Austin news

• Why advocates say Austin 'not in bad shape' as state closes rent relief portal

  05-11-2021 23:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Despite the Texas Rent Relief Program no longer accepting new applications, local advocates say Austin is "not in bad shape" when it comes to getting assistance to those who need it.The state program closed its application portal Friday afternoon. A message on the homepage said the current number of requests exceeds the funds available.According to site's dashboard, the state has paid out $1.2 billion in federal money to help 212,345 households — 8,743 of them in Trav
  
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• 19-year-old killed in Austin's 79th homicide identified by police

  05-11-2021 22:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The man shot and killed in a car at a southwest Austin mobile home park Thursday evening was identified by the Austin Police Department Friday.
  Police said he was Brian Ocampo, 19. The shooting took place around 5:58 p.m. at the Country Aire Mobile Home Park located at 8220 West State Highway 71, according to APD.Man shot, killed at southwest Austin mobile home park, police sayAround that time, Austin 911 got a call about a man shot in a car. When officers and Austin-Travis
  
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• Man shot, killed at north Austin apartment complex identified by police

  05-11-2021 21:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department on Friday identified the man shot and killed in a north Austin apartment stairwell Thursday.Polices said he was Mohammed Nasser, 32. The shooting took place just before 7:30 a.m. at a complex located at 601 W. St. Johns Ave.BACKGROUND: Austin’s 78th homicide at north Austin apartment complex, no suspect in custodyIt was at that time Austin 911 got a call about a man shot in the stairwell at the apartment complex. When officers and Austin-T
  
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• 'Variant network' to expand sequencing of COVID-19 cases in Texas

  05-11-2021 21:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of State Health Services is partnering with universities and labs across the state to analyze COVID-19 variants.
  DSHS said it's trying to expand genomic sequencing of the virus to get a better idea of which variants are circulating in Texas and which ones could be on the rise.
  The new partnership called the Texas SARS-CoV-2 Variant Network is expected to increase current sequencing efforts in the state by at least 25%.Austin-Travis County not moving to
  
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• Aaron Rodgers sought treatments instead of COVID-19 vaccine

  05-11-2021 21:26 via kxan.com
  
  (AP) — Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said Friday he sought alternative treatments instead of the NFL-endorsed COVID-19 vaccinations because of an allergy he has to ingredients in two of the FDA-approved shots.Speaking on SiriusXM's “Pat McAfee Show,” Rodgers said: “I’m not an anti-vax, flat-earther. I have an allergy to an ingredient that’s in the mRNA vaccines. I found a long-term immunization protocol to protect myself and I’m very proud
  
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• Reward increased for details leading to arrest of La Grange murder suspect

  05-11-2021 20:47 via kxan.com
  
  LA GRANGE, Texas (KXAN) — The reward for details leading to the arrest of a Missouri City man wanted in relation to a La Grange murder was increased to $8,500, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
  Charles Lee Tillman Jr., 34, who's affiliated with the Crips gang, is on the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive list. He was added to the list in late September. He's also the featured fugitive this month by Texas DPS, so the increase in reward only applies to tips received during Novem
  
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• Even colder temperatures expected tonight

  05-11-2021 20:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —As is normal for this time of year, a pattern of chilly mornings and comfortable afternoons settles is for the weekend, a nice treat after our midweek soaker.Despite a cold Friday morning, the majority of the day will be pleasant -- sunshine, dry skies and light winds. Afternoon highs will warm to the mid-60s -- mild but still running ~10 degrees below average for this time of year.We'll continue with the near-perfect weather over the weekend with both Saturday and Sunday st
  
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• 'One paycheck away from being homeless': Austin mom encourages donations to food banks

  05-11-2021 20:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — College student Isabel Torres grew up in Austin and has seen it grow, so much she couldn't afford her home anymore. "Even with making adjustments and trying to find things less inexpensive, our food goes up, our gas goes up, but my pay hasn't gone up," said Torres. Friendsgiving Challenge: Donate to Team David or Kristen to help Central Texas Food BankThe Austin Community College student and mom of one is studying to become a pharmacy tech. Like thousands in Austi
  
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• Stuffed waffle iron made by Pflugerville man lands on Oprah's Favorite Things list

  05-11-2021 20:31 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — When Oprah revealed her much-anticipated list of favorite things earlier this week, it included a stovetop waffle iron that a Pflugerville man created in his spare time.
  Mike Bradford said sales of his Wonderffle waffle iron spiked, simply because of its inclusion on Oprah's list. The cookware allows people to make stuffed Belgian waffles and has a built-in tool to easily transfer them onto a plate after about 10 minutes of cooking time.
  "I sold about 50% more
  
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• Grand jury: APD officers not indicted for 2018 6th Street shooting that killed suspect

  05-11-2021 19:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Travis County grand jury decided nine Austin police officers were justified in their use of force during a 2018 shooting outside a Sixth Street nightclub.Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza said Friday the grand jury did not return an indictment for APD officers Joseph Cast, Justin Halbach, Joseph Moran, Lewis Holland, Wesley Devries, Alberto Martinez, Daniel Mathis, Christopher Salacki and Stephen Johnson in connection with the shooting that killed Aquantis Griffi
  
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• Roughly 865K Texas students are behind on math proficiency, TEA says

  05-11-2021 19:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — More than 865,000 students in grades 4-10 at Texas public schools are noticeably below grade level proficiency in math for the 2021-22 school year, according to the Texas Education Agency.TEA Commissioner Mike Morath held a press call with reporters this week to share how newly-required accelerated learning programs aim to close learning gaps exaggerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.Round Rock ISD to end virtual learning program in January following approval of COVID-19 vacc
  
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• 'Growing safety issue': FDA issues warning about hand sanitizers

  05-11-2021 19:08 via kxan.com
  
  (WJW) – The Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning about all alcohol-based hand sanitizers.People are getting it in their eyes "from splashing or touching," and it’s causing severe irritation and damage to the surface of the eye. The FDA says though all ages have been affected, most cases have been seen in children.The U.S. Poison Control Center reports it has received over 3,600 cases from January 2018 to April 2021.The Drug Facts label states that the product should not
  
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• FAA says 37 'serious' cases of unruly airline behavior to be reviewed by FBI for possible prosecution

  05-11-2021 18:53 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – The Federal Aviation Administration said Thursday that it had referred 37 of the “most serious” cases of unruly airline passengers to the FBI for criminal case review.The FBI will then determine whether any of the cases “merit potential prosecution” to its field offices for further investigation, according to the FAA.“Let this serve both as a warning and a deterrent: If you disrupt a flight, you risk not just fines from the FAA but federal criminal
  
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• Thousands without power in East Austin after crash involving 18-wheeler takes out power poles

  05-11-2021 18:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Officials are asking the public to avoid the area of Bedford and Webberville in east Austin after an accident.
  The Austin Fire Department said it was responding to the scene of the crash involving an 18-wheeler. The 18-wheeler took out power poles in the area.
  Austin Energy is also responding to the scene. It reported that approximately 3,600 customers were without power due to the crash.
  Avoid the area and expect delays.
  
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• Power restored for thousands in East Austin after crash involving 18-wheeler takes out poles

  05-11-2021 18:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Officials are asking the public to avoid the area of Bedford and Webberville in east Austin after an accident.
  The Austin Fire Department said it was responding to the scene of the crash involving an 18-wheeler. The 18-wheeler took out power poles in the area.
  Austin Energy is also responding to the scene. It reported that approximately 3,600 customers were without power due to the crash. As of 12:30 p.m., most customers had their power restored. Austin Energy said 150 cust
  
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• New Pflugerville initiative aims to close employment gap as national hiring rebounds

  05-11-2021 18:05 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE (KXAN) — A new initiative in Pflugerville is aimed at closing the gap in employment in Central Texas.
  Skillpoint Alliance, the Pflugerville Community Development Corporation and Council Member Rudy Metayer announced the Pflugerville Career Development Challenge on Friday. The challenge comes as a recent U.S. Labor Department Job Report stated that unemployment across the country was down to 4.6%. US hiring rebounds, adds 531,000 jobs in October"Pflugerville is expected to stil
  
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• ‘They never go away’ – Austin homes have more than 100K expired permits. Could yours be one?

  05-11-2021 17:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Most Austinites probably don’t know if their home has an expired building permit, yet more than 107,000 of those unclosed permits checker the city. Some of the expired permits date back to the late 1970s and each one could cause a delay and additional costs for renovations or repairs.Many plumbing, electrical and building renovations require permits issued by the city’s Development Services Department. After a permit is issued and work is performed — for e
  
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• Round Rock ISD to end virtual learning program in January following approval of COVID-19 vaccine for children

  05-11-2021 17:37 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- Following the approval of vaccines from children ages 5-11, Round Rock ISD will welcome all students back to campus next semester.According to a news release from the district, "Round Rock ISD will end the current Virtual Learning Program at the close of the Fall Semester."No child vaccination clinics for Round Rock students specifically have been announced yet, but the district says it will host them in November and December.Where to find the COVID-19 vaccine for 5 t
  
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• Round Rock ISD to end virtual learning in January after approval of COVID-19 vaccine for children

  05-11-2021 17:37 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Following the approval of vaccines from children ages 5-11, Round Rock ISD will welcome all students back to campus next semester.According to a news release from the district, "Round Rock ISD will end the current Virtual Learning Program at the close of the Fall Semester."A spokesperson for Round Rock ISD says child vaccination clinics have been scheduled for November and December, but the dates will not be announced until next week - once the online registratio
  
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• LIVE: Son and colleagues to eulogize Colin Powell at funeral

  05-11-2021 16:38 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Friends, family and former colleagues are honoring Colin L. Powell, the widely praised soldier-diplomat who rose from humble Bronx beginnings to become the first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and later served as the first Black secretary of state.Powell is being remembered at a funeral Friday at the Washington National Cathedral. President Joe Biden is expected to attend but not speak. Eulogists are to be Madeleine Albright, who was Powell's immediate predec
  
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• Family, friends gather to honor trailblazer Colin Powell

  05-11-2021 16:38 via kxan.com
  
  Friends, family and former colleagues gathered Friday at Washington National Cathedral to honor Colin L. Powell, the trailblazing soldier-diplomat who rose from humble Bronx beginnings to become the first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and later served as the first Black secretary of state.The funeral on a sunny and chilly day drew dignitaries and friends from across a wide political and military spectrum. They included former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, former secre
  
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• 'Street rehabilitation' work starts Monday on portion of 8th Street, expect lane closures

  05-11-2021 16:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Drivers should expect lane closures on Eighth Street in downtown Austin starting Monday.Austin Public Works crews are starting "street rehabilitation" work on a portion of the street between San Jacinto Boulevard and the Interstate 35 frontage road. The street will remain open to allow traffic to move through the area, but lanes will be closed so traffic will be slower than normal. Man shot, killed at southwest Austin mobile home park, police sayThe work is expected to take
  
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• Murder trial opens for 3 men accused of killing Ahmaud Arbery

  05-11-2021 15:25 via kxan.com
  
  BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — Opening statements began Friday in the murder trial of three white men charged in the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery, with a prosecutor telling jurors that faulty assumptions led them to chase down the 25-year-old Black man. Arbery's killing was largely ignored until a leaked cellphone video stirred outrage that deepened a national reckoning over racial injustice.Greg McMichael and his adult son, Travis McMichael, armed themselves and pursued Arbery in a pickup truck
  
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• Blue-green algae toxins drop in Barton Creek Greenbelt, swimming can resume

  05-11-2021 15:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin says it's safe again to be in the water along the Barton Creek Greenbelt.Austin's Watershed Protection Department said there has been a "significant" drop in toxin levels in the water near Sculpture Falls after the department issued a warning Sept. 9 about "concerning levels of cylindrospermopsin." That's one of several cyanotoxins that can be produced by blue-green algae. Austin expanding blue-green algae testing capacity; council approves contract to re
  
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• City and community work to preserve Montopolis Negro School

  05-11-2021 13:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — From the outside, a building in east Austin may look rundown, but there is more to it. It used to be a safe haven for Austin's Black community during segregation. The Montopolis Negro School sits near the corner of Montopolis Drive and El Mirando Street.
  The history of the school dates back to the late 1800s, but following a major flood in 1935, the original building sitting on what is today U.S. Highway 183 was destroyed.
  Photos of Austin from the 1935 flooding. Source: Tr
  
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• Texas high school football: District titles on the line in regular season finale

  05-11-2021 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The end of the regular season features a number of games with a district title on the line, starting with the premier game of the season in Central Texas.The Battle of the Lakes, Lake Travis and Westlake, will meet for the district championship at Chaparral Stadium Friday at 7:20 p.m. You can watch the game live on KXAN.com. Texas high school football on KXANIn District 25-6A, Vandegrift will own the district crown outright for the second straight season with a win against
  
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• Man shot, killed at southwest Austin mobile home park, police say

  05-11-2021 02:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was shot and killed at a southwest Austin mobile home park Thursday night.
  The Austin Police Department says a 911 call was placed at 6 p.m. from a neighbor at the Country Aire Mobile Home Park. That's located off West State Highway 71 near Fletcher Lane.MAP: Where have Austin’s homicides occurred in 2021?The caller reported they heard some shots fired and saw a man "who appeared to be beyond help."
  Officers arrived on scene minutes later to find a 19-year-old m
  
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• LIVE: Austin police investigate homicide near West Oak Hill area in southwest Austin

  05-11-2021 02:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is investigating a homicide in the 8200 block of West State Highway 71 in southwest Austin.
  APD says this is the city's 79th homicide of 2021. The crime scene is near the West Oak Hill area.MAP: Where have Austin’s homicides occurred in 2021?Police are expected to give an update on the investigation some time Thursday night.🚨🚨Austin Police Department Detectives are currently investigating homicide #79 in the 8200 block of W
  
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• Austin police investigate homicide near West Oak Hill area in southwest Austin

  05-11-2021 02:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is investigating a homicide in the 8200 block of West State Highway 71 in southwest Austin.
  APD says this is the city's 79th homicide of 2021. The crime scene is near the West Oak Hill area.MAP: Where have Austin’s homicides occurred in 2021?Police are expected to give an update on the investigation some time Thursday night.🚨🚨Austin Police Department Detectives are currently investigating homicide #79 in the 8200 block of W
  
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• Warming trend stretches through the weekend

  05-11-2021 02:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —As is normal for this time of year, we'll head into the weekend with a pattern of chilly mornings and comfortable afternoons.Despite a cold Friday morning, the majority of the day will be pleasant -- sunshine, dry skies and light winds. Afternoon highs will warm to the mid-60s -- mild but still running ~10 degrees below average for this time of year.We'll continue with the near-perfect weather over the weekend with both Saturday and Sunday starting in the 40s and finish in t
  
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• Coldest mornings of the season Friday and Saturday

  05-11-2021 02:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —Clouds are breaking from Austin eastward, but holding on tight in the Hill Country. Following a chilly autumn day, we are getting ready for the two coldest nights of the season thus far. Interactive rainfall totalsTemperatures tonight will be the coldest we have seen since spring from Austin eastward where skies are clearer. We expect lower 40s in Austin, but middle/upper 30s in colder rural valleys from I-35 eastward. We are not currently expecting a first freeze.West of Hi
  
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• After nearly running out of money in 2020, Birds Barbershop leaders again envision expansion

  05-11-2021 01:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — Things are getting back to normal at Birds Barbershop, but that doesn't mean it is the same Birds of 2019.The experience of Birds over the past 20-odd months is an illuminating one; its plans for the future can help others considering how to move beyond the uncertainty of 2020 and 2021 to find new ways to grow.Jayson Rapaport and Michael Portman founded Birds in 2006. They have achieved revenue in the seven figures while keeping a unique st
  
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• Two dead after gunmen open fire near ritzy, Cancun-area resort

  05-11-2021 01:05 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Two people were shot and killed near an upscale Mexican resort south of Cancun Thursday.The deadly shooting happened on a beach in Bahia Petempich, Puerto Morelos, according to the Quintana Roo Attorney General's Office.
  The two suspected drug dealers killed Thursday had apparently arrived at the beach in front of the Azul Beach Resort and the Hyatt Ziva Cancun, claiming it was now their territory.“About 15 people arrived on the beach to assassinate two men who had showed
  
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• 2 dead after gunfire near ritzy, Cancun-area resort

  05-11-2021 01:05 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Two people were killed in a shooting allegedly involving drug dealers near a resort south of Mexican tourist hotspot Cancun Thursday, authorities said.The deadly shooting happened on a beach in Puerto Morelos, according to the Quintana Roo Attorney General's Office. Authorities said no one else was hurt.Puerto Morelos lies about 15 miles south of Cancun along the Caribbean coastline dotted with luxury, beachfront resorts.Guests at one of those resorts, the five-star Hyatt Ziva
  
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• Sabotage could be behind 'Rust' movie shooting, lawyer says

  05-11-2021 00:49 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation Now) — Attorneys representing the armorer from the movie “Rust” suggested Wednesday that someone may have put a live round in the set's dummy round stash to intentionally “sabotage” the set.Jason Bowles said in a statement to NewsNation that his client, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, "was incredibly safety conscious and took her job very seriously."Production for the western film began Oct. 4 and Bowles said his client was well trained alongside actors. He
  
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• Two Texas children mistakenly given adult COVID-19 vaccine doses

  05-11-2021 00:41 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Health officials in one Texas city are trying to figure out how two children under the age of 12 received adult doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.Dorothy White, the City of Garland's public & media relations director, confirmed to Nexstar that the children were both given an injection of the Pfizer vaccine on Sunday, Oct. 31. – two days before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved shots for children ages 5 to 11. Are the goalposts for Stage 2 COVID-19 ri
  
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• Texas Rent Relief Program will stop taking new applications after Friday, citing overwhelming demand

  05-11-2021 00:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — Texas is shutting the door on a massive program to help struggling households make rent and keep the lights on during the COVID-19 pandemic — months before it was expected to run out of money, according to one lawmaker.At 5 p.m. Friday, the state agency that runs the Texas Rent Relief Program — citing overwhelming demand for the federally funded program — will stop taking applications from residents who need help paying rent and utilitie
  
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