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- ATX PULSE 1/19-20/26 (free) (sponsored by Kelsey Easton, COMPASS): Rain Chances Increase, Weekend Ice, Sleet Worries Continue // Cold Weather Shelters to Remain Open Through Sunday // COA Settled 80 Civil Lawsuits Against APD in Past 5 Years // Train Derails in Manor // Silver Alter Issued for 82-Year-Old Man Last Seen in S. Austin
ATX PULSE 1/19-20/26 (free) (sponsored by Kelsey Easton, COMPASS): Rain Chances Increase, Weekend Ice, Sleet Worries Continue // Cold Weather Shelters to Remain Open Through Sunday // COA Settled 80 Civil Lawsuits Against APD in Past 5 Years // Train Derails in Manor // Silver Alter Issued for 82-Year-Old Man Last Seen in S. Austin
Everything you NEED TO KNOW about Austin.
Matt Mackowiak
January 21, 2026
MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2026 - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026
Compiled by Matt Mackowiak
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WEATHER
Wednesday: H: 73° / L: 51°.
Thursday: H: 71° / L: 57°.
Friday: H: 66° / L: 31°.
Saturday: H: 35° / L: 18°.
Sunday: H: 31° / L: 20°.
TOP NEWS
"Rain chances rise in Austin but here's why ice, sleet are now major worries" Austin American-Statesman's Roberto Villalpando – Austin gets to enjoy one more day of dry weather Tuesday, but skies will be cloudy ahead of a rainy cold front arriving late in the evening, according to the National Weather Service. But the attention of forecasters is focusing on a weekend storm system that could lead to wintry weather in Central Texas.
Daytime temperatures in Austin will stay largely in the 40s and 50s before peaking at 59 degrees in the afternoon. After midnight, rain chances ramp up to about 40% amid increasing clouds. East-southeast winds of around 5 mph will become calm, the weather service said.
“Our next storm system that will bring a chance at rain generally along and east of I-35 will arrive late Tuesday,” the weather service said in a forecast published online Monday. Forecasters said “a weak southern stream low (pressure system) will phase with the polar jet diving south over Texas,” and combine with warm air to result in more clouds.
"Austin cold weather shelters stay open through Sunday" Austin American-Statesman's Dante Motley – As chilly conditions linger across Central Texas, Austin officials said the city will keep its overnight cold weather shelters open through Sunday night.
The city opened the shelter the previous night and extended the activation as overnight lows are expected to hover in the mid-30s, meeting the city’s threshold for opening emergency shelter services. People seeking a warm place to sleep can check in between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Road, which serves as the city’s central intake location during cold weather events.
From there, CapMetro buses will transport guests to overnight shelter sites. The city does not publicly release shelter locations, citing safety and capacity concerns.
Several bus routes serve One Texas Center, including routes 1, 7, 10, 20, 30, 105 and 801. Riders without bus fare will still be allowed to board.
"Austin honors MLK Jr. Day with uplifting messages for future generations" via KVUE – Austinites celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day with its annual event at the Texas Capitol. For the last two years, the parade and festival have either been canceled or rescheduled due to inclement weather.
This year, however, a crowd gathered at the South Steps to listen to speeches, music and the historic, "I have a dream," speech made by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Powerful messages of peace, equality and justice were shared, one in particular, by a fourth grader.
"Racism should be stopped by treating people fairly and with kindness," said Queen Williams. "Do you know what it feels like to be mistreated because of the color of your skin? This is something black people have been facing for over hundreds of years, and it makes me sad to learn about this type of history."
Williams, along with others, joined in raising their voices to honor the civil rights leader's life and work.
(KVUE)
"Two new Southwestern University residence halls open for upcoming semester" Community Impact | News's Gracie Warhurst – Students at Southwestern University are kicking off the spring semester, which starts on Jan. 20, by moving into two new residence halls.
The Jessie Daniel Ames Hall and the Ella Sedwick Hall are the most-recent capital projects to be completed as part of the school’s 5-year tactical plan.
The Jessie Daniel Ames Hall is located in the eastern part of campus near the new Dorothy Perry White Welcome Center. It features a yoga and pilates room, and a fitness center.
"Spurs Austin Half Marathon: Victor Shitsama, Paige Hofstad win titles" Austin American-Statesman's Brom Hoban – Victor Shitsama and Paige Hofstad topped a field of nearly 5,000 runners in Sunday morning’s Spurs Austin International Half Marathon, taking advantage of the clear cold weather and fast downhill course to notch convincing victories in the men's and women's fields.
Heading into the 13.1-mile race, Shitsama had a little score to settle. Last year, he finished second by a hair when former Texas Longhorns ace Haftu Knight outleaned him at the tape.
“It was hard last year losing by a microsecond,” Shitsama said. “I came here this year for the win.”
One year later, Victor Shitsama wins his race.
THE BLOTTER
"Train derails in Manor; no injuries reported" via FOX 7 Austin – The Manor Police Department says a train derailed and that no injuries were reported.
The derailment happened near 600 E. Parsons and San Marcos St.
Manor PD says rail operations reports that the roadways should reopen at around 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Drivers are asked to avoid the area.
The cause of the derailment has not been released and is still being investigated.
