Local COVID hospitalization stats continue dropping, while positives at schools across Texas are still at their highest rate of the entire pandemic. AISD teachers get two extra paid days off, while AISD's most economically-disadvantaged third graders see dismal math testing results. The Austin City Council has delayed its decision on the revival of the Austin Opera House near the South Congress entertainment district. Today is the last day to register for the March primary election - the Texas Democratic Party is printing and distributing 500,000 voter registration forms, making up for what the Texas Secretary of State's office says is a limitation on forms due to supply chain issues. State Rep Eddie Rodriguez draws criticism from local officials for calling opponent and Austin City Council Member Greg Casar out on Casar's role in the lifting of Austin's camping ban in 2019. Samsung comes clean on a major toxic wastewater leak and are hard at work on a cleanup. ThoroughBread Bakery makes Food & Wine's list of the Best Bread In Every State, while a crowdsourcing effort to support employees of the fire-destroyed Texas French Bread exceeds its goals. U-Haul says Austin is the 16th fastest-growing city in the country for 2021 - three of the top five cities are in Florida. Austin's Mother's Milk breast milk bank is in need of donors. Eater.com presents a rundown of what it considers the top 29 tacos in Austin. Rainy weather on Monday preludes a major winter freeze coming Wednesday through Friday - leading to fears of a repeat of last February's statewide energy disaster.
