1 big thing: Austin rents are still high, for now

2. Austin ad firm poised to help Southwest rebuild

3. 🤠 The Roundup: Wrangling the news

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4.  🍷 Rosie's Wine Bar brings the charm 

Is a new job in your future?

5. Identify this spot and win an Axios hat or tote

A Google Earth image of downtown Austin, with a magenta box around a city block.

☔️ Today's weather: A chance of showers in the afternoon. Cloudy with a high near 40.

Be careful out there. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Travis, Williamson, Burnet and Blanco counties, among others, with potentially icy road conditions late tonight.

The advisory lasts from 9am today through noon Wednesday.

Today's newsletter is 897 words — a 3.5-minute read.

Thanks to Bob Gee for editing and Keely Bastow and David Chiu for copy editing this newsletter.

🎧 Asher is listening to this episode of This American Life about people who get the runaround. He feels his blood pressure rising.

 🍪 Nicole bought six boxes of Girl Scout cookies.

Austin

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Austin. Written by Nicole Cobler and Asher Price.

Axios Austin

1 big thing: City set to count homeless

2.  Social services tech workers want to unionize

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Photo illustration of the Willie Nelson statue in Austin checking the news on its phone.

4. 🎵 Your weekend lineup

Illustration of a cassette tape with the tape unspooling to spell weekend. 

Seeking employment? 

5. 🏡 1 housing stat to go

Workers finishing a roof on a house for sale in Southeast Austin.

☀️ Today's weather: Beautiful sunny skies with a high near 62.

🎂Happy birthday to our Axios Austin member Mindi Miller!

Situational awareness: Claudio Reyna has stepped down as sporting director of Austin FC, but will remain an adviser with the club.

The move comes as Reyna has been embroiled in a scandal dating to the World Cup, over pressure he and his wife allegedly put on U.S. Soccer officials after they were frustrated their son hadn't received more playing time on the national squad.

Today's newsletter is 898 words — a 3.5-minute read.

🎥 Asher is watching this short doc about the life of an ambassador's wife.

😏 Nicole is proud to announce that she actually ate all of her groceries this week instead of eating out at a restaurant.

1 big thing: Hundreds of thousands lose power

2. How to whack ice off your tree

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4. Awesomely weird weather graphic du jour

Graphic showing corgis in a tree to illustrate weight of ice

A new career is waiting for you

5. Photos to go: A frozen city

Thanks for joining us on this chilly Thursday.

☔️  Today's weather: Things are warming up! High of 42 with morning showers likely.

⚡️ Sounds like: Arcade Fire's "Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)," as performed on Austin City Limits.

🚨 Situational awareness: Power may be out in some areas of the city through Friday evening as trees and branches continue to topple utility lines, Austin Energy officials reported last night, per Austin City Council member Paige Ellis.  

Today's newsletter is 645 words — a 2.5-minute read.

Thanks to Bob Gee for editing and Kate Sommers-Dawes and Keely Bastow for copy editing this newsletter.

❄️ Asher is reading this perfect ice storm poem.

😍 Nicole can't wait to see Beyoncé in Dallas, two days before her birthday!

We're sorry you can't crumple up this newsletter and use it as fire starter. 

Officials respond to dozens of wrecks, fires

2. Carver Museum celebrates Black History Month

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4. 💬 Three questions with Rosalia Chiu

Photo illustration of Rosalia Chiu with the city of Austin and circles in the background.

Plan your future

5. 🗺️ 1 new map of ancient civilization to go

A view of the La Danta pyramid at the El Mirador archaeological site in San Andres, Guatemala.

Welcome to Wednesday, the first day of Black History Month.

❄️ Today's weather: Still very chilly. The National Weather Service's winter storm warning remains in effect, with freezing rain and a high of 34.

All non-essential city operations have been suspended through Wednesday.

If you lose power, check out our guide on what to do. 

Today's newsletter is 885 words — a 3.5-minute read.

📖 Asher is reading this novel, about Nazi resistance in Berlin, by Hans Fallada.

☹️ Nicole hopes her power comes back on soon. 

Flip this email to your realtor and encourage them to subscribe.

1 big thing: Housing market resurrected

Illustration of a zombie's hand emerging from a grave, clutching keys.

2. Avoid muggings: Pay taxes online

Illustration of a heavy golden house, glimmering. 

Illustration of a pattern of bats that turn into the Axios logo.

4. Places to find soup on a chilly day

Take your career to the next level

5. Mystery site revealed

Thanks for joining us this frigid Tuesday. 

🥶 Today's weather: Wool socks weather, with a chance of freezing rain before 7am and a 60% chance of precipitation throughout the day. Cloudy with a high near 32.

🌧 Situational awareness: School districts across Central Texas, including Austin ISD, closed schools today over the freezing weather, and a winter storm warning is in effect until noon tomorrow.

🎧 Sounds like: "Taxman," by the Beatles.

💖 It’s a great day to contribute to our newsroom by becoming a member! 

Today's newsletter is 908 words — a 3.5-minute read.

🎎 Asher is desperately trying to occupy his kids with day care closed — aka dollapalooza.

🍲 Nicole is obsessed with this soup recipe from New York Times Cooking.

The Carver Museum in East Austin is rolling out a month of programming for Black History Month, celebrating activists, educators and more. 

Driving the news: The museum has partnered with local artists, businesses and organizations to offer interactive programs highlighting this year's theme, "Black Resistance."

Details: The month of events kicks off at 7pm Wednesday at the Paramount Theatre for a conversation with Black scholar and revolutionary Angela Davis, and on Thursday, the Carver will host "Create and Heal: The Art of Drumming" with master drummer Armando Martin.

Plus, Black Business Week begins Monday, showcasing local business owners.

The month concludes with kids' day at the Carver, featuring crafts, music and activities.

The bottom line: Most events are free and open to the public and can be found online.

Austin's Carver Museum celebrates Black History Month

The museum celebrates artists and educators as it highlights the "Black Resistance" theme.

Freedom Plaza at the Carver Museum. Photo: Trent Akins/George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center.

The Carver Museum in East Austin is rolling out a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="month of programming" data-vars-click-url="https://www.austintexas.gov/department/black-history-month" data-vars-content-id="03b739e7-1692-4cdd-bce6-e4b2dd506e68" data-vars-headline="Austin&#x27;s Carver Museum celebrates Black History Month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.austintexas.gov/department/black-history-month" target="_blank">month of programming</a> for Black History Month, celebrating activists, educators and more. Driving the news: The museum has partnered with local artists, businesses and organizations to offer interactive programs highlighting this year&#x27;s theme, &quot;Black Resistance.&quot;Details: The month of events kicks off at 7pm Wednesday at the Paramount Theatre for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="conversation with Black scholar and revolutionary Angela Davis" data-vars-click-url="https://tickets.austintheatre.org/8848" data-vars-content-id="03b739e7-1692-4cdd-bce6-e4b2dd506e68" data-vars-headline="Austin&#x27;s Carver Museum celebrates Black History Month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tickets.austintheatre.org/8848" target="_blank">conversation with Black scholar and revolutionary Angela Davis</a>, and on Thursday, the Carver will host &quot;Create and Heal: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Art of Drumming" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/create-heal-the-art-of-drumming-tickets-490010182647" data-vars-content-id="03b739e7-1692-4cdd-bce6-e4b2dd506e68" data-vars-headline="Austin&#x27;s Carver Museum celebrates Black History Month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/create-heal-the-art-of-drumming-tickets-490010182647" target="_blank">The Art of Drumming</a>&quot; with master drummer Armando Martin.<ul><li>Plus, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Black Business Week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/02/28/spend-money-austin-black-owned-businesses" data-vars-content-id="03b739e7-1692-4cdd-bce6-e4b2dd506e68" data-vars-headline="Austin&#x27;s Carver Museum celebrates Black History Month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/02/28/spend-money-austin-black-owned-businesses" target="_self">Black Business Week</a> begins Monday, showcasing local business owners.</li><li>The month <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="concludes with kids&#x27; day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-history-month-kids-day-at-the-carver-tickets-508036580087" data-vars-content-id="03b739e7-1692-4cdd-bce6-e4b2dd506e68" data-vars-headline="Austin&#x27;s Carver Museum celebrates Black History Month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-history-month-kids-day-at-the-carver-tickets-508036580087" target="_blank">concludes with kids&#x27; day</a> at the Carver, featuring crafts, music and activities.</li></ul>The bottom line: Most events are free and open to the public and can be found <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="online" data-vars-click-url="https://www.austintexas.gov/department/black-history-month" data-vars-content-id="03b739e7-1692-4cdd-bce6-e4b2dd506e68" data-vars-headline="Austin&#x27;s Carver Museum celebrates Black History Month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.austintexas.gov/department/black-history-month" target="_blank">online</a>.

News

Things to Do

Roads and trees are beginning to thaw, but this week's winter storm again pushed the city to the brink.

The big picture: Unlike the 2021 edition, temperatures in the Austin metro hovered near freezing and residential outages were localized, rather than part of bigger problems with the state's grid.

Yes, but: As many as 28% of Austin Energy customers — or more than 155,910 homes — were still without power as of 6am Thursday as ice coated power lines and downed tree limbs.

Local EMS and fire officials reported a high volume of calls related to downed power lines and tree branches falling onto homes and cars.

Austin fire officials responded to more than 76 reports of wires arcing since 3am Wednesday.

I-35 was shut down in both directions Wednesday afternoon between Wells Branch and Grand Avenue Parkway due to downed power lines, per CBS Austin.

At least 347 flights were canceled and 67 flights delayed at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport yesterday, according to FlightAware data.

Austin ISD and the University of Texas are closed Thursday for a third consecutive day.

Zoom out: At least seven people in Texas have died and more than 391,000 customers lacked power statewide, most along a swath from San Antonio northeast to Paris.

The combination of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and Arctic air spilling south from Canada resulted in a long-duration ice storm for millions of people across at least eight states, Axios' Andrew Freedman reports.

Why it matters: This week's storm, which rolled in late Monday, was the latest test of the state's power grid and local utilities.

During 2021's winter storm, widespread grid outages left millions of Texans without power and Austin went under a citywide water boil notice.

Officials attributed nearly 250 deaths across Texas to the freeze, though the actual number was likely higher.

What's next: The sound of chainsaws will be ubiquitous in Austin neighborhoods for weeks to come as residents clear downed tree branches. 

Austin Energy customers remain without power after freeze

A thick coating of ice downed power lines and tree limbs.

Roads and trees are beginning to thaw, but this week&#x27;s winter storm again pushed the city to the brink.The big picture: Unlike <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the 2021 edition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/01/21/austin-preps-cold-winter-storms" data-vars-content-id="6f6e47cc-2cd1-418a-9e63-48e22d56ada5" data-vars-headline="Austin Energy customers remain without power after freeze" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/01/21/austin-preps-cold-winter-storms" target="_self">the 2021 edition</a>, temperatures in the Austin metro hovered near freezing and residential outages were localized, rather than part of bigger problems with the state&#x27;s grid.

The big picture: Ice toppled trees onto roads, cars and houses across Central Texas on Wednesday, so we snapped photos around town — showing a very frozen Austin.

An image of a downed tree limb in southeast Austin.

A downed tree limb rests on a car in southeast Austin. Photo: Nicole Cobler/Axios

Ice covers a tree limb in Austin. Photo: @austinfiredept on Twitter.

Frozen limbs fallen on a South Austin road.

Trees block a street in the Sherwood Forest neighborhood in South Austin. Photo: Nicole Cobler/Axios

A limb falls across a South Austin property.

Limbs fall on a South Austin house. Photo: Nicole Cobler/Axios

A pretty view of Central Austin from St. Edward's.

Light reflects off ice-covered grass and tree limbs at St. Edward's University. Photo: Nicole Cobler/Axios

Austin's winter storm in photos

Ice toppled tree limbs into roads and on homes Wednesday.

A downed cedar limb just dodges a South Austin home. Photo: Bob Gee/Axios

News flash: It&#x27;s been pretty dang cold.The big picture: Ice toppled trees onto roads, cars and houses across Central Texas on Wednesday, so we snapped photos around town — showing a very frozen Austin.

Freezing rain left thousands without power on Wednesday morning and emergency officials scrambled to respond to dozens of wrecks and downed power lines and tree limbs.

Driving the news: The National Weather Service extended its winter storm warning through early Thursday, with freezing rain expected across Texas.

As of 11am, Austin Energy reported that more than 25% of its customers were without power — nearly 150,000 — across the area because of the ice weighing down power lines and snapping tree limbs.

Nearly 300,000 customers lacked power statewide, most along a swath from San Antonio northeast to Paris. 

Zoom in: Local and state officials continue to urge residents to avoid the roads, and Central Texas school districts announced Wednesday closures, a second day of shuttered campuses.

Austin fire officials responded to more than 90 incidents on the road Tuesday, including a 10-vehicle pileup that left one person dead in South Austin.

By Wednesday, an increase in calls were related to downed power lines and tree limbs, which hit homes and fell onto roads.

Meanwhile, local medics reported an uptick in falls related to ice, carbon monoxide exposure and injured pedestrians and drivers involved in wrecks across the area.

More than 540 flights were delayed or canceled as ice closed airport parking ramps.

What they're saying: The Texas Department of Transportation estimated that the ice had created hazardous driving conditions for 1,600 roads across the state.

"The conditions right now are dangerous, and they are likely to get worse," Marc Williams, the department's executive director, warned in a Tuesday press conference.

Of note: The extended freeze again raised questions about the Texas electric grid's ability to continue powering homes, but grid officials said they remain confident in its ability to power the state.

Public Utility Commission chairman Peter Lake told reporters there is "some icing on the wind generators," but the grid has "adequate reserves" to meet demand.

Most outages caused by the storm likely would be due to ice accumulation on power lines, officials said.

Be smart: If you have to drive, check drivetexas.org for up-to-date road conditions.

More than a quarter of Austin Energy customers lose power amid freeze

Local and state officials continue to urge residents to avoid the roads.

 Texas Division of Emergency Management chief Nim Kidd (left) and Gov. Greg Abbott observe weather patterns during a briefing on Jan. 31, 2023 in Austin. Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Freezing rain left thousands without power on Wednesday morning and emergency officials scrambled to respond to dozens of wrecks and downed power lines and tree limbs.Driving the news: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Weather Service extended" data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Austin&amp;state=TX&amp;site=EWX&amp;textField1=30.267&amp;textField2=-97.743#.Y9lQtOzMI-R" data-vars-content-id="ff74f0ef-f376-425f-9815-4c3d539d87f0" data-vars-headline="More than a quarter of Austin Energy customers lose power amid freeze" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Austin&amp;state=TX&amp;site=EWX&amp;textField1=30.267&amp;textField2=-97.743#.Y9lQtOzMI-R" target="_blank">National Weather Service extended</a> its winter storm warning through early Thursday, with freezing rain expected across Texas.

Molière once wrote, "I live on good soup, not on fine words."

Why it matters: Hard to disagree, especially when cold winter weather takes hold in Austin. 

Grab grub at this Austin mini-chain of taqueria drive-thrus. 

Order this: The pozole — juicy chunks of slow-cooked pork in a rich, red stew with tasty bits of hominy and green chile, all topped with fresh cabbage and radish. 

Existential question: Does it count as a soup?

Location: Spots on South First, East Riverside, Burnet and North Lamar.

Find The Soup Peddler at six locations around town for quick takeout options.

A warm brew of green broth, from the Soup Peddler. Photo: Asher Price/Axios

What we love: The green detox broth. It's hearty, vegan and loaded with veggies, including onion, zucchini, kale, broccoli, garlic, cilantro, parsley, lemon juice and coconut oil. 

Order it with a grilled cheese sandwich to dip in the broth or enjoy it on its own.

Head to Sap's at their north or south Austin locations to find comforting thai food at reasonable prices.

Order this: The Tom Kha for a lemongrass-forward coconut soup that's got a bit of a kick to it.

It's served with rice and great with chicken.

Locations: 4514 West Gate Blvd. and 5800 Burnet Road

Hunker down at this Austin staple, or sit beneath gas heaters outside if you want to brave the cold.

The tomato-coconut soup at FoodHeads. Photo: Asher Price/Axios

Order this: The coconut-tomato soup. It's sweet, bright and toasty.

Sleek and modern, it inherits the space once occupied by the beloved Ruby's BBQ.

Velvety ground pork and shrimp dumplings with shredded chicken and bok choy in a clear, mild broth. 

Basically, a very un-kosher matzoh ball soup. 

Five places to find soup on a chilly Austin day

Here are some of our favorite soup spots in Austin.

A bowl of the yummy pozole from El Tacorrido. Photo: Asher Price/Axios

Molière once wrote, &quot;I live on good soup, not on fine words.&quot;<ul><li>Except <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="it was in French" data-vars-click-url="http://moliere.huma-num.fr/base.php?Je_vis_de_bonne_soupe" data-vars-content-id="ffe1fee0-b6e6-4b77-a022-90a43330429a" data-vars-headline="Five places to find soup on a chilly Austin day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://moliere.huma-num.fr/base.php?Je_vis_de_bonne_soupe" target="_blank">it was in French</a>. </li></ul>

Nicole Cobler

Stories

Austin Energy customers remain without power after freeze

Austin's winter storm in photos

More than a quarter of Austin Energy customers lose power amid freeze

Austin's Carver Museum celebrates Black History Month

Five places to find soup on a chilly Austin day

Newsletter editions

🌨️ The storm's impact

🥶 Hunkering down

🏠 Housing rebound

✈️ Southwest's Austin connection

📝 Tallying the unhoused