Austin news

• SWAT situation reported at synagogue near Dallas-Fort Worth

  15-01-2022 20:50
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Colleyville Police Department is working a SWAT situation at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue near Dallas-Fort Worth, according to a tweet Saturday morning.All residents in the immediate area are being evacuated, they said. At 1:20 p.m., the police department tweeted again that the situation was still ongoing and asked people to continue avoiding the area.On the Congregation Beth Israel-Collyville, Texas Facebook page, a man could be heard angrily yelling in a live str
  
  Read more

• Live updates: Hostage situation unfolding at Dallas-Fort Worth area synagogue

  15-01-2022 20:50
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Local and federal law enforcement are working a hostage situation at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue near Dallas-Fort Worth on Saturday.
  One hostage may have been released around 5 p.m. local time due to a medical issue, according to our sister station, KXAS-TV.That likely leaves three hostages inside the synagogue, including its rabbi, according to numbers provided by law enforcement officials to The Associated Press anonymously earlier in the day. There are no injuries
  
  Read more

• Live updates: Hostage situation reported at Dallas-Fort Worth area synagogue

  15-01-2022 20:50
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Local and federal law enforcement are working what appears to be a hostage situation at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue near Dallas-Fort Worth on Saturday.
  At least four hostages are believed to be inside the synagogue, including its rabbi, according to law enforcement officials who were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation and who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. There are not injuries at this time, according to those officials.
  
  Read more

• Hostages in Dallas-Fort Worth area synagogue out safe, hostage taker dead

  15-01-2022 20:50
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After a hostage situation that lasted all day at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue near Dallas-Fort Worth, all of the people being held for nearly 12 hours are out alive and unharmed.
  The hostage taker is dead, according the chief of police at Colleyville. Law enforcement would not confirm his identity Saturday night.
  One of the hostages, a man, was released shortly after 5 p.m. local time and was not injured, police reported. The others were released just after 9:30 p.m.Th
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Hostages in Dallas-Fort Worth area synagogue out alive and safe, Gov. Abbott says

  15-01-2022 20:50
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After an hours-long hostage situation at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue near Dallas-Fort Worth on Saturday, all of those who were being held are out alive and safe, Gov. Abbott says.
  One hostage, a man, was released shortly after 5 p.m. local time and is not injured, the Colleyville Police Department reported.
  That likely leaves three hostages inside the synagogue, including its rabbi, according to information provided by law enforcement officials to The Associated Press
  
  Read more

• Hostages in Dallas-Fort Worth area synagogue out alive and safe

  15-01-2022 20:50
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After a hostage situation that lasted all day at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue near Dallas-Fort Worth, all of the people being held for nearly 12 hours are out alive and safe, Gov. Abbott said. The Colleyville Police Department confirmed that shortly after.
  It's not yet clear what happened to the suspect.
  One of the hostages, a man, was released shortly after 5 p.m. local time and was not injured, police reported. The others were released just after 9:30 p.m. AT HOME: A
  
  Read more

• Hostage situation unfolding at Dallas-Fort Worth area synagogue

  15-01-2022 20:50
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Local and federal law enforcement are working a hostage situation at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue near Dallas-Fort Worth on Saturday.
  One hostage, a man, was released shortly after 5 p.m. local time and is not injured, the Colleyville Police Department reported.
  That likely leaves three hostages inside the synagogue, including its rabbi, according to information provided by law enforcement officials to The Associated Press anonymously earlier in the day. There are no i
  
  Read more

• Hostage situation reported at synagogue near Dallas-Fort Worth

  15-01-2022 20:50
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Colleyville Police Department is working a SWAT situation at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue near Dallas-Fort Worth, according to a tweet Saturday morning.All residents in the immediate area are being evacuated, they said. At 2:20 p.m. Central Time, the police department tweeted again that the situation was still ongoing and asked people to continue avoiding the area.On the Congregation Beth Israel-Collyville, Texas Facebook page, a man could be heard angrily yelling
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Hostage situation reported at Dallas-Fort Worth area synagogue

  15-01-2022 20:50
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Colleyville Police Department is working an apparent hostage situation at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue near Dallas-Fort Worth on Saturday, a tweet says.At least four hostages are believed to be inside the synagogue, including its rabbi, according to law enforcement officials who were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation and who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.On the Congregation Beth Israel-Collyville, Texas Facebook page,
  
  Read more

• Texas is evolving on marijuana, so what would it take to change the laws?

  15-01-2022 20:03
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — During his reelection campaign, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has struck a moderate tone when it comes to marijuana.
  When asked about cannabis reform during a campaign event last week, Abbott once again laid out the argument that prisons and jails are places "for dangerous criminals who may harm others.""Small possession of marijuana is not the type of violation that we want to stockpile jails with," the governor said.
  His remarks come as opinions on the matter begin to change
  
  Read more

• Yelp picks Austin businesses that will get $10k for winter preparations

  15-01-2022 19:56
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Yelp, the consumer review based website, announced the winners of its holiday winterization fund aimed at helping small businesses in the area cover the costs of preparing for the winter season.
  Yelp users were asked to nominate their favorite local businesses to receive money for extreme weather preparations. The Central Texas businesses that won $10,000 each were:Aviator Pizza & DrafthouseComfort CaféCrema Bakery & CaféDonn's DepotFoxhole Culinary TavernK
  
  Read more

• Two adults, two kids taken to hospital after north Austin pedestrian crash

  15-01-2022 19:55
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services says two adults and two children were sent to the hospital after a vehicle versus pedestrian crash at the 1400 block of East Anderson Lane in the eastbound direction.
  ATCEMS is reporting via Twitter that at least two vehicles and two pedestrians were involved. They have transported two adults to Dell Seton Medical Center for potentially serious, but not life threatening injuries, they tweeted.
  They have also transported two pediatri
  
  Read more

• WEEKEND READ: New COVID-19 orders for Austin businesses amid testing and staffing shortages

  15-01-2022 19:28
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As the omicron variant continues to spread rapidly across Central Texas, health leaders are directing businesses to help them flatten the curve. There are 579 people in Austin-area hospitals right now with COVID-19, as of the latest numbers.
  Dr. Desmar Walkes, the Austin-Travis County health authority, said they’re seeing roughly 20% of people who show up to the hospital with COVID-19 end up in the ICU.
  “This is a little different from other surges in that it’s
  
  Read more

• Biden team regroups after court loss on COVID shots-or-test

  15-01-2022 18:37
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Concerned but not giving up, President Joe Biden is anxiously pushing ahead to prod people to get COVID-19 shots after the Supreme Court put a halt to the administration's sweeping vaccinate-or-test plan for large employers.
  At a time when hospitals are being overrun and record numbers of people are getting infected with the omicron variant, the administration hopes states and companies will order their own vaccinate-or-test requirements. And if the presidential “bu
  
  Read more

• Virginia's new GOP governor pledges to restore trust

  15-01-2022 18:33
  
  RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Striking a tone of bipartisanship and optimism, Virginia’s new Republican governor, Glenn Youngkin, pledged to “restore trust in government and to restore power to the people” as he was sworn in to office Saturday in Richmond.“Today we stand together on behalf of Virginians who’ve never lost faith, even when they suffered loss. Of Virginians who have not stopped dreaming of a better life, even in the midst of trials and tribulation," he sa
  
  Read more

• Republican Glenn Youngkin sworn in as Virginia 74th governor

  15-01-2022 18:33
  
  RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Striking a tone of bipartisanship and optimism, Virginia’s new Republican governor, Glenn Youngkin, pledged to “restore trust in government and to restore power to the people” as he was sworn in to office Saturday in Richmond.“Today we stand together on behalf of Virginians who’ve never lost faith, even when they suffered loss. Of Virginians who have not stopped dreaming of a better life, even in the midst of trials and tribulation," he sa
  
  Read more

• Fire safety precautions ahead of today's critical fire weather threat

  15-01-2022 18:16
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Central Texas woke up to (yet another) dry and windy cold front Saturday morning. It's been several weeks now without any soaking, beneficial rains, meaning this recent frontal passage has elevated the threat for wildfires to the highest since 2018.The Austin Fire Department shared these tips with KXAN on how you can stay safe and prevent wintertime fires. Extreme fire danger: Experts give tips on how to stay safeSpace heatersTHEY NEED SPACE! According to the National Fire Prote
  
  Read more

• Austin Fire Departments gives tips ahead of critical fire weather threat

  15-01-2022 18:16
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Central Texas woke up to (yet another) dry and windy cold front Saturday morning. It's been several weeks now without any soaking, beneficial rains, meaning this recent frontal passage has elevated the threat for wildfires to the highest since 2018.The Austin Fire Department shared these tips with KXAN on how you can stay safe and prevent wintertime fires. Extreme fire danger: Experts give tips on how to stay safeSpace heatersTHEY NEED SPACE! According to the National Fire Prote
  
  Read more

• City of Austin cold weather shelters activated Saturday

  15-01-2022 18:10
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Emergency Management has activated cold weather shelters Saturday as a strong cold front moves through Central Texas.Those in need of a shelter for the night are asked to show up to the One Texas Center on Barton Springs Road between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Health screenings for COVID-19 will be done during registration.
  For more information, you can call the 24/7 hotline at (512) 305-4233.
  
  Read more

• Extreme fire danger: Experts give tips on how to stay safe

  15-01-2022 17:54
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After a windy and warm Friday that lead to the spread of several grassfires in Williamson County, we now have a windy and cold Saturday in your forecast.
  Several people have already been displaced after windy conditions sparked this fire in Austin Saturday morning. Fire danger through Saturday night will be extremely high.Read KXAN's updated Saturday morning forecast hereTravis County wildfire specialist Will Boettner joined KXAN chief meteorologist David Yeomans to ta
  
  Read more

• Tsunami advisory issued for West Coast while Texas deals with high fire danger

  15-01-2022 17:52
  
  (NEXSTAR) – A tsunami advisory has been issued for parts of Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington after an undersea volcano erupted in the Tonga Islands.The National Tsunami Warning Center, a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), added that “some impacts are expected” along the West Coast of the United States.The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, also operated by the NOAA, had issued its own advisory for the state of Hawaii, warning t
  
  Read more

• Biden backers 'not seeing the results' a year into his term

  15-01-2022 17:49
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Just over a year ago, millions of energized young people, women, voters of color and independents joined forces to send Joe Biden to the White House. But 12 months into his presidency, many describe a coalition in crisis.Leading voices across Biden's diverse political base openly decry the slow pace of progress on key campaign promises. The frustration was especially pronounced this past week after Biden's push for voting rights legislation effectively stalled, intensifying
  
  Read more

• Some in GOP begin testing party's lockstep loyalty to Trump

  15-01-2022 17:48
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump is stepping up his election-year effort to dominate the Republican Party with a Saturday rally in Arizona in which he plans to castigate anyone who dares to question his lie that the 2020 presidential election was stolen, likely including the state’s GOP governor, Doug Ducey.But 2,000 miles to the east in Washington, there are small signs that some Republicans are tiring of the charade. Mike Rounds, the generally unassuming senator from
  
  Read more

• GOP's midterm dilemma: How closely to align with Trump

  15-01-2022 17:48
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump is stepping up his election-year effort to dominate the Republican Party with a Saturday rally in Arizona in which he plans to castigate anyone who dares to question his lie that the 2020 presidential election was stolen, likely including the state’s GOP governor, Doug Ducey.But 2,000 miles to the east in Washington, there are small signs that some Republicans are tiring of the charade. Mike Rounds, the generally unassuming senator from
  
  Read more

• Expect more worrisome variants after omicron, scientists say

  15-01-2022 17:46
  
  Get ready to learn more Greek letters. Scientists warn that omicron’s whirlwind advance practically ensures it won’t be the last version of the coronavirus to worry the world.
  Every infection provides a chance for the virus to mutate, and omicron has an edge over its predecessors: It spreads way faster despite emerging on a planet with a stronger patchwork of immunity from vaccines and prior illness.That means more people in whom the virus can further evolve. Experts don’t know
  
  Read more

• People displaced from homes as windy conditions help spark fires in east Austin

  15-01-2022 17:04
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Several people have been displaced from their homes due to two fires that broke out in east Austin on Saturday morning.Powerful winds are blowing through Central Texas Saturday, leading to a fire weather warning that is active through 6 p.m.The Austin Fire Department said those gusts played a role in the first of the two fires, which started at an apartment on Elmont Drive shortly after 5 a.m.Firefighters were able to hold the exterior fire to a balcony, while the apartment
  
  Read more

• 'Please don't head to the Burger Center': Mass COVID-19 testing site to close early Saturday

  15-01-2022 16:49
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The mass COVID-19 testing site at the Toney Burger Activity Center and Stadium will be closed for most of Saturday after it hit capacity early on Saturday morning.The center, operated by Nomi Health, was due to be open between 9:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday, according to Nomi Health’s website.However, in a tweet at 9:25 a.m., Austin ISD warned people to stay away from the site as it will close early for the day.“Please don’t head to Burger for a test if
  
  Read more

• Austin-Travis County EMS: 1 dead in overnight crash in northeast Austin

  15-01-2022 13:46
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One person has died after a crash in northeast Austin in the early hours of Saturday morning, according to medics.The crash happened at 2300 East Anderson Lane at about 1:05 a.m.Austin-Travis County EMS described the incident as a single-vehicle collision. The driver of the vehicle died at the scene, medics said.EMS did not provide any information about the circumstances of the crash.
  
  Read more

• Wind slowly backs off tonight with more pleasant weather for Sunday

  15-01-2022 12:00
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Afternoon highs on Saturday only reached the low 50s, but the strong winds made it feel much colder than that.Isolated wind gusts of 50mph + were reported, but generally the more frequent gusts were between 35-45mph.Here's how wind gusts have faired each hour at Austin's Camp-Mabry:Wind gusts over the last 18 hoursThe wind will still be with us into tonight.A Wind Advisory remains in effect until 6 p.m. Saturday for gusts up to 50 mph, and a Fire Weather Warning also remain
  
  Read more

• Sunny, cold and very windy day ahead- critical fire danger underway

  15-01-2022 12:00
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin's high temperature Friday afternoon reached 78° -- just one degree shy of the daily record set in 1980. Gusty winds and low humidity increased fire danger, leading to the spread of several grassfires in Williamson County.A strong, rain-free cold front blowing through overnight brings gusty winds and much colder temperatures.Saturday will feature beautiful, sunny skies -- but punishing northwesterly winds.
  Morning temperatures near 40° will only warm to the up
  
  Read more

• DSHS updates COVID dashboard, will no longer report recoveries or active case totals

  15-01-2022 05:32
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas' state health department will no longer report the number of COVID-19 cases in the state that are considered recovered or active.The change went into effect Friday, along with several other updates to the Texas Department of State Health Services' COVID-19 dashboard.DSHS reported it had revised case totals to account for final numbers from 2020, which the agency reported to the CDC. In 2020, the first year of the pandemic in Texas, 1,620,499 confirmed and 182,983 prob
  
  Read more

• SWAT responding to scene in north Austin

  15-01-2022 03:05
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin SWAT was called out to a scene in north Austin Friday night.
  The investigation is taking place near the 14000 block of The Lakes Boulevard. That's near West Howard Lane and Interstate 35.
  The Austin Police Department is expected to release more information some time Friday night.This is a developing story that will be updated once more details become available.
  
  Read more

• Police: Man charged after stabbing roommate in north Austin

  15-01-2022 03:05
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man is in custody after a woman told law enforcement she was stabbed by her roommate at an apartment in the north Austin/Pflugerville area Friday evening.
  The Austin Police Department said it received a call about the incident in the 14000 block of The Lakes Boulevard just after 4:30 p.m. That's near West Howard Lane and Interstate 35.
  The woman who called 911 told law enforcement she had been stabbed by her roommate and escaped but needed medical help.
  APD said the victi
  
  Read more

• LIVE: SWAT responding to scene in north Austin

  15-01-2022 03:05
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin SWAT was called out to a scene in north Austin Friday night.
  The investigation is taking place near the 14000 block of The Lakes Boulevard. That's near West Howard Lane and Interstate 35.
  The Austin Police Department is expected to release more information some time Friday night.This is a developing story that will be updated once more details become available.
  
  Read more

• Critical fire risk Saturday from dry, very windy weather

  15-01-2022 03:00
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Near-record warmth, potentially damaging winds and a widespread freeze -- get ready for some wild swings in our local weather.Austin's high temperature Friday afternoon reached 78° -- just one degree shy of the daily record set in 1980. Gusty winds and low humidity increased fire danger, leading to the spread of several grassfires in Williamson County.Tonight, a strong, dry cold front blows through bringing very gusty winds and much colder temperatures. Winds will begin
  
  Read more

• Dozens of Texas school districts shut down due to staff shortages linked to omicron surge

  15-01-2022 01:10
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Staff shortages are leading to school closures across the state as omicron continues to drive case counts up.
  Nancy Thompson, a mom of three, said she started keeping track after she noticed parents from all over Texas posting in her Facebook group, Mothers Against Greg Abbott.
  "It's encompassing all of Texas. It isn't just a handful of ISDs that are shut down. It's actually 98 ISDs," Thompson explained.
  Since the time of that interview, at least three more districts ann
  
  Read more

• Career strategist shares tips on making a change

  15-01-2022 00:31
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Nearly 4 out of 10 workers in the U.S. are looking to make a job switch in the coming year, according to a survey from Fidelity Investments. If you're considering a career pivot and not sure how to play your next move, Career Strategist Julie Bauke said a good starting point is to think, plan and execute."It's like any good project. You start with the end in mind, when you say, 'I want to get a better job,' when you say, 'I want to move to a better career,' what does that m
  
  Read more

• Strong, potentially damaging wind gusts on Saturday

  15-01-2022 00:00
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Near-record warmth, potentially damaging winds and a widespread overnight freeze -- get ready for some wild swings in our local weather.Austin's high temperature Friday afternoon reached 78° -- just one degree shy of the daily record set in 1980. Gusty winds increased fire danger, leading to the spread of several grassfires in Williamson County.Tonight, a strong, dry cold front blows through bringing very gusty winds and much colder temperatures. Winds will begin to inc
  
  Read more

Follow @Austin_News_US on Twitter!