Austin news

• SXSW Democracy: Texas quorum breakers reflect on trying to stop voting rights bill

  12-03-2022 21:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — At South by Southwest Saturday, a panel of Texas House representatives who broke quorum over the summer reflected on their trek to D.C. to fight a controversial voting rights bill.
  The law added new identification requirements for voting by mail, banned 24-hour voting and drive thru voting and established uniform voting hours statewide.
  Republicans argued it was needed to ensure election integrity. Democrats said the new proposed rules disproportionately affected minority v
  
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• What are the criteria for an Amber Alert in Texas?

  12-03-2022 20:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- You might get a notification on your phone, see the messages on highways and hear about Amber Alerts on local television stations -- but what exactly does an Amber Alert mean?These statewide alerts inform the public of serious child abductions, so that the public can be informed and assist police.
  Amber Alerts first came to be in Texas in 2002 when Governor Rick Perry created the state's Amber Alert network through an executive order, which was set through legislation in 2003, a
  
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• FOUND: Amber Alert discontinued for 12-year-old Texas girl

  12-03-2022 20:12 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The initial alert sent by DPS stated Alvarez was 11, they later corrected her age and this article reflects that correction.Texas (KXAN) -- A 12-year-old girl at the center of an Amber Alert has been found, officials said Saturday afternoon.The Amber Alert was discontinued at 4:38 p.m. Saturday. What are the criteria for an Amber Alert in Texas?The police department said it officers were looking for Melissa Renee Salazar in connection with the girl's disappearance in the original
  
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• Amber Alert issued for 12-year-old girl last seen in Franklin, Texas

  12-03-2022 20:12 via kxan.com
  
  Texas (KXAN) -- An Amber Alert has been issued for an 12-year-old girl last seen in Franklin, Texas.The Franklin Police Department is working with the state to find Addison Alvarez, 12. She is described as being a little more than five feet tall, 100 pounds, blonde hair, blue eyes and last seen wearing a gray hoodie, red pajama bottoms and white Nike Air Ones with a pink swoosh.
  In connection to Alvarez' disappearance, the police department is also looking for Melissa Renee Salazar. She is descr
  
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• Amber Alert issued for 11-year-old girl last seen in Franklin, Texas

  12-03-2022 20:12 via kxan.com
  
  Texas (KXAN) -- An Amber Alert has been issued for an 11-year-old girl last seen in Franklin, Texas.The Franklin Police Department is working with the state to find Addison Alvarez, 11. She is described as being a little more than five feet tall, 100 pounds, blonde hair, blue eyes and last seen wearing a gray hoodie, red pajama bottoms and white Nike Air Ones with a pink swoosh.
  In connection to Alvarez' disappearance, the police department is also looking for Melissa Renee Salazar. She is descr
  
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• Fort Hood soldier dies during 'training incident' in California

  12-03-2022 19:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A Fort Hood soldier died after what the Army described as a "training incident" Thursday at the national training center at Fort Irwin, California.
  Spc. Joseph M. Meitl Jr., 23, was identified as the soldier who died. His death is under investigation, according to a release from Fort Hood.
  “We are deeply saddened by the loss of an incredible Trooper and teammate,” Lt. Col. Christopher Carpenter, commander, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, wrote in that r
  
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• Texas on list of states that distribute the most white supremacist propaganda

  12-03-2022 18:43 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Racist, antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ content distribution surged in the first two months of 2022, continuing a trend that saw a historic increase in white supremacist propaganda over the past several years.The Anti-Defamation League says 2021 claims the second-highest number of reported propaganda incidents in the U.S since it began tracking these events. According to an ADL report, there were about 4,745 white supremacist propaganda incidents reported in 2021 — or about 13
  
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• Compared to the last quarter of 2020, Austin housing prices up 23 percent

  12-03-2022 16:55 via kxan.com
  
  (NerdWallet) - A striking lack of affordability held steady for first-time home buyers in the final quarter of 2021. After a slight uptick in listings in the third quarter, the number of homes on the market fell further into a hole to close out the year.In last quarter’s first-time buyer analysis for Q3, we cautioned buyers against getting overly optimistic in the face of small improvements. With fourth quarter list prices up 14% nationwide over the last few years even after adjusting
  
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• Here's what's happening at the first day of the Austin Rodeo

  12-03-2022 16:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The fairgrounds open at 10 a.m. Saturday for the first day of the Austin Rodeo.
  Here's some of what you can expect:
  Mutton Bustin'
  Have a kiddo that wants to be a cowboy or cowgirl? Throw 'em in the Austin Rodeo's Muttin Bustin' Mania and see if they have what it takes.
  Cowboys and cowgirls in the Mutton Bustin' competition have to be between the ages of 5 and 7 years old and be under 55 pounds.
  It's happening at the Wild West tent every Saturday at 3 p.m. You can get more infor
  
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• More US troops deploy overseas in wake of Ukraine invasion

  12-03-2022 16:18 via kxan.com
  
  SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — U.S. soldiers continued to deploy Friday to Europe, joining thousands already sent overseas to support NATO allies amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.About 130 soldiers from the 87th Division Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Division Sustainment Brigade, lined up with rucksacks inside a terminal at Hunter Airfield in Savannah before marching outside and boarding their chartered flight. It departed amid grey skies and rain.Republican U.S. Rep. Earl “Buddy”
  
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• Here are some of the biggest SXSW events happening Saturday

  12-03-2022 15:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's day two of South by Southwest and attendees can expect a busy day of conferences, festivals and exhibits.Here are some of the events happening at SXSW Saturday, March 12. You can also find all of them here.Festivals
  'They Call Me Magic'What: A docuseries about Earvin "Magic" Johnson's life "both on and off the court."
  When: 11:30 a.m.Where: ZACH Theatre
  Read about 'They Call Me Magic' on the SXSW schedule.'Gabby Giffords Won't Back Down'What: This film is about the for
  
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• Teacher Vacancy Task Force to address staffing shortages in Texas

  12-03-2022 05:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — High stress, low pay and crumbling schools are forcing teachers out of the classroom at a higher rate than ever before.The Texas Education Agency announced this week it created the Teacher Vacancy Task Force to help address staffing challenges at public schools. KXAN spoke with Central Texas teachers who want to ensure their voice is heard in the process. Abbott calls for creation of task force to address teacher shortagesWith almost 20 years of teaching experience, Stephan
  
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• COVID-19 hospitalizations in Austin metro drop to lowest total since July

  12-03-2022 04:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The number of patients hospitalized in the Austin metro with COVID-19 has dropped to the lowest total since July.As of Friday, Austin Public Health reports 89 people are hospitalized with the virus across the five-county metro area. That's the fewest since July 9.Of those patients, 29 are currently in the ICU, the lowest figure since July 6. Fourteen patients are currently on ventilators.The Austin metro — which is defined as Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Willia
  
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• Warm week ahead, but storms possible Monday night for some

  12-03-2022 04:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Sunday morning may have been our final widespread freeze for a while. Temperature at Austin's Camp Mabry narrowly missed freezing, getting down to 33 degrees, but temperatures at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport broke the previous record low for the date. This also was the third coldest temperature ever recorded in March at AUS.Record low set Sunday morning at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport BLOG: La Niña for a third winter in a row? Updated outlook help
  
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• One more freeze ahead of a spring break warm-up

  12-03-2022 04:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Temperatures Saturday morning dropped into the 20s in Austin with some areas dropping into the teens making for a widespread freeze throughout Central Texas.We've got one more freeze in the forecast tonight, but it won't be as widespread or as cold. We're forecasting a brief freeze in Austin at Camp Mabry with some areas dipping into the 20s again. Not all places get below freezing Sunday morning, but most of us do.
  Sunday morning lowsThis COULD be our final freeze until ne
  
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• Late-season freezes Saturday and Sunday mornings

  12-03-2022 04:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A widespread freeze is in the forecast Saturday morning, and another will be possible in most areas Sunday morning. Colder rural areas outside of Austin may see a hard freeze with low temperatures in the 20s.
  This late-season freeze would come nearly one month later than Austin's typical last freeze of the winter, and would be Camp Mabry's latest freeze in 29 years. Our last freeze to come this late in the season was March, 1993 as cold air rushed in behind what would becom
  
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• A big warm-up to kick off spring break

  12-03-2022 04:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After another freezing cold morning, we warm back up quickly into the middle to upper 60s under a mainly sunny sky. Breezy conditions today will significantly increase wildfire conditions. Please avoid any outdoor burns. BLOG: La Niña for a third winter in a row? Updated outlook helps rule one thing outWe've got 70s and 80s ahead for spring break and the continuation of SXSW.Highs the next few daysOur next opportunity for rain comes with a cold front bringing in some
  
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• 80s are just around the corner; one more widespread freeze to go

  12-03-2022 04:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After another widespread deep freeze Saturday morning, we have one more widespread freeze to get through for Sunday morning before we really start to warm things up.This late-season freeze would come nearly one month later than Austin's typical last freeze of the winter, and would be Camp Mabry's latest freeze in 29 years. Our last freeze to come this late in the season was March, 1993 as cold air rushed in behind what would become the Storm of the Century as the low pressu
  
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• 80s are just around the corner; one more widespread freeze to get through first

  12-03-2022 04:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After another widespread deep freeze Saturday morning, we have one more widespread freeze to get through for Sunday morning before we really start to warm things up.This late-season freeze would come nearly one month later than Austin's typical last freeze of the winter, and would be Camp Mabry's latest freeze in 29 years. Our last freeze to come this late in the season was March, 1993 as cold air rushed in behind what would become the Storm of the Century as the low pressu
  
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• How Austin Police 911 has prepared for SXSW

  12-03-2022 03:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — South by Southwest is here and so are the crowds."Thousands upon thousands of more people coming to Austin," said Lt. Ken Murphy, the head of emergency communications with the Austin Police Department.
  To keep downtown safe, APD has beefed up downtown patrols, which includes reinforcements from the Travis County Sheriff's Office and Texas Department of Public Safety, to make sure enough officers are available.
  But police dispatch has its own set of challenges, including ope
  
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• Father of girl housed at Refuge speaks after facility's abuse investigation

  12-03-2022 02:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – As heavy consequences come down for a Texas long-term care facility at the center of a state investigation into alleged child abuse, the father of one of the young girls is watching in shock.David Cohen said his 17-year-old daughter was among the nine girls removed from The Refuge Ranch in Bastrop on Wednesday, after a months-long Texas Department of Family and Protective Services investigation.“It’s frustrating knowing that she is making so much progress, and f
  
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• 'Digital health and happiness': How virtual reality is being used for Austin seniors

  12-03-2022 02:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One type of technology being highlighted at South By Southwest this year is virtual reality and not just for gaming.A couple of Texas and Austin-based companies are using it to keep seniors from getting lonely."Many of my team members, including myself, have loved ones in long-term care, and have really seen the negative impacts of social isolation," said Amod Daherkar, a student at the University of Texas at Austin.
  A 2020 report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engi
  
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• Donating handbags to this organization can help domestic violence survivors

  12-03-2022 01:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Handbags for Hope started 15 years ago in Travis County, and organizers said 45,000 handbags have been donated to shelters since then.
  “This program actually started with getting them out to the shelters in time for Mother's Day, so that if a mom happens to be in a shelter, and your kid is with you, then they might be able to grab one of those purses and gift them to you.” said Heather Bellino, chief executive officer of the Texas Advocacy Project. Texas Advocac
  
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• 'Children will die': Families warn DFPS about Abbott's transgender directive

  12-03-2022 01:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For the first time, people had a chance to share their opposition directly to the agency tasked with carrying out Gov. Greg Abbott's order about transgender health care investigations.For almost six hours Friday, more than 80 speakers addressed the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Council, a nine-member body that helps to develop rules and policies for the agency. Most of the remarks featured statements shared by families with transgender children but voic
  
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• Global carbon dioxide emissions hit all-time record

  12-03-2022 01:14 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) — As a world dependent upon fossil fuels keeps chugging onward, global carbon dioxide emissions hit a record high in 2021.The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported global energy-related CO2 emissions in 2021 were the highest ever, rising by 6% year-over-year to 36.3 billion tons. The annual increase was the largest ever, and more than offset the small decrease in emissions due to the COVID-19 economic slowdown in the previous year. Coal and natural gas emissions made up the lar
  
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• Travis County judge blocks child abuse investigations into families of trans kids

  12-03-2022 00:39 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (KXAN) — A district court judge has granted an injunction and blocked child abuse investigations into the families of trans kids in Texas on Friday.
  Judge Amy Clark Meachum listened to arguments Friday on whether to temporarily block child protective services' investigations into parents of transgender children or allow them. After hours of arguments, Meachum granted the injunction blocking the investigations into families providing care for their trans children.
  In February, Go
  
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• Face masks are optional for Austin Community College students beginning March 21

  12-03-2022 00:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Community College District (ACC) announced it will be making face masks optional starting March 21 after the Board of Trustees authorized the Chancellor the flexibility to increase or decrease COVID-19 health and safety measures.
  “These decisions do not come lightly. We have convened with health experts, discussed among our Emergency Operations Center, and weighed the feedback of our Return to Campus Committee — a cross-section of representatives across t
  
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