City Council's multiple committee assignments for 2026 were set this month, setting up closer review of a variety of priority topics and policy for the year ahead.

Austin council members currently have eight committees they use to consider topics like housing, public safety and the environment. Typical committee sessions can feature briefings from city staff, initial vetting of new policy proposals and public testimony.

Council's new committee assignments were set after brief discussion Jan. 21, and can still be adjusted throughout the year. Additionally, some officials are now working to revive a ninth body focused on regional affordability, with representation from both Austin leaders and officials from counties, school districts, and health and transit agencies.

A range of events will take place in the upcoming months in both North and South Austin, including dance performances and San Antonio Spurs basketball games. This list is not comprehensive.

100 Year Black History Month Community Cookout
The community is welcome to join Austin Public Library as they celebrate its 100th anniversary with a cookout at the library’s first ever branch. Attendees can expect food, music, games, dancing, crafts, activities and dominoes and spades tournaments.

• Feb. 22, noon-3 p.m.
• Free
• Austin Public Library, Carver Branch, 1161 Angelina St., Austin

• Feb. 27-March 1
• $16 and up
• Circuit of The Americas, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., Del Valle

Circus-themed Big Top Candy Shop has announced it will be expanding its location with a new storefront launching in Hyde Park.

The details: In addition to its South Congress location, owner Brandon Hodge said the business is excited to announce its opening next to Quack’s Bakery in North Austin.

“For years we’ve imagined the perfect location to expand operations and give the sugar fiends of Austin what they want most, and when we spotted this location in the heart of Hyde Park, we knew we had found the perfect second home for a satellite shop,” Hodge said.

The location will host its grand opening on Jan. 31 with free candy tasting on-the-hour, free face painting and surprises for indoor visitors throughout the day, as stated in a news release.

• 417 E. 43rd St., Austin

From residential to retail, check out some of the most expensive permits filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

Donley Mixed Use: Construction of a mixed-use retail and residential development is slated to break ground in North Austin. A seven-story parking structure will be attached to the building.

• Location: 2101-2201 Donley Drive, Austin
• Estimated timeline: March 1-June 1
• Estimated cost: $70 million

• Location: 2300 E Second St., Austin
• Estimated timeline: April 1-Dec. 31, 2027
• Estimated cost: $16.3 million

Eight Republican candidates are running to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate during the upcoming March 3 primary election.

The big picture: Republican incumbent John Cornyn is seeking a fifth term as Texas' senior senator. Each state has two U.S. senators—Cornyn currently serves alongside Republican Ted Cruz.

Seven Republican candidates are challenging Cornyn for the Republican nomination: John O. Adefope, Anna Bender, Virgil John Bierschwale, Sara Canady, Wesley Hunt, Gulrez “Gus” Khan and Ken Paxton.

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 on May 26.

Looking ahead: The winning Republican candidate will face the winner of the Democratic nomination in November; the winner of that election will be sworn in to the U.S. Senate in January 2027.

Three Democratic candidates are running to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate during the upcoming March 3 primary election.

The overview: Jasmine Crockett, Ahmad R. Hassan and James Talarico are competing for the Democratic nomination for a six-year term in the U.S. Senate.

The details: Each state has two U.S. senators, with Ted Cruz and John Cornyn currently representing Texas. Cornyn, whose seat is up for election, is running for reelection in an eight-way Republican primary.

The winning Democratic candidate will face the winner of the Republican nomination in November; the winner of that election will be sworn in to the U.S. Senate in January 2027.