Austin news

• Omicron shatters 3 records at Texas Children's Hospital

  03-01-2022 23:33 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KXAN) — The Texas Children's Hospital reported three new records this weekend related to children getting sick with COVID-19 caused mostly by the rapidly-spreading omicron variant.
  The hospital shared Monday it's currently treating almost 70 children infected by COVID-19 — the most ever since the pandemic began almost two years ago. Dr. Jim Versalovic, the hospital's pathologist in chief, said a third of those hospitalizations are among children younger than five years of ag
  
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• Sex offender caught assaulting child in south Austin, police say

  03-01-2022 23:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A 47-year-old man was arrested last week after police said he failed to register in the sex offender database — and officers said he was caught in the midst of a sexual act with a child outside a south Austin building.According to the Austin Police Department, Ronald Christopher Martin was seen by an officer who was out on a separate call near a former shoe store located at 5001 W. U.S. 290. The officer says around 9:43 p.m. Dec. 27, he saw Martin with a juvenile, lat
  
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• 'Free Week' music festival returns to Austin — here are participating venues

  03-01-2022 21:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Red River Cultural District's Free Week is returning this week to downtown Austin, offering free concerts from Thursday, Jan. 6 through Saturday, Jan. 8.Austin Police: 75 DWI arrests made during holiday ‘No Refusal’ effortThis year, more than 100 bands of various genres will perform across nine music venues, listed below:
  Cheer Up Charlies (900 Red River St.)Elysium (705 Red River St.)Empire Control Room (606 E. Seventh St.)Flamingo Cantina (515 E. Sixth St.
  
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• Another freeze expected overnight tonight

  03-01-2022 21:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Another round of freezing temperatures is expected overnight tonight into Tuesday morning, although temperatures will not be as cold as the last two mornings due to light southerly winds and a few high clouds acting like a blanket.Morning lows on Monday were frigid, dipping into the 10s and 20s areawide.
  Monday morning low temperaturesTemperatures this afternoon rebounded to near-normal winter levels, in the middle to upper 50s under sunny skies.A benign weather pattern wil
  
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• Austin FC makes Alex Ring designated player, club faces major roster decision

  03-01-2022 21:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC has locked down a key piece of its roster for years to come.The club has agreed to a contract extension with captain Alex Ring that keeps him in Austin through at least the 2023 season as a designated player. Austin FC to play 8 teams for the first time ever as MLS drops 2022 scheduleThe roster move means Austin FC now has four designated players – one more than the MLS limit – meaning that one of the four players must be off the roster by the time the
  
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• Texas tops U-Haul's 2020 'growth index,' California at bottom

  03-01-2022 20:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — According to U-Haul, Texas is the most popular state to move to.The moving company said Texas edged Florida in the net gain of one-way moving trucks entering and leaving the state to reclaim the top spot it held from 2016-18. The data includes more than two-million one-way U-Haul moving truck trips during 2021, comprising the "U-Haul Growth Index," the company said. Texas ranked 2nd most moved-to state — and most moved-away stateFlorida was No. 2 on the list, followed
  
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• What to know about FDA-authorized COVID-19 booster for teens

  03-01-2022 20:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Following authorization from the Food and Drug Administration for a Pfizer booster shot for people ages 12-15 Monday, Austin-area pharmacists have outlined next steps for immunizing members of the community.While the FDA has granted its approval for the booster dose, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still has to formally approve the authorization before providers can begin administering the doses.Rannon Ching, pharmacist-in-charge at Tarrytown
  
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• LIVE: What to know about FDA-authorized COVID-19 booster for teens

  03-01-2022 20:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Following authorization from the Food and Drug Administration for a Pfizer booster shot for people ages 12-15 Monday, Austin-area pharmacists have outlined next steps for immunizing members of the community.While the FDA has granted its approval for the booster dose, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still has to formally approve the authorization before providers can begin administering the doses.Rannon Ching, pharmacist-in-charge at Tarrytown
  
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• Whataburger's new ketchup flavor is here

  03-01-2022 20:40 via kxan.com
  
  HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- After days of teasing, Whataburger has revealed a "Limited Batch" ketchup flavor.
  The Texas burger chain has had its social media followers on edge for days, as they hinted that a new flavor of sauce was on its way.
  Clues were in two previous posts regarding the sauce. The burger chain's social media posts used flame emojis and the words "heating up," while leaving followers to guess what the flavor was and promising they would reveal the flavor soon.
  Guesses
  
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• Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick tests positive for COVID-19

  03-01-2022 19:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick tested is self-quarantining with mild symptoms after testing positive for COVID-19 past week.Patrick's campaign released a statement Monday saying Patrick has since tested negative and is completing his quarantine period.“His symptoms were mild and no one else in the household was infected. He continues working from home and will return to a public schedule by the end of the week,” said Allen Blakemore, Patrick Campaign Senior Advisor.
  
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• Austin Police: 75 DWI arrests made during holiday 'No Refusal' effort

  03-01-2022 19:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department made 75 DWI-related arrests during a 16-day timespan as part of its holiday "No Refusal" initiative. Running from Dec. 17-Jan. 1, the program permitted officers to access blood search warrants for drivers suspected of impaired driving who refuse to provide either a breath or blood sample.Of the 75 DWI-related arrests, 31 resulted in enhanced DWI charges based on the following factors:Consent breath samples over 0.15: 19 arrestsClass A misdemeano
  
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• Sunny and comfortable weather ahead

  03-01-2022 19:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Temperatures were downright frigid this morning! Clear skies, calm winds and low dew points led to a morning of 10s and 20s across Central Texas.
  Monday morning low temperaturesThe cold was brutal, but short lived. Temperatures are already rebounding compared to Sunday with highs forecast in the mid 50s Monday afternoon under sunny skies.
  A benign weather pattern will allow quiet conditions to continue through midweek. Expect temperature to warm well into the 60s on Tuesday
  
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• Trump, Ivanka, Don Jr subpoenaed by NY attorney general

  03-01-2022 18:13 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — New York’s attorney general has issued subpoenas to former former President Donald Trump and his two eldest children in connection with an ongoing civil investigation into the family's business practices, according to a court filing Monday.Attorney General Letitia James’ office said in the filing that it is seeking testimony and documents from Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump “in connection with an investigation into the valuation of properties own
  
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• Fake vaccine quote circulates after Betty White’s death

  03-01-2022 18:06 via kxan.com
  
  (AP/KXAN) — Despite a "news" article circulating on social media after TV icon Betty White's death on Friday, the star did not receive a COVID-19 booster three days before she died.Posters on Twitter and Facebook shared an image containing a quote reading, “‘Eat healthy and get all your vaccines. I just got boosted today.’ - Betty White, Dec. 28th, 2021,” alongside a link to an article in Minnesota news outlet Crow River Media, titled, “Betty White: I’m
  
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• How to save on heating costs during winter

  03-01-2022 17:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —We've got a few more days of winter weather before a gradual warmup.Many Central Texans are wondering what they can do to save money. Last year, the federal government announced Americans can expect to pay more for natural gas this winter.
  KXAN's Amanda Dugan spoke with HVAC Manager for ABACUS Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical, Vic Fredlund, about how homeowners can best prepare.AD: What are some tips you have to help people save some money during the winter?VF: Fr
  
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• New savings available through appraisal district's homestead exemptions in 2022

  03-01-2022 17:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With a new year comes another chance for homeowners to save on property tax bills through homestead exemptions.The Travis Central Appraisal District said homeowners can save even more on their property tax bills in 2022 with new laws regarding homestead exemptions going into effect. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Austin City Council looks to provide property tax reliefHomeowners are now eligible to file homestead exemptions as of the date they own the property instead of having to wait
  
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• FDA authorizes COVID-19 boosters for 12 to 15-year-olds

  03-01-2022 16:09 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) -- The Food and Drug Administration on Monday authorized Pfizer booster shots for people aged 12 to 15 years, another expansion in the population eligible for the third shots.Booster shots are seen as a key tool to fight the omicron variant, which has shown a heightened ability to infect people who have two shots, though vaccinated people still have important protection against severe disease.The FDA also shortened the time for all adults to get their booster shots, down to five month
  
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• Austin, artists tackle art and public areas defaced with graffiti

  03-01-2022 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A concerned KXAN viewer reached out wondering if the City of Austin has seen more graffiti recently.
  In the last three years, complaints to Austin 311 have fluctuated. The following numbers are from Jan. 1 to Dec. 1 for each year. In 2019, the city logged 2,997 service requests to clean up graffiti. The following year, in 2020, that number shot up to 3,557. Then, in 2021, the number went down to 2,860. These service requests included calls about public health concerns with
  
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• No. 12 Texas opens Big 12 play with 62-51 win at Oklahoma State

  03-01-2022 06:17 via kxan.com
  
  STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Joanne Allen-Taylor and Audrey Warren scored 14 points apiece and No. 12 Texas defeated Oklahoma State 62-51 on Sunday in a Big 12 Conference opener after both schools endured long layoffs because of COVID-19 health and safety protocols.Allen-Taylor made just 6 of 15 shots from the floor for Texas (10-1), but she buried 4 of 7 in the second quarter as the Longhorns outscored Oklahoma State by five to take a 34-30 lead at halftime. Warren, who had nine rebounds, did
  
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• Granddaughter graduates from UTSA alongside terminally ill grandfather

  03-01-2022 05:02 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KVEO) – A granddaughter and grandfather duo crossed the stage at the University of Texas at San Antonio's commencement ceremony last month, proving it's never too late to achieve your goals.
  (Source: UTSA)Rene Neria, 87, started his educational journey over a half-century ago, when he began attending St. Mary's University in the 1950s. But he put his education on hold when he got married and started a family, granddaughter Melanie Salazar told BuzzFeed News in 2016.Neri
  
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• Central Texans search for COVID tests — where to get one ahead of work week

  03-01-2022 04:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — COVID-19 testing sites around Central Texas are continuing to see an uptick as the omicron variant spreads. Many providers say they've had to turn people away due to the demand.On Sunday, a line snaked around a testing site off Martin Luther King Boulevard and Springdale Road in Austin as temperatures were in the 40s. LIST: Where to get a COVID-19 test in Austin heading into the new year"We weren't able to get in anywhere else as far as CVS or Walgreens," Holly Sexton said.
  
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• Texans fall flat in San Francisco for 12th loss

  03-01-2022 02:49 via kxan.com
  
  SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Rookie Trey Lance threw two touchdown passes in the second half of his second career start, and the San Francisco 49ers closed in on a playoff berth with a 23-7 victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday.Lance got the nod for the 49ers (9-7) for the first time since Week 5 with Jimmy Garoppolo sidelined by a thumb injury and overcame an interception in the first half to lead San Francisco to the win.The Niners can clinch their second playoff berth in fiv
  
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• Van carrying 16 dogs from Austin animal shelter rolls over in Wisconsin

  03-01-2022 02:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A van carrying 16 dogs at the time from an Austin animal shelter rolled over in Wisconsin on New Year's Eve.
  According to the Big Bend Fire Department, which serves a village near Milwaukee, the dogs had no injuries when they were checked after the crash happened.
  (Photo: Big Bend Fire Department/Facebook)(Photo: Big Bend Fire Department/Facebook)(Photo: Big Bend Fire Department/Facebook)First responders took the driver to the hospital with minor injuries and the dogs were
  
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• Dallas Cowboys upended at home against Cardinals

  03-01-2022 02:03 via kxan.com
  
  ARLNGTON, Texas (KXAN) -- Quarterback Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals dashed the Cowboys' chances at homefield advantage for the playoffs with a 25-22 win at AT&T Stadium Sunday.Dallas (11-5) drops to the No. 4 seed for the NFC playoffs, heading into the final week of the regular season. The Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers each won Sunday, taking a one-game lead over Dallas in the standings.Arizona jumped out to an early 10-0 lead with a touchdown pass from Murray to Antoine
  
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• Dallas Cowboys downed by Cardinals, will play Eagles Saturday night

  03-01-2022 02:03 via kxan.com
  
  ARLNGTON, Texas (KXAN) -- Quarterback Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals dashed the Cowboys' chances at homefield advantage for the playoffs with a 25-22 win at AT&T Stadium Sunday.Dallas (11-5) drops to the No. 4 seed for the NFC playoffs, heading into the final week of the regular season. The Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers each won Sunday, taking a one-game lead over Dallas in the standings.Arizona jumped out to an early 10-0 lead with a touchdown pass from Murray to Antoine
  
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• Dallas Cowboys downed at home by Cardinals

  03-01-2022 02:03 via kxan.com
  
  ARLNGTON, Texas (KXAN) -- Quarterback Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals dashed the Cowboys' chances at homefield advantage for the playoffs with a 25-22 win at AT&T Stadium Sunday.Dallas (11-5) drops to the No. 4 seed for the NFC playoffs, heading into the final week of the regular season. The Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers each won Sunday, taking a one-game lead over Dallas in the standings.Arizona jumped out to an early 10-0 lead with a touchdown pass from Murray to Antoine
  
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• January forecast: What's ahead for Central Texas

  03-01-2022 01:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — We're now a third of the way into meteorological winter, which started Dec. 1. Even though it took until Jan. 2 for the first freeze in Austin, it's hard to escape the fact that it's starting to feel more like it should.January is typically the coldest month of the year in Central Texas with Jan. 2-13, averaging the coldest temperatures of the year.Coming off the warmest December in Austin history, we look ahead to what is in store for January.January forecastOn Friday, the
  
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• Twitter permanently suspends Greene's account over COVID-19 misinformation

  03-01-2022 00:52 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) – Twitter said on Sunday it permanently suspended the personal account of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) over the social media platform’s COVID-19 misinformation policy.The social network said in a statement that it took the action after "repeated violations" of the policy.“We permanently suspended the account you referenced (@mtgreenee) for repeated violations of our COVID-19 misinformation policy. We’ve been clear that, per our strike
  
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• Fauci: CDC mulling another change to isolation guidelines

  03-01-2022 00:21 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — As the COVID-19 omicron variant surges across the United States, top federal health officials are looking to add a negative test along with its five-day isolation restrictions for asymptomatic Americans who catch the coronavirus, the White House’s top medical adviser said Sunday.Dr. Anthony Fauci said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now considering including the negative test as part of its guidance after getting significant “pushback&rd
  
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