Austin news

• From The Drag to Lady Bird Lake, a look at 4 key Project Connect design proposals

  02-03-2022 23:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — No through traffic on The Drag? A rail system traveling underneath Pleasant Valley Road?
  These are two of the design elements Austinites will have the opportunity to weigh in on as city and transit leaders continue design work on the $7.1 billion Project Connect transit overhaul.This spring, four key project designs from the upcoming Blue and Orange light rail lines will be discussed at community meetings and town halls:Riverside/Pleasant Valley StationThe DragBlue Line Bri
  
  Read more

• Austin police search for 89-year-old man with cognitive impairment

  02-03-2022 23:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Silver Alert has been activated for an 89-year-old man with a cognitive impairment who was last seen Wednesday morning in Schertz.Ronald Boulden was seen traveling northbound on Interstate 35 in a red 2020 Honda CR-V with Texas License Plate NRM3769 in Schertz at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, the Austin Police Department said.Boulden is described by police as 5-foot, 5-inches tall, weighing 150 pounds with white hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing an olive
  
  Read more

• At least 20 races head to runoff elections, see which candidates advanced

  02-03-2022 22:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas primary election season will last a while longer because almost two dozen statewide and local races will now head to runoffs after candidates failed to secure their party's nominations Tuesday.The primary results remain unofficial until canvassing can happen, which should take about a week. However, a runoff in Texas is required between the top two finishers in a primary if no one captures 50% plus one vote. That new election is scheduled for May 24, so some candi
  
  Read more

• Texas Emergency SNAP Benefits extended for March

  02-03-2022 22:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas — On Wednesday, Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission extended more than $310 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits for the month of March.
  According to the governor's news release, the allotments are expected to help more than 1.5 million Texas households."Thank you to the USDA for again extending these crucial benefits for millions of Texans," said Governor Abbott. "These emergency SNAP benefits
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Warm, muggy first weekend of March

  02-03-2022 21:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Southerly flow is continuing our slow, steady warming trend as more humidity also creeps back into the area. With moisture levels much higher than 24 hours ago, we may see patchy fog form early Thursday morning, and fog should be more widespread Friday morning.Otherwise, we will continue to enjoy a mix of sun and clouds on Thursday with even warmer high temperatures in the upper 70s. Mostly cloudy skies fill in across the area Friday through the weekend as a broad western s
  
  Read more

• Travis Co. judge temporarily blocks Abbott's trans directive for Texas family

  02-03-2022 20:27 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) — Travis County District Judge Amy Clark Meachum granted a temporary restraining order on Wednesday to block the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) from investigating the parents of a transgender teen.A week ago, Governor Greg Abbott issued a directive for the Texas Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS) to pursue child abuse investigations of parents who help their transgender children get gender-affirming care.  Texas parents sue after b
  
  Read more

• Travis Co. District judge to decide on temporary injunction halting Abbott's transgender directive

  02-03-2022 20:27 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) — Travis County District Judge Amy Clark Meachum will decide Wednesday whether to issue a temporary injunction stopping the enforcement of Governor Greg Abbott’s directive surrounding gender-affirming care. A week ago, Governor Greg Abbott issued a directive for the Texas Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS) to pursue child abuse investigations of parents who help their transgender children get gender-affirming care.  Texas parents sue after being i
  
  Read more

• Travis Co. District judge temporary blocks Abbott's transgender directive involving Texas family

  02-03-2022 20:27 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) — Travis County District Judge Amy Clark Meachum will decide Wednesday whether to issue a temporary injunction stopping the enforcement of Governor Greg Abbott’s directive surrounding gender-affirming care. A week ago, Governor Greg Abbott issued a directive for the Texas Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS) to pursue child abuse investigations of parents who help their transgender children get gender-affirming care.  Texas parents sue after being i
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Recount requested in primary for Travis County Commissioner Precinct 4

  02-03-2022 20:13 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY (KXAN) — With a razor-thin differential in a race for a Travis County Commissioner spot, one of the Democratic primary candidates wants a recount.Susanna Ledesma-Woody announced her intention Wednesday to ask officials to tally up votes again in the Precinct 4 race for Travis County Commissioner. As it stands now, she's just 219 votes behind Margaret Gomez, a 1.02% difference.For in-depth coverage of the races and election news, head to KXAN's election coverage pageShe cited
  
  Read more

• 13 people displaced after north Austin apartment complex fire

  02-03-2022 19:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thirteen people were displaced after a fire at a north Austin apartment complex on Tuesday, according to the Austin Fire Department.
  The fire department said crews responded Tuesday afternoon to the fire at 600 Barwood Park, which is listed as the address for Remington House Apartments. Austin Fire said one minor was treated for smoke inhalation.
  The cause of the fire was listed as "combustibles too close to [a] heat source," the department said.
  Approximately $1.5 million
  
  Read more

• Obsolete and deficient bridges checker Central Texas. Do you drive over one?

  02-03-2022 19:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Central Texas is home to more than 4,300 bridges inspected by the state, and 780 of them have been classified as functionally obsolete or structurally deficient, according to data from the Texas Department of Transportation.The bridges TxDOT inspects range from iconic postcard-worthy spans like the arched Pennybacker Bridge crossing Lake Austin (which is not deficient) to dry-creek culverts that drivers might not even notice passing over. TxDOT assigns a sufficiency rating
  
  Read more

• Spirit to offer 1st Austin to Monterrey nonstop flight

  02-03-2022 18:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Starting in June, Spirit Airlines will expand its flight options to Mexico from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.Spirit announced Wednesday they will offer a nonstop flight from AUS to Monterrey, Mexico starting June 22. The airline will also offer a nonstop flight from George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.Spirit said it's the only nonstop flight available from Austin to the inland town in northwestern Mexico, famous for being the original home of sparkling
  
  Read more

• UT global security experts to discuss the war on Ukraine

  02-03-2022 17:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Global security experts from the University of Texas at Austin will be discussing the war on Ukraine Wednesday as Russia continues its assault on its neighboring country.
  The panel is being hosted by the Asia Policy Program, the Clements Center for National Security, Strauss Center for International Security and Law, Intelligence Studies Project, Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies and the LBJ School of Public Affairs.
  Panelists include the executive director
  
  Read more

• Russia holding off on large-scale cyberattacks against Ukraine, here's why

  02-03-2022 17:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An intelligence and law expert says among cyber operations professionals, there's a conversation happening about the number of cyberattacks, or the lack thereof, that Russia has used against Ukraine as it wages war in a fight to claim Ukraine's sovereignty.
  Bobby Chesney, that expert, believes its a strategic move -- and one that the United States is staring down the barrel of.Expert doubts Americans ready for major cyberattack"It's no surprise we're not seeing the Russians usin
  
  Read more

• Russia holding off on large-scale cyber attacks against Ukraine, here's why

  02-03-2022 17:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An intelligence and law expert says among cyber operations professionals, there's a conversation happening about the number of cyber attacks, or the lack thereof, that Russia has used against Ukraine as it wages war in a fight to claim Ukraine's sovereignty.
  Bobby Chesney, that expert, believes its a strategic move -- and one that the United States is staring down the barrel of.
  "It's no surprise we're not seeing the Russians using more destructive cyber capabilities within Ukra
  
  Read more

• Runoff declared in Cuellar, Cisneros' tight Texas border race

  02-03-2022 17:16 via kxan.com
  
  LAREDO, Texas (Border Report) -- U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar surged slightly ahead of his progressive Democratic challenger Jessica Cisneros early Wednesday. But with all of the votes in, the race was too close to call, and it was uncertain whether Cuellar had received a majority in the heated Texas 28th Congressional District that encompasses a wide section of the South Texas border.The Texas Secretary of State's Office reported that Cuellar had received 49.98% to Cisneros' 45.38%. This came after
  
  Read more

• As Austin grows, so does the demand for plumbers

  02-03-2022 16:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Skillpoint Alliance Instructor Jeff Jackson remembers training plumbers outside last fall when he noticed someone watching. An owner of a plumbing company just happened to drive by."He just stopped and he said, 'Are y'all teaching plumbing?' And I said, 'Yeah, we are, we teach plumbing.' And he was like, 'Well, I need plumbers desperately,'" recalled Jackson.Plumbers to the rescue: Central Texas plumbers see 10x their normal call volume due to broken pipesJackson said the d
  
  Read more

• Austin ISD makes masks optional starting next Monday

  02-03-2022 15:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Independent School District will follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidelines, making masks optional starting Monday, March 7."As always, please keep in mind that the fluidity of this pandemic may require that we reinstate a masking requirement," AISD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde said.Thousands of people weighed in on AISD's survey on masks in schools. More than 19,000 have participated, with 159,272 responses and more than 3,000 co
  
  Read more

• Austin ISD makes masks optional starting Monday

  02-03-2022 15:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Independent School District will follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidelines, making masks optional starting Monday, March 7."As always, please keep in mind that the fluidity of this pandemic may require that we reinstate a masking requirement," AISD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde said."During this public health crisis, we have always followed the guidance from public health experts. Today, we know that we can provide more localized
  
  Read more

• AISD to discuss mask policy as CDC changes guidelines after Stage 3 move

  02-03-2022 15:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Independent School District will hold a special board meeting Wednesday to discuss a "mask-optional" protocol for its schools.AISD said its working with the City of Austin, Austin Public Health and Travis County ahead of Wednesday's meeting, "to evaluate how and what to communicate when a mask-optional protocol is implemented."The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced new guidelines for community risk levels, relaxing its guidance on mask-wearing f
  
  Read more

• AISD mask survey results split as board discusses possible rule change

  02-03-2022 15:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — So far, thousands of people have weighed in on the Austin Independent School District's mask survey.
  More than 19,000 have participated, with 159,272 responses and more than 3,000 comments.
  The survey was released on Friday, Feb. 25-- the same day the CDC loosened it's mask guidelines for low-risk counties, like Travis County.
  When asked, "If you knew that Austin ISD would continue testing protocols and require students and staff testing positively to quarantine, would you
  
  Read more

• Dolly Parton to attend her first SXSW with "Dollyverse"

  02-03-2022 14:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - From Dollywood to the Dollyverse!Dolly Parton will attend this year’s South by Southwest conference for the first time. The icon will team up with Fox Entertainment’s Blockchain Creative Labs to give fans “an audience-centric Web3 experience,” according the event blog.The country sweetheart will promote her new original novel titled Run, Rose, Run, with a conversation alongside co-author James Patterson. The event will be moderated by award-winning actress
  
  Read more

• Increasing temps and humidity into the weekend

  02-03-2022 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Temperatures continue to climb as our weather stays quiet under the influence of high pressure.Today will look and feel similar to yesterday with afternoon highs in the low- to mid 70s under a sky featuring sunshine and mid- to high level clouds. The warming trend continues tomorrow through the weekend with afternoon highs warming into the upper 70s and low 80s.Increasing moisture coming in along southeast winds will result in a rise in humidity late week. Patchy fog will b
  
  Read more

• Getting warmer and muggier through the weekend

  02-03-2022 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Temperatures continue to climb as our weather stays quiet under the influence of high pressure.Today will look and feel similar to yesterday with afternoon highs in the low- to mid 70s under a sky featuring sunshine and mid- to high level clouds. The warming trend continues tomorrow through the weekend with afternoon highs warming into the upper 70s and low 80s.Increasing moisture coming in along southeast winds will result in a rise in humidity late week. Patchy fog will b
  
  Read more

• Travis County Commissioner Shea projected to win reelection; razor-thin race for Gómez

  02-03-2022 05:22 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — As of around 10 p.m., KXAN News is projecting incumbent Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea will win the Democratic primary race against Bob Libal. She will run unopposed in November."We are delighted, and I'm incredibly grateful for all the support that I've gotten from the community and I'm looking forward to getting to work on major issues for the next four years," Shea told KXAN shortly after that projection was announced.Shea first took office in Janua
  
  Read more

• How Texas' governor race could set the political tone for the rest of the country

  02-03-2022 05:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas is one of 39 states with gubernatorial elections this year. What happens Tuesday night could help set the political tone for the rest of the country.
  Gov. Greg Abbott was leading all the Republican primary polls before Election Day in his re-election bid, by a comfortable margin.
  But some candidates do come back after losing elections, including some well-known names — like former Congressman Beto O'Rourke, who lost his races for U.S. Senate and for president.
  T
  
  Read more

• Elections: What happens when a runoff election is called?

  02-03-2022 04:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Several well-known politicians were sent packing Tuesday, after the Texas primaries.
  The Republican race for attorney general is perhaps the best example of that happening, but a May runoff means it's not over yet. Click here for the latest election results
  Three candidates for the attorney general spot were already in statewide elected positions, as well as a congressman.
  A Republican runoff could be stressful news for incumbent Ken Paxton.
  Instead of spending many months
  
  Read more

• Harris County signals delay in vote counting to Texas Secretary of State, might not make deadline

  02-03-2022 02:38 via kxan.com
  
  HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Election officials in Harris County alerted the Texas Secretary of State's Office Tuesday they're experiencing delays in vote counting, and they might not make deadline.
  In Texas, all counties are required to report early and Election Day results within 24 hours of polls closing — that would make the deadline for this election 7 p.m. on Wednesday.WATCH LIVE: Highly-contested governor, attorney general races on the Texas primary ballotTexas Secretary of S
  
  Read more

• ELECTION RESULTS: Texas primary election

  02-03-2022 02:00 via kxan.com
  
  App users, view full Texas primary election results by tapping here.
  
  Read more

• Austin Police double OT funding won't cost taxpayers extra money

  02-03-2022 01:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The funding for the Austin Police Department's double overtime pilot program that started this week will come from salaries that aren't being paid due to the department's open positions, according to Chief Joseph Chacon."We have a number of unfilled vacancies still funded by the city, and we have those salary savings," he said. "And that has largely been funding a lot of overtime that we have in the department including this overtime." APD launches program to double patrol
  
  Read more

• Bracketology: Projections for Texas, Big 12 teams for NCAA Tournament

  02-03-2022 01:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Less than two weeks away from Selection Sunday, the Big 12 currently has six teams projected to make the NCAA Tournament, which ranks as the third-most of any conference in the country.The Big 12 is a gauntlet and widely considered the strongest conference in the nation, which is proven by the teams at the top. As of Tuesday, March 1, Kansas and Baylor are both projected to be No. 1 seeds by most projections.Texas Tech is a No. 3 seed, but the Red Raiders are making a stron
  
  Read more

• Biden to discuss Putin, economy in his 1st State of the Union

  02-03-2022 01:06 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation Now) — President Joe Biden will say it's important to combat "dictators" before they "cause more chaos" in his first State of the Union speech Tuesday."Throughout our history we’ve learned this lesson – when dictators do not pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos," Biden will say, according to excerpts from his speech. "They keep moving. And, the costs and threats to America and the world keep rising."The U.S. announced stiffer restrictions for
  
  Read more

• Biden discussing Putin, economy in his 1st State of the Union

  02-03-2022 01:06 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation Now) — President Joe Biden will say it's important to combat "dictators" before they "cause more chaos" in his first State of the Union speech Tuesday."Throughout our history we’ve learned this lesson – when dictators do not pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos," Biden will say, according to excerpts from his speech. "They keep moving. And, the costs and threats to America and the world keep rising."Biden is also expected to announce a ban on
  
  Read more

• Biden discussing Putin, economy in first State of the Union

  02-03-2022 01:06 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation Now) — President Joe Biden said it's important to combat "dictators" before they "cause more chaos" in his first State of the Union speech Tuesday."Throughout our history we’ve learned this lesson: When dictators do not pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos," Biden will say, according to excerpts from his speech. "They keep moving. And, the costs and threats to America and the world keep rising."Biden declared that he and all members of Congress, wh
  
  Read more

• Biden discusses Putin, inflation in first State of the Union

  02-03-2022 01:06 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation Now) — With the backdrop of an escalating situation in Ukraine at the hands of Russia, President Joe Biden focused a large part of his first State of the Union address on vowing to check Russian aggression, saying it's important to combat "dictators" before they "cause more chaos."."Throughout our history, we’ve learned this lesson: When dictators do not pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos," Biden said. "They keep moving. And, the costs and threat
  
  Read more

• Biden discusses Putin, economy in first State of the Union

  02-03-2022 01:06 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation Now) — President Joe Biden said it's important to combat "dictators" before they "cause more chaos" in his first State of the Union speech Tuesday."Throughout our history we’ve learned this lesson: When dictators do not pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos," Biden said. "They keep moving. And, the costs and threats to America and the world keep rising."Biden declared that he and all members of Congress, whatever political differences there may be,
  
  Read more

• Austin doctor urges cautious optimism as city returns to Stage 3

  02-03-2022 00:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin and Travis County are officially back in Stage 3 of its COVID-19 risk-based guidelines. More changes are expected soon to reflect the latest recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hospitals are finally starting to feel some consistent relief after what's now been two long years of dealing with COVID-19.Austin moves to Stage 3 COVID-19 risk level, updating guidance following CDC changes"It's been pretty intense for the last two years,"
  
  Read more

• Here's what you need to know for spring break at Big Bend National Park

  02-03-2022 00:00 via kxan.com
  
  BIG BEND (KXAN) — If you're looking to visit the remote Chihuahuan Desert for spring break, expect it to be a busy time.
  Big Bend National Park said that March and April have lured many visitors, and a significant increase in visitation is expected.
  The park anticipates the busiest time for the spring will be between March 6 and March 20, with the heaviest inbound traffic between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Expect lines entering the park at that time.
  "More than ever, people are seeking out the qual
  
  Read more

Follow @Austin_News_US on Twitter!