Austin news

• Texas nixes new teacher certification test that would have cost $165 more than existing test

  20-06-2022 23:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — New teachers in Texas will not be required to take a new certification exam that would have been more expensive and more rigorous. All 13 members of the State Board of Education voted down a proposal to adopt the edTPA statewide test last week, a national test established by Stanford University that’s meant to better evaluate how a teacher will perform in their first year. Want to become a STEM teacher? There’s money for thatUltimately, board members sai
  
  Read more

• Almost half in new poll sees likelihood US will ‘cease to be a democracy in the future’

  20-06-2022 22:44 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) – Almost half of all Americans believe the United States might “cease to be a democracy in the future,” according to a new Yahoo News-YouGov poll. The poll of more than 1,500 adults released Wednesday found that 55 percent of Democrats and 53 percent of Republicans surveyed believe the country will “likely” not remain a democracy one day. Including independents and those who did not identify a political affiliation, 49 percent of all respondents
  
  Read more

• Natural gas line breaks in north Austin

  20-06-2022 22:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Fire Department would like people to avoid an area of north Austin due to a gas leak Monday.AFD tweeted at 3:19 p.m. that a natural gas line broke near the intersection of Burnet Road and Braker Lane. That's near Q2 Stadium and just south of The Domain shopping center.Drivers should "avoid the area for the next few hours," AFD said.
  The fire department also said Texas Gas crews are on the way to repair the line.
  
  Read more

• On track for the most 100-degree days ever recorded in the month of June in Austin

  20-06-2022 22:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Another uncomfortable week of heat as our stubborn weather pattern remains relatively unchanged.High pressure centered just to our east will slowly move closer to us through midweek. This will allow temperatures to climb above 100 degrees each afternoon.Just enough moisture and lift exists this afternoon to potentially allow a few stray showers to develop east of I-35. However, the vast majority of us are expected to stay dry and those that are lucky enough to see a shower
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Texas Senate Democrats talk gun safety measures

  20-06-2022 20:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Democratic members of the Texas Senate discussed their ideas about gun safety and measures to prevent future mass shootings Monday afternoon.
  The lawmakers from the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus held a news conference at the Texas State Capitol. Their remarks came after a shooter killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school in Uvalde last month.
  Democrats previously called on Gov. Greg Abbott to bring lawmakers back for a special legislative session in the a
  
  Read more

• Texas Senate Democrats pitch 4 new gun safety measures

  20-06-2022 20:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Democratic members of the Texas Senate called for approval of four measures that they said are needed after the deadly school shooting in Uvalde.
  The lawmakers from the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus held a news conference Monday afternoon to press for raising the age to purchase certain guns to 21, requiring background checks, a 72-hour waiting period for specific weapons and red flag laws. However, they said a special legislative session is needed to address these proposa
  
  Read more

• LIVE: Texas Senate Democrats talk gun safety measures

  20-06-2022 20:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Democratic members of the Texas Senate will discuss their ideas about gun safety and measures to prevent future mass shootings Monday afternoon.
  The lawmakers from the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus said they will hold a news conference at the Texas State Capitol. Their remarks come after a shooter killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school in Uvalde last month.
  Democrats previously called on Gov. Greg Abbott to bring lawmakers back for a special legis
  
  Read more

• SWAT responding to east Austin apartment after 1 shot

  20-06-2022 20:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One person was shot and a suspect is refusing to come out of an east Austin apartment complex Monday, Austin police said.
  It happened at 10:59 a.m. at an apartment complex at 5800 Techni Center Drive, west of U.S. Highway 183. The apartment is less than half a mile from Norman Sims Elementary School.Police said the person who was hurt has injuries that aren't expected to threaten their life.This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• No suspect found after 1 shot in east Austin SWAT callout

  20-06-2022 20:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One person was shot and a suspect wasn't found by officers assisted by a SWAT team, Austin police said Monday.It happened at 10:59 a.m. at an apartment complex at 5800 Techni Center Drive, west of U.S. Highway 183. The apartment is less than half a mile from Norman Sims Elementary School.SWAT response at an apartment complex at 5800 Techni Center Dr. (KXAN Photo/Andy Way)APD said a person was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound, but the injury isn't expected to be li
  
  Read more

• LIVE: 2 dead after being shot in northwest Austin

  20-06-2022 20:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —Two people are dead after being shot in a northwest Austin neighborhood Monday afternoon.The Austin Police Department said it took place in the 8700 block of Bluegrass Drive. That's near Spicewood Springs Road and Loop 360.
  Austin-Travis County EMS said medics were called out to the scene around 12:38 p.m. and pronounced two people dead.
  In an update at 2:30 p.m. Monday, APD said both men were in their early 60s and said the scene would be active "for the next several hours"
  
  Read more

• 2 dead after being shot in northwest Austin

  20-06-2022 20:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —Two people are dead after being shot in a northwest Austin neighborhood Monday afternoon.The Austin Police Department said it took place in the 8700 block of Bluegrass Drive. That's near Spicewood Springs Road and Loop 360.
  Officers responded to the area around 12:19 p.m. APD said two people are confirmed dead.
  Police are expected to release more information about what happened later on Monday.
  This is a developing story; stick with KXAN for updates.
  
  Read more

• Texas plans for car charging stations every 50 miles of interstate

  20-06-2022 18:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — Texas is planning to add enough electric vehicle charging stations throughout the state to support 1 million electric vehicles with dozens of new stations to allow for easier long-distance travel.In a draft plan released this month, the Texas Department of Transportation broke down a five-year plan to create a network of chargers throughout the state, starting along main corridors and interstate highways before building stations in rural areas. How the infrast
  
  Read more

• Texas agencies prepare for 2022 hurricane season with collaborative exercise

  20-06-2022 16:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The state of Texas and its emergency response agencies are preparing for hurricane season. The 2022 Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1.
  Earlier this month, Colorado State University released an updated Atlantic hurricane season forecast, saying there's an increased likelihood of a hurricane reaching within 50 miles of the Texas coast.
  The university also gave Texas a 59% chance of a hurricane coming very close to or making landfall in the state this year — up f
  
  Read more

• Texas pests: Top 3 to avoid this summer

  20-06-2022 15:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Summer is here and with it comes some annoying pests. Creepy crawly creatures are out and about and not even the heat can stop them. Meteorologist Kristen Currie sat down with Entomologist Wizzie Brown from the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension office to learn more about the top three summer pests and what we can do to survive them.You can watch the interview above or read the transcript below to learn more. This interview has been edited for clarity.KRISTEN CURRIE, KXAN: Jo
  
  Read more

• Production studios in Central Texas are bringing science to the set

  20-06-2022 15:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — From movies and TV shows to commercials and online videos, Central Texas is experiencing a boom in film production. Some local production companies are bringing science to the set to make it happen.Co-Production House in south Austin is using virtual studios to make it seem like actors in Austin are elsewhere.Following the pandemic, many had to find a new way of filming, especially when people couldn't travel as easily or be around each other. That's where this technology c
  
  Read more

• Measure to help improve downtown Austin renewed for another 10 years

  20-06-2022 15:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council passed a measure earlier this month that will help improve the downtown Austin area for another 10 years.
  Council members unanimously renewed the Downtown Austin Alliance’s Downtown Public Improvement District through 2032.
  The organization explained a Public Improvement District (PID) is an area created to enhance, improve or promote the interests of the city. The downtown PID was first established in 1993, and the Downtown Austin Alliance was put
  
  Read more

• Texas receives federal funds to help with water preservation

  20-06-2022 14:57 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — Amid a drought and a rapidly growing population, water in Texas is in demand more than ever. Later on Monday, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett will announce a new multi-million dollar grant that will hopefully address some of these issues and the impact of climate change locally.The grant will be used to study water in Texas and create a "publicly-available tool" that will help with water preservation efforts.Doggett will be joined in his announcement of the funds by Robe
  
  Read more

• Man stabbed at E. Cesar Chavez and I-35

  20-06-2022 12:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is looking for someone who stabbed a man late Sunday night at East Cesar Chavez Street and the Interstate 35 frontage road.
  Police said the man was stabbed around 11:30 p.m. They said the suspect and victim knew each other.Austin-Travis County EMS said paramedics took one adult to the hospital in serious condition.
  
  Read more

• Man in underwear caught breaking into Austin home

  20-06-2022 12:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A west Austin homeowner was stunned when he received an alert that someone had broken into his home.Then when he checked his security cameras, he saw the burglar was only in his underwear.Andrew Fish lives on Windsor Road and when his security system alerted him someone had broken in, he rushed home and called police.In the video Fish showed to KXAN, you can see the man walking from room to room."He was walking around in his underwear," said Fish. "He had a bottle of my win
  
  Read more

• Three people shot in north Austin

  20-06-2022 11:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin police say three people were shot early Monday morning.Police responded to a shopping center on9515 North Lamar just northeast of West Rundberg Lane before 3 a.m.Two men and one woman were shot. APD says one man suffered life-threatening injuries. The other two have non life-threatening injuries.
  Police do not have any suspects in custody.
  
  Read more

• Missing central Texas infant found

  20-06-2022 10:08 via kxan.com
  
  HARKER HEIGHTS, Texas (KXAN) -- According to an Amber Alert from the Texas Department of Public Safety, a 2-month-old girl last seen early Sunday morning in Harker Heights was found early Monday morning.
  The Department of Public Safety ended an Amber Alert for Winter Jones at 3:16 a.m. DPS did not give any information about her condition or about the two suspects police were looking for.
  DPS had activated the Amber Alert at 1:20 a.m. Monday.
  Harker Heights is 57 miles north of Austin and 5 miles
  
  Read more

• Amber Alert issued for missing central Texas infant

  20-06-2022 10:08 via kxan.com
  
  HARKER HEIGHTS, Texas (KXAN) -- Police in Harker Heights need to find a 2-month-old girl last seen early Sunday morning.
  Police believe Winter Jones is in danger. She has black hair with brown eyes. She weighs 13 pounds. Winter was last seen wearing a pink and white zippered onesie with a flower print.
  Harker Heights Police are looking for two black women in connection with Winter's disappearance.
  Rotoyia Vertison, 33, is 5 feet tall and weighs 218 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes. Roto
  
  Read more

• One dead, one in custody after fight in apartment parking lot

  20-06-2022 10:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police say a man died early Monday morning in a north Austin apartment parking lot after a fight between two people. One person was in a vehicle, the other was on foot.Police say the incident happened at the Chase Park One apartments on Chevy Chase Drive around 12:45 a.m.Chevy Chase Drive is on the southwest corner of Interstate 35 and U.S. 183.
  Police have the driver of the vehicle in custody.
  According to Austin-Travis County EMS, the man died at the scene around 1:10 a
  
  Read more

• May 2022 among the hottest in global history

  20-06-2022 04:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — May 2022 ranks among the hottest in both United States and global history as it was well over a degree warmer than average. Globally, it was the ninth warmest May on record, with portions of the globe reaching temperatures higher than ever before, according to a new report released by NOAA on Thursday.It is estimated that approximately 7% of the Earth's surface experienced record heat this May, the third-highest percentage value since 1951. Most of these record temperatures
  
  Read more

• It rained? Yes, some places around Austin got showers Sunday

  20-06-2022 04:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — To all the dads out there who asked for rain on Father's Day, a few people thank you.Several KXAN viewers sent us photos of very picturesque rain shafts that provided brief drops of water to incredibly lucky and isolated areas.
  Sign up for our daily forecast newsletter at kxan.com/newsletters. Download the KXAN Weather app to get the latest weather forecast: Apple | AndroidRain has been a rarity this month. The last time we had measurable rain in Austin
  
  Read more

• Gay Republican group blasts 'crazy people' Texas GOP for anti-LGBT platform

  20-06-2022 04:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A group representing the state's LGBTQ Republicans blasted the Texas Republican Convention as a bunch of "crazy people." The tough words come in response to a new state party platform that includes language calling homosexuality "an abnormal lifestyle choice.""These are just crazy people," said Michael Cargill, who owns an Austin gun store and is the acting chairman of the Log Cabin Republicans of Texas."It's a small minority of people that are being un-Christian-like and spewin
  
  Read more

• Third man arrested, charged in north Austin murder of 16-year-old

  20-06-2022 01:25 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Hays County deputies arrested a third suspect in the June 12 homicide of Adrian Murillo Curiel, 16, of Cedar Park, according to a press release from the Williamson County Sheriff's Office.Devin Vasquez-Pachecho, 17, was arrested in Hays County on Saturday, and he faces a murder charge, WCSO said. PREVIOUSLY: Two murder suspects arrested, third still on the looseThe homicide occurred in north Austin at the intersection of Oro Valley Trail and Modena Tr
  
  Read more

• 2 and out: Longhorns fall to Aggies, eliminated from Men's CWS

  20-06-2022 01:18 via kxan.com
  
  OMAHA, Nebraska (KXAN) — The 38th appearance at the Men's College World Series was not a good one for the Texas Longhorns.After an opening night 7-3 loss to Notre Dame on Friday, the Longhorns couldn't get timely hits in a 10-2 loss to Texas A&M on Sunday. The loss eliminated the Longhorns from the tournament. How to watch the 2022 College World SeriesThings looked good for the Longhorns early on after they scored a run in each of the first two innings, but that was the only offense th
  
  Read more

• The Striker Texas: Dani Pereira explains his 2nd red card this season

  20-06-2022 00:00 via kxan.com
  
  MONTREAL, Québec (The Striker Texas) — Dani Pereira knew the risk he was taking. He got the calculation wrong. And for the second time in as many months, he paid the price with a red card.Speaking exclusively with The Striker Texas on Saturday, the Austin FC midfielder was frank and honest about his reasoning for the reckless challenge that reduced his team to 10 men in what ended up being a smash-and-grab 1-0 victory over Club de Foot Montréal on Saturday at Stade
  
  Read more

Follow @Austin_News_US on Twitter!