Austin news

• Texas Democrats say Cuellar wins primary recount for Congressional seat

  21-06-2022 23:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A contentious Democratic Congressional primary came to an end Tuesday, as party leaders officially said a recount named Rep. Henry Cuellar as the winner.
  The Texas Democratic Party shared the unofficial recount results of the primary for House District 28. Those showed incumbent Cuellar coming out 289 votes ahead of his challenger Jessica Cisneros. The party stated Cuellar picked up six votes during the recount process.
  Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa released a statement congra
  
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• The Travis County burn ban does not cover fireworks, here's why

  21-06-2022 23:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Even though every county in KXAN's viewing area is under a burn ban, you may still see fireworks from your neighbors this Fourth of July, and they may be legal.
  Even though it may seem like fireworks would fall under a county's burn ban, there is often no overlap because of how state laws set requirements for implementing both burn bans and fireworks bans, Travis County officials explained.Check out our Texas burn bans mapHere's a breakdown of the rules in Central Texas (and a d
  
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• The burn ban in your Central Texas county may not cover fireworks, here's why

  21-06-2022 23:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Even though every county in KXAN's viewing area is under a burn ban, you may still see fireworks from your neighbors this Fourth of July, and they may be legal.
  Even though it may seem like fireworks would fall under a county's burn ban, there is often no overlap because of how state laws set requirements for implementing both burn bans and fireworks bans, Travis County officials explained.Check out our Texas burn bans mapHere's a breakdown of the rules in Central Texas (and a d
  
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• Fireworks sales a go in Texas despite burn bans statewide, here's why

  21-06-2022 23:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Even though every county in KXAN's viewing area is under a burn ban, you may still see fireworks from your neighbors this Fourth of July, and they may be legal.
  Even though it may seem like fireworks would fall under a county's burn ban, there is often no overlap because of how state laws set requirements for implementing both burn bans and fireworks bans, Travis County officials explained.Check out our Texas burn bans mapHere's a breakdown of the rules in Central Texas (and a d
  
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• Expecting longest stretch of June triple-digit heat, the most June triple-digit days and the hottest June on record

  21-06-2022 23:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Tuesday's high temperature of 101° marks our 6th-consecutive day of triple digits, 15th for the month and 16th for the year. With little relief in sight in the near-term, we are forecasting our longest stretch of June triple-digit heat ever observed, the most June triple digits on record, and the hottest June on record.A large high pressure system remains in control of our weather, edging closer to us through today and tomorrow. This will allow for even hotter temps and
  
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• Here's why you can't swim in Lady Bird Lake

  21-06-2022 23:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Of the many places in Austin to take a swim this summer, Lady Bird Lake is not one of them. The lake, which is technically a reservoir, has been off-limits to swimmers since 1964 when Austin City Council banned swimming in what was then Town Lake, according to the city’s watershed protection department. The 1964 ordinance bans swimming between the Tom Miller Dam and the Old Montopolis Bridge in Colorado River waters. READ MORE: Austin begins blue-green algae
  
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• Bipartisan group of Texas mayors call for special session on gun reform, mental health

  21-06-2022 23:16 via kxan.com
  
  This story is part of a KXAN series of reports called “Stop Mass Shootings,” providing context and exploring solutions surrounding gun violence in the wake of the deadly Uvalde school shooting. We want our reports to be a resource for Texans, as well as for lawmakers who are convening a month after the events in Uvalde to discuss how the state should move forward. Explore all “Stop Mass Shootings” stories by clicking here.AUSTIN (KXAN) — A b
  
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• APD needs help finding man accused of aggravated assault on CapMetro bus

  21-06-2022 22:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department needs help finding a man suspected of hitting someone and threatening them with a weapon on a CapMetro bus June 14 in north Austin.The victim told APD that the man, who the victim didn't know, first made "inappropriate and derogatory comments" during a bus ride. When the bus stopped on Norwood Park Boulevard, the suspect again made derogatory comments and "approached the victim with an edged weapon," then hit the victim in the face.Maxwell firef
  
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• Study: This Austin-area city has one of the 'hottest ZIP codes' for real estate in the US

  21-06-2022 21:54 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — In a real estate market with skyrocketing active listings, Leander's 78741 ZIP code ranked as one of the "hottest" areas to call home.Opendoor released a list Tuesday with the 20 "hottest ZIP codes" in the country in the first half of 2022. Leander ranked No. 6 in the list of 20 areas across the U.S.RELATED: Active home listings are up 146% in AustinThe ranking used Multiple Listing Services data where Opendoor brokerages operate and ranked ZIP codes by the total nu
  
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• Fireworks go on sale Friday, here's what's legal in Austin, Travis County

  21-06-2022 21:25 via kxan.com
  
  CENTRAL TEXAS (KXAN) -- Fireworks officially go on sale Friday even though Central Texas counties are largely under burn bans due to drought conditions. Travis County's chief fire marshal recently compared conditions to 2011, which was catastrophic for central Texas communities.In Travis County, a burn ban does not restrict the sale and use of fireworks but Travis County commissioners could impose a fireworks ban, according to Travis County's website.
  Within Austin city limits, which is not part
  
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• Elon Musk's SpaceX to build east of Austin in Bastrop County, filings show

  21-06-2022 20:45 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (Austin Business Journal) — First, it was Tesla Inc. Then it was The Boring Company. And Neuralink continues to hire in the area.Now, it appears that another of Elon Musk's businesses is establishing a presence in Central Texas.Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, has taken control of dozens of acres in Bastrop County, east of Austin and Tesla's billion-dollar gigafactory in Travis County. And the California-based company has
  
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• AISD board to discuss $1.5 billion bond proposal to help school security

  21-06-2022 20:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Tuesday night, the Austin Independent School District board could hear details about what could be the biggest bond proposal it has ever put before voters.In 2017, voters approved a billion-dollar bond to upgrade Austin schools. At the time, that was biggest bond the school district asked voters to approve. This time, the 2022 bond proposal would ask voters in November to approve $1.5 billion to help secure schools. Austin ISD steps up security in aftermath of Uvalde sho
  
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• Austin to try free parking option, shuttle service to Zilker Park this summer

  21-06-2022 20:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Starting Saturday, visitors of Zilker Park will have a new, free parking option and alternative way to get to the green space.
  Austin Parks and Recreation is testing a shuttle service that will run every 20 minutes to the park from the One Texas Center parking garage located at 505 Barton Springs Rd.The two shuttles will run only on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. beginning June 25, as well as during the Fourth of July and Labor Day holidays.
  The entire pilot p
  
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• Robbery suspect shot at the Domain tied to 2 more cases

  21-06-2022 19:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police said a robbery suspect who was shot at the Domain last week is tied to two more robberies in the Austin area.Police responded to a robbery June 15 where the victim said they shot the suspect, who hopped in a car to drive off. A short while and distance away, police said they found Jaylyn Reed, 17, who had been shot. He was taken to the hospital.Victim shoots robbery suspect at The Domain, Austin police sayOn June 16, police said Reed and three other suspects &
  
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• 'This is a social issue': Hays County inches closer to having new animal center

  21-06-2022 19:35 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- A Hays County animal volunteer said it like this: A regional animal shelter in Hays County isn't only an immediate need, it should have been built ten years ago. Tuesday, we got our first look at what that shelter might actually look like and cost -- though it likely won't come to fruition for several years.Right now, lost and found and homeless animals in Hays County go to the San Marcos city-run shelter, but the volunteer, who spoke at Tuesday's Hays County Commiss
  
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• DPS Director: Officers spent 40 mins. looking for key of unlocked Uvalde classroom

  21-06-2022 18:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — State investigators released a new timeline during Tuesday’s Texas Senate committee hearing detailing the more than 70 minutes officers spent inside Robb Elementary as a gunman opened fire on children and teachers.The timeline, which is compiled from footage from a nearby funeral home, school surveillance, 911 recordings and body-worn camera, details more than 100 rounds being fired as armed officers entered the Uvalde school building.  ‘A right to know&rsq
  
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• Watch Live: Jan. 6 hearings resume Tuesday

  21-06-2022 18:22 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol is set to hear from elections workers and local officials who warded off former President Donald Trump's pressure to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
  This is the fourth televised public hearing investigating the insurrection at the Capitol. The hearing is expected to focus on Trump's efforts to undo now-President Joe Biden's victory by leaning on officials in key ba
  
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• Jan. 6 hearings resume Tuesday

  21-06-2022 18:22 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol is set to hear from elections workers and local officials who warded off former President Donald Trump's pressure to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
  This is the fourth televised public hearing investigating the insurrection at the Capitol. The hearing is expected to focus on Trump's efforts to undo now-President Joe Biden's victory by leaning on officials in key ba
  
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• Nuclear power on the moon: Texas company wins NASA design program

  21-06-2022 17:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Texas company is one of three winners in a national contest to design concepts for nuclear power systems on the moon. The company, IX, is based out of Houston. Its design could be used in a future mission on the moon as part of the Artemis program.Fission surface power systems – depicted in this conceptual illustration – could provide reliable power for human exploration of the Moon under Artemis. Credit: NASAAccording to NASA, the contracts were awarded by th
  
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• LIVE: 'A right to know': Texas Senate committee holds first public hearing on Uvalde shooting

  21-06-2022 15:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Texas Senate committee will meet Tuesday to hear from the public for the first time regarding school safety, police training and social media nearly a month after the Uvalde school shooting.
  On May 24, 19 students and two teachers were shot and killed by an 18-year-old gunman at Robb Elementary School. Law enforcement has been scrutinized in the aftermath of the shooting, after it was revealed authorities inside the school waited about an hour before breaching a classroom
  
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• 'A right to know': Texas Senate committee holds first public hearing on Uvalde shooting

  21-06-2022 15:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Texas Senate committee will meet Tuesday to hear from the public for the first time regarding school safety, police training and social media nearly a month after the Uvalde school shooting.
  On May 24, 19 students and two teachers were shot and killed by an 18-year-old gunman at Robb Elementary School. Law enforcement has been scrutinized in the aftermath of the shooting, after it was revealed authorities inside the school waited about an hour before breaching a classroom
  
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• Trash on Mars?!? NASA finds human junk on another planet

  21-06-2022 15:40 via kxan.com
  
  MARS (KXAN) -- It took us a few decades, but we've finally done it. We have officially left our trash on another planet. Last week, NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover team tweeted a startling discovery:The Mars Perseverance Rover caught a photo of debris left over after it landed on the planet. Scientists aren't sure how it got there. (Courtesy: NASA)"My team has spotted something unexpected: It’s a piece of a thermal blanket that they think may have come from my descent stage, the rocket-powe
  
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• Summer is officially here; what you need to know about the solstice

  21-06-2022 15:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Today is the day. The summer solstice has arrived for the northern hemisphere, while the southern hemisphere gets to experience the winter solstice. For us northerners, Tuesday marks the shortest night of the year and the longest day. It also marks the first official day of summer.Astronomy of the solsticeWhy does today happen the way it does? The Earth orbits the sun, but it doesn't do so perfectly. At some point in the distant past, something struck the Earth and knocked
  
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• Fredericksburg has a winery with a rhino

  21-06-2022 14:15 via kxan.com
  
  FREDERICKSBURG, Texas (KXAN) — Take a drive down U.S. 290 in the Hill Country and you will notice dozens of wineries lining the road, especially in Fredericksburg.While many people used to make the drive to Fredericksburg for peaches, now they also come for the wine."So it is really attracting a lot of different people from the industry," said January Weise, executive director of Texas Hill Country Wineries. "When I started we only had 24 wineries, and now we are at 62 and talking to a han
  
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• Family pays off a year of tuition for entire class of TCU medical students

  21-06-2022 13:42 via kxan.com
  
  FORT WORTH, Texas (KXAN) — An entire class of medical students at Texas Christian University will step into next year without the fees after a generous anonymous donation.A family pledged to fund tuition for the 2022-23 school year for all 60 students in the TCU School of Medicine Class of 2024, NBC 5 in Dallas-Forth Worth reports.
  "This type of gift allows us to be the best doctor we can be without having to worry about how much money we have to make to pay back these debts," student Sam
  
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• First official day of summer feels more like early August

  21-06-2022 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Today's forecast high of 102° marks our 6th-consecutive day of triple digits, 15th for the month and 16th for the year. Well ahead of schedule compared to a normal year.A large high pressure system remains in control of our weather, edging closer to us through today and tomorrow. This will allow for even hotter temps and drier air late week. The positive? Lower humidity. The negative? Dangerous heat and the continuation of rain-free skies.In fact, expect more of the sam
  
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• First day of "official" summer... feels more like early August

  21-06-2022 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Today's forecast high of 102° marks our 6th-consecutive day of triple digits, 15th for the month and 16th for the year.A large high pressure system remains in control of our weather, edging closer to us through today and tomorrow. This will allow for even hotter temps and drier air. The positive? Lower humidity. The negative? Even hotter temperatures and the conitnuation of rain-free skies.In fact, expect more of the same for the foreseeable future.In-Depth: In the mids
  
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• First day of "official" summer... feeling like early August

  21-06-2022 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Today's forecast high of 102° marks our 6th-consecutive day of triple digits, 15th for the month and 16th for the year.A large high pressure system remains in control of our weather, edging closer to us through today and tomorrow. This will allow for even hotter temps and drier air. The positive? Lower humidity. The negative? Even hotter temperatures and the conitnuation of rain-free skies.In fact, expect more of the same for the foreseeable future.In-Depth: In the mids
  
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• No. 14 Auburn eliminates No. 2 Stanford, Ole Miss tops Hogs at MCWS

  21-06-2022 06:30 via kxan.com
  
  OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — No. 14 Auburn and Ole Miss picked up wins Monday at the Men's College World Series at Charles Schwab Field.Below are game summaries from the Associated Press:No. 14 Auburn 6, No. 2 Stanford 2Auburn has eliminated No. 2 national seed Stanford from the College World Series. Cole Foster’s three-run double in the sixth inning gave Auburn the lead, and the Tigers went on to win 6-2. It was Auburn's first CWS victory in 25 years.How to watch the 2022 College World Series
  
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• 'He killed our kids': families call for Uvalde CISD police chief's termination during school board meeting

  21-06-2022 05:58 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas (KXAN)-- More calls to fire the Uvalde school district's police chief came during Monday night's school board meeting.
  A handful of people made their appeals to school board members, including family members of those murdered during the mass shooting.Here are the conflicting reports from the Uvalde school shooting"We were failed by Pete Arredondo. He killed our kids, teachers, parents and city, and by keeping him on your staff, y'all are continuing to fail us," said Brett Cross, id
  
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• How a mentor program aims to boost reading levels of Texas students

  21-06-2022 05:16 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (Nexstar) — Texas students are lagging behind in the classroom, especially when it comes to English and reading levels.According to newly-released results from this year's STAAR exams, about one-half of Texas students met grade-level standards in English I. About 60% met grade-level standards in English II.Texas nixes new teacher certification test that would have cost $165 more than existing testThose numbers were not exasperated by the pandemic, as the Texas Education Agency says
  
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• 'If there's kids in there, we need to go in': Officers in Uvalde were ready with guns, shields and tools — but not clear orders

  21-06-2022 05:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (The Texas Tribune) — The officers in the hallway of Robb Elementary wanted to get inside classrooms 111 and 112 — immediately. One officer’s daughter was inside. Another officer had gotten a call from his wife, a teacher, who told him she was bleeding to death.Two closed doors and a wall stood between them and an 18-year-old with an AR-15 who had opened fire on children and teachers inside the connected classrooms. A Halligan bar — an ax-like forcible-en
  
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• Maxwell firefighters — brothers — killed in Lockhart crash while returning home

  21-06-2022 04:37 via kxan.com
  
  LOCKHART, Texas (KXAN) — Two firefighters from the Maxwell Community Volunteer Fire Department died in a rollover crash Monday just outside Lockhart, city officials said in a press release.Brothers Hunter Coco, 21, and Jonathan Coco, 25, were returning to Maxwell from fighting a wildfire outside of Lockhart when the crash occurred, according to a post on the Maxwell Community Volunteer Fire Department's Facebook page.Lockhart police and fire personnel responded to the crash on State Park R
  
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• Brand new Longhorns getting first look at campus over the summer

  21-06-2022 04:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — During the summer, freshman orientation at the University of Texas at Austin is in full swing.
  Monday marks the third session of orientation for incoming freshmen and it extends through the middle of July. "Moov"-in is scheduled to begin August 19.During orientation, incoming students can register for their classes, see where buildings on campus are and meet new people to make the 40 Acres feel a little smaller when they arrive for school."Yeah I came I was pretty nervous,"
  
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• At one east Austin center, parents pay little to nothing for child care

  21-06-2022 02:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- On a hot June morning, there is lots of excitement at the Mariposa Family Learning Center."Chili!" exclaimed one student, holding up a red chili pepper.
  The east Austin child care facility holds a garden day every Friday.
  "They invite parents... to come and do a garden, see the kids in practice. It's just beautiful," said Abdallah Teffert, who has two children there.
  "Let's go digging!" chants his son. "Let's go digging!" his teacher responds. City of Austin looking to address &l
  
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• Safety concerns after three shot in North Austin shopping center

  21-06-2022 01:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- People who live and work near the Northwend Shopping Center on North Lamar Boulevard said they were worried about going to work Monday after three people were shot in the early morning."I didn't come to work today," said Farah Lynch. "What are we going to do about public safety?" Three people shot in north Austin MondayAccording to the latest update from police, two groups of people began shooting each other around the time the Rodeo Night Club closed. Police say two men and one
  
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• Austin Community College workers push for raises, $22 minimum wage

  21-06-2022 01:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Feeling the pressures of rising costs, employees with Austin Community College are asking the board of trustees for pay raises.
  A group of roughly two dozen ACC faculty and staff members attended Monday afternoon's board meeting, some holding signs calling for a 10% pay increase across the board.MORE: Texas nixes new teacher certification test that would have cost $165 moreThe group, spearheaded by ACC's American Federation of Teachers, is also asking the minimum wage be ra
  
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• 'Hey, nice shirt!' Church nails popular internet trend for Father's Day

  21-06-2022 00:37 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Sometimes, the internet can be used for fun things, and a church in Round Rock proved that with a Father's Day prank.A popular internet trend going around is to get a group of people, typically men, to go to an event wearing the same shirt. Whether it's the same color, style, or both, the idea is to embarrass the group as a joke and have some lighthearted fun.Dad jokes and good heart health could be linkedThe Fellowship Church in Round Rock (and also in Hutto) pu
  
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