Austin news

• Austin's 'I Live Here I Give Here' to hit $100M in nonprofit funds raised this Giving Tuesday

  30-11-2021 23:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin-based nonprofit organization "I Live Here I Give Here" is expected to hit $100 million in cumulative donations raised for Central Texas nonprofits this Giving Tuesday, CEO Courtney Manuel said.For 10 years, the nonprofit has assisted in unrestricted donations for more than 700 members of its nonprofit network, reliant on days like Giving Tuesday in November and Amplify Austin in March.
  "We want to help the community navigate all of those different choices and figure
  
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• FDA advisers narrowly endorse Merck's COVID-19 antiviral pill

  30-11-2021 23:34 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) - An advisory group for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has voted to recommend Merck’s COVID-19 antiviral pill for infected adults at high risk for severe coronavirus illness, hospitalization or death.The panel narrowly endorsed Merck’s five-day oral treatment in a 13-10 vote on Tuesday.The advisers recommended the FDA authorize the pill, developed with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, for adult patients enduring mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who face a higher risk
  
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• Can sperm replace plastic? China's working on it

  30-11-2021 23:04 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) — Certain little swimmers could soon help the world use less plastic.Researchers in China have already successfully made a cup, puzzle pieces and a DNA molecule using a gel formulation containing salmon sperm. French network Euronews' environmentally-focused euronews.green reports scientists fused two strands of salmon sperm DNA together using a chemical found in vegetable oil.This material turns into a "squishing material known as hydrogel," Euronews says.The team behind the fishy
  
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• Dense fog develops tonight; may slow traffic by morning

  30-11-2021 23:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Beautiful weather continues on this final day of November with mostly clear skies and high temperatures that climbed into the middle 70s in Austin.South winds have begun the gradual warm-up that continues through the week, also transporting higher humidity into our area overnight tonight. This surge in low-level moisture combining with mostly clear skies should lead to the development of areas of low clouds and dense fog Wednesday morning. Use low beam headlights and slow y
  
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• 'Symbol of a movement': Texas style expert reflects on Virgil Abloh's legacy

  30-11-2021 22:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — To summarize Virgil Abloh's influence on the luxury fashion industry would be nearly impossible, said Michelle Washington, an Austin-based TV style expert. But through his pioneering work as a leading Black creative in the luxury men's fashion world, Washington said he's left an indelible mark on the field and emerging artists."He allowed Black people to dream," she said. "He opened that door for dreaming again. And this was for a marginalized section of the community, wher
  
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• Coffee or wine — which is better for your heart? Local doctor weighs in

  30-11-2021 22:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The hustle and bustle of the holidays may have you reaching for the coffee mug or the wine glass — but which is better for your health?
  Research suggests while coffee does change your heart’s rhythm, alcohol may be the bigger problem for your heart.  This information was presented to the American Heart Association earlier this month and was found in what is described as the first randomized study into real-time affects of coffee and your heart.
  The AHA says
  
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• 3 students killed, 6 others wounded at Michigan school, authorities say

  30-11-2021 21:35 via kxan.com
  
  OXFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A 15-year-old sophomore opened fire at his Michigan high school on Tuesday, killing three students and wounding six other people, including a teacher, authorities said.Oakland County Undersheriff Mike McCabe said at a news conference that he didn't know what the assailant's motives were for the attack at Oxford High School in Oxford Township, a community of about 22,000 people roughly 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of Detroit.Officers responded at around 12:55
  
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• Travis County gets more than $500K to help sift through potentially botched Austin Police DNA cases

  30-11-2021 20:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Travis County received more than $500,000 in grant funding to help the district attorney's office, and its partners, investigate cases potentially impacted by the malpractices at the Austin Police DNA lab before it was closed.
  The contract with the Department of Justice will allow staff to expand testing capacity for the DNA review process and will provide two more staff members within the District Attorney's office to do the work.Hundreds of DNA criminal cases from shutter
  
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• LSU officially announces Brian Kelly as next head coach

  30-11-2021 20:21 via kxan.com
  
  (AP) — LSU formally announced the hiring of Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly on Tuesday and said they have agreed to a 10-year contract worth $95 million plus incentives.The hiring of Kelly — who has led Notre Dame for the past 12 seasons and eclipsed Knute Rockne for career victories with the storied Fighting Irish — came together on Monday night in yet another blockbuster coaching move in college football.“Brian Kelly is the epitome of a winner,” LSU athletic dir
  
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• Former VP Pence asks SCOTUS to overturn Roe v. Wade on Wednesday

  30-11-2021 19:21 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON, D.C. (KXAN/The Hill) — Former Vice President Mike Pence is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to "make history" ahead of oral arguments on abortion rights to be held on Wednesday.“Today as the Supreme Court prepares to hear oral arguments in those hallowed halls, we are here to declare with one voice ‘no more,’” Pence said at the National Press Club, according to The Hill. "Life is winning in America, but now we need life to win in the highest court in the la
  
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• Are you high-risk? The Austin-Travis County COVID-19 guidelines have changed for you

  30-11-2021 19:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In a joint Travis County Commissioners, Austin City Council COVID-19 briefing Tuesday, the local health authority talked about a new COVID-19 risk-based guidelines chart, which was published just before Thanksgiving.
  The previous chart, published in August 2021, had more loose restrictions for people who are vaccinated but at high risk of catching and getting seriously or fatally ill from COVID-19.
  The changes are:
  Wearing masks at indoor gatherings with people outside your
  
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• Travis County to temporarily close rental assistance portal — here's why

  30-11-2021 19:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After the City of Austin and state of Texas were forced to close their Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) portals because of the number of applicants, Travis County will have to temporarily close its portal too.
  "The number of applications that we have seen by way of increase has created this concern," county executive, Sherri Fleming, said before Travis County Commissioners Tuesday. She said county staff believe the current demand will overwhelm ERAP staff capacity and
  
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• Warm temperatures ahead as November comes to a close

  30-11-2021 19:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It was a chilly start to Tuesday, but light south winds overnight helped keep temperatures from dropping into the 30s across most areas.Those same south winds will be with us most of this week, gradually increasing temperatures and humidity. It won't be terribly muggy, but it will be noticeable after a pleasant past couple of days.
  The next few days will also feature similar weather, with morning clouds/fog and partly cloudy skies in the afternoon with highs increasing day
  
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• Paid to park in Austin but still ticketed — license plate problems persist

  30-11-2021 19:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — From toll roads to meter readers, there appears to be difficulty in Austin distinguishing between certain characters on specialty license plates, KXAN found.
  The mistakes are costing drivers."The city confused the O's in my license plate for being zeroes," said James Marsh, who was ticketed after going for a short hike even though he paid to park.On Sept. 30, Marsh paid $6.25 to park for three hours at the Barton Creek Greenbelt, records show. His time expired at 12:51 p.m.
  
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• Sources: Dr. Oz plans to run for Senate seat in Pennsylvania

  30-11-2021 18:45 via kxan.com
  
  HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Dr. Mehmet Oz, the celebrity heart surgeon best known as the host of TV’s Dr. Oz Show, is planning to run for Pennsylvania’s open U.S. Senate seat as a Republican, according to two people familiar with his plans.Should Oz run, he would bring his unrivaled name recognition and wealth to a wide-open race that is expected to among the nation’s most competitive and could determine control of the Senate in next year's election.Oz — a longtime New J
  
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• Celebrity surgeon Dr. Oz running for Senate in Pennsylvania

  30-11-2021 18:45 via kxan.com
  
  HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Dr. Mehmet Oz, the celebrity heart surgeon best known as the host of TV’s Dr. Oz Show after rocketing to fame on Oprah Winfrey's show, announced Tuesday that he is running for Pennsylvania’s open U.S. Senate seat as a Republican.Oz, 61, will bring his unrivaled name recognition and wealth to a wide-open race that is expected to among the nation’s most competitive and could determine control of the Senate in next year's election.Oz — a longtime
  
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• Regeneron says its antibody treatment 'may be' less effective against omicron

  30-11-2021 18:27 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) -- Regeneron said Tuesday that its COVID-19 antibody treatment “may be” less effective against the new omicron variant, though tests are ongoing. The statement shows how the new variant is shaking up the response to COVID-19, though there is still much that is unknown. Experts worry that the current vaccines could also be less effective against the omicron variant, though that has not been confirmed and it is likely some effectiveness will still be maintained. Re
  
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• Scientist who helped identify omicron: 'It's more of a Frankenstein than others'

  30-11-2021 18:24 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) -- A virologist who helped identify the coronavirus omicron variant said this week that it is "more of a Frankenstein" than previous variants."This is probably the most mutated virus we'd ever seen," said Alex Sigal, the head of a team of researchers working to learn more about the new variant, according to CBS News. "It's always something new. I mean, the virus keeps surprising us." UT Austin infectious disease expert gives insight into new omicron variantOmicron has m
  
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• 2021 Atlantic Hurricane season comes to an end — Where does it rank?

  30-11-2021 18:19 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) — The Atlantic Hurricane season starts June 1st and last's all the way through the month of November. Tropical activity climatology peaks during the month of September.As the 2021 season comes to an end, we have officially exhausted all of the names this Atlantic Hurricane season from Ana all the way to Wanda.
  This is the third time we've done this. The first time was 2005 and 2020 was the second year. Last year's hyper-active season was a year of shattered records. We had a total o
  
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• Austin FC announces changes for 2022 — here's what the roster looks like

  30-11-2021 18:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Twenty-two players are currently under contract with Austin FC for 2022 after the franchise announced multiple moves Tuesday morning.Three players had their contract options exercised — 2021 team captain Alex Ring, defender Freddy Kleemann, and goalkeeper Will Pulisic.
  Six players had their contract options declined: Kekuta Manneh, Aaron Schoenfeld, Jared Stroud, Aedan Stanley, Ben Sweat, and Brady Scott. Austin FC also released that they declined the transfer options
  
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• Giving Tuesday: Dell Foundation donates $38M toward homelessness solutions in Austin

  30-11-2021 17:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The effort to end homelessness in Austin received a big boost Tuesday from the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation.The foundation pledged $38 million to help build homes to house those experiencing homelessness, both adults and youth. The bulk of the money, $36.6 million, will go toward Multiplying Goodness, the capital campaign to build an expansion to Mobile Loaves and Fishes' Community First! Village. 1,400 new micro-homes coming to Community First! Village for chronically
  
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• Attic fire forces 4 out of southwest Austin home Tuesday morning

  30-11-2021 14:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A southwest Austin home burned early Tuesday morning due to an electrical issue, the Austin Fire Department said.
  FINAL UPDATE- 4701 Red Stone Ct. - fire cause was electrical. 2 adults and 2 children displaced due to no electricity.@RedCrossCSTR contacted to assist with temporary housing.— Austin Fire Info (@AustinFireInfo) November 30, 2021
  AFD said via Twitter that a fire started in the attic of a home at 4701 Red Stone Court, which is in the Travis Country neighbor
  
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• Austin City Council meets Tuesday to discuss future of affordable housing

  30-11-2021 14:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — At present, the median home price in Austin is $536,000, according to the latest data from the Austin Board of Realtors. On average, rent is about $1,500 a month, and those numbers are only expected to continue to go up as the city continues to grow.
  Tuesday, the Austin City Council and Mayor Steve Adler will meet to discuss options that could help address the affordable housing issues the city is facing. There are about a dozen items listed up for discussion with the mayor
  
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• No. 7 Texas tops Sam Houston in return to cozy Gregory Gym

  30-11-2021 07:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — New Texas coach Chris Beard is doing everything he can to pump energy into the Longhorns’ program. The latest was a trip into the past with only students and some friends of the program invited to join in.Seventh-ranked Texas returned to the cozy and cramped Gregory Gym in the heart of campus, a venue the team last played in nearly 50 years ago, and the Longhorns defeated Sam Houston 73-57 Monday night. UT hoops plays its first basketball game at Gregory Gym sinc
  
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• Thanksgiving travel at Austin airport back to pre-pandemic levels

  30-11-2021 06:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than 280,000 passengers flew out of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport over the Thanksgiving season this year, meaning travel numbers are back to pre-pandemic levels.According to airport officials, 284,198 passengers went through TSA screening from the Friday before Thanksgiving to the Sunday after.That's almost triple the total from 2020, when Texas was well into the second surge of the COVID-19 pandemic. Only 97,287 passengers flew out of AUS that year. RELATED C
  
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• UT Austin infectious disease expert gives insight into new omicron variant

  30-11-2021 05:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Scientists all over the world are watching a new variant of COVID-19, called omicron, closely.
  The World Health Organization last week designated omicron as a "variant of concern," and Dr. Anthony Fauci said over the weekend he "would not be surprised" if it was already in the country.
  Experts at the LaMontagne Center for Infectious Disease on the University of Texas at Austin campus study these kinds of pathogens and track their spread through populations. They aren't surp
  
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• Union says Austin medics are leaving 'in droves,' negotiations with city begin Tuesday

  30-11-2021 05:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A group of first responders says dozens are dropping out of their department, and they'd like the city to help shore up the gap.Starting Tuesday at 9 a.m., the Austin EMS Association is the first to start negotiating agreements with the city, followed by the Austin Fire and Police Departments after the new year. The agreements expire September 2022.
  If you want to be a medic with Austin-Travis County EMS, the president of its union says you'll start at $19 an hour."In Austi
  
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• Over one year, crews collected 120+ tons of debris from homeless encampments in Austin parks

  30-11-2021 04:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin's Parks and Recreation Department said 311 calls about homeless encampments have dramatically increased from about 25 calls per week earlier this year to about 90 calls per week now.More people were moved away from streets and sidewalks after voters brought back the city's public camping ban in May."We are actually seeing movement of people experiencing homelessness into wooded areas," said Austin's Homeless Strategy Officer Dianna Grey. "And that includes our parkla
  
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• Menorah lighting held on central Austin overpass

  30-11-2021 04:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Monday, members of Austin's Jewish community held a menorah lighting for the second night of Hanukkah on the overpass at Far West and MoPac in central Austin.
  The location of the menorah lighting is symbolic. At least two times in October, banners with antisemitic messages were seen hanging from the same overpass.
  Members of Austin's Jewish community held a menorah lighting on Monday, Nov. 29, 2021 on the overpass at Far West and MoPac. (KXAN Photo/Chris Nelson)Members o
  
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• Mild sunshine to finish November

  30-11-2021 03:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — We'll finish off November similar to how we spent most of the month -- warm, sunny and dry.Today will feature mostly sunny skies, warm temps (70s) and light winds - overall, a beautiful late fall day.
  Light southerly winds will bring Gulf moisture northward, slowly increasing humidity and expanding overnight cloud cover in the days to come. Wednesday and Thursday will both feature partly sunny skies and unseasonably warm temps (mid- to upper 70s). By Friday, rain chances sn
  
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• Cowboys' Trysten Hill suspended 2 games for punching Raiders player

  30-11-2021 02:46 via kxan.com
  
  ARLINGTON, Texas (KXAN) — Cowboys defensive tackle Trysten Hill has been suspended without pay for Dallas' next two games after he punched Las Vegas Raiders guard John Simpson after the Thanksgiving Day game Thursday.Video shows Hill and Simpson chest to chest after Las Vegas' 36-33 win against the Cowboys. Hill can be seen throwing an open-handed punch toward the Raiders offensive lineman. Simpson was still partially wearing his helmet, which flew off after the punch.A crowd of coaches an
  
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• Texas high school football: 4th round matchups, schedule for state playoffs

  30-11-2021 02:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Only seven Austin-area teams remain in the hunt for a Texas high school football state title, entering this weekend's region championship round.In just over two weeks, state champions will be crowned at AT&T Stadium in Arlington — the home of the Dallas Cowboys. Texas high school football: Round 3 playoff scoresTwo fourth round matchups will be all-local showdowns with Westlake and Vandegrift meeting at Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium Saturday in the 6A-Division 2 pl
  
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• Texas Rangers go big spending, reportedly sign Seager to $325 million deal

  30-11-2021 02:15 via kxan.com
  
  (AP) — Corey Seager agreed to a $325 million, 10-year deal with the Texas Rangers on Monday and will now play his home games in the stadium where he was twice a postseason MVP, according to a person familiar with the deal.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a physical and wasn’t finalized.The Rangers committed $500 million to a pair of middle infielders over a span of about 24 hours.A day before Seager agreed to the biggest
  
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• 'It's ridiculous': College student-led commission takes on rising Austin housing costs

  30-11-2021 01:56 via kxan.com
  
  KXAN (AUSTIN) — As Austin's city council prepares to talk housing affordability at a meeting Tuesday, a special commission is working to make sure college students who struggle with rent have a seat at the table, too.
  The City of Austin's College Student Commission is comprised of 15 members representing UT Austin, St. Edwards University, Huston-Tillotson University, Concordia University Texas, and Austin Community College. The Concordia seats are currently unfilled.The group plans to fina
  
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• Give back for the holidays: How to help an Austin resident with their utility bills

  30-11-2021 00:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin is trying something new this year. You can now help someone pay their utility bills through a program the city calls the Gift of Comfort.
  Just visit this website, download and print the "Gift of Comfort Payment form" and fill out your information, as well as information for the person, business or organization you want to help.‘People should probably be worried’: Texas hasn’t done enough to prevent another winter blackout, experts sayThe
  
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