Austin news

• 5 Longhorns selected on 2nd day of 2022 MLB Draft

  18-07-2022 23:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Five more Texas Longhorns were drafted Monday during the second day of the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft in Los Angeles.Left-handed pitcher Pete Hansen, catcher Silas Ardoin, outfielder Douglas Hodo III and shortstop Trey Faltine, all sophomores but eligible for the MLB Draft, can either start their professional careers or opt to return to Texas. Senior infielder Murphy Stehly was also drafted Monday. The best around: Ivan Melendez wins Golden Spikes AwardIvan Melendez w
  
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• Austin to end contracts with homeless services nonprofit that runs ARCH shelter

  18-07-2022 23:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The city of Austin will end its contracts with Front Steps, a homeless services nonprofit that manages the city's Austin Resource Center for the Homeless, or ARCH, in downtown Austin, a spokesperson confirmed Monday.
  A city spokesperson said Austin Public Health made this decision after city staff met with Front Steps' board of directors about "organizational challenges faced by the nonprofit." A third-party consultant helped guide this decision."After much discussion, the
  
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• Uvalde body cams reveal officers feared gunman escaped classroom

  18-07-2022 23:02 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas (KXAN) — New body camera footage recorded by officers during the Robb Elementary mass shooting May 24 revealed responders feared the shooter had escaped from the classroom and possibly climbed onto the roof, as hundreds of officers surrounded the classrooms and campus building.A body camera worn by Uvalde Police Sgt. Daniel Coronado showed officers questioned whether the shooter was still in the classroom, just minutes before members of the U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit br
  
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• Hottest summer in Austin history underway with little sign of relief

  18-07-2022 23:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today will feature plenty of sunshine and uncomfortable temperatures with afternoon highs above the century mark in most areas (Austin's forecast high: 105° - record: 107° last set in 1923).
  A layer of haze will also be noticeable as Saharan dust continues to dirty our Central Texas skies. Ongoing drought, lack of rain and above average heat will increase fire danger areawide, with even higher fire danger surrounding the I-35 corridor. Breezy afternoon winds will result
  
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• Churches open cooling center for Burnet, Llano counties

  18-07-2022 22:58 via kxan.com
  
  MARBLE FALLS, Texas (KXAN) — People living in the Hill Country now have a cool place to go where they can seek refuge from the sizzling summer temperatures.
  The Highland Lakes Crisis Network will open the First United Methodist Church, located at 1101 Bluebonnet Drive in Marble Falls, as a cooling center whenever a heat advisory or an excessive heat warning is issued for Burnet and Llano counties. At least four to five volunteers will run the cooling center on those days from 12 p.m. to 6
  
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• July could be the first month with no measurable rain in Austin since 2015

  18-07-2022 21:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If Camp Mabry doesn't get some rain before the end of the month, July will officially go down in the books as the first month without measurable rain in Austin since 2015.While parts of Austin did get rain and storms last week, Camp Mabry received only a trace, meaning there wasn't enough rain to be measurable. That's important, because the site acts as Austin's official weather reporting station.July is typically the second-driest month in Austin, with an average of 1.96"
  
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• Texas congressman: 'I will NEVER surrender my AR-15'

  18-07-2022 21:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The same day an investigative report on the Uvalde school shooting was released, a Texas congressman expressed stark support for his AR-15 on social media.
  It's the same type of firearm the Robb Elementary gunman purchased two of in the week leading up to the May 24 attack, which killed 19 children and two adults, according to the Sunday report from a Texas House committee.MORE: Friends of Uvalde school shooter had hints of his violence ahead of attack"I will NEVER give up
  
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• Texas DPS launching internal review of its response to Uvalde shooting

  18-07-2022 21:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Public Safety is reviewing its own response to the May 24 Uvalde school shooting.
  In a statement to KXAN Monday, Texas DPS said it's creating an internal committee, which will be led by the department's Deputy Director of Law Enforcement Services, to conduct the investigation.Uvalde report finds ‘systemic failures and egregiously poor decision making’"Members are currently reviewing and examining the actions of every DPS Trooper, Officer,
  
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• Austin-based lab to handle monkeypox tests from across the U.S.

  18-07-2022 19:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A lab based in Austin will help with testing specimens from across the United States for monkeypox, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  Sonic Healthcare USA will start testing for the virus Monday using the CDC's orthopoxvirus test, "which detects most non-smallpox related orthopoxviruses, including monkeypox."What you need to know about monkeypox symptoms, how its spreadCDC Director Rochelle Walensky said in a press release commercial labs like Son
  
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• East Austin neighborhood celebrates completion of 900-foot-long mural

  18-07-2022 17:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — People gathered in a historic east Austin neighborhood on Sunday to celebrate the completion of a large mural project with a ribbon cutting and block party.The mural project, which highlights the Govalle area's history and future, is 900 feet long and covers two retaining walls along Bolm Road. It's the largest art project funded by Austin Public Works Neighborhood Partnering Program to date, Austin Public Works said.
  Eight artists, chosen by arts organization Raasin in the
  
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• Texas lands as top state for lightning claims in 2021

  18-07-2022 15:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A State Farm report ranked Texas as the No. 1 state for the cost of lightning claims in 2021. The insurance company paid up to $7.7 million to customers in Texas for lightning strike repairs with an average single claim reaching nearly $16,000.Meteorologist Sean Kelly spoke with insurance expert Gina Wilken about this finding and what tips she has for people when it comes to insurance and preparing for lightning.WILKEN: A lot of homes are struck by lightning, and it burns.
  
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• Houston officer rescues toddlers left on street, police say

  18-07-2022 15:01 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KIAH) — It was a close call for a 4-year-old and a toddler after their mother left them in a busy parking lot as she fled from police, officers said.The incident happened at 4 a.m. Sunday in the parking lot of a Walgreens at 6600 Airline Road in north Houston.A Houston police officer was slowing traffic due to a crash on Parker Road when he saw two vehicles in the parking lot and a toddler running around. The vehicles saw the patrol vehicle and began to back up extremely fast
  
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• Construction to start on new rail station near Q2 Stadium

  18-07-2022 14:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Construction on a new rail station that will make it easier for Austin FC fans to travel to Q2 Stadium will begin Monday.
  Transportation leaders with Project Connect plan to hold a groundbreaking for what will become the McKalla Station at 6 p.m. Texas lawmakers, as well as local leaders like Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Commissioner Jeff Travillion, will be there.
  The station will be on the east side of the stadium on Delta Drive. It will have two regular platforms
  
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• Construction on new rail station near Q2 Stadium to start

  18-07-2022 14:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Construction on a new rail station that will make it easier for Austin FC fans to travel to Q2 Stadium will begin Monday.
  Transportation leaders with Project Connect plan to hold a groundbreaking for what will become the McKalla Station at 6 p.m. Texas lawmakers, as well as local leaders like Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Commissioner Jeff Travillion, will be there.
  The station will be on the east side of the stadium on Delta Drive. It will have two regular platforms
  
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• Google honors Uvalde victim with art contest submission

  18-07-2022 14:25 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas (KXAN) — Google is honoring one of the victims of the Uvalde school shooting by showcasing her art submission.Alithia Haven Ramirez, 10, was one of 19 kids who were shot and killed in their classroom at Robb Elementary in late May.Uvalde report finds ‘systemic failures and egregiously poor decision making’Alithia's family describes her as a "smart, talented, reliable, extremely loving young lady who dreamt of attending Art School in Paris." Those words were w
  
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• Armed 'Good Samaritan' stopped Indiana mall shooting, broke mall rules

  18-07-2022 14:19 via kxan.com
  
  GREENWOOD, Ind. (WXIN) -- While police are crediting an Indiana man with shooting and killing a suspect in the Greenwood Park Mall shooting Sunday, mall policy prohibited him from carrying at all.Greenwood Police Chief James Ison confirmed Sunday that the shooter was shot and killed by a man visiting the mall, located in a suburb just south of Indianapolis. The Good Samaritan, as police called him, was armed with a handgun.“The real hero of the day was the citizen that was lawfully carryin
  
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• Texas university to offer new Harry Styles course

  18-07-2022 13:42 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — Texas students will soon get a lesson on pop superstar Harry Styles.Texas State University is slated to offer "Harry Styles and the Cult of Celebrity" in the spring 2023 semester, according to the course professor.Associate Professor of Digital History Louis Dean Valencia posted about the course news on social media Saturday. It quickly spread among the "Stylers" on Twitter (Stylers is the name for the Harry Styles fandom).Valencia told KXAN he's a "huge fan" of
  
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• Deadly crash reported in Caldwell County

  18-07-2022 12:21 via kxan.com
  
  MUSTANG RIDGE, Texas (KXAN) — The Travis County Sheriff's Office said Mustang Ridge Police are investigating a deadly crash that shut down Highway 21 Monday morning.
  TCSO said its deputies were called to help in crash in the 18100 block of Highway 21 around 12:55 a.m.
  According to TCSO, the crash happened about a mile east of Highway 130 near Lone Star Drive in Caldwell County. TCSO did not have information on how many people were involved.
  TCSO said Highway 21 reopened around 2:45 a.m. Mo
  
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• Man in custody after SWAT call in east Austin

  18-07-2022 12:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Police said a man is in custody after refusing to come out of an apartment in east Austin Sunday night.
  APD said officers went to Sweeney Lane at 8:17 p.m. for an aggravated assault call. That's located just east of Manor Road, north of East 51st Street.
  Austin Police took the man into custody around 12:30 a.m. Monday.APD said family violence detectives are investigating the case.
  
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• Record-rivaling heat most of the week

  18-07-2022 12:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Our ongoing heat wave continues with another 7+ days of triple digit heat in store.Today will feature plenty of sunshine and uncomfortable temps with afternoon highs above the century mark in most areas (Austin's forecast high: 105° - record: 107° last set in 1923). Ongoing drought, lack of rain and above average heat will increase fire danger areawide, with even higher fire danger surrounding the I-35 corridor.NOTE: breezy afternoon winds will result in elevated fire da
  
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• Increased pet heat strokes, paw injuries reported in Austin amid heat wave

  18-07-2022 05:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin's relentless temperatures have been hard on several pets, and veterinarians across Central Texas said more animals are coming in with heat-related injuries.
  One of those places seeing an increase was Austin Pets Alive!. Jasmine Hernandez said in her three years as the clinic's manager, she's never seen so many heat-related injuries.
  As of July, Hernandez said she's already treated more than 10 cases.
  "With this 105 degree weather... it's been an increase, definitely," Her
  
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• Animal advocates encourage animal heat safety amid high temperatures

  18-07-2022 05:12 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: This story has been updated to reflect the type and number of heat-related injuries APA! has treated this summer.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin's relentless temperatures have been hard on several pets, with Central Texas advocates seeing animals with heat-related injuries.
  An Austin Pets Alive! spokeswoman said it's treated three or four animals this summer with clinical symptoms due to the increased heat — which have mostly been barn cats panting or needing to be brought insi
  
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• Ivan Melendez drafted No. 43 overall by Arizona Diamondbacks in 2022 MLB Draft

  18-07-2022 04:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas first baseman Ivan Melendez was selected No. 43 overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday at the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft in Los Angeles.Melendez, a redshirt junior from El Paso, won every major college player of the year award after his mammoth season at the plate for the Longhorns. He capped this year winning the Golden Spikes Award, given to the country's best amateur baseball player by USA Baseball after his school-record 32 home runs.Texas infielder I
  
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• 'We gotta get in there': Uvalde officer calls for breach 1 hour before shooter killed

  18-07-2022 04:13 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas (KXAN) — Uvalde city officials released Sunday evening body camera footage recorded by law enforcement personnel who responded to the deadly Robb Elementary mass shooting May 24. In a clip reviewed by KXAN, footage depicts the initial moments responding officers tried to engage the shooter inside Rooms 111 and 112, as well as the ensuing gunfire targeted at officers.According to a report released by the Texas House's Investigative Committee Sunday, the shooter shot more than
  
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• Uvalde bodycam footage shows early moments officers first approach shooter

  18-07-2022 04:13 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas (KXAN) — Uvalde city officials released Sunday evening body camera footage recorded by law enforcement personnel who responded to the deadly Robb Elementary mass shooting May 24. In a clip reviewed by KXAN, footage depicts the initial moments responding officers tried to engage the shooter inside Rooms 111 and 112, as well as the ensuing gunfire targeted at officers.According to a report released by the Texas House's Investigative Committee Sunday, the shooter shot more than
  
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• Uvalde shooting victim's parent says he was kicked out of private briefing Sunday

  18-07-2022 01:11 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas (KXAN) — The father of one of the victims killed in the Robb Elementary School shooting May 24 said he was kicked out of Sunday's private briefing and surveillance video review.Alfred Garza III, the biological father of Amerie Jo Garza, told KXAN Sunday he was removed from the briefing, which was meant to provide an overview to the victims' families of the Texas House's investigation and key findings. The briefing was held by the House's Investigative Committee prior to the p
  
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• Uvalde Mayor taps former Austin Police detective for internal investigation

  18-07-2022 00:58 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas (KXAN) — Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin issued a press release Sunday, in which he announced the selection of former Austin Police Department detective Jesse Prado to conduct an internal investigation of the Uvalde Police Department's actions during the shooting.Prado was a detective with APD's Organized Crime Unit until he retired in 2013.The mayor's release is in response to the report released by the Texas House Investigative Committee's findings on the mass shooting at Robb
  
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• 'Crawling on her:' Texas family suing nursing home after ant bites detailed in state report

  18-07-2022 00:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Pictures of Kathleen Laurel line the kitchen counter in her daughter’s home: snapshots from weddings, dinner parties and a “Parents Weekend” celebration from her two daughters’ days as students at the University of Texas.Those daughters, Lisa Howard and Kelly Pesek, remember their mother as a woman with a vibrant sense of humor and wit.“She was just so funny and would always make us laugh,” Pesek said. “We were all kind of friends,
  
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