Waterloo Ice House has served the Austin community since its opening in 1976 and is celebrating the occasion with a collaboration featuring Austin Beerworks.

The details: The two local businesses are coming together to create a custom 50th anniversary Golden Ale that will be available at all four Waterloo Ice House locations throughout 2026. A news release sharing the announcement described the ale as light and balanced with a floral aroma and a hint of hops. 

The ale is the first celebration of the business’s golden year. Community members can stay updated on celebration announcements throughout the year by checking out the business’s Instagram account.

• 8600 Burnet Road, Austin; 6203 N. Capital of Texas Hwy., Austin; 9600 S. I-35, Austin; 9600 Escarpment Blvd., Austin

City Council members voted to update policies governing their offices' spending, one of several financial and operational reforms they're pursuing in the wake of last year's failed tax rate election.

The details: Spending on office supplies, travel, hospitality, software, conferences and gifts are now outlined in the city's rulebook. All relevant city employees will now receive annual training on the policy, and public reports on all council office expenses will be published online every year going forward.

Council members unanimously passed the new guidelines but were divided on one provision allowing offices to carry over their remaining budgets year-to-year without limitation. Some officials said that removing a rollover cap grants needed flexibility for their operations, while others noted the practice is uncommon in peer cities and raised transparency questions.

Two candidates are facing off in the Republican primary election for Hays County commissioner, Precinct 4.

On the ballot: WM. Travis Crow and Rob McClelland are competing for a spot on the ballot in November. A candidate must receive over 50% of the votes to win; if this doesn’t happen, a runoff election will be held May 26.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face the winner of the Republican primary in the general election, and the winner will serve as Hays County commissioner for Precinct 4.

What you need to know

• Tuesday, Feb. 17: first day of early voting in person
• Friday, Feb. 20: application for ballot by mail deadline (received in the Elections office, not postmarked)
• Friday, Feb. 27: last day of early voting in person
• Tuesday, March 3: election day

Laurie Brown and Angie Unger are seeking votes in the Democratic primary election for Hays County Precinct 4 commissioner. The incumbent, Walt Smith, has served the county since 2018 and is not running for reelection.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face the winner of the Republican primary in the general election to determine who will serve as Hays County Commissioner for Precinct 4.

What you need to know

• Tuesday, Feb. 17: first day of early voting in person
• Friday, Feb. 20: application for ballot by mail deadline (received in the Elections office, not postmarked)
• Friday, Feb. 27: last day of early voting in person
• Tuesday, March 3: election day

A far-reaching winter storm is expected to bring below-freezing temperatures, wintry precipitation and “dangerous ice” to Texas beginning Jan. 23, according to the National Weather Service. As residents brace for days of potentially hazardous conditions, state leaders said Jan. 22 that the Texas power grid “has never been stronger” and will withstand the storm.

What's happening: Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 134 of Texas’ 254 counties, telling reporters that the northern two-thirds of the state—from San Antonio to the Panhandle—will be impacted by the storm.

Officials said they do not expect a repeat of the widespread power outages that occurred during Winter Storm Uri in 2021, emphasizing that changes have been made in recent years to harden the grid against extreme weather. The governor said some Texans could see “local, isolated” outages due to fallen tree branches or ice on power lines.

"The severity of it is not quite as great... as Winter Storm Uri," Abbott said. "That said, people would be making a mistake if they don't take it serious."