Austin news

• Austin PD asks for help in identifying robbery suspects who targeted banks inside grocery stores

  18-10-2021 23:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police are asking for the public's help in identifying three suspects in two separate robberies.
  Austin police are searching for a suspect in a bank robbery on Oct. 15. (Courtesy: Austin PD)
  Austin police say the first robbery happened just after 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 15 at the First Convenience Bank at the H-E-B located at 1000 E. 41st Street.A man entered the bank and handed a note to the bank teller. The teller gave the suspect cash, and the suspect then walked out o
  
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• LBJ Presidential Library will reopen to the public, feature temporary exhibit

  18-10-2021 23:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The LBJ Presidential Library will open its doors to the public Thursday for the first time since August, according to a press release.The library, located on The University of Texas at Austin campus, briefly opened in July but closed again Aug. 9 due to rising COVID-19 cases in Travis County.
  According to the release, the library is cleaning high-touch areas, masks are required for all visitors ages two and older, hand sanitizing stations are available and social distancing
  
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• When temperatures warm to near 90 degrees

  18-10-2021 23:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Gorgeous fall weather continues this evening after our third day of high temperatures only reaching the 70s. But a southeast breeze blowing is signaling changes, as we track the steady return of heat and humidity over the next week.A flat jet stream, or storm track, remaining well to the north of Texas through the coming week looks like it will keep rain out of the forecast and steady south/southeast winds in our area. High temperatures will climb above normal again on Tues
  
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• Longtime U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett will run in the Austin area's new congressional district

  18-10-2021 23:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — Longtime U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, has decided to run for reelection in Texas' 37th Congressional District, opting to vie for one of Texas' two new congressional districts — a bright-blue seat concentrated in Austin — rather than his current district, which reaches down to San Antonio.Doggett announced the decision Sunday in an email to supporters and then shared it in person Monday outside Bryker Woods Elementary School in Austin. Texas lawmak
  
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• New equipment allows Austin Water to test for cyanobacteria, cyanotoxins in house

  18-10-2021 23:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Water is now able to test drinking water for cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in house without having to use an outside lab.The utility got new equipment that is able to test raw source water and treated drinking water, thus reducing the wait time for results to 24 hours, rather than several weeks.
  The equipment, called FlowCam Cyano, conducts rapid digital imaging analysis of raw water, Austin Water explained. In addition to detecting cyanobacteria, FlowCam will also h
  
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• Removed Robert E. Lee statue now stands at Texas golf course

  18-10-2021 22:54 via kxan.com
  
  TERLINGUA, Texas (NEXSTAR) — A statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee that the city of Dallas removed from a park and later sold during an online auction is now on display at a golf resort in West Texas.
  The 1935 sculpture was removed in 2017.
  The Houston Chronicle reported that it's now at the Lajitas Golf Resort in Terlingua, Texas. It was among several Lee monuments around the U.S. removed amid the fallout over racial violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017.  The 27,000-ac
  
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• Affidavit: Man points gun at other driver twice in south Austin road rage incident

  18-10-2021 22:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A 28-year-old man was charged following a road rage incident along South First Street in south Austin Saturday afternoon.
  According to an arrest affidavit, Kevin Cancino is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony, after another driver accused Cancino of pulling out a gun and pointing it at the other driver's car twice. The other driver was traveling with his children at the time. Affidavit: Man claims he was Secret Service agent, rams ca
  
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• Developer aims to create 'legacy' music venue with massive 20,000-seat amphitheater in southwest Austin

  18-10-2021 22:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — Developers hope to add a crown jewel to the Austin area's already bustling live music scene: a 20,000-seat amphitheater at the center of a 71-acre entertainment and residential project near Bee Cave.International Development Management Co. aims to open the first pieces of the Violet Crown project in 2023, with the amphitheater targeted to open by Labor Day 2023. Plans also call for two luxury apartment towers, a distillery and tasting room, a Top Golf-sty
  
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• 11 a.m. again — Texas scheduled for early kick against Baylor

  18-10-2021 21:31 via kxan.com
  
  WACO, Texas (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns will kick off at 11 a.m. for the fifth straight time when UT heads to Waco for its Oct. 30 game against No. 20 Baylor. ABC will televise the game.The Big 12 released times for all conference games during the Oct. 30 weekend. Iowa State at West Virginia kicks off at 1 p.m. CT on Big 12 Now on ESPN+, TCU plays at Kansas State at 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPNU, Texas Tech is at Oklahoma at 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC and Kansas travels to face Oklahoma State at 6 p.m.
  
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• Spectrum internet service restored after outage in north Austin caused by vandalism

  18-10-2021 21:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Spectrum internet service has been restored near the Domain in north Austin Monday after an hours-long outage was the result of vandalism, according to the internet provider.
  Spectrum says vandals damaged the fiber optic line that serves the area near Gracy Farms Lane.
  The service was restored just before 3:30 p.m.
  One Reddit post made around 7:30 a.m. reports the outage in the 78758 zip code, which is the area between Parmer Lane and U.S. Highway 183.
  To check Spectrum's o
  
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• Spectrum internet outage in north Austin caused by vandalism

  18-10-2021 21:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Spectrum internet outage near the Domain in north Austin Monday was the result of vandalism, according to the internet provider.
  Spectrum says vandals damaged the fiber optic line that serves the area near Gracy Farms Lane.
  The company says it is aware of the problem and is working to restore internet within an hour.
  One Reddit post made around 7:30 a.m. reports the outage in the 78758 zip code, which is the area between Parmer Lane and U.S. Highway 183.
  To check Spectrum
  
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• Getting warmer and more humid through the week

  18-10-2021 21:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Monday's weather will be an extension of what most of us saw over the weekend -- sunshine, high clouds and warm temps.Afternoon highs will warm to the upper 70s Monday afternoon, about 5 degrees shy of average for this time of year and likely our coolest day of the next seven. Expect a gradual increase in temps and cloud cover each day following, with 80s expected for the rest of the work week and upcoming weekend.Winds out of the southeast will allow a slow return of humid
  
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• 7 Austin BBQ spots make Texas Monthly's prestigious Top 50 list

  18-10-2021 21:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — There's no shortage of good barbecue spots in the Austin area, and the 2021 edition of Texas Monthly's Top 50 BBQ places in Texas proves that.Seven of the 50 spots, including three in the top 10, are held by Austin smoked meat havens that are leading the charge in the evolution of Texas BBQ.At No. 7 is a familiar face with a worldly following, Franklin BBQ. Owner Aaron Franklin isn't really hands-on in the pit cooking meat anymore, but he supervises all aspects of the cook,
  
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• POLL: Texas basketball ranked No. 5 in AP preseason poll

  18-10-2021 19:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Massive expectations have been placed upon the Texas Longhorns basketball program after a major overhaul during the offseason.Texas hired Chris Beard as its next head coach. Then, Beard got to work completely changing a light Longhorns roster into a bonafide national championship contender. Beard, along with an impressive list of assistants, brought in seven top transfers during the summer, headlined by Minnesota's Marcus Carr and Utah's Timmy Allen. How Texas coach Chris B
  
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• AG Ken Paxton announces new election integrity initiative

  18-10-2021 19:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- On the first day of early voting in Texas, Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the formation of a 2021 Election Integrity Unit, which is charged with maintaining secure local elections in Texas.Paxton’s office also set up a public email address Monday to document alleged violations of the Texas Election Code. GUIDE: What you need to know for the November 2 electionThese violations include: Suggesting by word, sign, or gesture how someone should vote. Voting
  
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• New study compares the economic policies of Texas and California

  18-10-2021 18:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The wave of businesses, and in turn people, leaving California for Texas has caught the attention of researchers at two of the nation's top academic institutions.Professors from the University of Texas at Austin teamed up with their counterparts at Stanford to determine how the two state's economic policies compare, and which state works best. Elon Musk announces Tesla’s headquarters will move to AustinTheir conclusion - it's not so black and white.The study points out tha
  
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• Amazon hiring 3K seasonal workers in Austin area, 150K across the country as holidays near

  18-10-2021 17:55 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — Amazon plans to hire for more than 3,000 seasonal jobs in the Austin area, the internet retail giant announced Monday.As part of a nationwide plan to hire 150,000 seasonal employees, including 15,000 in Texas, Amazon officials said the Pflugerville fulfillment center launched Sunday and they're looking for workers.The fulfillment center, approved by Pflugerville leaders in 2020, is 820,000 square feet and is expected to provide 1,000 full-time jobs. It sits on
  
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• WalletHub: Rice beats UT in best Texas college rankings

  18-10-2021 17:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — According to the personal finance website WalletHub, the University of Texas at Austin is not the best college in Texas.
  The site used 30 different types of criteria to rank schools all across the country as early-decision application deadlines near, and those at WalletHub have named Rice University in Houston as the state's best place of higher learning with UT coming in at No. 2.The site ranked Rice, a private research university in southwest Houston, No. 1 in admission r
  
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• What is Texas' favorite hot sauce? New study finds out which brand was most popular in each state

  18-10-2021 17:22 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – A new study of America’s most-purchased hot sauces seems to suggest that the U.S. is divided by its love for specific spicy brands.The study, conducted by Instacart, looked at sales from every hot sauce offered on the platform over the last year to determine which brand was most popular in each state. The results quite clearly show broad preferences for Frank’s RedHot and Cholula across large swaths of the country, albeit with sprinklings of other well-known brands
  
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• Affidavit: Man claims he was Secret Service agent, rams car he thought had 'been in contact with terrorists'

  18-10-2021 16:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man is in jail after police accused him of intentionally ramming into another vehicle and pretending to be a police officer.Austin police say Patrick Allen Walters, 31, caused a car crash Oct. 16 on the southbound frontage road for the Bastrop Highway (State Highway 71) by running into another vehicle with his 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier. An arrest affidavit says Walters told police he was, "tracking individuals who had been in contact with terrorists and that he had no other
  
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• 'I never saw myself becoming homeless': Local landscaper helps homeless man get back on his feet

  18-10-2021 16:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the city of Austin navigates its homeless response strategies, a local landscaper says you can start small and still make a difference.
  A year and ago, Joe Salvato started a conversation with someone who had struggled with homelessness and addiction. That conversation has led to a special partnership.Austin trees are going bald; UT arborist explains why autumn isn’t to blameJoe Salvato and Jourdan Mink often go out to the Beverly S. Sheffield Park in Northwest Aust
  
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• Rodney Reed appeal: Final arguments Monday, decision expected by Oct. 29

  18-10-2021 16:02 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — Closing arguments in Rodney Reed's appeal hearing for a new trial are set for Monday in Bastrop.Both the state and Reed's defense attorneys wrapped up their cases in July. Currently, Reed is on death row after being convicted of raping and murdering Stacey Stites in 1996, but has maintained his innocence ever since then.Both sides will give their final arguments to Judge JD Langley, and while it's possible the judge could make a decision in the case today, it's unli
  
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• Rodney Reed appeal: Defense argues timeline of death doesn't add up in final arguments Monday

  18-10-2021 16:02 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — A ruling from the 21st District Court on the Rodney Reed evidentiary hearing is expected by the end of the month, Judge J.D. Langley said Monday.Both the state and Reed's defense attorneys wrapped up their cases in July. Currently, Reed is on death row after being convicted of raping and murdering Stacey Stites in 1996 but has maintained his innocence ever since then.Langley's confirmation follows closing arguments delivered by both the state and Reed's defense team
  
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• Decision in Rodney Reed appeal case expected by Oct. 29, attorneys make final arguments Monday

  18-10-2021 16:02 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — Closing arguments in Rodney Reed's appeal hearing for a new trial are set for Monday in Bastrop.Both the state and Reed's defense attorneys wrapped up their cases in July. Currently, Reed is on death row after being convicted of raping and murdering Stacey Stites in 1996, but has maintained his innocence ever since then.Both sides will give their final arguments to Judge JD Langley, and while it's possible the judge could make a decision in the case today, it's unli
  
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• Austin trees are going bald; UT arborist explains why autumn isn't to blame

  18-10-2021 14:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - With autumn here, you may be looking at Central Texas' trees a little more often than you usually do. If you're anything like us, you may have noticed something peculiar — a bunch of trees have bald patches all over them.These bald patches aren't because of the seasonal change, according to the University of Texas' Urban Forestry Supervisor Jennifer Hrobar. Instead, they're damage leftover from February winter storm.
  "This was a very off event in that there haven't been any
  
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• Colin Powell dead at 84 due to complications from COVID-19

  18-10-2021 14:10 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) -- Former Secretary of State Colin Powell has died due to complications from COVID-19, his family said in a statement shared on Facebook on Monday. He was 84.Full statement:"General Colin L. Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed away this morning due to complications from Covid 19. He was fully vaccinated. We want to thank the medical staff at Walter Reed National Medical Cefnter for their caring treatment. We have lost a remarkable an
  
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• Prop J: Georgetown voters must approve liquor sales in area annexed in 2017

  18-10-2021 13:53 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — If you head to Georgetown you can order a beer, wine or cocktail at any restaurant, bar or business within the city limits. However, the sale of alcohol only applies to the city limits approved in a 2010 election.Since then, the Williamson County city has grown; most recently, in 2017, a 164-acre of land was annexed into the city. It's a new development called the Wolf Lakes Village. It will be home to hotels, restaurants, movie theaters and grocery stores.La Ni&
  
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• Increasing temps, humidity and clouds through the week

  18-10-2021 12:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Monday's weather will be an extension of what most of us saw over the weekend -- sunshine, high clouds and warm temps.Afternoon highs will warm to the upper 70s Monday afternoon, about 5 degrees shy of average for this time of year and likely our coolest day of the next seven. Expect a gradual increase in temps and cloud cover each day following, with 80s expected for the rest of the work week and upcoming weekend.Winds out of the southeast will allow a slow return of humid
  
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• Texas lawmakers reach deal on congressional redistricting plan, setting stage for final votes

  18-10-2021 07:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - A conference committee of House and Senate lawmakers reached an agreement Sunday on plans to draw congressional voting lines in Texas.The deal will now require an additional vote by each chamber to move forward.The vote must come before Tuesday, when the third special session ends.The report was signed by nine of the ten members of the conference committee.The lone Democrat on the committee, Rep. Senfronia Thompson of Houston, did not sign the report.The proposed maps toss out ma
  
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• 'This is something they can conquer': Young breast cancer survivor from Austin warns others about risk

  18-10-2021 05:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Hattie Sherman moved back to her hometown for her dream job.Hired to design for a well-known hospitality group in Austin, she said she likes playing a role in how the city changes and grows.Sitting on the patio at one of her company's establishments, Josephine House, Sherman looked around and said, “I feel like I’m a part of that change."New UT research predicts effectiveness of breast cancer treatments — here’s how
  However, on her first day at her new jo
  
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• Voting early? City of Buda asks voters to approve millions for road, parks & recreation projects

  18-10-2021 05:06 via kxan.com
  
  BUDA, Texas (KXAN) — Early voting starts on Monday, and Buda residents have some big decisions to make.The city is asking voters to approve roughly $73.5 million just for one proposition -- transportation projects. Many of them set out to make roads safer and more pedestrian and bike-friendly.There are several roads that would be reconstructed under Proposition A.
  Brandon and Crystal Wells live near South Gorforth Road, where one of the most expensive reconstruction projects is being propo
  
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• Did recent rain help or hurt the toxic algae problem in Austin's lakes?

  18-10-2021 04:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — City of Austin experts like Senior Ecologist Dr. Brent Bellinger are continuing to monitor the toxic algae problem in area lakes.
  Dr. Bellinger told KXAN they collected water samples before last week's rain event.Though they were still awaiting the results, he says they believe there's still harmful bacteria in the water. Toxic blue-green algae: Is this the new normal for Austin dog owners?However, after last week's heavy rain that flushed a lot of water into the Austin are
  
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• LSU, Ed Orgeron agree to split at end of season

  18-10-2021 04:05 via kxan.com
  
  (AP) -- For Ed Orgeron, LSU's Cajun coach, a dream job is coming to an end.LSU and Orgeron have agreed to part ways after this season, 21 months after he coached the Tigers to a national championship with what is considered one of the greatest teams in college football history.“I’m always gong to appreciate my time here my time here. I have no regrets,” Orgeron said while sitting next to athletic director Scott Woodward, who made the announcement at LSU's Baton Rouge campus Sun
  
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• La Niña is here: What does that mean for Central Texas this winter?

  18-10-2021 04:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The climate pattern known as La Niña has officially developed and is expected to continue into 2022, according to the latest advisory from the Climate Prediction Center. The development of a La Niña pattern can have a big impact on the type of weather we see in North America, mainly in the winter.The mid-October ENSO (El-Niño/Southern Oscillation) analysis and forecast from NOAA points to several factors that suggest La Niña has begun again and t
  
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• Texas bill restricting transgender student athletes’ sports participation heads to Gov. Greg Abbott

  18-10-2021 03:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — A bill that would restrict transgender student athletes from playing on school sports teams that align with their gender identity is heading to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk after the Texas House accepted Senate amendments to the legislation in a 76-61 vote Sunday afternoon.The legislation is now primed to become law, after the state Senate voted 19-12 on Friday to pass House Bill 25, authored by state Rep. Valoree Swanson, R-Spring, and the House voted to conc
  
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• Prescott TD pass lifts Cowboys to 35-29 OT win over Pats

  18-10-2021 02:32 via kxan.com
  
  FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Dak Prescott threw 35-yard touchdown pass to CeeDee Lamb in overtime, and the Dallas Cowboys survived a wild finish to beat New England 35-29 on Sunday, their first win over Bill Belichick's Patriots.Dallas hadn't won at New England since 1987 and was 0-5 against Belichick. The Cowboys (5-1) have won five straight, their longest winning streak since 2016.The Cowboys led 17-14 entering the fourth quarter, and that's when the fun began. The teams traded five scores i
  
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• 1 dead, another injured in northeast Travis County rollover crash

  18-10-2021 01:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One person has died and another is injured after a rollover crash in northeast Travis County Sunday evening.
  Austin-Travis County EMS said medics are taking the injured person to St. David's Round Rock Medical Center with serious, potentially life-threatening injuries.The crash happened just after 6 p.m. in the area of 3900 East Parmer Lane, which is near East Yager Lane and the Samsung Austin Semiconductor.Expect traffic delays in the area.
  
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• Austin police officers now have access to Narcan to treat victims of overdose

  18-10-2021 00:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police officers now have access to Narcan, a drug meant to treat someone believed to be suffering from an opioid overdose.
  After funding was approved by city council, the department was able to purchase a supply of the drug and they also received enough to replenish their stock.“I hope we never have to use it, but if we do, then we’re here and we’re available and we have that tool on our tool belt so we can hopefully save a life," said Assistant Chi
  
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