Austin news

• Minimum wage for Austin city employees raised to $22 an hour

  16-06-2022 23:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The minimum, starting hourly wage for Austin city employees will be raised from $15 to $22.On Thursday, Austin City Council approved the pay boost resolution intended to fill vacant city jobs and remain "competitive." Austin man loses $8K in cash, possessions in possible jugging caseAccording to the City of Austin, 18% of its budgeted positions are open.
  District 2 City Councilwoman Vanessa Fuentes proposed the resolution, saying the city has to "to remain competitive and e
  
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• Austin City Council wants to raise city employees' minimum wage to $22 an hour

  16-06-2022 23:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin City Council voted Thursday to raise the minimum wage for city employees to $22 an hour.The council approved the pay boost resolution intended to fill vacant city jobs and remain "competitive." It's not a done deal, however. The resolution directs City Manager Spencer Cronk to "develop a plan and timeline" for the increase from $15 to $22, a city spokesperson said. Austin man loses $8K in cash, possessions in possible jugging caseIf the increase isn't deemed feas
  
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• On track to record the hottest June in Austin history as heat wave continues

  16-06-2022 23:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Coming off the second longest streak of June triple-digit heat on record in Austin, we began a new stretch of 100-degree heat Thursday afternoon with a high temperature of 103.The daily routine of morning clouds and searing afternoon sunshine continues through the next week or more, with the exception of a small 10% chance of pop-up rain on Friday afternoon as a weak disturbance moves in from Louisiana. Most areas will not see any heat relief from these very isolated shower
  
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• More COVID-19 being detected in wastewater in Austin

  16-06-2022 23:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As more people use at-home tests to determine if they have COVID-19, Austin Public Health says COVID-19 cases in Austin are underreported right now. It's one of the reasons the health department has turned to wastewater testing to monitor the pandemic.
  That latest wastewater testing shows COVID-19 might be spreading in our community again. According to APH, COVID-19 copies in wastewater have gone up roughly 25% from the end of May to the second week of June. The latest COVI
  
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• July weather forecast released: Another hotter than normal month

  16-06-2022 23:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As we continue through an incredibly warm June, the outlook for July does not look to bring much relief.The Climate Prediction Center released their initial July outlook for temperatures and rainfall on Thursday.July temperature outlookNo sense in burying the headline here...July is going to be another hotter than normal month.
  July temperature forecast (CPC)The warmer than normal temperature outlook is not just for Central Texas, but really for most of the southern half an
  
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• 20 charges brought against Dripping Springs teacher accused of improper relationships

  16-06-2022 22:15 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) — A Dripping Springs middle school teacher and coach accused of an improper relationship with multiple students is facing additional charges.Kevin McLean, 30, is facing multiple charges of possession of child pornography as well as online solicitation of a minor and improper relationship between student and educator charges, according to Hays County court records. McLean is facing 20 total charges. ORIGINAL REPORT: Dripping Springs teacher arrested, accused o
  
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• Austin Public Health: More than 20% of COVID tests coming back positive

  16-06-2022 22:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the Austin-Travis County region continues to report higher volumes of COVID-19 cases, Austin Public Health leaders announced Thursday the virus' positivity rate now tops 20%.As of June 10, Travis County has a recorded 20.8% positivity rate, or the percentage of submitted COVID-19 tests coming back positive. This latest dataset follows earlier warnings from APH leaders that the area's positivity rate was nearing Omicron levels during the winter surge.June 10 data from Aus
  
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• Mechanical issues cause Texas Parks and Wildlife plane to crash into Lady Bird Lake

  16-06-2022 21:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A small plane crashed into Lady Bird Lake and the pilot was rescued by paddleboarders, according to the Austin Police Department.
  The incident happened Thursday afternoon just west of Interstate 35, it said. Texas Parks and Wildlife confirmed it was a game warden pilot that crashed.
  "The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is aware that a Game Warden pilot was involved in a plane crash today in Austin on Lady Bird Lake. We are gathering more information about the status of the p
  
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• LIVE: Paddleboarders rescued pilot after plane crashed into Lady Bird Lake, APD says

  16-06-2022 21:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A small plane crashed into Lady Bird Lake and the pilot was rescued by paddleboarders, according to the Austin Police Department.
  The incident happened Thursday afternoon just west of Interstate 35, it said.The police department said the plane was a two-seater plane but only one person was on board. The pilot survived but Austin-Travis County EMS said one person was taken to the hospital with potentially serious injuries after the crash.A small plane crashed into Lady Bird Lake
  
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• APD: Paddleboarders rescued pilot after plane crashed into Lady Bird Lake

  16-06-2022 21:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A small plane crashed into Lady Bird Lake and the pilot was rescued by paddleboarders, according to the Austin Police Department.
  The incident happened Thursday afternoon just west of Interstate 35, it said. Texas Parks and Wildlife confirmed it was a game warden pilot that crashed.
  "The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is aware that a Game Warden pilot was involved in a plane crash today in Austin on Lady Bird Lake. We are gathering more information about the status of the p
  
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• APD: Paddle boarders rescue pilot after plane crashes into Lady Bird Lake

  16-06-2022 21:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A small plane crashed into Lady Bird Lake and the pilot was rescued by paddle boarders, according to the Austin Police Department.
  The incident happened Thursday afternoon just west of Interstate 35, it said.The police department said the plane was a two-seater plane but only one person was on board. The pilot survived but Austin-Travis County EMS said one person was taken to the hospital with potentially serious injuries.A spokesperson for the Austin Bergstrom International Air
  
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• Texas DMV launches digital license plates

  16-06-2022 20:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles is bringing vehicle licenses into the digital age with the launch of new license plates. Beginning June 1, the Texas DMV is offering digital license plates to eligible commercial fleet drivers.Currently, both government and commercial fleet vehicles can purchase digital plates, with multiple models available. Vehicles must already be registered in Texas to qualify for the specialty plates, per a June 14 Texas DMV news release.For
  
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• Trials set, convictions made in Travis County sexual abuse, assault cases

  16-06-2022 20:24 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – On Wednesday, the Travis County District Attorney’s Office announced cases set for trial resulted in criminal convictions for acts of violence.On Friday, a Travis County jury deliberated and convicted 44-year-old Jabbar Bostic on three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Bostic was booked into jail in Aug. 2021 and charged for offenses that took place in the summer of 2009.On Monday, a jury convicted 62-year-old Woodrow Maybin of continuous s
  
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• City considers eminent domain for Austin's airport expansion

  16-06-2022 20:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin City Council on Thursday will consider whether to begin the eminent domain process to secure land for a sweeping expansion plan for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS).
  The targeted property is home to the South Terminal which is operated by LoneStar Airport Holdings, a private company. The terminal offers three gates for ultra-low-cost carriers Allegiant and Frontier.As KXAN has reported, the Austin airport is looking to build a new mid-airfeld concours
  
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• City authorizes eminent domain for Austin's airport expansion

  16-06-2022 20:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin City Council on Thursday voted to authorize the start of eminent domain proceedings to secure land for a sweeping expansion of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS).The targeted property is home to the South Terminal which is operated by LoneStar Airport Holdings, a private company. The terminal offers three gates for ultra-low-cost carriers Allegiant and Frontier.As KXAN has reported, the Austin airport — which is experiencing unprecedented travel n
  
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• 1 dead after rollover crash in northwest Austin

  16-06-2022 19:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – One person died Thursday after being ejected from their vehicle during a rollover in the 8000 block of North Capital Of Texas Highway, according to the Austin-Travis County EMS.ACTEMS said the medics reported to the scene at approximately 11:51 a.m.Extended delays are expected for the area near Spicewood Springs Road and North Capital Of Texas Highway.This is a developing situation. Check back with KXAN for updates.
  
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• Live: Jan. 6 panel details Trump pressure on Pence

  16-06-2022 18:58 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) —The House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol is set to hold its third hearing in a series on Thursday.The hearing is scheduled to take place at 1 p.m. ET and is expected to focus on the pressure former President Donald Trump put on his vice president, Mike Pence, to stop Joe Biden’s election victory.In a last-ditch and potentially illegal plan, Trump seized on the unorthodox proposal from conservative law professor John Eastman 
  
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• Jan. 6 panel calls Trump plan to block election illegal

  16-06-2022 18:58 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) —The House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol detailed Thursday then-President Donald Trump’s last-ditch effort to salvage the 2020 election by pressuring Vice President Mike Pence to reject the electoral count. Pence didn’t testify at the hearing but was in the spotlight as two witnesses shed light on Trump’s desperate attempts to persuade him to overturn the election results. Chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson, (D-Miss.
  
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• Suspects in string of Austin robberies arrested after Domain shooting

  16-06-2022 18:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police said they arrested four people accused in a string of recent robberies in Austin following a shooting at a north Austin shopping center this week.According to an arrest affidavit, APD is investigating at least nine robberies and a stolen car case starting Friday and ending Tuesday, when police helped a 17-year-old suspect who they said was shot during a robbery at The Domain, near 3400 Palm Way. According to an affidavit, one of the victims shot the suspect as
  
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• May housing report: Austin sets record for median home price, uptick in inventory

  16-06-2022 17:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The May housing report produced by the Austin Board of Realtors shows home prices in Central Texas have continued to rise, but inventory is also starting to go up.
  “The Austin region saw dangerously low levels of inventory, as low as 0.4 months of inventory in January 2021, so this slight increase in inventory and active listings point to the market beginning to normalize," Dr. Adam Perdue, a research economist at the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, said. "
  
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• China 'extraterrestrial' signal may just be humans; researcher says

  16-06-2022 16:48 via kxan.com
  
  CHINA (KXAN) - Earlier this week, Chinese state media reported that the nation's  Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) detected a signal from a possible "extraterrestrial civilization". Now researchers are questioning those findings.In an interview with the science and technology website Futurism, Dan Werthimer, with the University of California, Berkeley said that he believes the signals they detected were not from aliens, but actually from Earth. Werthimer is a SETI rese
  
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• PR experts office advice for bolstering Austin's reputation

  16-06-2022 16:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (ABJ) -- A few weeks ago, Austin fell from No. 5 to No. 13 on the U.S. News & World Report ranking of the best places to live in the country. Not too long ago, we were comfortably No. 1.It’s not like Austin became a worse place to live overnight. And Austin still ranked No. 1 in Texas. But we’ve reported extensively on Austin’s high ranking in years past, so it feels like fair play to dissect the slide.Why did Austin fall down this highly read lis
  
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• Solar panels are dying in Austin; what now?

  16-06-2022 15:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Solar panel usage is slowly on the rise around the world. As they become more common, there has been some concern about the waste they may create. KXAN viewers wanted to know what happens to panels when they 'expire', so we found out."If you go back about 10 years ago, you would be blown away about how little solar has actually been installed," said Paul Watson, chief strategy officer for Native Solar. Watson said that around 5% of the grid is currently powered by solar. The Depa
  
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• Proposed mixed-use Pflugerville development near SH 45 & SH 130, open house Thursday

  16-06-2022 14:29 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — Plans are in the work to develop around 600 acres of Pflugerville land.About 400 acres are within city limits, and the other 200 acres are just outside in the city's Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ).It's the SH 45 Small Area Plan, which is part of the city's Aspire Pflugerville 2040 Comprehensive Plan —essentially the guide for city growth over the next two decades.The development plan is a collaborative effort between the city, the Pfl
  
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• New Quinnipiac poll results reveal tightening gap in Texas race for governor

  16-06-2022 14:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A new Quinnipiac poll released Wednesday showed the Texas governor's race was tightening. These results were in the wake of the Uvalde school shooting.The pool results showed that 48% of Texas voters supported Republican Governor Greg Abbott, and 43% supported democratic challenger Beto O'Rourke.In Dec. 2021, the governor had 52% compared to O'Rourke at 37%.
  
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• Lakeway family lawyers up after Lake Travis ISD Police investigation

  16-06-2022 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  A broken jaw, a charged teen and a challenge to Lake Travis ISD's police investigation -- another possible headlineInvestigative Summary:A 16-year-old Lake Travis ISD High School student is left with a broken jaw after being choked unconscious by a 18-year-old student, according to LTISD records. The LTISD Police Department closed the case with no actions against the 18-year-old, and pursued three separate criminal charges against the 16-year-old victim for unrelated incidents. The family and at
  
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• Camp in Motion offers inclusive atmosphere for campers with special needs

  16-06-2022 13:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Children are out of school for the summer, and that means it is time for summer camp, but not everyone always gets to participate.Camp in Motion, a summer camp put on by Dell Children's Medical Center in partnership with the YMCA, is changing that though."I feel like this is where I am meant to be because it is everyone I can relate to," said camper Quinn Gray. "I really like the swimming part of it, but all of the activities are really fun."From archery to swimming, Quinn
  
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• Lake Travis ISD to get new schools, other improvements with $700 million bond

  16-06-2022 13:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Lake Travis ISD had a meeting Wednesday to discuss the $700 million bond package for three new schools and other improvements to the district's facilities.This item was not voted on during the meeting, but a cost breakdown that included the new schools was presented:New High School - $236,430,617New Elementary School #8 - $50,917,526New Elementary School #9 - $55,517,521The remainder of the proposed bond package expenses includes Lake Travis High School additions and upgrades, c
  
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• North Texas 13-year-old missing, Amber Alert issued

  16-06-2022 13:22 via kxan.com
  
  HONEY GROVE, Texas (KXAN) – An Amber Alert was issued Wednesday for missing 13-year-old Kionna Braxton.Braxton was last seen Tuesday in Honey Grove, Texas. She was described as a 4 foot, 11 inches Black female weighing 200 lbs. with brown eyes and black hair.The Texas Department of Public Safety said Braxton was last seen wearing blondish and brown braids, an orange and white cheerleading outfit and multicolored Crocs footwear.This is a child abduction alert issued by the Texas Amber Alert
  
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• Next stretch of +100 degree heat begins

  16-06-2022 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Coming off the second longest streak of triple digit heat in the month of June on Austin record, we get right back into the mix with temps climbing above the century mark this afternoon.This morning's clouds will clear to afternoon sun helping temperatures soar well above average for the 20th day in a row (highs: upper 90s to low 100s). More of the same can be expected Friday, the only difference being a slim 10% chance of a sea breeze shower clipping our eastern counties l
  
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• Austin City Council to vote on gun control, $22 minimum wage

  16-06-2022 12:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Here's what we're watching at the Austin City Council meeting Thursday.Gun ControlIn reaction to recent gun violence nationwide, the city council may begin a prolonged process of raising the age limit to 21 for buying AR-15s and other semi-automatic weapons.The resolution would direct the city manager to explore all ways that the city could adopt this law.“Like everyone in Texas, I am deeply shaken by the shooting in Uvalde. I still remember the horror in El Paso in 2
  
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• Austin ISD updates school safety protocols for next year

  16-06-2022 05:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Last month's mass shooting in Uvalde remains on the minds of many schools and parents.Wednesday night, Austin Independent School District held a school safety and security meeting for the first time since the tragedy. Austin man loses $8K in cash, possessions in possible jugging caseAISD introduces new safety protocols that’ll be put in place this fall before kids come back to campus.It’ll mean new de-escalation training for its police officers and security staf
  
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• OPO holding town hall for people with disabilities

  16-06-2022 04:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Relationships between police and the community is an ongoing work in progress in Austin, and the Office of Police Oversight (OPO) wants to hear from the public about how officers interact with people with disabilities."It's just really important that we can continue to talk about it," said Celia Hughes, who's on the planning committee for OPO's Town Hall on June 25.Guns, drugs, nearly $7K in cash recovered from hotel room after north Austin police shootingAccording to a news rel
  
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• College World Series: Fans send Longhorns baseball team on its way to Omaha

  16-06-2022 03:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns were sent off in style Wednesday as the team met with fans before it departed to Omaha, Nebraska for the College World Series.Cheers of "Texas! Fight!" rang loudly while Longhorns head coach David Pierce spoke with reporters in front of UFCU Disch-Falk Field as players mingled with eager fans and signed autographs before starting the trip to college baseball's promised land. College World Series: No. 9 Texas opens in primetime Friday against Notre DamePi
  
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• Odessa's water issues raise concern about statewide infrastructure

  16-06-2022 02:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (NEXSTAR)— What's happening in Odessa, Texas is raising questions on a statewide level.If infrastructure problems are being blamed for residents going days without water, could that happen in other parts of Texas?Clean and running water is a basic necessity. However, on a couple of the hottest days this summer, thousands in Odessa went without it after a water main break left much of the city out to dry.The city's water treatment plant has restarted, yet a boil water order remains i
  
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• Texas mobile and tiny homes hit by housing crisis

  16-06-2022 01:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - The affordable housing crisis is extending to mobile and tiny homes. The demand and costs are going up, but there is not always enough supply to fulfill the need. Melissa Pontiff has only been in her tiny home for a year, and it is already paying off. A minimalist lifestyle at the "Village Farm Tiny Home Community" in central Austin has been a dream according to her.   Victim shoots robbery suspect at The Domain, Austin police say“Because of the housing crisis the
  
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• Round Rock police search for gray SUV involved in drive-by shooting, homicide

  16-06-2022 00:36 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) – On Tuesday, the Round Rock Police Department asked for public assistance with information regarding a gray SUV involved in ongoing investigations.RRPD said the SUV was involved in an April 20 drive-by shooting in the 1600 block of Pine Knoll Drive in Austin, and police also believed the occupants in the vehicle are also connected to an April 19 homicide in the 1600 block of Gattis School Road in Round Rock.Gray SUV connected to April 20 drive-by shooting and Apri
  
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• CDC: Original omicron strains being taken over by BA.4, BA.5 in Texas region

  16-06-2022 00:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In the five-state region Texas sits in, sublineages of the omicron variant,BA.4 and BA.5, are starting to become more prominent than other strains of omicron, according to Centers of Disease Control data.
  As of the latest numbers, BA.5 makes up about 20% of cases in the region. BA.4 makes up an additional 11.3%, the data shows."At the moment, there are different omicron subvariants competing with each other and we have new, more aggressive variants, BA.4 and BA.5, that are start
  
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• APD asking for help to locate vehicle connected with traffic death

  16-06-2022 00:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is asking for help locating a light-colored Dodge Journey possibly connected with a fatal crash in February.
  According to APD's Vehicular Homicide Unit, the vehicle's driver may have been involved in or have information regarding a February 1, 2022 fatal traffic accident that killed 39-year-old Jason Ross Godwin. They say the driver of the Dodge spoke with other witnesses but left the scene before officers arrived.
  The crash happened at 3:17 a.m
  
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