Keeping spirits bright is made easy thanks to this can’t-miss happenings. Catch several live shows from artists like Rod Wave and Queens of the Stone Age, or trade seasonal cheers for holiday fears at the House of Torment Krampus experience. Check out the top seven things to do in Austin this weekend. For a complete list of events, go to our calendar.

The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, or WCRAS, said Wednesday it is "experiencing an extreme overcrowding crisis" and needs help from the community.

Central Texas reaches far beyond the Capital City. Consisting of several different counties, and far more towns, the Central Texas region would not and could not be what it has become without all of the surrounding communities. Williamson County, in particular, has become integral to the success of the Central Texas region. Long ago considered the rural suburbs of Austin, towns like Cedar Park, Leander, Round Rock, and Georgetown have grown into their own, becoming popular destinations for business,…

Different parts of the country have had varying success in dealing with the pressures and consequences of rapid growth. This is because growth management not only requires active planning but good tools and instruments to effectively implement these changes – and that combination is rare. For decades, rapid growth has been a fact of life in Central Texas. Our community has understood the need to adapt and change but desired to do so in a way that best benefitted all of us. It’s the very basis…