Austin news

• Georgetown now has 23 outdoor warning sirens

  21-08-2017 23:47 via kxan.com
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — The city of Georgetown now has 23 outdoor warning sirens to alert people to severe weather where they will need to seek immediate cover.
  With a $416,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, along with $139,000 investment from the city, the city was able to install an additional 16 sirens throughout Georgetown. In 2015, KXAN reported the city was looking to replace the seven old sirens and add more sirens to reach more areas of the city.
  While the s
  
  Read more

• Sen. Cruz visits New Braunfels promoting jobs

  21-08-2017 23:16 via kxan.com
  NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas (KXAN) – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz made a quick stop in New Braunfels Monday morning to meet employees at the Sysco plant just south of New Braunfels.
  The stop in New Braunfels is one of many planned throughout the state. Cruz says the goal is to learn how he can help business leaders, city leaders and the community grow by adding more jobs.
  “My number one priority is and remains jobs, it’s the number one priority of Texans,” said Cruz. “We have an
  
  Read more

• What the solar eclipse looked like from 38,000 feet in the air

  21-08-2017 23:09 via kxan.com
  PORTLAND, Ore. (KXAN) — KXAN’s Digital Content Producer Kate Winkle won the trip of a lifetime to view the 2017 solar eclipse from the air via Alaska Airlines! Here’s her account of how it all played out from 38,000 feet in the air.
  My alarm went off at 3:30 a.m. and I jumped up almost immediately, miraculously wide awake. It was eclipse day, and my boyfriend and I had to get to the airport. We won a trip to see the eclipse from the air, and became two of dozens of media,
  
  Read more

• Feds: Texas man tried planting bomb on Confederate statue

  21-08-2017 22:55 via kxan.com
  HOUSTON (AP) — A Houston man has been arrested after he was allegedly caught trying to plant explosives on a Confederate statue at a Houston park, authorities said Monday.
  Prosecutors allege 25-year-old Andrew Schneck was caught on Saturday evening near a statue of Richard Dowling, a lieutenant in the Confederate army. A Houston park ranger found Schneck holding two boxes with duct tape and wires as well as a bottle and a small tube containing compounds that tests later revealed were explo
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• PHOTOS: Confederate statues at the University of Texas at Austin

  21-08-2017 22:37 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Sunday, Aug. 20, crews started removing four statues from their location at the University of Texas at Austin. The statues that were removed were: John H. Reagan, Albert S. Johnston, Robert E. Lee and James Stephen Hogg.  While Hogg was not a member of the Confederacy, his statue was removed because the group statuary is one exhibit. The university says it is possible Hogg’s statue will end up elsewhere on the UT campus. GALLERY: Removal of Confederate Statues
  
  Read more

• Police: Fugitive’s death ‘breaks’ cell behind Spain attacks

  21-08-2017 22:24 via kxan.com
  SUBIRATS, Spain (AP) — The lone fugitive from the Spanish cell that killed 15 people in and near Barcelona was shot to death Monday after he flashed what turned out to be a fake suicide belt at two troopers who confronted him in a vineyard not far from the city he terrorized, authorities said.
  Police said they had “scientific evidence” that Younes Abouyaaqoub, 22, drove the van that barreled through Barcelona’s crowded Las Ramblas promenade, killing 13 people on Thursday,
  
  Read more

• Barcelona fugitive shot dead had knives, wore fake bomb belt

  21-08-2017 22:24 via kxan.com
  SUBIRATS, Spain (AP) — The lone fugitive from the Spanish cell that killed 15 people in and near Barcelona was shot to death Monday after he flashed what turned out to be a fake suicide belt at two troopers who confronted him in a vineyard just outside the city he terrorized, authorities said.
  Police said they had “scientific evidence” that Younes Abouyaaqoub, 22, drove the van that barreled through Barcelona’s crowded Las Ramblas promenade, killing 13 people on Thursday,
  
  Read more

• Florida woman talks about how an alligator killed her dog

  21-08-2017 22:14 via kxan.com
  KENNETH CITY, Fla. (WFLA) – A pet owner in Florida is warning other pet owners in Pinellas County to watch out for gators after her dog was attacked and killed by one on Wednesday.
  Colleen McDonald is mourning the loss of her 10-year-old Chow mix Rocky. McDonald tells us Rocky didn’t have a chance escaping the jaws of a 9-foot, 400-pound gator on Wednesday, Aug. 16.
  “I’m just glad that they got him,” she said, referring to the captured gator. “It was
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• School zones in Austin where drivers get the most tickets

  21-08-2017 21:46 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As Austin-area children headed back to school Monday, several law enforcement agencies are reminding drivers to pay attention to school zone speed limits and keep an eye out for pedestrians.
  Last school year, the most school zone violations were given during the first week of class, according to an analysis of citations provided by Austin Municipal Court.
  There were 314 citations handed out when the Austin Independent School District held classes between Aug. 22 and Aug. 26
  
  Read more

• The Latest: Tyler performs ‘Total Eclipse’ during cruise

  21-08-2017 21:39 via kxan.com
  The Latest on the total solar eclipse crossing the U.S., from Oregon to South Carolina (all times EDT):
  4 p.m.
  Some cruise passengers have watched the solar eclipse as Bonnie Tyler sang her hit, “Total Eclipse of the Heart.”
  The Welsh singer was backed on the ballad by Joe Jonas’ band, DNCE, during a Monday afternoon performance in an outdoor theater on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas.
  “Total Eclipse Cruise” left from Florida on Sunday, sailing through the
  
  Read more

• The Latest: Eclipse a hit even where sun not totally blocked

  21-08-2017 21:39 via kxan.com
  The Latest on the total solar eclipse crossing the U.S., from Oregon to South Carolina (all times EDT):
  1:50 p.m.
  Northwest cities not quite in the path of totality also enjoyed the solar eclipse.
  Boise is not in totality. But birds quieted down briefly when 99.5 percent of sun was blocked. And some neighborhoods erupted into applause and hooting as residents cheered the show from their yards.
  In Portland, hundreds gathered at Tom McCall Waterfront Park to see the rare celestial event. Some offi
  
  Read more

• The Latest: Car strikes 2 women watching eclipse, 1 dies

  21-08-2017 21:39 via kxan.com
  The Latest on the total solar eclipse crossing the U.S., from Oregon to South Carolina (all times EDT):
  7:45 p.m.
  Authorities say two women watching the eclipse while standing on a sidewalk in Kentucky were struck by a car, and one has died.
  State Police Trooper Jody Sims says the car crossed the center line and hit a utility pole and the pedestrians Monday in Hyden, about 120 miles (190 kilometers) southeast of Lexington.
  Sims says 23-year-old Mackenzie P. Hays was pronounced dead, and 41-year-
  
  Read more

• Judge won’t let Rep. Dawnna Dukes’ attorneys withdraw

  21-08-2017 20:36 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Travis County District Judge Brad Urrutia says two attorneys who represent State Rep. Dawnna Dukes will have to remain on the case even though they filed a motion to withdraw from the case.
  Houston lawyers Shaun Clarke and Dane Ball asked the presiding judge to withdraw from the case last month. In a written request filed on July 25, Clarke and Ball asked Judge Urrutia to withdraw from the case and make Matt Shrum–the lone Austin attorney representing Dukes&ndash
  
  Read more

• Texas Longhorns ranked in AP preseason Top 25

  21-08-2017 18:28 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The University of Texas Longhorns are ranked No. 23 in the nation going into the 2017-2018 college football season according to the preseason AP poll.
  The Top 25 teams in The Associated Press preseason college football poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, 2016 records, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote, and 2016 final ranking:
  Record
  Pts
  Prv
  1. Alabama (52)
  14-1
  1513
  2
  2. Ohio St. (3)
  11-2
  1
  
  Read more

• Start of school is unique for Central Texas children watching the eclipse

  21-08-2017 15:48 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Monday, August 21st is only the fourth day of the school year for children at St. Gabriel’s Catholic School in Austin. After three days of going over school and class procedure, Monday is the first day lessons really resume, and this year has an exciting start: the entire school, kindergarten through 8th grade, will watch Central Texas’ partial solar eclipse together at 1:00 p.m.
  The school has prepared in advance and ordered solar-safe glasses for its students
  
  Read more

• Solar Eclipse Live Stream

  21-08-2017 15:21 via kxan.com
  Can’t see the total eclipse? We’ll only see a partial eclipse here in Central Texas, but we’ve got you covered with this NASA Live Stream.
  Eclipse Time (in Austin)
  Eclipse begins at 11:41 a.m.
  Maximum eclipse at 1:10 p.m.
  Eclipse ends at 2:39 p.m
  Safety First
  Looking directly at the sun is not safe. The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through “eclipse glasses” or hand-held solar viewers. NASA recommends buying your 
  
  Read more

• Thank You! 550+ animals find homes during Clear The Shelters

  21-08-2017 14:43 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Central Texans rallied around their community animal shelters Saturday to adopt more than 550 animals during the Clear The Shelters event.
  KXAN partnered with shelters across the area to help ease summer time shelter crowding.
   
  
  Read more

• Fake eclipse glasses cancel Austin school’s viewing

  21-08-2017 14:12 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It’s an abrupt change in plans for an Austin elementary school but it’s one being made in the name of safety. Hill Elementary School is cancelling its planned eclipse viewing party because the PTA there discovered they’d been sold counterfeit eclipse glasses.
  In a letter to parents, the PTA explains they learned about the possibility of the counterfeit glasses after buying the glasses in July. They checked their supply and found some glasses weren’t
  
  Read more

• WARNING: Fake solar eclipse glasses can ‘literally cook your retina’

  21-08-2017 14:04 via kxan.com
  TAMPA, FL (WFLA) – You may have already bought heavily-shaded glasses to help you view Monday’s solar eclipse, but if you aren’t sure whether or not they’re safe, you may want to check your receipts.
  Scientists are warning buyers of fake glasses that are putting thousands of people at risk of serious eye damage and permanent blindness.
  “The market has been overrun with counterfeits and fakes, and many of them were being sold on Amazon,” said Richard Fienberg,
  
  Read more

• Search underway for missing sailors; Navy chief orders probe

  21-08-2017 12:36 via kxan.com
  SINGAPORE (AP) — The U.S. Navy ordered a broad investigation Monday into the performance and readiness of the Pacific-based 7th Fleet after the USS John S. McCain collided with an oil tanker in Southeast Asian waters, leaving 10 U.S. sailors missing and others injured.
  It was the second major collision in the past few months involving the Navy’s 7th Fleet. Seven sailors died in June when the USS Fitzgerald and a container ship collided in waters off Japan.
  Vessels and aircraft from t
  
  Read more

• Navy chief orders probe into Pacific fleet after collisions

  21-08-2017 12:36 via kxan.com
  SINGAPORE (AP) — The U.S. Navy ordered a broad investigation Monday into the performance and readiness of the Pacific-based 7th Fleet after an early morning collision between the USS John S. McCain and an oil tanker in Southeast Asian waters left 10 U.S. sailors missing and others injured.
  It was the second major collision in the last two months involving the Navy’s 7th Fleet. Seven sailors died in June when the USS Fitzgerald and a container ship collided in waters off Japan.
  Navy A
  
  Read more

• Nations search for 10 missing after US destroyer collision

  21-08-2017 12:36 via kxan.com
  SINGAPORE (AP) — Vessels from several nations are searching Southeast Asian waters for 10 missing U.S. sailors after an early morning collision Monday between the USS John S. McCain and an oil tanker ripped a gaping hole in the destroyer’s hull.
  The collision east of Singapore between the guided missile destroyer and the 183-meter (600-foot) Alnic MC was the second involving a ship from the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet in the Pacific in two months.
  Vessels and aircraft from the U.S.,
  
  Read more

• Damaged USS John S. McCain arrives in Singapore; 10 missing

  21-08-2017 12:36 via kxan.com
  SINGAPORE (AP) — The USS John S. McCain guided missile destroyer docked Monday at Singapore’s naval base with “significant damage” to its hull after an early morning collision with an oil tanker, as vessels from several nations searched for 10 missing U.S. sailors.
  The collision east of Singapore between the destroyer and the 183-meter (600-foot) Alnic MC, which has recent safety violations, was the second involving a ship from the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet in the Pacif
  
  Read more

• French police rule out terror in van’s fatal bus stop hits

  21-08-2017 12:32 via kxan.com
  MARSEILLE, France (AP) — A van rammed into two bus stops in the French port city of Marseille on Monday, killing one person and injuring another, but investigators ruled out terrorism as a motive, police said.
  The driver of the van, arrested in a third location, was a 35-year-old from the Grenoble region in eastern France who was being treated for psychological problems, a Marseille police official said.
  “The terrorist motive is completely rejected,” the official, who spoke on
  
  Read more

• 1 dead as vehicle rams bus stops in Marseille, France

  21-08-2017 12:32 via kxan.com
  PARIS (AP) — A van rammed into two bus stops in the French port city of Marseille on Monday, killing one person and injuring another, according to French media reports.
  Police tweeted that an operation was underway and asked residents to avoid part of the scenic Old Port area in France’s second-largest city.
  The driver was arrested, according to regional newspaper La Provence and BFM-TV. BFM said a witness noted the license plate of the van and was able to give it to police.
  A woman
  
  Read more

• 1 dead, 1 injured as van rams bus stops in Marseille, France

  21-08-2017 12:32 via kxan.com
  MARSEILLE, France (AP) — A van rammed into two bus stops about 5 kilometers (3 miles) apart in the French port city of Marseille on Monday, killing one person and injuring another, police officials said.
  The driver of the van, arrested in a third location, was a 35-year-old from the Grenoble region in eastern France who was being treated for psychological problems, an official at police headquarters said. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in keeping with French law enforcement p
  
  Read more

• Trump to outline Afghan strategy in national TV address

  21-08-2017 12:29 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump will use a nationally televised address to outline for a war-weary nation the strategy he believes will best position the U.S. to eventually declare victory in Afghanistan after 16 years of combat and lives lost.
  The speech Monday night will also give Trump a chance for a reset after one of the most difficult weeks of his short presidency.
  Trump tweeted Saturday that he had reached a decision on the way forward in Afghanistan, a day after he reviewe
  
  Read more

• After fraught debate, Trump to disclose new Afghanistan plan

  21-08-2017 12:29 via kxan.com
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump will unveil his updated Afghanistan policy Monday night in a rare, prime-time address to a nation that broadly shares his pessimism about American involvement in the 16-year conflict. Although he may send a few thousand more troops, there are no signs of a major shift in strategy.
  Trump’s announcement caps months of debate that illustrated a basic problem in Trump’s Afghanistan decision: As a candidate he criticized the war and said the
  
  Read more

• Austin, Eanes and Manor ISD start classes today

  21-08-2017 12:12 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Get ready for more cards on your morning commute as several area school districts go back to school Monday.
  Austin, Bastrop, Burnet, Eanes independent school districts start classes Monday.
  Police and sheriffs’ deputies will be out in force in school zones.
   
  
  Read more

• UT orders overnight removal of Confederate statues

  21-08-2017 06:45 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Sunday night UT Austin President Greg Fenves issued a statement calling for the removal of the three remaining Confederate monuments on the UT Austin campus.
  Those statues depict John H. Reagan (Confederate Postmaster General),  Albert S. Johnston (a Confederate general), and Robert E. Lee ( commander of the Confederate army). All are located on the South Mall, a central area on campus where many students will go to walk, study, and visit.
  As of 3 a.m. M
  
  Read more

• University of Texas removes Confederate statues overnight

  21-08-2017 06:45 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Sunday night University of Texas at Austin President Greg Fenves issued a statement calling for the removal of the three remaining Confederate monuments on the UT Austin campus.
  Those statues depict John H. Reagan (Confederate Postmaster General),  Albert S. Johnston (a Confederate general), and Robert E. Lee ( commander of the Confederate army). All are located on the South Mall, a central area on campus where many students will go to walk, study, and v
  
  Read more

• Overnight removal of confederate statues from UT ordered by President Fenves

  21-08-2017 06:45 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Sunday night UT Austin President Greg Fenves issued a statement calling for the removal of the three remaining Confederate monuments on the UT Austin campus.
  Those statues depict John H. Reagan (Confederate Postmaster General),  Albert S. Johnston (a Confederate general), and Robert E. Lee ( commander of the Confederate army). All are located on the South Mall, a central area con campus where many students will go to walk, study, and visit.
  As of 1:15 a.
  
  Read more

• Bastrop students keep the kindness of a former classmate alive

  21-08-2017 05:55 via kxan.com
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — Bastrop High School starts the school year on Monday. The Student Council is giving back in a big way after losing a 2016 graduate, Christian Harman.
  The service project is called Christian’s Closet, and it’s specifically geared toward collecting clothes for teenagers.
  Harman died on July 1 when his heart stopped unexpectedly at the age of 19. An autopsy revealed an enlarged heart — something his family never knew.
  KXAN’s Erin Cargile shares
  
  Read more

• Bastrop students keep the kindness of a fallen classmate alive

  21-08-2017 05:55 via kxan.com
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — Bastrop High School starts the school year on Monday. The Student Council is giving back in a big way after losing a 2016 graduate, Christian Harman.
  The service project is called Christian’s Closet, and it’s specifically geared toward collecting clothes for teenagers.
  Harman died on July 1 when his heart stopped unexpectedly at the age of 19. An autopsy revealed an enlarged heart — something his family never knew.
  KXAN’s Erin Cargile shares
  
  Read more

• Final push for school supplies as students head back to class

  21-08-2017 04:45 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — School is back in session Monday, Aug. 21, for thousands of students, and one group is trying to make sure kids are ready.
  Signature Care Emergency Center in south Austin just wrapped up its school supply drive.
  They were collecting needed items including backpacks.
  Districts including Austin, Bastrop, Eanes and Manor will start classes Monday, Aug. 21. Round Rock students go back Tuesday, Aug. 22.
  Pflugerville ISD, Leander ISD and San Marcos CISD have another week of summe
  
  Read more

• Thousands feel the heat for a good cause at Hot Sauce Festival

  21-08-2017 04:43 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Chronicle’s 27th annual Hot Sauce Festival turned up the heat Sunday at Fiesta Gardens.
  Thousands of people came out to get that extra kick and help the Central Texas Food Bank, which the festival benefits.
  “This comes at a crucial time for us because it’s right at the time when kids are going back to school,” said Amy Elms with the Central Texas Food Bank. “So the food donations that we are receiving today, those are going to be hel
  
  Read more

• 2 men shot, injured in northeast Austin

  21-08-2017 04:16 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Two men were taken to the hospital Sunday night with gunshot wounds, said Austin-Travis County EMS.
  The call came in at about 8:17 p.m. at the intersection of Rogge Lane and Manor Road, which is north of East 51st Street, ATC EMS said.
  Medics transported both men to Dell Seton Medical Center with serious injuries, ATC EMS said.
  The Austin Police Department said it didn’t have more information about the two injured men or why they may have been shot. They said that off
  
  Read more

• Doug Ghim finishes runner-up at US Amateur

  21-08-2017 03:55 via kxan.com
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Doc Redman stood over a 60-foot eagle putt on the 35th hole of the U.S. Amateur final, his hand in his pocket as usual. One hole earlier, he missed a 4-footer to fall two holes behind with two to play, and his championship chances probably rested on this long, tricky shot.And if the 19-year-old sophomore from Clemson felt even a bit of that pressure, Redman never showed it while he holed that daunting putt and made an incredible comeback to win.
  “I didn’t eve
  
  Read more

• Two Longhorns selected to US Walker Cup team

  21-08-2017 03:48 via kxan.com
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — U.S. Amateur champion Doc Redman and runner-up Doug Ghim were among the 10 players selected Sunday to the U.S. Walker Cup team. Ghim will be joined by fellow Longhorn Scottie Scheffler on the team.Redman, a 19-year-old sophomore at Clemson, beat Ghim on the 37th hole Sunday at Riviera Country Club. Ghim is a senior at Texas.
  Redman and Ghim will join Cameron Champ, Stewart Hagestad, Maverick McNealy, Collin Morikawa, Braden Thornbe
  
  Read more

• Ways you can safely view Monday’s solar eclipse

  21-08-2017 03:34 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Our much anticipated solar eclipse is just around the corner! What makes this one so unique? Its path of totality will cross the entire United States, from coast to coast.
  If you’re wanting to check out the show, it may be too late to snag a pair of your own solar eclipse glasses. However, it’s not too late to safely catch a glimpse of the eclipse. There are several ways you and your family can check out the spectacular show here at home, safely.
  One way is
  
  Read more

• UT Student Government launches online survey on campus confederate statues

  21-08-2017 01:36 via kxan.com
  (AUSTIN) KXAN — The student government at the University of Texas at Austin launched a campus survey on Saturday, polling students about how they feel about confederate statues on the 40 acres. They are looking to gather student opinion about the three remaining statues of confederate figures on the South Mall of the UT campus.
  Those statues depict John H. Reagan, Albert S. Johnson, and Robert E. Lee.
  The survey asks students if they would support removing confederate statues and allo
  
  Read more

• Cap Metro launches new service in Round Rock Monday

  21-08-2017 00:54 via kxan.com
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Capital Metro officially launches new service Monday morning across Round Rock. Some new passengers got a sneak peek at their new ride during a special preview event on Sunday.
  “The best news ever: The bus is coming to Round Rock,” said Treina, who lives there.
  There will be several new routes that pick up as far north as Chandler Road and A.W. Grimes Boulevard. Most routes will pick up in the downtown Round Rock area.
  The buses run from 6:30 a.m. to
  
  Read more

• Homeowners breathe a sigh of relief after Bastrop wildfire

  21-08-2017 00:06 via kxan.com
  BASTROP, TX (KXAN) – The Royal Pines Fire in Bastrop County is now 85 percent contained. All the roads and campsites that were closed overnight are now back open.
  The Texas Forest Service previously thought 35 acres were burned Saturday evening, but have now determined it was just 25 acres. Investigators are still trying to determine what caused the fire,  but do believe it originated near Highway 71.
  The local fire department responded to the fire just after 5 p.m. Saturday even
  
  Read more

Follow @Austin_News_US on Twitter!