Austin news

• Progress Report: Trimming Austin's trees to keep the power on in a winter storm

  01-02-2022 23:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Preparations are underway as Central Texas prepares for a blast of winter weather in the coming days, and that includes making sure tree limbs are trimmed back to keep them from knocking out power lines.
  Austin Energy told KXAN it made "huge progress" in 2021 thanks to a doubling of its Vegetation Management Program budget by the Austin City Council. Not from Texas? Here’s why people drip their pipes hereThe city also signed off on a third contractor to help with the
  
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• Crossing guard OK after assault near Hill Elementary, school says

  01-02-2022 23:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said no arrests were made after a crossing guard was assaulted near Hill Elementary School grounds in northwest Austin Monday afternoon.
  The school sent a letter to families Tuesday, saying the crossing guard "is doing fine now," and he was treated and released from the hospital after the assault.
  The school said while no students saw the attack, campus leaders are doing what they can to comfort students who hear about the incident and may feel
  
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• Not from Texas? Here's why people drip their pipes here

  01-02-2022 23:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As someone who grew up in Colorado, where we turn our noses up at anything less than a foot of snow and can experience temperatures well into the negatives, I admittedly turned my head when I learned I need to be "dripping" my pipes during hard freezes in Texas.I had never heard of such a thing — even in extremely cold conditions in the Colorado mountains, I had never left a faucet running to avoid having pipes freeze. So why do people do it in Texas? When, how does A
  
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• When, how does Austin trigger cold weather shelter operations?

  01-02-2022 23:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the City of Austin used to rely heavily on its faith-based community partners in the event of inclement winter weather, said Dianna Grey, the city's homeless strategy officer.Once the pandemic hit, these faith-based centers, which tend to have a higher concentration of older volunteers, Grey said, began declining hosting requests, citing concerns for the health and wellbeing of their volunteers. With Austin-Travis County currently under St
  
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• Staff shortages 'significantly' delay UT Shuttle routes

  01-02-2022 22:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The University of Texas at Austin's shuttle routes are experiencing significant delays Tuesday, according to Capital Metro.The bus service said this is due to staffing shortages. Riders who need help planning alternate routes can use the CapMetro App or call the GO line at (512) 474-1200.
  "Now Hiring Bus Drivers" sign for Austin ISDCapMetro isn't the only service experiencing a shortage in bus drivers. School districts across Central Texas have been dealing with the same is
  
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• Lockout lifted at 3 Eanes ISD schools after police clear scene

  01-02-2022 22:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A "lockout" at three schools in the Eanes Independent School District was lifted Tuesday afternoon after police investigated a report of a suspicious person in the area.
  West Lake Hills Police around 4 p.m. gave an all clear, saying officers don't believe there's any danger to the public.
  The three schools that were affected were Forest Trail Elementary, Valley View Elementary and Westlake High School.Gas leak sends Presidential Meadows Elementary students home earlyEanes I
  
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• 3 Eanes ISD schools placed on lockout after report of suspicious person in area

  01-02-2022 22:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Three schools in the Eanes Independent School District have been placed on "lockout" Tuesday afternoon as police look into a report of a suspicious person in the area.
  Those three schools are Forest Trail Elementary, Valley View Elementary and Westlake High School.Gas leak sends Presidential Meadows Elementary students home earlyEanes ISD said the police investigation isn't related to the schools themselves, and the lockout was enacted as an added precaution.
  The district e
  
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• Winter storm names — who uses them, and who doesn't?

  01-02-2022 21:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Still fresh in many Central Texans' memories is the brutal winter storms of last February. Over the course of a week, Central Texas was slammed by five separate systems that brought bitter cold, ice and over half a foot of snow.
  In the aftermath, the name "Winter Storm Uri" began making rounds in the media. But the name wasn't used by the National Weather Service — so what gives? FORECAST: Winter storm on the way – ice and bitter cold heading to Central TexasAs
  
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• Austin relocates nearly 200 unhoused residents via HEAL program

  01-02-2022 21:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Nearly a year after the city of Austin launched its HEAL initiative to help people experiencing homelessness access shelter and permanent housing, the program has served 182 people who've been relocated from six city encampments.Since fiscal year 2021-22 began Oct. 1, the initiative has served 40 people who've relocated from two encampments, with a fiscal year goal of 200 people assisted. TRENDING: Winter storm brings ice threat, coldest temps of the seasonDianna Grey, the
  
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• New flight from Austin to Amsterdam opens more European travel options

  01-02-2022 20:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is again expanding its international offerings, it announced Tuesday.In March, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will offer three direct flights per week from Austin to Amsterdam, Netherlands. The announcement comes after British Airways resumed its service between Austin and London in October 2021 and Virgin Atlantic said it will start flying between the two cities in May.The flights to Amsterdam will take off Monday, Thursday and Saturday, an
  
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• List: How to prepare for the winter storm eyeing Central Texas

  01-02-2022 20:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Travis County is asking people to prepare for a winter storm expected to hit Central Texas later this week. The storm is expected to bring the coldest temperatures of the season and the possibility of ice.During Tuesday's Travis County Commissioners court, emergency management coordinator Eric Carter asked the public to prepare for tough driving conditions starting Thursday morning. He also urged people who will need to be outside for extended periods of time to break out the ri
  
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• Southeast Austin home connected to business burns Tuesday

  01-02-2022 20:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A home that's attached to a tire shop in southeast Austin caught fire Tuesday, the Austin Fire Department said.A tweet from AFD at 12:48 p.m. showed burn marks on the home that's connected to Luis's Express Tire Shop, located at 5708 Burleson Road. When firefighters arrived at the scene, the tweet said crews saw "flames showing out windows."A home on Burleson Road in east Austin caught fire Tuesday, AFD said. No one was home during the fire. (Courtesy AFD)The fire is under
  
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• Significant ice storm coming: Timing, ice totals, and impacts

  01-02-2022 20:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After yesterday's washout and record rainfall, attention now turns to our next weather-maker expected to bring dangerous cold and a frozen mix to Central Texas mid- to late week.Today will be the day to prepare as partly sunny skies, mild temps and mainly dry skies will be friendly for any running of errands. Expect afternoon highs to warm near 70 degrees with overnight lows in the 50s... above average for this time of year.By tomorrow, changes arrive.Showers and isolated t
  
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• Travis County moves forward with COVID-19 booster incentive program

  01-02-2022 19:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Travis County commissioners approved an extension of the county's current vaccine incentive program and an additional incentive for employees to get a COVID-19 booster shot.
  The booster incentive program, which was passed unanimously, will reward employees with eight additional hours of paid time off for getting an extra dose of protection against COVID-19. The deadline to apply for the additional time is July 31, 2022. Leaders said it could take a few weeks to get the applicati
  
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• Books on race and sexuality are disappearing from Texas schools in record numbers

  01-02-2022 19:00 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (NBC News) — From a secluded spot in her high school library, a 17-year-old girl spoke softly into her cellphone, worried that someone might overhear her say the things she’d hidden from her parents for years. They don’t know she’s queer, the student told a reporter, and given their past comments about homosexuality’s being a sin, she’s long feared they would learn her secret if they saw what she reads in the library.That space, with its endless rows of
  
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• With high power demand projected due to freeze, Gov. Abbott to discuss state's preparations

  01-02-2022 16:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Gov. Greg Abbott is set to meet with state energy leaders at 11 a.m. Tuesday to discuss plans to deal with a winter storm later in the week.The storm, expected to hit the Austin area late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning, is forecasted to bring temperatures in the 20s for most of Thursday and the threat of ice accumulation — up to 1/4" in some spots.ERCOT files its final report on weatherization inspections of power generators across TexasA Winter Storm Wat
  
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• With high power demand projected due to freeze, Gov. Abbott discusses state's preparations

  01-02-2022 16:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Gov. Greg Abbott met with state energy leaders at 11 a.m. Tuesday to discuss plans to deal with a winter storm later in the week.The storm, expected to hit the Austin area late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning, is forecasted to bring temperatures in the 20s for most of Thursday and the threat of ice accumulation — up to 1/4" in some spots.ERCOT files its final report on weatherization inspections of power generators across TexasA Winter Storm Watch is in ef
  
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• LIVE: With high power demand projected due to freeze, Gov. Abbott to discuss state's preparations

  01-02-2022 16:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Gov. Greg Abbott is set to meet with state energy leaders at 11 a.m. Tuesday to discuss plans to deal with a winter storm later in the week.The storm, expected to hit the Austin area late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning, is forecasted to bring temperatures in the 20s for most of Thursday and the threat of ice accumulation — up to 1/4" in some spots.ERCOT files its final report on weatherization inspections of power generators across TexasA Winter Storm Wat
  
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• Gov. Abbott, state energy leaders on freeze preps: "We are ready for this storm"

  01-02-2022 16:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Gov. Greg Abbott met with state energy leaders at 11 a.m. Tuesday to discuss plans to deal with a winter storm later in the week."We are ready for this storm. We will be prepared for this," said Brad Jones, interim CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) at a press conference.
  Abbott and other leaders discussed the changes they've made since the February 2021 deadly winter freeze, when the state suffered a major power crisis leaving millions of Texans in th
  
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• Tom Brady retires from NFL after 22 seasons, said he's done 'making competitive commitment'

  01-02-2022 16:04 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA BAY, Florida (KXAN) — It's finally official: Tom Brady is retiring.Brady posted a thread on his Twitter account explaining his decision, saying in part, "I've loved my NFL career, and now it's time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention."His plans were somewhat prematurely reported by ESPN last week, but now the 7-time Super Bowl champion put it in writing for the world to see.He wrote about how NFL players have to be "all-in" when it comes to staying r
  
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• Texas nonprofit aims to get veterans off the streets and into RVs

  01-02-2022 14:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Peggy and Bobby Crutsinger first started the nonprofit Operation Texas Strong Est. 2021 because they were simply tired of seeing veterans living on the streets.
  While the couple is not military themselves, they do have family ties. Allegiant to add three nonstop routes from Austin"We promised (Peggy's) dad, who is a Vietnam veteran, we would help," explained Bobby.
  The nonprofit depends on RV donations. Once they give a vet an RV, they secure a location -- either on private
  
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• Meow Wolf brings 'interdimensional portal' to SXSW

  01-02-2022 13:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - You can discover a new orbit during this year's South by Southwest Festival.
  Meow Wolf is partnering up with immersive sound company Spatial to bring an eye-popping pop-up installation to Austin for SXSW. The creative collective is best known for its trippy and colorful installations hailing from Santa Fe, New Mexico, with other permanent locations in Las Vegas and Denver.
  The art company will give visitors of SXSW a taste of the fun with a new installation called "The Spatial Ho
  
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• Winter storm on the way - more heavy rain, ice, and bitter cold heading to Central Texas

  01-02-2022 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After yesterday's washout and record rainfall, attention now turns to our next weather-maker expected to bring dangerous cold and a frozen mix to Central Texas mid- to late week.Today will be the day to prepare as partly sunny skies, mild temps and mainly dry skies will be friendly for any running of errands. Expect afternoon highs to warm near 70 degrees with overnight lows in the 50s... above average for this time of year.By tomorrow, changes arrive.Showers and isolated t
  
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• Winter storm on the way - ice and bitter cold heading to Central Texas

  01-02-2022 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After yesterday's washout and record rainfall, attention now turns to our next weather-maker expected to bring dangerous cold and a frozen mix to Central Texas mid- to late week.Today will be the day to prepare as partly sunny skies, mild temps and mainly dry skies will be friendly for any running of errands. Expect afternoon highs to warm near 70 degrees with overnight lows in the 50s... above average for this time of year.By tomorrow, changes arrive.Showers and isolated t
  
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• Winter storm brings ice threat, coldest temps of the season

  01-02-2022 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After a washout of a day yesterday, attention now turns to our next storm expected to bring much colder temps and a frozen mix to Central Texas late week.Today will feature a mix of sun and clouds, unseasonably warm temps and mainly dry skies... a nice, although brief, break in between storms. Expect afternoon highs to warm near 70 degrees with overnight lows in the 50s.By tomorrow, changes arrive.Showers and isolated thunderstorms are likely to develop through the day Wedn
  
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• LIVE: Winter storm on the way - ice and bitter cold heading to Central Texas

  01-02-2022 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After yesterday's washout and record rainfall, attention now turns to our next weather-maker expected to bring dangerous cold and a frozen mix to Central Texas mid- to late week.Today will be the day to prepare as partly sunny skies, mild temps and mainly dry skies will be friendly for any running of errands. Expect afternoon highs to warm near 70 degrees with overnight lows in the 50s... above average for this time of year.By tomorrow, changes arrive.Showers and isolated t
  
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• Billions in unclaimed property up for grabs

  01-02-2022 11:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Time to claim the cash you didn't know you have.
  Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar is celebrating the second annual National Unclaimed Property Day on Tuesday."I am proud to have returned nearly $2 billion dollars to Texans since becoming Comptroller, and we are continually looking for new ways to return even more," Hegar said in a release. “I am proud to have given back more money than any other Texas Comptroller since the Unclaimed Property program was launched in 1962. This
  
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• Billions in Texas unclaimed property up for grabs

  01-02-2022 11:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Time to claim the cash you didn't know you had.
  Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar is celebrating the second annual National Unclaimed Property Day on Tuesday."I am proud to have returned nearly $2 billion dollars to Texans since becoming Comptroller, and we are continually looking for new ways to return even more," Hegar said in a release. “I am proud to have given back more money than any other Texas Comptroller since the Unclaimed Property program was launched in 1962. This
  
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• Allegiant to add three nonstop routes from Austin

  01-02-2022 11:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- You will soon have more options to fly nonstop from Austin.
  Allegiant is adding routes in the spring of 2022.The airline is adding flights from Austin to Sarasota, Florida starting April 14.
  It will add flights to San Diego on April 20.The following day, the airline will start flying nonstop to Washington Dulles International.
  One-way fares will start as low as $49.
  Currently, Allegiant operates out of the South Terminal. Fliers reach it by taking U.S. 183 South to Burleson Road
  
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• Construction on Austin apartments paused over rainwater concerns

  01-02-2022 04:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin has paused construction on an apartment complex near Boggy Creek in the southeast part of the city over rainwater runoff concerns.The city's Development Services Department said a work-stop order was issued Monday morning for the Villa Springs development along Bluff Springs Road due to "heavy sediment discharge." TOP STORIES | Samsung says leak that caused up to 763K gallons of wastewater spill fixedThe company behind the project, California-based AMTEX,
  
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• Lufthansa to resume Austin-Frankfurt flights in April

  01-02-2022 04:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two years after COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the route, Austinites will once again be able to fly nonstop to Frankfurt, Germany beginning in April.Lufthansa, the German national airline, announced Monday it will resume the nonstop service on April 8. American Airlines adds Austin flights to Jamaica, CozumelFlights will operate three days a week, on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays. The outbound flight departs Austin at 4 p.m. and arrives in Frankfurt the following day.
  
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• Travis County judge fills in as substitute teacher for Austin ISD school

  01-02-2022 03:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Travis County Judge Andy Brown volunteered as a substitute teacher for an Austin Independent School District campus Monday.
  Brown, who's running for re-election, tweeted he filled in at Eastside Early College High School in east Austin, "because our students and teachers need us." He went on to say he's grateful for the work school staff do every day and asked those who are able to join him in becoming a sub for Austin ISD.
  This comes as the latest wave of COVID-19 cases ca
  
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• 'No regrets': Chris Beard to face Texas Tech for 1st time as UT head coach

  01-02-2022 03:19 via kxan.com
  
  LUBBOCK, Texas (KXAN) — Texas head coach Chris Beard will make his first appearance against Texas Tech Tuesday night after he spurned the school to take over the Longhorns program in April. Red Raider nation has been waiting 10 months for this game and it will be a ranked showdown between two of the Big 12's top teams when the ball is tipped just after 8 p.m. CT. WATCH: Texas Tech students camp out ahead of showdown with Beard, LonghornsThe Longhorns are ranked No. 23 this week w
  
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• 'No regrets': Chris Beard faces Texas Tech for 1st time as UT head coach

  01-02-2022 03:19 via kxan.com
  
  LUBBOCK, Texas (KXAN) — Texas head coach Chris Beard will make his first appearance against Texas Tech Tuesday night after he spurned the school to take over the Longhorns program in April. Red Raider nation has been waiting 10 months for this game and it will be a ranked showdown between two of the Big 12's top teams when the ball is tipped just after 8 p.m. CT. WATCH: Texas Tech students camp out ahead of showdown with Beard, LonghornsThe Longhorns are ranked No. 23 this week w
  
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• US federal prisons on lockdown after 2 Texas inmates killed

  01-02-2022 02:36 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal prison system has been placed on a nationwide lockdown after two inmates were killed and two others were injured Monday during a gang altercation at a federal penitentiary in Texas.The incident happened around 11:30 a.m. Monday at USP Beaumont, a federal prison in Beaumont, Texas. The altercation involved members of the violent MS-13 street gang, two people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. The people could not discuss an ongoing investigatio
  
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• Tom Brady retiring? QB says he's still evaluating his future plans

  01-02-2022 02:36 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tom Brady says he's still evaluating his future and the seven-time Super Bowl champion isn't ready to make a decision about retirement.“I’m just still going through the process that I said I was going through," Brady said Monday night on his SiriusXM podcast. "Sometimes it takes some time to really evaluate how you feel, what you want to do, and I think when the time is right, I’ll be ready to make a decision, one way or the other, just like I said last
  
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• Central Texas robotics company makes splash in Hollywood with cutting-edge cinema robots

  01-02-2022 02:17 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — A robot arm holding a camera zips through the air, rapidly zooming in on its target.It then extends upward, giving a bird’s eye view, before suddenly plunging to the ground in a pre-programmed sequence as the lens remains focused on the subject of the shot.All this takes a matter of seconds, and the result is the type of shot that a human camera crew could only dream of.The cutting edge technology is making a splash in the film industry, and it’s be
  
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• LIST: These Texans are competing in the Winter Olympics

  01-02-2022 01:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Winter Olympics will soon be underway from Beijing with seven Texans competing or coaching for medals. Nearly 3,000 athletes, plus coaches and team officials, are expected to be in Beijing for the Games.In total, 109 sets of medals will be awarded across 15 sports. Bobsleigh, short track, freestyle skiing and ski jumping are some of the sports, featuring new events held at this year's Games.The Games run from Friday, Feb. 4 through Feb. 20. You can watch the Olympic opening
  
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• UT graduation rates are on the rise despite pandemic setbacks

  01-02-2022 01:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —The University of Texas at Austin says it expects graduation rates to remain steady, or even rise, in the coming years."Everything is tracking just how we would expect, so we don't see any major problems or concerns there at this particular moment," said Brian Dixon, vice provost of enrollment management at UT-Austin.Since 2010, graduation rates for 4th year and 6th-year graduates have steadily increased. In 2021, 72% of students on a 4-year plan graduated on time. The six-y
  
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• Plans unveiled for $2B Pearson Ranch mixed-use hub near Apple campus

  01-02-2022 01:08 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (Austin Business Journal) — An Austin-based developer has broken ground on a $2 billion-plus mixed-use project on 156 acres off the State Highway 45 toll road in Williamson County.Backers imagine it as an entertainment and work hub anchoring a burgeoning technology corridor north of the capital city. Plans include a 48-acre corporate headquarters, although no tenants have been announced. $500M Hines project planned near Tesla; Plan includes 2,500 single-family home
  
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• State launches new app to track IDs, but online voter registration remains unavailable in Texas

  01-02-2022 00:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Monday, Jan. 31 is the last day to register to vote in Texas. It's also the same day the Texas Department of Information Resources launched an app that will allow Texans to create an account to keep track of different government-issued IDs, including licenses and registrations.
  "We're launching a digital assistant that's called Texas by Texas or TXT for short. And it's going to allow Texans to create an online account where they can manage multiple different government s
  
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• Search continues for couple last seen in Pflugerville on Jan. 24

  01-02-2022 00:27 via kxan.com
  
  CENTRAL TEXAS (KXAN) — The search for a couple at the center of a now-discontinued CLEAR Alert last week is still ongoing, Travis County authorities said Monday.
  Camerina Trujilo Perez, 38, was last seen around 5 a.m. on Jan. 24 in Pflugerville. A CLEAR Alert was issued for Perez on Jan. 26, indicating she may be in danger. The alert was discontinued on Jan. 29.CLEAR Alert for missing Texas woman expires, authorities still investigatingPerez has black hair, brown eyes, stands 5-foot, 5-inc
  
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• Truck driver arrested in connection with deadly San Marcos hit-and-run crash

  01-02-2022 00:22 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — A Hondo man was arrested in connection with a hit-and-run crash involving a box truck that killed an 18 year old from Houston earlier this month, the City of San Marcos said Monday.
  The city said the Medina County Sheriff's Office arrested Jordan Michael Sannicola, 28, without incident on Saturday. He'll be charged with accident involving death, a second-degree felony, related to the Jan. 3 crash that killed Iliana Velez. BACKGROUND: New images released in connec
  
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