A $700 million bond package to fund mobility, watershed protection, parks and public facility projects has been recommended by city staff after months of review.

The details: The outline may not represent Austin's final 2026 bond, as a public task force will also weigh in with its own project proposals this spring before a final City Council vote. Officials are also now deciding whether an election should be called this year given the city's debt capacity, infrastructure needs and related cost impacts on taxpayers. 

The new $700 million bond outline in January is a reduction from a nearly $4 billion project list developed last year, based on needs assessments from many city departments. The recommendation from city staff will now be reviewed by a resident-led task force also involved in the bond development process, and council members will have final say on the package later this spring.

More Central Austin homes sold in December 2025 compared to December 2024, according to Unlock MLS data.

The details: The 78752 ZIP code saw the greatest increase in homes sold, by 300%.

Also of note: Central Austin homes spent slightly less days on the market year over year in December. The median home price in December for Central Austin was $735,000, down slightly from last year. In December 2025, the largest share of homes sold in Central Austin was in the $900,000 and over price range.

Check out some of the top trending stories in the Austin area Jan. 19-22.

1. PopStroke eyes spring opening for new Cedar Park venture

2. 11 new and coming soon Georgetown-area businesses

3. Austin ISD to retake Mendez Middle School following charter school partnership

4. Construction of Round Rock ISD's $31M Early College High School complete

5. Check out these 8 Pflugerville business updates

6. Monkey Sports coming soon to The Crossover in 2026

In the upcoming March 3 primary, voters will select the Republican candidate in the race for Texas governor. Eleven Republicans are seeking the nomination.

The overview: Republican incumbent Greg Abbott is seeking a fourth term in the governor's office. He is challenged by ten Republican candidates: R.F. "Bob" Achgill, Evelyn Brooks, Pete “Doc” Chambers, Charles Andrew Crouch, Arturo Espinosa, Mark V. Goloby, Kenneth Hyde, Stephen Samuelson, Ronnie Tullos and Nathaniel Welch.

Stay tuned: If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes in the Republican primary, a runoff election will be held between the two top vote-getters May 26.

The winning Republican candidate will face the winner of the Democratic nomination in November; the winner of that election will be sworn in for a four-year term in January 2027.

In the upcoming March 3 primary, voters will select the Democratic candidate in the race for Texas governor. Nine Democrats are seeking the nomination.

The big picture: Patricia Abrego, Chris Bell, Bobby Cole, Carlton Hart, Gina Hinojosa, Jose Navarro Balbuena, Faizan Syed, Zach Vance and Angela “Tia Angie” Villescaz will appear on the Democratic primary ballot for Texas governor.

Stay tuned: If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes in the Democratic primary, a runoff election will be held between the two top vote-getters May 26.

The winning Democratic candidate will face the Republican nominee in November, and the winner of that race will be sworn in for a four-year term in January 2027.