Austin Journal

News from February 2022


'I am so grateful and humbled': Vela III wins special election for Austin City Council seat

Defense attorney José "Chito" Vela III won the special election for Austin City Council, District 4 on Jan. 25, according to unofficial election returns.


'Report the incident immediately': Austin alleges phone scammers spoofed city numbers during cold snap

The City of Austin on Jan. 26 announced that scammers used the cold weather to target utility customers by spoofing the city's phone numbers.


City of Austin City Council met Jan. 4

City of Austin City Council met Tuesday, Jan. 4.


City of Austin Public Health Committee will meet Feb. 9

City of Austin Public Health Committee will meet at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 9.


Border Patrol reports record number of border encounters in December 2021

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) were engaged in a record number of encounters of people at the southern border in December 2021.


Texas outlines welcome efforts for Tokyo businesses

The business expansion agreement will aid Japanese businesses looking to expand into the state.


Emergency SNAP benefits extended for February

Gov. Greg Abbott yesterday announced the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is providing more than $326 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits for the month of February.


City of Austin Public Safety Committee met Nov. 22

City of Austin Public Safety Committee met Monday, Nov. 22.


City of Austin Public Safety Committee will meet Feb. 8

City of Austin Public Safety Committee will meet at 3 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 8.


Texas’ share of homeless residents ranks 32nd in nation

Texas came in 32nd among the 50 states in a new study by the National Alliance to End Homelessness showing the number of homeless people per 10,000 residents.


H-E-B president announces retirement

Popular H-E-B Food and Drug President Scott McClelland announced that he will be stepping down and retiring at the end of the year.



Abbott: State 'working around the clock to respond robustly to the substantial winter storm'

Gov. Greg Abbott yesterday provided an update on Texas’ response to winter weather that is expected to impact the state in the next few days.


City of Austin City Council will meet Feb. 7

City of Austin City Council will meet at 9 a.m., Monday, Feb. 7.


Abbott joins officials in saying ERCOT is 'well prepared' for expected cold front

With a forecasted cold weather front on the rise this week, Gov. Greg Abbott joined multiple government officials today (Feb. 1) to issue a statement of confidence in Texas' grid strength.


Hegar observes National Unclaimed Property Day

(AUSTIN) — Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar is joining other unclaimed property administrators to celebrate the second annual national Unclaimed Property Day on Feb. 1.


Cedar Park continues girls basketball dominance

Defending Class 5A state champion Cedar Park continued its dominance of girls high school basketball by extending its winning streak to 51 straight games after back-to-back wins.


'I am humbled and honored': UT kicker Cameron Dicker to enter NFL draft

Cameron Dicker, kicker for the Texas Longhorns, is entering the 2022 NFL draft, foregoing his last year of eligibility as a college player.