Austin, TX
Texas cooks up new rules for food trucks
TEXAS — Beginning this summer, food trucks across Texas will no longer be bound to city limits. The state Legislature passed House Bill 2844 last year, and it strikes away the city-by-city permit structure and introduces a statewide approach instead.
For example, before the law passed, food truck operators wanting to work in the city of Austin one week then travel and cook in the city of Georgetown the next would have to apply and pay for each city’s approval.
“Every single city in Texas, and sometimes county as well, gets to currently regulate how food trucks work,” said Samuel Hooper from Institute for Justice, a legislative counsel. “They get to issue their own health permits. They get to run their own inspections. So as you can imagine, that gets really expensive really fast.”
But starting July 1, mobile vendors can operate from Lubbock to Austin using the same permit.
“Just one health inspection, one permit,” said Hooper. “You maintain public safety, but you get rid of all this bureaucracy.”
Hooper has lobbied for this type of food-business policy for years, including with his support of a similar bill introduced last year under HB 2683. The new HB 2844 was a parallel bill and took over as main legislation. A food truck enthusiast himself, Hooper said he is happy to see the policy come into full effect.
“Let food trucks focus on what they actually do best, which is cooking food and not doing paperwork,” Hooper said.
One Austin-based food truck owner, Suresh Mogili, carries the same philosophy while cooking burgers in his truck, Eat Love Repeat.
“I’ve been doing this business since 2019,” he said. “I’m from a different country; I’m from New Zealand, so last year I came to introduce the concept in the USA, so it’s a fusion style burger.”
Hooper said food trucks should have a less rigid structure to help aspiring operators like Mogili cook and serve instead of dealing with paperwork. Part of the roadblock is due to fears that brick-and-mortar businesses will suffer, he said, and pointed to a 2022 study that shows the opposite.
“It’s meant to be a way for people with less capital, less access to capital, maybe who are new to the country or state, to get up and running and start a business quickly,” Hooper said.
Texas joins the list of other states that have implemented similar structures for their food trucks, including Utah and Maryland.
Despite the growing trend nationwide, Hooper advises it might be best to max out control at the state level.
“You kind of have to strike that balance between wanting it to be local enough to respond genuinely to local and regional issues, and not so broad that it kind of erases those,” Hooper said.
Austin, TX
Leif Johnson Ford of Austin Brings Certified Vehicle Maintenance Directly to Customers Through Ford Mobile Service
Leif Johnson Ford of Austin is making vehicle maintenance more convenient for drivers across Austin by offering Ford Mobile Service. Factory-trained technicians perform routine maintenance and select repairs at homes and workplaces, helping customers save time while maintaining their vehicles with professional Ford-certified service.
— AUSTIN, TX – Busy schedules no longer have to interfere with vehicle maintenance. Leif Johnson Ford of Austin is helping drivers throughout Austin and surrounding communities keep their vehicles running at their best with Ford Mobile Service, a convenient program that brings certified automotive service directly to customers’ homes and workplaces.
As more consumers search for mobile auto repair, at-home oil changes, mobile vehicle maintenance, and convenient car service solutions, Ford Mobile Service is changing how routine vehicle care is delivered. Rather than spending time traveling to a dealership and waiting for service to be completed, eligible customers can schedule a visit from a factory-trained Ford technician who arrives equipped to perform a variety of maintenance services on-site.
Leif Johnson Ford of Austin’s Mobile Service program offers many of the same services typically performed at the dealership, including oil and filter changes, brake service, battery replacement, tire rotations, recall work, fluid services, filter replacement, diagnostic scanning, software updates, lamps and bulb replacement, and more. Service availability may vary based on vehicle needs and location requirements.
For drivers throughout Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Georgetown, Lakeway, Buda, and neighboring communities, mobile service provides a practical alternative to traditional service appointments. Customers can continue working, spending time with family, or managing daily responsibilities while their vehicle receives professional maintenance at a location of their choice.
The service is especially valuable for owners of Ford F-150 trucks, Ford Super Duty models, Ford Bronco SUVs, Ford Explorer SUVs, Ford Escape crossovers, Ford Mustang vehicles, and commercial fleet vehicles that may experience downtime when taken off the road for maintenance. By bringing service directly to customers, Leif Johnson Ford of Austin helps minimize disruptions while maintaining vehicle performance and reliability.
Mobile vehicle maintenance continues to gain popularity as consumers prioritize convenience, flexibility, and time savings. Leif Johnson Ford of Austin’s certified technicians are Ford factory-trained and qualified to perform maintenance and repairs using professional diagnostic equipment and manufacturer-recommended procedures.
Customers can schedule Ford Mobile Service by contacting Leif Johnson Ford of Austin directly or through the FordPass App, which also allows eligible users to earn FordPass Rewards Points on qualifying service and maintenance visits.
As demand grows for mobile mechanic services in Austin, mobile oil changes, mobile brake service, and convenient vehicle maintenance solutions, Leif Johnson Ford of Austin continues to expand customer-focused programs designed to simplify vehicle ownership while delivering the quality service Ford owners expect.
Drivers interested in learning more about Ford Mobile Service can contact Leif Johnson Ford of Austin to determine eligibility, service availability, and scheduling options for their location.
About Leif Johnson Ford of Austin
Leif Johnson Ford of Austin is a premier Ford dealership serving drivers throughout Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Lakeway, Buda, and the greater Central Texas region. Located at 501 E. Koenig Lane in Austin, the dealership offers a comprehensive selection of new Ford vehicles, quality pre-owned inventory, financing solutions, genuine Ford parts, and certified automotive service. Through innovative programs such as Ford Mobile Service, Leif Johnson Ford of Austin continues to provide convenient, customer-focused solutions designed to enhance the vehicle ownership experience.
Contact Info:
Name: Leif Johnson Ford of Austin
Email: Send Email
Organization: Leif Johnson Ford of Austin
Address: 501 E Koenig Ln #2, Austin, TX 78751
Phone: +15125984480
Website: https://www.leifjohnsonford.com
Release ID: 89194096
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AUSTIN, Texas — Rural hospitals remain a focus for Texas lawmakers as the Texas House Public Health Committee reviews the implementation of major health care legislation passed during the last legislative session.
According to the Texas Hospital Association, Texas is home to 147 rural hospitals that serve a larger share of older and sicker patients, as well as more Medicaid and Medicare recipients, than hospitals in metropolitan areas. Those demographics create significant challenges for health care providers in rural communities.
The association reports that 21 rural hospitals have closed over the past decade. Other facilities have eliminated services, including labor and delivery departments, leaving some pregnant women in rural Texas hours away from birth care.
One measure aimed at addressing those concerns is House Bill 18, which provides additional financial support for rural maternity care. The legislation increases payments associated with childbirth services in rural hospitals.
“That rural hospital is also going to get a $1500 payment. I mean, they’re going to get the regular reimbursement rate associated with providing those services, but because it’s also a delivery in a rural hospital, they’re going to also get an extra 15-hundred dollars,” a witness told lawmakers.
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Only 40 percent of rural hospitals continue to provide labor and delivery services. House Bill 18 was among several bills approved to strengthen the availability and quality of health care across rural Texas, which covers approximately 85 percent of the state’s land mass.
Committee members also heard testimony on efforts to expand telehealth access and recruit health care workers to rural communities. Witnesses highlighted partnerships between hospitals, clinics, and academic institutions for training and residency programs, as well as loan forgiveness programs designed to encourage clinicians to practice in rural areas.
Lawmakers also discussed broadband access and its role in telehealth services. Testimony indicated that many rural Texans continue to rely on libraries and senior centers to access telehealth resources because broadband service remains limited in some areas.
The USC Trojans are currently in a recruiting war with the Texas Longhorns over four-star offensive tackle Austin Attalah. The 6-8, 270-pound lineman currently has 29 offers from programs such as Ohio State, Oregon, Oklahoma, Alabama, Florida, Miami and Notre Dame. To help narrow down his choices, the four-star prospect has planned visits throughout the summer.
Although Attalah has been vocal about USC and Texas standing out among the rest, Attalah’s most recent trip to Austin could give USC a run for its money.
Four-Star Tackle Austin Attalah’s Recruitment
Playing out of Cajon High School (San Bernardino, Calif.), Attalah is nationally ranked No. 15 by On3/Rivals and No. 50 by 247Sports and is the top-10 of his position – No. 2 and No. 6, respectively.
His size and physicality pop when looking at his film. Attalah rarely gets pushed back during one-on-one blocking assignments and turns into a bulldozer when a running play is called his way. He is quick enough to reach the second level and takes pride in finished blocks
Austin Attalah’s Recruiting History With the Texas Longhorns
On March 27, Attalah received an offer from Texas. Then this past weekend, Attalah met with head coach Steve Sarkisian, offensive line coach Kyle Flood and the rest of the Texas staff. Adam Gorney of Rivals has confirmed that the visit went well and that Attalah was impressed with the facility, staff and camp.
Texas’ main recruiting pitch to Attalah seems to be that they have become an offensive line factory. Since Sarkisian took over at Texas, he has had five offensive linemen selected in the NFL Draft – Christian Jones (2024, Round 5), Kelvin Banks Jr. (2025, Round 1), Cameron Williams (2025, Round 6), Hayden Connor (2025, Round 6) and DJ Campbell (2026, Round 6).
In comparison, USC under Lincoln Riley has only had three linemen drafted – Andrew Vorhees (2023, Round 7), Jarrett Kingston (2024, Round 6) and Jonah Monheim (2025, Round 7).
Another advantage that Texas has over Southern Cal is Attalah’s familial ties to the state. His grandparents currently reside in Floydada, Texas, where Attalah has spent summers at the family ranch.
Austin Attalah’s Recruiting History With the USC Trojans
Attalah received an offer from Southern Cal on March 7 during a campus visit. Then on March 26 in Long Beach (Calif.), USC hosted Attalah and other local high school stars for a spring practice. Throughout the practice, the four-star recruit impressed the Trojan coaching staff.
While USC may not be producing at the NFL level the way Texas has, recent recruiting strategies by offensive line coach Zach Hanson can turn USC into the offensive line hub of the past. In 2026, Hanson signed five-star offensive tackle Keenyi Pepe, the No. 5 overall recruit and No. 1 player at his position, according to 247Sports, as well as Vlad Dyakonov and Esun Tafa, both of whom were top-150 prospects.
It also helps that USC is the home of Attalah’s former Cajon teammate, Taylor Johnson, the Trojans’ freshman linebacker.
The Trojans currently have 88 offerees in the 2028 class, 12 of which are offensive linemen – nine at the tackle position. If the Trojans are unable to land Attalah, they can get another California talent in four-star recruit Lincoln Fa’alafi from Serra Catholic. Four-star recruits Maui Tonata and Mataio Fano would also be huge gets at the position.
Attalah is slated for another visit on June 9, according to Gorney and Rivals.
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