Austin news

• Houston speed skater hopes to bring Olympic gold home

  24-11-2017 01:00 via kxan.com
  HOUSTON (KXAN) — When an athlete is training for the Olympics, they need to stay focused on the task at hand.
  For Houston speed skater Jonathan Garcia, he was left feeling hopeless when Hurricane Harvey came through and wreaked havoc on his hometown. Garcia is training for the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah and going back to Texas wasn’t an option.
  “It was pretty awful, you know, I just feel helpless. I was here, I couldn’t really do anything,” says Garcia.
  
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• Abbott writes THECB to create task force addressing healthcare workforce shortages

  19-04-2024 22:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --Gov. Greg Abbott is taking steps to make sure Texans can see a doctor or a nurse when they are needed.On Thursday, Abbott sent a letter to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) asking them to help address healthcare workforce shortages in Texas, Abbott's office said in a news release.Abbott said he wants board to create a task force that would "provide opportunities and remove barriers" for those hoping to get into the field, the release said."Texas is the fastest
  
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• Person sets themself on fire outside Trump trial courthouse

  19-04-2024 20:52 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (WPIX) -- A person set themself on fire outside the courthouse where former President Donald Trump was on trial Friday.
  A person could be seen lying on the ground outside at a park across the street from the Manhattan courthouse. People rushed over to douse the person with a fire extinguisher and try to bat the flames away. NewsNation crews at the courthouse witnessed court officers and New York police officers rushing toward the flames in a chaotic scene.
  Emergency responders then rush
  
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• Man set himself on fire outside Trump trial courthouse

  19-04-2024 20:52 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (WPIX) -- A man set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former President Donald Trump was on trial Friday.
  The man could be seen lying on the ground outside at a park across the street from the Manhattan courthouse. People rushed over to douse him with a fire extinguisher and try to bat the flames away. NewsNation crews at the courthouse witnessed court officers and New York police officers rushing toward the flames in a chaotic scene.
  Emergency responders then rushed him away
  
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• Where is the City of Austin spending its federal pandemic money?

  19-04-2024 20:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- From childcare people can actually afford to shelter for people experiencing homelessness to being better prepared for Texas' next major weather event, the City of Austin has used its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for 30 different projects.
  ARPA funding was intended to help local and state governments handle the pandemic. Austin got $188 million. Austin budgeted more than $40M in ARPA funding for rapid rehousing, that money is going awayAccording to an update from city
  
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• Pflugerville ISD approves salary raises, sets new minimum wage for employees

  19-04-2024 20:21 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — On Thursday, the Pflugerville ISD Board of Trustees approved salary increases for the upcoming school year.The salary increases included a 2% raise of the pay range midpoint for all employees, as well as setting the minimum hourly wage to $17. The starting salary for teachers was also increased to $57,700.The district said it would continue to evaluate programs and processes to identify any cost savings for the district in order to provide employee raises.Accor
  
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• Terry Black's Barbecue opens new location in Waco

  19-04-2024 19:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Central Texas' famous barbecue joint Terry Black's just opened a new location in Waco. It's the company's fourth restaurant location.Terry Black, the man behind what could now be considered a growing chain of restaurants, was born and raised in Lockhart, where the original location still remains.
  According to the Terry Black's website, his children Christina, Michael and Mark have now expanded the family business into Waco.Texas’ 10 best barbecue restaurants, according to
  
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• Flood risk, severe threat Saturday evening

  19-04-2024 19:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A damp and cool afternoon to finish the work week with heavy rain still on track for the weekend.A few spots of sprinkles/drizzle/light rain will mix in with today's mainly cloudy skies. A cold front sagging over the area will result in a wide variety of high temperatures. Some afternoon highs in the 60s are possible in parts of the Hill Country, whereas areas southeast of Austin may reach the low 80s later today. We expect Austin ends up somewhere in the middle closer to the mi
  
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• Tesla recalls new Cybertrucks over accelerator hazard

  19-04-2024 18:38 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) - Tesla is recalling some of its Cybertruck vehicles after a hazard was found with the accelerator pedal.According to a recall notice posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the accelerator pedal pad may dislodge and cause the pedal to be trapped by the interior trim. ‘It’s heartbreaking’: Tesla employees in Austin blindsided by layoffsThe recall notice estimated that the accelerator pedal hazard affects around 3,878 vehicles. The issue
  
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• DA: No charges filed against man accused of murder

  19-04-2024 18:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —The Travis County District Attorney’s office chose not to file charges against a man accused of murder, according to court documents dated April 4.The documents said the DA’s office required further investigation was needed by the Austin Police Department into the case against 18-year-old Andrew Aviles. PAST COVERAGE: 1 killed, 1 injured in east Austin homicide, police investigating“Currently, there is insufficient evidence to proceed;  however, the ma
  
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• Wastewater spilling out of Lago Vista treatment facility 'not a danger' to people or the environment

  19-04-2024 17:45 via kxan.com
  
  LAGO VISTA, Texas (KXAN) -- Wastewater has been spilling out of a treatment facility in Lago Vista since Tuesday, but authorities say it doesn't pose any danger to people or the environment in the area.
  The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, or TCEQ, issued a notice about an unauthorized discharge or spill from the Cedar Breaks Effluent Pond, which started on Tuesday, April 16. Water has been flowing out at about 30-50 gallons per minute.The City of Lago Vista determined that the dischar
  
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• New program makes transfers from Austin Community College to Texas State easy

  19-04-2024 17:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Community College (ACC) students will get the chance to transfer seamlessly to a four-year university through a new partnership with Texas State University (TXST).
  The cleverly named "Bats to Cats" guaranteed admissions program offers students starting at ACC a smooth transfer process into Texas State when they're ready, ACC said. The idea is to increase the number of transfer students and save students time and money.
  “A majority of our students come to&n
  
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• Meningitis survivor advocates against changing vaccine schedule

  19-04-2024 16:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The CDC issued a health advisory warning after increase in cases of invasive meningitis.Bacterial meningitis causes swelling around the brain and spinal cord.“Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial infection that is spread through things like respiratory droplets. So for instance, if we cough or if we sneeze. It also spreads through sharing of utensils, kissing, sharing a soda bottle,” said nurse practitioner Dr. Wendy Wright.“Adolescents are at a particular r
  
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• 1 person injured, 1 taken into custody after shooting in south Austin Thursday

  19-04-2024 16:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One person was injured and another was taken into custody after a shooting in south Austin Thursday afternoon.
  The Austin Police Department said officers were carrying out a warrant in the 2300 block of Wirtz Avenue Thursday when an unrelated shooting happened around 1:48 p.m. in the area.
  One victim was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and a suspect was taken into custody.
  Police did not say what charges the suspect was facing, if any, or what led to
  
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• San Antonio nonprofit 'misused' federal funds to buy migrants airline tickets, lawmaker says

  19-04-2024 15:10 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO (Border Report) -- Two South Texas lawmakers say Catholic Charities of San Antonio is buying airfare for asylum-seekers with federal funds that are meant to reimburse nonprofits and municipalities for food, shelter and humanitarian expenses.U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Democrat and ranking member of the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee, says federal funds from the FEMA Shelter and Services Program were never intended to pay for transportation or flights to other U.S.
  
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• ERs refused to treat pregnant women, leaving one to miscarry in a lobby restroom

  19-04-2024 15:01 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — One woman miscarried in the restroom lobby of a Texas emergency room as front desk staff refused to admit her. Another woman learned that her fetus had no heartbeat at a Florida hospital, the day after a security guard turned her away from the facility. And in North Carolina, a woman gave birth in a car after an emergency room couldn't offer an ultrasound. The baby later died.Complaints that pregnant women were turned away from U.S. emergency rooms spiked in 2022 after th
  
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• What's needed to make a diversion center successful?

  19-04-2024 14:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Law enforcement, prosecutors and elected officials point to the creation of a diversion center as a solution to address crime related to mental health and homelessness.Travis County Commissioners unanimously passed a measure in March 2023 to create the facility.
  A diversion center is meant to be an alternative to jail. In Travis County, the plan is to serve people accused of minor offenses or who are experiencing drug addiction or mental health issues for about 14 days and "help
  
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• Voter Guide: What to know for the May 4 local elections

  19-04-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The headline-grabbing 2024 presidential election is still several months away, but there are several important local elections on the May 4 ballot.Several local cities, counties and school districts are holding elections. Early voting runs from Monday, April 22 through Tuesday, April 30. Election Day is Saturday, May 4. Full coverage of all local and national elections in 2024Here's what you need to know before heading to the polls.What am I going to see on my ballot?In thi
  
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• 2024 Heart Ball returns to Austin in May — how to get tickets

  19-04-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Join the American Heart Association and KXAN for the 2024 Heart of Austin Heart Ball on May 4.
  The ball benefits cutting edge research for healthier hearts.
  "Through the Heart of Austin Heart Ball campaign, we celebrate our collective success in driving change, funding science and improving behaviors – no matter where, or how, we gather," the American Heart Association said on its website.
  "The Heart of Austin campaign unites supporters with a shared purpose to raise
  
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• Austin rowing docks host Lady Bird Lake cleanup ahead of Earth Day

  19-04-2024 13:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Rowing docks on Lady Bird Lake in Austin are partnering up for the third year in a row to host a community-wide lake cleanup effort to kick off Earth Day weekend.
  The Rowing Dock is partnering with Epic SUP to host the volunteer-driven cleanup day. Volunteers will head to the Rowing Dock on the west side of the lake, Epic SUP on the east end, or the trail at Festival Beach to participate in cleanup efforts.Previous coverage: Over 2,000 volunteers clean up Lady Bird Lake for Eart
  
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• Could a robot win the World Cup? UT experts explore future of automatons

  19-04-2024 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Scientists want a robot team to win the World Cup by 2050. Its an ambitious goal set by the RoboCup Federation, a collective of engineers aiming to advance robotics. Friday, April 19 experts at the University of Texas plan to highlight this and other advancements in the field as part of the Hot Science Cool Talks lecture series."Humans vs AI: Robot Soccer and Grand Turismo" is presented by Dr. Peter Stone, a Professor of Computer Science at UT Austin. Dr. Stone is the former pre
  
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• Del Valle ISD looking to hire 90 teachers

  19-04-2024 08:23 via kxan.com
  
  DEL VALLE, Texas (KXAN) — As the school year comes to an end many districts across Central Texas will now look to fill vacant positions for the upcoming year.In Del Valle ISD, District officials tell KXAN they are looking to fill 90 teaching positions."Math and science has always been a huge need and now English, language arts, secondary teachers is a big need," said Del Valle ISD Superintendent Annette Tielle.Finding teachers to fill open positions can be a competitive process with t
  
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• Del Valle ISD aims to fill vacant positions quickly, looking to hire 90 teachers

  19-04-2024 08:23 via kxan.com
  
  DEL VALLE, Texas (KXAN) — As the school year ends, many Central Texas districts are looking to fill vacant positions for the upcoming year.In Del Valle Independent School District, officials tell KXAN they hope to fill 90 teaching positions. MAP: Which school districts have increased teacher pay for the 2023-24 school year?"Math and science has always been a huge need and now English, language arts, secondary teachers is a big need," Del Valle ISD Superintendent Annette Tielle said.Fi
  
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• Jack Leiter gets no decision in MLB debut, Rangers pull out 9-7 win over Tigers

  19-04-2024 05:51 via kxan.com
  
  DETROIT (AP) — Leody Taveras scored the go-ahead run on a fielder’s choice in the eighth inning and added an RBI single in the ninth as the Texas Rangers beat the Detroit Tigers 9-7 on Thursday.Taveras doubled with one out and went to third on Marcus Semien’s fielder’s choice, eluding a tag by Detroit third baseman Gio Urshela. Seager then grounded to first and Taveras scored to break a 7-all tie.“He made a great play, ” Tigers manager A .J. Hinch said of Tava
  
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• Pressure? What's that? Texas softball credits preparation as reason for consensus No. 1 ranking

  19-04-2024 05:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas softball team enters this weekend's Big 12 series against Kansas as the consensus No. 1 in national polls for the first time since 2006, but as far as head coach Mike White is concerned, it shouldn't phase them."Pressure isn't an actual thing. It's self-perceived," he said. "It's what you're making up in your mind. We just have to concentrate on playing the game and let the rankings speak for themselves."MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like
  
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• 'Football isn't going to last forever': Family, pursuit of degree kept Alfred Collins at Texas for 5th year

  19-04-2024 02:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Fifth-year defensive lineman Alfred Collins wants to finish what he started, specifically because his mom told him to.After being a rotation player for the Longhorns last year behind NFL-bound tackles T'Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy, not only is this year his time to shine, but it's also about keeping a promise to his family. SPRING FOOTBALL: Longhorn football growth clear ahead of spring game, draftCollins' mother, Benita Pollard-Collins, was a 4-year letter winner for the
  
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• Marshalling Yard homeless shelter gets 8-month extension approval by council

  19-04-2024 02:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Thursday, Austin City Council unanimously approved an eight-month extension contract for an additional $500,000 for the City of Austin's Marshalling Yard shelter. That contract is with Endeavors, an organization that operates emergency temporary shelter for the homeless community.The original agreement was that the extension would include $9.64 million, the city said in a news release Thursday.Back in July 2023, the council approved the use of the facility, which is now known
  
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• New psychological report calls for more protections for kids on social media

  19-04-2024 01:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The American Psychological Association (APA) is calling on social media platforms to create “special protections” to help offset the negative effects of social media usage for children and teenagers.  A new study from the APA found people under the age of 25 have more vulnerabilities that social media companies may take advantage of. This includes responses to social feedback, relationship skills, malicious actors and the need for sleep. “Plat
  
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• Siete Family Foods' retail sales reach $400M as Austin brand aims for billion-dollar empire

  19-04-2024 01:09 via kxan.com
  
  (Austin Business Journal) -- Siete Family Foods Inc. is one of Austin's most well-known brands, with its tortillas, chips and other Mexican-American fare on 37,000 retail shelves across North America.The grain-, gluten- and dairy-free food company has made a nationwide splash by adapting Mexican flavors to certain diets, such as keto or gluten-free. The homegrown brand has experienced rapid growth in recent years: it had its products in just 8,000 stores in 2019, and officials said its reta
  
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• Some Austin Police officers are now drawing blood in DWI cases

  19-04-2024 00:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin Police Department is piloting a program where some police officers are drawing blood from people suspected of driving under the influence instead of emergency medical technicians or nurses. Previously, EMS medics had the ability to work overtime and conduct these blood draws for the police department. Because of staffing shortages, EMS is no longer able to offer these overtime shifts, APD said. “We don't want to strain [EMS] resources by pulling a
  
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