Austin news

• Homeless encampments in Austin impacted by flooding, heavy rain

  23-08-2022 23:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A woman who lives in one of Austin's wooded areas said the rain we got Monday made a bad situation worse for her. She's worried after she and her neighbors had to pull their tents out of the woods, to higher ground, that the City of Austin will sweep them out of the area."We've lost everything. We had no choice but to come to the top of the hill, that's not where we want to be," a woman known by the folks in her community as "Brooke G" said. "There are solutions."
  Those solution
  
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• 8 child abuse investigations involving Texas families with trans children closed, no kids removed

  23-08-2022 23:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services removed no children from homes after launching 11 abuse investigations so far into families who have transgender children, according to new information released by the state six months after the governor directed the agency to begin conducting these kinds of probes.
  The department responded Tuesday to a records request submitted by KXAN, which revealed the state closed eight child abuse investigations launched because o
  
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• Salvation Army-Austin sets $1 million donation goal for 2nd annual Day of Giving

  23-08-2022 23:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Salvation Army-Austin is preparing for its second annual Day of Giving scheduled for Wednesday, with a goal of raising $1,000,000 in support of families in Central Texas experiencing homelessness.
  More than half of the goal has already been met through support of several sponsors including JP's Peace, Love and Happiness Family Foundation, The Moody Foundation, individual donors, and The Salvation Army Advisory Board. So far, over $708,000 has already been raised and the
  
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• Eye of the storm: Photos capture heavy rain, flooding in Austin metro

  23-08-2022 23:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With nearly four inches of rain recorded at Camp Mabry Monday, the heavy downpour brought downed trees and some flooding in and beyond Austin. On Tuesday, city officials confirmed Austin 311 had received 19 requests for service, the majority of which were about downed tree limbs blocking roadways.KXAN crews and viewers captured the immediate impacts and aftermaths within the metro. Take a look at some of the photos gathered below.
  
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• Scattered rain and cloud cover continue, but flooding risk decreases

  23-08-2022 22:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --It is the Hill Country that had the most rain this morning into the early afternoon. One of the rain gauges at Blanco recorded 2.25". Several rain gauges in the Hill Country measured between .10" and .50". There were a few small areas of rain east of I-35 where most totals held under .05".A significant rise today in the mold countThe afternoon forecast still calls for a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms with most highs in the middle to upper 80 to some low 90s. We have a fr
  
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• Travis County floats 3 minimum wage options, salary bumps for employees

  23-08-2022 22:12 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Travis County commissioners will be weighing out several options for potential county employee wage increases, heading into the next fiscal year.Travis County is scheduled to adopt its fiscal year 2022-23 budget by Sept. 1. With it, commissioners are considering three separate salary changes:$18 an hour minimum wage plus a 5% across-the-board increase for county employees$20 an hour minimum wage plus a 4% across-the-board increase for county employees$20 an ho
  
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• Texas State University confirms monkeypox case

  23-08-2022 21:41 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) -- Texas State University confirmed a monkeypox case within their community on Tuesday.
  TXST said in an email that the individual who tested positive lives off campus and will remain in isolation until the rash heals and is no longer contagious, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  The Hays County Local Public Health Department will investigate and assist in identifying and contacting close-contacts of the case.Monkeypox tracker: How many cas
  
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• Student loan forgiveness decision expected Wednesday: Who will qualify?

  23-08-2022 21:16 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) - After months of reported discussions and small but impactful bouts of debt discharges, the Biden administration is expected to announce its plan to cancel a portion of the nation’s roughly $1.6 trillion in student loan debt on Wednesday. Sources with knowledge of the situation told The Hill that President Biden’s announcement will include not only another payment pause, expected to last roughly four months, but the largest forgiveness of federal student loan debt to
  
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• Biden outlines student loan forgiveness action: Who will qualify?

  23-08-2022 21:16 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) - After months of reported discussions and small but impactful bouts of debt discharges, the Biden administration announced its plan to cancel a portion of the nation’s roughly $1.6 trillion in student loan debt on Wednesday. Sources with knowledge of the situation told The Hill that President Biden’s announcement will include not only another payment pause, expected to last roughly four months, but the largest forgiveness of federal student loan debt to date. It
  
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• Up to $3,000 offered for details leading to Austin sex offender's arrest

  23-08-2022 20:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Public Safety added an Austin man previously convicted of indecency with a child to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders list.
  DPS said William Bird, 54, has been wanted since October 2021 when law enforcement in Bastrop County issued a warrant for a probation violation. Crime Stopper is offering a cash reward of up to $3,000 for details leading to his arrest.
  Bird was convicted of indecency with a child by exposure in 2012 for an incident involvin
  
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• Rains continue today but without a flood risk

  23-08-2022 20:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --It is the Hill Country that had the most rain this morning into the early afternoon. One of the rain gauges at Blanco recorded 2.25". Several rain gauges in the Hill Country measured between .10" and .50". There were a few small areas of rain east of I-35 where most totals held under .05".A significant rise today in the mold countThe afternoon forecast still calls for a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms with most highs in the middle to upper 80 to some low 90s. We have a fr
  
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• Smithville ISD kicks off school year Tuesday

  23-08-2022 19:31 via kxan.com
  
  SMITHVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — The Smithville Independent School District Tigers returned to the classroom Tuesday morning.
  KXAN's Candy Rodriguez interviewed Smithville ISD Superintendent Cheryl Burns one-on-one to get the latest ahead of the school year starting.
  Q: What, if any, challenges is the district facing this upcoming school year?
  "I would say some of the biggest challenges is just making sure that our brand new staff, because we have younger staff, and I mean, young to the professi
  
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• How a billionaire Austin entrepreneur is helping the homeless population 

  23-08-2022 19:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — When self-made billionaire John Paul DeJoria invited KXAN’s Sally Hernandez to his home, it was easy to see just how green the grass is on the other side.DeJoria has lived in Austin for 22 years, and his story is as rich as his past.“Tell me how you see Austin today versus how you saw it back then?" asked Hernandez.“Well, 22 years ago, the biggest building in town was the Frost Bank downtown. Today, you can't even see it,” said DeJoria, describing th
  
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• How did Monday's rain go down in the record books?

  23-08-2022 19:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Monday's rain across Central Texas was more than we've seen in several months.In fact, it was the wettest day of the year so far at Camp Mabry, leading to flooding along Shoal Creek, as the creek reached its highest level since 2015. Safety tips: How to drive in the rain, what to do if your car hydroplanesWe cracked open the record books to see how Monday's rain will go down in history.To start, 3.73" set a new record for the most rain ever recorded on August 22. Monday's t
  
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• White House expected to announce $10K student loan cancellation, payment pause extension Wednesday

  23-08-2022 19:16 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) - The White House is expected to announce a plan to cancel a chunk of student loan debt on Wednesday, in addition to an extension of the existing payment pause, three sources with knowledge of the situation told The Hill. Sources said President Biden’s intended measure will include $10,000 in loan forgiveness for borrowers who make less than $125,000 annually, as well as another payment freeze for roughly four months. The $10,000 figure would be the largest forgiveness
  
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• Austin firefighters deployed to South Texas to help with flooding response

  23-08-2022 19:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Firefighters with the Austin Fire Department left over the weekend to help another community in South Texas with water rescues as flash flooding continues to impact the state.
  Seven AFD firefighters went to George West, Texas, a small town about 60 miles northwest of Corpus Christi. The firefighters are part of deployment with Texas A&M Task Force 1, which was requested by the Texas Division of Emergency Management:
  Lt. Matthew Hunt Lt. Matt MartinFire Specialist Ty Bak
  
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• Travis County eyes expanded monkeypox vaccine distribution efforts

  23-08-2022 18:48 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — With 110 positive monkeypox cases and 32 possible cases awaiting test results in Travis County, county commissioners approved Tuesday looking into a possible contract with Ascension Seton on monkeypox vaccine distributions.Currently, Travis County has an agreement with Ascension Seton that specifically applies to COVID-19 vaccine distributions. County Executive Chuck Brotherton said county officials will look into either a modified contract or new contract wit
  
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• Safety tips: How to drive in the rain, what to do if your car hydroplanes

  23-08-2022 16:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — We all know rain can impact traffic and cause delays on the roadways. It can be a little nerve-wracking having to drive in a downpour, so if you absolutely have to, here are some tips to keep you safe.RELATED: Why are roads slippery when it rains?Driving in the rainInsurance company Geico suggests cleaning the outsides and insides of windshields and windows on your car, so you can have the best visibility during rainy weather. Geico also says to check the condition of your
  
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• Mold count explodes after flooding rain; highest count in 5 months

  23-08-2022 16:49 via kxan.com
  
  Pollen count for August 23rd, 2022AUSTIN (KXAN) — Monday brought widespread storms, heavy rain and flash flooding in downtown Austin. It also broke many records such as the ones below:Monday's record breaking rainBad news allergy sufferers, following Monday's rain event, our Allergy partners over at Allergy & Asthma Center of Georgetown recorded a high mold count of 26,797 (grains/m3) Tuesday morning. The last time we had a pollen count as high or even higher than this was all the way
  
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• Why Austin sees more flight diversions than any other airport in the country

  23-08-2022 15:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Your next flight could be diverted to Austin.
  Austin's airport receives more diversions than any other airport in the nation, according to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.Neither airlines or passengers want a diversion, but they happen. A flight diversion happens when a pilot is unable to land at the original arrival destination. The flight is then routed to a different airport before getting back on track, according to flight tracking website Flight View. Diver
  
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• Texas development looks underground to stay cool during summer

  23-08-2022 15:16 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — After nearly an entire summer without rain, storm clouds finally rolled through Texas this week. The rain brought with it cool temperatures that had been absent for months. While many looked to the skies for relief, residents in Whisper Valley looked underground."It's under literally underneath the feet ... the earth that you're standing on," said Greg Wolfson. He was referencing how the homes were cooled this summer: geothermal technology."Whether you have sn
  
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• LIVE: Gov. Abbott gives update on flooding response across Texas

  23-08-2022 14:48 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (KXAN) — Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to give an update on the state's response to flash flooding across Texas in Dallas on Tuesday morning.
  The Dallas-Fort Worth area was one of the areas most impacted by rain and flooding this week. NBC 5 reported a 60-year-old woman died after her vehicle was swept away by floodwater in Mesquite, east of downtown Dallas.Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins on Monday declared a state of disaster for his county and requested state and federal assistanc
  
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• Gov. Abbott to give update on flooding response across Texas

  23-08-2022 14:48 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (KXAN) — Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to give an update on the state's response to flash flooding across Texas in Dallas on Tuesday morning.
  The Dallas-Fort Worth area was one of the areas most impacted by rain and flooding this week. NBC 5 reported a 60-year-old woman died after her vehicle was swept away by floodwater in Mesquite, east of downtown Dallas.Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins on Monday declared a state of disaster for his county and requested state and federal assistanc
  
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• Gov. Abbott declares disaster in 23 counties after storms, flooding

  23-08-2022 14:48 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (KXAN) — Gov. Greg Abbott gave an update on the state's response to flash flooding across Texas in Dallas on Tuesday morning.
  The Dallas-Fort Worth area was one of the areas most impacted by rain and flooding this week. NBC 5 reported a 60-year-old woman died after her vehicle was swept away by floodwater in Mesquite, east of downtown Dallas.Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins on Monday declared a state of disaster for his county and requested state and federal assistance for affected
  
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• Family frustrated Texas hasn't returned dead brother's money

  23-08-2022 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Flipping through photo albums and seeing pictures of his younger brother, Robert, is a bittersweet journey for Ronnie Reynolds.Robert died nearly nine years ago."He was a very free spirit," Ronnie said. "His lifestyle was rather rebellious."Robert lived an exciting and nomadic life in the film industry, his brother recounted, listing off jobs like electric grip, best boy and roles behind the camera.But now his family is involved in a production with the state of Texas that
  
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• Formula 1 US Grand Prix tickets to go on sale Tuesday

  23-08-2022 13:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Tickets go on sale Tuesday for the Formula 1 Aramco United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas.
  The 2022 race weekend is scheduled for Oct. 21-23. Tickets for the main race on Oct. 23 go on sale Tuesday at 10 a.m.
  Tickets for the practice runs on Oct. 21 are still available. Tickets for the qualifying races on Oct. 22 have sold out.
  Main race tickets start at $259, and practice run tickets start at $59.
  Formula 1 and Circuit of the Americas renewed their contra
  
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• Austin area wealthiest ZIP codes

  23-08-2022 12:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — We've mapped out the most affluent areas of Austin to complement our latest list of the wealthiest ZIP codes in Central Texas, which is rich with data such as household income levels, population, per capita income and more.As the map shows, wealthy people continue to gravitate toward the west side of town — particularly near the lakes — but east Austin is putting up notably higher numbers than before. Read the full story on the Austin Business
  
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• 9 South Texas dogs saved from certain euthanasia ready for fosters

  23-08-2022 12:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Central Texas animal shelter said nine dogs who were recently saved from certain euthanasia are ready for local fosters.
  Austin Pets Alive! told KXAN Monday the nine dogs came from an all-outdoor shelter in South Texas.More than 40 dogs surrendered to Austin Animal Center after evictionThat shelter, which APA! did not name, said it was at risk of flooding due to an approaching tropical system.
  The dogs arrived in Austin late Sunday night and were vaccinated. They are now
  
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• LIVE: Flooding risk continues with more rain expected

  23-08-2022 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After a soaking rain across most of Central Texas yesterday, additional showers and storms are expected daily through the end of the work week.You'll want to keep the rain gear within arm's reach today as showers and storms will continue to spread out through late morning and early afternoon. Heavy downpours and well-developed thunderstorms are capable of brining 1"-2" of additional rain, posing a continued threat of flash flooding, particularly for areas hit hard yesterday.A Fl
  
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• Flooding risk continues with more rain expected

  23-08-2022 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After a soaking rain across most of Central Texas yesterday, additional showers and storms are expected daily through the end of the work week.You'll want to keep the rain gear within arm's reach today as showers and storms will continue to spread out through late morning and early afternoon. Heavy downpours and well-developed thunderstorms are capable of brining 1"-2" of additional rain, posing a continued threat of flash flooding, particularly for areas hit hard yesterday.A Fl
  
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• Steve Sarkisian explains why he named Quinn Ewers the Longhorns' QB1

  23-08-2022 05:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian said Monday that while Quinn Ewers will be the starting quarterback, he'll still need Hudson Card, who is now the backup after being named the starter last season.Speaking for the first time since he named Ewers the starter on Friday ahead of the team's second scrimmage during fall camp, Sarkisian said Ewers "can make all the throws in our system." Quinn Ewers named Texas Longhorns starting quarterback"He's got play-making ability,
  
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• Shoal creek floods in multiple spots during Monday’s storm

  23-08-2022 05:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Shoal Creek flooded onto roads during rush hour Monday. It's the highest level the creek has reached since 2015.James Valentine’s car got stuck in the water on North Lamar near 10th Street.“We got locked up and got stuck. Everybody jumped out and helped everybody else push,” he said, as he waited for his dad to come up from San Marcos to pick him up. “It's a great community, everybody jumped in to help each other out.” LIVE BLOG: Heavy rains in
  
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• San Marcos CISD has new text alert for exterior doors propped open

  23-08-2022 04:46 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) - Door safety is on a lot of districts' minds because of what happened at Robb Elementary in Uvalde. San Marcos CISD started its first day of classes with a new system that sends an alert when a door is propped open for too long.
  "An administrator on the campus will receive a text message notification and they'll also receive an email notification to let them know what door was propped open and where on the campus it is so they can get to that door and close it," San Mar
  
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• Elon Musk teases Hyperloop connecting Austin, San Antonio

  23-08-2022 04:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Elon Musk created some buzz online Monday after tweeting about the possibility of a way to connect Austin and San Antonio through an unconventional transportation system.
  In a thread about creating tunnels with his Boring Company, Musk mentioned his desire to create a simplified Hyperloop demo tunnel between both downtowns. The cities are separated on Interstate 35 by about 80 miles.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: A 17-minute trip from Austin to Dallas sounds great, but is the hyperloop hype
  
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• Robinson, Worthy tabbed on AP Preseason All-American team

  23-08-2022 01:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two Texas Longhorns were named Monday to the Associated Press Preseason All-American team, the AP announced Monday.Junior running back Bijan Robinson, coming off an injury-shortened season when he ran for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns in 10 games, was named to the first team. Bijan Robinson’s new mustard available for orderRobinson has received a boatload of preseason awards and has been included on several national award watch lists already. Athlon Sports, CBS Sports
  
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• Austin Police searching for missing Michigan teen last seen north of Austin

  23-08-2022 01:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is looking for a 17-year-old from Michigan who was last seen north of Austin on Aug. 21.
  Destiny Wallag was reported missing on Aug. 19. Her family said she left the Springhill Suites located at 10936 Stonelake Blvd., where she was staying with her father and brother, on foot around 5:45 a.m.
  Wallag's family is from Michigan. Her mother said the three were on summer vacation in Austin. Wallag's mother also said she is not using her phone or social me
  
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• Flash flooding hits downtown Austin; additional storms on the way

  23-08-2022 01:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A slowly-advancing cold front combined with an upper-level storm and copious amounts of moisture produced numerous heavy thunderstorms across the area Monday evening, and will linger in the area over the next several days. This could lead to additional rounds of heavy, flooding rainfall in some areas.The Shoal Creek watershed in North Austin received 4.44" of rain in just 2-3 hours, causing the creek to spike to 16.06 ft. deep at 12th Street -- the highest crest since 2015 and f
  
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• Texas DPS sergeant resigns after assault arrest

  23-08-2022 01:25 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A Texas Department of Public Safety sergeant was arrested in Williamson County following an incident with a family member, according to court records.On Aug. 20, Salome Salinas, 37, was booked in the Williamson County Jail on a misdemeanor charge of assault causing bodily injury to a family member, according to court records.
  KXAN reached out to DPS for a comment regarding Salinas' arrest.
  DPS told KXAN it "takes these, and all, allegations very seriously.
  
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• Texas DPS sergeant resigns after arrest

  23-08-2022 01:25 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A Texas Department of Public Safety sergeant was arrested in Williamson County following an incident with a family member, according to court records.On Aug. 20, Salome Salinas, 37, was booked in the Williamson County Jail on a misdemeanor charge of assault causing bodily injury to a family member, according to court records.
  KXAN reached out to DPS for a comment regarding Salinas' arrest.
  DPS told KXAN it "takes these, and all, allegations very seriously.
  
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• Texas leaders prepare for life-threatening flooding across state

  23-08-2022 01:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Over the weekend, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott had a phone call with local response leaders to prepare for intense rainfall and flooding throughout the state.On Monday, Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to increase the readiness level of the Texas State Emergency Operations Center (SOC) to Level II, which is classified as an escalated response, a press release said.Dallas is already dealing with life-threatening flooding. Dallas County Judge Clay J
  
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• Austin launches a new homeless encampment management team

  23-08-2022 00:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin has a new structure when it comes to handling homeless encampments, launching a new Homeless Encampment Management Team.
  A memo released Monday from the city manager's office said the new team has a leadership team and three other sections: planning, operations, and policy.
  The leadership team is led by someone from the city's homeless services department but also includes the Austin Police Department, Austin Fire Department, Parks and Recreation Departme
  
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