Austin news

• WATCH: Firefighters put out blaze in north Austin

  22-01-2022 22:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Firefighters quickly controlled a fire that torched a shed and a fence in a north Austin neighborhood.
  The Austin Fire Department says they were called out to Cricket Hollow Drive, which is near Kramer Lane and Metric Boulevard, a little after 1:30 p.m. Saturday. You can see in this video sent to KXAN by Roger Banks that firefighters were able to quickly get it under control.
  AFD says it did not spread to the house and no one was injured. They do not yet know what started the fi
  
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• WATCH: Firefighters put out blaze at a north Austin home

  22-01-2022 22:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Firefighters quickly controlled a fire that torched a shed and a fence in a north Austin neighborhood.
  The Austin Fire Department says they were called out to Cricket Hollow Drive, which is near Kramer Lane and Metric Boulevard, a little after 1:30 p.m. Saturday. You can see in this video sent to KXAN by Roger Banks that firefighters were able to quickly get it under control.
  AFD says it did not spread to the house and no one was injured. They do not yet know what started the fi
  
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• Police chief admits ‘challenge’ of staffing events as runners gear up for Austin 3M half marathon

  22-01-2022 21:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon said the department faces a “challenge” to fully staff major events such as the 3M half marathon on Sunday.More than 7,500 runners will compete in the race – one of the country’s fastest half marathons – which begins at Stonelake Boulevard in northwest Austin and ends near the State Capitol.Staffing shortages and COVID-19 have made it tougher to staff large scale events, Chief Chacon said.“I have fewer of
  
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• Texas special agent dies in crash near border

  22-01-2022 21:13 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (KXAN) -- A Texas Department of Public Safety special agent has died after a crash near the Mexico border, DPS announced Saturday.The agent was working a "tactical" operation with U.S. Border Patrol Friday when the accident happened near Eagle Pass, Texas, the DPS release said. They did not provide the circumstances surrounding that crash.
  Special Agent Anthony Salas, 37, was transported to an area hospital, then air lifted to San Antonio. He passed away Saturday.Officers moved from APD se
  
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• Texas DPS special agent dies in crash near border

  22-01-2022 21:13 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (KXAN) -- A Texas Department of Public Safety special agent has died after a crash near the Mexico border, DPS announced Saturday.The agent was working a "tactical" operation with U.S. Border Patrol Friday when the accident happened near Eagle Pass, Texas, a DPS release said. They did not provide the circumstances surrounding that crash.
  Special Agent Anthony Salas, 37, was transported to an area hospital, then air lifted to San Antonio. He passed away Saturday.
  “I am saddened to hea
  
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• Texans against abortion rally at Capitol on anniversary of Roe v. Wade ruling

  22-01-2022 20:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- State leaders and people from across the state of Texas are gathering Saturday for a march and annual Texas Rally for Life, an anti-abortion event held on the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade ruling.
  The event will take place at the state Capitol in Austin from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.Speakers include Gov. Greg Abbott, State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione and Dr. Joe Pojman, the executive director for the Texas Alliance for Life.
  "Governor Greg Abbott will be speaking at this year's historical
  
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• Rally for Life advocates motivated on 49th anniversary of Roe v. Wade

  22-01-2022 20:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Rally for Life at the State Capitol on Saturday brought in thousands of people calling for a ban on abortions.
  Similar events took place nationwide, including in Washington D.C.
  The rally comes on the 49th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that established a constitutional right to abortion and barred states from banning the procedure before fetal viability.
  The U.S. Supreme Court, on Thursday, refused to speed up the ongoing court case over Texas' ban
  
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• Rally for Life advocates feeling extra motivated on 49th anniversary of Roe v. Wade

  22-01-2022 20:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Rally for Life at the State Capitol on Saturday brought in thousands of people calling for a ban on abortions.
  Similar events took place nationwide, including in Washington D.C.
  The rally comes on the 49th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that established a constitutional right to abortion and barred states from banning the procedure before fetal viability.
  The U.S. Supreme Court, on Thursday, refused to speed up the ongoing court case over Texas' ban
  
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• Two dead after shooting in north Austin, one in custody

  22-01-2022 19:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is investigating a double homicide in north Austin where two people were found shot to death in a parking lot.
  Police say they were able to locate the suspect of that shooting, who is now in custody and being questioned. They did not give the identity of the victims or the suspect.
  There is no ongoing threat to the public, APD said.It happened a little before noon Saturday at the 2100 block of West Anderson Lane.
  Officer Michael Bullock with APD's pu
  
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• Police investigate suspicious death in north Austin

  22-01-2022 19:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is on the scene of a suspicious death in the 2100 block of West Anderson Lane in north Austin.
  No other details were immediately released by police, in their tweet.This is a developing story.
  
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• APD: Man charged with capital murder after shooting left two dead in north Austin

  22-01-2022 19:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One man has been arrested after a double homicide in north Austin Saturday. Two people were found shot to death in a parking lot, APD said.
  Police were able to locate the suspect, identified as Yong Yoon Kim, 31,shortly after arriving on scene.
  On Monday, police identified 19-year-olds Nathan Limoge and Christopher Rivers as the victims of Saturday's shooting.
  Homicide investigators and crime technicians at the scene interviewed witnesses before coming into contact with Kim
  
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• Some Central Texas schools closed Monday due to COVID-19

  22-01-2022 17:16 via kxan.com
  
  CENTRAL TEXAS (KXAN) -- Staff shortages are leading to school closures across the state, as well as here in Central Texas, as the omicron variant continues to drive case counts up.Here are the upcoming school closures that have been announced in the Central Texas area so far.Lexington ISDLexington ISD said all schools and offices would be closed Monday, Jan. 24 due to COVID-19. The district said during the closure, all classrooms and student areas will be deep cleaned and/or disinfected.&ld
  
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• WEEKEND READ: Fire and ice, wild weather week in Central Texas

  22-01-2022 17:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- From wildfires to a frozen wintry mix, we got a little bit of everything in Central Texas this week. As a cold front made its way into KXAN's viewing area, it brought with it high winds and fire danger. That was followed by cold and slick conditions.
  Here's a look at the big stories from the week.
  Controlled burn leads to wildfire in Bastrop CountyA Tuesday wildfire in Bastrop County was likely caused by embers from a scheduled controlled burn at Bastrop State Park that moved ou
  
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• Here are the best Austin bars for the Packers, 49ers game Saturday

  22-01-2022 15:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It could have been the Cowboys.
  But in a game that ended as anticlimactically as the Cowboys' season, it was the 49ers that secured their ticket to Lambeau Field to take on QB Aaron Rodgers and undoubtedly a team to beat, the Green Bay Packers -- sending Dak and company back to Dallas.
  Cue Saturday's Packers, 49ers rematch at 7:15 p.m. local time.
  “Hoping for a loud crowd that has a nice enjoyable afternoon, maybe doesn’t go too hard, leaves some room for some enjoym
  
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• With Roe in doubt, states act on abortion limits, expansions

  22-01-2022 15:41 via kxan.com
  
  SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — It didn't take long for abortion to re-emerge as a flashpoint in state legislatures.Less than a month into the 2022 legislative sessions, battles over the future of abortion already are setting up around the U.S. Republican lawmakers are proposing new restrictions modeled after laws in Texas and Mississippi that present a direct challenge to the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, while some Democratic-led states are working to preserve or expand access.The activity in sta
  
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• Jewish leaders urge worship attendance after Texas hostage situation

  22-01-2022 14:18 via kxan.com
  
  On the eve of her 100th birthday Saturday, Ruth Salton told her daughter she was going one way or another to Friday night Shabbat services at Congregation Beth Israel, just days after a gunman voicing antisemitic conspiracy theories held four worshippers hostage for 10 hours at the Fort Worth-area synagogue.“I want to support my people,” said Salton, a Holocaust survivor. She said she told her daughter “if she doesn't take me, I'll go by myself, because I feel I belong there. I
  
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• Jewish leaders, backers defiant a week after hostage siege

  22-01-2022 14:18 via kxan.com
  
  On the eve of her 100th birthday Saturday, Ruth Salton told her daughter she was going one way or another to Friday night Shabbat services at Congregation Beth Israel, just days after a gunman voicing antisemitic conspiracy theories held four worshippers hostage for 10 hours at the Fort Worth-area synagogue.“I want to support my people,” said Salton, a Holocaust survivor. She said she told her daughter “if she doesn't take me, I'll go by myself, because I feel I belong there. I
  
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• Wildfire near California's Big Sur forces evacuations

  22-01-2022 13:43 via kxan.com
  
  BIG SUR, Calif. (AP) — Residents in the Big Sur area of California were told to evacuate from their homes due to a wildfire that began late Friday, officials said.Monterey County officials ordered the evacuations after the wildfire started in the Palo Colorado canyon and grew to more than 250 acres (101 hectares), news outlets reported. The wildfire was being called the Colorado Fire.Officials shut down Highway 1 in both directions from Andrew Molera State Park to Carmel-By-The-Sea, accord
  
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• Wildfire along California's Big Sur forces evacuations

  22-01-2022 13:43 via kxan.com
  
  BIG SUR, Calif. (AP) — A wind-driven wildfire broke out late Friday in the rugged mountains above Big Sur, forcing residents to evacuate from their homes and authorities to shut down a stretch of Pacific Coast Highway.The fire started in a canyon and was pushed by 35 mph winds to the sea, jumping the highway and burning on the west side. It burned at least 2.3 square miles (6 square kilometers) and was 5% contained, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said Saturday.
  T
  
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• Sunny start to the weekend with increasing clouds to finish, then rain by next week

  22-01-2022 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Clear skies and calm winds made for a frigid start to Saturday. Lows ranged from the upper 10s to the upper 20s. Temperatures begin to moderate today ahead of our next storm system.Saturday morning lowsSaturday will be the best day to get your outdoor activities and chores done. It'll still be a little chilly, but the sunshine will be abundant and will feel rather pleasant. Highs will be in the 50s.Tonight we'll begin to see increasing clouds which will make for a chilly st
  
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• Soaking rain likely to start off the workweek after a cloudy Sunday

  22-01-2022 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Tonight we'll begin to see increasing clouds which will make for a chilly start Sunday, but nowhere near as cold as Saturday with lows around 40 degrees. The clouds will stick around for much of the day, although we stay dry, temperatures will be similar to Saturday with highs climbing into the middle 50s.A good soaking rain enters the forecast overnight Sunday and into Monday morning - which is exactly what we need as drought conditions continue to worsen and expand. A pot
  
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• Officers moved from APD sex offender unit to assist patrol

  22-01-2022 04:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As Austin grows, so does the city's number of 911 calls. But police cadet classes aren't growing at the same rate.
  To keep up, the Austin Police Department said it has to reallocate officers from specialized units to patrol. RELATED: APD 311 diversion helps with emergencies, creates backlog for low-level crimes"They all serve important functions," said Chief Joseph Chacon, who has to spearhead the staffing triage. "I've just had to make decisions based on the criticality an
  
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• Weekend plans look brisk with increasing clouds Sunday

  22-01-2022 04:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Sunny skies returned on Friday, but temperatures were slow to warm after yesterday's brush with wintry weather. High temperatures in Austin only reached 50°, more than 10° cooler than normal.Temperatures tonight will fall quickly under a clear sky with light northeasterly breezes. Expect another freeze areawide with a hard freeze for many.
  With freezing temperatures in the forecast, remember the four P's below. Austin Water recommends that you not drip exterior fauc
  
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• Bastrop County judge orders burn ban after this week's 812-acre wildfire

  22-01-2022 04:12 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Bastrop County Judge Paul Pape on Friday ordered a burn ban that will take effect Saturday at 6 a.m. — almost four days after an 812-acre wildfire sparked in the county.The order prohibits outdoor burning in unincorporated areas of the county. Outdoor burning is described in the document as a person igniting "any combustible or vegetative material outside of an enclosure which serves to contain all flames and/or sparks" or ordering similar burning by ot
  
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• Texas Military Dept. pushes back against reports of suicide, pay issues with Operation Lone Star troops

  22-01-2022 02:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — On Friday, the Texas Military Department pushed back against numerous reports of suicides, pay problems and living conditions for Texas National Guardsmen deployed with Gov. Greg Abbott's Operation Lone Star.
  "After multiple failed attempts to correct the record with these outlets, the Texas Military Department wants to set the record straight to ensure accurate reporting on this mission," Col. Rita Holton with TMD said.
  At the end of December, Davis Winkie with the Army
  
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• Homicides among Austin teens rise in 2021, officials say

  22-01-2022 01:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Youth homicides in the Austin area were on the rise in 2021, officials said.
  The Austin Police Department told KXAN there was a rise in the 10-19 age range in 2021, totaling 13. In 2019 and 2020, there were only three homicides in that age range. APD also said homicides involving children ages 0-9 increased to three in 2021.MAP: Where have Austin’s homicides occurred in 2021?In a majority of those cases, suspects were arrested.
  The department said it was aware of a co
  
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• Beto O'Rourke campaign will contact 2M Texans for voting rights education in February

  22-01-2022 01:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Democratic candidate for governor Beto O'Rourke announced his team will start an education outreach campaign to 2 million Texans about changes in voting rules under new state election laws.
  O'Rourke announced the campaign to a group of reporters outside the Texas capitol on Friday, where the sounds of honking and cheers from drivers recognizing the Democrat frequently paused his remarks.
  The former El Paso Congressman said this campaign is in response to the U.S. Senate'
  
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