Austin news

• Central Texas allergy data: See what's making you sniffle and sneeze

  29-12-2021 23:16 via kxan.com
  
  Click here to view our interactive allergy page — including historical levels for the past month.Find the latest allergen counts for Central Texas, as measured by Sheila M. Amar, M.D., and Kim T. Hovanky, M.D. of Allergy & Asthma Center of Georgetown. Whether it is cedar, mold, cottonwood, oak, ragweed, ash, pine, mulberry, elm, poplar, or any other allergen in our area, you can track recent allergy reports here.What time of year do allergens appear?Mold is pre
  
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• Ghislaine Maxwell convicted in Epstein sex abuse case

  29-12-2021 23:08 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — The British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted Wednesday of luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by the American millionaire Jeffrey Epstein.The verdict capped a monthlong trial featuring sordid accounts of the sexual exploitation of girls as young as 14, told by four women who described being abused as teens in the 1990s and early 2000s at Epstein’s palatial homes in Florida, New York and New Mexico.Jurors deliberated for five full days before finding Ma
  
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• Austin City Council's Kathie Tovo eyes potential mayoral run in 2022

  29-12-2021 22:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council's District 9 representative Kathie Tovo is "strongly considering" a run for Austin mayor in 2022, she confirmed to KXAN Wednesday.Elected to Austin City Council in June 2011, Tovo served as mayor pro-tem from 2015-2018. Under District 9, she represents the majority of Austin's downtown sector, as well as the University of Texas at Austin. TRENDING: NYE show at ACL Live canceled due to COVID concernsHer time on council has included serving as the chair of
  
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• 'They’re going to have fun': McCreery expects exciting Lone Star NYE 2022

  29-12-2021 22:49 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (NBCDFW) — Country musician Scotty McCreery will headline Lone Star NYE: Countdown to 2022.The must-watch New Year’s Eve celebration will include the “Over the Top NYE” 10-minute live fireworks spectacular along with a choreographed drone show over Reunion Tower and performances by McCreery.McCreery recently released his fifth studio album, "Same Truck," which featured his fourth consecutive No. 1 hit on both the Billboard and Mediabase country radio charts, &
  
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• NBA postpones Heat-Spurs game, after Miami has virus breakout

  29-12-2021 22:13 via kxan.com
  
  MIAMI (AP) — The NBA postponed Wednesday's game between Miami and San Antonio, after the combination of injuries and positive tests left the Heat unable to meet the league's requirement of eight available players.It was the 10th game postponed in the NBA this season because of virus-related issues. None of those have been rescheduled at this point. Spoon cancels NYE show at ACL Live due to COVID-19 concernsMiami had 12 players listed as out for the game against the Spurs for a variety of r
  
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• Manor New Year's Eve celebration canceled amid spiking COVID-19 cases

  29-12-2021 22:12 via kxan.com
  
  MANOR, Texas (KXAN) — Manor's New Year's Eve celebration is canceled, the city announced Wednesday.
  The event was also meant to celebrate the city's 150th birthday. A concert and fireworks show was planned.
  The city said the Manor Sesquicentennial Steering Committee met Wednesday and voted to cancel the event due to the omicron variant surge and guidance from health leaders saying people should avoid/reconsider holiday gatherings.
  Austin-Travis County officially moved to Stage 4 of its COV
  
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• About 12 car burglaries reported over 2 nights in Cedar Park

  29-12-2021 22:02 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — The Cedar Park Police Department is reminding residents to lock their vehicles after a series of car break-ins in the city.
  The Cedar Park Police Department said Wednesday about 12 burglaries were reported to have happened over both Monday and Tuesday nights. Stolen items included keys, guns and personal belongings.1 person dead after multi-vehicle crash on RM 2222 in northwest AustinPolice said some cars were unlocked, and valuables were taken. Other cars were l
  
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• Watch: New Year's Eve fireworks light up the downtown Austin sky

  29-12-2021 20:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Just this week, Austin-Travis County health leaders made the call to move back to Stage 4 of its COVID-19 risk-based guidelines because of a spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
  City leaders are now asking people to take precautions this weekend and celebrate the new year safely, and those recommendations include watching the city's fireworks from afar.
  "If the numbers continue to get worse in our city because people are not doing it voluntarily then we’re go
  
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• Watch Live: New Year's Eve fireworks light up the downtown Austin sky

  29-12-2021 20:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Just this week, Austin-Travis County health leaders made the call to move back to Stage 4 of its COVID-19 risk-based guidelines because of a spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
  City leaders are now asking people to take precautions this weekend and celebrate the new year safely, and those recommendations include watching the city's fireworks from afar.
  "If the numbers continue to get worse in our city because people are not doing it voluntarily then we’re go
  
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• Everything you need to know about New Year's fireworks in Austin

  29-12-2021 20:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin is asking that you "be dazzled from a distance" this year as the city sets off its fireworks from Vic Mathias Shores to welcome in the New Year.
  Health leaders are asking people not to gather in large groups for New Year's amid a spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Dr. Desmar Walkes, the local health authority said the fireworks will go as planned but that they expect people not to gather to watch the show.“That is to be viewed from afar. There
  
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• Spoon cancels NYE show at ACL Live due to COVID-19 concerns

  29-12-2021 20:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The ACL Live New Year's Eve show featuring Spoon has been canceled.ACL officials made the announcement Wednesday on Twitter. Spoon, the Austin-based rock band and headlining act, issued a letter that said the show is canceled due to "COVID cases amongst artists on the bill as well as the extremely sharp rise in COVID cases in the Austin community." COVID Christmas cancelations: ZACH Theatre says crew tests positive"We hate it," the band's letter continued. "We all needed th
  
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• Record warmth to close out 2021 before the coldest temperatures of the season to bring in 2022

  29-12-2021 19:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Morning clouds/fog/drizzle have been slow to move out this afternoon. But a lot like the past few days, the sun will return by later this afternoon.
  Highs will flirt with the record of 81° set almost 100 years ago in 1923.A weak dry line will move through later today, ushering in drier air. As a result, temperatures will drop slightly, by about 5 degrees both tomorrow morning and afternoon - but will still be well above seasonal averages.
  Temperatures warm back to the u
  
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• Record warmth to close out 2021 before the coldest temperatures of the season ring in 2022

  29-12-2021 19:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Morning clouds/fog/drizzle have been slow to move out this afternoon. But a lot like the past few days, the sun will return by later this afternoon.
  Highs will flirt with the record of 81° set almost 100 years ago in 1923.A weak dry line will move through later today, ushering in drier air. As a result, temperatures will drop slightly, by about 5 degrees both tomorrow morning and afternoon - but will still be well above seasonal averages.
  Temperatures warm back to the u
  
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• December will end as the warmest on record; freezing cold temps set to arrive by Sunday

  29-12-2021 19:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin-Bergstrom Airport broke yet another high temperature record Wednesday afternoon, climbing to 83 degrees, 2 degrees above the previous 1999 record.Camp Mabry's 82 degree high also broke the record from 1923.
  This December will become the warmest ever recorded in Austin, and very likely also the warmest winter month on record.This December will become the warmest ever recorded in Austin and likely the warmest winter month on recordTemperatures warm back to the upper 70
  
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• Austin breaks another heat record with more weird warmth ahead, then freezing weather follows

  29-12-2021 19:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin-Bergstrom Airport broke yet another high temperature record Wednesday afternoon, climbing to 83 degrees, 2 degrees above the previous 1999 record.Camp Mabry's 82 degree high also broke the record from 1923.
  This December will become the warmest ever recorded in Austin, and very likely also the warmest winter month on record.This December will become the warmest ever recorded in Austin and likely the warmest winter month on recordTemperatures warm back to the upper 70
  
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• Austin breaks another heat record, with more possible before the coldest temperatures of the season ring in 2022

  29-12-2021 19:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin-Bergstrom Airport broke yet another high temperature record Wednesday afternoon, climbing to 82 degrees, 2 degrees above the previous 1999 record.At mid-afternoon, Camp Mabry had tied the 1923 record of 81°.Temperatures warm back to the upper 70s to low 80s Thursday and Friday to close out 2021 before a strong cold front comes just in time for the new year.Changes coming this weekendAfter more 'rinse and repeat' weather featuring morning clouds and near-record wa
  
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• 80s continue during this warmest ever December, but sub-freezing wind chills await

  29-12-2021 19:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin-Bergstrom Airport broke yet another high temperature record Wednesday afternoon, climbing to 83 degrees, 2 degrees above the previous 1999 record.Camp Mabry's 82 degree high also broke the record from 1923.
  This December will become the warmest ever recorded in Austin, and very likely also the warmest winter month on record.This December will become the warmest ever recorded in Austin and likely the warmest winter month on recordTemperatures warm back to the low 80s
  
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• Meet Aspen, the 4-year-old Austin dog taught sign language

  29-12-2021 19:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — There's the age-old expression that you can't teach an old dog new tricks. And then there's Aspen, a 4-year-old Austin dog taught sign language through the Austin Humane Society.Aspen came to AHS in May from the Bastrop County Animal Services shelter, where she was at risk of being euthanized. After arriving at AHS, volunteers realized Aspen was deaf and unable to respond to verbal commands.(Courtesy: Austin Humane Society)(Courtesy: Austin Humane Society) But how exactly d
  
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• What parents should know as COVID-19 cases rise

  29-12-2021 18:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN ) — According to an NBC News analysis of Department of Health and Human Services data in the last four weeks, the average number of children hospitalized with COVID-19 jumped 52%.Locally we are seeing dozens of testing sites booked and more and more people testing positive for COVID-19. LIST: Where to get a COVID-19 test in Austin heading into the new yearDr. Sunaina Suhag, a pediatrician for Austin Regional Clinic, explains what her office is seeing and what parents need to k
  
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• Texas National Guard staff youth prisons amid COVID-19 cases

  29-12-2021 18:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Members of the Texas National Guard are headed to youth detention centers in the state, providing support to maintain staffing levels as the system deals with COVID-19 cases.While they aren't directly interacting for a prolonged period of time with the youth housed at the facilities, they are helping with supply runs, transportation, medical support, food service and bed checks. The Texas Juvenile Justice Department said this allows its staff to "focus on their primary duti
  
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• Public funeral services for former Austin mayor set for Jan. 6

  29-12-2021 18:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Funeral arrangements for former Austin mayor Bruce Todd are scheduled for Jan. 6.Public funeral services are planned for 2 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church, located at 3003 Northland Drive in Austin. His committal service, also open to the public, is set for 3:30 p.m. at Texas State Cemetery, 909 Navasota St. in Austin. Former Austin mayor Bruce Todd dies at 72Todd died from complications of Lewy Body Dementia on Christmas Day at 72 years old. He served as Austin's mayo
  
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• Think you might have COVID-19? Use this self-check tool from the CDC

  29-12-2021 17:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As cedar fever, cold and flu season and a spike in COVID-19 cases converge during the holidays, health experts are asking people who don't feel quite right to get tested and isolate themselves.
  Are you trying to figure out whether or not you need a COVID-19 test? The CDC says symptoms can range from mild to severe and may appear 2-14 days after exposure. Here are some of the symptoms they list could be connected to COVID-19:
  Fever or chillsCoughShortness of breath or diffic
  
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• Austin-Travis County moves to Stage 4 COVID-19 risk-based guidelines

  29-12-2021 16:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to climb in Austin-Travis County, health leaders are officially moving the area to Stage 4 guidelines.
  For people who are fully vaccinated, Stage 4 guidelines recommend masking in all situations, even when gathering outdoors. For people who are not fully vaccinated, it recommends eliminating travel and only dining or shopping through takeout or curbside service.
  The move to Stage 4 comes after the area saw an uptick in communi
  
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• 1 person dead after multi-vehicle crash on RM 2222 in northwest Austin

  29-12-2021 15:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Medics said one person died in a multi-vehicle wreck Wednesday morning in northwest Austin.
  #ATXTrafficFatality UPDATE Vehicle Rescue at 5800 Fm 2222 Rd: #ATCEMSMedics have obtained a Deceased on Scene Pronouncement of an adult patient. Extrication continues on the patient who is pinned. Expect #ATXTraffic delays in the area, avoid if possible & #MoveOverSlowDown. MTF.— ATCEMS (@ATCEMS) December 29, 2021
  Austin-Travis County EMS said the crash happened at 7:45 a.m
  
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• ABIA officials trying to reduce plane vs. bird collisions

  29-12-2021 14:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — At Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, around 115 bird strikes have been reported this year with barn swallows making the top of the list. That number is up from 2020 when only 89 bird strikes were reported as the COVID-19 pandemic shut down airports and kept airplanes grounded.
  However, in 2019, there were 175 bird strikes, slightly up from the previous year.Woman repeatedly punched by Austin officers sues cityThe Federal Aviation Administration reports that "about 53%
  
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• First look: Huge Bastrop 552 film studio may open in 2023

  29-12-2021 12:19 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (Austin Business Journal) — A 546-acre film studio and entertainment district near Bastrop has a target opening date for its first phase — August 2023.That's among the new details emerging about the Bastrop 552 project, which owner Alton Butler has said will eventually have 486,000 square feet of studio space, 300,000 square feet of warehouse/mill space and 200,000 square feet of office space in a horseshoe bend of the Colorado River.Additionally, Bastrop Colorado Bend
  
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• Austin Police bolstering downtown staffing for New Year's Eve, in light of rising COVID-19 cases

  29-12-2021 05:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is keeping a close eye on staffing levels, especially ahead of the New Year's Eve holiday and as COVID-19 cases rise among officers.In a briefing Tuesday, Police Chief Joseph Chacon said the department generally increases the amount of officers on duty for the holiday. Recently, he said they have been affected by the same staffing shortages affecting businesses and restaurants."I'd be foolish to say that I'm not worried about COVID," Chacon said
  
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• Texas COVID-19 hospitalizations rise more than 11% in a day

  29-12-2021 04:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — COVID-19 hospitalizations in Texas have spiked more than 11% in 24 hours, according to state data from the Texas Department of State Health Services.
  As of Tuesday, hospitalizations in the state climbed to 4,431. That's up more than 40% from a week ago. DATA: Molecular positive test rate in Texas hits new record high for third day in a rowTexas' surge in hospitalized COVID-19 patients is similar to New York's, which has seen a 12% rise in one day, NBC New York reported Tues
  
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• TxDMV to address illegal paper tags, law enforcement says tougher background checks needed

  29-12-2021 02:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Deputy Constable Connor Emens is on the hunt."I'll make between 15-20 traffic stops" a day for fraudulent paper license plates, Emens says, before being interrupted. FBI: ‘More could be done’ to fix Texas’ paper license plate problem"Go ahead and run it for me," Sgt. Jose Escribano tells him over the radio.Emens and Escribano, driving in separate cars, are scanning Austin's streets searching for illegal temporary tags.
  "Kasniels [Auto]," Emens replies, after ru
  
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• String of deaths among Texas National Guardsmen deployed at southern border stirs up questions

  29-12-2021 01:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — A string of recent deaths among Texas National Guardsmen deployed as part of Governor Greg Abbott's Operation Lone Star is stirring up questions about the mission.
  The governor has repeatedly emphasized the importance of these soldiers on our southern border, meant to help respond to the surge in migrants this year.
  Tuesday, a spokesperson for the governor noted, "Since Governor Abbott launched Operation Lone Star in March, National Guard soldiers and DPS troopers have a
  
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• Questions remain after string of deaths among Texas National Guardsmen deployed at southern border

  29-12-2021 01:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — A string of recent deaths among Texas National Guardsmen deployed as part of Governor Greg Abbott's Operation Lone Star is stirring up questions about the mission.
  The governor has repeatedly emphasized the importance of these soldiers on our southern border, meant to help respond to the surge in migrants this year.
  Tuesday, a spokesperson for the governor noted, "Since Governor Abbott launched Operation Lone Star in March, National Guard soldiers and DPS troopers have a
  
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• John Madden, Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster, dies at 85

  29-12-2021 01:22 via kxan.com
  
  (AP) — John Madden, the Hall of Fame coach turned broadcaster whose exuberant calls combined with simple explanations provided a weekly soundtrack to NFL games for three decades, died Tuesday morning, the NFL said. He was 85.The league said he died unexpectedly and did not detail a cause.Madden gained fame in a decade-long stint as the coach of the renegade Oakland Raiders, making it to seven AFC title games and winning the Super Bowl following the 1976 season. He compiled a 103-32-7 regul
  
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• Former NFL coach, sportscaster John Madden dead at 85

  29-12-2021 01:22 via kxan.com
  
  (FOX 46 CHARLOTTE) — Legendary former football coach and sportscaster John Madden has died, according to the National Football League.According to the NFL, Madden died unexpected Tuesday morning at the age of 85."On behalf of the entire NFL family, we extend our condolences to Virginia, Mike, Joe and their families," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. "We all know him as the Hall of Fame coach of the Oakland Raiders and broadcaster who worked for every major network, but more than anythi
  
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