Austin news

• Leander ISD: Substitute teachers needed as school approaches

  09-08-2022 23:32 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — Leander ISD is looking to fill 80 teaching positions before the school year begins, but the district is also looking for substitute teachers."We are looking to have 750 substitutes a year just to be comfortable, but we aren't at that point yet," said Rachel Acosta, Leander ISD spokesperson.On Tuesday, LISD held a job expo and training for substitutes."I am willing to learn anything," said Reni Georgiuva, who was going through training.LISD used to have a company tha
  
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• Abbott, O'Rourke may meet in Nexstar-hosted Texas governor debate

  09-08-2022 23:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has accepted an invitation for a debate, hosted and broadcast by Nexstar Media Group, which is the parent company of KXAN. Challenger Beto O’Rourke’s participation is pending for the hour-long debate on Sept. 30.O’Rourke’s campaign released a statement Tuesday saying, “We look forward to attending a forum hosted by Nexstar Media Group in the Rio Grande Valley at a mutually agreed upon date and time.”If they can a
  
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• $1.4 million in ARP funds going to Fredericksburg to support tourism

  09-08-2022 23:03 via kxan.com
  
  FREDERICKSBURG, Texas (KXAN) -- The City of Fredericksburg was awarded a $1.4 million grant to support local tourism. The U.S. Secretary of Commerce's Economic Development Administration awarded the grant, which is being funded by the American Rescue Plan.
  The grant will be used for construction of a parking facility, which will accommodate additional visitors to the city's businesses and local attractions, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Commerce. The grant will also be
  
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• 'It took about 5 minutes': Former Longhorn Justin Tucker gets $24M contract extension with Ravens

  09-08-2022 23:01 via kxan.com
  
  BALTIMORE (KXAN/AP) — Over the past 10 years of his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens, former Texas Longhorns and Westlake High School kicker Justin Tucker has been the best at his craft. Now, he's being paid like it.Tucker, a five-time All-Pro, signed a 4-year contract extension that makes him the NFL's highest-paid kicker in terms of average compensation per year at $6 million, according to Sportrac. The extension is for $24 million in total with $17.5 million guaranteed. His previous
  
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• Fayette County K9 unit finds $260 million-worth of fentanyl during traffic stop

  09-08-2022 22:48 via kxan.com
  
  FAYETTE COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- A Fayette County K9 team found 13 kilograms of fentanyl during a traffic stop Tuesday; enough to manufacture 13 million pills and be sold for roughly $260 million, the sheriff's office said.SGT Randy Thumann and his K9 partner Kolt (Courtesy Fayette County Sheriff's Office)They said around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, the Fayette County Sheriff's Office narcotics K9 unit pulled over a Chevy Silverado for a traffic violation.
  Sergeant Randy Thumann reported after becoming su
  
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• Scattered late-day showers and thunderstorms expected Wednesday through Saturday

  09-08-2022 22:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Camp Mabry recorded its 59th 100-degree day of the year on Tuesday, the fifth-highest triple-digit day count ever observed in Austin. Look for just a slim 10% chance of a brief, rogue shower east of I-35 through the evening.As a weak disturbance swings into Central Texas Wednesday and lingers in the area through Saturday, expect a better chance of a few late-day showers and thunderstorms. While some areas will unfortunately miss out on measurable rain, others will see 0.25"-1",
  
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• Minimum wage for Austin employees central in budget discussions

  09-08-2022 21:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- While Austin City Council members voted to raise the minimum wage for its employees to $22 per hour, the city manager's preliminary budget for the coming fiscal year lists an $18 minimum wage with a gradual increase. There's a chance the city could split the difference.During a budget work meeting Tuesday, council learned how much it would cost to pay its employees more. To hit a minimum wage of $18 per hour, it's going to cost the city roughly $3.7 million, which is already bui
  
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• Manor ISD superintendent to resign in June 2023

  09-08-2022 21:05 via kxan.com
  
  MANOR, Texas (KXAN) — Manor Independent School District's Superintendent Andre D. Spencer will resign at the end of June 2023, according to a letter on the district's website.
  "I am so proud of our collective work to lead the Manor Independent School District (MISD) through the most challenging times in our modern history. That is why it is with bittersweet emotions that I am announcing my resignation effective Friday, June 30, 2023, which is the end of my current contract," Spencer wrote
  
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• Austinites celebrate 30 years since vote to protect Barton Springs

  09-08-2022 20:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Monday, Austinites celebrated an ordinance to protect Barton Springs that was voted on and approved by residents 30 years ago.
  The ceremony for the Save Our Springs Election took place at the front gate of Barton Springs Pool, which had a free swim day in honor of the vote. City staff release Barton Springs pool test findings for toxins after dog diesThe original vote took place Aug. 8, 1992 and has since been upheld by the Texas Supreme Court as a valid city ordinance t
  
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• 'Makerspace' for science, art donated to Eanes Elementary

  09-08-2022 19:42 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Eanes Elementary Parent Teacher Organization unveiled a "makerspace" for the school's students and teachers Monday.
  The makerspace is a repurposed classroom that has been transformed into an area that facilitates science, technology, engineering, art and math, or STEAM.
  "I really think that connection to your brain, to the learning, with actually experiencing things by touching them and exploring them, really helps you to maintain that knowledge and that i
  
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• CapMetro now offering free cooling center rides during heat advisories

  09-08-2022 18:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With Austin experiencing record-breaking heat this summer, CapMetro is readjusting its protocols when offering free rides to cooling centers.Previously, CapMetro would activate complimentary rides to cooling centers once its service area was under an excessive heat warning. That warning is issued once air temperatures surpass 105° or the heat index climbs to 113° or higher, as defined by the National Weather Service's Austin and San Antonio office. RELATED: Heat Adv
  
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• Del Valle ISD kicks off new school year

  09-08-2022 18:37 via kxan.com
  
  DEL VALLE, Texas (KXAN) — On Tuesday, Del Valle Independent School District students kicked off the 2022-23 school year. Some started the new school year in a new school.
  KXAN got the chance to chat one-on-one with Del Valle ISD Superintendent Annette Tielle about upcoming school year challenges, staffing shortages and how the district is ensuring students are able to compete for the jobs major companies like Tesla are bringing to the area.Del Valle ISD will release students early on Frida
  
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• MetroBike to triple fleet, expand beyond downtown Austin

  09-08-2022 18:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The city of Austin and CapMetro will begin its transition to an all-electric MetroBike fleet, tripling its resources and expanding beyond downtown.In late July, Austin City Council and the CapMetro Board of Directors approved a joint agreement to expand the program and divvy up operational duties. Under the July 28 agreement, CapMetro will oversee daily operations and maintenance of the MetroBike program, while the city's transportation department will "continue to provide
  
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• Volunteers pull 400 bags of trash out of Lake Travis, other updates from Travis County commissioners court

  09-08-2022 17:53 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Travis County commissioners had a lighter than usual agenda Tuesday. They will break around 11:30 p.m. to join the city in a briefing about monkeypox.Here's what we're watching:
  Resolution to protect access to reproductive healthcare
  Travis County commissioners did not vote on whether to approve a resolution "affirming the County's commitment to protecting the right of individuals to make their own reproductive health decisions or other reproductive healthcare
  
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• Travis County to vote on abortion access resolution, other agenda items

  09-08-2022 17:53 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Travis County commissioners have another stacked agenda Tuesday. They will also break around 11:30 p.m. to join the city in a briefing about monkeypox.Here's what we're watching:
  Resolution to protect access to reproductive healthcare
  Travis County commissioners will vote on whether to approve a resolution "affirming the County's commitment to protecting the right of individuals to make their own reproductive health decisions or other reproductive healthcare a
  
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• LIVE: Austin-Travis County leaders talk monkeypox resources

  09-08-2022 17:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Mayor Steve Adler, Travis County Judge Andy Brown and Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes are expected to host a news conference at city hall Tuesday to address the growing number of monkeypox cases locally. They will also talk about resources for fighting spread.Right now, local leaders said there aren't enough vaccines to reach everyone who's at high risk for getting the virus.
  As it stands right now, only the following people are eligible to be
  
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• LIVE: Austin-Travis County leaders declare local emergency for monkeypox

  09-08-2022 17:07 via kxan.com
  
  Monkeypox tracker: How many cases are there in Texas?AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin and Travis County leaders declared a joint emergency order in response to the growing number of monkeypox cases locally.Austin Mayor Steve Adler, Travis County Judge Andy Brown and Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes made the announcement Tuesday.County and city leaders requested more resources from the state as a part of that order and hope it will raise awareness about the virus."I think we've
  
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• Austin-Travis County leaders talk monkeypox resources

  09-08-2022 17:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Mayor Steve Adler, Travis County Judge Andy Brown and Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes are expected to host a news conference at city hall Tuesday to address the growing number of monkeypox cases locally. They will also talk about resources for fighting spread.Right now, local leaders said there aren't enough vaccines to reach everyone who's at high risk for getting the virus.
  As it stands right now, only the following people are eligible to be
  
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• Austin-Travis County leaders issue emergency orders for monkeypox

  09-08-2022 17:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin and Travis County leaders declared a joint emergency order in response to the growing number of monkeypox cases locally.Austin Mayor Steve Adler, Travis County Judge Andy Brown and Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes made the announcement Tuesday. Monkeypox tracker: How many cases are there in Texas?County and city leaders requested more resources from the state as a part of that order and hope it will raise awareness about the virus."I think we'v
  
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• Tennis great Serena Williams announces retirement plans

  09-08-2022 15:48 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — Tennis great Serena Williams announced she plans to retire, saying in an essay that the"countdown" to her moving away from her tennis career has started.In a Vogue magazine essay published Tuesday, the seven-time Wimbledon winner said she is "evolving" away from tennis toward "other things that are important to me.""I have never liked the word retirement. It doesn’t feel like a modern word to me," Williams said. "I’ve been thinking of this as a transiti
  
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• Man sentenced to 25 years in 2019 murder of teen in east Austin

  09-08-2022 15:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was convicted Friday of murdering a 17-year-old during a drug deal in October 2019, according to court records.
  Reginald Williams, who was 19 at the time of the murder, was sentenced to 25 years in prison.PAST STORY: Suspects arrested in connection with murder of 17-year-old during east Austin drug dealElijah Malone (Austin Police Department Photo)He was arrested alongside Elijah Malone, who was 21 at the time, in connection with the shooting death of Emmet Infante-Ra
  
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• YMCA looking to hire afterschool workers

  09-08-2022 14:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The YMCA of Austin needs to hire workers to help parents find afterschool care for their children.The nonprofit said it is hiring more than 100 seasonal full-time and part-time employees and offering up to $500 in bonuses and pay starting at $15 an hour.
  Extend-A-Care YMCA is hiring what it calls Youth Development Leaders to guide students at more than 60 afterschool child care programs across multiple school districts and preschool teachers at eight area programs.
  “I
  
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• Some Austin homes' foundations are crumbling this summer — here's why

  09-08-2022 13:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The summer heatwave has resulted in one of the worst droughts in recent Texas history. With that drought comes a lot of changes to our environment. Caves are drying up because of the drought. Farmers are being forced to restrict water usage. Now the ground itself is shrinking and putting homes at risk."We're right in the middle of that drought. Things are starting to move around," said Paul White, production manager with Foundation Support Specialists in Austin. He said dur
  
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• Industrial gas supplier proposes facility near new Taylor Samsung plant

  09-08-2022 13:32 via kxan.com
  
  TAYLOR, Texas (Austin Business Journal) — The largest industrial gas supplier in the world could save more than $11 million on property taxes if it's granted incentives for a possible facility in Taylor.That was among among the details found in Linde Inc.'s application for Chapter 313 incentives, which were made public Aug. 1.It is the U.S. subsidiary of United Kingdom-based Linde PLC (Nasdaq: LIN), the largest industrial gas company in the world by market share and revenue. It is a s
  
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• Rain chances to increase allowing for high temperatures to decrease

  09-08-2022 12:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The day dawned sunny with overnight lows in the low to middle 70s. The low at Camp Mabry is 76°Clouds increased significantly in many areas especially from the eastern Hill Country eastward. Those clouds won't prevent our daily maximum temperatures from reaching triple digits between 3 and 5 p.m. Maximum heat indices will be a few degrees higher than the air temperatures.There is a 10% chance of a late-afternoon and early-evening shower. However, it does not appear that much
  
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• Increasing rain chances mid- to late week

  09-08-2022 12:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today will be one of the hottest and driest days of the work week ahead of a welcome pattern change that kicks off tomorrow.Afternoon highs will return to the low 100s today with Austin likely to near 102° for the third day in a row. A mix of sun and clouds will stretch areawide with only a few isolated showers possible late day (10%).With our stubborn summer high pressure system sitting to our north, a few disturbances will follow the clockwise flow around the high and move
  
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• Man shot in southeast Austin

  09-08-2022 11:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police say a man was shot near the intersection of E. William Cannon Drive and Bluff Springs Road early Tuesday morning.
  Police say officers were told about the shooting around 3:45 a.m.
  APD says the man was "conscious and breathing" and paramedics were taking him to a local hospital.
  Police do not have any information on a suspect or the exact location of the shooting.
  
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• APD: Suspect trying to steal vehicle shot by law enforcement

  09-08-2022 10:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said an APD officer and a trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety fired gunshots during an attempted carjacking on Cameron Road late Monday night, hitting the suspect.
  Police Chief Joseph Chacon said the suspect is in critical but stable condition at the hospital.
  Chacon said the incident began around 11 p.m. when the officer pulled a motorcycle over for a traffic stop on Cameron Road near Highway 290.Chacon said the motorcyclist ran
  
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• APD: Man shot, injured in north Austin traffic stop

  09-08-2022 10:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police say a APD officer and a trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety fired gunshots during an attempted carjacking on Cameron Road late Monday night. The suspect in the carjacking was shot.Police chief Joseph Chacon says the suspect is in critical but stable condition at the hospital.
  Chacon says the incident began around 11 p.m. when the officer pulled a motorcycle over for a traffic stop on Cameron Road near Highway 290.Chacon says the motorcyclist ran sout
  
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• Dog dies in parked, running car waiting for animal control after owner's DWI arrest

  09-08-2022 04:34 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- You hear the message all the time about the dangers of leaving dogs in cars in the Texas heat.
  An unusual situation in Round Rock shows just how dangerous this can be — even if a car is running.Austin man faces murder charge after gas station shooting, 2 other wrecks, police sayRound Rock Police say a dog died in a parked car after an officer arrested the owner on suspicion of DWI. The department says the car was running and the air conditioning was on.
  The brot
  
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• Kyle PD starts new unit monitoring commercial vehicles

  09-08-2022 03:51 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) — In an area that continues to grow in size, people in Hays County said traffic crashes continue to grow with it.
  However, the City of Kyle's Police Department launched an initiative to keep roads safer by monitoring commercial vehicles.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Kyle Police Department launches new unit, increasing commercial vehicle safetyOfficer Matt Clark is a part of the department's new Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE) Unit. He said they make sure vehicles follow weight
  
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• Blanco first responders promote preparedness for fires

  09-08-2022 03:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Nearly a week after it broke out, firefighters took full control of the 1,210-acre Smoke Rider Fire on Monday.In Blanco County, there are only a few full-time firefighters. PHOTOS: Local, state crews battle fires across Central TexasAccording to Blanco County ESD 2 EMS Chief Ben Oakley, this took a toll on his team."To say they're fatigued would be an understatement,” he said. “They've been working a lot of hours for nearly a week now."Oakley also said they are
  
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• Trump says FBI raided Mar-a-Lago

  09-08-2022 01:07 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) - Federal authorities have searched Donald Trump’s home in Florida, with the former president releasing a statement saying Mar A Lago was “raided” by the FBI."My beautiful home Mar A Lago in Palm Beach, Florida is currently under siege, raided and occupied by a large group of FBI agents,” Trump said in a statement.“After working and cooperating with the relevant government agencies, this unannounced raid at my home was not necessary or appropriate.”
  
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• Texas DPS: Social media companies underreporting potential threats

  09-08-2022 00:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Texas law enforcement may be left in the dark about people making threats online that target schools.Dale Avant, chief of the Texas Department of Public Safety's Intelligence and Counterterrorism Division, revealed those types of threats are under-reported Monday at the Texas Capitol.
  Avant eluded to social media platforms not doing enough to let police know what's going on."In almost all cases where we get tips from from that group [social media], it's only for immediat
  
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• Austin ISD still looking for teachers with classes set to begin soon

  09-08-2022 00:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One week until classes begin in Austin ISD, but does the district have enough teachers?Just last month KXAN told you there were more than 500 teaching positions that needed to be filled."Throughout the district, throughout the state, we are all facing these teacher shortages," said Anthony Mays, AISD interim superintendent.With school starting Aug. 15, Mays said they are working to fill the positions they still have open."We don't want overcrowded classrooms," said May
  
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• AISD still looking for teachers with classes set to begin soon

  09-08-2022 00:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One week until classes begin in Austin ISD, but does the district have enough teachers?Just last month KXAN told you there were more than 500 teaching positions that needed to be filled."Throughout the district, throughout the state we are all facing these teacher shortages," said"Throughout the district, throughout the state, we are all facing these teacher shortages," said Anthony Mays, AISD interim superintendent.With school starting August 15, Mays says they are wo
  
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• Texas traveling nurse facing murder charges in California crash that killed 6

  09-08-2022 00:14 via kxan.com
  
  WINDSOR HILLS, Calif. (KTLA) — A 37-year-old Texas nurse suspected of killing six people and injuring eight others when her speeding Mercedes-Benz plowed into several vehicles last week in California will be charged with six counts of murder and five counts of gross vehicular manslaughter, officials announced Monday.
  District Attorney George Gascón called the crash “tragic.”The driver, identified as Nicole Linton, was working in Los Angeles as a traveling nurse out of Tex
  
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• Longhorns ranked No. 18 in preseason USA Today Coaches poll

  09-08-2022 00:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian was on the practice field Monday when the USA Today Preseason Coaches poll was released. While it did not express surprise that Texas checked in at No. 18 despite its 5-7 record last season, he was quick to respond to the fact that Texas received one first-place vote."It wasn't me," Sarkisian said. Actually, the second-year Texas head coach does not have one of the 66 votes but like most coaches, thinks very little of any poll that comes out in A
  
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