Austin news

• UT Austin opens its first diaper bank

  25-10-2022 23:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --The University of Texas at Austin is hosting its first ever diaper drive to support the population of students who are parents.
  The Student Parent Organization hopes to collect at least 100 boxes of diapers to supply the UT Outpost donation bank.While there is a diaper bank in Austin, UT’s Outpost on-campus location would make it more convenient for students. UT Tower to be upgraded for the first time in its 85 year historyOver 50% of UT's undergraduate student parent popul
  
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• Man gets bacterial infection after cutting hand in Austin creek

  25-10-2022 23:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A Nashville man visiting Austin with his family ended up spending more time in the hospital and speaking with doctors than enjoying his vacation.John Hardin said he was trying to cross Barton Creek, which is directly below Barton Springs Pool when he slipped and gashed his hand on a rock in the water.Hardin says he went to a medical clinic to get it stitched up and get some antibiotics, but after a few days his infection started to get worse."There were lines going down my arm a
  
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• Lakeway Police searching for runaway teen who went missing October 19

  25-10-2022 23:38 via kxan.com
  
  LAKEWAY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Lakeway Police Department is searching for a runaway teen who's been missing for nearly a week.
  Gracie Robinson, 15, seen at H-E-B on N. Lamar in Austin on Oct. 21. (Image from Lakeway Police)
  Gracie Adair Robinson, 15, went missing last Wednesday after she got into an unknown vehicle around 10:30 or 11 p.m. near Firebird Cove in Lakeway.She was also spotted at the H-E-B located at 9414 North Lamar Blvd. on Friday. Police said she was also possibly seen at the Budget
  
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• Lakeway Police searching for runaway teen who went missing Oct. 19

  25-10-2022 23:38 via kxan.com
  
  LAKEWAY, Texas (KXAN) — The Lakeway Police Department is searching for a runaway teen who's been missing for nearly a week.
  Gracie Robinson, 15, seen at H-E-B on N. Lamar in Austin on Oct. 21. (Image from Lakeway Police)
  Gracie Adair Robinson, 15, went missing last Wednesday after she got into an unknown vehicle around 10:30 or 11 p.m. near Firebird Cove in Lakeway.She was also spotted at the H-E-B located at 9414 North Lamar Blvd. on Friday. Police said she was also possibly seen at the B
  
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• Calmer autumn weather settles in, but next storm system on the horizon

  25-10-2022 23:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Pleasant autumn weather is settling in for a couple of days behind Monday night's storm system that produced a confirmed tornado near Jarrell in Williamson County.Overnight low temperatures fall into the 40s in many areas as clear skies and calm winds dominate the forecast. Cloudless sunshine continues again on Wednesday with highs in the 70s.Forecast low temperatures Wednesday morningClouds increase on Thursday ahead of another potent storm system diving into the state. Early F
  
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• 'Felt like I was abandoned,' Family on hold with 911 after crash, calls ISD police instead

  25-10-2022 23:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Aaron Hillyer said he, his wife Anna and their two children got stuck on the side of Highway 183 after a crash - and they waited on hold with 911 for 15 minutes."When I kept hearing no answer on the line I felt like I was abandoned," said Anna.On hold with 911, manager says new raises might not be enough to helpAaron said the airbags deployed and the car was disabled.
  "I realized very quickly we were in a precarious situation," he said. "I mean, it was not a good spot on the hig
  
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• City of Austin addressing 911 call-taker shortage with pay incentives, recruitment

  25-10-2022 23:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin is addressing emergency call center staff shortages and wait times by making salary adjustments, adding stipends, developing a city-wide recruitment campaign, and supporting the retention of existing employees at the call center.‘Someone is eventually going to die waiting on hold for Austin 911’: Pressure builds for 911 operator staffing"In an emergency, every second counts and our goal is to get callers the help they need as quickly as possible,"
  
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• Turnout tracker: How many people have voted in the November election?

  25-10-2022 22:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With early voting underway, KXAN is keeping track of how many Texans have voted in the Nov. 8 general election.From Congressional seats to school board races and city propositions, voters will be choosing between an array of candidates and making decisions about several local issues.Some Texas races — like governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general — will appear on the ballot for all Texans. Other items on the ballot are determined by where you
  
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• Travis County groups, rideshare companies offer free, reduced rides to election polls

  25-10-2022 22:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's early voting season, and thousands of Austin and Travis County voters are expected to cast their ballots in the coming weeks.Keep up-to-date by going to KXAN's election page for coverage ahead of election day Nov. 8 and results.Both local organizations and national companies have rolled out efforts to connect people to the ballot boxes with free and reduced costs rides.Souls to the PollsOn Tuesday, Travis County Commissioners Court issued a proclamation declaring Oct.
  
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• Texas nonprofit proposes changes to STAAR testing ahead of 88th legislative session

  25-10-2022 21:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The STAAR test is something people in Texas are always talking about. Some say it's needed, others want it gone.A new report released Tuesday by education nonprofit Raise Your Hand Texas highlights some middle ground. The organization is behind the grassroots campaign "Measure What Matters."It said members across the Lone Star State spoke to more than 15,000 Texans to get feedback about the STAAR test.Using those responses, the campaign put together a report with recomme
  
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• Texas 'Measure What Matters' campaign proposes changes to STAAR testing ahead of 88th legislative session

  25-10-2022 21:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Over the past year, countless hours have been dedicated to speaking to educators and other stakeholders on the ground about the future of education for Texas children.Raise Your Hand Texas, the nonprofit behind the grassroots campaign "Measure What Matters," said its members across the Lone Star State spoke to more than 15,000 Texans to get feedback about the STAAR test.
  Using those responses, the campaign put together a report with recommendations on how to improve the
  
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• KBVO Game of the Week: Westlake, Bowie meet at Burger Stadium

  25-10-2022 21:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — No. 2 Westlake is inching closer to another perfect regular season, but the Bowie Bulldogs will have something to say about that Thursday at Toney Burger Stadium.The 6A-District 26 foes kick off at 7:30 p.m. and while both are locked into postseason spots, the Bulldogs could shock the Texas high school football world with a victory over the Chaparrals.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter
  
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• Arson-detecting dog joins Austin Fire Department

  25-10-2022 21:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Monday, the Austin Fire Department introduced its newest arson investigator, and she's only 16 months old.Zsa Zsa the German Shepard is finishing up training to become an Accelerant Detection Canine (ADC). She's learning to sniff out just about anything that could be used to start a fire.Arson suspect arrested, possibly linked to 15 fires in AustinLt. Steve Silverthorn spends two to three hours a day training Zsa Zsa and taking her on walks. Thanks to her Polish backgrou
  
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• UIL issues playoff ban for San Marcos HS football program amid recruiting allegations

  25-10-2022 21:02 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — After rescinding a 2-year playoff ban for the San Marcos High School football team amid allegations of illegal recruiting, the University Interscholastic League chose to suspend the program from the playoffs for the 2023-24 season.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersThe UIL's state executive committee handed down that decision and others against two coa
  
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• State mental hospital backlog grows, new record exceeds 2,500 waiting in jail

  25-10-2022 20:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – If Adan Castaneda were charged with a crime and found mentally incompetent to stand trial in October 2022, he would be court ordered to a state mental hospital and stuck in jail for about two years before a hospital bed would become available.Texas’ state hospital waitlist has grown almost continuously since KXAN profiled Castaneda’s case in 2020. He was a Marine sergeant and scout sniper whose mental health spiraled out of control after returning from the Iraq
  
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• You can surrender your unwanted firearms at this APD event

  25-10-2022 20:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After two years, the Austin Police Department is bringing back its gun surrender program on Tuesday.
  The first event for the program will take place from 3-8 p.m. at the Robert Martinez Sr. Central East Substation, located at 812 Springdale Road in east Austin.New initiative would make certain suspects surrender guns soonerThe gun surrender program was on a two-year break because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its goal is to promote responsible gun ownership, according to APD, a
  
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• Texas guard Rori Harmon name honorable mention preseason All-American by AP

  25-10-2022 18:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas sophomore guard Rori Harmon was named an honorable mention women's basketball preseason All-American by the Associated Press.The media organization released the selections Tuesday. At the end of last season, Harmon was named an honorable mention All-American by the AP after one of the most impressive freshman seasons in school history. The Houston native averaged 11.4 points per game with 2.4 steals per game and a 2.25:1 assist-to-turnover ratio last season, helping l
  
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• CapMetro's September ridership hits 2M, a first since pre-pandemic

  25-10-2022 18:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — New data released by CapMetro Tuesday reported September ridership hit more than 2 million customers, a first since February 2020. Nearly 2.1 million riders used CapMetro services last month with almost 20.5 million customers served during fiscal year 2022 between October 2021 and September 2022.When analyzing FY22 data, CapMetro reported a 20% year-over-year growth in riders over FY21. On average, the transit authority has recounted about 70% of its pre-pandemic ridership
  
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• 'Mattress Mack' eyes biggest sports betting payday if Astros win World Series

  25-10-2022 18:47 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KIAH) — Local furniture store owner Jim McIngvale, more commonly known as “Mattress Mack,” is setting up to make a record payday if the Houston Astros can win the 2022 World Series.McIngvale made some big bets at the beginning of the season, and it is looking like it could pay off in a range of $75 million if the Astros can beat the Philadelphia Phillies in the Fall Classic beginning on Friday. Some are saying that would be the biggest payout ever in sports gambli
  
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• Wind speeds will lower during the day

  25-10-2022 18:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Monday night's storms produced rainfall totals of .50" to 1.50" at many locations. The highest rain total in the area is 1.49" at Pflugerville followed by 1.46" at Bull Creek at Loop 369. The strongest storms were in in Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties.The National Weather Service has sent a storm survey team to Jarrell (northern Williamson) to see if a tornado hit last night. We will let you know what they discover.The storms left some strong northwest winds with some gust
  
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• Austin airport smashes passenger record Monday thanks to F1 travel

  25-10-2022 17:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For the second Monday in a row, Austin's airport has set a new record for the number of passengers in a single day.A record 43,177 passengers departed from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Monday, Oct. 24, bolstered by travelers leaving after F1 weekend.The total smashes the previous record, set just a week ago, by more than 7,800. It's also the first time that more than 40,000 passengers were recorded in a single day.Five days this month now appear in the top 10 b
  
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• Voters to decide $770 million bond for Austin Community College expansions

  25-10-2022 17:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Voters could approve a bond worth more than three-quarters of a billion dollars this election cycle that would allow Austin Community College to build two new campuses and expand workforce training programs in areas like health care and manufacturing.
  The ACC Board of Trustees unanimously agreed in August to put this $770 million general obligation bond on the ballot, and early voting began Monday on this proposal. If it's ultimately approved, it would help fund improvement
  
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• PHOTOS: Downed trees across Central Texas after Monday's severe storms

  25-10-2022 16:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Damage from severe storms on Monday night could be seen across Central Texas. Downed trees and fences were a common sight across residential yards.
  One of the areas hit the hardest was Jarrell. The National Weather Service will be out surveying the damage Tuesday to determine if it was caused by a potential tornado or straight-line winds.Fire station in Jarrell damaged during Monday’s severe stormsHere's a compilation of photos of storm damage captured by KXAN viewers
  
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• Overturned truck shuts down I-35 NB in Georgetown

  25-10-2022 15:39 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — The northbound lanes of Interstate 35 in Georgetown are shut down Tuesday morning due to an overturned truck.
  The Georgetown Police Department said the truck is on I-35 northbound between Highway 29 and Williams Drive.
  Northbound traffic is being diverted to exit 261, according to police. The Texas Department of Transportation issued a similar alert about redirecting traffic.
  Officers are asking drivers to find alternate routes and avoid the area.
  This story will
  
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• Hobby Lobby owner announces he's giving away the company, for God

  25-10-2022 15:21 via kxan.com
  
  TYLER, Texas (KETK) - CEO and founder of Hobby Lobby, David Green, announced Friday he plans to give away ownership of Hobby Lobby.The announcement came in the form of a Fox News opinion piece he wrote, chronicling his journey with the company and how he came to make this decision.As an owner, there are certain rights and responsibilities, including the right to sell the company and keep the profits for yourself and your family. As our company grew, that idea began to bother me more and more.&nb
  
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• Mushroom invasion in Central Texas, 'definitely not just a food fad'

  25-10-2022 15:14 via kxan.com
  
  BUDA, Texas (KXAN) — This week's rain is good news for fungal fans. You can expect to see mushrooms popping up in yards and gardens this week after the recent downpours. Mushrooms are becoming more popular in Central Texas, with many people turning to them as a hobby. It's part of a nationwide mycology trend. But why now?At Smallhold's mushroom farm in Buda, Texas, thousands of pounds of mushrooms are harvested each day. "We have Lion's Mane and our Yellow Oysters," said Travis Brian, impa
  
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• Austin ISD 2022 Bond: What you need to know

  25-10-2022 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Early voting began Monday and one thing you'll find on the Austin ballot is the Austin Independent School District bond package.Keep up-to-date by going to KXAN's election page for coverage ahead of election day Nov. 8 and results.The district is hoping to spend $2.44 billion to improve aging facilities and add new modernized schools. AISD would also add new technology and new athletic facilities if the bond passes.Voters will see three propositions on the ballot:Propositio
  
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• NWS confirms tornado hit the Jarrell area Monday night

  25-10-2022 13:54 via kxan.com
  
  JARRELL, Texas (KXAN) — After an aerial survey of the storm damage near Jarrell, the National Weather Service confirmed Tuesday a tornado did hit Williamson County during severe storms Monday night.
  NWS said in a press conference there was a "concentrated area of tornadic damage" as well as damage from straight-line winds. The agency said it's not ready to give the tornado a rating yet, as a ground survey will need to take place next.
  "This is the third tornado to hit Jarrell or the Jarrel
  
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• LIVE: Fire station in Jarrell damaged during Monday's severe storms

  25-10-2022 13:54 via kxan.com
  
  JARRELL, Texas (KXAN) — Severe storms and a possible tornado in Central Texas Monday night damaged a fire station in Jarrell, according to a spokesperson with Williamson County.
  The ESD 5 Fire Station, located at 155 County Road 313, had part of its roof blown off as well as doors. The spokesperson said no one at the station was hurt.Possible tornado south of Jarrell Monday night"One of the firefighters came out and started opening up the door. He said all six of the doors sucked inward an
  
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• Fire station in Jarrell damaged during Monday's severe storms

  25-10-2022 13:54 via kxan.com
  
  JARRELL, Texas (KXAN) — Severe storms and a possible tornado in Central Texas Monday night damaged a fire station in Jarrell, according to a spokesperson with Williamson County.
  The ESD 5 Fire Station, located at 155 County Road 313, had part of its roof blown off as well as doors. The spokesperson said no one at the station was hurt.Possible tornado south of Jarrell Monday night"One of the firefighters came out and started opening up the door. He said all six of the doors sucked inward an
  
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• LIST: Central Texas school districts delay Tuesday classes due to power outages

  25-10-2022 13:44 via kxan.com
  
  CENTRAL TEXAS (KXAN) — Some school districts in the area are delaying classes Tuesday morning after severe storms on Monday night caused continued power outages.
  Here's a breakdown of each district.
  Jarrell ISD: Two-hour delayThe district said it's still experiencing power outages at several campuses as well as its central office. Strong winds and downed power lines are still a concern for the school district Tuesday.School and bus times will run two hours later than normal, according to a
  
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• Texas is among the states most impacted by natural disasters, study shows

  25-10-2022 13:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas is among the states most impacted by natural disasters, a new study finds.The Lone Star State ranked third-most impacted by natural disasters in the WalletHub study, behind only Mississippi and Louisiana. Iowa and Alabama round out the top five. Script to Screen: Matthew McConaughey UT class to study commercialsThe website ranked each state by looking at the number of natural disasters causing at least $1 billion in damages since 1980, as well as the damage cost per c
  
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• Wimberley ISD bus drivers to receive monthly $100 for perfect attendance

  25-10-2022 12:34 via kxan.com
  
  WIMBERLEY, Texas (KXAN) — The Wimberley Independent School District is rewarding its bus drivers for perfect attendance with extra money at the end of every month.
  "A $100 incentive for those who have perfect attendance each month," said Wimberley ISD spokesperson Allen Bruggman.Like many other districts in Texas, Bruggman said WISD is experiencing a bus driver shortage.
  "We're so stretched thin that one driver misses, it forces everything to be shuffled," Bruggman said.New school bus driv
  
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• Texas AG Paxton announces new elections oversight team. Does he have the authority?

  25-10-2022 04:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- There is new oversight as of Monday for the upcoming mid-term elections in Texas as the Texas Attorney General announced a new 2022 General Election Integrity Team.Ken Paxton said the team -- consisting of lawyers, investigators and support staff -- will monitor a public email address, [email protected], for any reports of alleged violations of the Texas Election Code.
  In his announcement, the AG's office listed some of those violations, which include a vote ha
  
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• 58-year-old Texas man charged with trafficking in New Braunfels

  25-10-2022 02:59 via kxan.com
  
  NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas (KXAN) — A 58-year-old Texas man accused of human trafficking was arrested by New Braunfels police Friday.Marc Stephen Jamison of Spring Branch was arrested after he arrived in New Braunfels for what he thought was a meeting with a juvenile girl who he had met on social media, police said.Police said Jamison is accused of taking the victim to an undisclosed location and paying the victim for a sexual relationship with him since May 2022.
  Jamison was charged with Traffi
  
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• Possible tornado south of Jarrell Monday night

  25-10-2022 02:41 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: This live blog is no longer being updated.
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Severe thunderstorms are possible in Central Texas Monday night and early Tuesday morning. An earlier round of scattered showers Monday provided the area with rain for the second time in a little over a week.FIRST WARNING WEATHER: Stay up to date with your Central Texas forecast, sign up for our weather newsletter at kxan.com/newsletters
  A 2 out of 5 “slight risk” for severe weather is in place across muc
  
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• Live Blog: Severe thunderstorms possible in Central Texas

  25-10-2022 02:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Severe thunderstorms are possible in Central Texas Monday night and early Tuesday morning. An earlier round of scattered showers Monday provided the area with rain for the second time in a little over a week.FIRST WARNING WEATHER: Stay up to date with your Central Texas forecast, sign up for our weather newsletter at kxan.com/newsletters
  A 2 out of 5 “slight risk” of severe weather is in place across much of the area, with quarter-size hail, 60+ mph thunderstorm
  
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• Blog: Severe weather in Central Texas

  25-10-2022 02:41 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: This live blog is no longer being updated.
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Severe thunderstorms are possible in Central Texas Monday night and early Tuesday morning. An earlier round of scattered showers Monday provided the area with rain for the second time in a little over a week.FIRST WARNING WEATHER: Stay up to date with your Central Texas forecast, sign up for our weather newsletter at kxan.com/newsletters
  A 2 out of 5 “slight risk” for severe weather is in place across muc
  
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• BLOG: Severe storms, tornado in Central Texas Monday night

  25-10-2022 02:41 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: This live blog is no longer being updated.
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The National Weather Service confirmed there was a tornado in Williamson County. A round of severe thunderstorms moved into Central Texas Monday night, bringing strong winds and some rain.An earlier round of scattered showers Monday provided the area with rain for the second time in a little over a week.FIRST WARNING WEATHER: Stay up to date with your Central Texas forecast, sign up for our weather newsletter at kxan
  
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• Blog: Possible tornado south of Jarrell Monday night

  25-10-2022 02:41 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: This live blog is no longer being updated.
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Severe thunderstorms are possible in Central Texas Monday night and early Tuesday morning. An earlier round of scattered showers Monday provided the area with rain for the second time in a little over a week.FIRST WARNING WEATHER: Stay up to date with your Central Texas forecast, sign up for our weather newsletter at kxan.com/newsletters
  A 2 out of 5 “slight risk” for severe weather is in place across muc
  
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• Pflugerville police arrest Florida man found with 15 pounds of fentanyl, 26 guns

  25-10-2022 01:14 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) -- Officers with the Pflugerville Police Department's Street Crimes Unit found pilled and powdered fentanyl and 26 guns - including 19 assault-style rifles - at Victor Jimenez' home On Oct. 21.Investigators obtained a search warrant for Jimenez' home and car, and detained him as he drove away from his home that morning, according to an arrest affidavit.‘It’s targeting kids’: Families share their stories of fentanyl overdosesThe document also states of
  
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