Austin news

• LIST: Here are the Texas semifinalists in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program

  19-09-2022 23:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than 1,500 high school students in Texas have been named semifinalists in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program.The scholarship program announced last week a list of more than 16,000 semifinalists nationwide. Of those, 1,578 are in Texas, about 10% of the nationwide total.Scholarships worth nearly $28 million combined will be awarded to 7,250 students in the spring.To be considered, students must take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
  
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• Austin model alleges she had an affair with Adam Levine

  19-09-2022 22:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin Instagram model claims she had an affair with singer Adam Levine.University of Texas at Austin graduate Sumner Stroh, 23, posted a video on her social media Monday claiming to have had a relationship with the 43-year-old Maroon 5 front man.“I was having an affair with a man who was married to a Victoria Secret model,” Stroh said in the video, which has been viewed more than 3.5 million times.Stroh went to high school in New Braunfels before studying at
  
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• $230k in back wages recovered in Black's Barbecue tip-sharing practice

  19-09-2022 22:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The U.S. Department of Labor recovered more than $230,000 in back wages for employees of a Central Texas barbecue chain after an investigation into illegal tip sharing.
  The Department of Labor recovered $230,353 in back wages for 274 workers employed by Black's Barbecue after an investigation found the employer gave a portion of employee tips to restaurant managers. That practice is not allowed by federal law.
  Investigators with the department's Wage and Hour Division found
  
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• Autumn begins this week with record heat, 100-degree temperatures

  19-09-2022 22:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A short string of 100° days is in the forecast this week, tying record highs on Wednesday and Friday and bringing an unusual start to autumn.A summer-like ridge of high pressure is building directly overhead, keeping rain out of the forecast and boosting high temperatures through Friday. High temperatures in the Austin area are expected to reach 100° Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, moving us into second place for the highest annual triple-digit day count as our tally ris
  
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• Check your wallet! $19 million winning lottery ticket sold in Texas

  19-09-2022 22:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Are you Texas' newest millionaire? Check your wallet or pockets because you very well could be!A winning ticket worth $19 million was sold for the Sept. 17 drawing of Lotto Texas.The ticket was sold at the Master Food Market on FM 1097 in Willis, north of Houston, and matched all six of the Quick Pick numbers (5-9-18-22-35-48).The cash value option was chosen when the ticket was purchased, meaning the lucky ticketholder will receive $11,992,501.82, before taxes.The winner h
  
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• Zilker Park closes Monday for Austin City Limits festival set-up

  19-09-2022 21:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With hundreds of thousands expected to flock to Zilker Park next month for the 2022 Austin City Limits Music Festival, Parks and Recreation crews are preparing to temporarily shut down the park to public access. But when do those closures begin, and how long will they last?Beginning Sept. 26, Zilker Park will close to the public as crews prepare the Great Lawn for ACL. Those impacts to area traffic and park access will continue, to varying degrees, through Oct. 21.Between S
  
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• Driverless 'robotaxis' rolling their way into Austin

  19-09-2022 21:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austinites could soon hail driverless taxis as General Motors' Cruise rolls out "robotaxi" technology in Austin.Cruise's CEO Kyle Vogt announced in a Sept. 12 tweet the technology would expand its robotaxi services footprint, launching in both Austin and Phoenix in approximately 90 days. Cruise is a San Francisco startup acquired by GM roughly six years ago, according to reporting from the Associated Press. RELATED: Self-driving cars roll around AustinAnd the Texas capital
  
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• Westlake PTO fundraiser sells school parking spot for $20,000

  19-09-2022 21:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Three parking spots at Westlake High School are going for a steep price as part of a school fundraiser.
  Westlake High's PTO is auctioning three reserved student parking spots for students to raise money fo the organization.One of the spots was offered at a price of $20,000 "for that one lucky person who is not interested in bidding and just wants to support the WHS PTO," the auction site says. It sold Monday, on the first day of the fundraiser.
  Two more parking spots are up
  
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• Longhorns appeal Overshown targeting call, status for 1st half of TTU game unknown

  19-09-2022 20:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Will Texas Longhorns linebacker DeMarvion Overshown get to play in the first half of Saturday's Big 12 Conference opener against Texas Tech? The NCAA will decide this week.Overshown was having a monster game Saturday against UTSA until he was ejected for a fourth-quarter hit on Roadrunners quarterback Frank Harris that was deemed to be targeting. To that point, with 13:49 left in the game, Overshown had 10 tackles with a pass break-up. In his Monday press conference, Longho
  
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• Magnitude 7.6 earthquake shakes Mexico's Pacific coast

  19-09-2022 20:48 via kxan.com
  
  MEXICO CITY (AP) — A magnitude 7.6 earthquake shook Mexico's central Pacific coast on Monday, setting off an earthquake alarm in the capital.There were no immediate reports of damage from the quake that hit at 1:05 p.m. local time, according to the U.S. Geologic Survey, which had initially put the magnitude at 7.5.It said the quake was centered 37 kilometers (23 miles) southeast of Aquila near the boundary of Colima and Michoacan states and at a depth of 15.1 kilometers (9.4 miles).Alarms
  
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• Unclaimed money to be sent to Texans without having to file a claim

  19-09-2022 20:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In the 2022 fiscal year, 160,000 Texans got checks totaling $309 million for unclaimed property. The money comes from things like forgotten utility deposits, insurance proceeds, payroll checks, cashier’s checks, dividends, mineral royalties and abandoned safe-deposit box contents.In the past, to get the money, Texans would have to go to ClaimItTexas.org to see if they were owed money and file a claim. Thanks to a new law now in effect in Texas, many people won't even
  
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• Touring the new Robert De Niro exhibit at the University of Texas

  19-09-2022 19:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two Hollywood A-listers will be in Austin this weekend, celebrating the acting career of Robert De Niro, and the University of Texas' work to preserve artifacts that document it.
  De Niro will be joined by his friend and former co-star Meryl Streep on Saturday to raise money for an endowment at the Harry Ransom Center, which houses De Niro's collection of scripts, notes, posters and costumes from his acting career. LIST: Celebrities who live in the Austin areaThe visit comes
  
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• New poll: Abbott, Patrick, Paxton maintain leads over challengers

  19-09-2022 19:26 via kxan.com
  
  TYLER, Texas (KXAN) — In the three major statewide races in Texas, Republican incumbents maintain leads over their Democratic challengers, according to a new poll released Monday morning.
  The latest survey from the University of Texas at Tyler and The Dallas Morning News shared the preferences of 1,268 registered voters in the state just 50 days before Election Day. The two organizations checked the pulse of these voters during the period between Sept. 6-13.
  According to the poll, 47% of r
  
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• Hays CISD has 933 more students than 2021-22 school year

  19-09-2022 19:23 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Hays CISD said the district has grown by 933 students this current school year compared to exactly a year ago — and it's an increase that isn't expected to stop anytime soon.According to the district's most recent demographic update, there's an estimated increase ranging between 3.8% to 5.4% projected over the next nine years.
  According to Hays CISD, the district currently has 22,251 students.
  Based on the district's enrollment forecast, Hays CISD is expec
  
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• Hays CISD has 930 more students than 2021-22 school year

  19-09-2022 19:23 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Hays CISD said the district has grown by 930 students this current school year compared to exactly a year ago. It's an increase that isn't expected to stop anytime soon.According to the district's most recent demographic update, there's an estimated increase ranging between 3.8% to 5.4% projected over the next nine years.
  According to Hays CISD, the district currently has 22,250 students.
  Based on the district's enrollment forecast, Hays CISD is expected to enro
  
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• Triple digits temps in the fall are rare in Austin — but not unprecedented

  19-09-2022 19:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Wednesday is the first official day of fall, but it won't feel like it in Central Texas.Triple-digit temperatures are forecast to make a comeback, for the first time since Aug. 20. While highs in the 100s are rare this late in the year, they're not unprecedented. How often does Austin hit 100°? Here’s a breakdown by date, month, year and decadeSince records began in the 1890s, Camp Mabry — Austin's official weather reporting site — has hit 100° a t
  
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• Texas tops list for most books pulled off shelf, report finds

  19-09-2022 19:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — It's banned book week and Texas has banned more books than any other state, a new report by PEN America reveals.PEN America is a group that advocates for freedom of expression. Sticky stuff on your car? Here’s what it isAccording to the organization, almost 142 districts in 32 states banned more than 2,500 books in the 2021-2022 school year.Texas has banned 801 books in 22 districts, according to PEN America.PEN America says most of the banned books involve themes
  
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• Sticky stuff on your car? Here's what it is

  19-09-2022 18:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A sticky, clear substance has started to cling to objects across Central Texas, but what is it?"It's just a sticky, yuckiness," said Wizzie Brown, an entomologist with Texas A&M's Agrilife Extension.If your car looks like it's covered with clear sticky droplets — you've got honeydew."If you're standing under the tree and you feel like it's raining on you. You're actually being — I guess —peed or pooped on," added Brown. Gross, yes, but scientifically a
  
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• Jugging victim: Thief followed her to office, smashed car window for cash

  19-09-2022 18:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A woman who says she was the victim of a jugging incident at her office earlier this month is speaking out about her experience.
  Jugging is when a suspect follows someone from a bank or ATM, then steals the money withdrawn by either showing a weapon or assaulting the victim. Some jugging cases are considered burglaries by police, because suspects break into a victim’s car instead to steal cash left inside. RELATED: Austin Police reports more than $500K lost to ‘
  
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• Hurricane Fiona shows us that dangerous weather could be nearby — prepare with these 8 products

  19-09-2022 17:04 via kxan.com
  
  Now is the time to prepare for the peak of hurricane season
  We’ve passed the midpoint of hurricane season with very little storm activity compared to previous years. However, with Fiona targeting Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, it’s a very real reminder that we’re just entering the peak of the season now. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts that several major hurricanes will form over the coming months. If you haven’t started, now i
  
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• Texas has banned more books than any other state, new report shows

  19-09-2022 16:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — Texas banned more books from school libraries this past year than any other state in the nation, targeting titles centering on race, racism, abortion and LGBTQ representation and issues, according to a new analysis by PEN America, a nonprofit organization advocating for free speech.The report released on Monday found school administrators in Texas have banned 801 books across 22 school districts, and 174 titles were banned at least twice between July 2021 through J
  
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• Fiona slams Puerto Rico, entire island loses power

  19-09-2022 15:50 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) -- The entire island of Puerto Rico lost power Sunday as Hurricane Fiona hit the U.S. territory with dangerous winds and flash flood conditions. The Category 1 storm knocked out Puerto Rico’s power grid when it swept through the southwest coast, affecting the entire island. The island has been under a hurricane warning since Saturday, when the National Hurricane Center alerted that Fiona could cause “life-threatening flooding and mudslides” as it ripped alo
  
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• Crash at I-35, MLK Jr. Boulevard cleared

  19-09-2022 14:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A crash at Interstate 35 and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard that was previously blocking several lanes has now been cleared, according to the Austin Transportation Department.The agency posted on Twitter about the crash, along with a photo that showed Austin-Travis County EMS and Austin Fire Department personnel on scene.
  Austin Transportation said drivers should consider alternate routes and expect traffic delays.
  
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• Crash at I-35, MLK Jr. Boulevard blocking lanes

  19-09-2022 14:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A crash at Interstate 35 and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard is blocking several lanes, according to the Austin Transportation Department.The agency posted on Twitter about the crash, along with a photo that shows Austin-Travis County EMS and Austin Fire Department personnel on scene.
  Austin Transportation said drivers should consider alternate routes and expect traffic delays.
  This is a developing story; stick with KXAN for updates.
  
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• Mushrooms are sprouting across Central Texas. Why your pet shouldn't eat them

  19-09-2022 14:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Mushrooms have been one of the hottest crazes in Central Texas, especially with recent rain in the area. However, mushrooms can be very dangerous for your pet.Meteorologist Sean Kelly spoke with veterinarian Dr. Sherry Hill about what you should do if your pet eats a mushroom. You can read that interview below or watch the video above to learn more.SEAN KELLY, KXAN: Hey everyone, joining me today is Dr. Sherry Hill, Firehouse Animal Health Center, to talk about wild mushroo
  
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• City of Austin to host job fair for those ages 50+

  19-09-2022 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you are looking to re-enter the job market or make a mid-life career change, the City of Austin has an opportunity for you Thursday.
  The city is hosting a Senior Community Job Fair Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  It will be at Workforce Solutions Capital Area at 9001 North Interstate 35, Suite 110.
  The city said it hopes to connect employers with prospective workers who are 50 years of age and older who have experience, communication and decision-making skills.
  The city
  
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• 2022 QuiltFest comes to Palmer Events Center

  19-09-2022 12:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Quilt makers will be at the Palmer Events Center at 900 Barton Springs Rd. starting on Friday for the Austin Area Quilt Guild's 2022 QuiltFest.
  The three-day event features 400 quilts, vendors, a raffle quilt, silent auction and boutique and demonstrations.Admission is $15 at the door. Children under 12 get in free. Parking is available for $8 at the Palmer Center Garage next to the show entrance.
  Here are the hours:
  Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sun
  
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• All safe after fire burns home in western Travis County

  19-09-2022 12:34 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Travis County ESD 1 said three people are safe after a fire burned a home Sunday night. No one was hurt.ESD 1 said crews with Cedar Park, Volente and Marble Falls Volunteer Fire Departments helped in fighting the fire at the home on North Peninsular Drive on the north side of the Colorado River in the town of Singleton Bend.Travis County ESD 1 Chief Donnie Norman told KXAN the fire was reported by a resident inside the home around 10:15 p.m. and was brought un
  
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• We are not done with triple digits

  19-09-2022 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The day dawned partly to mostly cloudy with most lows in the lower to middle 70s. Austin's low was 76°, 7° above normal.
  Clouds will be slow to clear during the afternoon. Most highs will range from 93° to 97° with a southeast breeze 5 to 10 mph. More clearing into the evening will be followed by increasing clouds by sunrise with most morning lows back in the lower to middle 70s.High pressure keeps hot and dry weather pattern in placeThe center of an upper-level
  
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• Temps top 100 degrees to start fall

  19-09-2022 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We'll finish up the summer season similar to how we started it - with a stretch of 100° temps.A few morning clouds will clear to plenty of afternoon sunshine today. High temperatures will climb well into the 90s - more than 5° hotter than normal for mid-September. An isolated shower along the afternoon sea breeze may make it far enough to reach our extreme eastern counties, however, no meaningful rain is expected.High pressure keeps hot and dry weather pattern in placeHi
  
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• The world says goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II

  19-09-2022 11:00 via kxan.com
  
  LONDON (AP) — Britain and the world said a final goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II at a state funeral Monday that drew presidents and kings, princes and prime ministers — and crowds who thronged the streets of London to honor a monarch whose 70-year reign defined an age.In a country known for pomp and pageantry, the first state funeral since Winston Churchill’s was filled with spectacle: Ahead of the service, a bell tolled 96 times — once a minute for each year
  
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• LIVE: The world says goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II

  19-09-2022 11:00 via kxan.com
  
  LONDON (AP) — Britain and the world said a final goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II at a state funeral Monday that drew presidents and kings, princes and prime ministers — and crowds who massed along the streets of London to honor a monarch whose 70-year reign defined an age.In a country known for pomp and pageantry, the first state funeral since Winston Churchill’s was filled with spectacle: Ahead of the service, a bell tolled 96 times — once a minute for each
  
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• LIVE: Britain and the world say final goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II

  19-09-2022 11:00 via kxan.com
  
  LLONDON (AP) — Britain and the world said a final goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II at a state funeral Monday that drew presidents and kings, princes and prime ministers — and crowds that massed along the streets of London to honor a monarch whose 70-year reign defined an age.A day packed with events in London and Windsor began early when the doors of 900-year-old Westminster Hall were closed to mourners after hundreds of thousands had filed in front of her flag-draped cof
  
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• LIVE: Britain and the world mourn Queen Elizabeth II at funeral

  19-09-2022 11:00 via kxan.com
  
  LONDON (AP) — Britain and the world said a final goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II at a state funeral Monday that drew presidents and kings, princes and prime ministers — and crowds who massed along the streets of London to honor a monarch whose 70-year reign defined an age.A day packed with events in London and Windsor began early when the doors of 900-year-old Westminster Hall were closed to mourners after hundreds of thousands had filed in front of her flag-draped coffi
  
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• Hudson Card 'bleeds burnt orange and white', led Longhorns to win on bad ankle

  19-09-2022 05:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — When Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian named Quinn Ewers the starting quarterback two weeks before the first game of the season, he said they'd need Hudson Card to win games as he began the season as the backup.Card did just that Saturday night at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium against UTSA filling in for the injured Ewers. He wasn't at 100% himself, still playing through an ankle injury he suffered in the second half of the Alabama game, but he showed grit and guts wh
  
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• 1 with serious injuries after scooter, vehicle collide near South Congress

  19-09-2022 03:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A person suffered serious injuries after a scooter and a vehicle collided Sunday evening near a busy South Congress intersection.Austin-Travis County EMS said the scooter and vehicle collided at the intersection of East Riverside Drive and South Congress Avenue. An adult was taken to Dell Seton Medical Center with "serious, potentially life-threatening injuries," the agency tweeted at 8:06 p.m.Medics had cleared the scene by the time ATCEMS sent the tweet. We'll update this
  
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• Maher kick lifts Rush, Cowboys over Burrow, Bengals, 20-17

  19-09-2022 01:51 via kxan.com
  
  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Brett Maher kicked a 50-yard field goal as time expired, and the Dallas Cowboys held on to beat the Cincinnati Bengals 20-17 on Sunday after losing a two-touchdown halftime lead.Joe Burrow got the Bengals even at 17-17 by leading a 19-play, 83-yard drive in the fourth quarter, throwing a 5-yard touchdown pass to Tee Higgins and finding Tyler Boyd for the 2-point conversion.After the Cowboys stopped the Bengals with about a minute remaining, Cooper Rush got the Cowbo
  
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