I hope you woke up with a hot cup of coffee and some warm flannel pajamas today. What started as a wintry mix yesterday evening eventually turned into snow. The roads are a mess, and they will likely stay that way with temperatures staying in the single digits—it's the coldest snap of weather we've had since 1989, according to the National Weather Service.
Here's the most we know as of last night, including H-E-B's adjusted hours, college classes cancelled, and some toll roads closed.
It's gross out there—I slid all over my neighborhood walking my dog on sidewalks that seemed more like a skating rink, so let's move on from this weather and look ahead to warmer days—specifically May 1.
There seems to be an election every few weeks in Texas, but one of the propositions in front of Austin voters this May would actually cut down on the number of times we go to the ballot boxes by eliminating runoff elections and implementing a system called ranked-choice voting. But that system, used in cities such as Minneapolis as well as my home state of Maine, may not be allowed under state law.
Other propositions in front of Ausitnites May 1 include reinstating ordinances relating to homelessness, adopting a strong-mayor form of government and adding an 11th City Council district. Reporter Christopher Neely has the rest of the story.
I hope you are hunkered down out there, Austin, stay safe and stay warm.
—Jack Flagler, Editor, Central Austin and Southwest Austin/Dripping Springs editions
Here's what else is happening this week:
—Mashama Bailey and Johno Morisano are bringing acclaimed Savannah, Georgia restaurant The Grey to Austin this summer.
—Austin ISD employees will receive an extra $1,000 in their paychecks as soon as March 12. The bonus was initially going to be $1,000 for full-time employees and $500 for part-time employees, but the board voted to provide the $1,000 stipend across the board.
—Brian Manley has stepped down from his position as the chief of the Austin Police Department. "I don't feel that I can give my full attention to the duties of the chief of police as demanded if my heart is now looking for the next opportunity," Manley said Friday.
