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.

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.

Some Texas film industry leaders say the state is on its way to becoming the third “media coast,” joining Los Angeles and New York as film production hubs. A recent increase in state funding is helping buoy that growth, said Chase Musslewhite, co-founder of Media for Texas, an Austin-based nonprofit that advocates for the advancement of the state’s film industry.

The details: Through 2035, $1.5 billion in state incentives will be available for movies, television shows, documentaries and related projects created in Texas.

To be eligible for the program funding under Senate Bill 22, at least 35% of a production’s cast and crew must live in Texas and at least 60% of the work must be done in-state, according to the Texas Film Commission. Grant reimbursements start at 5% and go up to 31%, depending on how much a production spends and other aspects of the project.

The local impact: After SB 22 became law Sept. 1, some local governments across Texas—including Austin, San Antonio and Houston—expanded or launched their own film incentive programs.