Austin news

• Austin health leader keeping an eye on increasing overdoses involving animal tranquilizer

  18-03-2022 23:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin's chief medical officer has a new concern about what could be in local street drugs: an animal tranquilizer called xylazine. Xylazine is FDA-approved as a veterinary medicine."When it transitions into human beings, there's a profound effect. There's coma, there's a low heart rate that affects primarily also the respiratory effort, which is ultimately what leads to death," said Dr. Mark Escott, Austin's chief medical officer.
  A new study found xylazine is also linked
  
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• Inmate sexually assaulted at Del Valle halfway house less than 24 hours after arriving, police say

  18-03-2022 23:34 via kxan.com
  
  DEL VALLE, Texas (KXAN) — A 42-year-old man who was on parole and assigned to the Austin Transitional Center in Del Valle was arrested Thursday after police say he sexually assaulted a female inmate at the center.
  According to the arrest affidavit, the female inmate was in the women's bathroom taking a shower when she noticed someone in the distance watching her.
  She told police she was initially unable to see who was there, so she asked if they were a guy or a girl, which is when the pers
  
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• Inmate sexually assaulted at Del Valle halfway house less than 24 hours after arriving

  18-03-2022 23:34 via kxan.com
  
  DEL VALLE, Texas (KXAN) — A 42-year-old man who was on parole and assigned to the Austin Transitional Center (ATC) in Del Valle was arrested Thursday for sexually assaulting a female inmate at the center.
  According to the arrest affidavit, the female inmate was in the women's bathroom taking a shower when she noticed someone in the distance watching her.
  She told police she was initially unable to see who was there, so she asked if they were a guy or a girl, which is when the person respon
  
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• 'Safe within our spaces': Austin Public Health voices support for transgender, non-binary youth

  18-03-2022 23:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Public Health voiced support for transgender and non-binary youth in the area in a letter Friday.
  "Austin Public Health stands against the stigma and discrimination towards the LGBTQIA+ community and the harm to their quality of life, health, and well-being," APH Director Adrienne Sturrup wrote in the letter. "There continues to be a rapid spread of misinformation, and the topic of gender-affirming or patient-centered care for trans youth is no exception."READ: APH's
  
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• Reports: Deshaun Watson headed to Cleveland Browns in possible trade with Houston Texans

  18-03-2022 21:40 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KIAH) — The Deshaun Watson sweepstakes is over, and it looks like the Cleveland Browns have came back and won the right to acquire the Houston Texans quarterback.According to multiple reports, Watson has decided to waive his no-trade clause to be traded to Cleveland, days after reports had the Browns out of the running for the embattled quarterback.Reports say that Cleveland will offer Watson a new five-year, $230 million deal.Another report says the Texans will receive three firs
  
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• City parks department issues burning restrictions due to 'dangerous fire conditions'

  18-03-2022 21:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you're thinking about hosting a bonfire or grilling in one of Austin's parks — don't. The city's Parks and Recreation Department is cautioning against any type of burning due to dangerous fire conditions occurring in Texas right now.
  KXAN's First Warning Weather Team said elevated fire danger continues into the weekend for most of the Hill Country and Austin metro counties in our area. Out in Eastland, Texas, which is west of Fort Worth, multiple wildfires broke ou
  
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• LIVE: Eastland County deputy killed while 'trying to save people from the horrible fires'

  18-03-2022 21:08 via kxan.com
  
  EASTLAND COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) — An Eastland County deputy was tragically killed while trying to save citizens from devastating fires overnight.
  The Cisco Police Department confirmed Deputy Barbara Fenley, 51, died during the fires. They said, "she was a special servant and an attribute to our profession. We will kneel in prayer for her family, friends and colleagues as they mourn." MORE: Eastland Complex fire in West Texas has burned nearly 40K acres, homes destroyed
  Eastland County S
  
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• Eastland County Deputy killed while 'trying to save people from the horrible fires'

  18-03-2022 21:08 via kxan.com
  
  EASTLAND COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) - An Eastland County Deputy was tragically killed while trying to save citizens from devastating fires overnight.
  The Cisco Police Department confirms Deputy Barbara Fenley died during the fires. They say, "she was a special servant and an attribute to our profession. We will kneel in prayer for her family, friends and colleagues as they mourn." Eastland Complex fire in West Texas has burned nearly 40K acres, homes destroyed
  Deputy Fenley's friends and family r
  
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• Twitter flags Paxton tweet misgendering HHS official as 'hateful content'

  18-03-2022 20:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Twitter hid a post Thursday from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton behind a notice that labeled it as "hateful content" after he misgendered a federal health official, which prompted him to threaten the social media platform with a lawsuit.The tweet in question included a screenshot of a USA Today article naming Adm. Rachel Levine, the secretary of health at U.S. Health and Human Services and the first openly transgender official appointed by the Senate, as one of the "exce
  
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• Road trip? All-electric van inspired by classic VW Bus on display at SXSW

  18-03-2022 19:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Soon, one of the world's most iconic and recognizable vehicles will get a reprise in the U.S.On Trinity Street in downtown Austin for SXSW, the Volkswagen I.D. Buzz is on display, showing off an updated sleek design and complete interior makeover to the classic VW Type 2, better known in the U.S. at the VW Bus.Here’s what we know about Tesla’s planned massive Giga partyIt moves the German automaker further into the electric vehicle space after the ID.4 crossover
  
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• Downtown Austin employees chase, tackle man who smashed door with pipe

  18-03-2022 19:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Employees at a business situated in the thick of South by Southwest say they chased down a man who smashed their glass door with a long pole or pipe and held him until police arrived Wednesday. Much of it was caught on a security camera and by employees with their phones.
  Employees at theCHIVE, a media company based in Austin, say around 12:45 p.m. Wednesday a man walked past its building at 98 San Jacinto Boulevard and used a roughly four-foot pipe to break the glass door.
  In t
  
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• How electric buses could not only help the grid but our students too

  18-03-2022 18:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As early as next month, billions of new federal dollars will start to become available for school districts across the country to transition to clean, electric school buses. The Environmental Protection Agency's Clean School Bus Program will provide $5 billion over five years to replace existing school buses with clean and zero-emission models.Currently, fewer than 1% of the nation’s school buses are powered by electricity, but with advances in electric bus technology
  
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• How to talk to your kids about severe weather

  18-03-2022 18:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Stormy weather can be scary for both kids and "grown ups" alike... but the key to preparation is having the conversation before the storm strikes. Below are a few ideas, tips and suggestions on what to discuss with your family ahead of hazardous weather.AUTHOR'S NOTE: You know your child better than anyone else. The discussion below is meant to act as a guide and not a "set of rules." Feel free to modify these suggestions to your child's needs, family situation, etc.THE BAS
  
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• 28 homeless people moved from south Austin to shelter as part of HEAL initiative

  18-03-2022 17:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin and local partners moved 28 people experiencing homelessness from the West Bouldin Creek area to a temporary shelter as a part of the city's effort to close homeless encampments and relocate those who live there.The city said it moved those 28 individuals into a temporary bridge shelter, as a part of the second phase of its Housing-Focused Encampment Assistance Link (HEAL) initiative. The initiative, which was approved by Austin City Council in 2021, clos
  
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• California beverage company moving to Kyle, Gov. Abbott says

  18-03-2022 16:59 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE (KXAN) — A California beverage company is the latest business that will soon call Central Texas home, Gov. Greg Abbot announced Friday.
  Sovereign Flavors is a beverage development and flavoring company from Santa Ana, California, but announced it was planning to relocate its headquarters to Kyle, Texas.
  "Sovereign Flavors’ relocation to the Lone Star State is great news for the people of Central Texas, and I look forward to collaborating with the company to keep Texas the best p
  
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• Texas Rep. Chip Roy 1 of 8 House members to vote against Russia-Belarus trade sanctions

  18-03-2022 16:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Rep. Chip Roy was one of eight House Republicans to vote against a bill that paused normal trade activity with Russia and Belarus in response to the war in Ukraine on Thursday.The bill passed the House in overwhelming fashion 424-8 and now moves to the Senate before President Biden can sign it into law. The bill allows Biden to increase tariffs on goods coming into the United States from those countries and tells the US representative to the World Trade Organization t
  
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• TikTok star and UT students work together to save Austin's bees

  18-03-2022 14:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On March 4, Austin City Council was a buzz. Bee experts from across Central Texas swarmed city hall, urging the council to designate Austin an affiliate of Bee City USA."One-third of the world's food production depends on bees," one expert said. While another warned, "we have bees that are in serious trouble."TikTok star Erika Thompson relocates bees on her account Texas Bee Works (Courtesy: KXAN/Julie Karam)"I believe that designating Austin as a Bee City is one of the mos
  
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• Tik Tok star and UT students' work together to save Austin's bees

  18-03-2022 14:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - On March 4th, Austin City Council was a buzz. Bee experts from across Central Texas swarmed city hall, urging City Council to designate Austin an affiliate of Bee City USA."1/3 of the world's food production depends on bees," one expert said. While another warned "we have bees that are in serious trouble."Tik Tok star Erika Thompson relocates bees on her account Texas Bee Works (Courtesy: KXAN/Julie Karam)"I believe that designating Austin as a Bee City is one of the most impactf
  
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• Llano County librarian loses job after not removing books

  18-03-2022 13:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On March 9, Suzette Baker was fired as head librarian at the Kingsland Branch Library in Llano County."This is the final warning and termination," Baker said, as she pointed out why she was removed from her position. "For creating a disturbance, insubordination, violation of policies and failure to follow instructions." Gov. Greg Abbott tells state agencies to develop standards to block books with ‘overtly sexual’ content in schoolsBaker said she was given the w
  
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• Eastland Complex fire in West Texas has burned nearly 40K acres, homes destroyed

  18-03-2022 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  EASTLAND, Texas (AP) — Low humidity and gusty winds fueled multiple wildfires Friday in West Texas, burning homes and other structures and prompting evacuations of small communities.Several wildfires merged to form what fire officials call a “complex” that was burning near Eastland, about 120 miles (195 kilometers) west of Dallas. Check your home’s risk of wildfire on this mapAs of Friday morning, the fires had burned about 40,000 acres (62.5 square miles), according to T
  
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• Eastland Complex fire in West Texas has burned 45K acres, homes destroyed

  18-03-2022 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  EASTLAND, Texas (AP/KXAN) — An Eastland County deputy was killed while trying to save citizens from devastating fires overnight, Nexstar's KTAB reported Friday.
  Low humidity and gusty winds fueled multiple wildfires in West Texas, burning homes and other structures and prompting evacuations of small communities.Eastland County Deputy Barbara Fenley (Nexstar Photo)The Cisco Police Department confirmed Deputy Barbara Fenley died during the fires, saying she was "a special servant and an attr
  
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• Eastland Complex fire in West Texas burns 45K acres, homes destroyed

  18-03-2022 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  EASTLAND, Texas (AP/KXAN) — An Eastland County deputy was killed while trying to save citizens from devastating fires overnight, Nexstar's KTAB reported Friday.
  Low humidity and gusty winds fueled multiple wildfires in West Texas, burning homes and other structures and prompting evacuations of small communities.Eastland County Deputy Barbara Fenley (Nexstar Photo)The Cisco Police Department confirmed Deputy Barbara Fenley died during the fires, saying she was "a special servant and an attr
  
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• SXSW: Company using AR to help people with visual impairments

  18-03-2022 13:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A group of innovators hope to give people who are blind or visually impaired more freedom when exploring the world around them.
  illumie is a project out of Europe and ran through Sopra Steria, a software developer. It was part of the House of Creative Denmark at South By Southwest in Austin this week. The event focused on Danish creators in film, technology and other platforms.The creators behind illumie say they hope to bridge the gap between using a mobility aid and under
  
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• Banksy, Dolly and NFTs: SXSW top free, badge events to visit Friday

  18-03-2022 12:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Friday's South by Southwest Conference & Festivals lineup includes conversations on the American opioid crisis, the future of food in the United States, the influence of NFTs on world currency and a look at gender disparities in the music industry.Here's a look at some of the top badge and free events to check out on Friday.Badge EventsThe Future of FoodTime: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.Location: SXSW CenterDescription: The Future of Food includes interactive panels, round-table discu
  
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• Weekend fire danger ahead of severe risk

  18-03-2022 11:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Elevated to critical fire danger will be the focus over the weekend before our attention shifts to a major storm early next week, likely to bring a threat of severe weather to our area.Today will feature plenty of sunshine, dry skies and mild temps in the mid-70s. Winds will once again be an issue as sustained speeds reach 15-25 MPH and gusts exceed 30-35 MPH. Very high fire danger stretches across most of our Hill Country and Austin-metro counties -- please continue to avo
  
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• Pleasant weekend weather turns stormy by Monday

  18-03-2022 11:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Elevated fire danger will be the focus into the weekend before our attention shifts to a major storm early next week, likely to bring a threat of severe weather to our area.Today will feature plenty of sunshine, dry skies and mild temps in the mid-70s. Winds will once again be an issue as sustained speeds reach 15-25 MPH and gusts exceed 30-35 MPH. Very high fire danger stretches across most of our Hill Country and Austin-metro counties -- please continue to avoid all burni
  
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• Ozone action day Saturday ahead of severe risk Monday

  18-03-2022 11:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The wind continues to settle down as we head into the evening. High clouds may briefly drift through our sky, but in general it will be a clear and chilly night. While low temperatures should drop into the 40s in Austin, there could be some 30s outside of the city to start your Saturday morning.The weekend weather looks beautiful with sunshine and warm temperatures. Thankfully the wind stays light on Saturday to lower the fire danger, but the lighter winds will mean high oz
  
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• DPS investigating deadly wreck on rural road among Central Texas' deadliest

  18-03-2022 08:17 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Department of Public Safety is investigating after at least one person died in a crash on a highway near Cedar Creek Thursday night.
  DPS says the crash happened on FM 812 and Creekwood Trail just after 10:30 p.m.It did not say how many died or how many vehicles were involved. The roadway was reopened by early Friday morning.
  DPS will have more details Friday morning.
  A 2021 KXAN investigation found FM 812 has the fifth most fatalities in 2021 among all roads i
  
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• Austin Lyft driver says he's being penalized for complying with company policy

  18-03-2022 04:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With thousands in downtown Austin celebrating South by Southwest and St. Patrick's Day, rideshare drivers told us they're seeing an even bigger surge in demand.
  At nearly every corner on South Congress on Thursday, you could see someone masking up to get in their rideshare."You have to wear a mask inside the Lyft, and I'm totally fine with that," said Shaan Bose, who is visiting Austin. Why Austinites may see higher prices and longer wait times for ridesharingBecause of the
  
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• Westlake High School graduate and Penn swimmer Thomas becomes first transgender woman to win NCAAs

  18-03-2022 03:17 via kxan.com
  
  ATLANTA (AP) — Lia Thomas took control in the final 100 yards of the 500-yard freestyle to make history Thursday as the first transgender woman to win an NCAA swimming championship.Thomas, the University of Pennsylvania senior who entered the NCAA women’s swimming and diving championships as the top seed, had a season-best time of 4 minutes, 33.24 seconds.“I didn’t have a whole lot of expectation for this meet,” said Thomas, a former male swimmer for Penn State. &ld
  
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• Severe storm risk Monday-Tuesday at 30% for Central Texas — what does that mean?

  18-03-2022 02:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For the last few days we've been talking about the increasing severe weather threat for early next week.Our assessment of the danger is backed up by the Storm Prediction Center highlighting parts of Central Texas in both 15% and 30% severe weather risk categories for Monday into early Tuesday.Monday-early Tuesday severe weather threatThis may be the first time the Storm Prediction Center has issued a 30% severe weather outlook a full five days ahead of a potential impact.
  W
  
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• Severe risk Monday-Tuesday at 30% — what does that mean?

  18-03-2022 02:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For the last few days we've been talking about the increasing severe weather threat for early next week.Our assessment of the danger is backed up by the Storm Prediction Center highlighting parts of Central Texas in both 15% and 30% severe weather risk categories for Monday into early Tuesday.Monday-early Tuesday severe weather threatThis may be the first time the Storm Prediction Center has issued a 30% severe weather outlook a full five days ahead of a potential impact.
  W
  
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• How will Texas address mail-in voting issues?

  18-03-2022 01:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — We've been digging deeper into why 13% of mail-in ballots were rejected in the March Texas primary.The Texas Secretary of State's Office told us most happened because voters didn't provide any identification on their carrier envelopes. Thirteen percent statewide amounts to more than 23,000 votes that were never counted.For perspective: in a smaller, more conservative county, Potter, home to Amarillo, more than 16% — roughly one out of every six voters — had t
  
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• Man dead after shooting in southeast Austin

  18-03-2022 00:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Police is investigating a homicide in southeast Austin Thursday evening where one man died.
  According to police, the shooting took place in the 6500 block of Porter Street. That's off Montopolis Drive. Officers got the call about the shooting at 5:25 p.m.A man with a gunshot wound was found next to a motorcycle, police said. He was pronounced dead at 5:52 p.m.Police said they had a possible suspect detained at the moment.MAP: Where have Austin’s homicides occur
  
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• Severe fire danger: Statewide resources deployed to Hill Country

  18-03-2022 00:19 via kxan.com
  
  BURNET COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Fire danger continues in the Texas Hill Country and in areas like Mason County, where the weather is dramatically different from Travis County.
  Very low humidity levels and high winds have caused many counties in the Texas Hill Country to issue burn ban notices.
  In Marble Falls, several agencies coming from as far as Texarkana are posted up and ready to go in case a wildland fire were to break.Check your home’s risk of wildfire on this map"We prepare for
  
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