Austin news

• 'COVID finally got me': Austin City Council Member Chito Vela shares positive diagnosis

  27-04-2022 23:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin's newest city council member announced Wednesday that he's experiencing only mild symptoms after a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.
  Chito Vela, who represents District Four, posted on Twitter that he's isolating at home after testing positive Monday morning.
  "After dodging it for two years, COVID finally got me!" Vela tweeted.
  He also told his Twitter followers that he plans to be back at next week's work session and council meeting.
  Council Member Mackenize Kelly wished
  
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• Texas National Guardsman didn't have floatation device when trying to save migrant

  27-04-2022 23:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (Nexstar) — The death of a Texas National Guardsman is raising questions about whether soldiers at the border have adequate equipment to keep them safe.
  22-year-old Arlington native Bishop E. Evans' body was found on Monday. He was missing for a couple days after he tried to rescue a migrant in Eagle Pass from the water. Evans didn't have a flotation device.
  State Rep. Eddie Morales revealed in a joint House hearing Wednesday there was a request on Feb. 24 for more flotation
  
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• Popular homebuilder in Central Texas considers smaller homes to combat rising prices

  27-04-2022 23:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — Popular Central Texas homebuilder D.R. Horton Inc. posted solid earnings April 25 even as the specter of rising interest rates and inflation looms over the industry.Recognition of how those issues may be impacting potential customers has the company considering alternatives that could help address affordability.During its earnings call, D.R. Horton executives brought up the possibility of offering a smaller home size to stay within the affordability range
  
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• Man sentenced 5 years in prison for 2020 murder

  27-04-2022 23:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man on trial for shooting and killing another person near a homeless camp in southwest Austin in 2020 has been found guilty.
  Damon Boyd was on trial for the 2020 death of 28-year-old Shawn Eaton, whose body was found near a large homeless camp located in the 5900 block of South MoPac Expressway on Feb. 23. Previous coverage: Man arrested in connection with homicide at southwest Austin homeless campAustin Police said Eaton was shot and killed by Boyd, who witnesses say was
  
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• No, Austin ISD isn't teaching students about furries, despite what a viral post claims

  27-04-2022 22:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — No, second graders at Austin ISD are not being taught about "furries." But a false post making the rounds online would have you thinking otherwise.On Monday, Libs of TikTok posted a photo of what the account claimed to be student worksheets on furries, defined as people with interests in "anthropomorphic animals" — animals with human characteristics or behaviors attributed to them. In some circumstances, there can be a fetish or sexual connotation with the term.In a s
  
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• Windier, more humid weather blows in through the weekend

  27-04-2022 21:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A pleasant stretch of weather kicks off today and takes us through the remainder of the work week.The rest of the day will feature a mostly to partly cloudy sky with more opportunity for sun by late afternoon.Despite a relatively cooler day yesterday, afternoon highs return to seasonable levels today with temps climbing to near 80. Winds will be light out of the southeast at 5-10 mph, but this southerly flow will set the stage for increasing humidity for the rest of the wee
  
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• Hotel revenues from business travel still below pre-COVID levels, report shows

  27-04-2022 21:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — While many business sectors are returning to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, hotels are still seeing revenues below 2019 numbers, at least when it comes to business travel.A new report by the American Hotel & Lodging Association and Kalibri Labs shows hotel revenue from business travel this year is expected to be 23% below pre-pandemic levels. That equates to a loss of $20 billion nationwide, the report says.The new projections come after hotels have already lost a huge a
  
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• Texas leaders react to Russia releasing Marine vet Trevor Reed

  27-04-2022 19:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — State leaders are sharing their reactions to the news Wednesday that Russia is releasing Texas Marine veteran Trevor Reed in a prisoner exchange with the United States.
  President Joe Biden released a statement announcing that Reed is coming home after his detainment in 2019 for allegedly attacking a Moscow police officer. Biden credited negotiations that "required difficult decisions that I do not take lightly." He also mentioned Reed's parents, whom he met with last month
  
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• LIVE: Texas leaders react to Russia releasing Marine vet Trevor Reed

  27-04-2022 19:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — State leaders are sharing their reactions to the news Wednesday that Russia is releasing Texas Marine veteran Trevor Reed in a prisoner exchange with the United States.
  President Joe Biden released a statement announcing that Reed is coming home after his detainment in 2019 for allegedly attacking a Moscow police officer. Biden credited negotiations that "required difficult decisions that I do not take lightly." He also mentioned Reed's parents, whom he met with last month
  
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• Central Texas rancher offers Elon Musk free land to move Twitter here

  27-04-2022 19:34 via kxan.com
  
  SCHWERTNER, Texas (KXAN) — One Central Texas rancher wants Elon Musk to move his newest venture here. He's offering his own property as bait.
  Jim Schwertner is president and CEO of Schwertner Farms Inc., which runs Capitol Land & Livestock east of Jarrell."Elon, Move twitter to Schwertner, TX , 38 miles North of Austin and we will give you 100 Acres for FREE," Schwertner tweeted on Tuesday.
  Schwertner is on the board of directors for the National Business Aviation Association, accordin
  
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• Average used car price in Austin jumps $8,400 in one year, report shows

  27-04-2022 19:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Are you in the market for a used car? If so, prepare to pay up.Nationwide, the average price of used cars increased by 30.4% in March 2022 compared to the previous year, according to a new report by iSeeCars.com that analyzed 1.8 million used car sales. That's an average increase of $8,032 year-over-year.In Austin, the increase is slightly higher. Used cars are selling for, on average, 32.1% more this year compared to last. The average increase in Austin is $8,404.The good
  
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• Mistrial declared in APD officer use-of-force case

  27-04-2022 19:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A mistrial was declared Wednesday morning in the case of an officer accused of using excessive force on a woman suspected of prostitution.
  Judge Brad Urrutia declared a mistrial in the Nathaniel Stallings case due to the health of defense lawyer Brad Heilman, KXAN confirmed.
  Stallings was charged with assault and abuse of official capacity in March 2018. The charge stems from an incident in October 2017, where he and another officer allegedly confronted a woman suspected of
  
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• Vandegrift High School on lockdown for 'active bomb threat'

  27-04-2022 18:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police are investigating an "active bomb threat" at Vandegrift High School Wednesday morning, Leander ISD told KXAN.
  The school is on lockdown and APD has set up a perimeter, district officials said. The LISD security director is also at the scene.The threat began around 10 a.m. Wednesday. Parents have been informed and additional updates will be shared, LISD said.This is a developing story. KXAN will update it as more information becomes available.
  
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• Lockdown at Vandegrift High School ends, campus returns to normal

  27-04-2022 18:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The lockdown at Vandegrift High School for a potential "bomb threat" has ended, according to Leander ISD.The Travis County Sheriff's Office said after its search, nothing was found. It gave the "all clear."
  The district says classes and campus activities are returning to normal. Travis County deputies and Austin police responded to the situation Wednesday morning.TCSO told KXAN the threat came from a phone call.Students and staff stayed in the classrooms while authorities s
  
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• 'Supernatural' star Jared Padalecki recovers in Austin following car crash

  27-04-2022 18:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Jared Padalecki is "on the mend" following a recent car crash."Supernatural" fans first learned of the incident from fellow costar Jensen Ackles. Over the weekend, Ackles told a crowd at an event the 39-year-old actor had been in a car crash.Jared Padalecki, left, and Jensen Ackles, right, participate in The CW "Supernatural: Final Season" panel during the Summer 2019 Television Critics Association Press Tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019, in Beverly H
  
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• 1 dead after motorcycle crash in central Austin

  27-04-2022 17:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One person died after a motorcycle crash in central Austin Wednesday morning.
  Austin-Travis County EMS said it happened in the 6800 block of North Interstate 35 service road southbound just before 10 a.m. That area is near Huntland Drive south of U.S. 183.
  The adult patient was pronounced dead at the scene, ATCEMS said. Only the motorcycle was involved in the crash, and no one else was hurt.
  Traffic is blocked on the southbound I-35 service road in the area, as well as the
  
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• SH 130 road conditions being tracked from space — here's how

  27-04-2022 17:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — SH 130, the fastest highway in the country, is using satellites to track its movement. Ground conditions in Central Texas cause the road to slowly shift over time. This can be dangerous for drivers speeding along the 85 mph stretch of road.Amanda Dugan spoke with Doug Wilson with the SH 130 Concession Company about how they're using the technology and why they need it. You can watch the full interview above or read the transcript below. Wanna go fast?!? Central Texas has th
  
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• Only a quarter of Texas prisons have air conditioning, here’s what that means for prisoners

  27-04-2022 16:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Over the 10 years Benny Hernandez III was locked in Texas prisons, the summers were always the hardest.“I would literally dread the summer months,” Hernandez said.Like many Texas prisoners, Hernandez spent his entire sentence in facilities without air conditioning. Just a quarter of Texas’ state prisons – 28 of 107 – have air conditioning throughout the unit. It isn’t just uncomfortable, the extreme heat can be deadly. Heat stroke wa
  
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• Hays CISD approves 7% 'cost of living adjustment' for all workers

  27-04-2022 16:19 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Another school district in Central Texas is giving its worker a raise.
  The Hays Consolidated Independent School District school board on Monday approved a "cost of living adjustment" for all employees at a rate of 7% of the midpoint of each pay grade. It will go into effect next school year.
  Agenda items stated because of difficulties across the country in recruiting and retaining school district workers, this raise could help curtail any greater challenges Hays
  
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• LIVE BLOG: Trial continues for Kyle woman who allegedly murdered 2-year-old son

  27-04-2022 16:00 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The second day of testimony begins Wednesday in the trail of Dazrine Chagoya-Williams, the young Kyle mother who allegedly murdered her 2-year-old son, Mason, in 2018.
  A jury will decide over the next couple of weeks whether Chagoya-Williams, alongside her husband and the child's father, Stevie, is guilty of capital murder. Stevie Williams was found guilty in October of last year of capital murder.
  Previous coverageTuesday: ‘Mason’s not okay’:
  
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• LIVE BLOG: Trial continues for Kyle mom who allegedly murdered infant

  27-04-2022 16:00 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY (KXAN) — The second day of testimony began Wednesday in the trial of Dazrine Chagoya-Williams, the young Kyle mother who allegedly murdered her nearly 2-year-old son, Mason, in 2018.
  A jury will decide over the next couple of weeks whether Chagoya-Williams, alongside her husband and the child's father, Stevie, is guilty of capital murder. Stevie Williams was found guilty in October 2021 of the same charge.
  Previous coverageTuesday: ‘Mason’s not okay’: New vide
  
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• Missing: Hays County deputies searching for 16-year-old boy

  27-04-2022 14:52 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) — Hays County deputies are searching for a 16-year-old boy last seen last week. They're asking for the public's help in finding him.
  The Hays County Sheriff's Office said Davion Lewis left his home in Kyle on April 19. He hasn't returned since.Law enforcement believes he could be with friends in south Austin.
  HCSO described Lewis as 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing about 130 pounds. It's not known what he was wearing when he left home.
  If you have details on where he c
  
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• RM 2222 and RM 620 bypass road opens Friday

  27-04-2022 14:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Starting Wednesday, the Texas Department of Transportation will close off a section of Ranch to Market Road 2222 to re-stripe ahead of opening the Ranch to Market Road 620 bypass road on Friday.TxDOT initially planned to open the bypass south lane Tuesday, but it got delayed because of the rain earlier in the week. Once opened, drivers will be able to travel in both directions. Project Connect teases 2 new designs for Lady Bird Lake BridgeTransportation officials said this
  
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• Pandemic shows some Texas universities they didn't need the SAT

  27-04-2022 13:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, nearly all Texas public universities responded by making the submission of an SAT or ACT score optional for college admission.But although COVID infections are down and in-person standardized tests are widely available again, the majority of Texas public universities are keeping the SAT and ACT optional until the spring of 2023 or later.Even before the pandemic, some universities considered themselves test-optional because of a state
  
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• Condos become more popular in Austin as housing prices soar, fewer available

  27-04-2022 13:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Realtor Elizabeth Adams, with Urbanspace, knows a thing or two about the Austin housing market."You know you just have to be tenacious. People are on all the sites, they call me, I call them. You just have to be ready to run," said Adams.As soon as a home listing goes up, the competition is fierce with several bids on the property. That is one reason some people are turning to condos."Simply based on the inventory, it is super popular," said Adams. Study: Austin 2nd most ov
  
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• City leaders proclaim April as sexual assault awareness and prevention month

  27-04-2022 13:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Advocates for sexual assault survivors say someone in your circle has either experienced this type of abuse or knows someone who has.The head of the SAFE Alliance, a local group that helps abuse survivors, said this is the opportunity to make a change."Let's talk to the young people in our homes and in our schools about what healthy relationships look like and about consent and have friends talk to other friends about what is not okay," said CEO of SAFE Alliance Julia Spann
  
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• Warming trend leading up to weekend rain chances

  27-04-2022 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A nice stretch of weather kicks off today and takes us through the remainder of the work week.This morning's mostly cloudy skies will partially clear to allow for some sunshine this afternoon. Despite a relatively cooler day yesterday, afternoon highs return to seasonable levels with temps climbing into the low 80s. Winds will be light out of the southeast at 5-10 mph, but this southerly flow will set the stage for increasing humidity for the rest of the week.Breezy to wind
  
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• Clouds to sun pattern ahead of weekend storm chance

  27-04-2022 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A pleasant stretch of weather kicks off today and takes us through the remainder of the work week.The rest of the day will feature a mostly to partly cloudy sky with more opportunity for sun by late afternoon.Despite a relatively cooler day yesterday, afternoon highs return to seasonable levels today with temps climbing to near 80. Winds will be light out of the southeast at 5-10 mph, but this southerly flow will set the stage for increasing humidity for the rest of the wee
  
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• Health center to open in central Austin

  27-04-2022 12:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new option for health care starts Wednesday for people in central Austin. The Ascension Seton Health Center Lamar opens Wednesday afternoon.The complex is at the corner of North Lamar Boulevard and West 32nd Street.
  The multi-specialty health center will offer access to cardiovascular care, spine care and outpatient imaging services. New Dell Medical School program aims to bring music to hospital hallsAscension Seton already has 16 hospitals and medical centers in the Aus
  
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• Abbott asks for donations for migrant bus plan

  27-04-2022 12:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott wants your help to send charter buses with migrants to Washington, D.C.Abbott’s office now has options for people to donate directly to support the program online and by mail.The governor launched the program after the White House announced plans to end the federal mandate called Title 42.Title 42 allows border agents to expel 1.7 million newly-arrived migrants to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Biden administration said the order is ending
  
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• These Texans were pardoned or had their sentences commuted by Joe Biden

  27-04-2022 03:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — President Joe Biden granted clemency to 78 people Tuesday, consisting of three pardons and 75 commutations, according to a White House release.One Texan was pardoned for a 1998 conviction of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. Betty Jo Bogans, 51, was sentenced to seven years, due to the "harsh penalties" in place at the time of her conviction. Since her release, Bogans has stayed employed, even while battling cancer, while raising her son, the release said.
  
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• These Austin Chick-fil-A locations are bringing back the 'spicy' breakfast sandwich

  27-04-2022 02:45 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Chick-fil-A just couldn’t quit you, Spicy Chicken Biscuit.After taking it off the nationwide menu in 2016, Chick-fil-A is rekindling its fiery romance with the Spicy Chicken Biscuit breakfast sandwich, the chain recently confirmed.The sandwich, consisting of a spice-infused breaded chicken breast on a buttermilk biscuit, was removed from the Chick-fil-A breakfast menu six years ago to “make way” for newer items — namely, the Egg White Grill and the Frost
  
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• Second STAR Flight facility headed to Blanco County

  27-04-2022 02:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The only 24/7 aerial emergency medical service in Texas will soon be expanding, after the Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously approved plans to construct a STAR Flight facility in Blanco County.According to Blanco County judge Brett Bray, the nearly $2 million facility will be funded by local taxpayers."Blanco County is touched by seven other counties all of them are larger than us,” he said. “This is going to benefit all of them as well as us."This ne
  
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• Leander's Capital Metro election gives voters the choice in public transit future

  27-04-2022 02:02 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) —Voters will decide May 7 whether to continue Capital Metro services to Leander or whether to end participation in the Central Texas transit authority. If voters approve Proposition A, meaning transit services continue, then there is no change to the services brought to Leander.  PAST COVERAGE: Leander voters to decide this May on future of CapMetro services within cityHowever, if Prop A fails, meaning the partnership ends, then services to Leander will end
  
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• Texas House lawmakers weigh impact of migrant influx on public schools

  27-04-2022 01:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Tuesday, the Texas House's Public Education Committee held a hearing to learn more about the financial impact migrant children have on Texas public schools.It's one of the top interim charges the committee faces ahead of the 88th Legislative Session, starting in January 2023.
  Coretta Mallet-Fontenot, a Houston ISD emergent bilingual teacher, said she wishes the state would focus on bigger problems facing the state.
  “As an educator, I can tell you, when a student ar
  
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• Travis Co. launches new program to get more Black residents vaccinated against COVID-19

  27-04-2022 00:43 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY (KXAN) — Travis County has launched a new program to get more Black residents vaccinated.
  The "40K Your Way" program, with the help of community organizations, will share information on where to get vaccinated.
  According to Travis County, only about 36% of Black residents have been given the first series of vaccinations, the lowest rate compared to other races and ethnic groups in the county. The 40K Your Way program's goal is to reach the 70% mark, with about 40,000 more Bla
  
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