❄️ Austin braces for winter storm

♀️ Women’s Rights Activist Cecile Richards Dies

Cecile Richards, the daughter of the late Texas Gov. Ann Richards who led Planned Parenthood for 12 years, died of brain cancer Monday. [Associated Press]

• In one of her final interviews, Richards, 67, said, “Everyone has these halcyon memories of the great days of Austin, but I do believe that in the past, even if people disagreed, it wasn’t this hateful…I don’t know if we’re coming to a reckoning here, but it’s hard to live in a place that’s so mean.” [Texas Observer]

🤔 Is the City of Austin Prepared for Emergencies?

It’s that time of year – temperatures are dropping and we’re all a little nervous. Sara Henry, interim chief administrative officer for Austin’s Homeland Security and Management division, is on the City Cast Austin podcast today taking us behind the scenes of how the city’s first responders get activated during an emergency. [City Cast Austin]

🚧 Austin Could Get Portable Safety Barriers

The City of Austin is set to get 700-pound portable steel barriers, to be used downtown and at other sites, for safety purposes. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said the New Year’s Day terrorist attack in New Orleans escalated the city’s need for the barriers. [KXAN]