Austin news

• How Austin tapped into climate scientists to plan for drought

  17-08-2022 23:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A former government climatologist and professor at the UT Jackson School of Geology described the drought we're experiencing right now like this: "If this were a hurricane, we would call it a Category 5."
  While water isn't the only impact of drought -- which can also force high temperatures, extreme fire danger and other concerns -- water is certainly on the minds of climate scientists and government officials right now.
  Federal officials announced earlier this week that Arizona
  
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• San Marcos city council to submit marijuana enforcement ordinance to voters

  17-08-2022 23:51 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – On Tuesday, the San Marcos City Council decided it would submit a citizen-initiated ordinance to voters that would eliminate low-level marijuana enforcement.The official vote for the ordinance will take place Nov. 8. City of San Marcos moves one step closer to decriminalizing small amounts of marijuanaLocal advocacy group, Mano Amiga, collected enough petition signatures to get the issue to city council. The measure would decriminalize possession of up to 4 ounce
  
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• From the hottest summer on record to a wetter, cooler weather pattern

  17-08-2022 22:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We are finally expecting the change that you and your lawn have been waiting on -- several rounds of soaking rain over the next week as the large-scale weather pattern changes.Following Austin's 66th 100-degree day of the year on Wednesday (the 4th-most on record), clouds increase overnight with a few light rain showers possible as a cool front approaches from the north. One of Texas’ last ‘untouched’ waterways down to a ‘trickle’ amid droughtThursd
  
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• July housing report shows Austin market trending toward "more normal and sustainable levels"

  17-08-2022 21:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin's housing market continues to "trend towards more normal and sustainable levels," according to the July housing report from the Austin Board of Realtors (ABoR).The median sales price in the Austin metro area, which covers Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson Counties, was $515,000, a record for the month of July.But monthly year-over-year increases are slowing. Median prices jumped 8% since last July, marking the first time since June 2020 that prices did n
  
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• IRS increases what teachers can deduct for classroom expenses

  17-08-2022 20:55 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) – As the school year begins, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is telling educators that they can deduct up to $300 of out-of-pocket classroom expenses, the first increase in two decades.The special educator expense deduction increase is the first since it was enacted in 2002 with a $250 annual limit, and the IRS said in a release this month it will continue to rise in $50 increments to adjust for inflation.Eligible taxpayers include any kindergarten through grade 12 teacher, i
  
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• Leander ISD goes into school year with 80 open teacher jobs, down from previous month

  17-08-2022 20:11 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — Administration for the Leander Independent School District closed its open number of teaching positions by 150 going into the first day of school Wednesday. The district's superintendent said only 80 teaching jobs are vacant; that number is down from 230 reported in mid-July. PAST STORY: Leander ISD looking to fill 230 teaching positions before school startsSuperintendent Bruce Gearing said the gap was closed by human resources staff and district principals searchin
  
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• Austin teacher receives $10K donation of school supplies for classroom, colleagues

  17-08-2022 19:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin teacher received national recognition — and a surprise! Fred Tabares, an art teacher at Small Middle School, received $10,000 worth of school supplies for his classroom and colleagues from the Food for Good Foundation.Teachers are struggling as they deal with the rising cost of school supplies. The number of Texas teachers quitting is rising. In their own words, here’s why.Tabares, known to his students as "Mister T," teaches a dozen different classes
  
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• Wreck involving dump truck slows traffic in Round Rock

  17-08-2022 18:49 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Police are warning drivers that a wreck involving several vehicles and a dump truck could slow their commute in Round Rock.
  The Round Rock Police Department posted on Twitter Wednesday morning about a multi-vehicle crash on University Blvd. near S.H. 130. The wreck initially shut down the eastbound lanes, but now officers said they're directing traffic to let travel open again in both directions.
  However, police said on Twitter, "It could take several hours to cl
  
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• All lanes of University Blvd. in Round Rock reopen after wreck

  17-08-2022 18:49 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — On Wednesday morning, a wreck involving several vehicles and a dump truckshut down the eastbound lanes of University Blvd. near SH-130. All lanes are now open.
  The Round Rock Police Department posted on Twitter Wednesday morning about a multi-vehicle crash on University Blvd. near S.H. 130. The wreck initially shut down the eastbound lanes, but now officers said at 3:02 p.m. that all lanes were reopened.
  It took several hours for authorities to clear debris from
  
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• 'Where’s this money going?' Millions donated after Uvalde shooting still haven’t reached victims and families

  17-08-2022 17:38 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas (Texas Tribune) — Alfred Garza III wakes up around 11 a.m. most days and downs a can of Monster Energy drink. After a shower, he heads to a popular eatery here, El Herradero de Jalisco, and orders a fajita chicken salad. Then, he makes his way to his father’s mechanic shop, where he hangs out until evening.Then he goes home to watch Netflix or YouTube videos until he falls asleep around 1 a.m.That’s been the grieving father’s routine since May 24, when a gun
  
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• San Antonio Spurs to play 2 home games at Moody Center in Austin

  17-08-2022 17:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's official: the San Antonio Spurs are hosting four special games this upcoming season — two of them at the new Moody Center in Austin.
  The special games, which also include dates in Mexico City and at the Alamodome in San Antonio, are to commemorate the team's 50th anniversary and reach their fans in other parts of the region, it said.
  KXAN first heard rumblings about the Spurs playing home games at different venues in early May, when the team's chief legal officer
  
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• Health Alliance for Austin Musicians Day lineup announced

  17-08-2022 15:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — HAAM Day, organized by the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, is less than a month away. In anticipation of the event returning in person for the first time since 2019, a list of more than 200 live music performances around town was announced Tuesday.
  Here's the lineup that will take place at the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park:
  6 a.m. - Lesly Reynaga7 a.m. - Bob Appel8 a.m. - Dawn & Hawkes9 a.m. - Jon Dee Graham10 a.m. - San Gabriel11 a.m. - The Waterloo Beat12
  
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• Zapata County getting $2M to dredge Rio Grande as drought drags on

  17-08-2022 15:43 via kxan.com
  
  ZAPATA, Texas (Border Report) -- Remote Zapata County on the South Texas border is getting $2 million in federal aid and equipment shipped from elsewhere on the border to help with dredging the dwindling Rio Grande as local leaders try to siphon drinking water for area residents.‘Dire situation’: Drought threatens Texas border county’s lone water supply
  U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Laredo, which is an hour west, on Monday announced that the U.S. Department of Agricu
  
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• Round Rock ISD superintendent discusses new district police chief, teacher shortages

  17-08-2022 15:21 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — As the Round Rock Independent School District returns to class Wednesday, Superintendent Hafedh Azaiez is dealing with a new set of challenges unique to this school year.
  Before starting his second year as superintendent, Azaiez talked with KXAN's Tom Miller about how he plans to navigate those obstacles.
  The interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.Miller: A lot of parents are thinking about school safety. You have a new school district police ch
  
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• Austin's finalizing its budget this week — here's what we're watching

  17-08-2022 14:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — This week, the City of Austin will adopt its 2022-23 budget and set a tax rate after weeks of discussion and workshopping. Starting Wednesday, city council members will approve or amend the budget brought to them earlier this year by Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk.
  Fiscal Year 2022-23 starts on Oct. 1, which is when the new budget will go into effect. Here's what you need to know.
  How much will it cost you?
  The City of Austin said the proposed budget will result in Austi
  
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• One of Texas' last 'untouched' waterways down to a 'trickle' amid drought

  17-08-2022 14:39 via kxan.com
  
  Lew Adams, owner of the Roy Creek Canyon Reserve, said conditions in the canyon are similar to those during the 2011 drought. (Eric Henrikson/KXAN Photo)HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — What's been called one of Texas' "best kept secrets," the Roy Creek Canyon Reserve, has been feeling the drought as much as the rest of the state. Landowner Lew Adams said it's the worst condition the reserve has been in since 2011.
  The drought isn't the only thing that's worrying Lew. A new development, Mirasol
  
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• Uvalde CISD Police Chief Pete Arredondo fired

  17-08-2022 13:48 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas (KXAN) — The Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District school board voted to fire district Police Chief Pete Arredondo Wednesday night during a meeting.The district was going to hold a similar meeting on Arredondo's fate on July 23 but canceled it at the request of Arredondo's attorney who cited conformity with due process requirements.Arredondo has drawn criticism for his leadership during the response to the Robb Elementary shooting that killed 21 people. He
  
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• Uvalde CISD police chief could be fired in a week

  17-08-2022 13:48 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas (KXAN) — The Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District said Tuesday the school board will hold a. Aug. 24 meeting to discuss possibly firing district Police Chief Pete Arredondo.
  A district spokesperson said the 5:30 p.m. meeting will be open to the public and be held at the Benson Board Room at 601 Dean St. in Uvalde.
  The district was going to hold a similar meeting on Arredondo's fate on July 23 but canceled it at the request of Arredondo's attorney who cited conformi
  
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• City of Austin employees push for minimum wage raise

  17-08-2022 13:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As Austin has become pricey, city employees making minimum wage have had their pay rate remain flat at $15 per hour.That could change today, as Austin City Council will review the fiscal year 2022-23 budget.Back in June, council unanimously passed a resolution that made their number one priority in this budget cycle to raise the minimum wage for city employees.City Manager Spencer Cronk has proposed a living wage increase from $15 per hour to $18 per hour. If passed, this 4
  
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• LBJ Library free for first responders and health care workers

  17-08-2022 13:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The LBJ Presidential Library and Museum said Tuesday it will offer free admission to health care workers and first responders in Austin and around the country.The offer starts Thursday, Sept. 1 and is available through the end of 2022.
  The library said you do not need an advance ticket. You should bring your work ID. The offer is for any staff member or worker at hospitals, clinics, doctor offices, fire, police, EMS and pharmacies.The library is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5
  
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• Round Rock ISD upgrades security measures ahead of school year

  17-08-2022 13:14 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Wednesday marks the start of school for Round Rock Independent School District students.District leaders said they have upgraded security measures after receiving a Texas Education Agency grant of a little over $815,000.This comes as school districts across the state and country took the same steps to ensure student and staff safety following the Uvalde school mass shooting in May.Uvalde school district revamps security ahead of 2022 school yearRound Rock ISD lea
  
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• Austin City Council to vote on raising their salaries by 40%

  17-08-2022 13:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Members of Austin City Council will vote Wednesday on whether they take home a larger paycheck in 2023.
  Council members will vote on an ordinance that would set the annual base salaries as follows:Mayor proposed salary: $134,191Council members proposed salary: $116,688The ordinance would update one set in 2006, which set the following base annual salaries:Mayor 2006 salary: $67,981.00Council members 2006 salary: $57,736.00The ordinance explains the last time base salaries f
  
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• Soaking rain looking likely late week

  17-08-2022 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We'll have to suffer through one last day of stifling heat before a significant pattern change kicks off tomorrow.Today will likely be our hottest day of the work week with most areas climbing to 100°-104°. A few isolated showers are possible in our northern counties but rain chances remain low (10%).By Thursday, a cold front sinking in from the north will interact with plentiful moisture and the heating of the day to spark scattered to widespread showers and storms. Rai
  
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• Rain chances and severe weather risk increasing

  17-08-2022 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We'll have to suffer through one last day of stifling heat before a significant pattern change kicks off tomorrow.Today will likely be our hottest day of the work week with most areas climbing to 100°-104°. A few isolated showers are possible in our northern counties but rain chances remain low (10%). One of Texas’ last ‘untouched’ waterways down to a ‘trickle’ amid droughtBy Thursday, a cold front sinking in from the north will interact wit
  
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• Texas Longhorns football: Open practice gives fans a chance to peek behind the curtain

  17-08-2022 05:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Fans filed into Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Tuesday to get a glimpse of the 2022 edition of the Texas Longhorns in an open practice setting.It's the only time Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian will open practice to the public, and fans got to see the basics. Sarkisian referred to the session as "grandma's cookies without the secret ingredients, if you know what I mean." Texas Longhorns WR Xavier Worthy featured in new ‘Days Off’ episode by Whist
  
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• Sex trafficking bust uncovers victims in Austin

  17-08-2022 05:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- A nationwide sex trafficking bust found victims right here in Austin.The FBI says it worked with state and local partners earlier this month to find victims of sex trafficking across the country.The effort was called Operation Cross Country, and spanned two weeks earlier this month.
  They found or identified 84 minor victims of child sex trafficking and located 37 actively missing children, along with 141 adult victims of human trafficking. The youngest victim just 11 years old.Tw
  
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• Austin man pleads guilty for involvement in January 6 Capitol riot

  17-08-2022 04:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An Austin man has pleaded guilty to a felony charge of civil disorder for his actions in the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, according to a press release from the Department of Justice.
  Tipsters, including his ex-girlfriend, identified Geoffrey Shough, 38, of Austin. He was among the first individuals in the crowd that overwhelmed officers during the breach of the Senate Wing Door at approximately 2:48 p.m., the release said.Michigan gubernatorial candidate Ryan Kell
  
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• Austin man pleads guilty for involvement in Jan. 6 Capitol riot

  17-08-2022 04:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin man has pleaded guilty to a felony charge of civil disorder for his actions in the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, according to a press release from the Department of Justice.
  Tipsters, including his ex-girlfriend, identified Geoffrey Shough, 38, of Austin. He was among the first individuals in the crowd that overwhelmed officers during the breach of the Senate Wing Door at approximately 2:48 p.m., the release said.Michigan gubernatorial candidate Ryan
  
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• Q&A: What's next for taxpayer-funded cancer research in TX?

  17-08-2022 01:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - The governing board of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) will meet Wednesday, August 17 at the Texas State Capitol to consider and vote on the next round of grants to fund the fight against cancer.CPRIT is a state agency created by the legislature. In 2007, Texas voters approved the creation of CPRIT with an original $3 billion investment. CPRIT is now a $6 billion, 20-year-initiative. The agency is now the largest state cancer research investment
  
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• Q&A: What's next for taxpayer-funded cancer research in Texas?

  17-08-2022 01:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The governing board of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) will meet Wednesday at the Texas State Capitol to consider and vote on the next round of grants to fund the fight against cancer.CPRIT is a state agency created by the legislature. In 2007, Texas voters approved the creation of CPRIT with an original $3 billion investment. CPRIT is now a $6 billion, 20-year initiative. The agency is now the largest state cancer research investment in t
  
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• Texas harnesses Chuck Norris to kick up awareness of iWatch reporting

  17-08-2022 01:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of Public Safety are harnessing the fame of action star and martial artist Chuck Norris to kick up awareness of the state’s suspicious activity reporting system – iWatch Texas.Norris, 82, is the face of a public service announcement launched Tuesday to promote iWatch, which allows anyone to submit a suspicious activity tip to law enforcement online, by phone or through an app.In the new PSA, Norris – best known for
  
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• Kyle Police warn about increase in teen fentanyl overdoses, deaths

  17-08-2022 00:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —  As students return to class for a new school year, the Kyle Police Department is warning parents about an increase in Fentanyl overdoses and deaths among teenagers.On Monday, Kyle PD made the Facebook post which shows pills laced with Fentanyl.In the post, the department said the presence of pills containing fentanyl has increased in Kyle and the entire region. Kyle PD said they have responded to at least 16 overdoses with 7 resulting in death so far in 2022. Many of
  
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• Pflugerville ISD working with 65 teacher vacancies as school begins

  17-08-2022 00:46 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) - Pflugerville ISD had 65 teacher vacancies when classes began this school year. As similar shortages take place across the state, the struggle of retaining teachers has not gone unnoticed by local parents.While the vacancies are just about 3% of PfISD's teacher population of 1,897, the district has moved educational staff around in the last month and a half to accommodate its vacant classrooms. New recommendations to address TX teacher shortageIn July, the district no
  
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• UT Tyler poll: Paxton holds 2-point lead in AG race

  17-08-2022 00:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The race for the Texas Attorney General is getting closer than expected.
  Republican incumbent Ken Paxton is leading his opponent, Rochelle Garza, by two percentage points according to a new UT Tyler poll.Texas attorney general locked in close race with Democratic challenger: pollThis could be huge for Democrats. The poll surveyed more than 1,384 registered voters."What this says is Ken Paxton is definitely beatable in the fall," said Brian Smith, a St. Edward's Universit
  
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• Motorist involved in officer shooting charged with kidnapping

  17-08-2022 00:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The motorcyclist who was shot and injured by law enforcement while reportedly trying to steal another vehicle last week has been charged with aggravated kidnapping, according to an affidavit from the Austin Police Department.
  The motorcyclist, identified by APD as Brandon Munoz, 37, ran away from police after an officer initiated a traffic stop and Munoz crashed the motorcycle he was riding the night of Monday, Aug. 8, the affidavit said.
  Munoz ran toward a shopping ce
  
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