Austin news

• What's behind a bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers' push to stop Melissa Lucio's execution date?

  08-04-2022 23:55 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (Nexstar/AP) — A group of bipartisan Texas lawmakers visited a death row inmate whose execution they are trying to stop amid doubt about whether she fatally beat her 2-year-old daughter.
  State Reps. Jeff Leach and Joe Moody on Wednesday led a group of lawmakers to the Mountain View Unit in Gatesville, Texas, where the state houses women on death row, and visited Melissa Lucio.
  Leach described his visit with Lucio as “very powerful."Lucio was convicted of capital murder for th
  
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• 2 charged in Seguin murder; police still looking for 3rd suspect

  08-04-2022 23:48 via kxan.com
  
  SEGUIN, Texas (KXAN) — Two people were arrested Wednesday evening after an 18-year-old was shot and killed Monday in Seguin. Another teen was also hurt in the shooting.
  Sahra Vega and Christanio Soto, both 21 and from Seguin, face charges related to the murder of Maekalyn Ann Marie Smith, which took place in the 600 block of N. Vaughan Ave., according to the Seguin Police Department. They were both arrested during a traffic stop.Both are charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
  
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• UT Austin professor speaks on decades of researching LGBTQ+ kids

  08-04-2022 23:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Dr. Stephen Russell has spent the past 25 years researching LGBTQ+ youth, a group that has increasingly become the target of political attacks and legislation.He started on this research in the early 2000s with the first studies to use nationwide data on LGBTQ+ children. He is currently a professor at the University of Texas at Austin and the principal investigator of the school's Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Health and Rights Lab."What we understand now ar
  
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• Wind advisory for Sunday before storm chances return

  08-04-2022 23:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Red Flag Warning continues until 8PM as breezy and dry conditions continue to bring high fire danger to all of Central Texas. Updated allergy countsTonight will be mostly clear until early morning when some areas of low cloudiness start to return.We'll have a mix of sun and clouds on Sunday with a warm wind pushing temperatures up near 90 by late afternoon. A Wind Advisory is in effect for a little more than half of the KXAN viewing area with the potential for gusts up to
  
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• Hot, windy weekend ahead of storm chance next week

  08-04-2022 23:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Hot, dry weather persists for your weekend plans as strong southerly winds kick up oak pollen and continue high fire danger. Updated allergy countsFollowing another chilly night Friday night with lows in the 40s, high temperatures spike to the upper 80s to near 90 this weekend. We are expecting dry weather and plenty of reason for sunscreen for outdoor activities, including MotoGP races at Circuit of the Americas. BLOG: Texas at higher hurricane risk this yearStrong winds,
  
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• Weekend weather: very warm days with high fire danger

  08-04-2022 22:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Fire weather concerns continue into the weekend as winds continue to plague Central Texas for the next several days.Today will feature sunny, warm and dry conditions with afternoon highs in the low 80s. Winds will be breezy at times (10-15 MPH) - noticeable but not quite as windy as what we felt yesterday. Updated allergy countsAnother cooler than normal start Saturday, but the good thing about dry air? Although it's easy to cool down, it's also easy to warm up! Afternoon h
  
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• Report: Switching to zero-emission technology could save trillions of dollars

  08-04-2022 21:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A nationwide transition to zero-emission vehicles and electricity could save lives and money over the next 30 years, according to the ‘Zeroing in on Healthy Air’ report.The American Lung Association released the 2022 report and found “staggering results if we made this transition to zero-emission technologies. We could see over a trillion dollars in public health benefits,” said Will Barrett, the ALA’s national senior director for clean air adv
  
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• Vandals shatter windows, damage doors at downtown Austin church

  08-04-2022 21:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Catholic church in downtown Austin was vandalized early Friday morning, and despite damage to 30 windows and the front door, church officials said it's going to stay open.Officials with the Catholic Diocese said it happened at the Cristo Rey Catholic Church, located at the corner of East Second and Robert T Martinez Jr. streets. Church officials said they were notified of the vandalism by Austin police around 2:30 a.m., and they said it looked like the vandals threw rocks
  
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• Man accused of shattering windows, damaging doors at downtown Austin church

  08-04-2022 21:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was arrested after a Catholic church in downtown Austin was vandalized early Friday morning, the Austin Police Department said.
  APD said the suspected vandal is Carlos Ramos, 33. He's being charged with criminal mischief, a felony, and is being held at the Travis County Jail.
  Police said officers responded to Cristo Rey Catholic Church, located at the corner of East Second and Robert T Martinez Jr. streets, around 2:11 a.m. Once on scene, they found a man, later ident
  
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• Barton Creek Greenbelt trail section resurfaced

  08-04-2022 20:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Parks resurfaced part of the city's Barton Creek Greenbelt, covering the rocky trail with a soft mulch. The resurfaced section runs from the Spyglass trailhead and ends before the trail splits off to the climbing wall access."I'm a fan, I always worry about rolling my ankle on the hill when I come in," said Sarah Castro, who frequently walks on the trail with her dog Ozzy "Prince of Darkness" Osborne.Ozzy and other dogs on the trail Friday morning clearly enjoyed the
  
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• This is the fastest-growing neighborhood in Central Texas

  08-04-2022 19:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — The fastest-growing neighborhood in Central Texas is in Williamson County.Santa Rita Ranch, in Liberty Hill between U.S. Highway 183 and State Highway 29, moved up three spots from 2021after an extremely busy year. According to Zonda, a housing market research and analytics firm, Santa Rita Ranch had 687 housing starts and 480 closings in 2021. At 3,700 acres, the neighborhood is one of the largest in the region.The 25-fastest growing neighborhoods in Cen
  
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• Project Connect light rails will likely cost $10.3B, twice as much as planned

  08-04-2022 18:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — New cost estimates for Austin to add two light rails as part of Project Connect are nearly double original numbers, according to CapMetro.
  In a memo Thursday, Project Connect Program Officer David Couch outlined updates to the program. Originally, the two lines and a tunnel were expected to cost $5.8 billion ($2.5 billion for the Orange Line, expected to stretch from north to south Austin;$1.3 billion for the Blue Line, expected to connect downtown to the airport; and $2 bi
  
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• Project Connect light rails will likely cost $10.3B, twice as much as first planned

  08-04-2022 18:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — New cost estimates for Austin to add two light rails as part of Project Connect are nearly double the original numbers, according to CapMetro. The cost estimate now sits at $10.3 billion.In a memo Thursday, Project Connect Program Officer David Couch outlined updates to the program, a transit overhaul designed to improve the city's current mass transit network.From The Drag to Lady Bird Lake, a look at 4 key Project Connect design proposalsOriginally, the two lines and a tu
  
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• Tesla's 'Cyber Rodeo' is over, but hundreds of fans are keeping the party going

  08-04-2022 17:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Tesla cars, fans, and gear have been converging all week in anticipation of Giga Texas' grand opening, but many are also here for Tesla Con.
  The event, which is not part of the Cyber Rodeo event or sponsored by Tesla or affiliates, is being held by the Tesla Owners Club Austin.'Cyber Rodeo' wrap: Elon, his fans, his new global HQ in TexasFriday marks the main event — speakers and exhibitions at The Concourse Project in Austin, a live music venue on Burleson Road.
  Orga
  
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• Q2 Stadium to host Willie Nelson's 4th of July picnic, concert

  08-04-2022 16:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Willie Nelson's Fourth of July picnic is back for 2022 and is headed to Q2 Stadium.Austin FC President Andy Loughnane made the announcement at the home of Austin's Major League Soccer team Friday, and after being virtual in 2021 due to the pandemic, it's appropriate that this year's party a big one."Willie is an iconic local artist and we look forward to celebrating the Fourth of July holiday at Q2 Stadium," Loughnane said.It will be the first-ever concert at the stadium th
  
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• LIVE: Q2 Stadium to host Willie Nelson's 4th of July picnic, concert

  08-04-2022 16:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Willie Nelson's Fourth of July picnic is back for 2022 and is headed to Q2 Stadium.Austin FC President Andy Loughnane made the announcement at the home of Austin's Major League Soccer team Friday, and after being virtual in 2021 due to the pandemic, it's appropriate that this year's party a big one."Willie is an iconic local artist and we look forward to celebrating the Fourth of July holiday at Q2 Stadium," Loughnane said.Willie has held the event yearly since 1972, and th
  
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• Austin FC making 'special announcement' Friday at Q2 Stadium

  08-04-2022 16:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC President Andy Loughnane is making what he calls a "special announcement" Friday at Q2 Stadium.The announcement is scheduled for 9:45 a.m. on the field at the home of Austin FC, located at 10414 McKalla Place. Loughnane is expected to answer questions from the media following the announcement.We will live stream the announcement in this story, on the KXAN News App and the KXAN Facebook page.
  
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• 1 injured in south Austin duplex fire Friday

  08-04-2022 16:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A duplex in south Austin burned early Friday morning and one person suffered minor injuries, the Austin Fire Department said.AFD tweeted a video of the blaze at 12:08 a.m. that showed flames roaring through the roof of the building at 3406 Dolphin Drive. That's just east of Clawson Road and north of Ben White Boulevard. AFD said the fire started in a rear balcony and then spread to the building's attic.Austin-Travis County EMS treated the person with minor injuries at the s
  
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• Big names spotted at 'Cyber Rodeo' at Texas Tesla Gigafactory

  08-04-2022 14:57 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The dust is settling on the Tesla "Cyber Rodeo" party at the new Texas gigafactory.Billionaire and Tesla CEO Elon Musk opened the doors to the new factory in Del Valle Thursday to 15,000 of his closest friends. It was an invite-only event bringing together Tesla fans from all over the world. Here's who we spotted among the crowd.Elon MuskElon Musk gives remarks at Cyber Rodeo - the opening party for Travis County's gigafactory (Viewer Photo)Musk was the man of
  
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• 1st Street Bridge undergoing major revamp this year

  08-04-2022 14:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - The First Street bridge is one of only a few ways to cross from South to North Austin. Later this year, the bridge will see a major revamp. Amanda Dugan spoke with Austin Transportation Department Director Rob Spillar about the changes coming our way. You can watch the interview above or read the transcript below.AMANDA DUGAN, KXAN NEWS: I'm joined by Austin Transportation Director Robert spiller. We're going to be discussing some upcoming projects his team is focusing on Rob, th
  
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• Austin honors woman who led 'swim-ins' in 1960 to desegregate Barton Springs Pool

  08-04-2022 14:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After being told she could not swim in Barton Springs Pool during her Austin High School senior picnic, Joan Means Khabele took matters into her own hands.
  Joan Means Khabele's yearbook portrait was provided to KXAN by the Austin Parks and Recreation Department which received the photo from Khabele before her death.
  She was the first Black person to jump into Barton Springs Pool, according to the city, in an act of protest against the pool's segregation. That action led to
  
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• 'Cyber Rodeo' wrap: Elon, his fans, his new global HQ in Texas

  08-04-2022 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — "We needed a place where we could be really big. And there’s no place like Texas,” Tesla CEO Elon Musk said to a cheering crowd of thousands.
  Musk, dressed in a cowboy hat and sunglasses, thanked Austin and Travis County.
  He said they're still expanding in California, and that Giga Texas is the largest factory in the world by volume.
  Musk also said the company is entering a new phase with its sixth factory and new global headquarters in Travis
  
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• Austin City Council gives greenlight to airport fuel project

  08-04-2022 05:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is busy as can be with a record-breaking 20 million travelers expected this year alone. But to keep up with an increased frequency of flyers, the airport has put plans in place to build a new jet fuel facility.  Austin airport executive director pleaded for more federal staff amid ‘unprecedented growth’On Thursday night, this stirred up quite the controversy at an Austin City Council meeting.
  Council members v
  
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• Weekend weather: warmer temps, high fire danger

  08-04-2022 04:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Fire weather concerns continue into the weekend as winds continue to plague Central Texas for the next several days.Today will feature sunny, warm and dry conditions with afternoon highs in the low 80s. Winds will be breezy at times (10-15 MPH) - noticeable but not quite as windy as what we felt yesterday. Updated allergy countsAnother cooler than normal start Saturday but the good thing about dry air? Although it's easy to cool down, it's also easy to warm up! Afternoon hi
  
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• VIDEO: Inside 'Cyber Rodeo' opening party at Giga Texas

  08-04-2022 03:29 via kxan.com
  
  If you'd like to send us photos or videos from Cyber Rodeo, email us at [email protected] (KXAN) — Thousands of people got a first look at the brand new Tesla gigafactory near Austin Thursday night. The factory opened its doors with enough room for 15,000 people — all for CEO Elon Musk's Cyber Rodeo-themed opening party.Live blog: Here’s what’s happening at the ‘Cyber Rodeo’ in TexasDifferent Tesla models and factory equipment were out in the open for p
  
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• Hays CISD to pay for some teacher certifications

  08-04-2022 03:00 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — As a local school district experiences a population boom, it is scrambling to find ways to fill in the gaps caused by teacher shortages. KXAN has reported on low pay, burnout and retirements as contributing factors to the problem. Hays Consolidated Independent School District said it's working on solutions to help with the shortages — a problem plaguing classrooms around Central Texas.  Data shows surge in Central Texas teacher, school
  
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• Austin ISD to cut 632 positions in effort to give more raises

  08-04-2022 02:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Independent School District is eliminating 632 jobs in an effort to give more pay to teachers and help balance its budget. The district told KXAN 375 of those cuts are at the Central Office in various departments, including administration, operations, communications and academics. Those employees will work through June, according to Austin ISD.  Austin ISD removes sixth grade from two middle schoolsThe district said 257 were at campuses but em
  
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• Will Gov. Abbott's new border security directives impact imported goods?

  08-04-2022 01:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Gov. Greg Abbott's new border security directive to inspect more vehicles will have an impact across the state.Some Texans could feel it soon because of added strain on a supply chain experts said is still recovering from the pandemic.This is a direct response here in Texas, after the Biden administration said it plans on ending Title 42.Inside of Sazón, a Mexican restaurant in Central Texas, some essentials for the business like limes, avocados and tequila come from
  
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• Austin Police searching for man with medical conditions last seen March 30

  08-04-2022 01:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is searching for a man with medical conditions who was last heard from last week.
  Police said Jesse Stripling, 63, was last seen Wednesday, March 30. He has medical conditions that create a concern for his wellbeing.
  APD said he's known to drive a red 2011 Nissan sedan. He's described as a Black man who's around 6'2" and weighs 230 pounds. Stripling has brown eyes, long gray hair and a gray goatee.
  If you see Stripling, APD said to call 911 imme
  
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• School taking action, investigation uncovers new information into Georgetown middle schoolers

  08-04-2022 00:55 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) – A Georgetown middle school said it is "taking appropriate action" Thursday after learning new information about a police investigation into multiple middle school students.Police and school officials tell KXAN they can't disclose the nature of the investigation – citing Texas laws protecting the privacy of minors. But the school has confirmed the incident happened off-campus in late March and involves multiple Benold Middle School students.In a letter to pa
  
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• 2 arrested in Georgetown middle schoolers investigation

  08-04-2022 00:55 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) – One day after a Georgetown middle school said it is "taking appropriate action" Thursday after learning new information about a police investigation into multiple middle school students, the Georgetown Police Department confirmed two juveniles were taken into custody Thursday.Police and school officials tell KXAN they can't disclose the nature of the investigation – citing Texas laws protecting the privacy of minors. But the school has confirmed the inciden
  
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• Texas teacher joins national banned books discussion

  08-04-2022 00:19 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — Deanna Perkins has worked as an elementary school teacher in Leander ISD for 17 years. During her career, she said she's always been an advocate for free speech and access to a wide variety of books for all her students.In March 2021, she advocated in support of two books being challenged within the district: Nikki Grimes' "Ordinary Hazards: A Memoir" and "None of the Above" by I.W. Gregorio. As of December, Gregorio's book had been removed from classroom libraries
  
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• Colder mornings Friday and Saturday as dry, breezy weather continues

  08-04-2022 00:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A stretch of very pleasant springtime weather continues as we head into the weekend, although dry, breezy conditions are leading to high fire danger and serious oak allergy problems.Oak pollen has risen to even higher levels than yesterday, when the highest oak levels in several years were observed. Winds will be breezy again on Friday and quite windy over the weekend. This means allergy sufferers should keep medicine at the ready. Updated allergy countsClear, sunny skies a
  
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