At a Glance
- Subfreezing temperatures set to hit Texas this weekend, prompting grid officials to prepare for higher demand.
- Austin schools receive $16,000 to expand breakfast programs, while a controversial proposal could add biblical passages to classrooms.
- Major changes at UT-Austin, a new light-rail environmental approval, and a $29 million broadband grant reshape the city’s future.
Why it matters: Residents face a mix of weather challenges, educational shifts, and infrastructure projects that will shape Austin’s economy and community life.
The coming weekend brings subfreezing temperatures across Texas, prompting grid officials to announce that the state is ready to meet the increased electricity demand. The warning follows the deadly Winter Storm Uri in February 2021, which left millions of Texans without power for days. ERCOT says it has taken steps to improve the grid’s resiliency and anticipates sufficient generation to meet demand.
Cold Weather Preparations
The city of Austin will activate overnight cold-weather shelters when temperatures reach 35 degrees or below. All libraries and recreation centers can also serve as warming centers during normal hours. Updated emergency information, including shelter activations, is posted at AustinTexas.gov/alerts.
School Breakfast Funding
Austin ISD received $16,000 from the nonprofit campaign No Kid Hungry Texas to purchase equipment for existing breakfast-in-the-classroom programs and extend the service to two more schools. “This support truly makes a difference for Austin ISD students, especially for those who rely on school meals each day,” said Ryan Mikolaycik, executive director of food service and warehouse operations at Austin ISD. “This funding helps us expand and sustain Breakfast in the Classroom programs, ensuring more children start the day with a healthy meal.”
Biblical Texts in Classrooms
A draft proposal to the State Board of Education could require public schools to add biblical passages to the English curriculum from kindergarten through senior year. The proposal is scheduled for a preliminary vote next week. While Texas has optional Bible-related curriculum, this would be the first time a U.S. state mandates religious text in courses.
UT-Austin Restructuring
UT-Austin is shutting down several centers under the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost. Provost William Imboden said four centers would “conclude operations as separate units by the end of this spring semester.” The affected units include:
- Office of Undergraduate Research
- Center for Teaching and Learning
- Office of Community Engagement
- Vick Advising Excellence Center
Sources told the Chronicle that the changes could result in at least 25 layoffs. One described the move as a new attempt by Republican state leaders to wage a culture war against the university.
Light-Rail Environmental Approval
On Friday, Jan. 16, Austin’s light-rail plan, part of Project Connect, received environmental approval from federal transportation officials. The decision allows the Austin Transit Partnership to begin detailed designs, relocate utilities, and acquire property through eminent domain. After a “medium-high” rating from the Federal Transit Administration, the project awaits a potential federal Capital Investment Grant that could contribute $4 billion of federal funds.
Political Debate Ahead of Senate Primary
This Saturday, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and Texas Rep. James Talarico will debate for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. The debate, hosted at the Texas AFL-CIO’s COPE Convention in Georgetown, will be livestreamed on KXAN+ and the KXAN website at 2 p.m. An Emerson College poll recently placed Talarico at a 9-point lead over Crockett.
Broadband Grant for Rural Texas
Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced that the Lower Colorado River Authority will receive a $29 million grant from the Broadband Development Office. The grant will boost high-speed internet access in rural Texas and improve flood-monitoring systems. The approval follows the 2021 passage of Senate Bill 632, which allows the LCRA to develop and operate middle-mile broadband infrastructure.
City Council Voting Record
A Statesman report recapped Austin City Council’s 2025 voting records. The council approved 1,488 of 1,493 items on last year’s agenda, achieving unanimous consensus on 95.4 % of items. Marc Duchen was most likely to vote alone, opposing colleagues 2.7 % of the time. Chito Vela led with 99.5 % “yes” votes, while Natasha Harper-Madison attended half of all sessions virtually.
AARC Pavilion Update
On Tuesday, Austin Capital Delivery Services, in collaboration with Austin Parks and Recreation and Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment, issued an update on the AARC Phase 2 pavilion project. Delays stem from regulatory coordination related to drainage and water quality infrastructure, slowing permit approval and contractor agreements. A revised timeline has not yet been announced.
Waymo Suspension Request
AISD has again asked Waymo to suspend autonomous vehicle operations during school bus drop-off hours. The district cited 24 traffic violations involving Waymo vehicles and noted that the first incident dated back to October. Waymo had performed a voluntary recall in December after complaints and updated its software.
House Democrats Face Fines
On Jan. 20, Texas House Democrats announced that Rep. Charlie Geren will issue a letter confirming that the House will fine each Democratic member over $9,000 for the two-week quorum break in August. The total fine could exceed $450,000 for the more than 50 Democrats involved. Rep. Gene Wu said the break occurred because Gov. Greg Abbott held flood victims hostage for a racist map designed to steal the voices of Black and Latino Texans.
Flood Safety Video Contest
Austin Watershed Protection invites students from grades 6-12 to submit 30-second public-service announcements for the 2026 Flood Safety Video Contest. The videos must include the phrase “Turn Around – Don’t Drown®” and will be judged for the top 10 entries, which will be recognized at the Flood Safety Fest on April 18. Submissions are due by March 25 and can be in any language.
Celtic Cultural Center Bond
The Austin Celtic Festival launched the Raise the Stone campaign, urging city leaders to fund a Celtic Cultural Center in the 2026 bond election. The proposed center would be 15,000 to 25,000 square feet and cost $14 million to $30 million. Supporters are calling for letters to Mayor Kirk Watson and the City Council.
University of Austin Turmoil
A Jan. 16 POLITICO Magazine investigation by Evan Mandery details a “civil war” at the University of Austin, a private institution founded in 2021 by Bari Weiss and Joe Lonsdale. The 10,000-word piece describes a staffing exodus and a shift toward a hard-right orthodoxy under Lonsdale’s influence.
Senator Cruz’s Winter-Storm Trip
On Jan. 20, Senator Ted Cruz was seen on a flight to Laguna Beach amid a potential winter storm. A spokesperson said the trip was pre-planned weeks earlier and that Cruz would return before the storm hit. The move echoes Cruz’s 2021 flight to Cancun during Winter Storm Uri, which caused nearly 250 deaths.
Bartholomew District Park Fire
On Wednesday, Jan. 21, a fire started at Bartholomew District Park. Austin Fire Department crews arrived around 7 a.m. and extinguished a pool house blaze. No injuries were reported, but arson investigators continue to search for the fire’s origin.
Key Takeaways
- Texas is bracing for a cold snap, with the grid confident but citizens urged to use shelters.
- Austin schools and city services are receiving new funding and facing policy changes that could reshape education.
- Infrastructure projects-from light rail to broadband-are moving forward amid political debates and budget considerations.
- Safety initiatives, from flood videos to park fire investigations, highlight ongoing community vigilance.
Quote of the Week
“Politics feels corrupt, because it is. But it doesn’t have to be.” – State Rep. and U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico at his anti-corruption press conference on Jan. 15.
