Austin news

• Austin's proposed guaranteed income pilot aims to prevent homelessness. How many residents might qualify?

  04-05-2022 23:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, Austin City Council is expected to approve an approximate $1.18 million contract for its guaranteed income pilot program. Under the proposed initiative, 85 qualifying families or individuals facing extreme financial hardship would receive $1,000 a month over a 12-month period.In a memo from the City of Austin's Equity Office released Monday, city leaders outlined who might be eligible for the $1,000 monthly funds. During an April roundtable discussion on the pr
  
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• APD identifies 2 found dead in west Austin home

  04-05-2022 23:36 via kxan.com
  
  If you or a loved one is a victim of domestic violence, don't hesitate to reach out for help by calling 1 (800) 799-7233 to connect with the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department released the identities of two people involved in a suspected murder-suicide in west Austin.Austin Police said a welfare check call came in just after 1:30 p.m. on April 29 at a home in the 1600 block of Forest Trail, near Enfield Road and MoPac Expressway.APD investigate
  
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• Are the San Antonio Spurs 'testing the waters' in Austin?

  04-05-2022 23:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — NBA basketball could be coming to Austin next year.The San Antonio Spurs' chief legal officer met in front of the Bexar County commissioners this week asking for permission to play four home games outside of San Antonio and away from their usual home at AT&T Center. The AT&T Center is owned by the county.The franchises' current non-relocation agreement with the county allows the Spurs to play two home games outside of San Antonio.The county commissioners gave initia
  
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• 2 victims shot, killed 10 minutes apart in Austin last week identified

  04-05-2022 23:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two people shot and killed 10 minutes apart last week were identified by the Austin Police Department on Wednesday. One man is being charged with first-degree murder in connection with both crimes.
  The suspect is 51-year-old Eric Rollins, who was released from jail recently on an ankle monitor for an outstanding sexual assault of a child case. APD is investigating that case as well. He's now being held at the Travis County Jail, police said.RELATED: Man arrested in connecti
  
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• Texas now home to world's largest Darth Vader collection

  04-05-2022 22:54 via kxan.com
  
  RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The RGV is now home to the Guinness Book of World Records' largest Darth Vader collection.Bill McBride and his wife, Rebecca recently made the move from the Washington D.C. area to the RGV for work. In their move, they had to pack up McBride's collection of 70,000+ Darth Vader items.While a majority stays back on the east coast in a temperature-controlled storage unit, McBride is working on expanding his "Vader Vault."McBride currently has one roo
  
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• Boring Company gets go-ahead to begin engineering work for Kyle pedestrian tunnel

  04-05-2022 22:32 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE (Austin Business Journal) — For the first time, Elon Musk's tunneling startup, The Boring Company, has gotten the go-ahead to start working on a public-facing project in the Austin area.The company — which quietly moved its headquarters to Pflugerville in the past couple of years, and recently announced $675 million in funding — on May 3 was approved by Kyle City Council for a $50,000 professional services agreement to begin engineering work for a poten
  
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• Here's how to become a poll worker for the May 7 election

  04-05-2022 20:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Travis County Elections Division is asking for poll workers ahead of May 7's election.
  Election Day is May 7 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.Early voting turnout at just 6.8% in May 7 electionsPoll workers are paid between $15 and $17 an hour, the division said.
  Anyone who is interested in working as a poll worker for Election Day is asked to contact [email protected] or call 512-854-4996.
  Voter turnout in the May 7 election was off to a slow start across Central Texa
  
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• Majority of Texas voters think abortion should be allowed in some form, poll reports

  04-05-2022 20:12 via kxan.com
  
  (Texas Tribune) — At a time when Texas is poised to outlaw the vast majority of abortions if the nation’s highest court overturns constitutional protections for the procedure, a recent University of Texas at Austin poll shows more Texan voters think access to abortion should be allowed in some form.Texas would make performing most abortions a felony if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade — a future that looks considerably more likely after a nonbinding d
  
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• Poll: Majority of Texas voters think population growth is bad for the state

  04-05-2022 20:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new poll from the Texas Politics Project found that only a minority of those polled thought the growth in the state's population has been good for the state.The newly released poll, in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin, found that of those polled, only 34% thought the state's significant population growth was good for the state, while 40% viewed it as bad and more than a quarter of voters offered no opinion.How you can monitor Texas’ power grid onli
  
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• Cinco de Mayo: Celebrate May 5 without racist stereotypes

  04-05-2022 19:54 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Despite what many may think, Cinco de Mayo isn't Mexican Independence Day, but the commemoration of a different battle victory. The holiday, which Mexico doesn't even widely celebrate, has nonetheless become a "night out" staple in the U.S., as well as an opportunity for restaurants to offer deals on food or margaritas.But for many American Latinos, Cinco de Mayo is thorny, as political animus around immigration has heightened. The day is also complicated by how it has historic
  
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• 'Weather is just getting weirder' Climate scientist moms share knowledge with other moms

  04-05-2022 19:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A group of climate-scientist moms has banded together to form a nonprofit to teach other moms about climate change.“We’ve got stronger droughts, crazy heat waves, wildfires [and] hurricanes dropping huge amounts of rain on us,” said Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, co-founder of the nonpartisan group. Texas tornadoes and wildfires: is climate change to blame?The country-wide group's goal is to help moms discuss the subject with their kids in ways that may not be disc
  
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• Intuit to pay $141M settlement over 'free' TurboTax ads, nearly 500K Texans will benefit

  04-05-2022 18:48 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — The company behind the TurboTax tax-filing program will pay $141 million to customers across the United States who were deceived by misleading promises of free tax-filing services, New York's attorney general announced Wednesday.Under the terms of a settlement signed by the attorneys general of all 50 states, Mountain View, California-based Intuit Inc. will suspend TurboTax’s “free, free, free” ad campaign and pay restitution to nearly 4.4 million taxpayer
  
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• Money, politics and patient safety: Abbott donors on Texas Medical Board

  04-05-2022 18:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Gov. Greg Abbott tapped top-dollar donors to sit on the Texas Medical Board. He also appointed members — tasked with representing the consumer — who come from telecom, business, real estate and energy sectors, with no obvious patient advocacy or medical experience, a KXAN investigation revealed.
  The TMB's mission is to "protect and enhance the public's health, safety and welfare" but some advocates worry that comes with a political price tag."The question isn't:
  
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• Coyote mauls 2-year-old on front porch in Dallas

  04-05-2022 18:33 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (AP) — Police say a 2-year-old child has been hospitalized in critical condition after being mauled by a coyote on the front porch of the child's Dallas home.
  The attack happened about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday in a neighborhood just north of White Rock Lake in Dallas.
  A police statement says a responding officer subsequently spotted the coyote in a park near the child's home and opened fire on the animal, which retreated into nearby woods.
  Police say it's unknown if the officer wounded the
  
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• LIVE: Jupiter's moon Europa could be suitable for life, UT research says

  04-05-2022 18:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The outer layer of one of Jupiter's moons, Europa, is solid ice and strong evidence supports an ocean flowing below. New research led by the University of Texas at Austin is showing how oxygen could be making its way into the ocean — providing a link to the possibility of alien life there.The researchers proposed that chemical elements can be transported through the ice by drainage of salt water through the formation of chaotic terrains, a planetary area with clusters
  
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• Jupiter's moon Europa could be suitable for life, UT research says

  04-05-2022 18:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The outer layer of Jupiter's moon, Europa, is solid ice and strong evidence supports an ocean flowing below. New research led by the University of Texas at Austin is showing how oxygen could be making its way into the ocean — providing a link to the possibility of alien life there.The researchers proposed that chemical elements can be transported through the ice by drainage of salt water through the formation of chaotic terrains, a planetary area with clusters of ridg
  
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• LIVE: Funeral for former UTPD chief set for Wednesday

  04-05-2022 16:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The funeral for a former University of Texas Police Chief will happen Wednesday in west Austin.David Carter, 64, served as the UTPD chief since 2013 as part of a 38-year law enforcement career. He died of cancer in April.His funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, located at 3201 Windsor Road in Austin. Following the service, a burial will be held at Forest Oaks Funeral Home cemetery.Carter's career in law enforcement star
  
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• Funeral held for former UTPD chief

  04-05-2022 16:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The funeral for a former University of Texas Police Chief happened Wednesday in west Austin.David Carter, 64, served as the UTPD chief since 2013 as part of a 38-year law enforcement career. He died of cancer in April.The funeral for former UTPD chief David Carter is Wednesday at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. (KXAN photo/Frank Martinez)The funeral for former UTPD chief David Carter is Wednesday at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. (KXAN photo/Frank Mar
  
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• Funeral for former UTPD chief set for Wednesday

  04-05-2022 16:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The funeral for a former University of Texas Police Chief will happen Wednesday in west Austin.David Carter, 64, served as the UTPD chief since 2013 as part of a 38-year law enforcement career. He died of cancer in April.His funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, located at 3201 Windsor Road in Austin. Following the service, a burial will be held at Forest Oaks Funeral Home cemetery.Carter's career in law enforcement star
  
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• Risk of severe storms Thursday: timing, threats & impacts

  04-05-2022 16:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Strong to severe storms are possible in Central Texas starting tonight and continuing into the day Thursday.Weather set-upScattered storms are expected to develop this afternoon and evening along the West Texas dryline and high country of northern Mexico. These storms will push east and potentially impact parts of our Hill Country late tonight. More widespread storms are expected Thursday with a potent low-pressure system to our north moving into the Central Plains, dragging a c
  
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• State expected to rest its case against Kyle mom accused of murder Thursday

  04-05-2022 15:54 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The state is expected to rest its case Thursday after a week and a half of testimony in the trial of Dazrine Chagoya-Williams, the Kyle mom who allegedly murdered her nearly two-year-old son, Mason, in 2018.
  The final witness for the state will be Dr. Marion Forbes, a pediatric expert from Dell Children's Hospital who has decades of experience in child abuse cases.
  A jury will decide over the next few days whether Chagoya-Williams, alongside her husband and
  
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• LIVE BLOG: Final witnesses to be heard in state's case against Kyle mom accused of murder

  04-05-2022 15:54 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Jurors are back in the courtroom Wednesday 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 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 appealing that verdict, court
  
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• 'We just put it in God's hands:' 127-year-old Bastrop church in need of repairs

  04-05-2022 14:51 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — The only church on Church Street in Bastrop is in need of some love. Bastrop Christian Church has stood for 127 years since its construction in 1895."I can't just let that go," said longtime churchgoer Jerry Davenport. "This whole building go to waste — that would almost be a sin."He is one of several who is volunteering to repair the historic building.
  From afar, the outside white wooden building lights up the street but up close a look at time's scars.
  "That
  
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• 'We just put it in God's hands:' 127-year-old Bastrop church in need of repair

  04-05-2022 14:51 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — The only church on Church Street in Bastrop is in need of some love. Bastrop Christian Church has stood for 127 years since its construction in 1895."I can't just let that go," said longtime churchgoer Jerry Davenport. "This whole building go to waste — that would almost be a sin."He is one of several who is volunteering to repair the historic building.
  From afar, the outside white wooden building lights up the street but up close a look at time's scars.
  "That
  
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• Conflict of interest, abuse of position at Austin Parks and Rec found in report

  04-05-2022 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A former City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) supervisor used cities time, money, and resources for personal benefit, according to an investigation report released by the Office of the City Auditor in April 2022.The report states that the City Auditor opened an investigation after it received allegations about Jonathan Pixler, the former PARD General Maintenance Supervisor, purchasing large quantities of plants exclusively from one nursery where his spouse
  
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• How's it going for Texas' Alternatives to Abortion program?

  04-05-2022 14:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Marching in support of abortion rights in downtown Austin, sisters Lauren and Brianna McKinney said they worry if Roe v. Wade is overturned, Texas patients without the resources to cross state lines for procedures will feel the biggest impact.
  "Woman of color are really going to be affected most," Brianna told KXAN.
  They're not wrong.According to Texas Health and Human Services data, in 2020, Black women made up 30% of the state's abortions despite making up 12% of the popu
  
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• Mild COVID-19 infection affects brain structure, UT research shows

  04-05-2022 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Scientists are working to understand the long-term effects of COVID-19, including on those who didn't have serious infections. Research, including at the University of Texas at Austin, focuses on the effect of the coronavirus on the central nervous system and why some patients have lingering symptoms.In the United Kingdom, researchers are studying the long-term effects of mild-to-moderate cases of COVID-19. One study led by the Wellcome Center for Integrative Neuroimaging a
  
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• LIVE: Mild COVID-19 infection affects brain structure, UT research shows

  04-05-2022 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Scientists are working to understand the long-term effects of COVID-19, including on those who didn't have serious infections. Research, including at the University of Texas at Austin, focuses on the effect of the coronavirus on the central nervous system and why some patients have lingering symptoms.In the United Kingdom, researchers are studying the long-term effects of mild-to-moderate cases of COVID-19. One study led by the Wellcome Center for Integrative Neuroimaging a
  
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• Austin kids bike to school Wednesday

  04-05-2022 13:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Be careful on your Wednesday morning commute.
  Austin Public Works' Safe Routes to School program is hosting a Bike To School Day. It expects students and families at 24 different schools across Austin to participate.It's all part of the 11th annual  National Bike & Roll to School Day. The organization says 1,632 events are registered across the country. APW will host a ride and walk from Bartholomew Park to Blanton Elementary along with the Ghisallo Cycling Initiative.
  
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• Broadway in Austin announces full slate of shows for 2022-23

  04-05-2022 13:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Broadway fans in Austin will have plenty of shows to choose from next season. The Texas Performing Arts announced its schedule for the 2022-23 season on Tuesday.
  Chicago: Nov. 1-6, 2022Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Dec. 6-11, 2022 Pretty Woman: The Musical: Jan. 17-22, 2023Disney's Aladdin: Feb. 14-19, 2023Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations: March 28-April 2, 2023Beautiful – The Carole King Musical: April 21-22, 2023 Harper Lee’
  
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• Risk of severe storms ahead of uncomfortable weekend heat

  04-05-2022 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A round of scattered storms stands between us and uncomfortable heat this Mother's Day weekend.Today will feature mainly cloudy skies, humid conditions and hot temperatures with most areas in the upper 80s to low 90s. Pockets of light rain are possible this morning, but a few storms firing west along the West Texas dryline and high country of northern Mexico later this afternoon could hold together long enough to reach our Hill Country counties tonight. These isolated storm
  
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• Risk of severe storms ahead of possible record hot weather this weekend

  04-05-2022 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A potential round of strong storms stands between us and possible record hot weather this Mother's Day weekend.Patchy light showers are possible this evening, but a few storms firing west along the West Texas dryline and high country of northern Mexico could hold together long enough to reach our Hill Country counties tonight. These isolated storms are not likely to be widespread, nor are they expected to reach the I-35 corridor.Wednesday's severe storm threat: 1 out of 5 (
  
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• New HEB coming to Georgetown

  04-05-2022 10:50 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- Shoppers in Georgetown get a new supermarket soon. HEB breaks ground Wednesday on its store in Wolf Lakes Village.
  It's one part of the 164-acre development on the northwest corner of Interstate 35 and State Highway 29.
  The Austin Business Journal reported August 10, the developers of Wolf Lakes Village had lined up four elements for the site.14 acres for a 336-unit multifamily development12 acres for more than 300 multifamily townhomes12 acres for Ascension Seton to
  
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• New H-E-B coming to Georgetown

  04-05-2022 10:50 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- Shoppers in Georgetown get a new supermarket soon. H-E-B breaks ground Wednesday on its store in Wolf Lakes Village.
  It's one part of the 164-acre development on the northwest corner of Interstate 35 and State Highway 29.
  The Austin Business Journal reported Aug. 10, that the developers of Wolf Lakes Village had lined up four elements for the site.14 acres for a 336-unit multifamily development12 acres for more than 300 multifamily townhomes12 acres for Ascension Seto
  
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• Austin resident wins $1M from scratch-off ticket

  04-05-2022 03:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One Austin resident is $1 million richer after claiming a top prize-winning ticket in the Texas Lottery scratch ticket game Million Dollar Loteria, according to a lottery press release.The ticket was bought at a store at 8523 Research Blvd. in north Austin.This was the seventh of 12 top prizes worth $1 million to be claimed in this game, the release said.The specific scratch-off game offers more than $381 million in total prizes. The winner elected to remain anonymous, lott
  
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• 3 taken to hospital after head-on collision in southwest Austin

  04-05-2022 02:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Emergency crews responded to a reported head-on collision in southwest Austin, officials tweeted Tuesday evening.
  Austin-Travis County EMS said it was responding to the scene of 7720 W. State Highway 71, near U.S. Highway 290. ATCEMS said two vehicles and three patients were involved, with one being pinned.Three people were taken to St. David's South Austin Medical Center. The person pinned inside of the vehicle had critical, life-threatening injuries. Two people had seriou
  
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• 1 taken to hospital after head-on collision in southwest Austin

  04-05-2022 02:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Emergency crews are on the scene of a reported head-on collision in southwest Austin, officials tweeted Tuesday evening.
  Austin-Travis County EMS said it was responding to the scene of 7720 W. State Highway 71, near U.S. Highway 290. ATCEMS said two vehicles and three patients were involved, with one being pinned.The person that was pinned was taken to St. David's South Austin Medical Center with critical, life-threatening injuries, ATCEMS said.No other details were release
  
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• Timeline of abortion-related legal action since Texas passed nation's most restrictive law

  04-05-2022 02:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The developing news of a leaked draft opinion from the United States Supreme Court suggesting it may overturn Roe v. Wade represents a boiling point of one of the most heated debates in America, a lot of which has taken place in the Lone Star State.On Tuesday, Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the legitimacy of the draft opinion, first obtained and reported by POLITICO on Monday evening. Roberts ordered an investigation into what he called an “egregious breach o
  
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• Texas' 'trigger law' would ban majority of abortions if Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade

  04-05-2022 02:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar)— If the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, Texas is ready to implement a ban on a majority of abortions.The state has what's called a "trigger law" that would take effect 30 days after the Supreme Court's decision. It would make most abortions illegal with some exceptions.The law would allow for abortions in the state if it was necessary to save the life of the pregnant person or if there were a risk of serious impairment because of the pregnancy.Monday's Politico report
  
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• Austin EMS employee quits in response to pay negotiations

  04-05-2022 01:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The people who show up when you dial call 911 are asking the City of Austin for more money.The Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services Association came back to negotiations Tuesday with a new compromise that the city will review. Austin EMS struggling with staffing due to low wages, union saysAlyssa Magnum has worked with Austin-Travis County EMS since 2015.During the Austin winter storm, she kept coming to the rescue and pushed through the COVID-19 pandemic on scor
  
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• Are Austin overdoses a public health emergency?

  04-05-2022 00:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Representatives from the Texas Harm Reduction Alliance are urging city and county leaders to declare a public health emergency as overdose numbers rise.DEA, APD address increase in downtown overdosesThis is the topic of discussion during a Tuesday night town hall where community members impacted by overdoses and homelessness, Austin-Travis County EMS (ATCEMS), Travis County District Attorney José Garza, County Judge Andy Brown, city council members and Travis County
  
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• Family, friends remember Austin graffiti artist killed while riding on scooter

  04-05-2022 00:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Friends left photos, flowers, notes and balloons at a growing memorial they created to remember a local graffiti artist killed in an east Austin crash.
  Police confirmed that Adam Gaconnet, 32, died on April 29 when a vehicle struck him, as he rode a scooter home from work during the early morning hours. The crash happened on East Seventh Street between Allen and Gunter Streets, which is now decorated in honor of Gaconnet by those who knew him best.
  Gaconnet's mother, Debi W
  
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• Protests for abortion rights spur in Austin after leaked SCOTUS draft opinion

  04-05-2022 00:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austinites are protesting in downtown Austin Tuesday evening for the right to safe abortion access. This comes after news outlet Politico published a leaked draft majority opinion showing the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade on Monday night.
  While Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the authenticity of the opinion written in February by Justice Samuel Alito, he said the draft doesn't represent a final decision of the court. That could come within t
  
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• Texas Democrats hope to capitalize on potential Roe v. Wade decision at the polls this year

  04-05-2022 00:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Following the leaked opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court, reported by Politico, Texas Democrats hope the potential decision to overthrow Roe v. Wade could potentially drive more voters to the polls this year.The high court's opinion, if it remains the same when it comes time to release the final decision, would allow states to set their own abortion laws.Here in Texas, that would set off a trigger law, House Bill 1280, passed by state lawmakers last June.
  "It's an attack
  
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