Austin news

• Officer involved in deadly shooting in south Austin

  23-02-2017 01:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police are investigating an officer-involved shooting that happened on Manchaca Road near Keilbar Lane in south Austin.
  The call came in around 6:15 p.m. Initial information indicates an officer fired shots. Austin-Travis County EMS says there is a deceased woman in her 20s at the scene. The officer was not injured.
  Traffic coming southbound on Manchaca Road is being detoured to Matthews Lane at this time.
  The last time the Austin Police Department had a deadly offic
  
  Read more

• Punxsutawney Phil, wife Phyllis announce names of pups

  12-05-2024 22:29 via kxan.com
  
  PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Punxsutawney Phil, and his wife, Phyllis, celebrated her first Mother's Day in a very special way.Dozens gathered at the Punxsutawney Groundhog Zoo Sunday morning to hear the long-awaited announcement of the names of Phil and Phyllis' two pups born in March."Today, Mother's Day, we decided it would be a fitting day to announce the names of our new baby groundhogs that belong to Phil and Phyllis," Dan McGinley, Vice President of The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, sa
  
  Read more

• Social Security Administration announces new list of most popular baby names

  12-05-2024 22:27 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – A new name has cracked into the top 10 list of the most popular baby names in the U.S.
  The Social Security Administration released its annual list of most popular names Friday using 2023 data. The agency tracks names dating back to 1880, gathering the names from applications for Social Security cards.2023's top contenders don't look all that different from last year — Liam and Olivia still reign supreme for boys and girls, respectively — but there is
  
  Read more

• Will your last COVID vaccine work against new 'FLiRT' variants?

  12-05-2024 22:24 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Two new COVID-19 variants are circulating, posing a threat to a summer surge.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been tracking the new variants, scientifically known as KP.2 and KP.1.1 since at least the start of 2024. They’ve been steadily growing in prominence ever since, and have garnered the nickname “FLiRT” because of their mutations.The latest data shows KP.2 is the dominant strain in the U.S., comprising almost 25% of the tests that have
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Target cutting number of stores carrying Pride-themed merchandise after 2023 backlash

  12-05-2024 22:23 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Target confirmed Friday that it won't carry Pride Month merchandise at all stores in June after the discount retailer experienced a backlash and lower sales over its collection honoring LGBTQ+ communities.Target, which operates roughly 2,000 stores, said decisions about where to stock Pride-themed products, including adult apparel, home goods, foods and beverages would be based on “guest insights and consumer research.”A Target spokesperson declined to disclose
  
  Read more

• New ‘Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum’ expected to be released in 2026

  12-05-2024 22:21 via kxan.com
  
  Andy Serkis is going back to Middle-earth to play Gollum in two new “Lord of the Rings” films.Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group’s Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy said Thursday that Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, the Oscar-winning team behind the “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies, will produce and Serkis will direct.“Yesssss, Precious,” Serkis said in a statement. “The time has come once
  
  Read more

• Why the USPS is urging homeowners to fix their mailboxes

  12-05-2024 22:05 via kxan.com
  
  (KTLA) – The United States Postal Service is encouraging Americans to clean up and fix their mailboxes as part of an annual campaign.Mailbox Improvement Week takes place every third week of May and is meant to gently urge homeowners to perform maintenance on their mailboxes and repair regular wear and tear.Among the improvements the USPS suggests, homeowners should consider replacing loose hinges on the mailbox door, remounting a loose mailbox post, adding or replacing house numbers and re
  
  Read more

• REAL ID deadline is fast approaching: Are you prepared?

  12-05-2024 22:05 via kxan.com
  
  CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP/NEXSTAR) — In roughly a year, you'll need a special identification card, known as a REAL ID, in order to fly domestically, visit certain federal facilities, or enter a nuclear power plant.Enforcement of these federally-approved IDs was set to begin in 2020, but was delayed multiple times because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Current guidance from the Department of Homeland Security says REAL ID enforcement will begin on May 7, 2025.Luckily, you may already have a REA
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• 'Changed my life': Starbucks barista seeks stranger who left note before Mother's Day

  12-05-2024 22:05 via kxan.com
  
  LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KARK) – Starting people's day off right is part of the job description for a barista who comes into work before sunrise. So, when a woman who seemed to be struggling walked into Starbucks on April 25, Courtney Crawford brought sunshine to her day."She was tired. She was oh my gosh. I've got all things to do. You could feel the weight, so it was important to me to at least get her smile," Crawford said.She was successful, and minutes later, that woman returned with a note
  
  Read more

• Northern lights: What causes the colors that we see — and don't see?

  12-05-2024 22:03 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Amid a massive solar storm, Americans as far south as Hawaii, Florida, and Texas have had the chance to see the northern lights. For some, it's the first time in nearly two decades that conditions aligned to bring the aurora to their night skies.If you saw the northern lights — either with your own eyes or with the help of your phone — you may have noticed an array of colors. But what causes the different shades of greens, reds, blues, and purples? It's all about wh
  
  Read more

• Dozens walk out before Jerry Seinfeld's commencement speech at Duke in protest

  12-05-2024 22:03 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) — Dozens of students walked out of the Duke University commencement ceremony ahead of Jerry Seinfeld’s scheduled speech Sunday, apparently in protest of the Jewish comedian’s support for Israel, according to news reports and videos circulated on social media.As Seinfeld received his honorary degree, before beginning his commencement speech, the graduating students rose from their seats and walked out, waving Palestinian flags and chanting, “Free, free Palestine
  
  Read more

• McDonald's could introduce a $5 Value Meal: reports

  12-05-2024 22:02 via kxan.com
  
  CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO) — McDonald's is reportedly working to create a $5 Value Meal to help offset slowing sales.According to a report by Bloomberg, the $5 meal would include four items: a McChicken or McDouble sandwich, four-piece Chicken McNuggets, fries, and a drink. Sources confirmed those potential offerings to CNBC, but the chain declined to comment to the outlet.
  The Chicago burger giant previously said inflation-weary customers are eating out less often in many big markets. McDo
  
  Read more

• Sharks in Guadalupe River? What the city of New Braunfels has to say

  12-05-2024 21:37 via kxan.com
  
  NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas (KXAN) — The City Of New Braunfels addressed concerns Wednesday about the possibility of sharks in the Guadalupe River.“Despite recent social media posts warning tubers about a shark being caught in ‘the Guadalupe River,’ there have been no reports of sharks in the relatively shallow freshwater of the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels,” the city said.According to a social media post from the city, the Guadalupe River is roughly 230 miles long, st
  
  Read more

• Millennials are buying more homes in these Texas cities than anywhere else in the US

  12-05-2024 17:00 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) - Over the last decade, the total number of homeowners in the U.S. has increased year after year, particularly in Texas.According to the Census Bureau, Texas had the largest growth in population last year by adding 473,453 people – an increase of 1.6% in population. In total, Texas has the second-largest population out of any state with just under 31 million people. Austinites could get up to $3,000 for switching to ‘WaterWise’ landscapesBut of those new people making
  
  Read more

• Black caterpillars in Texas: Are they poisonous?

  12-05-2024 17:00 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — With summer approaching, you may start seeing those fuzzy black caterpillars in trees and bushes again. But is there any reason to worry when you do encounter them?
  As explained by Wizzie Brown, integrated pest management specialist at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Services, fuzzy black caterpillars — also known as woollybear caterpillars — typically hunker down during winter before emerging in the spring and summer. Words you can’t use when opening a
  
  Read more

• Wildflower Center says great horned owlets now 'spreading their wings'

  12-05-2024 16:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center provided an update on the baby owls of Athena, the center’s resident great horned owl.“The newest arrivals to the Wildflower Center family are growing up fast! These cute owlets hatched in early April and are now - quite literally - spreading their wings,” the center said in a social media post.Two owlets nested at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center photo taken by Bill J. Boy
  
  Read more

• A period of unsettled weather continues

  12-05-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —Overnight thunderstorms moved into San Saba County between 3 and 4 a.m. While the storms remained below severe criteria they did produce plenty of lightning. There was a radar report of grape- to walnut-sized along the Lampasas-San Saba county line.Pockets of heavy rain led to rain totals exceeding one inch at a few locations in the these two counties. Central Texas rain totalsToday's forecast has dropped to 60% for showers and thunderstorms. The upper-level low that yesterd
  
  Read more

• Lawmakers double down on LGBTQ+ policies ahead of next Texas session

  12-05-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  Project Summary: In 2023, a fifth of the country’s state-level bills impacting the LGBTQ+ community were filed in Texas, according to a Human Rights Campaign analysis. Equality Texas tracked a record 141 such bills this year up from just 12 in 2015. Some policies passed and several others progressed substantially in the most recent legislative session. KXAN’s team of journalists – many LGBTQ+ staff members with unique, developed and inside perspectives providing nuance to our
  
  Read more

• Groups protest Austin Animal Center, say leaders aren't fixing changes needed

  12-05-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Some Austinites gathered downtown on Saturday in a peaceful sidewalk demonstration, saying "poor leadership" is leading the Austin Animal Center.Local group Here for the Dogs organized the protest as a way to advocate for policy changes at the animal shelter, according to the Here for the Dogs website.Those people said they take offense with Don Bland, the current chief animal services officer at the Austin Animal Center, who they said isn't committed to Austin's no-kill mandate
  
  Read more

• Dozens gather on UT campus after graduation for pro-Palestine rally

  12-05-2024 05:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Dozens of people gathered at the University of Texas at Austin campus on Saturday night to for a pro-Palestine protest after commencement ceremonies ended.People were seen gathering shortly before 10 p.m., with the Texas Department of Public Safety and UT Police watching from a distance. UT Austin officials were also present and monitoring the demonstration but were later seen walking away. UT grads reach milestone after protest clashes on campusAt the demonstration, people were
  
  Read more

• Dozens gather on UT campus after graduation for pro-Palestine protest

  12-05-2024 05:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Dozens of people gathered at the University of Texas at Austin campus on Saturday night to for a pro-Palestine protest after commencement ceremonies ended.People were seen gathering shortly before 10 p.m., with the Texas Department of Public Safety and UT Police watching from a distance. UT Austin officials were also present and monitoring the demonstration but were later seen walking away. UT grads reach milestone after protest clashes on campusAt the demonstration, people were
  
  Read more

• UT grads reach milestone after protest clashes on campus

  12-05-2024 03:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) — The largest class of University of Texas students in a decade reached their grand achievement this week, despite concern that ceremonies could be called off like those at other universities where police have clashed with pro-Palestine demonstrators in recent weeks.The concern follows the April 24 protest hosted by the school's Palestine Solidarity Committee when waves of law enforcement descended on the campus-- resulting in a violent confrontation between officers a
  
  Read more

• State of Texas: Leaders weigh marijuana options after local decriminalization measure fails

  12-05-2024 01:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- An effort to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana appeared on the ballot recently in another Texas community, and the results turned out differently than similar initiatives in other Texas cities.On May 5, voters in Lubbock overwhelming rejected Proposition A by a margin of 30 percentage points — 65% opposed the measure, while 35% supported it. If approved, it would have told police to stop arresting people for having less than four ounces of marijuana in most cases
  
  Read more

• Austin Police Department releases five-year plan

  12-05-2024 00:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Friday, the Austin Police Department released its five-year plan, which sets the agency's priorities and stay engaged with the community in the process, the City of Austin said in a news release.During the process, which began in 2022, APD gathered input from "various parts of the City" and from "all levels" of the agency to better establish the core focus of the plan, the release said.“All the input and feedback we have received has been helpful in fostering continuous
  
  Read more

• Ohio postal worker pulled over for driving 100+ mph, allegedly racing a Mustang

  11-05-2024 23:49 via kxan.com
  
  (WJW) -- Neither rain, nor snow, nor a 60-mile-per-hour speed limit could stop one Ohio postal worker from her delivery route.The postal worker was pulled over for driving more than 100 miles per hour, and police believe she was trying to race a sports car in her mail truck. How to see the sunspot today that could cause northern lights tonight in Ohio"Is there a reason you're going over 100?” asked a deputy, wearing a body-worn camera.“I didn't realize that I was going that fast," th
  
  Read more

• NASA aims to build first railway system on moon

  11-05-2024 23:24 via kxan.com
  
  HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — NASA announced it is aiming to build the first railway system on the moon."We want to build the first lunar railway system, which will provide reliable, autonomous, and efficient payload transport on the Moon," a post by Ethan Schaler, with the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory stated.Artist concept of novel approach proposed by a 2024 NIAC Phase II awardee for possible future missions depicting lunar surface with planet Earth on the horizon.
  (Credit: NASA /
  
  Read more

• Will Americans see the northern lights again tonight?

  11-05-2024 23:03 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) - Friday night, Americans across the country were able to catch a glimpse of the northern lights from coast to coast, a sight many only get to see once in their lifetime. But for those who missed it, or are hoping for a second look, you may just get that chance Saturday night.
  According to the NOAA's Aurora Forecast, the majority of households who saw the northern lights last night will have a chance to watch them on Saturday. Can't see the northern lights? Try using your phone cameraW
  
  Read more

• PHOTOS: 'Rare' solar storm passes over Central Texas

  11-05-2024 20:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The northern lights were visible across Central Texas Friday evening, and KXAN viewers took to the streets to catch a glimpse of the event. RELATED: Northern lights visible amid 'very rare' geomagnetic storm watchA G4 geomagnetic storm watch was issued Thursday ahead of the arrival, which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration called "very rare."Aurora Borealis in Cedar Creek | KXAN viewer photoAurora east of Johnson City | Credit: Susan HillSolar storm during
  
  Read more

• Cruz gets 'grief' from fellow Senators over work to pass bipartisan FAA bill

  11-05-2024 19:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — A show of bipartisanship in Washington helped Senators pass a bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration. The $105-billion bill aims to improve customer service and safety for air travelers.The deal came Thursday night, just hours before a deadline that could have led to the FAA furloughing 1000s of workers. It still needs approval in the House.
  One challenge to passing a major piece of legislation is the work to keep members from stalling the bill by adding
  
  Read more

• Words you can't use when opening a business in Texas

  11-05-2024 17:00 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Sometimes, the hardest part of any project — whether it be creative or professional — can be deciding on a name for it. Just as there are regulations on what you can and can't name a baby, so, too, are there rules about what you can and can't name your business.In order to even name a business, an entrepreneur's choice must be approved by the Texas Secretary of State's Office, which provided much of the below information, except where noted. Potential business owner
  
  Read more

Follow @Austin_News_US on Twitter!