• HBO creating ‘Westworld’ town near Austin for SXSW

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — Instead of the Iron Throne from HBO’s Game of Thrones, HBO is creating a full Westworld experience for South by Southwest attendees this year.
    Announced Wednesday, HBO is building an entire town from the ground up to create a fully immersive experience, even with the Mariposa Saloon! SXSW badge holders are invited to explore the 2-acre custom built space Friday, March 9–Sunday, March 11.
    Guests can start registering for an “appointment” at Disco
  • Workers at Fairmont Hotel recovering from carbon monoxide leak

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two people are recovering in the hospital after firefighters evacuated them from the not-yet-opened Fairmont Hotel due to elevated levels of carbon monoxide.
    The Austin Fire Department was called to the hotel located at 101 Red River St. around 3:25 p.m. Wednesday. Austin-Travis County EMS says they transported two patients. Workers and staff reported smelling gas inside the building, but no guests were inside.
    Steam could be seen coming from the hotel as firefighters
  • Carbon monoxide leak at Fairmont Hotel sends two to hospital

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — Firefighters have evacuated workers from the not-yet-opened Fairmont Hotel due to elevated levels of carbon monoxide.
    The Austin Fire Department was called to the hotel located at 101 Red River St. around 3:25 p.m. Austin-Travis County EMS says they transported two patients. Workers and staff reported smelling gas inside the building, but no guests were inside.
    Steam could be seen coming from the hotel Wednesday afternoon. AFD says the boiler exhaust malfunctioned and
  • ‘It keeps happening’: Deadly crash on SH 71 has neighbors calling for change

    TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — After another deadly car crash on State Highway 71 near Bee Cave Tuesday night, people who live along that stretch of road are calling on the Texas Department of Transportation to make some changes.
    Those who live near the intersection of SH 71 and Pedernales Summit Parkway say there isn’t enough lighting, signage and drivers are constantly hydroplaning.
    “I can name 15 friends who have hydroplaned in that exact same area and they are aware of it. C
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  • Testing shows no airborne asbestos in old Bastrop County Jail

    BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — “Aggressive” air testing over the past weekend in the old Bastrop County Jail building found no airborne asbestos fibers, County Judge Paul Pape said Wednesday.
    On Tuesday, Feb. 13, employees in the historic jail building, used for county offices, were told to leave the building after plaster containing a “small percentage of asbestos” was loosened and displaced, causing a health and safety concern.
    The old jail at 801 Pine St., just nex
  • Testing in historic Bastrop jail finds asbestos on office equipment

    BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — Testing in the old Bastrop County jail has found asbestos in dust on office equipment but no airborne asbestos fibers, according to a statement from the County Judge and records obtained by KXAN.
    On Tuesday, Feb. 13, employees in the historic jail building, used for county offices, were told to leave the building after plaster containing a “small percentage of asbestos” was loosened and displaced, causing a health and safety concern, according to a state
  • Students across Central Texas stage walkouts against gun violence

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — Students across Central Texas staged walkouts on Wednesday afternoon to bring awareness to gun violence in schools.
    At Dripping Springs High School, the front courtyard of the school was full students protesting, some with signs that read: “So when will enough really be enough.” The poster had photos of the students killed in the Florida school shooting. Despite the rain, the students gathered to speak about their concerns and what kind of action they want
  • San Antonio Tejano star suffers stroke after Austin show

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — After suffering a stroke over the weekend and undergoing surgery, San Antonio Tejano star Michael Salgado says he’ll be back on stage for his Corpus Christi show Thursday.
    The two-time Latin Grammy winner had a show at the OK Corral in Austin on Friday night. After the show, he said he wasn’t feeling well so he decided to check himself into an Austin hospital. According to mysa.com, that’s when doctors determined Salgado suffered “another stroke
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  • Bernie Sanders, Arnold Schwarzenegger among new SXSW speakers

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — Big names are coming to Austin for the annual South By Southwest Conference and Festivals, including a former presidential candidate, a slew of actors and a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. They’re announced alongside a new keynote speaker well-known for her work in virtual and augmented reality.
    “A visionary storyteller, Nonny de la Peña has redefined the standard for how human creativity and technology can work together seamlessly to create engaging narrativ
  • Two handguns found inside restrooms at UT campuses

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — In the past two days, the University of Texas at Austin Police Department has found two handguns left behind by their owners at two different buildings on two different campuses.
    The first weapon was found Tuesday inside a women’s restroom at the McCombs Building on the main campus. Campus police responded and retrieved the pistol. On Wednesday, the university said a student who owned the pistol cam by and claimed the firearm. UT police say the student did have a
  • What to watch tonight in PyeongChang: USA vs. Canada gold medal rematch, Vonn and Shiffrin go head to head

    There is still plenty of action going on in PyeongChang. 
    For the fifth time in six Olympics, the United States and Canada will face off for the gold medal in women’s hockey. Team USA is looking for its first gold medal in 20 years: It last won gold in 1998, when women’s hockey was first introduced to the Games. Meanwhile, the Canadians have frequented the top spot on the podium, as they are looking to win their fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal.
    Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shif
  • Former President Bush, Gov. Abbott respond to Billy Graham’s death

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — He provided advice to presidents and preached to millions. Now, some of Texas’ leaders are remembering Rev. Billy Graham and his influence on the state.
    Graham died at his home in North Carolina on Feb. 21 at the age of 99. Former President George W. Bush, one of many presidents Graham counseled during his time in office, said that he and Laura Bush are thankful for his life, calling him a “great man, a humble servant, and a shepherd.”
    “Billy Graham
  • No gun found at Liberty Hill High after police tip

    LIBERTY HILL, Texas (KXAN) — Authorities responded to Liberty Hill High School Wednesday morning after they received an anonymous tip that a student had a gun on campus. Ultimately, no gun was found.
    The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office says they were called to the school to assist the Liberty Hill Police Department just before 10 a.m. The school’s principal, Mario Bye, sent a letter to the school community informing them of the situation and saying the person responsible for
  • Expect new entrance to economy long-term parking lots at Austin airport

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — Travelers who usually park in the economy long-term lots at Austin Bergstrom International Airport should be aware of the new entrance to the parking lot.
    The entrance to lots B, C, D, E, F, and G has been moved closer towards the northern side of the airport. New signage will guide drivers to the new entrance.
    The long-term lots have been updated and expanded to accommodate more cars. Economy long-term parking at ABIA is $7/day or $49/week before tax.
    A new 6,000 car parki
  • Lobster emoji gets 2 more legs following design complaints

    AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — After an outcry, the organization that controls the release of emojis has added two more legs to the forthcoming lobster emoji to make it correct.
    The Portland Press Herald reports soon after the Unicode Consortium released proposed images of 157 new emojis to be made available this year, Maine residents took umbrage at the lobster emoji’s eight legs instead of the correct 10.
    Emojipedia Chief Emoji Officer Jeremy Burge wrote Monday the consortium had heard peop
  • State Department says NKorea passed up meeting with Pence

    WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence was all set to hold a history-making meeting with North Korean officials during the Winter Olympics in South Korea, but Kim Jong Un’s government canceled at the last minute, the Trump administration said Tuesday.
    A potential meeting between Pence and the North Koreans had been the most highly anticipated moment of the vice president’s visit to Pyeongchang, South Korea, where he led the U.S delegation to the opening ceremonies. Ahead o
  • Second horse killed on family’s property, $20,000 reward offered

    LIBERTY COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A family already grieving the death of one of their horses now has to face another tragedy — a second horse was killed on their property in Liberty County, just like the first.
    “He was shot,” Camie Brock said, likely with an arrow. She and her family found Sunshine killed in their pasture this week — a situation that’s difficult to explain to her 5-year-old daughter, Arian. A rescue group gave this horse to the family after their
  • Highlights in the Rev. Billy Graham’s life

    Highlights in the Rev. Billy Graham’s life:
    Nov. 7, 1918 — William Franklin Graham Jr. born on a farm outside Charlotte, North Carolina.
    1934 — Receives Jesus Christ as savior through the preaching of traveling evangelist Mordecai Ham.
    1938 — Presbyterian student is baptized and later ordained a minister in the Southern Baptist Convention.
    1940 — Graduates from Florida Bible Institute in Tampa.
    1943 — Graduates from Wheaton College in Illinois with a B.A. in a
  • Expiration nears for $1M Texas Powerball ticket

    LEWISVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — Someone bought a winning Powerball ticket in north Texas, but hasn’t claimed it. If that person doesn’t come forward before Thursday, they’ll miss out on $1 million.
    The winning ticket matched five of the six Powerball numbers: 7-15-32-38-66, Powerball 15. Lottery officials say it was bought at a Sam Food Mart in Lewisville, a city north of Dallas, at 905 N. Mill St.RELATED: $559M Powerball winner who wanted to remain anonymous will get money&ld
  • Christian Evangelist Billy Graham dies at age 99

    MONTREAT, N.C. (KXAN/AP) — Evangelical leader Billy Graham died Wednesday at the age of 99.
    The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association confirmed his death to NBC news this morning. A family spokesman told the Associated Press he died at his home in Montreat, North Carolina. He had been treated in recent years for cancer, pneumonia and other ailments. His wife, Ruth, died in 2007.
    Graham dedicated his life to preaching the Gospel, and shared it with nearly 215 million people in more tha
  • K-9 partner of fallen officer has a new job: comforting his family

    WESTERVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) – A city council in Ohio voted to retire the K-9 partner of a fallen officer and give him a new job: being a part of the officer’s family.
    Sam will spend the rest of his days with the family of Officer Eric Joering, bringing them comfort after the loss of their father and husband. Joering was one of two officers shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call in February in Westerville, Ohio.
    Besides getting to take Sam home, Otterbein University
  • Police take action amid several Texas school threats

    EL PASO, Texas (AP) — Police in far western Texas say there have been more than a dozen threats to six local schools since Feb. 14.
    The El Paso Police Department held a press conference Monday to address the concerns and to try and keep the potential incidents from happening.
    Sgt. Enrique Carrillo says police have made four arrests, mostly juveniles, in connection with the school threats in the past week. Police say all but two of the 13 threats were made through social media.
    Area school
  • Austin live music advocates start new push for a ‘Musicians Living Wage’

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — The live music capital of the world doesn’t know how to pay the people who give it that title, and now a group of industry professionals is starting a movement to change that.
    Called the Musicians Living Wage, advocates hope to accomplish what years of attempts have not — securing enough pay for artists to live off their art. It’s going to require solutions the movement’s supporters don’t have yet.
    “We’re continuing a conversation t
  • From flu to food: Austin interviews new Public Health Director

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — The number of flu deaths in Travis County increased by one since last Tuesday, according to the Austin Public Health Department,  with 39 people dying from the flu. None were children.
    Despite the rise in deaths, flu activity in Travis County has slightly decreased, according to the latest report.
    This comes during a time when the city is searching for a new Austin Public Health Director. This person is in charge of programs that prevent disease from spreading, provide
  • What you missed in PyeongChang last night: Vonn’s swan song, ladies’ shaky starts

    Primetime Spotlight
    The first two runs of the women’s bobsled began the night. Elana Meyers Taylor is seeking redemption after winning silver in Sochi. She has been at the top of her game since arriving in PyeongChang, posting some of the fastest training times.
    After the first two runs, her sled – including brakeman Lauren Gibbs, is in second. They are only .07 seconds behind the German sled piloted by Mariama Jamanka. Jamanka’s sled leads with a time of 1:41.33. Then, Meyers
  • U.S. ends 42-year Olympic cross-country medal drought with historic gold

    The long, long wait is over.
    Team USA ended their 42-year Olympic medal drought in cross-country skiing Wednesday and they made American cross-country history in the process.
    Jessie Diggins and Kikkan Randall became the first American cross-country skiers to capture a gold medal by winning the women’s team sprint at the Alpensia Cross-Country Centre in PyeongChang, South Korea. Sweden captured silver and Norway took home bronze.
    Diggins and Randall are the first American women to win an Ol
  • The Latest: Norway vs. S. Korea in men’s team pursuit final

    PYEONGCHANG, South Korea (AP) — The Latest on the Pyeongchang Olympics (all times local):
    8:45 p.m.
    Norway has defeated defending champion the Netherlands with an Olympic record speedskating race and will face South Korea in the final of the men’s team pursuit.
    Outsider New Zealand, which pushed the South Koreans until the final half-lap, will face the Netherlands for the bronze medal.
    The Dutch changed their team for the semifinals after a disappointing performance by Koen Verweij a
  • The Latest: Canada advances to men’s hockey semifinals

    PYEONGCHANG, South Korea (AP) — The Latest on the Pyeongchang Olympics (all times local):
    11:20 p.m.
    Canada has advanced to the Olympic men’s hockey semifinals for the third consecutive time after shutting out Finland 1-0. Canada will face the winner of Sweden and Germany.
    The two-time defending gold medalists got a combined shutout from Ben Scrivens and Kevin Poulin and a goal from Maxim Noreau.
    Poulin had to come in cold after Scrivens left with an upper-body injury early in the se
  • The Latest: Bjoergen becomes most decorated Winter Olympian

    PYEONGCHANG, South Korea (AP) — The Latest on the Pyeongchang Olympics (all times local):
    12:25 a.m.
    Marit Bjoergen is now the most decorated Winter Olympian of all time after her Norwegian team took bronze in the women’s cross-country skiing sprint relay, increasing her career tally to 14 Olympic medals.
    Jessica Diggins and Kikkan Randall won the gold, the first ever for the United States in an Olympic cross-country skiing in one of the highlights on Day 12 at the Pyeongchang Winter
  • Abrahamson: Lindsey Vonn shows how to win bronze

    JEONGSEON, South Korea — The United States has a fixation at the Olympics on winning gold. Lindsey Vonn showed Wednesday how to win bronze. 
    Before they pointed their skis down the mountain, Italy’s Sofia Goggia, Vonn’s friend and No. 1 rival in the Olympic downhill, was asked who she — Goggia — thought was the favorite.
    Vonn, Goggia said. “It’s like she has already made this. She knows how to do this.”
    Goggia, instead, proved the one who knew
  • VIDEO: Fire engulfs home in Bastrop

    BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — A home in Bastrop was destroyed by a fire Tuesday evening, police say.
    Firefighters were called to the 100 block of Headwaters Drive — just south of State Highway 21 and west of the Colorado River — around 6:29 p.m. where they found a home on fire.
    Bastrop ESD 2 and Bastrop police also responded to the fire. The homeowners were able to get out of the house safely. Video of the fire sent to KXAN by Joshua Helms showed flames shooting up from the garage an
  • Dustin McComas talks Texas baseball, basketball

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — Orangebloods.com’s Dustin McComas joins Roger on MTTS to talk about the start of Texas baseball, and the end of Texas basketball’s season.
  • Subway in West Campus robbed after chain of robberies by other suspect

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Subway near the corner of 24th Street and Guadalupe Street in West Campus was hit by an armed robber, university police say.
    UT police tweeted a warning for people to stay away from the scene at 2323 San Antonio St. just after 10 p.m. Tuesday.
    Witnesses described the supsect as a light-skinned black male wearing baggy clothing and in his mid 30s, who went running southbound on San Antonio Street.
    A woman believed to be responsible for several previous robberies of Subwa
  • Downtown businesses working with city to meet safety rules for SXSW

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — In just a few weeks, Austin streets will be filled with thousands of people for South by Southwest.
    City officials and various agencies are working together to prepare for the annual event. That involves fire officials touching base with downtown business owners to make sure each venue is well equipped and prepared to entertain thousands of guests.
    Bob Woody who owns several bars and restaurants in downtown told KXAN he received an email from Austin fire officials just last
  • City of Austin crews cleaning up debris ahead of expected storms

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — With heavy downpours in the forecast, Watershed Protection Department crews are cleaning up as much as possible across town ahead of the rain. Tuesday, crews took some preventative measures that included protection against erosion on construction sites and collecting debris from sewer drains and creeks.
    Leaves and tree branches were just some of the items crews fished out of West Bouldin Creek in the Woodview mobile home community. Residents who live in the community say th
  • UT Austin staff look to tackle flood response and prevention in Texas

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — Researchers and staff at UT Austin’s Center for Water and the Environment are taking on several projects to improve the way Texas responds to and prevents flooding.
    At a lab on the J.J. Pickle campus, scientists can test out a life-size model of a one-lane road housed in a lab. The structure, created in the 1980s is used more recently for projects like a study for the Texas Department of Transportation about storm drainage.
    Ben Hodges, associate professor of Civil, Ar
  • Local elections just as important as high-profile races

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — Early voting is underway in Texas for the March primary elections. Your vote has a lasting impact beyond the box you tick or office your candidate is vying for.
    “There is not an office that is up for election that doesn’t personally affect you,” Cinde Weatherby with the League of Women Voters said. The non-partisan organization provides information guides for voters to learn about candidate positions and platforms.
    Every name on the ballot has a story. Som
  • Cinemark banning large bags from its theaters

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — Starting Thursday, Cinemark will not allow moviegoers to bring in large bags at its theaters.
    The company says the new policy, effective Feb. 22, was put in place to “enhance the safety and security” of guests and employees. Any bags or packages measuring larger than 12″ x 12″ x 6″ will not be permitted into the theater.
    The theater says while it does not provide a general area to check bags, its employees reserve the right to inspect all bags
  • Sex assault survivor still seeking justice due to DNA debacle

    AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The victim of a violent kidnapping and sexual assault from 2008 is still seeking justice in her case after the Austin Police Department's DNA lab mishandled the evidence in her case.
    The victim identified by the pseudonym Amy Smith refuses to be silent anymore. In an exclusive interview with KXAN's Sally Hernandez, Smith says she wants people to know she is not just a case number.
    In 2016, APD's DNA lab was the subject of a three-day onsite audit by The Texas Forensic
  • Charges dropped in violent sex assault case due to contaminated DNA sample

    AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The victim of a violent kidnapping and sexual assault from 2008 is still seeking justice in her case after the Austin Police Department's DNA lab mishandled the evidence in her case.
    The victim identified by the pseudonym Amy Smith refuses to be silent anymore. In an exclusive interview with KXAN's Sally Hernandez, Smith says she wants people to know she is not just a case number.
    In 2016, APD's DNA lab was the subject of a three-day onsite audit by The Texas Forensic
  • Dan Patrick picks sides in GOP primary races for the Texas Senate

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and his allies are picking sides in primary races that will likely decide who fills the 31-person Texas Senate.
    The GOP is so dominant in Texas that the real fight for power is in the primary. It’s rare that sitting state leaders pick a side in their own party primaries but this year both Patrick and Gov. Greg Abbott are putting resources behind their brand of Republican.
    The outcome of these races will determine how easy it is to pass policies ca
  • Trump urges ban on gun devices like bump stocks

    WASHINGTON (AP) — As a grieving Florida community demanded action on guns, President Donald Trump on Tuesday directed the Justice Department to move to ban devices like the rapid-fire bump stocks used in last year’s Las Vegas massacre. It was a small sign of movement on the gun violence issue that has long tied Washington in knots.
    “We must do more to protect our children,” Trump said, adding that his administration was working hard to respond to the shooting in Parkland
  • A rutty lane causes a rough ride, damage along I-35 frontage road

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — Along a short stretch of southbound Interstate 35 frontage road near the University of Texas, damaged hubcaps litter the road. Construction in the area has left behind a large hole in the left lane of the frontage road in between 48th and 49th Streets, causing damage to some vehicles.
    The Texas Department of Transportation says the frontage road was recently milled in preparation for new asphalt. Along with the freshly milled lanes, several ruts and holes were left beh
  • Running leads St. Stephens’ senior to discover heart problem

    AUSTIN (KXAN) — A runner that couldn’t run. The confusing predicament Saint Stephens senior Josh Morgan spent months trying to figure out.
    “I ran the time that I ran when I was in middle school and I thought I shouldn’t be getting that slow again,” Morgan said.
    Morgan is a cross-country athlete with a goal of running in college, yet his times weren’t close to competitive. Feeling fatigued and short of breath, Morgan and his family started looking to docto
  • Three JROTC members who died in school shooting honored with heroism medals

    PARKLAND, Fla. (KXAN/AP) — Three freshman members of the Junior ROTC program who were killed during the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida last week will be honored with heroism medals by the NBC affiliate in Fort Myers.
    Peter Wang, Martin Duque and Alaina Petty died in the attack. A spokesperson for the U.S. Army said that Cadet Command approved Junior ROTC Heroism Medals for all students.
    The medal was presented to Petty’s family during her funera
  • School shooting survivors, Florida lawmakers on collision course over guns

    PARKLAND, Fla. (AP) — Students who survived the Florida school shooting began a journey Tuesday to the state Capitol to urge lawmakers to prevent another massacre, but within hours the gun-friendly Legislature had effectively halted any possibility of banning assault rifles like the one used in the attack.
    The legislative action further energized the teens as they prepared to confront legislators who have quashed gun-control efforts for decades in a state where 1.3 million people have conc
  • Teen gets 6 months for smuggling Bengal tiger cub into US

    SAN DIEGO (AP) — A California teen has been sentenced to six months in prison for smuggling in a Bengal tiger cub from Mexico.
    The defense attorney for 18-year-old Luis Valencia told the court Tuesday in San Diego before his sentencing that his client had had a lapse in judgment and wanted the endangered tiger as a pet.
    But prosecutors argued Valencia’s cell phone data showed he was running an animal smuggling business and boasted about fetching thousands for monkeys, jaguars and lio

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