Austin news

• Gang with past abductions blamed for kidnapping missionaries

  17-10-2021 22:53 via kxan.com
  
  PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — A notorious Haitian gang known for brazen kidnappings and killings was accused by police Sunday of abducting 17 missionaries from a U.S.-based organization. Five children were believed to be among those kidnapped.The 400 Mawozo gang kidnapped the group in Ganthier, a community that lies east of the capital of Port-au-Prince, Haitian police inspector Frantz Champagne told The Associated Press. The gang was blamed for kidnapping five priests and two nuns earlier
  
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• Texas early voting begins Monday: Austin's polarizing 'Prop A' is on the ballot

  17-10-2021 22:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As early voting across the state begins on Monday, including in Austin and Travis County at large, one of the propositions voters will see on the ballot is already causing division. GUIDE: What you need to know for the November 2 electionThe highly controversial "Prop A" would increase police staffing in Austin to a minimum of two officers per 1,000 people, in addition to doubling required training for officers, increase minority hiring and require 35% of officer shifts be
  
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• Fauci says 1-shot J&J vaccine should have been 2

  17-10-2021 22:13 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation Now) — Dr. Anthony Fauci said those who received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine should’ve been given two shots from the beginning.   "What the advisers to the FDA felt is that, given the data that they saw, very likely this should have been a two-dose vaccine to begin with," Fauci told ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday.The Food and Drug Administration vaccine advisory panel on Friday unanimously recommended a second booster shot for
  
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• It's showtime! Austin home brings Tim Burton's 'Beetlejuice' to life

  17-10-2021 21:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Each October, a home in southeast Austin's McKinney Heights neighborhood transforms into the world of Tim Burton's "Beetlejuice" — but be careful not to say the "B" name three times.(Courtesy: Jessica Martinez and Edward Murray)(Courtesy: Jessica Martinez and Edward Murray)(Courtesy: Jessica Martinez and Edward Murray)(Courtesy: Jessica Martinez and Edward Murray)(Courtesy: Jessica Martinez and Edward Murray)Homeowners Jessica Martinez and Edward Murray first put up the Ha
  
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• Texas falls out of AP Top 25, Aggies climb while Cincinnati reaches No. 2

  17-10-2021 20:53 via kxan.com
  
  Cincinnati moved up to No. 2 behind Georgia in The Associated Press college football poll Sunday, the first time a team from outside the traditional power conferences has been ranked that high since 2010.The Bulldogs remained a unanimous No. 1 with 63 first-place votes in the AP Top 25 presented by Regions Bank and the Bearcats inched up a spot, taking advantage of Iowa's loss to Purdue on Saturday.The Hawkeyes dropped nine places to No. 11 and the Boilermakers moved into the rankings
  
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• These types of toys will be hardest to find this holiday season

  17-10-2021 20:26 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — You've probably heard the phrase "supply chain issues" many times. It's because the global economy is really confused right now. There are thousands of shipping containers waiting to be unloaded at ports. COVID-19 continues to infect people around the world, shutting down factories and other workplaces.
  The ripple effects are making goods more expensive and scarcer – and toys are no exception.
  "These supply chain issues are going to affect the toy industry really hard," s
  
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• Meet the Austin fashion designer whose brand walked Paris Fashion Week

  17-10-2021 18:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin might not be known as a major fashion city, but that didn't stop one designer from bringing the city's eclectic style to the international stage.Madi Meserole, a 22 year-old Austin native, unveiled her avant garde fashion designs at Paris Fashion Week Sept. 28-Oct. 6. Her custom fit label, MEZ Atelier, includes streetwear, couture, avant garde and vintage collections. New UT research predicts effectiveness of breast cancer treatments — here’s howThe opportunit
  
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• American bumble bee could face extinction

  17-10-2021 17:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The American bumble bee is an integral part of our ecosystem, providing essential pollination of native plants and farmed crops alike. Unfortunately, recent data shows that the bee population is dwindling in a big way, and scientists fear the worst if action to protect the species is not implemented soon.Population loss by the numbersA recent petition written by the Center for Biological Diversity and Bombus Pollinators Association of Law Students argues the American bumble
  
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• 6 people hospitalized after late night crash in southeast Travis County

  17-10-2021 14:47 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Six people were taken to the hospital after a crash near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport late on Saturday night.Emergency crews were called to the 4400 block of SH 71 in southeast Travis County at about 11:36 p.m. on Saturday.First responders at the scene reported that two of the six people were pinned inside their vehicle, Austin-Travis County EMS said.STAR Flight was called to the scene and one person was flown to Dell Seton Medical Center with critic
  
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• Texas House advances new congressional map but it still needs Senate approval

  17-10-2021 13:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Early Sunday morning state lawmakers made the final changes to the state’s congressional delegation map, one of the final steps in the redistricting process.But it's not headed to Governor Abbott's desk just yet.Texas House takes up new congressional map proposal as special session nears an endThe House added 14 amendments, and the map went back to the Senate for approval — which it did not get. The Senate didn't approve the changes, and now both chamber
  
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• Sunday morning temps the coldest in 6 months, gradual warm up on the way

  17-10-2021 13:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Following last week's cold front, a pattern of cool mornings and comfortable afternoons will settle in across Central Texas.Sunday's morning lows were some of the coldest we've seen in 6 months!Observed Sunday morning lowsSunshine and dry skies will allow Sunday's afternoon highs to rebound to the mid-70s. High clouds will stretch overhead with no concerns of rain anywhere in Texas on Sunday.Monday will be another gorgeous day with mainly sunny skies and highs in the 70s, t
  
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• Slow and steady warmup ahead with humidity gradually returning

  17-10-2021 13:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Hopefully you enjoyed a beautiful weekend in Central Texas, our coldest weekend since mid-April.Sunday's morning lows were also some of the coldest we've seen in 6 months!Observed Sunday morning lowsI expect temperatures tonight will fall down to similar levels by Monday morning with widespread 40s and low 50s.Tonight's ForecastMonday will be a continuation of the wonderful weather from the weekend with a cool morning followed by sunshine and 70s for the afternoon.Monday's
  
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• Several days of chilly mornings followed by beautiful afternoons

  17-10-2021 13:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Following last week's cold front, a pattern of chilly mornings and comfortable afternoons will settle in across Central Texas.Sunday starts with some of the coolest temperatures we've seen in 6 months! Morning lows in the 40s and 50s will make for a chilly start to the day... but sunshine and dry skies will allow afternoon highs to rebound back to the mid-70s. High clouds will stretch overhead with no concerns of rain anywhere in Texas on Sunday.Monday will be another gorge
  
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• Pleasant weather to start work week, gradual return of humidity

  17-10-2021 13:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Following last week's cold front, a pattern of chilly mornings and comfortable afternoons will settle in across Central Texas.Sunday starts with some of the coolest temperatures we've seen in 6 months! Morning lows in the 40s and 50s will make for a chilly start to the day... but sunshine and dry skies will allow afternoon highs to rebound back to the mid-70s. High clouds will stretch overhead with no concerns of rain anywhere in Texas on Sunday.Monday will be another gorge
  
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• State of Texas: Order banning vaccine mandates brings confusion and questions

  17-10-2021 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) - Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order banning all vaccine mandates is creating confusion for some businesses and medical facilities across the state.“No entity in Texas can compel receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine by any individual, including an employee or a consumer, who objects to such vaccination for any reason of personal conscience, based on a religious belief, or for medical reasons, including prior recovery from COVID-19,” the executive order
  
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• Boston hits 2 grand slams to even ALCS with Astros

  17-10-2021 05:56 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (AP) — J.D. Martinez and Rafael Devers helped the Red Sox have a grand old time in Houston.Boston became the first team to slug two grand slams in a postseason game, with Martinez and Devers connecting in the first two innings of a 9-5 win over the Astros on Saturday that tied their AL Championship Series at one game apiece.Game 3 is Monday night in Boston. It’s the first of three consecutive home games for the Red Sox, back in the playoffs for the first time since winning th
  
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• Austin FC's two-game home winning streak ends with loss to Minnesota

  17-10-2021 05:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After a two-week international break for World Cup qualifying, Austin FC returned to action on Saturday, but the momentum it had going into the break didn't carry over, as the Live Oaks lost, 1-0, to Minnesota.The loss snaps a two-game winning streak Austin had at Q2 Stadium.Franco Fragapane scored the only goal of the match off a rebound from a Brad Stuver save.
  Austin dominated the game in every other facet. The Oaks nearly doubled United FC on time of possession, 66 percent t
  
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• Hutto hires new interim police chief; firm to lead nation-wide recruiting process

  17-10-2021 05:18 via kxan.com
  
  HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) — Hutto has named a new interim Chief of Police after announcing the retirement of Paul Hall.
  According to a city release, former Round Rock Assistant Police Chief Jim Stuart was hired to lead the Hutto Police Department while a firm conducts the search for a permanent chief.
  Stuart got his start with the University of Texas at Austin Police Department in 1982 and worked with the Round Rock Police Department for 33 years leading the criminal investigations, patrol and t
  
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• IRS sending October installment of child tax credit after delay in September

  17-10-2021 05:05 via kxan.com
  
  CHICAGO (NewsNation Now) — Families across the country are starting to receive their October child tax credit.The IRS says the program's fourth monthly payment is already hitting Americans' bank accounts after a technical issue last month caused delays for some recipients. Some families in need said the checks have been a saving grace during the pandemic.The October payment totaled approximately $15 billion and is expected to reach 36 million families and impact about 61 million child
  
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• Coldest since April! How chilly it will be where you live

  17-10-2021 04:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Friday's cold front is bringing true autumn weather that is set to stick around through early next week.High temperatures on Saturday only reached 75 degrees in Austin -- just the second cooler than average day so far this month. As breezy north winds relax overnight and skies remain mostly clear, we are in store for the coldest night since April 21.We are predicting a low temperature as cold as 49 degrees in Austin Sunday morning, and lower to middle 40s elsewhere. Exactly
  
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• Texas House takes up new congressional map proposal as special session nears an end

  17-10-2021 03:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Saturday night, state lawmakers are at the Capitol making final changes to the state's congressional delegation map, one of the final steps in the redistricting process.It only happens once every 10 years, and this decade, the growth Texas experienced gained two additional seats to the state's delegation. The proposed plan has already passed with Republican support in the state Senate."The requirement to equalize district populations, based on the 2020 census, keeping po
  
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• Bill Clinton to spend 1 more night in California hospital

  17-10-2021 02:05 via kxan.com
  
  ORANGE, Calif. (AP) — Bill Clinton will spend one more night at a Southern California hospital where he is recovering from an infection, a spokesman said Saturday.
  “President Clinton has continued to make excellent progress over the past 24 hours,” spokesman Angel Ureña said in a statement.
  Clinton will remain overnight at University of California Irvine Medical Center “to receive IV antibiotics before an expected discharge tomorrow,” the statement said.
  Hill
  
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• Overbilled? Texas watching for 'suspicious activity' with the rise of telemedicine

  17-10-2021 01:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Throughout the pandemic, demand for telemedicine and virtual healthcare services has skyrocketed, putting state health officials on high alert for improper billing and even fraud.
  According to a report from the Office of the Inspector General -- which oversees the Texas Health and Human Services Commission -- the spread of COVID-19 prompted changes that eased technology restrictions and expanded the number of Medicaid services available through telehealth and online options
  
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• Analysis: Another second-half collapse dooms Steve Sarkisian's Longhorns

  17-10-2021 01:01 via kxan.com
  
  Watch KXAN's Roger Wallace and Jonathan Thomas analysis after Texas' 32-24 loss to No. 12 Oklahoma State.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas Longhorns went six straight possessions without gaining a first down to end Saturday's game against Oklahoma State. Texas' second half struggles turned into a second straight loss, sending this Longhorns football season into another season of disappointment.Oklahoma State rallied from halftime, outscoring the Longhorns 19-7 for a 32-24 win. On those six Texas drives
  
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• Sunday morning brings coldest temperatures since April

  17-10-2021 01:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Friday's cold front is bringing true autumn weather that is set to stick around through early next week.High temperatures on Saturday only reached 75 degrees in Austin -- only the second cooler than normal day so far this month. As breezy north winds relax tonight and skies remain mostly clear, we are in store for the coldest night since April 21.Austin FC fans may need to wear long sleeves or a light jacket as temperatures fall to near 60 degrees as you leave the stadium a
  
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