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These Austin high schools rank among best in U.S. and more top stories

The Ann Richards School is one of America's best.

Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders/Facebook

Editor's note: School's back in session, and the top Austin news of the week puts two local schools on the honor roll. Plus, a taco closure, a market reopening, and an independent business changes hands. Read on for our most popular stories, then plan your weekend right here.

1. U.S. News declares 2 Austin high schools America's best for 2026. Two Austin ISD schools are standing tall among the 100 best high schools in America, according to U.S. News and World Report. Six more Central Texas schools join them in the statewide top 100.

2. NY Times names outstanding Austin taquería on 'greatest Mexican' list. The New York Times included four Texas restaurants on its list of “41 of the Greatest Mexican Restaurants Across the United States,” including one creative Austin taco concept.

3. Eclectic Austin restaurant Paco's Tacos to close after 16 years. An eclectic taco shop in East Austin has closed its doors. Paco's Tacos had its final day of service on Friday, August 21.

4. Austin's Peoples Pharmacy sold to new independent owner after 46 years. Peoples Pharmacy, which founder Bill Swail opened locally in 1980, is being sold to Kimberli Wiley, who owns CPRx Pharmacy in Austin.

5. Dripping Springs family revives Oakwood Public Market weeks after closure. Oakwood Public Market had barely gone dark when a local family stepped up to give the space new life, with a goal of reopening by September.

Oakwood Public Market is reopening in the Headwaters West development in Dripping Springs. Instagram/Oakwood Public Market

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Half Price Books opens temporary store to serve South Austin shoppers

Photo courtesy of Half Price Books

Half Price Books is extending its time on South Lamar Boulevard while construction continues at its new permanent location on South First Street.

While Half Price Books works on permanently replacing its South Lamar location, a new location will temporarily keep book buyers busy. The temporary location will open Saturday, August 22, at 3005 S. Lamar Blvd., Ste. D-113.

Not much will change in shoppers' routines, since the temporary location is right across some parking spaces from the prior one at 2929 S. Lamar Blvd. It's in the building behind Koko's Beer Hall and Kerbey Lane Cafe. The new permanent location will be more of a departure from the norm, since it's located at 2607 S. 1st St. — about a mile away.

“While we had initially anticipated opening the new permanent location later this year, the project has had a number of construction delays," said Half Price Books president Kathy Doyle Thomas in a press release. "We’re excited to have this new space for our customers to shop in the meantime."

The release does not give a projected end date for construction, although records in the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation show a completion date of October 1, 2026. The above comment seems to suggest that it may be 2027 before shoppers see the finished store.

Half Price Books closed its decades-old South Lamar location March 15. It gave shoppers some notice in the form of a note taped to the window, but did not explain the reason for the closure. Though Half Price Books has a connection with Austin that goes back to 1975, the company is based in Dallas and now has locations in 19 states.

Hours for the temporary Half Price Books on South Lamar are 10 am to 8 pm daily. Just like other Half Price Books stores, it will purchase used books, magazines, collectibles, and more.

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