Austin news

• Fire danger high amid record breaking heat in Travis County this weekend

  10-06-2022 23:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Starting Friday afternoon, Travis County will see humidity levels drop to a concerning level. Paired with winds and extreme heat, conditions are ripe for fires.
  "We are transitioning very rapidly into a very increased level of fire danger," Travis County Wildfire Mitigation Specialist Will Boettner said.Record-breaking heat continues into the weekendAs we continue to see hot and windy days that dry out vegetation, experts worry we could see a repeat of 2011 — the year
  
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• Rare extreme heat alert issued for Central Texas

  10-06-2022 23:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A rare Extreme Heat Alert has been issued as afternoon temperatures will soar to record levels in Central Texas with highs forecast between 103 and 107 in many locations.
  It puts the mean heat index values higher than 105 to 110. The maximum heat index Friday at Camp Mabry was 106.This unusual June heat wave continues through the week with, for now, triple-digit high temperatures forecast from now until Friday. Saturday's forecast high is 105. Sunday's forecast maximum is 1
  
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• Heat Advisory in effect all weekend with Austin's hottest temperatures since 2020

  10-06-2022 23:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Camp Mabry soared to a record high temperature of 103 degrees Friday afternoon. This was the Austin area's fifth consecutive day to tie or break record high temperatures.
  This unusual start to June is the hottest in history, hotter even than the first nine days of June 2011.You may recall there were 90 days of triple-digit heat that year. That is the record ... for now.A large high pressure system over the desert southwest will continue to dominate our weather pattern with
  
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• Heat Advisory Continue ... Stay Safe

  10-06-2022 23:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — All of Central Texas will be under a HEAT ADVISORY from 1 p.m. today to 7 p.m. Sunday.Afternoon temperatures will soar to record levels with highs forecast between 103 and 107 in many locations.That would mean Heat Index values higher than 105 to 110 or higher.The maximum heat index Friday at Camp Mabry was 106.This unusual June heat wave continues through the week with, for now, triple-digit high temperatures forecast from now until Friday.Today's forecast high is 105.Sund
  
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• City initiates process for new, taller building heights on 6th street

  10-06-2022 22:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin City Council passed a resolution Thursday evening directing the City Manager's Office to allow developers to build on top of existing Sixth Street businesses in the entertainment district.
  The district--increasingly known as "Dirty Sixth" - runs from Brazos Street east to I-35. Building heights were previously capped at 45 feet throughout most of the street.Stream Realty, which owns several properties on Sixth Street, asked the city for the code amendment so it can bu
  
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• Travis County judge temporarily blocks DFPS from investigating some families with transgender kids

  10-06-2022 22:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A Travis County District Court judge has granted a temporary restraining order that will block the Texas Department of Family Protective Services from investigating some families with transgender children receiving gender affirming care, Lambda Legal, one of the groups involved in the lawsuit confirmed to KXAN.
  The ACLU of Texas also confirmed the ruling in a tweet this afternoon.
  According to Nicholas Guillory, a law fellow with Lambda Legal, the order only protects the three f
  
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• Three APD officers suspended for various policy violations, memos show

  10-06-2022 21:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Three Austin Police officers have been temporarily suspended for failing to adhere to various department policies.According to disciplinary memos released by the city, Officer Robert Brady, Sgt. Sandra Barnes and Cpl. Richard Parslow were all suspended over the past three weeks.Officer Brady was suspended for 90 days after confronting a 14-year-old boy while off duty, according to the memo. The boy told police he had taken a package from a front porch as a dare, then was ap
  
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• What is 'jugging'? Austin police see uptick in cases

  10-06-2022 21:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said it is seeing an uptick in "jugging" cases in the area.APD said there have been at least 62 "jugging" incidents over the last year at Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Chase Bank.What is "jugging"?Jugging was explained by APD as a form of robbery. A suspect follows a victim from a bank, ATM or check-cashing store to their next location. There, the suspect threatens or assaults the victim, and demands or takes the money, police said.Police sai
  
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• Austin ISD superintendent officially picked to lead Dallas schools

  10-06-2022 20:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin ISD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde was formally named the next Dallas ISD superintendent by the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees on Thursday.According to Dallas ISD, the approval vote followed the 21-day state-mandated waiting period after Elizalde was named as the lone finalist. PREVIOUS: Austin ISD superintendent lone finalist for top job with Dallas ISDElizalde is set to replace Dallas ISD’s current superintendent, Michael Hinojosa.Elizalde has been
  
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• Law scholarship created for Uvalde shooting victim

  10-06-2022 20:31 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KXAN) — A university announced it created a scholarship in honor of one of the children killed in Uvalde whose parents said she dreamed of becoming a lawyer.
  Earlier this week, St. Mary's University in San Antonio shared it started the Alexandria “Lexi” A. Rubio Memorial Law Scholarship Fund to benefit future law students. Rubio died along with 18 classmates and two teachers in the mass shooting last month at Uvalde's Robb Elementary School.
  Rubio's mot
  
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• Monkeypox cases more than double in US, 1 case now in Texas

  10-06-2022 20:26 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) -- A total of 45 monkeypox cases have been identified in the United States, which more than doubled last week’s case numbers. Among these was the first monkeypox case reported in Texas.The Department of State Health Services confirmed Tuesday the infection was found in a Dallas County resident who recently traveled internationally.However, officials said the Texas case did not present a threat to the general public since airborne transmission of monkeypox has not been reported.&ldqu
  
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• CDC investigates Salmonella in Texas, other states

  10-06-2022 20:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted an investigation notice Thursday that said Salmonella cases in the United States, including Texas, were linked to backyard poultry.The CDC and public health officials in several states were participating in the multistate outbreak investigation.Backyard poultry could carry Salmonella germs even if they look healthy and clean, and these germs can easily spread in areas where the poultry live and roam. The CDC said th
  
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• Which golf products are worth the splurge to improve your game?

  10-06-2022 19:22 via kxan.com
  
  BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details.How to get better at golfFew things are more relaxing than a day at the golf course. If you play often, you may be looking for ways to enhance your game. There are several products that let you practice at home, better understand the course, and choose the right club for certain shots. Whether you’re a casual or seasoned golfer, the right balls, putting mat, and rangefinder can change your game exponentially.In t
  
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• Former Austin Code officer accused of deed forgery, taking woman's property

  10-06-2022 18:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man who used to work for the City of Austin's Code Enforcement Department is accused of forging an elderly woman's signature on a deed document to transfer it to himself shortly before she died. An arrest affidavit also alleges he "intentionally dismissed multiple code violations" on the south Austin property "with the expectation he would be able to assume ownership after she passed (with a forged signature)."Alan Deshon Guyton, 37, is accused of "forgery deed record" an
  
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• APA! asks for fosters, adopters help ahead of weekend heat

  10-06-2022 18:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Pets Alive! said it needs help from potential adopters and fosters this weekend as extreme heat may affect conditions at the shelter.With the recent hot temperatures, APA! said it was taking precautions to keep pets safe during the extreme outdoor temperatures and preparing for potential power outages. APA! provides tips to keep pets safe amid rising temperaturesPresident and CEO of APA! Ellen Jefferson said the organization is asking the community to help get 7
  
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• APA! asks for fosters, adopters ahead of weekend heat

  10-06-2022 18:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Pets Alive! said it needs help from potential adopters and fosters this weekend as extreme heat may affect conditions at the shelter.With the recent hot temperatures, APA! said it was taking precautions to keep pets safe during the extreme outdoor temperatures and preparing for potential power outages. APA! provides tips to keep pets safe amid rising temperaturesPresident and CEO of APA! Ellen Jefferson said the organization is asking the community to help get 7
  
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• COVID might be spreading as fast right now as it was during previous surges, testing company says

  10-06-2022 17:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We're not seeing lines around the block at testing sites in downtown Austin right now, but the co-founder of Curative said the positivity rate they're seeing in patients is higher than it was during the first three COVID-19 surges and is approaching omicron levels from December.Pair that with the lowest testing numbers we've seen since July of last year, and Isaac Turner says its likely COVID-19 is spreading in our community right under our noses.
  "We've been seeing high positiv
  
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• COVID might be spreading as fast now as it was during previous surges, testing company says

  10-06-2022 17:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We're not seeing lines around the block at testing sites in downtown Austin right now, but the co-founder of Curative says the positivity rate they're seeing in patients is higher than it was during the first three COVID-19 surges and is approaching omicron levels from December.Pair that with the lowest testing numbers we've seen since July of last year, and Isaac Turner says its likely COVID-19 is spreading in our community right under our noses.
  "We've been seeing high positiv
  
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• Pregnant teen murdered in Texas, boyfriend arrested

  10-06-2022 16:44 via kxan.com
  
  WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — A Wichita Falls man has been charged with capital murder after the death of his pregnant girlfriend.According to Wichita Falls Police Department Sgt. Charlie Eipper, on Wednesday, June 8, officers responded to investigate a deceased person in the 1600 block of Deer Park Way at about 7:30 a.m.   Austin brothers possibly tied to grandfather’s murder in Pennsylvania, grandmother already arrestedOn scene, the officers found 19-year-old Kaycee Wofford of W
  
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• Get in shape and heart healthy with CycleNation this weekend

  10-06-2022 16:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin businesses are joining a nationwide effort Saturday to get you and your family heart healthy.
  KXAN is a co-sponsor of the American Heart and Stroke Association's CycleNation Austin. KXAN News Today's Kristen Currie and Tom Miller will emcee the event.In its fourth year, CycleNation aims to inspire a heart and brain-healthy lifestyle, while raising lifesaving funds Almost 30% of adults younger than 45 years of age don't know the five most common symptoms of a stroke,
  
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• US lifts COVID-19 test requirement for international travel

  10-06-2022 15:47 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is lifting its requirement that international air travelers to the U.S. take a COVID-19 test within a day before boarding their flights, easing one of the last remaining government mandates meant to contain the spread of the coronavirus.A senior administration official said the mandate expires Sunday at 12:01 a.m. EDT, saying the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that it's no longer necessary. The official, speaking Friday
  
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• Texas stargazers rejoice! UT telescopes reopen to public viewings this summer

  10-06-2022 15:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After a two-year closure due to the pandemic, the University of Texas at Austin is resuming public viewings at the university's campus telescope this summer. Wednesday nights, the university's astronomy department will host stargazing events at the telescope atop the Physics, Math and Astronomy building. The older telescope, atop Painter Hall, will reopen this fall."It's a very popular and beloved landmark in the state of Texas," said Steven Finkelstein, an associate profes
  
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• Neighbors fed up with 'dangerous' I-35 intersection, call on city to take action

  10-06-2022 13:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — When Sydney Rosa moved into her east Austin apartment at the corner of 11th Street and the Interstate 35 northbound frontage road, she never thought she would have to worry about traffic crashes."The pattern for how people get into accidents at this intersection is always the same," Rosa said. Austin lowers speed limits at nearly 50 streetsThat's what she has noticed over the last two and a half years of living near the intersection. Initially, Rosa thought maybe it was a t
  
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• Texas districts see shortages of school resource officers

  10-06-2022 13:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas school districts will soon have to answer to a new chief of school safety and security. Gov. Greg Abbott called on the Texas Education Agency to create that position Thursday. The chief will be tasked with collaborating with state agencies to provide a safe environment for Texas students and educators. While that's a solution, some local teachers and school leaders want more. Arming teachers in Texas schools is a subject that's come to the forefront in the wake o
  
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• Record-breaking heat continues into the weekend

  10-06-2022 12:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A It has been the third-hottest start to June in Austin record-keeping history -- even hotter than the first 9 days of June 2011.As the heat ridge overhead expands and strengthens Friday into the coming weekend, we are forecasting some of the hottest weather since August 2020. A Heat Advisory is in effect on Friday, and rare Excessive Heat Warnings are possible this weekend.Heat Advisory in effect Friday 1PM to 7PMDuring what is typically the third-wettest month of the year
  
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• Fire damages east Austin home early Friday

  10-06-2022 09:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin firefighters say one person was hurt after a fire destroyed an east Austin home and RV early Friday morning.AFD says the fire broke out at the home on Greenwood Avenue just north of Martin Luther King Boulevard and east of Airport Boulevard around 1:30 a.m.A KXAN crew at the scene says three men were inside the home at the time. No one was inside the RV at the time. A home next door has minor fire damage.Austin Fire does not have a cause of the fire and will update d
  
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• Fire burns east Austin home early Friday

  10-06-2022 09:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin firefighters on Friday say no one was hurt after a fire at home in east Austin spread to the house next door.
  AFD says the fire broke out at the home on Greenwood Avenue just north of Martin Luther King Boulevard and east of Airport Boulevard around 1:30 a.m.
  At 2 a.m., Austin Fire tweeted crews found fire on three sides of the home with an RV on the fire in the front yard. Part of the fire spread next door.
  
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• Motorcyclist dies in Slaughter Lane crash

  10-06-2022 09:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police say a man died after a crash between a pickup and a motorcycle on West Slaughter Lane in south Austin early Friday morning.
  Police say the crash happened around 12:30 a.m. at Slaughter Lane and Texas Oaks Drive east of Menchaca Road.
  The driver of the pickup truck stayed at the crash scene. Austin Travis County-EMS paramedics pronounced the motorcyclist dead at the scene.
  A witness told police, the truck was heading west on Slaughter Lane when it turned left in fro
  
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• Austin brothers possibly tied to grandfather's murder in Pennsylvania, grandmother already arrested

  10-06-2022 05:26 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The details of this story may be disturbing to some readers.
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Investigators believe two brothers who now live in Austin are tied to their grandfather's murder in Pennsylvania 10 years ago.
  Their grandmother Virginia Hayden is already charged with murder for the death of her husband Thomas. She's also charged with dozens of counts related to concealing her husband's death and collecting more than $100,000 in his Social Security benefits. Investigators believe Thomas
  
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• Texas softball loses to Oklahoma in national championship series

  10-06-2022 05:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas didn't have enough firepower to match No. 1 Oklahoma, as the Longhorns lost the NCAA Softball national championship series to the Sooners Thursday night. elimination game of the National Championship Series 10-5.
  The Longhorns were outscored by Oklahoma 26-3 in the series, losing Thursday's clinching game 10-5. The Sooners hit eight home runs between the two games.
  Thursday night was the second straight game in which Texas actually got on the scoreboard first, courtes
  
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• Waiting for keys, unable to break down doors: Uvalde schools police chief defends delay in confronting gunman

  10-06-2022 04:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) -- Only a locked classroom door stood between Pete Arredondo and a chance to bring down the gunman. It was sturdily built with a steel jamb, impossible to kick in.He wanted a key. One goddamn key and he could get through that door to the kids and the teachers. The killer was armed with an AR-15. Arredondo thought he could shoot the gunman himself or at least draw fire while another officer shot back. Without body armor, he assumed he might die.“The only thi
  
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• Uvalde schools police chief defends delay in confronting gunman

  10-06-2022 04:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) -- Only a locked classroom door stood between Pete Arredondo and a chance to bring down the gunman. It was sturdily built with a steel jamb, impossible to kick in.He wanted a key. One key and he could get through that door to the kids and the teachers. The killer was armed with an AR-15. Arredondo thought he could shoot the gunman himself or at least draw fire while another officer shot back. Without body armor, he assumed he might die.“The only thing that
  
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• 'Far too accessible': Travis Co. Gun Violence Summit zeroes in on illegal guns

  10-06-2022 03:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin and Travis County leaders said they would focus on practical ways to reduce gun violence in Central Texas following a summit on Gun Violence this week.The Travis County District Attorney José Garza, Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon, Mayor Pro-Tem Alison Alter and other leaders outlined their goals and plans alongside survivors of gun violence. BACKGROUND: ‘There’s a lot of talk,’ leaders promise action on gun violenceThey noted that one
  
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• Texas House investigation into Uvalde shooting begins behind closed doors

  10-06-2022 01:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — More than two weeks after the second deadliest school shooting in U.S. history, Texas lawmakers kicked off an investigation into what happened behind closed doors Thursday.The three-panel investigative committee met with witnesses and heard testimony in an hourslong hearing not open to the public. Chairman Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, said in a statement last week that their goal is to provide an "unbiased and objective report" to help inform the legislature
  
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• New Instagram function will show active Amber Alerts in your feed

  10-06-2022 01:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The next time an Amber Alert is issued in your area, you may see the information in your Instagram feed.Parent company Meta, which also owns Facebook, is partnering with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to provide Instagram users with a way to help when a child goes missing in their area.Alerts will show up in a user's feed with a photo and description of the missing child, as well as a direct link to local law enforcement. Users can
  
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• CDC moves Travis, Hays counties to 'medium' COVID risk

  10-06-2022 00:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The risk that COVID-19 presents to the community in Travis and Hays counties was upgraded to "medium" — a level 2 out of 3 risk, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Each week since Feb. 24, the CDC assigns a "COVID-19 Community Level" to each county nationwide based on how the virus is impacting local populations.Low, medium and high-risk categories are determined based on three factors: number of new cases in the past seven days, new hospital
  
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• Austin spending $300K on treatment after blue-green algae detected in Lady Bird Lake

  10-06-2022 00:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin will spend roughly $300,000 on treatment and testing of water after the Watershed Protection Department received a lab sample Thursday that indicated toxic blue-green algae is present in Lady Bird Lake. The sample was collected at Red Bud Isle, which has a dog park, early last week.The city said it will be treating the water with Phoslock, which cuts off nutrients to the algae and keeps it from spreading.
  Austin officials said Watershed Protection put Pho
  
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