Austin, December 17, 2025
Southwest Airlines plans to establish a new crew base at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, set to start operations in March 2026. This expansion is expected to create over 2,000 jobs, including 335 pilots and 650 flight attendants initially, with a projected total of 2,000 employees by mid-2027. The facility will also include administrative staff and a training center for flight attendants, showcasing Southwest’s commitment to operational efficiency and growth in central Texas.
Recent Developments in Texas: December 14–16, 2025
Austin: Southwest Airlines to Create 2,000 Jobs with New Crew Base
Southwest Airlines has announced plans to establish a new crew base at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, set to begin operations in March 2026. This significant expansion is projected to generate over 2,000 jobs, including approximately 335 pilots and 650 flight attendants initially, with expectations to reach around 2,000 employees by mid-2027. In addition to the crew, the facility will accommodate leadership and administrative staff, along with a periodic training center for flight attendants. This strategic decision emphasizes Southwest’s commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and fostering long-term growth in central Texas. To support recruitment and training, the airline intends to collaborate closely with local workforce programs and the airport’s career center.
Arlington: TAFB Hosts Holiday Food Distribution
The Tarrant Area Food Bank (TAFB), in partnership with the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation, Coca-Cola, and the Kate & Sonny Dykes Foundation, organized a sizable Holiday Mobile Distribution event at Globe Life Field in Arlington on December 16, 2025. The initiative aimed to provide holiday meals to 3,000 families, ensuring that thousands of neighbors could enjoy a festive meal at home. The event was open to all, with no identification or documentation required for food assistance, highlighting the community’s commitment to helping those in need during the holiday season.
South Texas: Cold Front Brings Chilly Weather
A cold front is expected to impact South Texas in mid-week, bringing cooler temperatures and potential rain. Residents in the Rio Grande Valley have already experienced lower-than-average temperatures, with highs reaching only 62 degrees, significantly below the average high of 74 degrees. While temperatures are anticipated to rise as the week progresses, the initial cold front is expected to create mostly cloudy skies and isolated showers.
Night Sky: Geminid Meteor Shower Excites Skywatchers
The 2025 Geminid meteor shower delighted skywatchers during its peak on the night of December 13. Observers across the globe spotted shooting stars emanating from the constellation Gemini, as fragments from asteroid (3200) Phaethon burned up in Earth’s atmosphere. Astrophotographers captured breathtaking images of these meteors crossing renowned sections of the night sky, including Orion, Taurus, the Pleiades cluster, and the Milky Way.
Austin: Texas Longhorns Celebrate Big Win Over Le Moyne
The Texas Longhorns men’s basketball team secured a convincing victory over Le Moyne, with a score of 95-53 in Austin. Tramon Mark led the team with 18 points, as six players scored in double digits. The Longhorns established an 11-point lead by halftime and expanded it significantly after the break, defining a strong bounce-back performance with a margin of victory exceeding 26 points for the fourth time this season.
Fort Worth: Texas Women’s Basketball Tops Baylor
The No. 2 Texas women’s basketball team (12-0) demonstrated its prowess with a commanding performance against No. 13 Baylor, winning 89-54 in Fort Worth. Madison Booker led the charge with 27 points, benefitting from Baylor’s 30 turnovers that contributed to 42 points for Texas. This victory reinforces Texas’s strong positioning in national rankings and their dominance on the court.
The 2025 First Responder Bowl is set for December 26, 2025, at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in University Park, Texas. The game features Florida International University (FIU) facing off against the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). This annual contest honors first responders and promises to deliver an exciting finale to the college football season.
Austin: Texas Senate Bill 20 Enacted
Texas Senate Bill 20, known as the “Stopping AI-Generated Child Pornography Act,” was enacted on June 20, 2025, and became effective on September 1, 2025. This legislation introduces new criminal offenses for possessing, promoting, or viewing visual material deemed obscene that depicts a child under age 18, regardless of whether it is a real person, an animated or cartoon representation, or an image generated through artificial intelligence.
Austin: 89th Texas Legislature Concludes Regular Session
The 89th Texas Legislature wrapped up its regular session on June 2, 2025, addressing numerous legislative issues, including the passage of Senate Bill 20. A special session is scheduled to reconvene on July 21, 2025, for further discussions.
Austin: Special Election for Texas’s 18th Congressional District
A special election occurred on November 4, 2025, to elect a member to the United States House of Representatives for Texas’s 18th congressional district, following the death of Democrat Sylvester Turner earlier in the year. This election entered a runoff stage between county attorney Christian Menefee and former city councilwoman Amanda Edwards, as no candidate captured a majority in the first round of voting.
Austin: UTA in the News
The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) has garnered attention from various news sources, showcasing its contributions to education, research, and community engagement. These reports highlight UTA’s significant role as a leading institution in Texas and its positive impact on the regional landscape.
Texas Today: December 14, 2025
On December 14, 2025, notable events emerged in Texas, including an expansion of freeze watches across several regions as anticipated overnight lows threatened infrastructure, agriculture, and travel conditions. Emergency officials advised Texans to prepare for prolonged cold weather. Additionally, a major multimillion-dollar donation to a Texas public university was revealed, designated for healthcare research, engineering innovation, and student athletics—a transformative investment for the region’s future. Churches and nonprofits stepped up year-end giving campaigns, emphasizing support for food security, shelter, and medical assistance as families braced for winter challenges.
Austin: Upcoming Events at The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin scheduled a series of events for December 14, 2025, reflecting the university’s persistent commitment to education, research, and community engagement.
Houston: Eyewitness News Update
ABC13 Houston aired its Eyewitness News at 10 pm on December 14, 2025, covering the latest news from Houston and neighboring areas, including local updates, weather forecasts, and community happenings.
TPR News Now: December 16, 2025
Texas Public Radio (TPR) released its “TPR News Now” segment on December 16, 2025, offering a summary of the latest headlines and developments, encompassing various topics such as legal proceedings, community responses to international events, and local news updates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Southwest Airlines’ new crew base in Austin?
Southwest Airlines has announced plans to establish a new crew base at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, set to commence operations in March 2026. This expansion is expected to generate over 2,000 jobs, including approximately 335 pilots and 650 flight attendants initially, with projections to reach around 2,000 employees by mid-2027. The facility will also house leadership and administrative staff, along with a recurring training center for flight attendants. This strategic move underscores Southwest’s commitment to long-term growth and operational efficiency in central Texas. The airline plans to collaborate closely with local workforce programs and the airport’s career center to support recruitment and training initiatives for the new base.
What was the TAFB Holiday Food Distribution event?
The Tarrant Area Food Bank (TAFB), in partnership with the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation, Coca-Cola, and the Kate & Sonny Dykes Foundation, hosted a large-scale Holiday Mobile Distribution event at Globe Life Field in Arlington on December 16, 2025. The initiative aimed to provide holiday meals to 3,000 families, offering hearty, nutritious food to ensure that thousands of neighbors could enjoy a holiday meal at home. The event was open to all, with no identification or documentation required to receive food assistance.
| Title | Date | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlines Announces New Austin Crew Base | Dec 14, 2025 | Austin | Southwest Airlines to create over 2,000 jobs with a new crew base starting March 2026. |
| TAFB Holiday Food Distribution at Globe Life Field | Dec 16, 2025 | Arlington | Event providing meals for 3,000 families, no identification needed. |
| Cold Front in South Texas | Mid-December 2025 | South Texas | Cold front bringing below-average temperatures and potential rain. |
| 2025 Geminid Meteor Shower | Dec 13, 2025 | Various Locations | Peak shower providing stunning meteor displays visible across the night sky. |
| Texas Longhorns Basketball Victory | Dec 16, 2025 | Austin | Longhorns defeat Le Moyne 95-53, highlighting strong team performance. |
| Texas Women’s Basketball Dominates Baylor | Dec 16, 2025 | Fort Worth | Texas wins 89-54, showcasing their tight defense and scoring power. |
| First Responder Bowl | Dec 26, 2025 | Dallas | Annual bowl honoring first responders featuring FIU vs. UTSA. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Dallas-Fort Worth Emerges as a Tech Powerhouse
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
