Austin news

• Texas is a right-to-work state, but unions can gain strength with labor shortages

  15-03-2022 23:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Starbucks location on 24th and Nueces in Austin has officially filed to form a union with the National Labor Relations Board.
  "We want a voice in the decisions that affect our day-to-day workplace lives," Lillian Allen, a barista at that Starbucks, explained Tuesday.
  "Better scheduling, better staffing, better training ... we want pay that makes sense with Austin's rising cost of living," Allen continued, adding she thinks management could be doing more.Employees at Aus
  
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• Mark Zuckerberg takes Austin into 'metaverse' vision at SXSW

  15-03-2022 22:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As the internet continues to welcome new social platforms and burgeoning creativity, Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg is looking to expand his company -- formerly known as Facebook -- into the worlds of augmented and virtual reality.But what, exactly, is the "metaverse," and what is Zuckerberg's plan for its use? During a South by Southwest Conference & Festivals panel discussion Tuesday, Zuckerberg dubbed the metaverse the "next generation of internet."Just as Facebook,
  
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• SXSW: Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen on social media reform

  15-03-2022 22:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Former Facebook employee Frances Haugen captured the attention of the world in Oct. 2021 when she went public with complaints the company’s own research shows how it magnifies hate and misinformation. On Monday, the Facebook whistleblower spoke at South by Southwest to further draw attention to issues she said the media giant has yet to address.Haugen, who worked at Google and Pinterest before joining Facebook (now Meta) in 2019, said she had asked to work in
  
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• Tracking two spring storm systems

  15-03-2022 22:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Fire danger is very high this evening with dry soil conditions, gusty winds and low relative humidity. A Red Flag Warning is in effect for the highlighted counties below through 7 p.m. Otherwise, gorgeous spring weather continues.Updated burn ban map - Monday (March 15th)Wednesday will feature more of the same - sunshine, warm temps (80s) and dry conditions.Temperatures will peak in the mid-80s Thursday ahead of our next cold front. Similar to the cold front we had Monday,
  
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• Fire danger very high with gusty winds, low humidity

  15-03-2022 22:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Today's temperatures are slightly cooler than yesterday but still pleasant as highs warm to the mid-70s under a sunny and dry sky.
  Winds will be the concern as gusts reach 20-30 mph. The combination of gusty winds, dry skies and a recent lack of rainfall will result in high to very high fire danger across the area. Open flame activities or burning of any kind is highly discouraged.A Red Flag Warning is in effect for high fire danger in the highlighted counties below through
  
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• During SXSW, the war in Ukraine top of mind for many

  15-03-2022 22:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's not usually a topic that dominates South by Southwest, but its hard not to talk about foreign policy in a world where all eyes are on Russia's bloody invasion of Ukraine.
  While hundreds of thousands gather in downtown Austin to learn about technology, music and film, SXSW has also drawn talks about Russian misinformation, the future of elections, cyber security and supporting Ukrainian artists.
  On Sunday the CEO and founder of Good-Loop, Amy Williams, talked about ways
  
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• Explore the redesigned KXAN.com

  15-03-2022 21:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — KXAN launched its new redesigned website Tuesday, featuring a cleaner, more modern look and feel.
  The new design allows you to see more content. It also makes finding stories easier and faster than before.The KXAN homepage features more stories near the top (KXAN Photo)The KXAN homepage features more stories near the top (KXAN Photo)Headline lists on KXAN.com get a refreshed look (KXAN Photo)The new design highlights stories with a more modern look (KXAN Photo)The new desig
  
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• SXSW Central Command and ATCEMS ready to respond

  15-03-2022 21:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An event like South by Southwest brings thousands of people to downtown Austin and additional safety concerns.The Austin Center for Events, a team comprised of representatives from several city and county agencies, coordinates public safety operations at SXSW from its Central Command Center at One Texas Center, located in the 500 block of Barton Spring Road. SXSW progress report: How it’s going for attendees, local businessesFirst responders and safety personnel work
  
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• Shooter at Houston sushi restaurant stopped by UFC fighter

  15-03-2022 20:30 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KXAN) — A UFC fighter and his friend stopped a dangerous situation at a Houston sushi restaurant Monday night, according to Houston TV station KPRC.According to police and KPRC, a man fired a gun shot into the air at Ra Sushi in the Highland Village outdoor mall around 11:30 p.m. Monday.UFC fighter Kevin Holland, friend Patrick Robinson and another man jumped into action, taking the man down until police arrived. Texas ‘magician’ uses quick-change trick to steal nearly
  
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• Bill to make daylight saving time permanent passes Senate

  15-03-2022 20:22 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) –  A proposal to make daylight saving time permanent in the U.S. cleared the Senate Tuesday and now heads to the House of Representatives.
  The Sunshine Protection Act would need to be approved by the House and then signed into law by President Joe Biden before it became official. Even then, it wouldn't take effect until Nov. 20, 2023 to allow airlines and other industries to prepare, reports Reuters.That means we would "fall back" for the final time in November 2023, then "s
  
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• 'Arm Ukraine': Researcher from Kyiv talks Putin, propaganda at SXSW

  15-03-2022 20:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's something that's been shoved into the light in the western world as Russia wages war on Ukraine: misinformation and propaganda from the Russian government.
  In a South by Southwest panel Tuesday, journalist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa and Peter Pomerantsev with the Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University discussed dictatorship and disinformation attached to it.
  Right now the most glaring example, especially for Pomerantsev, who was born in Kyiv when it
  
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• Fire danger very high today with gusty winds, low humidity

  15-03-2022 20:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Now that Monday's storms have cleared, our focus turns to high fire danger increasing across the state of Texas.Today's temperatures will be a bit cooler than yesterday but still pleasant as highs warm to the mid-70s under a sunny and dry sky. Winds will be the concern as gusts reach 20-30 mph. The combination of gusty winds, dry skies and a recent lack of rainfall will result in high to very high fire danger across the area. Open flame activities &/or burning of any ki
  
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• Austin housing market sets another record for median home price

  15-03-2022 19:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The median home price in the Austin housing market is $5 shy of $500,000, according to the Austin Board of Realtors' latest housing report.It's an all-time high — again — for the Austin-Round Rock MSA, jumping nearly 28% since February 2021 to $499,995. There were also more than 2,500 closings in February, an increase of more than 11% since February of last year, the report said. ‘Bike Nights’ return to Circuit of The Americas trackAustin-Round Rock
  
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• Here's what happened to the 211 pounds of meth deputies found in Fayette County

  15-03-2022 19:09 via kxan.com
  
  FAYETTE COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — It was a massive drug bust that resulted in nearly $4 million of meth being seized, but what happened to it next?
  The Fayette County Sheriff's Office says one of their sergeants is on the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) task force and that the DEA uses a group called Environmental Restoration, LLC to rid of large amounts of drugs like this. That company's address is listed online as being in La Porte, Texas.
  Lieutenant David Beyer with the sheriff's office said
  
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• Starbucks is getting rid of single-use coffee cups, introducing a more communal model

  15-03-2022 18:46 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Starbucks has a vision for the future — and it includes communal coffee cups.Starbucks has announced plans to rid stores of single-use cups by 2025 in favor of an all-reusable model. In a press release issued Tuesday, the company detailed plans to achieve its latest “planet positive goal” by encouraging customers to bring their own personal cups to be refilled, or by offering communal cups that guests would be instructed to return upon their next visit.Those c
  
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• Striker Texas Q&A: Austin FC's top assistant Davy Arnaud

  15-03-2022 18:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (The Striker Texas) — Davy Arnaud is Texas born and raised. The top assistant coach for Austin FC grew up outside Houston in Nederland, Texas, went to college at West Texas A&M and was an interim head coach for the Houston Dynamo in 2019.But his path to Austin began in Kansas City, where he became teammates and close friends with one of the players he most looked up to in high school and college, Josh Wolff. Few people know the Verde head coach better than Arnaud.I asked him abo
  
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• Remarkable Woman Marie Felan: From teen mom to raising $35M for nonprofits

  15-03-2022 18:05 via kxan.com
  
  We asked you to tell us about inspiring women in your life. We went through hundreds of nominations in our Remarkable Women contest. Now, we’re sharing our finalists’ stories.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- If being remarkable means raising more than $35 million for local and state non-profits, then Marie Felan hit the mark long ago. Raising money for low-income families, bringing dignity to struggling moms and helping children thrive simply comes naturally to her. She was once all t
  
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• Flyover in support of LGBTQ+ youth expected at Texas Capitol

  15-03-2022 17:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A plane pulling a banner in support of LGBTQ+ children will fly over the Capitol and SXSW from 12-2 p.m. Tuesday, according to a press release from Folx Health, a LGBTQ telehealth service.The banner will read "PROTECT LGBTQ YOUTH <3 FOLX HEALTH". Judge blocks investigations into families of transgender kidsThe healthcare company, which placed a similar billboard in Austin last year, oppose Gov. Abbott's directive to investigate the families of transgender children. They
  
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• Texas 'magician' uses quick-change trick to steal nearly $3K, police say

  15-03-2022 17:10 via kxan.com
  
  SEGUIN, Texas (KXAN) — There's a sleight of hand "magician" stealing money from Walmart, the Seguin Police Department said Monday.On two occasions, Jan. 10 and Feb. 12, SPD said a man used a "quick-change" scheme to swipe a total of $2,700 from unknowing cashiers at the big-box store. Police: Man dies after dump truck runs red light, collides with pickup in New Braunfels"Seguin's next David Blaine made a stop at Walmart for a quick magic show. Sadly, only he knew about the performance," th
  
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• Can Texas combat the opioid crisis with expanded medical marijuana use?

  15-03-2022 16:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Can the the opioid crisis be dealt with head on if there's expanded medical marijuana use? That's the topic of a SXSW panel in Austin Tuesday, exploring what that would look like, and whether it would be effective here in Texas.Opioid use is a big talker in right now, in light of a recent uptick in overdoses in Austin. Officials have warned this impacts the entire state as they haven't pinpointed where the drugs are coming from.
  Texas lawmakers are currently researching
  
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• 'Bike Nights' return to Circuit of The Americas track

  15-03-2022 16:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Cyclists will once again ride around the 3.41-mile Circuit of The Americas (COTA) track this week, with the return of the weekly "Bike Nights" program.Tuesday at 6 p.m., the racetrack's spring Bike Nights season begins. It runs until the end of June, but will return in September.“We are thrilled to share our incredible track with the Austin community, celebrating health and togetherness again this year. Nothing beats watching the sun set over the Austin skyline while
  
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• Police: Man dies after dump truck runs red light, collides with pickup in New Braunfels

  15-03-2022 15:55 via kxan.com
  
  NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas (KXAN) — An 84-year-old man died in what New Braunfels police described as a "major traffic accident," Monday east of Interstate 35.NBPD said Antonio Garcia Olvera was driving a pickup and towing a trailer when a dump truck broadsided him at the intersection of FM 725 and West Zipp Road. The impact caused the pickup to roll over onto the driver's side, NBPD said. Olvera was pronounced dead at the scene by the Guadalupe County Justice of the Peace. The crash happened ar
  
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• Austin FC goalkeeper's SXSW talk centers on sports, activism

  15-03-2022 14:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — When he's not stopping shots for Austin FC, goalkeeper Brad Stuver is all about using his status as a professional athlete for good.Stuver and Austin FC broadcaster Michael Lahoud took part in a SXSW discussion Monday titled, "Athlete Activism: Using Sport for Social Good." Stuver isn't one to shy away from tough subjects, including his opposition to those who want to stop a transgender child's participation in youth sports. Austin FC feels road woes in 1-0 loss at Por
  
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• New digitally modified Selena music announcement gets mixed reviews online

  15-03-2022 13:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — New music from the queen of Tejano is coming.It was announced that a new Selena album is scheduled to be released next month. Abraham Quintanilla, father and manager of Selena, told Latin Groove News the album will feature more than a dozen songs, produced by her brother, A.B. Quintanilla. ‘Selena’ among 25 films added to National Film RegistryThe album will include a mixture of unreleased and newly arranged tracks. For example, if the song was originally a cumb
  
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• 2 shot near south Austin motel, both 'awake and talking' at hospital

  15-03-2022 12:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two people were shot near a south Austin motel Tuesday morning, the Austin Police Department said.Both gunshot victims were "awake and talking" at the hospital, APD said, and investigators are at an area near the Travelodge motel in the 2800 block of South Interstate 35 near Royal Oak Drive. The call came in at 4:35 a.m.APD said it's possible the gunshot victims shot each other, but the investigation is still ongoing.This is a developing story and we'll update this story wh
  
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• SXSW: Free, badge events to check out Tuesday, March 15

  15-03-2022 12:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Day 5 of the 2022 South by Southwest Conference & Festivals covers everything from the rise in popularity of Formula 1 and TikTok to conversations on gender equity in tech and with the Facebook whistleblower.
  Here's a look at some of the badged and free events happening Tuesday.Badged EventsFeatured Session: Frances Haugen, The Facebook WhistleblowerTime: 10-11 a.m.Location: OnlineDescription: Dubbed the "Facebook Whistleblower," Frances Haugen — a former data sci
  
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• City's homeless strategy officer discusses fight to end homelessness

  15-03-2022 12:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Efforts to get people off the streets and into housing continue in Austin, but where are we in the fight to end homelessness?"I think we are behind where we would like to be," said Dianna Grey, homeless strategy officer with the City of Austin. "But the aggressive efforts right now with council's dedication of over $100 million of the American Rescue Plan Act funds toward this effort is really critical."When the camping ban went into effect, many encampments were removed. H
  
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• Gusty winds, dry weather fuels high fire danger

  15-03-2022 11:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Now that Monday's storms have cleared, our focus now turns to high fire danger increasing across the state of Texas.Today's temperatures will be a bit cooler than yesterday but still pleasant as highs warm to the mid-70s under a sunny and dry sky. Winds will be the concern as gusts reach 20-30 mph. The combination of gusty winds, dry skies and a recent lack of rainfall will result in high to very high fire danger across the area. Open flame activities &/or burning of an
  
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• Person killed crossing I-35 in north Austin

  15-03-2022 08:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police say a person died around midnight Tuesday after being hit by a vehicle on Interstate 35 in north Austin.
  They say the person was running across the northbound lanes when the vehicle struck them just before midnight. The driver stayed at the scene.
  The crash happened near Howard Lane.The person was pronounced dead at the hospital.
  
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• Person killed crossing I-35

  15-03-2022 08:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police say a person died around midnight Tuesday after being hit by a vehicle on Interstate 35 in far North Austin.
  They say the person was running across the northbound lanes when the vehicle struck them just before midnight. The driver stayed on scene.
  The crash happened near Howard Lane. Crews diverted northbound drivers off at the Parmer exit.
  The person was pronounced dead at the hospital.
  
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• SXSW progress report: How it's going for attendees, local businesses

  15-03-2022 04:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — South by Southwest kicked off its music festival Monday, which means you can catch live music across the city.It's been a week since SXSW EDU launched March 7, followed by the full SXSW kicking off March 11, when organizers told the press so far, attendance was about 20% lower than it was in 2019.
  It's something people who have been here before are noticing.
  "So far, it's been pretty slow. I think that we're still trying to figure things out with, you know, the pandemic sti
  
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• The 'humanization' of pets: How tech is making it easier for you to understand your dog

  15-03-2022 03:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Pets and technology — two things that have become increasingly more important during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  According to one South By Southwest panel, more than 11 million Americans got pets during the pandemic, and with owners taking care of their pets now more than ever, our furry friends are becoming members of the family.
  The panel called it "the humanization of pets." One of the featured speakers was Austin Pets Alive! President and CEO Dr. Ellen Jefferson. Last
  
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• 2021 was the second-deadliest year on Texas roads, TxDOT data shows

  15-03-2022 03:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Last year was the second-deadliest on Texas roads when it comes to the number of traffic fatalities, new data from the Texas Department of Transportation shows.According to TxDOT, "more than 4,480" people were killed in crashes in 2021. That's the second-highest yearly total behind 4,701 deaths in 1981.TxDOT has been tracking traffic fatalities since 1940, but yearly data prior to 2003 was not readily available to KXAN Monday.The total for 2021 is up by 15% over 2020. That'
  
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• History for Longhorns with first men's track and field title

  15-03-2022 03:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For the first time in school history, the Texas men's track and field program won the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championship. The Longhorn women tied their best finish at the NCAA Indoor Championships since 2014, finishing second.With a history of athletics like the one the University of Texas has, it is not always easy to be the first to do something. But Longhorns Track and Field Head Coach Edrick Floréal made it his focus to do just that — be first."Man, I
  
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• 1 taken to the hospital after reportedly falling 30 feet into Lake Austin

  15-03-2022 02:54 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — One person was taken to the hospital after reportedly falling 30 feet into the water on Lake Austin Monday evening.
  Austin-Travis County EMS said it took place near 1420 Palisades Point Lane around 6:49 p.m. The agency said Lake Travis Fire Rescue reached the person, and they were declared a trauma alert.
  The person had to be loaded onto a boat and moved to a dock area, ATCEMS said. STAR Flight then took the patient to the hospital with serious injuries.
  ATCEM
  
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• Storms clear east; gorgeous weather to follow

  15-03-2022 02:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A small but potent storm system is clipping our area this evening with the threat of thunderstorms southeast of Austin. Live weather radarFollowing a few scattered storms tonight east of I-35, cooler, breezy weather dominates the forecast overnight as lower humidity returns to the area behind this storm system. Gorgeous spring weather continues through the coming weekend.In case you missed itAustin-Bergstrom International Airport recorded a record low temperature of 19 degr
  
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• Severe Thunderstorm Watch in eastern counties

  15-03-2022 02:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A small but potent storm system is clipping our area this evening with the threat of severe thunderstorms, mainly north and east of Austin.A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for Williamson, Lee, Fayette and Milam counties through 10 p.m. Live weather radarWhile the risk of severe storms in Austin and the Hill Country is very low, areas north and east of Austin may see an isolated thunderstorm fire this evening with large hail, damaging winds or even an isolated tornad
  
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• DeMarcus Lawrence agrees to new deal, saving Cowboys salary cap

  15-03-2022 01:22 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (KXAN) — Pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence has agreed to a new deal with the Dallas Cowboys, according to multiple reports.Lawrence reportedly agreed to a three-year deal, replacing his current contract and ending any speculation of a departure from Dallas. Cowboys trade Amari Cooper to Browns for draft picksThis new contract adds another year, keeping Lawrence with the Cowboys through the 2024 season. Multiple reports surfaced recently with speculation that the Cowboys may cut Lawrence
  
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• Bastrop Co. deputy recovering from surgery after being shot overnight at a gas station

  15-03-2022 01:01 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Bastrop County Sheriff's Office Deputy Sawyer Wilson is recovering after coming out of surgery Monday afternoon, according to Sheriff Maurice Cook.Wilson was responding to a criminal mischief call in a nearby neighborhood when he noticed a vehicle at a gas station that matched the description of the car that was seen fleeing that disturbance.
  Wilson approached the car, and began questioning the driver, suspect Michael Stark."[Wilson] found out that this perso
  
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• Friday was the second-busiest day ever at Austin's airport

  15-03-2022 00:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Spring break travel fueled the second-busiest day ever at Austin Bergstrom International Airport on Friday, according to new data released by airport officials.A total of 34,487 passengers went through TSA security on March 11. That's about 800 fewer passengers than the all-time record, set on the Monday after F1 weekend in 2021.Meanwhile, Thursday, March 10, clocked in as the fifth-busiest day ever, with more than 31,400 passengers.The numbers only show passengers who pass
  
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• Four of the past five days now feature in top 10 busiest days at Austin airport

  15-03-2022 00:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Spring break travel fueled the second-busiest day ever at Austin Bergstrom International Airport on Friday, according to data released by airport officials.Four of the past five days now feature in the top 10 busiest days on record at the airport.A total of 34,487 passengers went through TSA security on Friday, March 11. That's about 800 fewer passengers than the all-time record, set on the Monday after F1 weekend in 2021.Monday, March 14, was the third-busiest day ever, wi
  
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• U.S. Labor Secretary at SXSW: Broken immigration system hurts workforce

  15-03-2022 00:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — From business-friendly Texas, U.S. Labor Secretary Martin Walsh said the nation's broken immigration system is only further adding to the nation's workforce issues."The lack of action on immigration reform is only hurting, quite honestly, corporate America," Walsh said at a SXSW panel Monday. "We have I think anywhere from 11 to 13 million people in this country that are undocumented, that are working in some shape or form and there should be a pathway for those folks be
  
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• Abbott replaces Texas military leader who has overseen heavily criticized border mission

  15-03-2022 00:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune/Military Times) — This article is co-published and co-reported with Military Times, an independent news organization reporting on issues important to the U.S. military. Sign up for its daily Early Bird Brief newsletter here.Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday he has replaced Maj. Gen. Tracy Norris as leader of the Texas Military Department after&nbs
  
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• Violence erupts in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico after drug cartel leader's arrest

  15-03-2022 00:01 via kxan.com
  
  McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) -- Violence erupted in the Mexican border town of Nuevo Laredo overnight Sunday near the U.S. Consulate's office and forced two international bridges to close, after Mexican army officials arrested a high-ranking drug cartel leader, Border Report has learned.A State Department spokesperson told Border Report Monday afternoon the department "is aware of reports of gunfire and an exploded grenade at the U.S. Consulate in Nuevo Laredo and gunfire in locations througho
  
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