Austin ISD families may now access free meals through new food pantries at six elementary schools.

On Jan. 13, officials with the Central Texas Food Bank, AISD and Austin Voices celebrated the opening of food pantries at Barbara Jordan, Cook, Ortega, Padrón, Pérez and Walnut Creek elementaries.

Notable quote: “Learning cannot happen on empty bellies,” said Anurita Mittra, a Central Texas Food Bank official.

How it works: The Feeding Futures School Pantry program by Central Texas Food Bank allows families to receive up to 10 days worth of fresh produce, dairy, protein and pantry staples every week. The pantries are designed to provide a sense of agency and dignity for families who may choose which items they would like from an array of offerings, said Erik Salinas, community school coordinator for Austin Voices, an education nonprofit that helped organize the food pantries.

The impact: The Pérez Elementary pantry served more than 300 people in the first two weeks of opening in December, according to Central Texas Food Bank information.

City Council is working toward a decision on an anticipated multipurpose bond election this year, and whether to potentially reduce that package's scope or push a vote to a future year.

The details: The city previously operated on six-year cycles for comprehensive bonds, with the most recent approved in 2018. Off-cycle bond elections were called for transportation and housing in the past decade as well.

With Austin facing tighter budget conditions and exceeding its typical timeline for another comprehensive bond, council members voted in 2024 to begin developing a multipurpose package to put to voters this fall. That process has involved both city staff and a resident-led bond task force, resulting in a lengthy slate of potential projects to narrow down this year.

With that work underway, council members are now reconsidering Austin's debt capacity and a new policy to guide their decision on calling a full-scale 2026 bond. That approach could also result in a smaller, or delayed, bond package.

Nonprofit organization Texas Rollergirls rolled into the Austin scene in 2003, originating flat track roller derby as a way to make the sport more accessible, Chief Marketing Officer Alex Massey said. Today there are over 400 leagues around the world based on the adaption of the sport created by Texas Rollergirls, she said.

Meet the team: The organization has four home teams: Hell Marys, Honky Tonk Heartbreakers, Hotrod Honeys and Hustlers. Its two travel teams, Texecutioners and Texas Chainsaws, compete globally.

“We provide a safe place for people to come and get a good workout and also build that community,” graphic designer Jessica Havlir said. “We’re just here for each other and we want people coming to our games to feel that as well.”

Check this out: The organization will attend its season opener on Feb. 21 at Austin Sports Center, which will take the format of a round-robin exhibition. All games are kid friendly and ages five and under are admitted for free. The league’s 2026 season will include games from February through September.