Austin news

• Help track down red truck stolen from person with disability in south Austin

  29-03-2022 23:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is asking for the public's help in tracking down a pickup truck that was stolen from someone with a disability.
  Police said the 2018 red F-150 was stolen early Monday around 3 a.m. from the 9000 block of Texas Sun Drive. That's in a neighborhood off West Slaughter Lane in south Austin.Man arrested after firing rifle at Burnet County deputies SaturdayAPD said the truck has a handicap crane lift installed in its bed and driver-door accessibility e
  
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• Report: University of Texas at Austin ranks high on national list of top graduate school programs

  29-03-2022 23:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The University of Texas at Austin ranks as having one of the country's "best graduate schools," according to a U.S. News & World report.
  The report ranks 55 of the university's graduate programs and specialties among the top 10 in the nation, with UT Austin being one of only four public universities with so many specialties ranked so highly.
  The university has five specialty programs ranked number one, the report said.
  “With strength in so many disciplines, UT Aus
  
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• Rain, storms possible overnight

  29-03-2022 23:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Our next threat of severe storms moves through Central Texas overnight, but will be much less significant than last Monday's tornado outbreak which produced six tornadoes locally and 31 tornadoes across Texas -- the state's fourth-biggest one-day tornado outbreak in recorded history. INTERACTIVE: What county in Texas has recorded the most tornadoes?The storm system coming overnight will bring a marginal to slight risk of severe storms locally that may produce large hail and
  
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• Crews respond to vehicle fire in east Austin

  29-03-2022 23:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Fire is on the scene of a vehicle fire on Ed Bluestein Boulevard in east Austin Tuesday.
  Austin Fire said crews were extinguishing a fire in the 800 block of Ed Bluestein Boulevard in the southbound lanes.
  Avoid the area if possible or expect delays.
  This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
  
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• Man arrested after firing rifle at Burnet County deputies Saturday

  29-03-2022 22:59 via kxan.com
  
  BURNET COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A man with active warrants was arrested Saturday night after firing a rifle when deputies gave him commands. Deputies shot back during the incident.
  The Burnet County Sheriff's Office said James Vance, 39, of Burnet County, was arrested on three outstanding warrants for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for past incidents. Warrants for aggravated assault on a public servant are also being sought.
  On Saturday around 6:30 p.m., BCSO deputies responded to t
  
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• When and where are tornadoes most common in Texas?

  29-03-2022 22:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Lone Star State is no stranger to tornadoes. March 2022's outbreak is a good reminder of that.More than 9,500 tornadoes were reported in Texas between 1950 and 2021, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). KXAN dug through the data to find out when and where tornadoes are most common in Texas.NOAA data shows 9,535 tornadoes were reported statewide between Jan. 1, 1950 and Dec. 31, 2021.The NOAA data splits tornadoes into multip
  
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• Some Texas schools may be eligible for funding adjustments

  29-03-2022 22:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Some Texas school districts that took a hit to attendance rates this school year because of COVID-19 may be eligible for funding adjustments.
  Gov. Greg Abbott's Office announced Tuesday some districts "may be eligible for an adjustment in operational minutes requirements for certain attendance reporting periods during the 2021-2022 academic school year," with those periods being the first four of the school year.
  The office reiterated funding will be made available to
  
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• TIMELINE: When to expect overnight storms in Central Texas

  29-03-2022 21:55 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) — Another spring storm system impacts Texas overnight into early Wednesday morning, bringing welcome rain to some areas and severe thunderstorms to others.While parts of Central Texas are included in the NOAA Storm Prediction Center's severe thunderstorm outlook overnight, the risk of damaging storms is much lower than we faced last week during the March 21 tornado outbreak.NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe storm outlook overnightNot only are severe thunderstorms less likely tonig
  
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• How to watch, listen to Texas Longhorns vs. Texas A&M Aggies baseball game Tuesday

  29-03-2022 21:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two bitter rivals will meet in front of a sold-out crowd Tuesday in Austin.The No. 8 Texas Longhorns baseball team hosts Texas A&M at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at UFCU Disch-Falk Field and is trying to snap a three-game regular season losing streak to the Aggies. The game has been sold out since the beginning of the season, and the Disch should have an electric atmosphere. Texas-Oklahoma moving baseball series to Globe Life FieldJustin Eckhardt (1-0, 2.63 ERA) is expected to st
  
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• Burn ban put in place in Bastrop County as high fire danger expected Tuesday

  29-03-2022 21:00 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Bastrop County Judge Paul Pape signed an emergency order prohibiting outdoor burning in unincorporated parts of the county Tuesday.Check out the Texas burn bans mapCentral Texas will see high fire danger ingredients before storms roll into the area overnight. Bastrop County is in a wind advisory until the early morning hours of Wednesday.
  Under the burn ban, which will be in effect starting at 2 p.m. Tuesday, someone who disregards the ban could be fined up to $50
  
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• Austin Water releases final report on reasons behind boil notice

  29-03-2022 20:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Water released its final report on what exactly caused the boil water notice Feb. 5-8 in Austin, and it "substantiates" the utility's initial report.Director Greg Meszaros wrote a 35-page memo to the Austin City Council detailing the errors the three employees on duty made and how that led to the city's third water boil notice in the past four years. Austin Water: Employee error led to boil water noticeMeszaros, who resigned from the job on Feb. 11, is technically st
  
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• Fire reported on south Austin apartment building roof

  29-03-2022 19:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Firefighters worked to put out a fire reported Tuesday afternoon on an apartment building's roof in south Austin.
  The Austin Fire Department posted on Twitter that the fire happened at the Violet Apartments at 409 E. William Cannon Drive, located east of S. Congress Ave. Firefighters said the fire did not hurt anyone there. FORECAST: High fire danger followed by overnight stormsAFD reported on Twitter that Austin Energy crews went to the apartment to "de-energize live wires
  
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• Austin airport issues 2nd low fuel alert this year on Monday as air travel soars

  29-03-2022 19:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Monday, the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport issued its second fuel shortage alert this year due to heightened travel volumes — both of which occurred this month, linked to the 2022 South by Southwest Conference & Festivals and this past weekend's NASCAR and PGA tour events.
  As part of the fuel alert, airlines were asked to fly into AUS with more fuel than typical, in an effort to make sure flights had enough for takeoff. The fuel issue alert followed a m
  
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• Texas is at a high risk of a Southern Plains Wildfire Outbreak this week

  29-03-2022 19:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Texas A&M Forest Service tells KXAN that parts of the state are at high risk for a Southern Plains Wildfire Outbreak this week.
  A Southern Plains Wildfire Outbreak is a natural phenomenon that occurs primarily between February and April, said Walter Flocke with the Texas A&M Forest Service. He said the outbreak is caused by strong winds, low humidity and high temperatures.The National Weather Service said that a wildfire outbreak is highly likely today, due to high winds
  
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• Flamingo spotted in Texas again escaped Kansas zoo in 2005

  29-03-2022 18:51 via kxan.com
  
  WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — One of two flamingos that escaped from a Kansas zoo during a storm 17 years ago has been spotted on the coast of Texas, wildlife officials said.
  The Coastal Fisheries division of Texas Parks and Wildlife confirmed Tuesday to The Associated Press that the African flamingo — known as No. 492 because of the number on its leg band — was captured on video shot March 10 by an environmental activist near Port Lavaca, Texas, at Rhodes Point in Cox Bay. Officials we
  
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• More than 1K Austin Energy customers without power

  29-03-2022 18:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Energy says approximately 1,734 customers are without power near S. MoPac Expressway and W. Slaughter Lane.
  According to Austin Energy, a crew is working to locate and repair the problem.
  The estimated restoration time is 12:10 p.m.High fire danger followed by overnight stormsThe H-E-B at Slaughter and Escarpment is also included in the outage. KXAN has reached out to Austin Energy and H-E-B for comment.
  While the cause of the outage isn't immediately known, the Aust
  
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• Remarkable Woman Mickie Powers helps humans and animals down on their luck

  29-03-2022 18:26 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) — With a name like Mickie Powers, you’d think she’s a superhero. You’re right —but she's not the kind of superhero who lives in the imagination, movies or books. She's the kind of superhero who lives in Austin with a very real power of changing lives."I
  
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• Roughly 100 COVID-19 cases linked to SXSW

  29-03-2022 18:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Of the more than 100,000 people who were in and out of the 2022 South by Southwest Conference & Festivals, roughly 100 COVID-19 cases have been traced to the event, according to Dr. Desmar Walkes, the Austin-Travis County health authority.
  Walkes said those numbers showed "mitigation efforts were successful." BA.2, an omicron subvariant, is gaining ground in TexasWalkes also presented data from food establishments and bars in the Austin area which showed a spike in case
  
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• Looking for an Airbnb with a pool? Try Austin

  29-03-2022 18:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Airbnb users heading to Austin really want access to a pool, according to the latest data from the home rental company.As summer approaches and temperatures climb, tourism also picks up around town and people are looking for places to stay. Data shows that 56% of all Austin listings on Airbnb have a pool, and while people were planning their trip here, searches for listings with pools increased by more than 80% during the fourth quarter of 2021. Why Airbnb denied 3K Austin
  
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• Green Day, Ed Sheeran to perform during F1 US Grand Prix weekend at COTA

  29-03-2022 17:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Circuit of The Americas announced concert headliners for the Formula 1 Aramco United States Grand Prix.Race weekend is scheduled for Oct. 21-23. Green Day and Ed Sheeran will take the Germania Insurance Super Stage to kick off the festival's 20-plus band lineup.
  “These superstar performers are for the fans, as the tickets are already almost sold out. We want the United States Grand Prix to be the greatest sports and entertainment event, along with the best ticket
  
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• BA.2, an omicron subvariant, is gaining ground in Texas

  29-03-2022 17:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The same day Austin-Travis County's health authority announced the local COVID-19 risk-based stage system was going to dissolve, and that Austin Public Health would adopt the CDC's model, the health authority also noted Texas is seeing an uptick in the number of BA.2 subvariant cases being reported in Texas.According to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) variant dashboard, roughly 30% of the reported COVID-19 cases in the state are the BA.2 subvariant. The over
  
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• AFD: Part of burned central Austin bakery collapses on construction worker

  29-03-2022 17:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Part of a building collapsed on a construction worker Tuesday morning in central Austin, according to the Austin Fire Department.AFD tweeted at 9:42 a.m. that the worker was in the 2900 block of Rio Grande at the Texas French Bread Bakery, which was destroyed by a fire in January.AFD said workers were able to get the person out from underneath the rubble before first responders arrived at the scene. AFD treated the person until Austin-Travis County EMS arrived to take the p
  
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• Austin-Travis County ditches stages, adopts CDC's COVID-19 risk guidelines

  29-03-2022 16:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The local health authority announced Tuesday morning that Austin Public Health is ditching its current COVID-19 risk-based guidelines system and aligning itself with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) model instead.
  It will now follow the CDC's low, medium and high risk-based model which only recommends masking for people who are up-to-date on vaccines in the high-risk stage.
  Travis County is currently in the low-risk category, under that new model, which does
  
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• El Niño climate patterns are becoming more frequent; are we to blame?

  29-03-2022 14:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - La Niña has been getting a lot of attention the last couple of years. A wily climate pattern that occurs when water in the Pacific Ocean becomes unusually cold near the equator, it can cause Texas winters to become warmer and drier. La Niña also heightens fears of a dangerous drought.La Nina causes Texas winters to be warmer and drier. (Courtesy: KXAN)La Niña has a sibling. A naughty, sticky little brother who has been in time out, El Niño. Recent rese
  
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• City works to clean out north Austin homeless camp Tuesday

  29-03-2022 14:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin wants to get people off the streets and into housing. At present, they're working to house those who are camped at St. John Neighborhood Park in north Austin. Tuesday, city leaders hope to clean out the camp and have everyone moved, but Austin City Councilmember Chito Vela said it could take an extra day or two to wrap up. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: How do you ‘HEAL’ homelessness in Austin? This new city effort hopes to do itThe city reports
  
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• Weeks before opening, Moody Center partners with Indeed to fill 600+ jobs

  29-03-2022 14:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Once it opens its doors in April, the Moody Center will be the newest venue for entertainment and sports in Austin."We are really excited to be able to bring this new venue to Austin," said Stormie Wilfong, senior manager of people and culture with the arena. It will host large entertainment acts and both Texas Longhorns men's and women's basketball programs. Highly-anticipated Moody Center racks up $15M in ticket sales before openingBefore it opens, however, there's some h
  
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• High fire danger followed by overnight storms

  29-03-2022 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A busy 24 hours of weather for Central Texas as concerns of critical fire danger turn to a risk of strong to severe storms overnight. Let's talk...Counties under outdoor burn bansA cloudy, warm and windy day on tap today with afternoon highs in the low 80s paired with strong south winds gusting to 40MPH. A WIND ADVISORY is in effect 1PM today through 4AM tomorrow due to these strong winds... and on top of that, a RED FLAG WARNING runs 10AM to 8PM today due to critical fire
  
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• 'Significant evidence' of child safety risks at The Refuge, court monitors say

  29-03-2022 05:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Rangers' findings that there was "no evidence" girls at The Refuge Ranch were sexually abused or trafficked "was, at best, premature," according to a 28-page update filed by court monitors Monday in U.S. District Court.
  Monitors said after reviewing thousands of documents, they found "significant evidence of serious risks to child safety at The Refuge."
  The Refuge in Bastrop County is a facility that serves and houses foster girls ages 11‐17 who've been victims
  
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• Round Rock tornado causes estimated $32 million in damages to homes

  29-03-2022 05:32 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — A week after a tornado ripped through Round Rock, city leaders on Monday released their official estimates on the damage left behind.
  According to preliminary assessments, more than 680 residential structures were damaged at an estimated cost of $32 million.The numbers came from both city officials and members of the Building Officials Association of Texas which deployed trained and certified personnel to the impacted neighborhoods.
  Every structure assessed recei
  
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• More community input sought for I-35 "Cap and Stitch" project

  29-03-2022 04:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- According to a City of Austin Memo released Monday, city leaders are beginning Phase II of the I-35 cap and stitch proposal.Caps are deck plazas that would run north to south on top of lowered portions of the freeway. Stitches are widened bridges that stretch east to west over lowered portions of the highway.What’s a ‘cap and stitch’ and why do Austin leaders say it’ll revamp I-35?"Really for downtown, would be great to be able to bridge together the east
  
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• Texas Longhorns golfers go to Augusta, LPGA major championship

  29-03-2022 02:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Longhorns golfers Bohyun Park and Sara Kouskova are playing on the big stage this weekend.Kouskova is heading to Augusta, Georgia to compete in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. The Longhorns senior is one of 72 amateurs invited to Augusta. Longhorns coaching staff takes issue with Stanford coach’s ‘rugby’ comment“It's incredible, it has been my dream to compete there from the time they announced the tournament’s creation,&rdquo
  
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• Austin first responders may be allowed to use medical marijuana

  29-03-2022 01:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On the job, first responders have a front row seat to traumatic situations."On almost every single call, that call is for somebody who is having the worst day of their life,” Austin EMS Association president Selena Xie said.For some, these daily duties can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder."Most people in public safety do have PTSD undiagnosed or diagnosed,” Xie said.To combat these consequences, a long-standing, zero-tolerance policy for drug use on the jo
  
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• Here are the new, expanded hours for Austin Public Library locations

  29-03-2022 01:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Hours at all Austin Public Library locations have expanded, starting March 28.
  The changes come after all locations reduced hours and capacities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.New Zilker Eagle train undergoing safety tests; opening date coming soon“We know that the community has missed being able to more easily visit their neighborhood libraries over the past two years,” stated Austin Public Library director Roosevelt Weeks, in a press release.
  
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• 'Biggest fraud in a generation': The looting of the Covid relief plan known as PPP

  29-03-2022 00:41 via kxan.com
  
  (NBC News) — They bought Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and Bentleys.And Teslas, of course. Lots of Teslas.Many who participated in what prosecutors are calling the largest fraud in American history—the theft of hundreds of billions of dollars in taxpayer money intended to help those harmed by the pandemic — couldn’t resist purchasing luxury automobiles. Also mansions, private jet flights and swanky vacations.Read the full story on NBC News.
  
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• Austin's NASCAR winner is a Florida watermelon farmer

  29-03-2022 00:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — When Ross Chastain beat the field to the finish line for his first NASCAR Cup win Sunday, he celebrated by smashing a watermelon in victory lane at Austin's Circuit of the Americas.
  It wasn't just a random celebration for a first-time winner. First-timer Ross Chastain wins NASCAR race at Circuit of the AmericasChastain is an eighth-generation farmer. His family has "cultivated melons for decades," according to his website.In a video on the site, Chastain, nicknamed "Melon M
  
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• Man pleads guilty to January 2020 east Austin murder

  29-03-2022 00:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man pled guilty earlier this month to stabbing and killing a 26 year old in east Austin in January 2020.
  Demond Campbell pled guilty to murder on March 17 in district court, but he was also convicted of a lesser charge: aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury.
  He was sentenced to two years in prison. He also has to pay $400 in fines.
  KXAN reached out to Campbell's attorney for comment. We will update this story when we hear back.
  The deadly stabbing took place in
  
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• Cloudy, windy Tuesday as fire danger continues

  29-03-2022 00:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Monday was Austin's fourth-consecutive warmer than normal day by late March standards with high temperatures in the upper 80s.
  Despite the increase in humidity today, gusty winds will continue to keep our wildfire danger elevated through the evening. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Monday for most of Central Texas from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.Red Flag Warning MondayCounties under outdoor burn bansTuesday should be a cloudier and more humid day, which
  
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