Austin news

• Unprecedented June heat wave builds bringing the hottest weather of the year thus far

  06-06-2022 23:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Camp Mabry tied the record high for June 6 Monday afternoon set in 2011, topping out at a searing 103°. High temperatures over the next week should handily be Austin's hottest second week of June on record, with records dating back to 1897.A Heat Advisory is in effect for much of the area through 8 p.m. this evening with a more serious Excessive Heat Warning in Mason and San Saba counties. Limit exertion when outdoors and make sure animals have a cool place to be with p
  
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• How this early summer heat wave could compare to previous records

  06-06-2022 22:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Buckle up, Austin. We're in for a long stretch of triple-digit heat.As of June 6, each day on the First Warning Weather seven-day forecast is above 100°, and longer range models suggest the triple-digit heat could last well into June.The 8-to-14-day outlook from the Climate Prediction Center puts Central Texas squarely in the region likely to see above-average temperatures from June 13 to June 19. Important caveat: average highs in Austin during that period range from 9
  
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• Austin entered new water restrictions today. Here's how other cities are limiting use

  06-06-2022 22:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Starting Monday, Austin water customers are under new, increased water restrictions.
  These restrictions, the first since 2018, limit automatic irrigation watering from midnight through 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. through midnight. Once-per-week watering for residential and commercial customers will continue.Summer forecast: Dropping lake levels could mean water restrictions soonThe changes are triggered by low water levels in Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan. The Lower Colorado River Au
  
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• Texas neighbors rally to raise $30K for family needing wheelchair van

  06-06-2022 22:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For Austin resident Bene Jacobs, she knows too well the challenges parents have of trying to drive her children to and from school, sports practices and afterschool events. But as the mom of a wheelchair-bound son, there's an added layer of accessibility issues that complicate everyday transport.Over the past nine years, she'd been driving the same "soccer mom" van and manually lifting her son, Isaac, in and out of his wheelchair and stowing it in her trunk. Then in April,
  
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• Matthew McConaughey urges 'gun responsibility,' bipartisan changes in Monday op-ed

  06-06-2022 22:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Matthew McConaughey urged changes for "responsible gun ownership" in a Monday op-ed in the Austin American-Statesman. His letter follows the school shooting in Uvalde, McConaughey's hometown that killed 19 students and two teachers.
  McConaughey, who was born in Uvalde and lives in Austin, said there is a difference between gun control and gun responsibility in that there is "no constitutional barrier to responsibility."READ MORE: Uvalde native McConaughey addresses school s
  
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• Barton Springs Pool will open on Wednesdays starting June 8

  06-06-2022 21:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Despite an ongoing lifeguard shortage, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department has announced that the Barton Springs Pool will reopen on Wednesdays starting June 8. This marks a return to full operational hours. Due to lifeguard shortage, Barton Springs Pool will close 2 more days per weekThe full operational hours of Barton Springs Pool are listed below.
  Daily (except Thursdays)5-8 a.m.:  Swim at your own risk8 a.m.-10 p.m.: Guarded swimThursdays5-9 a.m.:
  
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• Texas lawmaker proposes banning minors from attending drag shows

  06-06-2022 21:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Republican lawmaker from East Texas said he would like to enact a statewide ban that would prevent minors from attending drag performances.
  Texas Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Mineola, posted on social media Monday that he plans to introduce legislation during next year's legislative session aimed at "protecting kids from drag shows and other inappropriate displays." This announcement apparently came after videos surfaced online showing children attending a drag showcase in Dallas
  
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• Texas lawmaker proposes banning drag shows in presence of minors

  06-06-2022 21:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Republican lawmaker from East Texas said he would like to enact a statewide ban that would prevent minors from attending drag performances.
  Texas Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Mineola, posted on social media Monday that he plans to introduce legislation during next year's legislative session aimed at "protecting kids from drag shows and other inappropriate displays." This announcement apparently came after videos surfaced online showing children attending a drag showcase in Dallas
  
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• Austin Water introduces new water management tools: OSCAR and CLARA

  06-06-2022 20:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Water has a new water management system, nicknamed OSCAR and CLARA, designed to help extend Austin's current water supply, according to a press release from Austin Water.Additionally, the project will allow for sustainable water reuse in the city's commercial buildings, the release said.Austin enters Stage 1 water restrictions“Together, OSCAR and CLARA are aiming to help the City of Austin to save over one million gallons of drinking water each year, reducing t
  
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• US Department of Justice appeals $230 million Sutherland Springs ruling

  06-06-2022 20:17 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO (KXAN) —  The U.S. Department of Justice has filed an appeal looking to overturn a federal ruling that found the Air Force was responsible for the Sutherland Springs church mass shooting in 2017.Last year, a federal judge ruled the government was 60% responsible for the shooting after the gunman previously threatened mass violence while in the Air Force. The shooting left 26 people dead and injured 22 others. Department of Justice ordered to pay more than $230M to vic
  
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• Gas leak closes portion of west Austin street

  06-06-2022 16:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A gas leak in west Austin will shut down several blocks around Exposition Boulevard and McCullough Street for a "few hours" Monday, the Austin Fire Department said around 9 a.m.AFD said Exposition Boulevard will be shut down between the 2400 to 2600 block.Texas Gas Service said two nearby buildings were evacuated. Gas levels were safe at Casis Elementary School.Drivers should avoid the area as Texas Gas works to repair the leak.This story will be updated as the situation ch
  
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• Suspect in cyclist's murder dropped off at New Jersey airport, US Marshals say

  06-06-2022 16:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Kaitlin Marie Armstrong, the woman accused of murdering professional cyclist Anna Moriah Wilson in Austin, was dropped off at the Newark Liberty International Airport a day after Austin police obtained an arrest warrant, the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force said Monday in a release.The U.S. Marshals upgraded the Armstrong investigation to major case status and are offering up to $5,000 as a reward for information leading to her arrest, the release said. TIMELINE:
  
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• LIVE: Suspect in cyclist's murder dropped off at New Jersey airport, US Marshals say

  06-06-2022 16:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Kaitlin Marie Armstrong, the woman accused of murdering professional cyclist Anna Moriah Wilson in Austin, was dropped off at the Newark Liberty International Airport a day after Austin police obtained an arrest warrant, the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force said Monday in a release.The U.S. Marshals upgraded the Armstrong investigation to major case status and are offering up to $5,000 as a reward for information leading to her arrest, the release said. TIMELINE:
  
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• Austin's airport is one of the 'greenest' in the US — Here's how they did it

  06-06-2022 15:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Amid rapid expansion and record-breaking crowds, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport recently received another honor: it became the first medium-sized airport in the country to go carbon neutral. The airport is one of only three airports in the country to achieve carbon neutrality.
  The achievement is part of an ongoing effort by the airport to reflect its community's focus on sustainability and going green, according to Sam Haynes, communications manager with the airport
  
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• Texas State, Stanford play Monday for Super Regional spot

  06-06-2022 14:48 via kxan.com
  
  STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Carter Graham hit two home runs, Drew Bowser hit a two-run shot in the bottom of the seventh inning and No. 2 overall seed Stanford pulled away for an 8-4 victory over Texas State on Sunday night, forcing a Monday showdown between the schools for the Stanford Regional title.Stanford (44-15) had its back against the wall after losing 5-2 to Texas State (47-13) on Saturday night. The Cardinal got another shot at the Bobcats by beating UC Santa Barbara 8-4 in an elimin
  
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• Austin team out of rugby playoffs despite being top team

  06-06-2022 13:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Gilgronis won't be competing in the Major League Rugby playoffs despite finishing on top of the Western Conference standings.MLR disqualified the Austin Gilgronis from 2022 postseason play on June 3. The league said the AG violated league rules. Australia to Austin: Mack Mason finding a home with GilgronisThe league and the team have not explained which rules were violated.The regular season ended Sunday. The playoffs begin on June 11 ahead of the MLR Championship Fin
  
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• Austin's oldest pit barbecue restaurant reopening after 2020 fire

  06-06-2022 13:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin’s oldest pit barbecue restaurant is rebuilding more than a year after the restaurant burned down.“I feel overwhelming excitement and joy when I see it,” said House Park Bar-B-Que owner Matt Sullivan as he walked around the property near 12th Street and Lamar Boulevard. Texas French Bread to resume baking after fireThe December 2020 fire destroyed the roof and interior of the building, but the iconic pit only dealt with some damage.Sullivan says the
  
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• Humane Society shows kids how to care for their pets this summer

  06-06-2022 12:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Humane Society is giving your kids a chance to better understand what it is like to own and care for a pet.
  The AHS launches its 10th annual Summer Kids Series! Tuesday. Every week, kids will learn various lessons and earn Cat Care and Dog Care Certificates. Austin dog becomes first to walk around the worldThere are two Story Time sessions where kids can write their own stories about pets.
  June 7: Story Time with Bookspring July 14: Story Time with Bookspring&nbs
  
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• Texas baseball blows out Air Force, advances to super regional round

  06-06-2022 05:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas baseball is super-regional bound after beating Air Force 10-1 in the championship game of the Austin Regional on Sunday.
  The Longhorns jumped on the Falcons from the outset, scoring five runs in the first inning.
  Ivan Melendez got the ball rolling with a 2-run home run, which was his 30th home run of this record-setting season for Melendez.
  The other standout for Texas at the plate was Dylan Campbell, who hit two home runs to add to the Longhorns' total.
  Campbell earn
  
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• Czech it out: Texas softball earns semifinal spot at WCWS

  06-06-2022 04:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns softball team is in the national semifinals at the Women's College World Series.JJ Smith crushed a 3-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning to give Texas the lead and pitcher Estelle Czech was brilliant in relief for a 5-2 win over Arizona on Sunday at OGE Energy Field. It's down to four: semifinals set in Women's College World SeriesCzech came in with one out in the fourth inning and quelled a potential Arizona rally. Taking over for Hailey Dol
  
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• Austin attorney representing Uvalde victim's family in lawsuit against Daniel Defense

  06-06-2022 04:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austinites are continuing to call for change in the wake of the deadly mass shooting in Uvalde, as others in the small town are already taking some of those steps.
  "Continued violence and inaction threatens our schools as places of learning, right, as places of development," said Angela Valenzuela, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin's College of Education.She helped organize an Aztec healing ceremony at the Mexican American Cultural Center on Sunday.
  "The idea
  
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• City employee accused of rape, robbery while on the clock

  06-06-2022 01:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin Water employee is accused of raping and robbing a woman while on the clock Friday, according to an Austin Police Department arrest affidavit.Corie Darian Cornist Jr., 31, faces charges of second-degree sexual assault and second-degree robbery by assault.Police responded to an area in southeast Austin on Cedargrove Drive for an urgent welfare check call. When officers arrived, the victim was found bleeding from a "bad leg and hip injury," and was taken to the hospi
  
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• Austin employee accused of rape, robbery while on the clock

  06-06-2022 01:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin Water employee is accused of raping and robbing a woman while on the clock June 3, according to an Austin Police Department arrest affidavit.Corie Darian Cornist Jr., 31, faces charges of second-degree sexual assault and second-degree robbery by assault.Police responded to an area in southeast Austin on Cedargrove Drive for an urgent welfare check call. When officers arrived, the victim was found bleeding from a "bad leg and hip injury," and was taken to the hospi
  
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• Texas regional rideshare app grows in popularity amid summer travel season

  06-06-2022 00:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With schools out and the summer season underway, more Central Texans have their sights set on summer destinations and vacations. Amid more expensive travel fees industrywide and lengthy lines at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, one locally-launched rideshare app is seeing increased interest in its services.Since 2018, Hitch has operated out of Austin as a long-distance rideshare service, similar to an Uber or Lyft but with a more regional emphasis. The app's growth t
  
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