Austin news

• Texas families, friends rally on National Fentanyl Awareness Day

  21-08-2022 22:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Along Barton Springs Road in south Austin, families, friends and loved ones gathered Sunday morning for a walk to remember those lost to fentanyl poisoning. The gathering came as the United States continues to battle an ongoing fentanyl crisis, with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration declaring Aug. 21 National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day."This is a club that no one ever, ever wants to be in," said Becky Stewart, a Cedar Park mom whose son, Cameron, died in M
  
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• 10-year-old Austin girl becomes published author

  21-08-2022 22:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For some people, writing a book is a lifelong bucket list item. And then there's Pranshi Mehta, an Austin girl who added "published author" to her list of accolades, all before turning 10.Pranshi wrote "Hope," a children's chapter book that follows the adventures of a young girl named Hannah, who travels the world and into new dimensions. She spent a year writing the book before it released on Amazon earlier this month, shortly before her 10th birthday.Having always loved r
  
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• Texas unemployment rate lowest since pre-pandemic

  21-08-2022 21:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)— In a statement Friday, Gov. Greg Abbott celebrated July’s job surge in Texas.Abbott said Texas employers added 72,800 jobs over the month — smashing previous records for total jobs.“Of note, the unemployment rate continued to fall to 4.0 percent, the lowest since before the pandemic in February 2020, even as the workforce in Texas continued to expand,” Abbott said.The employment numbers were released by the Texas Workforce Commission Friday.TWC said f
  
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• Texas employment rate lowest since pre-pandemic

  21-08-2022 21:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)— In a statement Friday, Gov. Greg Abbott celebrated July’s job surge in Texas.Abbott said Texas employers added 72,800 jobs over the month — smashing previous records for total jobs.“Of note, the unemployment rate continued to fall to 4.0 percent, the lowest since before the pandemic in February 2020, even as the workforce in Texas continued to expand,” Abbott said.The employment numbers were released by the Texas Workforce Commission Friday.TWC said f
  
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• Police searching for missing adult last seen in north Austin

  21-08-2022 20:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Police officers are searching for a missing man last seen in north Austin Saturday evening.APD said Frank Lee, 65, was last seen in the 10800 block of Amblewood Way around 6 p.m. Saturday. He's described as 5 ft., 5 in. and 180 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a baseball cap, white shirt and gold "Dickies" shorts, APD said in a release.Due to Lee's health conditions, officials said they are "concerned about his immediate welfare."Anyon
  
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• Police locate missing man last seen in north Austin

  21-08-2022 20:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Police have found the missing man at the center of a search Sunday.
  Earlier in the afternoon, police said they were looking for a man with health conditions reported missing in north Austin Saturday evening. The search has officially been called off.
  
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• LIST: Pride events happening Sunday in Austin

  21-08-2022 17:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Want to continue with Pride fun this weekend? Here are a few events to check out.Austin Pride Recovery Drag Bingo Brunch is from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. at Fairmont Austin, 101 Red River St. The event comes complete with brunch favorites and drink specials and is sure to help round out your Pride weekend fun. The brunch will feature opportunities to win Pride swag and exciting prizes.Drag For All! is an all-ages event by Resound Presents from 5:30 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Admission f
  
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• Some Georgetown homeowners describe 'outrageous' water bills; city blames supply chain issues

  21-08-2022 17:00 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Frank Pettey's water bill is on auto pay.Recently he said he had to do a double take when his wife told him they had been billed $1,272.24 for utilities."My ears went up very quickly," Pettey said. "And I said 'let me look into that.'"The former accountant discovered that they were billed for 253,000 gallons of water during their July statement, which also included their electric use."Knowing that that was impossible, I started calling the Georgetown utiliti
  
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• Elgin ISD lowers tax rate, approves 2022-23 fiscal year budget

  21-08-2022 15:46 via kxan.com
  
  ELGIN, Texas (KXAN) – The Elgin ISD Board of Trustees said it approved a tax rate decrease and formally adopted the budget for the next fiscal year.According to a release from the board, the rate decrease and budget adoption were both unanimously approved.EISD’s 2022-23 fiscal year budget included $72.2 million in total expenditures across three funds, according to the board. The fiscal year begins Sept. 1.A release said the district was anticipating $72.45 million in total revenue i
  
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• From mini golf to day trip breweries, things to do in southwest Austin, Dripping Springs

  21-08-2022 14:01 via kxan.com
  
  CENTRAL TEXAS (KXAN) — For those looking for outdoor thrills, daytime brews or a round of mini-golf, southwest Austin and Dripping Springs is home to plenty of breweries, wineries and distilleries, event venues and outdoor trails.
  If you're looking for a weekend day trip and family-friendly adventures, here's a roundup of things to do in and around southwest Austin and Dripping Springs.Milton Reimers Ranch ParkLocated off Hamilton Road in Dripping Springs, Reimers Ranch features an astrono
  
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• Numerous showers and thunderstorms to come

  21-08-2022 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The weather has been quiet overnight with a mostly cloudy to overcast sky. Saturday's rain ended during the early evening. The highest total in the area was .17" at the gauge at the Colorado River in Austin. All other totals held under .10".Future clouds and radar depict a few showers and thunderstorms possible along and east of I-35 this morning and afternoon with moisture becoming more plentiful from the low that moved from the Gulf onshore in northeast Mexico. A few pockets o
  
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• Flood watch issued for most of Central Texas

  21-08-2022 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The chance for a few showers and thunderstorms will continue as we wrap up the afternoon and head into the early evening. Rainfall amounts will vary, but most should only end up with a few tenths of an inch or less. Of course, there will always be a few isolated amounts greater than that. Most highs this afternoon will peak in the low to mid 90s.Coverage will be isolated to scattered with rain coverage only getting about 30-40% of Central Texas measurable rainfall before your Su
  
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• A wonderful period of wet weather

  21-08-2022 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tropical moisture from what was Potential Tropical Cyclone 4 spread northward through the night resulting in showers and thunderstorms in mostly our eastern viewing area this morning. A rain gauge six miles west of Muldoon (Fayette Co.) measured .58".Otherwise, it was a mostly cloudy to overcast start to this day with most overnight lows in the mid to upper 70s, including 78 at Austin.Today's map shows these showers and thunderstorms to continue off and on through the day with m
  
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• A few showers today, but the main show starts Monday

  21-08-2022 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The chance for a few showers and thunderstorms will continue as we wrap up the afternoon and head into the early evening. Rainfall amounts will vary, but most should only end up with a few tenths of an inch or less. Of course, there will always be a few isolated amounts greater than that. Most highs this afternoon will peak in the low to mid 90s.Coverage will be isolated to scattered with rain coverage only getting about 30-40% of Central Texas measurable rainfall before your Su
  
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• Animal shelter starts 'preventing euthanasia' list amid crowding

  21-08-2022 04:30 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A local shelter is changing the narrative on their dire situation of overcrowding.
  Typically when shelters need to clear space, they will produce a list of dogs slated for euthanasia with a deadline by which to save them. But the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS) is taking a different approach.
  The shelter said it has been experiencing extremely critical space and capacity of care issues since late June. To try to find a solution, they've p
  
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• Trauma alert issued after motorcycle, dog collision, EMS says

  21-08-2022 04:15 via kxan.com
  
  MANOR, Texas (KXAN) — Austin-Travis County EMS declared an adult patient a trauma alert after a motorcyclist collided with a dog.
  EMS responded to the collision at 8:24 p.m. Saturday. It happened in the 14700 block of FM 1100 Road in Manor. That's between Giese Lane and Manda Road.ATCEMS tweeted that STAR Flight transported the patient to Dell Seton with serious injuries.
  There is no information on the condition of the dog.
  
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• Wettest week in months: Timing, rainfall amounts for Central Texas

  21-08-2022 03:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Not since October 2021 have we had 5 consecutive days of measurable rainfall in Central Texas, but we expect to have that next week.Tropical moisture coming from the south, plus a trough of low pressure planting itself over Texas will provide the perfect recipe for daily showers, thunderstorms and downpours.SundayA few spotty showers possible in the morning with a few afternoon thunderstorms, generally near and east of I-35. A late evening cluster of storms may approach the Hill
  
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• LULAC donates $500,000 to Uvalde victims' families

  21-08-2022 03:16 via kxan.com
  
  *Editor's note: The interview with LULAC state director Rodolfo Rosales Jr. was recorded on Aug. 19, the day before the donation was made. Any mention of "tomorrow" is referring to the day of monetary disbursement, Aug. 20.
  UVALDE, Texas (KXAN) — The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) announced it would give half a million dollars to families directly affected by the Robb Elementary shooting tragedy. The funds were distributed on Aug. 20.LULAC state director Rodolfo Rosales J
  
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• APA! adoption fees waived at Clear the Shelters next weekend

  21-08-2022 03:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Next weekend, Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) will join animal shelters across the country for an adoption and donation campaign.
  Clear the Shelters will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on August 27-28. Fees are waived for all adoptions during the campaign; however, surgery deposits will still apply (minimum $100 refundable deposits are required by APA! for all pets who are not yet spayed or neutered).APA!’s matchmakers will be on site to help pair potential adopters with pets, p
  
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• State of Texas: Districts brace for new school year after record teacher resignations

  21-08-2022 01:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — As a new school year begins, Texas is reeling from a record number of teacher resignations. While leaders and districts look for solutions to combat recruitment and retention challenges, some worry classrooms may continue to be left without qualified educators.But what’s really behind the shortage?To find out, our team obtained thousands of exit surveys detailing why teachers left and the impact it has on students. Responses revealed how inflation, stagnant salarie
  
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