Austin news

• Unannounced school intruder audits to begin in Texas

  30-08-2022 23:54 via kxan.com
  
  This story is part of a KXAN series of reports called "Stop Mass Shootings," providing context and exploring solutions surrounding gun violence in the wake of the deadly Uvalde school shooting. We want our reports to be a resource for Texans, as well as for lawmakers who are convening a month after the events in Uvalde to discuss how the state should move forward. Explore all "Stop Mass Shootings" stories by clicking here.AUSTIN (Nexstar) — In just a couple of weeks, security exp
  
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• After 15 years, could Austin's St. Johns site finally see redevelopment?

  30-08-2022 23:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- After about 15 years, the City of Austin said it's closer to redeveloping the former Home Depot site in the St. Johns neighborhood, along with the former Chrysler Dealership.
  In a press release Tuesday, the city's economic development department said it has entered the next phase of redevelopment for the 19-acre site with its development partners, Greystar Development Central, LLC, and the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA).
  The release noted that city council members
  
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• $28M St. David's Foundation grants to tackling housing affordability, family health

  30-08-2022 23:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The St. David's Foundation has provided more than $28 million in grant funding for 48 Central Texas organizations centered on addressing affordability and housing, increased access to health services and enhanced economic and education resources. A total of 62 grants were awarded between January and August, officials said in a news release Monday.Regan Gruber Moffitt, vice president of community investments with the St. David's Foundation, told KXAN Tuesday she's excited ab
  
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• SWAT situation in Round Rock resolved after possible home burglary

  30-08-2022 23:04 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- A reported home burglary situation Tuesday afternoon in Round Rock has been resolved, Round Rock Police said on Twitter.SWAT checked the home and confirmed no one was inside, RRPD said.RRPD tweeted that they were responding to a report in the 1500 block of Homewood Circle around 3:30 p.m.Homewood Circle has reopened to traffic, RRPD said.
  
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• SWAT responding to possible home burglary in Round Rock

  30-08-2022 23:04 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- Round Rock Police called SWAT to help respond to a possible home burglary.
  RRPD tweeted that they were responding to a report of a home burglary in progress and that SWAT had been called to the scene.
  It's in the 1500 block of Homewood Circle.
  Police said there was no indication of a threat to the public, but are asking that people avoid the area while they investigate.
  
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• Travis County bumps minimum wage to $20 an hour

  30-08-2022 22:30 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Travis County employees on the lower end of the payroll system will soon see a substantial pay bump, with commissioners approving a minimum wage hike to $20 an hour for fiscal year 2022-23.Currently, Travis County has a minimum wage of $15 an hour, translating to a minimum net salary of $31,200. The $20 hourly minimum wage, set to go into effect Oct. 1, will translate to a base salary of $41,600 annually.County leaders also approved a 5% across-the-board incre
  
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• LIVE: Travis County bumps minimum wage to $20 an hour

  30-08-2022 22:30 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Travis County employees on the lower end of the payroll system will soon see a substantial pay bump, with commissioners approving a minimum wage hike to $20 an hour for fiscal year 2022-23.Currently, Travis County has a minimum wage of $15 an hour, translating to a minimum net salary of $31,200. The $20 hourly minimum wage, set to go into effect Oct. 1, will translate to a base salary of $41,600 annually.County leaders also approved a 5% across-the-board incre
  
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• Lifeline call volume in Texas rises after 988 launch; state tries to hire staff to meet demand

  30-08-2022 22:20 via kxan.com
  
  If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. Central Texans can also call 512-472-HELP for local support. Crisis counselors are available 24/7.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas is still working to increase staffing in its 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline centers following the launch of the 988 number, which has increased accessibility to people seeking 24/7 support for themselves and others in crisis.
  The 988 helpline nu
  
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• World's punniest humans to compete in Austin pun-off this fall

  30-08-2022 22:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Dad joke aficionados, rejoice: The world's punniest humans are heading to the Texas capital this October to put their skills to the test.The 45th Annual O. Henry Museum Pun-Off World Championships will take place Oct. 8 from 12-6 p.m. outside the Mexican American Cultural Center in downtown Austin.
  More than 30 contestants will perform 90-second pun-filled monologues for judges to determine who is the master of the craft, with a second category judging who's the best at out
  
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• Austin physician convicted in health care fraud scheme

  30-08-2022 22:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A federal grand jury convicted an Austin-based medical director of engaging in a scheme that fraudulently billed patients.
  Dr. Sekhar Rao, 51, who was the medical director of the ADAR Group, LLC., fraudulently authorized toxicology and genetic testing, including cancer genetic testing, for some TRICARE beneficiaries, according to court documents and evidence presented at trial.
  Rao authorized the testing without seeing, speaking to or otherwise treating patients, and withou
  
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• Should you ask for a refund on student loan payments?

  30-08-2022 21:16 via kxan.com
  
  (NerdWallet) - Hundreds of thousands of borrowers made payments on their federal student loans since forbearance began in March 2020, taking advantage of the opportunity to pay down their balances.Now that the White House has announced plans to cancel up to $20,000 in student loan debt, some of those borrowers may be wondering how to get a refund. The idea is that a refund of student loan payments could put cash in borrowers' pockets and maximize the amount of canceled debt — but that may
  
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• PHOTOS: Brushy Creek floods into sports complex parking lot

  30-08-2022 21:08 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — Parts of Brushy Creek Sports Park were still underwater due to recent storms. Photos from Tuesday morning show portions of the parking lot covered in water, dirt and mud.
  This comes as more scattered to widespread rain is expected for parts of Central Texas Tuesday afternoon, with concerns for localized flooding. Just before 1:30 p.m. the National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning for parts of Williamson County, including Jarrell, through 4:30 p.m. FOR
  
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• 'The Olympics of astronomy': Travis County gears up for 2024 solar eclipse

  30-08-2022 19:09 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Travis County officials are gearing up for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in 2024, as a total solar eclipse is expected to pass over the Central Texas region.
  A total solar eclipse will pass over the Hill Country region on April 8, 2024, from 1:32-1:41 p.m. The astronomical phenomenon happens when the sun, moon and Earth are directly aligned, resulting in a shadow from the moon darkening the sky during the day. Battleship Texas heads off for repairsTotal sol
  
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• Quinn Ewers: The history of redshirt freshmen QBs at Texas and college football success

  30-08-2022 19:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Quinn Ewers will try to beat the odds when he opens the season as the Texas Longhorns starting quarterback on Sept. 3 against Louisiana-Monroe.
  If Ewers stayed all four years at Southlake Carroll High School, this would be his true freshman season, but he graduated early and enrolled at Ohio State. While Ewers is as old as other true freshmen, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said the year in Columbus has helped him prepare for this moment. Quinn Ewers opens up ab
  
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• Quinn Ewers following other high-profile redshirt freshmen QBs at Texas

  30-08-2022 19:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Quinn Ewers will try to beat the odds when he opens the season as the Texas Longhorns starting quarterback on Sept. 3 against Louisiana-Monroe.
  If Ewers stayed all four years at Southlake Carroll High School, this would be his true freshman season, but he graduated early and enrolled at Ohio State. While Ewers is as old as other true freshmen, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said the year in Columbus has helped him prepare for this moment. Quinn Ewers opens up ab
  
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• Battleship Texas heads off for repairs

  30-08-2022 17:23 via kxan.com
  
  LA PORTE, Texas (KXAN) — The Battleship Texas is leaving its home at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site on Wednesday, according to an announcement from the the Battleship Texas Foundation (BTF), Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Texas Historical Commission.
  The landmark is heading to the Gulf Cooper and Manufacturing Corporation Shipyard in Galveston for repairs.According to the Aug. 22 announcement, the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site, parts of Independence Parkw
  
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• After major spike in car thefts, APD unit fights to reactivate license plate readers

  30-08-2022 17:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thousands of cars are stolen every year, according to Austin Police.
  “Whenever your vehicle gets reported stolen, it gets entered into a national database where any officer in all 50 states can stop and recover that vehicle,” said Detective Francisco Jimenez.The Austin Police Department said getting stolen cars back quickly can depend on if Austin City Council gives it something back in the budget.“One of the systems that would help us a lot in recovering
  
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• Texas confirms 1st death of person infected with monkeypox, could be 1st in US

  30-08-2022 16:52 via kxan.com
  
  HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — State health leaders confirmed Tuesday the first death in Texas of a person who was diagnosed with monkeypox — an adult from Harris County. It could be the first in the United States.The Texas Department of State Health Services said the person who died was "severely immunocompromised." The death is being investigated to learn what role monkeypox played.
  State health leaders explained for most people, monkeypox is painful but not life threatening.Medical
  
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• How Austin keeps Zilker Park green despite ongoing drought

  30-08-2022 15:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Despite last week’s rain, Central Texas remains in a severe drought. A stretch of record-breaking temperatures has made it difficult to maintain a healthy lawn.Nevertheless, there’s one special spot in Austin that’s still looking green despite the drought.That’s the Great Lawn of Zilker Metropolitan Park that's looking lush and well-watered compared to most lawns in the area.Throughout the year, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department works around
  
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• Rail advocates call on state to invest in freight and rail projects

  30-08-2022 14:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Nonprofit Texas Rail Advocates President Peter LeCody will meet with the Texas Transportation Commission Tuesday. He's urging the commission to call on state lawmakers this upcoming session and apply for funding.
  The state is expected to have an extra $27 billion in revenue. LeCody is hoping just $200 million of that can go to rail projects and improvements.
  "It could go to a number of projects," LeCody said. "No. 1, rail crossings — it could make rail crossing safer
  
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• Efforts to unionize at Tiff's Treats stores peter out

  30-08-2022 14:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — Tiff's Treats employees who were attempting to unionize have ended those efforts.Petitions to form unions at a handful of Texas locations of the Austin-based cookie chain have all been rescinded in recent weeks.At the final two stores where organizing was underway, in Austin's Mueller district and in Lewisville near Dallas, a majority of workers opted not to move forward with union elections, according to an Aug. 25 social media post. Read the full story
  
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• Drivers frustrated with 'roller coaster' Travis County road

  30-08-2022 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The one-word warning on the "Bump" signs along Blake Manor Road don't seem to tell the whole story of the journey along this path. Drivers have described the Travis County road as terrible, dangerous and harmful.
  Kimari Hill said this trip is a stressor — one the college freshman doesn't need."You're going over the road. It's bumpy. It's curvy," she said. "You don't know what's going on. You don't know what to expect."For about a mile and a half on the r
  
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• San Diego Zoo penguin fitted with orthopedic footwear

  30-08-2022 12:49 via kxan.com
  
  SAN DIEGO (AP) — A member of the San Diego Zoo's African penguin colony has been fitted with orthopedic footwear to help it deal with a degenerative foot condition.The 4-year-old penguin named Lucas has lesions on his feet due to a chronic condition known as bumblefoot, which covers a range of avian foot problems, the San Diego Wildlife Alliance said Monday in a press release.If left untreated, bumblefoot could lead to sepsis and death by infection.The zoo's wildlife care specialists
  
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• TODAY: Widespread showers, heavy rain potential

  30-08-2022 12:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today is likely to be the wettest day of the work week with scattered to widespread rain leading to flooding concerns in Central Texas. DETAILS: Daily rain chances into Labor Day Weekend: When and how much?In the tropics, the National Hurricane Center is keeping a close eye on two areas in the Atlantic that have the possibility of developing into a tropical depression or stronger within the next 5 days.Should one of these areas become a tropical storm, it would get named Daniell
  
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• Heavy rain brings localized flooding through evening commute

  30-08-2022 12:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today is likely to be the wettest day of the work week with scattered to widespread rain leading to flooding concerns in Central Texas. DETAILS: Daily rain chances into Labor Day Weekend: When and how much?TODAY: Heavy rain and storms continue to develop across the area. Rainfall potential will generally range between 0.5"-2" by the end of the day, but a few heavier downpours could bring isolated spots of higher totals. Multiple Flood Advisories have been issued for our area as
  
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• Wet weather through Labor Day weekend

  30-08-2022 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Despite an isolated thunderstorm that dumped more than 7 inches of flooding rainfall on the Cedar Park area this weekend, widespread heavy rainfall has been lacking since early last week. That is expected to change this week as we reenter a stormier weather pattern.Two high pressure ridges setting up to our east and west will leave us in a diffuse, weak pattern aloft. This, combined with deep tropical moisture and disturbances coming into Texas, could mean periods of heavy
  
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• Train hits car in northwest Austin, passengers escape

  30-08-2022 11:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police say no one was hurt Tuesday morning after a train hit a stalled car in northwest Austin.
  Police say the crash happened around 12:30 a.m. at the crossing on Duval Road northwest of MoPac Expressway.According to APD, the driver stalled on the tracks and officers could not move the car off in time to avoid the train.
  APD says the occupants of the car were able to get out before the train hit the car.
  According to APD, officials with Union Pacific came out to inspect t
  
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• Protester sues City of Austin for August 2020 incident

  30-08-2022 05:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Another protester has filed suit against the City of Austin, claiming an officer used unnecessary force against her during a protest in August 2020.
  The lawsuit claims two different Austin Police officers shoved a woman named Eli Winkleman after she approached an officer while recording on her cellphone.
  "There's the officer knocking the phone out of her hand," said Kaplan Law attorney Maff Caponi, addressing video of the protest. "She follows, asks for a badge number... [he] tu
  
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• Some San Marcos neighborhoods without sidewalks; others need repair

  30-08-2022 04:31 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) - Tonight, the City of San Marcos discussed how to tackle existing sidewalk issues. Issues that are leaving some neighborhoods with gaps in between sidewalks or with just no sidewalks at all.
  Melissa Austin lives in one of those neighborhoods. Austin said she's forced to walk in the street because of the lack of sidewalks on Conway Drive."It's a constant stress between me watching out for my neighbors, kids, and dogs and stuff. There's a desperate need for a sidewalk or
  
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• San Antonio man sentenced for embezzling over $1M from Johnson City

  30-08-2022 04:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A San Antonio man was sentenced to more than three years in federal prison on Friday for embezzling $1.75 million from Johnson City, Texas.
  Anthony Holland, 37, was sentenced to 37 months in prison and ordered to pay $1,175,866.91 in restitution for embezzling that amount from Johnson City.
  According to court documents, while he was employed by the city, Holland embezzled at least the amount above from city accounts starting in 2015 and continuing until around Sept. 2020. He hid
  
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• Q&A: Ascension Seton registered nurses voting on whether to unionize

  30-08-2022 03:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Registered nurses at Ascension Seton are voting on whether to unionize. According to the National Labor Relations Board, ballots were mailed out to employees earlier this month and will be counted on September 21.The Texas Nurses Association gave KXAN some insight on why there is a push to unionize in some parts of the state and the challenges that nurses face.
  Can you walk me through what you're seeing in terms of you know, your organization and nurses you all work with are usi
  
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• Austin FC faces playoff-chasing Portland Timbers at home

  30-08-2022 03:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A quick turnaround from one of the franchise's most impressive wins has Austin FC facing off against a Portland Timbers team living on the playoff edge at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Q2 Stadium.Verde pummeled LAFC, who still has the best record in Major League Soccer, 4-1 Aug. 26 at Q2 Stadium in front of raucous home supporters and a national TV audience. There was little time to celebrate, however, as the Timbers come to town a point out of playoff contention with the season wind
  
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• 32nd annual Turkey Trot registration now open

  30-08-2022 02:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's not fall yet, but ThunderCloud Subs is already preparing for a Thanksgiving Day tradition. Registration is now open for the 32nd annual Turkey Trot.
  Event proceeds benefit Caritas of Austin, a nonprofit working to prevent and end homelessness in Austin. Since the Trot's inception in 1991, $4.5 million has been raised for the nonprofit.
  Early bird Trot registration fees range from $12 for the 1K walk/run to $30 for the timed 5-mile run/walk, and prices go up Oct. 19. Registr
  
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• 5 Texas Longhorns that new fans should know before the 2022 season

  30-08-2022 02:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Longhorns football is right around the corner, and for newcomers looking to learn about some of the team's most important players, we've got you covered.If you know the offense that former Texas coach Darrell K Royal helped usher in and made the Longhorns into a national power in the late 1960s, then please stop reading here because this story isn't for you. Texas Longhorns football: It’s game week, and Steve Sarkisian is ‘focused on the windshield’N
  
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• KBVO Big Game of the Week: LBJ takes on Weiss at Nelson Field

  30-08-2022 02:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Both LBJ and Weiss are coming off Week 1 losses, so one of them will pick up their first win of the season at 7:30 p.m. Thursday on KBVO.The KBVO Big Game of the Week heads to Nelson Field for the matchup, and while LBJ is looking for its first win as a Class 5A team after falling 33-20 to Manor, Weiss is trying to find its footing following a 31-14 loss to Round Rock.LBJ running back Sedrick Alexander, who is committed to Vanderbilt, rushed for 55 yards on 18 carries with
  
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• FINAL: LBJ fends off Weiss rally to get 1st win 35-21

  30-08-2022 02:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The LBJ Jaguars ran off 28 unanswered points before Weiss rallied to get it close, but the Jags held on to win 35-21 Thursday at Nelson Field.LBJ running back Sedrick Alexander showed his versatility on the last drive of the game. On a 4th-and-5 play from the 20-yard line with 1:27 left in the game, Alexander lined up as a slot receiver and displayed the talent taking him to Vanderbilt next season. He hauled in a pass from Gharion Hawthorne and then broke a couple of tackle
  
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• Uvalde community pushes for gun control as judge lifts regulations for young adults

  30-08-2022 01:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Hundreds of gun control advocates took to the steps of the Texas Capitol to advocate for age restrictions, two days after a federal judge in Texas lifted a ban on young adults from carrying firearms.On Thursday, a Fort Worth federal court tossed the state’s law that prohibited people ages 18 through 20 from being able to carry a handgun. Texas law bans most young adults from getting a license to carry or merely carrying a handgun for self-defense outside of th
  
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• Operation Naloxone: UT-Austin library offering free doses of naloxone

  30-08-2022 00:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the opioid epidemic continues across the nation, a group at the University of Texas at Austin is taking a proactive approach to keep students and staff safe.Operation Naloxone is an organization on the University of Texas campus that educates people about the dangers of opioids, but it also hands out naloxone, a life-saving medicine. Austin’s first Narcan vending machine installed; state program gets more of the life-saving medication"It has never been more dangero
  
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