Austin news

• $300 million affordable housing bond proposed in Austin

  21-07-2022 23:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin leaders joined a community coalition pushing for an affordable housing bond proposition on the November 2022 ballot Thursday.According to a City of Austin memo, the $300 million proposition would have an annual impact on "the typical homeowner of $40.14." A typical home in Austin is defined at $448,000 with a taxable value of $358,400, including a homestead exemption. Austin’s selling more million-dollar homes now than before the pandemic“We’re hemo
  
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• 4 men indicted in San Antonio human smuggling truck deaths

  21-07-2022 23:21 via kxan.com
  
  McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) -- Two Texas men have been indicted on charges relating to the deaths of 53 migrants who were found in a stifling tractor-trailer on June 27 in San Antonio in what is the deadliest human smuggling incident ever in the United States.In addition, two Mexican national men also were indicted on gun charges relating to the June 27 smuggling event, according to the U.S. Justice DepartmentA grand jury on Wednesday in San Antonio handed up indictments against Homero Zamora
  
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• Several local districts still have unfilled teacher positions a month before school starts

  21-07-2022 22:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The first day is school is now less than a month away for most local districts, but several are still trying to hire teachers before students return to the classroom.KXAN reached out to every school district in the Austin metro area to ask how many teacher positions are still vacant at this time.The map below shows the responses we have received so far, and additional information will be added to the map as we receive it.Hover over or click on the map to see more informatio
  
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• City of Austin sees decrease in serious, fatal crashes after safety improvements

  21-07-2022 21:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – After safety improvements were made at some of Austin’s major intersections, the city noted a 31% decrease in serious and fatal crashes.The City of Austin’s Transportation Department began improving safety at dozens of high-crash intersections. The improvements are a part of its Vision Zero goal aimed to eliminate serious injuries and fatalities on Austin’s roadways, according to a release. Major crashes on Austin’s high-injury roads are decreasing &
  
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• Office of Police Oversight annual report released

  21-07-2022 21:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Office of Police Oversight (OPO) asked the Austin Police Department (APD) to investigate 220 out of 2,239 community complaints in 2021, according to the latest annual report released Thursday.
  The report states APD investigated 90 of the 220 complaints and 16 resulted in sustained policy violations.Fifteen of the 90 officers investigated retired in 2021 while under investigation, compared to 11 who retired in 2020 and two in 2019. According to the OPO, the internal APD
  
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• Elon Musk action figures?!? Mattel unveils plans for SpaceX toys

  21-07-2022 20:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Would you buy an Elon Musk action figure? You might get a chance in the coming years. Mattel, the company famous for Barbie and Hot Wheels, announced on Wednesday a multi-year deal with Musk owned SpaceX. They plan to release a line of "SpaceX-inspired" toys aimed at collectors and kids.Mattel's Senior Vice President of Entertainment Partnerships, Nick Karamanos, said in a statement “As space exploration advances more quickly than ever before, we are thrilled to work with
  
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• Pflugerville waterpark offers new way to keep cool — here are some other options

  21-07-2022 20:06 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — With this record-breaking heat streak, people are looking for good ways to stay cool, and a waterpark in Pflugerville is helping ease the intensity of the recent triple digits by dumping 15,000 pounds of ice into its wave pool.Typhoon Texas, located at 18500 TX-130 North Service Road, will host the cool-down event at 3 p.m. Thursday. Free and cheap things to do in Austin when it’s hot as heck outside“Team members [will] dump out wheelbarrow after wh
  
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• Austin man describes excruciating monkeypox symptoms, difficulty getting treatment

  21-07-2022 19:13 via kxan.com
  
  Warning: Descriptions of some monkeypox symptoms in this story are graphic. The man in this story also talks about the toll of monkeypox on his mental health. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988 for help.
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin attorney said the pain caused by monkeypox was so excruciating, he had to reach out to a crisis line for mental health support. On a scale of one to 10, he said the pain was a 10.
  The man, who did not want his identity used
  
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• Willie Nelson's Luck Ranch to host 10-day 'Lucktoberfest' featuring Tanya Tucker, Los Lobos and Orville Peck

  21-07-2022 19:04 via kxan.com
  
  SPICEWOOD, Texas (KXAN) — Willie Nelson's Luck Ranch presents its first fall-themed event called "Lucktoberfest" featuring 10 nights of music and more.Luck Presents, a cultural collective headquartered on Willie Nelson's property just outside of Austin, announced the new event series coming this fall.Why Willie Nelson celebrates his birthday twiceLucktoberfest takes place Oct. 28 to Nov. 6. The event features 10 diverse experiences with music, food, artisans and more."Not unlike Willie him
  
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• Travis County takes step toward an all-electric fleet

  21-07-2022 18:10 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (ABJ) -- Travis County leaders are investing in the region's electric vehicle future.During its July 19 meeting, the Travis County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to approve a grant that would fund the purchase and installation of four new electric vehicle charging stations across the county.The move marks a small step forward in the county’s long-term plan to address harmful greenhouse gas emissions and their negative impact on the environment.Read the full stor
  
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• Austin opens new affordable housing complex, specifically for people battling HIV

  21-07-2022 17:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Wednesday morning at the Roosevelt Gardens HIV Housing Complex, 5606 Roosevelt Avenue.“The new 40-unit Roosevelt Gardens housing complex [is] exclusively for people living with HIV who are homeless or unstably housed,” a release said.There are hundreds of people with HIV are sleeping on the streets in Central Texas, according to the release, and these people also make up a part of Austin’s larger homeless crisis.“Si
  
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• Huston-Tillotson named to National Register of Historic Places

  21-07-2022 17:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin's oldest institution of higher education and only Historically Black College and University added a new title to its accolades as a new member of the National Register of Historic Places.The National Register of Historic Places designated Huston-Tillotson University as a historical site worthy of preservation efforts. With the title, the entirety of Huston-Tillotson's campus is now protected as a "historic district," officials said in a campus news release Wednesday.
  
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• 1 charged with murder over 8 months after man shot, killed in Elgin

  21-07-2022 17:31 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A man faces a murder charge after deputies said he shot and killed another man after an argument in Elgin in November 2021, court documents show.
  Nathan Osborne, 20, was arrested by U.S. Marshals Tuesday, Travis County Jail records show. He's accused in connection with the death of Thomas Walker, 44, which occurred on Nov. 6, 2021. Osborne did not have an attorney listed online as of this article's publish time.An arrest affidavit said the shooting occurred af
  
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• Mattress system created by UT researchers warms, cools body to help you fall asleep faster

  21-07-2022 17:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Do you have trouble falling asleep quickly? Bioengineers at the University of Texas at Austin created something that could help.It's a mattress and pillow system that warms and cools the body in specific areas to trigger a sleepy feeling, according to a release from UT.UT explained sleep happens when the body temperature declines at night. So, the mattress and pillows work to cool the central areas of the body while heating the neck, hands and feet. This increases
  
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• CapMetro ridership still down ~1 million from pre-pandemic, despite high gas prices

  21-07-2022 17:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Despite high gas prices and community engagement efforts, passenger totals for Austin's transportation agency CapMetro are still well below pre-pandemic levels.Monthly ridership totals, for all bus, rail and paratransit services, are still about a million below where they were in late 2019 and early 2020. In February 2020 — right before the first COVID cases were reported in Texas — the transit agency carried more than 2.6 million passengers.In May 2022, the mos
  
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• Biden tests positive for COVID-19

  21-07-2022 16:29 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) – President Biden tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday and is experiencing mild symptoms, the White House announced in a statement.The president, who is 79 years old, is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 but the development is certain to trigger concerns about his health given his age."This morning, President Biden tested positive for COVID-19.  He is fully vaccinated and twice boosted and experiencing very mild symptoms. He has begun taking Paxlovid. C
  
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• LIVE: Austin leaders take action to protect reproductive rights

  21-07-2022 15:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council took action Thursday morning to help protect reproductive rights.During a press conference, council member José "Chito" Vela announced council passed the GRACE Act unanimously during a special-called meeting.
  This comes after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision late last month to overturn Roe v. Wade, which gave states the power to decide on abortion access.MORE: Supreme Court strikes down Roe v. WadeThe four resolutions passed by councilOne resolut
  
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• LIVE: Austin leaders could take action to protect reproductive rights

  21-07-2022 15:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council could take action Thursday to help protect reproductive rights. Leaders will meet at 10 a.m. for a special-called meeting to discuss several resolutions.
  This comes after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision late last month to overturn Roe v. Wade, which gave states the power to decide on abortion access.MORE: Supreme Court strikes down Roe v. WadeFour resolutions up for discussionOne resolution would amend the city code to prohibit discrimination based on
  
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• Austin leaders take action to protect reproductive rights

  21-07-2022 15:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council took action Thursday morning to help protect reproductive rights.During a press conference, council member José "Chito" Vela announced council passed the GRACE Act unanimously during a special-called meeting.
  This comes after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision late last month to overturn Roe v. Wade, which gave states the power to decide on abortion access.MORE: Supreme Court strikes down Roe v. WadeThe four resolutions passed by councilOne resolut
  
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• Austin leaders could take action to protect reproductive rights

  21-07-2022 15:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council could take action Thursday to help protect reproductive rights. Leaders will meet at 10 a.m. for a special-called meeting to discuss several resolutions.
  This comes after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision late last month to overturn Roe v. Wade, which gave states the power to decide on abortion access.MORE: Supreme Court strikes down Roe v. WadeFour resolutions up for discussionOne resolution would amend the city code to prohibit discrimination based on
  
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• Austin council pushes for birth control campaign, approves other abortion access items

  21-07-2022 15:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Members of the Austin City Council took actions Thursday morning that they said would help protect reproductive rights.During a news conference, Council Member José "Chito" Vela announced council unanimously approved the GRACE Act during a special-called meeting. This vote happened after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision late last month to overturn Roe v. Wade, which gave states the power to decide on abortion access.MORE: Supreme Court strikes down Roe v. Wade"It's
  
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• Austin council approves GRACE Act protections for abortion access

  21-07-2022 15:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Members of the Austin City Council took actions Thursday morning that they said would help protect reproductive rights.During a news conference, Council Member José "Chito" Vela announced council unanimously approved the GRACE Act during a special-called meeting. This vote happened after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision late last month to overturn Roe v. Wade, which gave states the power to decide on abortion access.MORE: Supreme Court strikes down Roe v. Wade"It's
  
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• Man shot, injured in north Austin

  21-07-2022 14:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Police said a man is expected to survive after being shot Wednesday night in north Austin.
  According to police, the shooting occurred around 9:30 p.m. in the 9600 block of North Lamar Boulevard. That's two blocks northeast of West Rundberg Lane.
  Austin Police said there are no suspects in custody.
  
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• Pedernales Falls home to endangered bird, outdoor adventures

  21-07-2022 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  BLANCO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Texas acquired the land for Pedernales Falls State Park from private owners in 1970, with the hopes that the state would protect the area's natural beauty, according to "A History of the Pedernales Falls Area, 1850-1970" by historian John J. Leffler.Pedernales Falls2585 Park Road 6026, Johnson City
  ~1 hour from Austin $6 day fee, additional fees for overnight stays 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.Today, the 5,212-acre park provides an array of outdoor activities, including s
  
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• Kyle toughens Stage 2 watering restrictions

  21-07-2022 12:57 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) — The City of Kyle Wednesday sharply cut the number of hours customers can use water outdoors.The city said it is toughening Stage Two watering restrictions because of increased demand on the water system.Customers may water their lawns with hose and sprinkler, a soaker hose, drip irrigation or automatic irrigation system only from 8 to 10 a.m. on these days:Residential Odd-Numbered Addresses: Wednesdays Residential Even-Numbered Addresses: ThursdaysCommercial &
  
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• Slight cooling trend continues into the weekend

  21-07-2022 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Triple digit heat continues to loom over us as July progresses, but there will be a very slight "cool down" this weekend.While we still hit triple digits, Thursday was slightly cooler than the past few days. This cooling trend will likely continue on through Saturday before temperatures bump back up again early next week. Unfortunately, it's still too hot to break out the winter coats, but we might be safe from heat advisories for the next few days.
  Highs next few daysThis summe
  
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• Hottest July on record rolls on

  21-07-2022 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Another day of record-breaking heat expected as our triple digit marathon continues.
  Little-to-no change in our weather pattern will mean more days of uncomfortable heat and dry weather. Our best hope for change comes at the very end of the month into early August when a pattern change may bring us a bit of rain.
  We will likely wrap this month as the hottest July in Austin history -- coming just after our hottest June, hottest May and hottest December all in the last 12 months,
  
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• One dead in shooting outside south Austin gas station

  21-07-2022 10:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police say one man is dead after shots were fired outside a gas station Wednesday night in south Austin.Police say officers got reports of shots being fired at West Oltorf Street and South First Street around 11:20 p.m. Wednesday.Police, Austin Travis County EMS and Austin Fire responded to the scene.
  Police found the man lying on the ground outside the Texaco station at the southeast corner of the intersection in the Dawson neighborhood. The man died at the scene.
  Austin
  
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• 1 dead in shooting outside south Austin gas station

  21-07-2022 10:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police said one man is dead after shots were fired outside a gas station Wednesday night in south Austin.Police said officers got reports of shots being fired at West Oltorf Street and South First Street around 11:20 p.m.Police, Austin-Travis County EMS and Austin Fire responded to the scene.
  Police found the man lying on the ground outside the Texaco station at the southeast corner of the intersection in the Dawson neighborhood. The man died at the scene.
  Austin Police s
  
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• Texas stays hot on recruiting trail by receiving commitment from 4-star Malik Muhammad

  21-07-2022 04:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas added another high-profile recruit for the 2023 class with four-star defensive back Malik Muhammad.
  Muhammad, who won a state championship with South Oak Cliff, picked Texas over Texas A&M and Alabama.
  According to 247 Sports, Muhammad is the No. 6 ranked cornerback nationally, and is the 39th ranked player overall.
  In the 2021 season, Muhammad had three interceptions and 70 tackles while standing out for the undefeated state champion South Oak Cliff Golden Bears.
  
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• Starbucks on 6th and Congress to close August 21

  21-07-2022 03:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Starbucks will close its store on 6th and Congress in downtown Austin on August 21, the company confirmed Wednesday.The sign in the Starbucks location at 6th and Congress saying it'll close in August. (KXAN photo)A sign inside the store reads, "Our store is closing August 21. Thank you for keeping us a downtown staple for 27 years."A Starbucks spokesperson said that is indeed the case. "As part of Starbucks standard course of business, we continually review and evaluate our
  
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• Starbucks on 6th and Congress to close Aug. 21

  21-07-2022 03:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Starbucks will close its store on 6th and Congress in downtown Austin on Aug. 21, the company confirmed Wednesday.The sign in the Starbucks location at Sixth and Congress saying it'll close in August. (KXAN photo)A sign inside the store reads, "Our store is closing August 21. Thank you for keeping us a downtown staple for 27 years."A Starbucks spokesperson said that is indeed the case. "As part of Starbucks standard course of business, we continually review and evaluate our
  
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• Construction on 40-acre data center starts in Round Rock

  21-07-2022 03:02 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Another tech business is expanding into Central Texas. Sabey Data Centers broke ground on a new 40-acre data center Wednesday in Round Rock.The new two-building campus is being built on Louis Henna Boulevard between A.W. Grimes Boulevard and Double Creek Drive. California solar roofing company building new facility in Georgetown"Data centers are essentially the infrastructure of the internet, where all the servers live that provide all the services for the bankin
  
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• Texas State changes housing for some students weeks before move-in day

  21-07-2022 01:55 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – With less than a month away from moving in, hundreds of Texas State University students, like Stacy Bricker's daughter, got an email notifying them of housing changes."To accommodate all of our new Bobcats, we are adjusting several rooms in Blanco Hall and in other residence halls from double occupancy to triple occupancy," Bricker read from the email.Bricker's daughter, Riley, wanted a two-bedroom suite, but instead, her dorm will now fit three people."My daught
  
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• Police arrest man after firing shots at The Domain

  21-07-2022 01:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin police officers responded to a high-priority call Friday evening after shots were fired at The Domain in the 11600 block of Rock Rose Avenue. Two people were involved in the disturbance, according to court records.An affidavit said 22-year-old Cardui Leshawn Scales Jr. fired a gun twice during an altercation with another man over a pair of reportedly stolen sunglasses. One bullet went through a vehicle door window, and the other went through the front glass window of
  
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• Trader Joe's recalls soft snickerdoodles that may contain hard plastic pieces

  21-07-2022 00:53 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Trader Joe's is recalling select packages of its popular Soft-Baked Snickerdoodles Wednesday over concerns that some cookies may contain hard plastic pieces.The grocery store chain said there have not been any reported injuries to date, and all potentially affected products have been removed from store shelves.Affected packages are labeled with code SKU# 94075 and a best-by date of 02/03/2023.Customers who purchased any Soft-Baked Snickerdoodles are advised to discard
  
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• 'Couldn't be happening': UTPD addresses danger denial in faculty, staff training

  21-07-2022 00:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The University of Texas Police Department held a civilian active shooter training session for faculty and staff Wednesday.
  The training consisted of a staged video example of an active shooter on a college campus and a follow-up slideshow presentation of best practices."The one thing to take away is run, hide, fight," said Sgt. Adan Zavala, who led the training. A further breakdown of that is below.
  UTPD Active Shooter Response Guide"Research shows that everybody sees that initi
  
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• Hutto police officers learning to deal with active shooters

  21-07-2022 00:40 via kxan.com
  
  HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) — Every second counts in an active shooter scenario, and with police training for such events in the public eye, the Hutto Police Department did its part on Wednesday."Here with our agency we do a lot of training," said Officer Josh Bellenir with HPD.Yelling could be heard inside Hutto ISD's ninth-grade center as officers fired off fake rounds. The live simulation is meant to test officers and make sure they know exactly what to do if an active shooter is present."It pr
  
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• Homeowners sue TCAD over 2021 appraised home value, call it 'unlawful'

  21-07-2022 00:20 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — Homeowners near Leander are suing the Travis Central Appraisal District, accusing the agency that determines home values for tax purposes of "unlawful valuation of property."The homeowners filed the lawsuit July 15 in Travis County District Court, claiming the appraised value of their home — just over $3.8 million —near Lake Travis is more than the true market value. The lawsuit states the homeowners, "timely protested" the agency's appraised value, and
  
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