Austin news

• Austin Community Foundation awards $200k in scholarships to 20 students

  23-07-2022 22:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Local high school graduates, many of whom will be first-generation college students, were awarded $25,000 scholarships to pursue higher education through a new fund at the Austin Community Foundation.
  The Sheth Sangreal Scholarship Fund was created this year to support "the economic security and financial needs of Central Texas students that demonstrate high academic achievement," a press release stated.“With rising costs of college tuition and the potential burden of stud
  
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• Texas school district requiring students to lock phones in pouches during class

  23-07-2022 21:33 via kxan.com
  
  THORNDALE, Texas (KXAN) — One Central Texas school district will require students to lock up their phones during the school day in a "magnetically sealed pouch," its superintendent wrote in a letter to parents.
  Thorndale ISD, which is located in Milam County, will start the policy in the next school year at Thorndale middle and high schools. The district has about 600 students, according to state data.
  The program, called Yondr, requires students to secure their phones in a personal pouch
  
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• Funding for pilot program to reduce jail time pulled due to TCSO staffing issues

  23-07-2022 20:31 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- A half a million dollar grant that would have supported a counsel at first appearance pilot program in Travis County has been pulled by Texas A&M's Public Research Policy Institute due to issues with staffing the Travis County Sheriff's Office's booking area, a commissioners court meeting this week revealed.
  In December 2021, Texas A&M awarded a grant to the county to test a program that would provide representation to people in Travis County's jail at thei
  
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• APD investigating overnight Sunday crash; asking for public's help

  23-07-2022 19:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police is asking the public for help after one person died overnight Sunday into Monday during a single-vehicle crash in the 8600 block of FM 969.At approximately 2:26 a.m. Monday, APD said officers saw a vehicle heading south on Decker Lane, and it was traveling recklessly while speeding. Officers then saw a collision with the vehicle, according to a report.“The occupants were taken to the hospital by EMS, where one person died,” APD said in a statement.
  
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• Gov. Abbott signs disaster declarations in North Texas after wildfire destroys 16 homes

  23-07-2022 19:46 via kxan.com
  
  SOMERVELL COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — On Saturday, Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration in North Texas for 10 counties, including Somervell County, in response to the Chalk Mountain Fire that has burned more than 6,700 acres so far.
  The governor said 60 homes were evacuated, 16 were destroyed and five were damaged in the wildfire. In total, 38 agencies have responded, including local, state and federal first responders.Abbott said nobody has died, and there have been only two minor in
  
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• Cecilio Domínguez and Austin FC part ways after MLS investigation

  23-07-2022 18:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Midfielder Cecilio Domínguez and Austin FC have "mutually" agreed to part ways, according to the club. It comes after an investigation by Major League Soccer into possible misconduct off the field.
  The league announced in April that Domínguez was suspended after Austin FC “initiated a MLS and a law enforcement investigation into a report of a domestic dispute with his partner,” the release said.While details on the incident were scarce,&n
  
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• World Health Organization declares monkeypox a global emergency

  23-07-2022 16:24 via kxan.com
  
  LONDON (AP) — The World Health Organization said the expanding monkeypox outbreak in more than 70 countries is an “extraordinary” situation that now qualifies as a global emergency, a declaration Saturday that could spur further investment in treating the once-rare disease and worsen the scramble for scarce vaccines.Although monkeypox has been established in parts of central and west Africa for decades, it was not known to spark large outbreaks beyond the contine
  
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• Former employees file Austin lawsuit against Tesla over recent 'mass' layoffs

  23-07-2022 16:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Former employees filed a lawsuit in Austin against Tesla, Inc., claiming they were terminated without being provided sufficient advanced written notice.The class action complaint, filed June 19, claimed Tesla violated the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act by not providing proper notice to the former employees.“Tesla is required to provide Plaintiffs and Class Members with the required sixty (60) days advance written notice of a mass layoff,&rdqu
  
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• VIDEO: Otter family spotted along San Marcos River

  23-07-2022 16:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An otter and two tiny pups were seen bouncing along the San Marcos River bank earlier this month, a viewer video showed.
  The San Marcos River Foundation shared the video on Facebook. The otter family was spotted on the gravel bar at the San Marcos River Retreat.
  Where do Texas otters live?
  Texas Parks and Wildlife says the river otter is currently found in the eastern half of Texas, but they were probably once seen in the Panhandle area, north-central Texas and in southern
  
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• Williamson County animal shelter waives adoption fees this weekend

  23-07-2022 15:10 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Looking to add a furry pal to your family? Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter is making adoption easier this weekend with waived adoption fees through Sunday.
  WCRAS and Best Friends Animal Society, a national animal nonprofit, are partnering July 22-24 to encourage adoptions. The shelter's "capacity remains in the extreme category," animal services director Misty Valenta said in a release.The shelter is seeking adopters for medium to large dogs, adu
  
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• APD responds to Friday night homicide in southeast Austin

  23-07-2022 14:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police said officers found one person dead after responding to a disturbance call in the 4800 block of Turnstone Drive at approximately 10:05 p.m. Friday. The APD homicide unit responded to the scene.APD said officers forced entry into a residence and located a victim with “significant trauma.” The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.Austin Police said officers found one person dead after responding to a disturbance call Friday. (KXAN Photo/Ed Zavala)
  
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• Very little change to this stifling heat

  23-07-2022 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Saturday dawned with increasing clouds combined with warm, humid air. Most low temperatures were in the middle to upper 70s.The area will be partly cloudy to mostly sunny today and again Sunday.High temperatures both days will rise to as high as 103°. It will be breezy in the afternoon both days with south wind gusts as high as 20 to 25 mph. Highest heat index values will average 102° to 106°, similar to Friday.Weekend HeatCentral Texas's weather continues to be domi
  
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• Things to do: Outdoor adventures in Central Texas

  23-07-2022 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — While Austin's parks and the Greenbelt are wonderful places for a short adventure, Central Texas offers a number of exciting destinations for thrill-seekers and nature lovers.Enchanted Rock State Natural AreaEnchanted Rock provides a variety of climbing options, as well as camp sites and a number of hiking trails. The summit has an unparalleled view of Texas' Hill Country and be accessed by hiking or climbing. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area offers magical time for advent
  
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• HALFTIME: Late goal breathes life into Austin FC, NY Red Bulls lead 2-1

  23-07-2022 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Perhaps the club's goal of the year thus far helped revive Austin FC from what was an otherwise dreadful first half Sunday against the New York Red Bulls at Q2 Stadium.Down 2-0 and time waning in the first half, Austin FC's Sebastian Driussi provided the strike the home side desperately needed, hitting a low volley from around 25 yards away through a ton of traffic from a headed corner. The shot snuck through several defenders and Red Bulls goalkeeper Carlos Coronel just si
  
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• Austin FC riding a Texas-sized hot streak into match with NY Red Bulls

  23-07-2022 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC hasn't lost since May 29, and they didn't even let COVID-19 stop the streak.Following a 1-1 draw against FC Dallas that secured the Copa Tejas title July 16, a match that head coach Josh Wolff was absent from because he entered the league's health and safety protocols due to the virus, the team is focused on keeping up the good form and adding to its seven-match unbeaten streak. Copa Tejas cup comes to Austin after tie with FC DallasThe club comes home Sunday to t
  
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• Amber Alert: Three children abducted from Kempner

  23-07-2022 05:30 via kxan.com
  
  LAMPASAS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Lampasas County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) is searching for three children abducted from Kempner.
  Law enforcement believe the children are in grave or immediate danger. Missing are:Kristen Robertson, a Black female, 3 years old, 3’ 0”, 40 lbs, black hair, brown eyesChristopher Robertson II, a Black male, 6 years old, 3’01”, 50 lbs, black hair, brown eyesChristine Robertson, a Black female, 4 years old, 3’05” 40 lbs, black hair
  
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• Amber Alert for 3 Kempner children discontinued

  23-07-2022 05:30 via kxan.com
  
  LAMPASAS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Amber Alert for three children from Kempner was discontinued.
  It was not reported if the children were found or not.
  The alert was issued on Friday, July 22, when the Lampasas County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) began searching for three children abducted from Kempner who had been missing for nearly two months.
  The children are listed below:Kristen Robertson, a Black female, 3 years old, 3’0”, 40 pounds, black hair, brown eyesChristopher Robertson
  
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• City of Austin pegs California-based group to operate ARCH shelter

  23-07-2022 04:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- There will soon be new leadership at the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH) shelter.
  Listed on next week's city council agenda is a vote on whether to authorize a new, more than $4 million contract with a California-based company called Urban Alchemy.
  This comes after the city announced on Monday they'll be discontinuing their partnership with Front Steps, due to that group reorganizing internally.PREVIOUS: Austin to end contracts with homeless services nonprofit that
  
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• Texas hospitals are putting pregnant patients at risk by denying care out of fear of abortion laws, medical group says

  23-07-2022 03:59 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) -- The Texas Medical Association is asking state regulators to step in after it says several hospitals afraid of violating the state’s abortion ban have turned away pregnant patients or delayed care leading to complications, The Dallas Morning News reported.In a letter to the Texas Medical Board — the state agency that regulates the practice of medicine — TMA officials on Wednesday said they have received complaints that hospital administrators and t
  
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• Is Austin becoming Texas' center for psychedelic treatments?

  23-07-2022 03:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- On Friday, a celebration marked the grand opening of WITHIN Psychedelic Treatment Center.
  Its leaders call it Texas' first ceremonial psychedelic treatment center, which started seeing patients in May.
  The center uses Ketamine for its therapy.
  "We do intramuscular injection, they'll get the injection and they have music running, a kind of orchestrated playlist suited for them. Eye shades go on and they go on the journey," explained Dr. Eric Miller, medical director of the center.
  
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• Austin Energy explains rising costs

  23-07-2022 01:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With triple-digit temperatures almost every day this summer, plenty of people are regularly running their air conditioners.Bill Oakey has lived in Austin for over 51 years, but he’s never seen his energy bills become so expensive.“Once you get into the third tier, which is anything above 1000 kilowatt hours, your rates really start to climb,” he said. “It doesn't take long to see your bill double.”Oakey said his bill more than doubled between M
  
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• Union: Staffing issues, spike in calls led to 28-minute wait for ambulance

  23-07-2022 00:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Someone who called for an ambulance from a construction site had to wait 28 minutes for one to show up, according to ATCEMS Association President Selena Xie."We had to down a bunch of ambulances today because of staffing shortages," she said.ATCEMS Asst. Chief Wesley Hopkins said the call that came from the site was a Priority 4, meaning lower priority.
  "We had an influx of calls, so we had a lot of ambulances out on calls," he said. "This call was categorized as a four, so a lo
  
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• No injuries after propane tank explosion causes fire near downtown

  23-07-2022 00:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A fire in east Austin is under control after a propane tank exploded nearby Friday afternoon, the Austin Fire Department said.It appears the fire happened in a homeless camp behind Kreig Fields shortly after 4:30 p.m. Austin Fire Info tweeted photos of the fire at 4:51 p.m.A fire in east Austin is under control after a propane tank exploded in east Austin Friday, July 22, 2022. Photo: Austin Fire DepartmentA fire in east Austin is under control after a propane tank exploded
  
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• Growing 'pig butchering' scam costing victims billions

  23-07-2022 00:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On the search for love, many people turn to dating apps, but a few friendly texts with a potential match can quickly turn into one of the newest and fastest growing scams.
  "Pig butchering" or "pig slaughtering" is a crypto scam in which victims are enticed to put money into an account, essentially fattening that account up, before disappearing with large amounts of cryptocurrency. What is ‘jugging’? Austin police see uptick in casesA recent post from the Austin
  
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