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Here are our favorite KUT photos of 2022

KUT 90.5 | By KUT Staff

Published December 30, 2022 at 6:04 AM CST

A collage of six photos: one of someone protesting for abortion rights, one of the Paramount Theatre, one of Beto O'Rourke, one of a person shadow on a white wall, one of a wildfire, and one of a person swimming in a river.

A lot happened in Central Texas in 2022. Elections. Reproductive rights protests. Tornados. Festivals. Soccer games.

KUT's multimedia team was there to capture it all. Here are some of our favorite photos from the year.

January

A man holds a candle outside the Texas Capitol on Jan. 6. About 50 people gathered there to mark the anniversary of the attack at the U.S. Capitol.

The Rolling Pines fire burns through the night on Jan. 18 at Bastrop State Park. — The Rolling Pines Fire burns through the night at Bastrop State Park on Jan. 18.

Dragon/Lion Dance performance by the Texas Dragon/Lion Dance Team at the Lunar New Year Celebration at Austin Beerworks on Jan. 30, 2022. Patricia Lim/KUT — The Texas Dragon/Lion Dance Team performs at a Lunar New Year Celebration at Austin Beerworks on Jan. 30.

February

Icicles hang from a telephone pole and electricity power lines in south Austin during the ice, sleet, freezing rain and cold temperatures of Winter Storm Landon in Austin, TX on Feb. 2, 2022. Gabriel C. Pérez/KUT — Icicles hang from a telephone pole and power lines in South Austin during Winter Storm Landon on Feb. 2.

In preparation for a winter storm, Nicky Chavez removes items from her tent before collapsing it and leaving an encampment of people experiencing homelessness in the St. Johns neighborhood of north Austin on Feb. 2, 2021. Volunteers with the Little Petal Alliance homelessness advocacy group organized hotel rooms for unhoused individuals at the camp seeking shelter from cold weather and wind. Gabriel C. Pérez/KUT — In preparation for a winter storm, Nicky Chavez removes items from her tent before collapsing it and leaving an encampment in North Austin on Feb. 2. Volunteers organized hotel rooms for unhoused individuals seeking shelter from cold weather and wind.

A silhoutted shadow of a visitor to the The Color Inside, A Skyspace installation by artist James Turrell located at the Student Activity Center at The University of Texas at Austin on Feb. 11, 2022. Patricia Lim/KUT — A person visits the "The Color Inside," a Skyspace installation by artist James Turrell located on the UT Austin campus. The installation reopened this year after the pandemic forced it to close.

Brenda Ramos places her hand on a mural of her son, Mike Ramos, who was fatally shot by Austin police in 2020. The mural was painted on the exterior of La Mexicana Bakery, which closed Feb. 16 after 32 years of business. — Brenda Ramos, the mother of Mike Ramos, places her hand on a mural of her son who was fatally shot by Austin police in 2020. The mural was painted on the exterior of La Mexicana Bakery, a popular Mexican bakery that closed Feb. 16 after 32 years of business.

March

Dr. Mario Garza, member of the Texas Miakan-Garza Band indigenous group and the founder of Indigenous Cultures Institute, in front of his house in San Marcos, TX, on Mar. 2, 2022. Sheryl Wong for KUT — Mario Garza, a member of the Texas Miakan-Garza Band and founder of the Indigenous Cultures Institute, stands in front of his house in San Marcos on March 2.

Joe Harper Jr. cuts hair at the BarberVision barbershop in North Austin on Mar. 2. — Joe Harper Jr. cuts hair at the BarberVision barbershop in North Austin on March 2.

People walk near a turned over truck after a tornado passed through Round Rock’s Boardwalk shopping center, flipping vehicles and damaging several buildings on March 21, 2022, in Round Rock. Michael Minasi/KUT — People walk near an overturned truck after a tornado tore through Round Rock’s Boardwalk Shopping Center on March 21.

Tele Novella plays at Cheer Up Charlies during South by Southwest on March 18, 2022, in downtown Austin. Michael Minasi/KUTX — Tele Novella plays at Cheer Up Charlies during South by Southwest on March 18.

April

Starbucks employee Julius Shieh protests with coworkers and supporters outside of the Starbucks at West 24th and San Antonio Streets on April 30, 2022, in Austin. Michael Minasi/KUT News — Starbucks employees hold a pro-union rally outside the Starbucks at West 24th and San Antonio streets in West Campus on April 30.

May

People protest outside the Austin Federal Courthouse on May 3 after the Supreme Court’s drafted opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade was leaked. — People protest outside the Austin Federal Courthouse on May 3 after the Supreme Court’s drafted opinion to overturn *Roe v. Wade* was leaked.

Yorkie Louie, known as the Godfather of Clubbing, hangs out at his farewell party at The Venue ATX on May 22.

Wax figures located in the basement of the new Alamo Drafthouse Office at the former Baker School on May 4, 2022. Patricia Lim/KUT — A collection of Amish wax figures are stored in the basement of the Alamo Drafthouse headquarters at the former Baker School in Hyde Park.

Beto O'Rourke interrupts a press conference held by Gov. Greg Abbott and other state Republican officials at Uvalde High School following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 25. — Beto O'Rourke interrupts a press conference held by Gov. Greg Abbott and other officials at Uvalde High School on May 25, a day after a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School.

Members of the Uvalde community gather together at the vigil on May 25, 2022 for the death of 19 students and two adults during the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School. Patricia Lim/KUT — Members of the Uvalde community gather together at a vigil on May 25 for the 19 students and two teachers killed during the mass shooting at Robb Elementary.

Police boundary markers surround Robb Elementary School in Uvalde on May 26 following the mass shooting two days earlier. A memorial for the 21 victims was placed outside of the school by members of the community.

June

Victoria Mycue protests in front of the Texas Capitol after the U.S. Supreme Court decided to overturn Roe v. Wade on June 24. — Victoria Mycue protests in front of the Texas Capitol on June 24 after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned *Roe v. Wade*, which guaranteed a constitutional right to abortion.

A person in drag makes a surprised expression while holding up a fan in front of people seated at tables — Maxine LaQueene performs at a drag brunch at Halcyon in Austin on June 25.

July

A green banner reading "Legalize Abortion" is pictured amidst abortion rights advocates as they participate in an all-day sit-in in the rotunda of the Texas State Capitol on July 7, 2022, in Austin. Michael Minasi / KUT News — Abortion rights advocates participate in an all-day sit-in in the rotunda of the Texas Capitol on July 7.

Kareemullah Ghazi talks with two of his children, Haya, 3, and Omar, 2, on July 16, in Austin. Ghazi fled Afghanistan with his wife and children when the Taliban took over the country. — Kareemullah Ghazi talks with two of his children, Haya, 3, and Omar, 2, in Austin on July 16. Ghazi fled Afghanistan with his family when the Taliban took over the country.

August

The marquee at the Paramount Theatre says: "Without John Aielli in it Austin is just a bit less interesting." — The Paramount Theatre commemorates John Aielli, a longtime KUT and KUTX radio host, after he died at the age of 76 on July 31.

A person swims in the San Marcos in San Marcos, TX river during summer heat on Aug. 3, 2022. Patricia Lim/KUT — A person swims in the San Marcos River on Aug. 3.

Austin FC forward Sebastián Driussi kicks the ball during a Aug. 6 game against the San Jose Earthquakes on Aug. 6, 2022, at Q2 Stadium in Austin. Michael Minasi / KUT News — Austin FC forward Sebastián Driussi kicks the ball during a Aug. 6 game against the San Jose Earthquakes at Q2 Stadium.

Mayor Steve Adler, Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes, and Travis County Judge Andy Brown speak at a press conference to request resources, increase awareness, and educate the public regarding Monkey Pox at Austin City Hall in Austin, TX on Aug. 9, 2022. Gabriel C. Pérez/KUT — Mayor Steve Adler, Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes and Travis County Judge Andy Brown speak at a press conference to increase awareness about the spread of mpox, previously called monkeypox.

Students attend school on the first day of classes at Linder Elementary on Aug. 15.

People cheer as they walk in the Austin Pride Parade on South Congress Avenue on Aug. 20.

September

Vironika Makhova participates in a rope course at Peaceable Kingdom, part of a refugee acclimatization program by the Ukranian School, in Killeen, TX on Sept. 2, 2022. Patricia Lim/KUT — Vironika Makhova participates in a rope course at Peaceable Kingdom with other members of the Ukrainian School in Austin, a special school created to help refugee kids and their parents acclimate to Texas.

Vehicles drive by apartments in East Riverside affected by local power outages after storms on Sept. 7.

A group dance is led by Mario Cervantes during the Return the Remains Rally to reclaim remains of members of the Miakan-Garza Band held by the University of Texas in front of the Main Tower building on Sept. 14, 2022. Alyssa Olvera for KUT — Mario Cervantes leads a group dance during a Sept. 14 rally promoting the return of Indigenous remains held by UT Austin to the Miakan-Garza Band.

Pflugerville resident Brittanei Martinez points to one of three scars on her stomach from a procedure removing her fallopian tubes. She chose this form of permanent birth control following Texas' abortion bans and the overturning of Roe v. Wade. — Pflugerville resident Brittanei Martinez points to a scar on her stomach from a procedure that removed her fallopian tubes. She chose this form of permanent birth control following Texas' abortion bans and the overturning of *Roe v. Wade*.

October

Sonny, 7, tries to figure out where the eye holes are in a large Pikachu costume at Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds on Oct. 28. The shop announced it would close at the end of the year. — Sonny, 7, tries to figure out where the eye holes are in a large Pikachu costume at Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds on Oct. 28. The iconic costume shop on South Congress announced it would close at the end of the year.

Amanda Phillips puts on eyeliner on Oct. 14, 2022, at her home in Austin. Phillips identifies as bisexual and has been dating more women since the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Michael Minasi / KUT News — Amanda Phillips puts on eyeliner at her home in Austin on Oct. 14. Phillips, who identifies as bisexual, says she has been dating more women since the overturning of *Roe v. Wade*.

November

A Día de los Muertos altar for the 21 victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting is carried by the victims' fathers from the Texas Capitol to the Governor's Mansion on Nov. 1. The group was protesting in favor of an age increase to purchase an AR-15 and encouraging the public to vote. — The fathers of children killed at Robb Elementary School carry a Día de los Muertos altar for the 21 victims from the Texas Capitol to the Governor's Mansion on Nov. 1. The demonstrators called for the age to buy an AR-15 to be raised and encouraged Texans to vote.

A person enters the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum to vote on the last day of early voting in Austin on Nov. 7.

Greg Casar speaks after claiming victory in the U.S. House of Representatives District 35 race during his election watch party on Nov. 8, 2022, at Hotel Vegas in East Austin. Michael Minasi / KUT News — Former Austin City Council Member Greg Casar speaks after winning the U.S. House of Representatives District 35 race during an election party in East Austin on Nov. 8

Austin mayoral candidate Celia Israel at an election results watch party for her campaign at Lustre Pearl bar in Austin, TX on Nov. 8, 2022. Stone Clemons for KUT — Austin mayoral candidate Celia Israel speaks at an election party for her campaign at Lustre Pearl on Nov. 8. She and Kirk Watson were sent to a runoff election.

An immersive light-based art installation called “NeonCity” by AIA Austin is set up along Waller Creek during Waterloo Greenway's annual Creek Show on Nov. 16.

Registered nurse Ashley Sharma, part of the M3 Team, hugs Denzil Wooten, 58, after checking his vitals outside of a closed Sonic restaurant on Nov. 21, 2022, in Austin. Wooten has been part of the Mobile, Medical and Mental Health Care Team’s program for three years. Michael Minasi / KUT News — Registered nurse Ashley Sharma hugs Denzil Wooten, 58, after checking his vitals in a parking lot on Nov. 21. Sharma is part of the Mobile Medical and Mental Health Team, which provides care to people experiencing homelessness.

December

Parade floats cruise down Main Street in Taylor during a holiday parade on Dec. 3. Taylor's annual holiday parade was split in two this year. The City of Taylor parted ways with the Taylor Area Ministerial Alliance over the alliance's new requirements for parade entries, which many felt excluded the city's LGBTQ community. — Parade floats cruise down Main Street in Taylor during a holiday parade on Dec. 3. The City of Taylor parted ways with the Taylor Area Ministerial Alliance this year over the group's new requirements for parade entries, which many felt excluded the city's LGBTQ community.

Charles Guidry, Jr. gives a keynote speech during the 30th annual House the Homeless memorial service on Dec. 11, 2022, at the Homeless Memorial tree in Vic Mathias Shores. Michael Minasi / KUT News — Charles Guidry Jr. gives a speech Dec. 11 at a memorial for Austinites who've died on city streets this year. The 296-person toll was the highest recorded since the nonprofit House the Homeless began the annual vigil 30 years ago.

Kirk Watson shaking hands with watch party attendee at Santa Rita Cantina on Dec. 13, 2022. patricia Lim/KUT — Kirk Watson shakes hands with people at Santa Rita Cantina on Dec. 13, when he was elected Austin's next mayor.

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