Austin news

• How Roe v. Wade leak could impact Texas pro, anti-abortion advocacy group efforts

  03-05-2022 23:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After Politico published last night a leaked draft opinion from the Supreme Court that indicates an intent to overturn Roe v. Wade, advocacy groups for and against abortions in Texas have announced how they'll support Texans if the Court does proceed in that direction.Some advocates against abortion said they were surprised by the drafted opinion and the potential direction the Court may take on federally-legalized abortions."I was very, very surprised," Debi Wehmeier, foun
  
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• Scattered strong thunderstorms, then record heat sets in Mother's Day weekend

  03-05-2022 23:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A nearly-stationary severe thunderstorm developed this afternoon over northeastern Llano County, where a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect until 5:30 p.m. Damaging hail is possible in the affected area, and more than 1 inch of rain has fallen. Interactive radarAll eyes continue to stay fixed on a late week spring storm likely to bring a good chance of rain to drought-stricken Central Texas. BLOG: April 2022 was the sixth-warmest in Austin-what is in store for May?Tod
  
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• APD investigates hit-and-run crash that left 1 injured in east Austin

  03-05-2022 23:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is investigating a hit-and-run that left one person in the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
  APD said the incident happened just at 2:20 a.m. on April 2 in the 6000 block of Springdale Road. That's near Manor Road in east Austin.
  The preliminary investigation of the incident showed the driver of a red Ford Mustang traveled southbound on Springdale Road when it collided with the driver of a silver Lincoln Continental.
  The driver of the Con
  
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• Man arrested related to string of business burglaries in Dripping Springs

  03-05-2022 23:11 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) — A man was arrested in connection with five burglaries at businesses in Dripping Springs, the Hays County Sheriff's Office said.
  Christopher Gainey, 28, was charged in the burglaries, which occurred during February and April. He'll also be charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and repeated violation of court order. HCSO saidGainey has a bond totaling at $20,000 for all charges.APD: Man broke into east Austin BBQ restaurant, stole liquorHer
  
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• Crashes involving city-owned vehicles cost Austin $8.4 million, audit shows

  03-05-2022 22:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Crashes involving city-owned vehicles have cost Austin millions of dollars over the past few years, a newly-released audit shows.City vehicles were involved in 1,855 crashes between fiscal years 2019 and 2021, resulting in $8.4 million worth of repairs and replacement vehicles, according to the audit.The report, completed at the request of Austin City Council member Natasha Harper-Madison and Mayor Pro Tem Alison Alter, found six city departments had more than 100 crashes e
  
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• How common are abortions in Texas? Here's what the data shows

  03-05-2022 22:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Reactions are pouring in after a draft majority opinion was leaked Monday night, signaling that the U.S. Supreme Court could be poised to overturn Roe v. Wade.The 1973 decision guarantees the Constitutional right to an abortion. If overturned, 23 states, including Texas, would institute bans on abortion, according to analysis by NBC News.But just how common is the procedure in Texas, and which demographic groups are most likely to get an abortion? KXAN looked at data from t
  
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• TCAD: About 70,000 properties waiting for appraisals

  03-05-2022 22:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you are a Travis County property owner and have not received your 2022 appraisal, you are not alone. The Travis Central Appraisal District is still processing appraisal values for about 70,000 residential and commercial properties.  Travis Co. Appraisal District says its market values have been ‘too low.’ What does that mean for you?TCAD spokesperson Cynthia Martinez said this number is not unusual. Some properties require extra time for appraisals
  
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• US now considers Brittney Griner wrongfully detained by Russia

  03-05-2022 22:17 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has determined that WNBA star Brittney Griner is being wrongfully detained in Russia, meaning the United States will more aggressively work to secure her release even as the legal case against her plays out, two U.S. officials said Tuesday.Griner was detained at an airport in February after Russian authorities said a search of her bag revealed vape cartridges containing traces of cannabis oil. Since then, U.S. officials had stopped short
  
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• APD: Man broke into east Austin BBQ restaurant, stole liquor

  03-05-2022 20:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police made an arrest in connection with another burglary at a popular east Austin barbecue restaurant Monday.According to an affidavit, the Austin Police Department arrested Michael Anthony Martinez, 32, and accused him of breaking into La Barbecue and stealing bottles of liquor, damaging the business' door and cash register. He faces a state jail felony charge of burglary (other than a habitation). Man caught on camera breaking into La Barbecue on Austin’s ea
  
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• Report finds average cost of child care in Travis Co. nearly three times more than recommended

  03-05-2022 20:52 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY (KXAN) — A report comparing nearly every county in the country finds Travis County lacks a "healthy child care system."“In Travis County the average child care cost for an adult with two children is about 22 percent of their income,” said Sheri Johnson with County Health Rankings. “The federal government recommends people spend only about 7 percent of income on child care.”Johnson said The County Health Rankings look at more than 30 factors in every co
  
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• Roberts confirms 'egregious' leak of abortion draft, orders investigation

  03-05-2022 20:35 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Chief Justice John Roberts on Tuesday confirmed the authenticity of a leaked draft opinion suggesting the Supreme Court may be be poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide. He ordered an investigation into what he called an “egregious breach of trust.”In the high court's first public comment since the draft was published late Tuesday, Roberts said “Although the document described in yesterday’s reports
  
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• Man climbs SF's Salesforce Tower in protest against abortion

  03-05-2022 20:25 via kxan.com
  
  SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) - A man who climbed the Salesforce Tower in an anti-abortion protest has been taken into custody by the San Francisco Police Department, according to the city's fire department.Earlier, the San Francisco Fire Department had tweeted that someone was climbing the 60-floor Salesforce Tower in the city's south of Market neighborhood."San Francisco Fire is on scene with other Public Safety Agencies at 415 Mission, Sales Force Tower for a reported climber climbing the 60 floor tow
  
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• ACL Music Festival announces 2022 lineup release date

  03-05-2022 19:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin music lovers, rejoice: the Austin City Limits Music Festival announced Tuesday when it'll drop its 2022 festival line up and tickets.The 2022 Austin City Limits Music Festival will take place Oct. 7-9 and Oct. 14-16 at Zilker Park.On Friday, American Express card members will have early access to tickets, with the premium sale beginning at 10 a.m. The 2022 ACL line up will be announced Tuesday, May 10 at 9 a.m., with the general public ticket sale beginning at noon.T
  
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• APD: Man accused of East 6th Street homicide borrowed family member's car on day of shooting

  03-05-2022 18:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The man accused of shooting and killing someone on East Sixth Street on April 28 had allegedly borrowed a family member's car prior to the deadly shooting, an arrest affidavit said.
  An arrest affidavit for Eric Rollins, 51, said he shot an unidentified person in an alley in the 400 block of East Sixth Street. According to the document, a 911 caller reported the shooting and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.APD: Man arrested in connection with two separate Austin
  
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• These Texas doctors were deemed a 'threat' to patients. Why were they allowed to keep practicing?

  03-05-2022 18:46 via kxan.com
  
  Investigative Summary:The first duty of medicine is to "do no harm." But is the Texas Medical Board letting doctors with dangerous pasts still practice? That's what a TMB whistleblower, and patient advocates who spoke with KXAN, fear. Previously, our team discovered the state agency in charge of regulating doctors kept some disciplinary records secret, contrary to state law. Now, after digging through public records, our investigation found multiple physicians allowed to still treat patients &m
  
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• 'A real-life happy ending:' 18-year-old tells AFD about the day firefighters saved her life

  03-05-2022 17:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Fire Department firefighters recently got the chance to meet someone they saved 18 years ago.On her way to her senior prom April 30, 18-year-old Lily Dashner visited AFD's Station 2 and shared the story of how four of AFD's finest saved her life after her premature birth.In 2003, the crew on Engine 2 responded to her home after she was born. Two of the responding firefighters, Lt. Mike Lemerise and Ed Roberts, are now retired while Capt. Brandon Jennings and Captain
  
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• TRIAL LIVE BLOG: Videos from Kyle mom's phone show injuries to toddler before his death

  03-05-2022 15:59 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Jurors are back in the courtroom Tuesday for the second week of testimony in the trial of Dazrine Chagoya-Williams, the Kyle mom who allegedly murdered her nearly two-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 in the death of their young son. Stevie was found guilty in October 2021 of the same charge. He is ap
  
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• TRIAL LIVE BLOG: Kyle PD lost cell phone of Kyle mom who allegedly murdered son

  03-05-2022 15:59 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Jurors are back in the courtroom Tuesday for the second week of testimony in the trial of Dazrine Chagoya-Williams, the Kyle mom who allegedly murdered her nearly two-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 in the death of their young son. Stevie was found guilty in October 2021 of the same charge. He is ap
  
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• LIVE BLOG: Final witnesses called in trial for Kyle mom who allegedly murdered son

  03-05-2022 15:59 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Jurors are back in the courtroom Tuesday for the second week of testimony in the trial of Dazrine Chagoya-Williams, the Kyle mom who allegedly murdered her nearly two-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 in the death of their young son. Stevie was found guilty in October 2021 of the same charge. He is ap
  
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• Travis County Commissioners to vote on paid family leave for workers

  03-05-2022 14:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Travis County Commissioners on Tuesday are expected to give full-time county workers eight weeks of paid family leave.The county would be among the first in the state to offer workers that benefit.Road connecting RM 967 & FM 1626 may happen with new neighborhood in BudaThe Travis County Commissioners Court will take up the resolution sponsored by Travis County Judge Andy Brown and Commissioner Jeff Travillion.The county currently offers unpaid family and medical leave t
  
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• Travis County commissioners approve paid family leave for workers

  03-05-2022 14:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Travis County commissioners approved a resolution to give full-time county workers eight weeks of paid parental leave on Tuesday. The county is among the first in the state to offer workers that benefit.
  The resolution was sponsored by Travis County Judge Andy Brown and Commissioner Jeff Travillion, who said the approval came at an important time because of Monday night's news of the leaked draft majority opinion that signaled the Supreme Court would overturn Roe v. Wade."W
  
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• Catastrophic event responsible for Earth's wonky seasons

  03-05-2022 14:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The seasons dictate a lot about our lives. From the clothes we wear to the activities we do. Whether you love gardening, swimming, skiing or apple picking, you can't ignore the seasons.But why do we have them?In this First Warning Weather University lesson, chief meteorologist David Yeomans explains what causes the seasons.What you learn in this First Warning Weather University lesson:How the sun impacts our seasons.Why summer and winter are not the same everywhere on Earth
  
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• Austin wants input on U.S. homeless funds

  03-05-2022 14:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The City of Austin wants your thoughts on how it should spend federal dollars to help the homeless.City officials said it is eligible to get up to $11.4 million of HOME-American Rescue Plan funds.   Progress report: Tackling homelessness in AustinThe American Rescue Plan set aside $5 billion to assist homeless, those at risk of homelessness and others experiencing housing insecurity.According to a city release, the money can be spent on various projects with the goal o
  
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• Road connecting RM 967 & FM 1626 may happen with new neighborhood in Buda

  03-05-2022 13:58 via kxan.com
  
  BUDA, Texas (KXAN) — Ranch to Market Road 967 in Buda is a busy road seeing high traffic at peak hours in the morning and evening. The road links several neighborhoods with Farm to Market Road 1626 and Main Street in Buda.Tuesday, MileStone Community Builders developers will meet with the Buda City Council to further discuss the proposed development project.
  The proposed Persimmon development project has faced some opposition in part because it would bring more traffic. However, developers
  
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• Progress report: Tackling homelessness in Austin

  03-05-2022 13:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin’s Homeless Strategy Division is updating the community on its progress in tackling homelessness a year after the vote to reinstate the camping ban.
  The homeless strategy team held the first of two virtual community meetings Monday to discuss items like camping ordinance enforcement and the HEAL Initiative, which helps people experiencing homelessness access shelter and permanent housing.  BACKGROUND: Austin to give updates on homeless camping ordinance, HEA
  
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• Increasing rain chances late week... then comes the heat

  03-05-2022 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — All eyes continue to stay fixed on a late week spring storm likely to bring a good chance of rain to drought-stricken Central Texas. BLOG: April 2022 was the sixth-warmest in Austin-what is in store for May?Today will look and feel similar to Monday with more clouds than sun and a few pockets of light rain (mainly in the morning). Afternoon highs will warm well into the 80s with muggy conditions making it feel a few degrees warmer.Wednesday will start the same but will like
  
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• Texas leaders react to SCOTUS draft opinion on Roe v. Wade

  03-05-2022 09:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas leaders are sounding off after a news website Monday night published a draft majority opinion signaling that the U.S. Supreme Court might overturn Roe v. Wade.
  News outlet Politico obtained the February draft majority opinion, written by Justice Samuel Alito. The draft opinion could have changed since then, and a published opinion from the court is expected within the next two months.Draft ruling shows Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade: reportThe Texas Tribune rep
  
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• If Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, Texas will completely ban abortion

  03-05-2022 05:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — According to a draft opinion obtained by Politico, the U.S. Supreme Court intends to overturn Roe v. Wade, reversing nearly 50 years of constitutional protection for abortion, and let states set their own restrictions on the procedure.If this draft reflects the final decision of the Court, expected this summer, it would virtually eliminate abortion access in Texas. Last year, the Legislature passed a so-called “trigger law” that would go into effect 30
  
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• Project Connect lays out plans for Orange Line, North Lamar Transit Center

  03-05-2022 04:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin transportation leaders involved in Capital Metro's Project Connect, a $10.3 billion vision to update the city's public transit system with light rails, met virtually Monday to answer questions about the Orange Line light rail in particular.
  The Orange Line is mapped to run 20 miles along Lamar Boulevard and Congress Avenue from Tech Ridge Park & Ride at Howard Lane in north Austin to Slaughter Lane in south Austin.
  Monday night's call only focused on a portion of
  
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• Texas stars spotted at 2022 Met Gala

  03-05-2022 04:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It’s the Super Bowl of fashion, and it’s back on its usual night.What is the Met Gala?The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute is a black-tie event held the first Monday in May to raise money for the institute.The event started more than 70 years ago and has turned into one of the biggest celebrity and fashion gatherings. The event is once again held in May. The pandemic canceled the event in 2020 and a postponed gala was held in September 2021.What&rsqu
  
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• Draft ruling shows Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade: report

  03-05-2022 03:30 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) - The Supreme Court is poised to overturn the landmark 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade that protects a federal right to abortion, according to a draft majority opinion published Monday evening by Politico.The 67-page document, described as an initial draft majority opinion penned by Justice Samuel Alito, one of the court’s staunchest conservatives, concludes with the majority stating that the Constitution says nothing about the rights of states to regulate or pr
  
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• Austin 311 calls about homeless encampments increase compared to first months of 2021

  03-05-2022 03:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —  As plenty of people complain about the homeless population becoming more brazen near their homes, Austin is getting a progress report on its efforts to address homelessness.In southeast Austin, a hike and bike trail near the Jimmy Clay Golf Course has been gradually turned into a homeless encampment. Krissy Curtis lives right by it."It started with one woman. Then it became two, and now I'm not even certain how many there are,” she said. “I just worry." Wh
  
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• When can you swim again at Hamilton Pool?

  03-05-2022 02:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Swimming may soon be back at Central Texas' popular nature preserve, Hamilton Pool.Travis County officials closed that aspect of the preserve after the February 2021 winter storm caused rocks to break off around the grotto and fall into the water, creating a public safety issue. Austin lifeguards could earn bonuses up to $1,250A Travis County spokesperson told KXAN part of the pool and beach may open later in May — roughly a year after officials originally closed it.T
  
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• Photos: Red carpet looks from the 2022 Met Gala

  03-05-2022 02:06 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — The year's biggest night in fashion, the Met Gala, returned to the first Monday in May after years of pandemic upheaval with a celebration of American design and a theme of gilded glamour.Blake Lively smiled for the cameras in a grand Versace gown, with husband Ryan Reynolds in velvet. The actress, one of the evening's co-hosts, wore a bronze and rose gold look that transformed into a shimmery layer of baby blue as a large bow was pulled. Lively's look drew inspiration
  
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• Texas explores changing to more rigorous teacher certification assessments

  03-05-2022 02:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Prospective teachers in Texas might have to undergo a more rigorous certification process after a state board voted to adopt a new certification assessment.The State Board for Educator Certification voted 8-1 on Friday to adopt the Educative Teacher Performance Assessment, also known as the edTPA exam. That board is responsible for setting the standards of preparation, certification and conduct of public school professionals.
  This decision still needs the final appr
  
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