Austin news

• Texas icon Bee Cave Bob, an armadillo, predicts an early spring

  02-02-2022 23:53 via kxan.com
  
  BEE CAVE, Texas (KXAN) — You might have seen Punxsutawney Phil Wednesday morning predicting the future of our spring, but Texans are putting their trust in another icon: Bee Cave Bob, the armadillo.Armadillo Day is on Feb. 2 and Bee Cave Bob shared his forecast Wednesday afternoon: an early spring is in store for the Lone Star State.
  This was in direct opposition to his groundhog counterpart, who predicted six more weeks of winter.
  Bee Cave Bob, who does not have a meteorology degree, has
  
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• No fish left behind: Round Rock teacher prepares classroom for winter storm

  02-02-2022 23:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A class Beta fish from Forest North Elementary school is going on a bit of a field trip over the weekend as the Round Rock Independent School District closes down for an incoming winter storm.
  Mr. Raney, a teacher at the Round Rock elementary school, wasn't going to leave "Bubbles" behind as he departed class Wednesday for a four day weather-forced hiatus. He posted a photo on Twitter of the fish's trek home with him.
  "When there’s an unexpected 4 day weekend due to inclem
  
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• CapMetro cancels all non-emergency services Thursday

  02-02-2022 23:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With an ice storm set to blow through Central Texas in the later half of this week, Capital Metro announced that all non-emergency services and operations are suspended Thursday."We will be supporting our partners with emergency service to bring people to warming shelters, provide trips to life-saving dialysis treatments and other urgent health and safety needs," the transit authority said in a statement. Major ice storm to hit Central Texas tonightCapMetro officials also s
  
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• How to extend your phone's battery life during a power outage

  02-02-2022 23:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With forecasted temperatures in the 10s and 20s in the later half of this week, this latest coldest spell might provide a blow to your phone's battery life. Paired with inclement weather conditions that could spur some power outages, here's what you need to know to conserve your phone's battery life.Dim the brightnessScreen brightness is one of the stealthy contributors to a fast battery drain. Be sure to minimize the brightness scale when you're in a pinch and working to c
  
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• Olympics 101: A look at Alpine skiing events

  02-02-2022 22:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's time for the 2022 Winter Olympics, which means there are going to be a lot of eyeballs on the slopes of Beijing.
  It's a slope that skiers will be testing out for the first time Thursday, because Beijing is not a regular stop on the World Cup circuit. That could level the playing field and at the same time create an extra element of danger for skiers who could be flying more blind than they have in Olympics past.
  Mikaela Shiffrin will likely claim at least one Olympic m
  
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• Ted Cruz tweets about rising Cancun flight costs ahead of another Texas winter storm

  02-02-2022 22:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As Texas braces for the arrival of another winter storm, Sen. Ted Cruz pointed out that the cost of airfare to Cancun is not the only price rising right now.
  Cruz posted Wednesday morning on his personal Twitter account, "Inflation is out of control." He then listed the words gas prices, food prices and lumber prices next to upward arrow emojis. He concluded the tweet by writing, "And tickets to Cancun are up 32%!"The tweet received mixed reactions online. Some Twitter user
  
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• Help needed: Animal shelters prepare for incoming ice storm

  02-02-2022 22:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With impending freezing temperatures, freezing rain and sleet expected Thursday, there's one special group local animal shelters want to make sure are taken care of.
  "Keep that pet out of the shelter and into a safe, warm home," said Austin Pets Alive! Community Relations Officer Suzie Chase.
  Austin Pets Alive! and other area animal shelters are counting on the community to come together to help as Central Texans prepare for an ice storm. Latest forecast: Major ice storm to
  
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• Mack Brown, North Carolina agree to extension, taking contract through 2026

  02-02-2022 21:49 via kxan.com
  
  CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina has agreed to a one-year contract extension with football coach Mack Brown through the 2026 season.The school said Wednesday the agreement keeps Brown’s contract length at five years.The 70-year-old coach has led the Tar Heels to bowl games in each of his first three seasons in his second stint with the program he led to top-10 status in the 1990s. The Hall of Famer ranks second among active coaches with 265 career victories.Brown is 21-17 in t
  
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• $1.5M donated to UT to advance Black student mentorship resources

  02-02-2022 21:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Amid the rise in protests and national conversations surrounding racial injustices in summer 2020, Austin resident Martin Taylor had one question at top of mind: How do we take a moment and help make it a movement?Taylor, managing director at Vista Equity Partners in Austin, began looking into programs and endeavors here in Central Texas he could donate to that could help facilitate the next generation's movers and shakers. Landing on the Heman Sweatt Center for Black Males
  
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• Olympics 101: What is curling?

  02-02-2022 20:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's become a highly watched event, and it's one Americans will likely keep an eye on during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, but what is curling?
  It first appeared in the 1924 Olympic Games, according to NBC Olympics, but the International Olympic Committee (IOC) didn't officially recognize the results of that contest until 2006. Curling wasn't a regular event until 1998 and mixed doubles curling was added in 2018.Shuster to become 1st curler to carry US flag at OlympicsCurlin
  
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• Watch the Winter Olympics opening ceremony Friday on KXAN

  02-02-2022 19:52 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) — Celebrate the Winter Olympics from Beijing all day Friday. NBC will have full-day coverage of the opening ceremony Feb. 4, starting live with the world's most-watched event from 5:30 a.m. until 8 a.m. CT Friday on NBC (KXAN) and Peacock. LIST: These Texans are competing in the Winter OlympicsIf you miss the live airing of the opening ceremony, NBC will re-air the event in primetime Friday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. CT. The primetime broadcast will focus on Team USA athletes chasing go
  
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• Biden OKs troop deployments to Europe amid Ukraine tension

  02-02-2022 18:36 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation Now) — President Joe Biden is sending more than 3,000 American troops to Poland, Germany and Romania this week to bolster the defense of European allies in Russia’s military standoff with Ukraine.In announcing the moves Wednesday, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said the U.S. forces will not enter Ukraine and will move to their new positions in the coming days under U.S. command.“These are not permanent moves,” he said, stressing that the pu
  
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• Biden OKs troop deployments to Eastern Europe amid Ukraine tension

  02-02-2022 18:36 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation Now) — President Joe Biden is sending more than 3,000 American troops to Poland, Germany and Romania this week to bolster the defense of European allies in Russia’s military standoff with Ukraine.In announcing the moves Wednesday, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said the U.S. forces will not enter Ukraine and will move to their new positions in the coming days under U.S. command. Analysis: Biden’s tough stand against Putin“These are not perm
  
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• Army to start 'involuntary separation' process for soldiers who refuse COVID-19 vaccine

  02-02-2022 18:33 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – The United States Army is planning to begin an “involuntary separation" process for soldiers who refuse to comply with COVID-19 vaccination mandates.The directive, announced Wednesday, would apply to “all Soldiers of the Regular Army and Soldiers of the Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States and the U.S. Army Reserve when serving on active duty for more than 30 days,” as well as cadets at the United States Military Academy (USMA) and Seni
  
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• When would runways close? Austin airport braces for winter storm

  02-02-2022 17:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is warning travelers that flights may be canceled or delayed as a hazardous winter storm moves through Central Texas Wednesday night.
  The airport recommended checking your flight status before heading to the airport and traveling to and from with caution.
  ABIA also responded to questions on Twitter about how much snow and ice it would take to close runways.
  "We use de-icing chemicals that are applied as soon [as] the ice/freezing rain s
  
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• Analysis: Did Gov. Abbott walk back previous statements about Texas power grid?

  02-02-2022 16:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — In a Tuesday briefing about the upcoming arctic blast, Gov. Greg Abbott said he cannot guarantee the power will stay on throughout Texas.When asked by reporters what the benchmark of success will be during this storm, the governor said it's obviously "to make sure that the lights stay on.""No one can guarantee that there won't be a 'load shed event,'" Abbott said after being pressed further by reporters. "But what we will work and strive to achieve and what we're prepare
  
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• Texas winter storm: How city, county leaders learned from 2021 arctic blast

  02-02-2022 13:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Cities, counties and emergency management agencies across Central Texas have been getting ready for this week's storm expected to bring freezing temperatures to the region.
  The City of Austin started its work this past Sunday. Those in Hays County began discussions earlier this week and in Williamson County briefing calls kicked off Tuesday. All that work will only pick up for these agencies Wednesday.LIST: Central Texas school closures due to wintry weatherThose at the Cit
  
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• Person 'trying to get out of or into moving car' seriously injured in motel parking lot

  02-02-2022 13:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was seriously hurt after being dragged by a car in a central Austin motel parking lot Wednesday morning.Austin police said officers responded to the Super 8 motel in the 5500 block of N. Interstate 35, and the injured man "was trying to get out of or into a moving car." Dispatchers got the call at 2:41 a.m., APD said.A person suffered serious injuries after they were apparently dragged by a car in a parking lot Wednesday morning. (KXAN photo/Julie Karam)A person suffe
  
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• Person 'trying to get out of or into moving car' seriously injured in hotel parking lot

  02-02-2022 13:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was seriously hurt after being dragged by a car in a central Austin hotel parking lot Wednesday morning.Austin police said officers responded to the Super 8 hotel in the 5500 block of N. Interstate 35, and the injured man "was trying to get out of or into a moving car." Dispatchers got the call at 2:41 a.m., APD said.A person suffered serious injuries after they were apparently dragged by a car in a parking lot Wednesday morning. (KXAN photo/Julie Karam)A person suffe
  
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• Hundreds of flights canceled as wide swath of country braces for winter storm

  02-02-2022 12:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Airlines canceled hundreds of flights, governors urged residents to stay off roads and schools closed campuses as a huge swath of the U.S. braced for a major winter storm that was set to put millions of Americans in the path of heavy snow and freezing rain.The approaching blast of frigid weather, which was expected to begin arriving Tuesday night, put a long stretch of states from New Mexico to Vermont under winter storm warnings and watches. More than a foot of snow w
  
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• Major ice storm to hit Central Texas tonight: Winter storm warning now begins earlier

  02-02-2022 11:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A significant icing event is likely to impact Central Texas tonight into Thursday, with bitter cold temperatures in the mix. Roadways icing may last into Friday as temperatures struggle to warm above freezing.The cold front is already overperforming in speed and strength, moving through Austin earlier this afternoon and dropping temperatures steadily. Liquid rain will turn to a frozen variety in the Hill Country northwest of Austin late this evening, then roads may become i
  
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• Major ice storm to hit Central Texas tonight

  02-02-2022 11:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A significant ice storm is looking more likely across much of Central Texas beginning before dawn Thursday morning and continuing through the day. Even after freezing rain and sleet exit the area Thursday evening, an extended stretch of freezing temperatures may mean impassable roadways through the day Friday as well.Today will be our last day of mild temps, but with overcast skies and increasing showers and thunderstorms are likely late in the day.
  A Winter Storm Warning g
  
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• LIVE: Major ice storm to hit Central Texas tonight

  02-02-2022 11:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A significant icing event is likely to impact Central Texas tonight into Thursday, with bitter cold temperatures in the mix.Today will be our last day of mild temps with highs in the low 60s under a mainly cloudy sky. Spots of light rain are likely before noon, increasing in coverage late day into the evening. Given today's precip is expected to be the "non-frozen" variety, it will be the LAST opportunity to prepare ahead of tonight's cold and icy mix.A Winter Storm Warning
  
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• Austin Water activates cold weather plan; what's changed since 2021 storm

  02-02-2022 06:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin firefighters responded to 2,449 calls for broken pipes after the February 2021 winter storm.
  According to Austin Water's after action report, that resulted in increased water demand across the city, going from 150 million gallons per day on Feb. 15 to 260 million in the evening of Feb.16.Winter storm on the way – ice and bitter cold heading to Central Texas
  That, combined with lower water production due to an energy outage at a plant, led to depleted water stor
  
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• Texas Tech exacts revenge with 77-64 win over Longhorns, Chris Beard

  02-02-2022 05:36 via kxan.com
  
  LUBBOCK, Texas (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns walked into a Lubbock lion's den Tuesday night.Texas Tech (17-5, 6-3) exacted a version of revenge in a satisfying 77-64 win over the Longhorns in Chris Beard's first game against the Red Raiders as Texas' head coach. Beard coached Texas Tech to within minutes of the 2018-19 national championship during his five-year stint in charge of the Red Raiders program. Beard left Lubbock in April to coach the Longhorns, his alma mater, jilting the Texas t
  
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• Austin bookstore opens new permanent location on Burnet Road

  02-02-2022 04:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Tuesday marks the start of Black History Month, and one bookstore is making it easier for people to learn about racism in Austin.Black Pearl Books opened its new location on Burnet Road Tuesday.In 2020, KXAN reported the store saw booming sales in the wake of protests for racial justice. Black Pearl sells books focused on starting the conversation surrounding race. PAST STORY: Bookstore owner, public library address furthering conversation on racism through literatureBefore
  
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• 'There's always a chance for outages': How Austin Energy is preparing for upcoming ice storm

  02-02-2022 04:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Just a week shy of a year since freezing temperatures led to cascading power failure, plunging millions of Texans into the dark for days, Austinites are bracing for another winter storm. This time, KXAN meteorologists are forecasting a significant ice storm could hit much of Central Texas before dawn Thursday morning.At Tuesday's meeting of the Austin Energy Oversight Committee, Mayor Steve Adler asked the leaders of the electricity utility, "Are we in a different place tha
  
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• Samsung Austin facility's January wastewater spill was second within a year

  02-02-2022 03:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As Samsung works to remediate a recent spill of wastewater into a tributary of Harris Branch Creek in northeast Austin, KXAN is learning it's the company's second spill at the same facility within a year.In January of this year, it was discovered a pipe sprung a leak at the Samsung Austin Semiconductor plant off Parmer Lane, resulting in the release of up to 763,000 gallons of wastewater into the facility's stormwater pond and subsequently the tributary.MORE: Samsung says l
  
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• LIST: Central Texas school closures due to wintry weather

  02-02-2022 02:17 via kxan.com
  
  CENTRAL TEXAS (KXAN) — As a winter storm is expected to move into the Central Texas area later this week, school districts across the area are issuing delays and closures.
  The ice storm is looking more likely to begin before dawn Thursday morning and continue through the day.  Significant ice storm coming: Timing, ice totals, and impactsSchool closuresHutto ISD: Hutto ISD said it will close on Thursday due to winter weather advisories that "may result in ice on the roadways, making tr
  
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• National Signing Day: How will the Longhorns close out the class?

  02-02-2022 02:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns will close out the 2022 signing class with one more big target in mind. The February signing day window is signing day lite for the Longhorns in 2022.With the evolution of the transfer portal and the December signing window, Steve Sarkisian isn't looking to add much to his class Wednesday with a group of 31 players already in the fold. Texas has 10 early enrollees, 17 additional players signed to a letter of intent and four transfers prepared to join the
  
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• National Signing Day: How did the Longhorns close out the class?

  02-02-2022 02:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns closed out the 2022 signing class, earning a massive commitment from one of the nation's best offensive linemen.
  Arlington Bowie offensive lineman Devon Campbell, ranked as the No. 9 player in the country according to 247 Sports, announced his commitment to the Longhorns in a ceremony Wednesday. LIST: Texas Longhorns 2022 recruiting classTexas' impressive haul along the offensive line continued with the North Texas, five-star prospect. Campbell joins sev
  
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• Texas Longhorns: Here's the 2022 signing class

  02-02-2022 02:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns are closing out the recruiting class with the February signing day window this week. The Longhorns' 2022 class is ranked in the top five nationally, according to the recruiting services.It could get even better with Arlington Bowie product Devon Campbell, the nation's best offensive lineman, deciding between Texas and Oklahoma Wednesday.Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has a group of 31 players already in the fold. Texas has 10 early enrollees, 17 additi
  
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• Some Austin renters prepare for freeze without heat or hot water during fight for tenants' rights

  02-02-2022 01:26 via kxan.com
  
  KXAN (AUSTIN) — Stephan Glenn answered the door to his northeast Austin apartment complex with his 3-month-old baby in his hands. Before his son Saint was even born – Glenn says he and his partner have been without hot water and heat.“It’s beyond bad living standards. We haven’t had any hot water since, like early October. Our heater doesn’t work. It’s bad maintenance problems – and pests to another level,” said Glenn. ‘We haven’t
  
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• A look at the plumbing workforce ahead of cold weather pipe concerns

  02-02-2022 01:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Plumbers recommend dripping your faucets and covering outdoor pipes this week if you want to avoid a costly repair bill.While breaks and bursts aren't expected to be widespread like last year's freeze, the plumbing industry in general still struggles with staffing shortages.
  "In general, there's just not enough plumbers," said Brad Casebier, CEO of Radiant Plumbing and Air Conditioning.Significant ice storm coming: Timing, ice totals, and impactsLast year's winter storm exa
  
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• 'Do not get out in this winter weather': City of Austin, TxDOT crews preparing icy roads

  02-02-2022 00:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —With freezing temperatures heading to Central Texas, city and state road crews are already taking action.“We have crews out pretreating the roads today [Tuesday] and then they will work alternating shifts so that we cover this storm 24/7,” said Brad Wheelis, Texas Department of Public Transportation spokesperson. RELATED: Significant ice storm coming: Timing, ice totals, and impactsTxDOT crews use brine to prevent roads from freezing over, but with rain in the fo
  
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• 'Do not get out in this winter weather': City of Austin, TxDOT crews prepare for icy roads

  02-02-2022 00:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —With freezing temperatures heading to Central Texas, city and state road crews are already taking action.“We have crews out pretreating the roads today [Tuesday] and then they will work alternating shifts so that we cover this storm 24/7,” said Brad Wheelis, Texas Department of Public Transportation spokesperson. RELATED: Significant ice storm coming: Timing, ice totals, and impactsTxDOT crews use brine to prevent roads from freezing over, but with rain in the fo
  
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• Pfizer looking for approval for COVID-19 vaccine in children under 5

  02-02-2022 00:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Pfizer vaccines for kids under 5 could be available by the end of February. As we know, children under 5 are the only group that remains ineligible for vaccination.Last year Pfizer announced the two-dose shot appeared to be less effective at preventing COVID-19 in children ages two to five. Now the drug company is seeking emergency authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as soon as Tuesday for its COVID-19 vaccine in children ages six months to five years,
  
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