Austin news

• Chronic homelessness on the rise, experts discuss how to aid vulnerable population

  26-10-2022 23:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In a town hall meeting today, medical professionals from Dell Medical Center and Community Care spoke about what some organizations are doing to provide health care to a rising number of people experiencing homelessness in Austin. “The numbers are not going in the right direction. Chronic homelessness is on the rise,” said Dr. Tim Mercer, director of the Mobile Medical and Mental Healthcare Team, or M3 team.  “Chronic homelessness - those wh
  
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• Texas State sued for withholding data on student discipline for marijuana offenses

  26-10-2022 23:34 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) - Who is being disciplined for marijuana offenses at Texas State University, and who is not? That's the question at the center of a lawsuit filed against the university.Grassroots publication The Caldwell/Hays Examiner is asking for that data. RELATED COVERAGE: Hays County prepares for first day of early voting; here’s what’s on the ballot"The case here is demanding disciplinary records from the school," said civil rights attorney for the publication Nathan F
  
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• When Texas cities have failed to notify the public of drinking water issues

  26-10-2022 23:21 via kxan.com
  
  (Stacker) – Unfortunately, even in a developed country like the U.S., our drinking water is not always safe.
  Instances like lead contamination in Flint, Michigan, water treatment plant failures in Jackson, Mississippi, and a Navy fuel storage facility leak in Honolulu are all evidence of some of the issues and dysfunctional systems that can lead to unsafe water. All of those instances are now public and either resolved or in the process of being resolved; however, despi
  
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• Genuine Joe's Coffeeshop searching for new home in changing city

  26-10-2022 23:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Local community space Genuine Joe's Coffeeshop will move soon to make way for a new residential building on W. Anderson Ln., a situation that owner Josh Brown calls a "cruel blow."The coffeeshop has lived in the 100-year-old rustic shell of a former farmhouse since 2005, when couple David Swainston and Victor Levi first opened the business. They left Austin in 2016 and handed their business over to longtime employee Brown.Owner Josh Brown (left) prepares a drink at the espr
  
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• Mobile Loaves and Fishes breaks ground on village expansion; 1,400 more homes to come for homeless

  26-10-2022 23:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Mobile Loaves and Fishes, an Austin nonprofit that serves the city's homeless community, broke ground on its village expansion on Wednesday.
  The organization is widely known for its Community First! Village, a 51-acre master planned development in northeast Travis County designed for men and women who are coming out of chronic homelessness.PAST COVERAGE: 1,400 new micro-homes coming to Community First! Village for chronically homeless in AustinIn 2021 the nonprofit announce
  
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• Austin Public Health to close last COVID-19 testing site Thursday

  26-10-2022 23:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The one remaining COVID-19 testing site operated by Austin Public Health will close for good Thursday because of declining demand and widespread availability of other testing resources.
  The department announced it will cease standalone testing operations at the former Metz Elementary School campus in east Austin. It consolidated testing services to that building in February earlier this year.CDC, FDA roll out new kid-friendly COVID boostersAdrienne Sturrup, APH's director,
  
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• Thousands of diapers, baby wipes stolen from Austin nonprofit

  26-10-2022 22:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin nonprofit WorkingGroup512 is seeking community assistance after thousands of diapers, baby wipes and other maternal items were stolen from their east Austin office early Monday.Chivas Watson, executive director of WG512, told KXAN security footage from the office complex captured two individuals entering the building around 1 a.m. Monday morning. By the time Watson came into the building around 8 a.m., his office — the room where he typically stores baby items
  
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• Report: Jarrell tornado on the ground for 4 miles in Williamson County

  26-10-2022 22:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin/San Antonio National Weather Service office compiled its full report on Monday night's tornado and thunderstorm wind damage near Jarrell in Williamson County.The tornado was rated as EF-1 intensity with peak winds of 100 miles per hour. It was on the ground for 4.01 miles and had a maximum width of 150 yards. There were no fatalities, but there was one injury reported.FIRST WARNING WEATHER: Stay up to date with your Central Texas forecast, sign up for our weather news
  
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• Austin nonprofit, CapMetro partner on CDL refugee training program

  26-10-2022 22:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Amid a national driver shortage and demand for commercial driver's license (CDL) certified candidates, Austin-based nonprofit Global Impact Initiative (Gii) and CapMetro have partnered on training and job opportunities for refugees and other marginalized community members.Gii is an Austin-based nonprofit centered around educational and workforce development globally, but has specifically zeroed in on assisting Austin's growing refugee community. This summer, Gii launched it
  
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• AP sources: Musk in control of Twitter, ousts top executives

  26-10-2022 21:24 via kxan.com
  
  Elon Musk has taken control of Twitter and ousted the CEO, chief financial officer and the company’s general counsel, two people familiar with the deal said Thursday night.The people wouldn’t say if all the paperwork for the deal, originally valued at $44 billion, had been signed or if the deal has closed. But they said Musk is in charge of the social media platform and has fired CEO Parag Agrawal, CFO Ned Segal and General Counsel Vijaya Gadde. Neither person wanted to be identified
  
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• Oilcan Harry's sues new landlord over access to new location, HVAC installation

  26-10-2022 20:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The owners of Oilcan Harry's, STS Warehouse, LLC, filed a lawsuit Wednesday against their new landlord, claiming they have not been given access to their new location at 214 W. Fourth St. (across the street from their current location) and that an HVAC system has not been installed in the building.The move proceeds a redevelopment of Fourth Street. A residential building will be built at Oilcan Harry's current location.Oilcan Harry’s finds temporary space before move
  
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• APD finds 18-year-old homicide victim shot inside crashed vehicle

  26-10-2022 19:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police announced it was investigating a homicide in the 5700 block of N. Mopac Expressway after police found a man shot inside a vehicle Saturday at 12:35 a.m.APD identified 18-year-old Andrew Clayton Johnson as the victim.Police originally responded to a crash in northwest Austin and found that Johnson’s vehicle had hit a pole near a restaurant. Officers found Johnson with gunshot wounds.According to APD, Johnson died at the scene.APD said the investigation wa
  
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• APD: 19 year old dies after shooting at east Austin apartment complex

  26-10-2022 19:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department on Wednesday identified the 19 year old who died after being shot Friday evening. APD said he was David Medina.
  Police said officers responded to the shooting in the 6600 block of Ed Bluestein Blvd. That's near Loyola Lane in east Austin.
  On Friday, APD said the shooting took place at an apartment complex. A caller said they heard shots fired in the complex. Officers who arrived on the scene found blood in and around the apartment.PAST STORY: Po
  
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• Postpartum Style Tips From Jammie Baker

  26-10-2022 19:19 via kxan.com
  
  Wardrobe Stylist and Mom of two littles, Jammie Baker, joined Steph to give tips on getting dressed with ease and style for postpartum moms.
  Jammie says, "The fourth trimester is REAL and getting dressed in this season can be an overwhelming and frustrating thing to navigate. Ok so… everything in this season is hard, which is why I want to help moms make getting dressed simple and confidence boosting during this season. Your changing body shouldn’t stop you from getting dressed or t
  
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• Affordable housing community now being built in southwest Austin

  26-10-2022 18:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Construction began Tuesday on a 318-unit, affordable housing community in southwest Austin, according to a news release.The NRP Group said it created the 4% tax credit and bond development in partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Austin. Report card finds Austin falling short on affordable housingThe Bridge at Estancia community, located in the Estancia Hill Country development, is meant to address the growing demand for affordable housing in Travis County,
  
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• 318-unit affordable housing community now being built in southwest Austin

  26-10-2022 18:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Construction began Tuesday on a 318-unit, affordable housing community in southwest Austin, according to a news release.The NRP Group said it created the 4% tax credit and bond development in partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Austin. Report card finds Austin falling short on affordable housingThe Bridge at Estancia community, located in the Estancia Hill Country development, is meant to address the growing demand for affordable housing in Travis County,
  
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• Mike Collier asks Texas broadcasters to remove Dan Patrick's recent ad

  26-10-2022 18:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Mike Collier, the Democratic nominee for Texas lieutenant governor, sent out a cease-and-desist letter to major news broadcast stations on Tuesday, asking them to stop airing a "false and misleading advertisement" from his opponent's campaign.
  In response to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's latest political ad, which makes claims about Collier and his policy positions, Collier's office asked broadcasters Tuesday to "be responsible to the community you serve and act with reasonable
  
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• Abbott ahead 4 points over O'Rourke among registered Texas voters in new UT poll

  26-10-2022 18:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new poll that the groups behind it said had much more focus on delving into the diversity of the Texas voting population presented a much tighter race for governor than other results showed recently.
  The new LBJ School of Public Affairs and Univision poll put Gov. Greg Abbott ahead by four percentage points over challenger Beto O'Rourke (46%-42%), as the early voting period enters into its third day in Texas. The survey included 1,400 registered voters and was conducted d
  
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• The most popular Halloween costumes, according to Google search data

  26-10-2022 17:53 via kxan.com
  
  (WHNT) — Witches, Spider-Men and dinosaurs — oh my!Those are just a few of the top-trending Halloween costumes in the United States ahead of Oct. 31, according to the 2022 edition of Google's Frightgeist, released earlier this week.Google's annual Frightgeist report, which debuted in 2015, utilizes search data from Google Trends to determine America's top-searched costume ideas in the months leading up to Halloween. The findings are also broken down by state or metro area, allowing u
  
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• Texas researchers head into hurricanes to protect your home

  26-10-2022 17:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — This year has seen some historic hurricanes, resulting in billions of dollars in damage. At Texas Tech, researchers are on the front line of these hurricanes. They're deploying special technology to study wind in the storms and how that wind damages buildings.Meteorologist Kristen Currie spoke with Brian Hirth from the National Wind Institute at Texas Tech to learn more about the research.You can read the transcript below or watch the edited conversation above to learn more
  
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• Austin FC hosting watch party for LAFC match outside Q2 — but you might need to line up early

  26-10-2022 17:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC fans who can't travel to Los Angeles to watch the team in the MLS cup playoffs this weekend will get the chance to get in on the action in Austin.
  Austin FC is taking on LAFC Sunday in the Western Conference Finals after beating FC Dallas 2-1 this past weekend.PAST STORY: Austin FC moves on to Western Conference Finals with 2-1 win over FC DallasThere will be a watch party for the match at Live Oak Park outside Q2 Stadium in north Austin. Doors will open at 1 p.m.
  
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• Residents still recovering from March tornado that damaged homes in Round Rock

  26-10-2022 16:48 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — After a tornado swept through the Jarrell area Monday night, residents in Round Rock remembered when they faced a tornado of their own in March.
  Some of them are still recovering months later.
  March's Round Rock tornado damaged nearly 700 homes, including the house of Michael Talamantez. PAST STORY: Round Rock tornado causes estimated $32 million in damages to homesHe is still rebuilding after the storm destroyed his family's home of nearly 30 years.Talamantez an
  
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• How to protect your family against lead and lead poisoning

  26-10-2022 15:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — There could be a danger in your home that you're unaware of. Texas leaders would like families to look out for lead and lead poisoning.It's Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. The state said more than 4,000 children in Texas have elevated lead levels.We wanted to know what this looks like in Austin.
  We spoke with water filtrations experts at Aquasana, which is an Austin-based company that specializes in creating healthy water at home. Texas doctor encourages colon cancer screen
  
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• Escaped bison captured by cowboys in Central Texas town

  26-10-2022 15:01 via kxan.com
  
  BELTON, Texas (FOX 44) - A bison was on the loose in the Belton area on Tuesday.City Public Information Officer Paul Romer said officials are incredibly grateful for the men who helped capture the bison. There were some "tenuous moments" when the animal was running free near Interstate 35 and Interstate 14.
  (Courtesy: City of Belton)(Courtesy: City of Belton)(Courtesy: City of Belton)(Courtesy: City of Belton)Romer said nobody was hurt, and the bison is doing well.
  
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• First-ever 'Lucktoberfest' at Willie Nelson's Luck Ranch

  26-10-2022 14:51 via kxan.com
  
  SPICEWOOD, Texas (KXAN) — Spooky season is upon us and Willie Nelson is getting in the Halloween spirit.Luck Presents, a cultural collective headquartered on Nelson’s property just outside of Austin, will host its first fall-themed event called “Lucktoberfest."The three-day festival is Friday through Sunday and coincides with Luck's 10th anniversary.The event was scaled back from 10 days of concerts to a three-day weekend festival format instead. "We made this choice due to the
  
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• Williamson County Fair kicks off Wednesday; what's new at the fair this year

  26-10-2022 14:35 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Williamson County Fair and Rodeo kicks off Wednesday with gates opening at 4 p.m.
  There will be carnival rides, a rodeo, a beer and wine garden, food, music, pig races, a petting zoo, local vendors and more. Proceeds from the fair go toward student scholarships.LIST: Central Texas pumpkin patches, fall events for 2022Wednesday is YMCA Family Night where there will be free gate admission for the whole family. Children ages three to five years old will g
  
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• How has voter registration in Texas changed since the March primaries?

  26-10-2022 14:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Since the primary elections back in March, almost half a million Texans statewide have registered to vote, according to data from the Texas Secretary of State's office.Between March and Oct. 11, a total of 488,147 Texans registered to vote, an increase of 2.8%. Who can you vote for? Here’s how you can find your sample ballot in the November electionAs of Oct. 11, the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 8 midterm elections, 17,672,143 Texans were registered statew
  
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• 15 Austin ZIP codes now dominated by renters not homeowners

  26-10-2022 13:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — If you live in either the 78727 or 78744 ZIP code, odds are you’re renting.That's according to a Monday study from RentCafe, which found from 2010 to 2020, those two ZIPs transitioned from having a majority of homeowners to a majority of renters. There are now 15 ZIP codes in the Austin area with renting majorities, signifying how the evolution of Austin into a big city is changing its economic makeup.North Austin’s 78727, which eats up a larg
  
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• $669 million solar farm plan rejected for incentives in Bastrop County

  26-10-2022 13:24 via kxan.com
  
  ELGIN, Texas (Austin Business Journal) — The Elgin ISD board voted unanimously late Monday to reject a Chapter 313 application from an Austin company, Solar Proponent LLC.
  Company representatives said approval of the application was a key determinant in whether a solar project would get built.Kay Rogers found out there could be a 3,000-acre solar project next door to her Bastrop County property while she was on vacation.It was in late April, and she had received a cold phone call from
  
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• Major League Rugby says Austin team will not play in 2023

  26-10-2022 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (KXAN) — Major League Rugby (MLR) said Tuesday the Austin Gilgronis team would not take part in the 2023 season.
  The Gilgronis confirmed the news in an Instagram post on Tuesday thanking fans for their "amazing and loyal support over the years through the hard times, the good times and now through this tragic circumstance."MLR said in Tuesday's statement the operations of the Austin Gilgronis and the Los Angeles Giltinis would be suspended "to ensure a successful 2023 season, and pr
  
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• Sunshine today ahead of the next storm system

  26-10-2022 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The day dawned sunny and cold with several locations falling to the middle to upper 30s. Most lows were in the 40s, including 46° at Camp Mabry.Not quite to freezingThe afternoon will be sunny with most highs from the middle 70s to 80°. Winds will be light out of the southeast.The area will see increasing clouds tomorrow with another upper-air storm system and oncoming cold front. A few light showers are possible on Thursday night but it's the overnight into Friday morni
  
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• Brief period of sunshine ahead of late week storms

  26-10-2022 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today will likely be the nicest day of the work week as yet another cold front has eyes on Central Texas late week.Sunshine, dry skies and light winds can be expected areawide today with temps topping out in the upper 70s. Clouds will begin to increase tomorrow but skies will remain mainly dry with temperatures returning to the low 80s.Our next cold front arrives Friday morning dragging fast-moving showers and thunderstorms through our area, some of which may be severe. The deta
  
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• SWAT team called out to home in southeast Austin

  26-10-2022 10:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department called out a SWAT team early Wednesday morning after responding to a fight at a home in southeast Austin.
  Police said they were originally called to the home in the 3100 block of Collins Creek Dr. at 11:40 p.m. Tuesday.
  Collins Creek DriveThat is one block west of South Pleasant Valley Road and two blocks south of East Oltorf Street.
  APD said officers called out the SWAT team after a man with a weapon refused to come outside.
  According to APD, t
  
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• SWAT team called out to home in SE Austin

  26-10-2022 10:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police called out a SWAT team early Wednesday morning after responding to a fight at a home in southeast Austin.
  Police say they were originally called to the home in the 3100 block of Collins Creek Drive at 11:40 p.m. Tuesday.
  Collins Creek DriveThat is one block west of South Pleasant Valley Road and two blocks south of East Oltorf Street.
  APD says officers called out the SWAT team after a man with a weapon refused to come outside.
  According to APD, the man has not talk
  
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• 1 taken into custody after SWAT callout in southeast Austin

  26-10-2022 10:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said one was person taken into custody Wednesday after a SWAT callout in southeast Austin lasted over 12 hours.
  APD said the SWAT team responded after a fight at a home in the 3100 block of Collins Creek Dr. That is one block west of South Pleasant Valley Road and two blocks south of East Oltorf Street.Police were originally called out to the residence at 11:40 p.m. Tuesday.
  APD said officers called the SWAT team after a man with a weapon refuse
  
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• Pflugerville Police says missing woman was found safe

  26-10-2022 05:44 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — The Pflugerville Police Department said Tuesday night a 66-year-old woman who went missing Tuesday afternoon has been found and is safe.
  According to police, she was found near the intersection of Harris Ridge Boulevard and Parmer Lane.
  
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• Pflugerville Police says missing woman has been found safe

  26-10-2022 05:44 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The story has been updated to reflect that Maria Enriquez has been found and is safe.
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) -- The Pflugerville Police Department said Tuesday night a 66-year-old woman who went missing Tuesday afternoon has been found and is safe.
  According to police, Maria Enriquez was found near the intersection of Harris Ridge Boulevard and Parmer Lane.
  
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• Pflugerville Police ask for public assistance locating missing 66-year-old woman

  26-10-2022 05:44 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) -- The Pflugerville Police Department is asking for the public's help locating a 66-year-old woman who went missing Tuesday afternoon.
  Maria Enriquez went missing from a home in the Mountain Creek subdivision Tuesday and was last seen near the intersection of Dessau and Wells Branch Parkway around 2:30 p.m.She is described as 5’1”, weighing 200 pounds, and has dark brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a shirt with this crescent moon graphic
  
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• Republic Square Park reopened to public after months of restoration

  26-10-2022 04:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After months of being fenced off while going through restoration, the lawn at Republic Square in downtown Austin is officially open again.
  During the restoration, damaged turf was removed, new soil was added to create a bed for a new turf, new drainage was installed along the eastern edge of the lawn, and limestone boulders and steel edging were added to protect tree roots, stabilize mulched areas, and better manage storm water flows on-site. New turf grass was also installed ov
  
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• Austin woman trying for baby says Texas abortion law nearly caused her death

  26-10-2022 04:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Amanda and Josh Zurawski have been trying to have a baby for more than a year now. So, when Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court and Texas' abortion law went into effect, they never anticipated they were going to be directly impacted.
  That's until Amanda experienced complications in her pregnancy that meant she was inevitably going to have a miscarriage. It also put her life at risk. Because of Texas' abortion law, the family had no choice but to wait until that misca
  
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• Williamson County Transformative Justice Program receives $1M federal grant

  26-10-2022 02:41 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Williamson County Transformative Justice (TJ) Program was awarded a $1 million grant from the United States Department of Justice.The Transformative Justice Program is a court-supervised diversion program that provides counseling, substance abuse treatment and life skills education to 17 to 25-year-olds who have been charged with non-violent felony offenses.
  By addressing underlying issues that lead to criminal behavior, the program aims to improve hea
  
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• First Warning: Another severe storm threat expected early Friday

  26-10-2022 01:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Following an EF-1 tornado touchdown just south of Jarrell Monday night, another risk of severe weather is coming to Central Texas before the work week is over.While spring is our main severe weather season, October is our secondary and is often a stormy month. We are tracking another potent upper-level low pressure system diving toward Texas from the Pacific Northwest, on pace to arrive locally on Friday morning.Storm system diving southeastward toward TexasWhile this storm will
  
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• Omicron mutates again: What we know about 3 new subvariants

  26-10-2022 00:29 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – The omicron variant of COVID-19 has once again evolved, spawning new versions of itself with slight mutations that could make the virus more transmissible or more dangerous.
  With each new subvariant comes a new mixture of letters and numbers. BA.5 is still the dominant variant in the U.S., according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but two new subvariants are rising up the ranks: BQ.1 and BQ.1.1.
  There's also XBB, a subvariant spreading ra
  
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• Williamson County declares local state of disaster post-tornado

  26-10-2022 00:25 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell signed an order Tuesday that declared a local state of disaster for the county following a tornado touching down in Jarrell. The Jarrell region recorded damages from the tornado, along with high winds and severe thunderstorms that passed through Williamson County Monday night.The National Weather Service has classified the tornado as a "high-end EF-1" or strong EF-1, with wind speeds "likely 100-110 miles per hour." Spe
  
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• Hays County finalizing contract for public defender's office

  26-10-2022 00:21 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) - Hays County has been trying to get a public defender's office for three years now. Currently, court appointed attorneys are assigned cases.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Hays County doesn’t have a public defenders office — but it will soonMyles Martin was one of those assigned a court appointed attorney when he was incarcerated at the Hays County Jail on a burglary charge.
  "I spent 30 months… 30 months in jail for something I didn't do. When I say frustrating,
  
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