Senior Reporter | 8/30/24

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