Austin news

• FBI: 'More could be done' to fix Texas' paper license plate problem

  27-12-2021 23:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The man with hundreds of real but fraudulently created temporary Texas tags thinks he is about to sell one more. The buyer, however, is an undercover cop."$100," the seller said, sitting behind the wheel of his truck, in an Austin Walmart parking lot.
  "$100?" the undercover officer asked."Yes," the seller said, according to hidden cameras obtained exclusively by KXAN, before agreeing to part with the paper license plate for $95."OK, done deal," a voice is heard over the rad
  
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• Lake Travis product Garrett Wilson leaving Ohio State for NFL Draft

  27-12-2021 23:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Former Lake Travis High School receiver Garrett Wilson announced Monday he is entering the NFL Draft after three seasons at Ohio State.Wilson's excellent Buckeyes career will end before OSU's Rose Bowl game against Utah. Wilson led the team in receptions and yards, catching 70 passes for 1,058 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. During his three-year Buckeyes career, Wilson caught 143 passes and scored 23 touchdowns. PAST COVERAGE: Garrett Wilson celebrates signing with Oh
  
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• Travis County deputies search for Manor murder suspect

  27-12-2021 23:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Travis County deputies are searching for a 25-year-old man suspected of shooting and killing another man in Manor earlier this month.The Travis County Sheriff's Office said a murder warrant was obtained on Christmas Eve for Christopher Isaiah Martinez, who is believed to be in Austin, in the death of Jose Cruz Rivera, 25. Martinez's bond is set at $500,000.BACKGROUND: Man found shot, killed in Manor neighborhoodThe shooting took place the night of Dec. 14. Deputies responde
  
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• Texas antibody infusion centers run out of treatment shown to fight omicron

  27-12-2021 22:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Five regional infusion centers in Texas have run out of a monoclonal antibody that has shown to be effective against the omicron variant of COVID-19, the Texas Department of State Health Services said Monday.
  DSHS said the centers in Austin, El Paso, Fort Worth, San Antonio and The Woodlands have depleted their supplies of the monoclonal antibody called sotrovimab, because of a "national shortage from the federal government."
  Sotrovimab won't be available at those centers u
  
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• Gov. Abbott calls out Biden administration as Texas runs out of omicron antibody treatment

  27-12-2021 22:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Five regional infusion centers in Texas have run out of a monoclonal antibody that has shown to be effective against the omicron variant of COVID-19, the Texas Department of State Health Services said Monday.
  DSHS said the centers in Austin, El Paso, Fort Worth, San Antonio and The Woodlands have depleted their supplies of the monoclonal antibody called sotrovimab, because of a "national shortage from the federal government."
  Sotrovimab won't be available at those centers u
  
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• CDC recommends 5-day COVID isolation, quarantine for all

  27-12-2021 22:48 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials on Monday cut isolation restrictions for Americans who catch the coronavirus from 10 to five days, and similarly shortened the time that close contacts need to quarantine.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials said the guidance is in keeping with growing evidence that people with the coronavirus are most infectious in the two days before and three days after symptoms develop. Get tested for COVID-19 for free Monday, Tuesday at Long Center
  
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• Your family could receive COVID-19 funeral funding from FEMA

  27-12-2021 22:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (NBC News) — A federal program designed to help cover the funeral costs for people who died from COVID-19 is going largely untapped.According to report by the Associated Press, families who've lost loved ones can apply to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a reimbursement of up to $9,000 to help cover funeral expenses.FEMA has already paid out $1.5 billion in funeral reimbursements to 226,000 people since January 2020, however, the U.S. just surpassed 800,000 COVID-19-relat
  
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• Forget Gatorade — Mack Brown says he'll trade mayo bath for bowl win

  27-12-2021 22:34 via kxan.com
  
  CHARLOTTE, N.C. (KXAN) — The stakes couldn't be any higher for a bowl game between 6-6 teams.The Duke's Mayo Bowl is a battle of the Carolinas when Mack Brown and North Carolina face Shane Beamer and South Carolina on Dec. 30 in Charlotte. Bowl game roundup: 4 games to watch for college football’s holiday seasonWhile the rivalry aspect of this bowl game makes it intriguing, the postgame celebration will be must-see TV.The bowl game's title sponsor, Duke's Mayo, has upped the ante, sw
  
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• SWAT responds to NE Austin hotel Monday

  27-12-2021 20:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department's SWAT team responded to a northeast Austin hotel around noon Monday for someone who won't follow police commands.
  🚨Officers are on the scene of a SWAT call out regarding a barricaded subject in the 8400 block of E US 290 Hwy Svrd WB. Call came in around 11:54 a.m. case# 21-3610308. PIO is en route. Media staging location and time TBD. -PIO1— Austin Police Department (@Austin_Police) December 27, 2021
  The SWAT team is at the Sleep
  
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• Robbery suspects taken into custody at northeast Austin hotel

  27-12-2021 20:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Suspects involved in several robberies throughout the city were taken into custody at a hotel in northeast Austin Monday, the Austin Police Department said.2 ‘innocent bystanders’ shot on 7th Street early MondayOfficer Juan Asencio with APD's Public Information Office said just before noon, investigators were keeping an eye on a few robbery suspects at the Sleep Inn, located at 8410 E. U.S. Highway 290. That's between Cross Park Drive and Tuscany Way, just north
  
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• Texas freshman Jaylon Tyson enters transfer portal

  27-12-2021 20:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Longhorns freshman Jaylon Tyson plans to enter the transfer portal, Texas Athletics confirmed Monday.The guard/forward from Plano was a top 50 national recruit in the 2021 class, but hadn't cracked through the Longhorns lineup for prominent playing time during the early portion of the season. Tyson appeared in eight of Texas' first 11 games, averaging 1.8 points and 1.1 rebounds. He averaged seven minutes per game. 3 takeaways from Texas basketball’s win vs. Ala
  
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• Austin Public Library condemns book banning in Texas

  27-12-2021 20:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday, the Austin Public Library spoke out against the storm of book banning and censorship that's swept across the state of Texas this year.Several Texas school districts have enacted reviews of materials available to students in recent months after some complaints. Many of the most-targeted books contain sexual content, LGBTQ+ characters and themes, and discussions around systemic racism. Push to ban books in Texas schools spreads to public librariesEarlier this mo
  
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• Blog: High school drop-out rises to CEO of Austin-based company

  27-12-2021 20:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – JeVon McCormick doesn’t know much about his family’s history, but he’s writing his own story.“I can't change If my dad was a pimp and drug dealer, can't change my mom's an orphan, can't change I was sexually abused," McCormick said. "But I can change the next day, the week, month and year. So, I started focusing on what can I change?" Blog: ‘Your passion doesn’t have an age cap’JeVon says he was sexually abused at a young age by one
  
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• Mikaela Shiffrin is latest elite skier to test positive for COVID-19

  27-12-2021 19:21 via kxan.com
  
  (AP) — Two-time Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin is the latest elite skier to test positive for COVID-19 with the Beijing Games less than six weeks away.“I wanted to let you all know that I’m doing well, but unfortunately I had a positive COVID test,” the American wrote on her social media accounts Monday. “I’m following protocol and isolating.”Shiffrin said she will miss World Cup giant slalom and slalom races scheduled for Tuesday and Wednes
  
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• Here were the most popular groceries delivered in Austin for 2021, according to Instacart report

  27-12-2021 18:44 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Just as our doctors have repeatedly asked us to do, Instacart went ahead and figured out what we've all been eating over the past year.Instacart, an online ordering and delivery platform for groceries, has delved into its data to determine the most common supermarket purchases throughout the U.S., both on national and local levels. In a general sense, the findings indicate a shift away from pandemic-era purchases (hand sanitizers, sanitizing wipes, yeast for baking, etc.) and t
  
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• New program assists first-time homebuyers with down payment

  27-12-2021 18:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Saving up for a down payment is typically the highest hurdle to homeownership, but assistance can offer a huge helping hand.Through a partnership with Down Payment Resource, home shoppers browsing eligible for-sales listings on Zillow can now see a list of all down payment assistance programs that may be available to them in that location. This new tool can be found on active listings on Zillow nationwide. Zillow Home Trends Expert, Amanda Pendleton
  
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• Winter storms, COVID: How to change a flight last-minute

  27-12-2021 17:52 via kxan.com
  
  (NerdWallet) - Rerouting, rebooking, diverting, you name it. Making last-minute flight changes can be an enormous stressor amid an already stressful holiday travel season.Hundreds of flights have already been canceled last minute due to pandemic-related staffing shortages. Perhaps a coronavirus variant surge forces you to cancel your trip. Or what if a winter snowstorm prevents you from taking off?No matter the reason, be prepared for last-minute flight changes or cancellations this year.Finding
  
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• This was Austin's top trending 'near me' Google search term in 2021

  27-12-2021 17:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It might not come as a surprise, but "covid vaccine" topped the list of Google's trending "near me" search terms in Austin in 2021.Google released its 21st annual "Year In Search" results earlier in December, and Austin's top two trending "near me" search queries line up with Texas'. After "covid vaccine near me" following "covid testing near me" for both the state and its capital city, according to Google.After that, Austinites wanted to know where to start the day with a
  
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• Loss of smell from COVID most likely means you've got a mild case, study finds

  27-12-2021 17:41 via kxan.com
  
  (StudyFinds.org) — Losing your sense of smell might indicate that you have a mild case of COVID-19, according to a study published earlier this year. Statistics show that patients suffering moderate and severe cases of the infection are far less likely to experience the symptom.In a study of 2,581 patients from 18 European hospitals, patients suffered a loss of smell in 85.9 percent of mild cases of COVID-19. That’s compared to 4.5 percent in moderate Covid-19 cases and nea
  
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• If you recycle, you're probably doing it wrong — learn the correct way

  27-12-2021 15:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - We've all been told we should be recycling, but it's a lot more complicated than tossing your soda in the blue bin when you're done with it. "Wish-cycling" is when someone tries to recycle something that should be recyclable but shouldn't end up in your bin. Examples are Christmas lights, which can tangle machinery, or motor oil, which needs to be taken to a special recycling center.Meteorologist Kristen Currie took a closer look and spoke with Jacquelyn Green with the Texas Comm
  
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• Don't throw it out: Recycle your Christmas tree with the City of Austin, Texas Disposal Systems

  27-12-2021 15:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Need to get rid of your Christmas tree? You have some options.Both the City of Austin and Texas Disposal Systems will recycle your tree. This is for real trees only, artificial trees won't be accepted.For city curbside service customers, just leave your tree on the curb by 6:30 a.m. on your composting collection day. Any tree over six feet tall should be cut in half, and don't put the tree in the plastic bag, the city said. Make sure all the ornaments and other decorations,
  
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• Nearly 30% of COVID-19 tests came back positive at Long Center site Monday

  27-12-2021 13:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Free COVID-19 tests are now available without an appointment through Friday evening at the Long Center, but be prepared to wait.Nomi Health is hosting a drive-thru, popup testing site at the Long Center, located at 701 W. Riverside Dr. every day this week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The company said test results will be available within 15 minutes via text message directly to the patient for antigen tests and 24 to 48 hours for PCR tests.The line to get COVID-19 tests at the Long
  
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• Huge demand creates long lines for free COVID-19 tests at Long Center

  27-12-2021 13:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Free COVID-19 tests are now available without an appointment through Friday evening at the Long Center, but be prepared to wait.Nomi Health is hosting a drive-thru, popup testing site at the Long Center, located at 701 W. Riverside Dr. every day this week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The company said test results will be available within 15 minutes via text message directly to the patient for antigen tests and 24 to 48 hours for PCR tests.The line to get COVID-19 tests at the Long
  
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• Get tested for COVID-19 for free Monday, Tuesday at Long Center

  27-12-2021 13:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Free COVID-19 antigen tests are available without an appointment Monday and Tuesday at the Long Center.Nomi Health is hosting a drive-thru, pop-up testing site at the Long Center, located at 701 W. Riverside Drive from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday. The company says test results will be available within 15 minutes via text message directly to the patient. LIST: Where to get COVID-19 tested in Austin area as holidays draw nearThe company said no one will be
  
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• Free COVID-19 testing at Long Center extended for full week due to demand

  27-12-2021 13:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Free COVID-19 tests are now available without an appointment through Friday evening at the Long Center.Nomi Health is hosting a drive-thru, popup testing site at the Long Center, located at 701 W. Riverside Dr. every day this week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The company said test results will be available within 15 minutes via text message directly to the patient for antigen tests and 24 to 48 hours for PCR tests.Originally, organizers had planned to host the site for just Monday
  
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• Two wounded in downtown shooting

  27-12-2021 11:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police are looking for a suspect after two people were shot and wounded in downtown Austin early Monday morning.
  Police say the two were shot around 3:20 a.m. near the corner of East 7th and Neches Streets. They are expected to survive.
  Police have closed 7th Street from Neches to Interstate 35 while they investigate the shooting.
  
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• 2 'innocent bystanders' shot on 7th Street early Monday

  27-12-2021 11:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two people who had nothing to do with an argument were shot early Monday morning on East Seventh Street in downtown Austin, police said.APD said around 3:20 a.m., two people were in a heated confrontation when one of them pulled out a gun and started firing. APD officers were at a different scene on Sixth Street when they heard the shots. Upon arrival, they saw two people with gunshot wounds, and after an initial investigation determined the wounded people were "innocent by
  
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• HIGHLIGHTS: Cowboys beat down Washington for historic 56-14 win

  27-12-2021 06:23 via kxan.com
  
  ARLINGTON, Texas (KXAN) — The Dallas Cowboys scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams to set off a historic beatdown of rival Washington Sunday night.Already the owners of a playoff spot and the NFC East division crown, the Cowboys' 56-14 win over Washington was the largest margin of victory in the history of the rivalry.Dallas clinched the NFC East after Las Vegas' win over Denver earlier Sunday. The Cowboys clinched a playoff spot Thursday night, following San Francisco's
  
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• Why the COVID-19 positivity rate is likely higher than what's posted

  27-12-2021 05:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — There's been a surge in COVID-19 testing, both administered at home and at testing sites across Austin, but only results from the latter are actually reported to health officials.
  "There's lines everywhere," Point of Care Health Services Medical Director Dr. George Willeford said. "Getting tested has become a real challenge."Point of Care Health Services says they've seen a 25-30% increase in testing just between last week and this holiday week, averaging about 300 people a
  
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• Texans two-step around COVID-19 roster shuffle for a win

  27-12-2021 04:25 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans had so many players on the COVID-19 list this week — 16 — that it was tough to keep up with who was on the field Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers.“I’m still trying to remember everybody’s name,” safety Justin Reid said.It seemed not to matter, as Houston (4-11) rolled over Los Angeles 41-29 to win consecutive games for the first time in this disappointing season.“This was one of my favorite wins to be a part
  
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• Unseasonably warm weather continues with increasing rain chances through the New Year

  27-12-2021 04:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With more record-warm morning lows and daytime highs tied or set today at Camp Mabry and Austin-Bergstrom, we have now recorded 14 instances of record heat so far this month in the Austin area -- and 0 daily cold records.
  We are still in first place for the warmest December on record at Camp Mabry, which will certainly hold through the end of the month. This month is also expected to be the warmest December statewide.
  After more 'rinse and repeat' weather featuring morning
  
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• Highest cedar pollen count this season as unseasonably warm December comes to an end

  27-12-2021 04:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With more record-warm morning lows and daytime highs tied or set today at Camp Mabry and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, we have now recorded 14 instances of record heat so far this month in the Austin area -- and 0 daily cold records.
  We are still in first place for the warmest December on record at Camp Mabry, which will certainly hold through the end of the month. This month is also expected to be the warmest December statewide.
  Cedar pollen spikesIf you suffer f
  
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• Coldest temps of the season set to follow historic December warmth

  27-12-2021 04:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Clouds slowly eroded Tuesday afternoon sending temperatures soaring to levels 15 to 20 degrees warmer than normal.Wednesday may be even warmer as a record high of 82 degrees is in the forecast.We are still in first place for the warmest December ever recorded, in 125 years of record-keeping. There is no doubt now this December will become the warmest on record in Austin, and likely also the warmest statewide.
  Calm winds tonight and abundant moisture could lead to more fog a
  
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• Cedar pollen spikes to highest level yet as unseasonably warm weather continues

  27-12-2021 04:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With more record-warm morning lows and daytime highs tied or set today at Camp Mabry and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, we have now recorded 14 instances of record heat so far this month in the Austin area -- and 0 daily cold records.
  We are still in first place for the warmest December on record at Camp Mabry, which will certainly hold through the end of the month. This month is also expected to be the warmest December statewide.
  Cedar pollen spikesIf you suffer f
  
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• Cedar pollen soars to highest level so far as historic warm December continues

  27-12-2021 04:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Clouds were beginning to break in many areas Tuesday afternoon, which will send temperatures soaring to nera record levels once again--about 15 to 20 degrees warmer than normal.Calm winds tonight and abundant moisture could lead to more fog development tomorrow compared to this morning.We are still in first place for the warmest December on record at Camp Mabry, which will certainly hold through the end of the month. This month is also expected to be the warmest December st
  
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• WATCH: Trevon Diggs matches Cowboys' single-season interception record

  27-12-2021 03:39 via kxan.com
  
  ARLINGTON, Texas (KXAN) — It didn't take Trevon Diggs long to make an impact Sunday night.The Dallas Cowboys cornerback snagged his 11th interception of the season on Washington's first offensive play of the game, tying the Cowboys' single-season interception record in the process.Digg's son Aaiden certainly approved of his dad's high-flying effort to pick off Washington's Taylor Heinicke with 11:33 to go in the first quarter.Diggs is nearing NFL history with two regular season games remai
  
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• Sarah Weddington, lawyer in Roe v Wade case, dies at Austin home

  27-12-2021 00:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — Sarah Weddington, the attorney who argued the landmark Roe v Wade case in the U.S. Supreme Court that legalized abortion nationally, has died, according to a statement from her family provided to The Texas Tribune by Susan Hays, her friend and mentee.Weddington, a former member of the Texas House of Representatives, was 76 and had a series of health issues in recent years, Hays said.Weddington was found unresponsive in her Austin home early Sunday by her assistant,
  
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