Austin news

• Small plane crashes into Houston homes' backyards, no injuries

  06-05-2022 23:34 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (AP) — Authorities say no injuries were reported after a small plane crashed into the backyards of several Houston homes shortly after it had taken off.
  According to FlightAware, a flight-tracking website, the plane had taken off from Houston’s Hobby Airport at 2:17 p.m. Friday when it went down about a minute later.
  As the plane made an emergency landing about five miles from the airport, it knocked down a fence and skidded through a field at a high school campus before cras
  
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• Deputies find 100 migrants inside big rig on Texas highway

  06-05-2022 23:05 via kxan.com
  
  GANADO, Texas (AP) — Authorities say deputies found about 100 migrants in the back of a semitrailer that had broken down on a South Texas highway, but many of them fled. Jackson County Sheriff’s deputies found the semitrailer around 7 a.m. Friday just north of Ganado, about 90 miles southwest of Houston.
  The sheriff's office says when authorities opened the back of the vehicle, many of the occupants jumped out and ran away into nearby brush and cornfields.
  Authorities suspect they il
  
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• The next 7 days expected to be the hottest second week of May in Austin history

  06-05-2022 22:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Afternoon high temperatures climbed as high as 102 degrees in Llano, and this is just a small taste of the heat to come Mother's Day weekend.As a heat ridge builds on top of the state this weekend through next week, instead of seeing typical May thunderstorms and welcome rain, we are expecting near-record to record heat each day and dry conditions.Remember to stay hydrated during Mother's Day plans, avoid strenuous activity during the heat of the day, use sunscreen and keep
  
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• Settling into extended, concerning hot and dry stretch during our wettest month of the year

  06-05-2022 22:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Afternoon high temperatures climbed above 100 degrees today in Llano, Mason and San Saba counties, and this is just a small taste of the heat to come Mother's Day weekend.Sunshine, dry skies and occasionally gusty winds can be expected through the holiday weekend.Mother's Day forecast in Austin calling for hot, humid and breezy conditions.An extended period of hot, dry weather is in the forecast through the middle of the month.8-14 day temperature outlook (NOAA Climate Pred
  
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• Settling into an extended, concerning hot and dry stretch during our wettest month of the year

  06-05-2022 22:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Afternoon high temperatures climbed above 100 degrees today in Llano, Mason and San Saba counties, and this is just a small taste of the heat to come Mother's Day weekend.Sunshine, dry skies and occasionally gusty winds can be expected through the holiday weekend.Mother's Day forecast in Austin calling for hot, humid and breezy conditions.An extended period of hot, dry weather is in the forecast through the middle of the month.8-14 day temperature outlook (NOAA Climate Pred
  
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• TCEQ investigating complaints against Boring Company but Bastrop County official not concerned

  06-05-2022 22:26 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY (Austin Business Journal) — While Elon Musk's The Boring Company is moving ahead with projects in Central Texas, its drilling site in Bastrop County has drawn the ire of neighbors and is now being looked at by the state's environmental agency.The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality confirmed in late April that it has received three complaints about wastewater and concrete production at the Boring Co. site at 130 Walker-Watson Road, about 8 miles northwest of
  
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• State bar sues AG Paxton's deputy for attempts to overturn 2020 election results

  06-05-2022 22:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Friday he will be sued by the Texas State Bar Association over his lawsuit that challenged the 2020 presidential election results to the United States Supreme Court."I have recently learned that the Texas State Bar — which has been waging a months-long witch-hunt against me — now plans to sue me and my top deputy for filing Texas v. Penn: the historic challenge to the unconstitutional 2020 presidential election joined by
  
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• 17 year old shot at north Austin apartment complex, dies nearly 5 days later

  06-05-2022 21:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After being shot nearly five days ago in north Austin, a teen died from his injuries early Thursday morning. His death is being considered a homicide, the Austin Police Department said.
  Police said on April 30 around 8:13 p.m., 911 got a call about a shooting at an apartment complex in the 7600 block of Cameron Rd.
  Officers and Austin-Travis County EMS found Amonte Watters, 17, on the ground at the complex with "obvious trauma to his body."
  APD said he was taken to a hospit
  
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• Austin FC to host C.F. Pachuca for friendly in June

  06-05-2022 20:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC will take on top Mexican side C.F. Pachuca at Q2 Stadium, the club announced Friday.It's the third time in Austin FC's two-year history they'll take on a team from Liga MX, the highest division in Mexican soccer. C.F. Pachuca won Liga MX's Clausura 2022 regular season with a 12-2-3 record and 38 points, five ahead of Tigres UANL (another Austin FC opponent in July 2021). The team finished third in the 2017 FIFA Club World Cup. Austin FC releases 2022 TV scheduleTh
  
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• Ideas to beat escape potential record-setting heat this Mother's Day

  06-05-2022 20:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With temperatures expected to reach 98 degrees on Mother's Day, it might be best to ditch outdoor plans with mom for indoor activities.The heat and humidity can be dangerous, so if you do plan to be outside make sure to stay in the shade and drink plenty of water. Dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke can all be life-threatening.KXAN looked into cooler alternatives to do with mom this Sunday. Free Flowers, Local Gift Ideas & Discounts For MomBrunch/Dinner smartIn
  
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• Small owl freed from Wimberley fence after storm

  06-05-2022 19:36 via kxan.com
  
  WIMBERLEY, Texas (KXAN) — A Hays County couple freed a small owl that became trapped in their yard when a strong storm blew through their area.
  Mark and Twinkle Schwend sent a photo Friday of what appeared to be a tired, dazed owl sitting on a pink towel. They said they found it hanging from plastic fencing surrounding their garden and then cut it free. They said in an email the owl remained there "hunkered down for about 20 minutes and flew off perfectly fine."Everything’s bigger in
  
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• Tesla covers travel costs for workers seeking abortions

  06-05-2022 19:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Tesla is covering travel costs for employees seeking abortions outside their home state.
  The company said Friday in its 2021 “Impact Report” that it expanded its Safety Net program and health insurance offerings last year to include “travel and lodging support for those who may need to seek health care services that are unavailable in their home state.”
  The car maker officially moved its corporate headquarters last year from Silicon Valley to Texas,
  
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• 'There is a well-known problem with access to justice': Travis Co. lawyers raise money to help women and kids

  06-05-2022 17:49 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY (KXAN) — Tens of thousands of dollars will be donated to several local nonprofits in Travis County thanks to women who know the justice system well.“We are raising $85,000,” said Shelby O’Brien, the co-chair of the Travis County Women Lawyer’s Foundation.The group of women attorneys raises money to give out grants to groups that help women and children.“There is a well-known problem with access to justice and legal fees are very expensive. It&rsq
  
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• Texas burglar cuts victim's grass before fleeing with lawnmower

  06-05-2022 17:26 via kxan.com
  
  PORT ARTHUR, Texas (KXAN) — At least someone got their lawn mowed during an April 1 burglary in Port Arthur, Texas.The Port Arthur Police Department posted about the bizarre incident Thursday on its Facebook page and said it is still looking for the suspect, identified as Marcus Hubbard.PAPD said Hubbard went into a person's yard and took a lawnmower out of a building without the owner's permission. Instead of immediately leaving the yard, he apparently wanted to make sure the mower was in
  
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• Staff turnover in Texas prisons has increased. Here's how it's impacting corrections officers

  06-05-2022 17:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Texas Department of Criminal Justice saw significant turnover among correctional officers last year, according to a new report. Some say the staffing losses have created new challenges for remaining correctional officers. Texas had a 40.3% turnover rate for correctional officer positions in 2021, according to a 2022 report released by the Texas State Auditor’s Office. The turnover rate for officers increased by almost 7% between 2020 and 2021.Jeff Ormsby, exe
  
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• Jury finds Kyle mom guilty of capital murder in death of young son

  06-05-2022 15:59 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A jury found Dazrine Chagoya-Williams guilty of capital murder Friday in the death of her nearly two-year-old son, Mason. She was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
  Over the last week two weeks, prosecutors brought forward more than two dozen witnesses and presented roughly 200 pieces of evidence to a jury which unanimously decided Chagoya-Williams -- alongside her husband and the child’s father, Stevie Williams -- is respo
  
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• Fate of Kyle mom accused of murder now in the hands of a jury

  06-05-2022 15:59 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Closing arguments wrapped up Friday 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 now decide whether or not she is guilty of capital murder.Over the last week two weeks, prosecutors brought forward more than two dozen witnesses and presented roughly 200 pieces of evidence to a jury that will decide whether Chagoya-Williams, alongside her husband and the child’s fa
  
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• Closing arguments expected Friday in trial of Kyle mom accused of murder

  06-05-2022 15:59 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Closing arguments are expected Friday in the trial of Dazrine Chagoya-Williams, the Kyle mom who allegedly murdered her nearly two-year-old son, Mason, in 2018.
  Over the last week and a half, prosecutors brought forward more than two dozen witnesses and presented roughly 200 pieces of evidence to a jury that will decide over the next few days whether Chagoya-Williams, alongside her husband and the child’s father, Stevie Williams, is guilty of capital
  
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• Closing arguments begin in trial of Kyle mom accused of murder

  06-05-2022 15:59 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Closing arguments began Friday in the trial of Dazrine Chagoya-Williams, the Kyle mom who allegedly murdered her nearly two-year-old son, Mason, in 2018.
  Over the last week and a half, prosecutors brought forward more than two dozen witnesses and presented roughly 200 pieces of evidence to a jury that will decide over the next few days whether Chagoya-Williams, alongside her husband and the child’s father, Stevie Williams, is guilty of capital murder
  
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• City expanding streetlight project in east Austin

  06-05-2022 15:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin is working to light up drivers' commute. The Austin Transportation Department, alongside the Texas Department of Transportation, will improve lighting along a dark stretch of east and northeast Austin roads. On Thursday, the Austin City Council approved upping its funding to help expand the Cameron Road and Howard Lane lighting projects. The city will contribute $650,000 for the project design and pay for any cost overruns. TxDOT will use f
  
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• Gov. Abbott wants the U.S., not Texas, to cover education of undocumented students

  06-05-2022 14:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) – Gov. Greg Abbott wants the federal government to cover the cost of educating undocumented students in Texas public schools.The Texas Tribune reports Abbott expanded Thursday on comments he made the day before on the San Antonio-based conservative radio program “The Joe Pags Show.” Austin to give guaranteed income to 85 individualsAbbott said he would revisit the 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision Plyler vs Doe. It struck down a Texas law that denied
  
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• City settles another lawsuit related to May 2020 protests, this one for $850K

  06-05-2022 13:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council approved a settlement in another lawsuit tied to the May 2020 protests during its Thursday meeting.
  Council approved $850,000 for the settlement with Maredith Drake, who was serving as a "street medic" during the Black Lives Matter protests nearly two years ago in downtown Austin.She filed suit in September 2020, claiming an Austin Police officer shot a beanbag round at her hands while she was trying to carry an injured protester to get medical help. The
  
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• AISD pledges to retain more Title 1 teachers

  06-05-2022 12:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Independent School District said it needs to do more to retain teachers.According to a Thursday night presentation to the board, AISD has a goal of retaining 90% of teachers at Title 1 schools by the 2025-26 school year. In 2021-22, the district retained 79.2%, a 3.7% drop from 2020-21. Title 1 schools serve high numbers of disadvantaged children.   The district is also falling behind on non-teacher staff retention with 83.3% staying in the current school y
  
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• Uncomfortable humidity, near-record heat Mother's Day weekend

  06-05-2022 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Enjoy the relatively cooler temperatures this morning - we're in for an early taste of summer starting this afternoon.Yesterday's rainfall is allowing for patchy dense fog to develop for this morning's commute. A DENSE FOG ADVISORY is in effect until 9AM for most of the KXAN viewing area as visibility could drop to 1-2 miles at times.Dense Fog Advisory in effect until 9AM Friday morning.Afternoon highs temperatures will climb into the 90s today... and return to the 90s. EVE
  
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• 'He's a little warrior': Central Texas baby has open-heart surgery after birth

  06-05-2022 05:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Central Texas family is crediting their faith and doctors at Dell Children's Comprehensive Fetal Care Center for saving their newborn's life.The center is designed for moms whose babies have been diagnosed with a complex fetal or congenital condition. It offers immediate, specialized treatment and care after birth.During Julie Hyde's pregnancy, her son Blake was diagnosed with a rare complex heart defect called total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR).According to
  
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• Austin to give guaranteed income to 85 individuals

  06-05-2022 05:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For people living paycheck to paycheck, relief may soon be on the way.Austin City Council gave the green light to a $1.1 million guaranteed income pilot program on Thursday.These taxpayer funds will give $1,000 a month to 85 families or individuals facing extreme financial hardship.Austin mayor Steve Adler said it'll play a pivotal part in preventing homelessness."We have to find ways to divert people from ending up on the streets in the first place,” he said. “
  
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• Town hall prompts push for overdose action plan

  06-05-2022 04:32 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Austin Public Health is looking into the feasibility of declaring a public health emergency to curb overdoses, according to Travis County Judge Andy Brown.
  "I do think we are in a crisis right now," he said.
  He's pushing to implement more harm reduction tools in Austin and Travis County following a town where people struggling with addiction shared their stories and concerns. Are Austin overdoses a public health emergency?Examples of harm reduction tools inclu
  
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• SCOTUS draft ruling highlights Henry Cuellar's abortion position in runoff election

  06-05-2022 03:55 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO (Nexstar) — A Democratic congressional race in South Texas is garnering national attention, as the Roe v. Wade leaked opinion shakes up a tight runoff election.
  Nine-term Congressman Henry Cuellar of Laredo's well-known opposition to abortion is coming under fire by progressive challenger Jessica Cisneros, his former intern.
  The incumbent is the sole Democrat who voted against codifying Roe v. Wade, the Women’s Health Protection Act, which failed in Congress at the end of
  
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• Gallery: Student-led march for abortion rights from UT Tower to capitol building

  06-05-2022 03:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin students marched from the University of Texas at Austin campus to the Texas State Capitol Thursday afternoon in favor of abortion rights.Earlier this week, Politico leaked a draft opinion from the Supreme Court that showed the majority of justices support striking down Roe v. Wade, which protects the federal right to abortion. While the opinion isn't final yet (a final decision is expected this summer), Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the draft was authentic.Dra
  
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• Record heat, Heat Advisory expected on Mother's Day

  06-05-2022 02:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Storms continue to gradually slide south-southeast as we head into the evening. The risk for isolated large hail continues along with heavy rain and frequent lightning.The Tornado Watch that was in effect until 6 P.M. has been allowed to expire, but isolated strong or severe storms remain possible into mid-evening.After today, our focus then turns to near-record heat as a ridge of high pressure builds over Central Texas. This will allow temperatures to soar well into the 90
  
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• Photos: Thunderstorm brings hail to Leander area

  06-05-2022 01:10 via kxan.com
  
  Top video: Hail in the Larkspur subdivision in Leander from Robert CurbeloAUSTIN (KXAN) — Strong to severe storms are moving through the Central Texas area Thursday afternoon. A Tornado Watch was previously in effect for most of the KXAN viewing area, including Travis, Williamson and Hays Counties, until 6 p.m.
  ResourcesRadarForecastAlertsDriving ConditionsRainfall amountsLow water crossingsWatches vs Warnings: Understanding how a storm is madeNo cover? Here are tips and tricks to protect
  
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• Live Blog: Thunderstorm brings hail to Leander area

  06-05-2022 01:10 via kxan.com
  
  Top video: Hail in the Larkspur subdivision in Leander from Robert CurbeloAUSTIN (KXAN) — Strong to severe storms are moving through the Central Texas area Thursday afternoon. A Tornado Watch was previously in effect for most of the KXAN viewing area, including Travis, Williamson and Hays Counties, until 6 p.m.
  ResourcesRadarForecastAlertsDriving ConditionsRainfall amountsLow water crossingsWatches vs Warnings: Understanding how a storm is madeNo cover? Here are tips and tricks to protect
  
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• Kroger putting grocery delivery warehouse in northeast Austin

  06-05-2022 01:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — Kroger Co. is one step closer to bringing its grocery delivery service to Austin.Finishing work will begin June 1 on its roughly 70,000-square-foot distribution center at 2401 Ferguson Lane, with an estimated completion of Sept. 30, according to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing from last week. The grocery giant — the largest traditional grocery chain in the country, by store count — announced in March plans to la
  
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• Former Elgin mayor indicted, accused of stealing from local business

  06-05-2022 00:04 via kxan.com
  
  ELGIN, Texas (KXAN) — A former Elgin mayor is charged with stealing money from a business, according to an indictment.
  Court documents state Christopher Cannon, 37, is charged with theft of property equal to or greater than $30,000 but less than $150,000.The indictment alleges Cannon stole from Baker's Backhoe Service between Jan. 27, 2015 and Aug. 21, 2019.
  The business describes itself as an "experienced excavation contractor" that has been around for more than three decades on its websi
  
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