Austin news

• 9 out of 10 midterm races won by Democrats in Hays County

  09-11-2022 23:42 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) - Democrats won all but one race in Hays County. They flipped several seats previously held by Republicans.But how did a county that was majority red turn blue?Before the 2022 midterm elections, a majority of county seats were held by Republicans.Elle Cross with local advocacy group Mano Amiga said part of that is thanks to the group's effort to mobilize young people to vote.
  The group registered more than 1,000 Texas State University students to vote for the 2022 midte
  
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• New details: Burnet County commissioner livestock cruelty civil case settled, criminal charges 'filed soon'

  09-11-2022 23:40 via kxan.com
  
  BURNET, Texas (KXAN) — A pre-trial hearing Tuesday settled a civil suit brought by the State of Texas against Billy Wall, the Burnet County Precinct 3 Commissioner, over his cattle.The agreed motion and order requires Wall to voluntarily forfeit his ownership of the remaining 79 cattle that were seized by the Burnet County Sheriff's office two months ago after it found they were malnourished and emaciated.
  Additionally, the agreed order requires Wall pay $1,000 per day to Burnet Count
  
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• Man sentenced to 20 years after deadly 2020 shooting of girlfriend

  09-11-2022 23:21 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) -- A man was sentenced to 20 years for murder after the March 2020 shooting death of his girlfriend.
  Demetrie Mann, 29, was charged with manslaughter after his girlfriend, Lekita Hurd, was shot and killed at a home on Forum Avenue near Wells Branch Parkway on March 22, 2020.APD: Woman dead, man in custody in Pflugerville after shootingWhen it happened a neighbor called and told the 9-1-1 dispatcher “two children ran to their home to alert them that their mother h
  
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• Texas Tech student files $40 million lawsuit against Houston lawyer, claims libel for tweet

  09-11-2022 23:10 via kxan.com
  
  LUBBOCK, Texas — A Texas Tech University student convicted of a misdemeanor in the shooting and injury of a homeless man in Nashville filed a defamation lawsuit against a Houston lawyer for a post on Twitter, according to a release from the Quackenbush Law Firm in Amarillo.The lawsuit was filed against Ben Crump on behalf of Katie Quackenbush and was seeking $40 million in damages - $10 million in actual damages and $30 million in punitive damages.The lawsuit claimed Crump defame
  
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• MAP: How did your neighborhood vote in Austin's mayoral election?

  09-11-2022 22:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than 300,000 Austinities cast their ballots in the city's mayoral election, with State Rep. Celia Israel and State Sen. Kirk Watson advancing to a runoff.Israel received the most votes of the six candidates on the ballot, but failed to reach the 50% threshold to avoid a runoff. She received 40% of the vote, while Watson received 35%.Jennifer Virden came in a distant third, with about 18% of the vote.For in-depth coverage of the races and election news, head to KXAN's
  
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• Voters decide not to pass 3 bonds for Dripping Springs ISD

  09-11-2022 22:24 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) -- Voters in Drippings Springs Independent School District voted not to approve any of the school district's three bonds, which would've allotted about $481 million for improvements and new facilities.Dripping Springs ISD bond focuses on new facilities for growing areaProp A came the closest to passing, but more than 51% of voters said "no." The $199.28 million would've built a new elementary school, helped expand Sycamore Springs Middle School, and provided new sc
  
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• GOP makes history in South Texas congressional race, despite other losses

  09-11-2022 22:13 via kxan.com
  
  RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (Nexstar) — While a "red wave" in South Texas wasn't as big as the GOP was hoping for, Congresswoman-elect Monica De La Cruz still made history becoming the first Republican to represent Texas' 15th Congressional District.After running for the same seat in 2020, Monica De La Cruz won her election Tuesday to represent what has been a longtime Democratic stronghold district in the Rio Grande Valley.De La Cruz was the only one of three Republican Latinas to win her co
  
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• Live: President Biden speaks on midterms

  09-11-2022 22:11 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — President Joe Biden is expected to speak from the White House Wednesday afternoon as control of Congress remains undetermined following the midterm elections.Despite high inflation and Biden’s low approval rating, the president’s party defied many midterm expectations and staved off presumptions of a so-called “red wave.”President Biden is expected to speak around 4p/3C - watch in the player aboveIn some of the most heartening news for Demo
  
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• Biden likely to announce 2024 decision 'next year'

  09-11-2022 22:11 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — President Joe Biden said Wednesday that while he currently plans on running for reelection, he is going to talk with his family over the holidays and will likely announce his final decision, "early next year."Biden’s remarks from the White House came on the heels of Democrats faring better than expected in the midterm elections.It’s unclear if the midterm results will be enough to enable Biden to dismiss his doubters as he prepares to run for a second
  
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• Sharply colder weather begins Friday

  09-11-2022 20:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Unseasonably warm, humid weather continues on Thursday, but prepare your wardrobe for the sharp arrival of winter beginning Friday. We are tracking a much colder than normal stretch of weather that is expected to last a week or more.A sharp cold front blows in before noon on Friday, causing temperatures to plummet from near 70 degrees Friday morning into the 40s Friday evening. Temperatures drop through the day Friday as gusty north winds arrive.Forecast temperatures Friday even
  
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• Therapist charged with sexual assault after massage at Austin area spa

  09-11-2022 20:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A therapist at an Austin area spa was charged with sexual assault after a woman told police he touched her inappropriately during a massage.According to a Bee Cave Police Department arrest warrant affidavit, 34-year-old Kevin Frazier Wilson touched the victim without her consent during a two-hour massage at milk + honey in Bee Cave on Oct. 24.First Warning Weather: Latest forecastThe spa confirmed to police Kevin Wilson worked as a therapist and he was the only man who work
  
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• Owner: Therapist charged with sexual assault after massage passed extensive background check

  09-11-2022 20:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A therapist at an Austin area spa was charged with sexual assault after a woman told police he touched her inappropriately during a massage.According to a Bee Cave Police Department arrest warrant affidavit, 34-year-old Kevin Frazier Wilson touched the victim without her consent during a two-hour massage at milk + honey in Bee Cave on Oct. 24.First Warning Weather: Latest forecastThe spa confirmed to police Kevin Wilson worked as a therapist and he was the only man who work
  
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• Owner: Massage therapist charged with sexual assault passed extensive background check

  09-11-2022 20:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A therapist at an Austin area spa was charged with sexual assault after a woman told police he touched her inappropriately during a massage.According to a Bee Cave Police Department arrest warrant affidavit, 34-year-old Kevin Frazier Wilson touched the victim without her consent during a two-hour massage at milk + honey in Bee Cave on Oct. 24.First Warning Weather: Latest forecastThe spa confirmed to police Kevin Wilson worked as a therapist and he was the only man who work
  
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• Elgin voters choose to decriminalize low-level marijuana offenses

  09-11-2022 19:44 via kxan.com
  
  ELGIN, Texas (KXAN) — Roughly 70% of voters in Elgin approved decriminalizing low-level marijuana offenses in the city on Tuesday.It was one of five Texas cities to do so following efforts from local and state marijuana activists.Prop A reads it will "eliminate enforcement of low-level marijuana offenses in the City of Elgin," meaning people found with things like small amounts of marijuana will not be charged with possession of the substance.  RELATED: San Marcos votes to decriminali
  
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• Who voted: A look at Tuesday's election turnout in the United States

  09-11-2022 19:20 via kxan.com
  
  HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) (ValleyCentral) — The day after a major election comes with pundits and politicians alike trying to make sense of the American voter.An election with all of its surprises can raise the question: Who really turned out to vote? If you love digging deeper into the demographics, the Associated Press provided an Election Day breakdown of the American electorate voting in congressional races.The AP digital chart above shows results of AP's VoteCast surveys of the
  
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• Plans for Boring Company pedestrian tunnel in Kyle scrapped

  09-11-2022 19:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — The Boring Company will not dig a pedestrian tunnel in the Hays County city of Kyle after all.That's according to the San Antonio Express-News, which reported Nov. 4 that the city was not moving forward with the plan to dig under railroad tracks next to the Plum Creek subdivision. A city spokesperson confirmed the news and Kyle City Council member told the Express-News that the tracks' owners, Union Pacific, did not want to dig beneath them.When the Counc
  
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• National Letter of Intent signing days: Central Texas athletes make college commitments official

  09-11-2022 19:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Area athletes headed to play NCAA sports other than football can officially make their dreams come true Wednesday by signing a National Letter of Intent.For basketball players, the early signing period runs from Wednesday to Nov. 16, and all other athletes who are playing NCAA sports outside of football can sign NLIs from Wednesday to August 1, 2023.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter a
  
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• Only 1 Latina ran for Austin office in 2020. 4 now headed to December runoff

  09-11-2022 18:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A dense pool of candidates looking to sit on Austin City Council's dais next year dwindled to eight following Tuesday night's election. Austin voters will head back to the polls in December to decide three city council seats and finalize the race for mayor.What triggers a runoff election, and when would Austin hold one?It could make for a historic makeup of the city's highest body. If elected, Rep. Celia Israel would be the first Latina mayor of Austin. The city hasn't had
  
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• TxDOT hosting hiring fair

  09-11-2022 17:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas Department of Transportation is holding a job fair Wednesday.
  TxDOT says some applicants could be hired right away at the fair at its Stassney location.The fair happens from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 6230 E. Stassney Ln.
  Potential applicants are urged to bring their resume and drivers license to the event.TxDOT is hiring for highway maintenance, engineering, finance, data analyst, bridge inspection and and other positions.The agency says new hires will receive paid leave, h
  
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• TCEQ to hold hearings on how to allow concrete batch plants in Texas

  09-11-2022 16:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The state agency in charge of regulating air quality in Texas is holding hearings across the state in November about changes in how permits are issued for concrete batch plants.
  The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is considering an updated Air Quality Analysis (AQA). According to a TCEQ press release, the updated AQA would show emissions at an authorized plant would not violate National Ambient Air Quality Standards, exceed a state property line standard or
  
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• TCEQ holds 1st hearing on how to allow concrete batch plants in Texas

  09-11-2022 16:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The state agency in charge of regulating air quality in Texas held the first of three hearings across the state Wednesdayabout changes in how permits are issued for concrete batch plants.
  The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is considering an updated Air Quality Analysis (AQA). According to a TCEQ press release, the updated AQA would show emissions at an authorized plant would not violate National Ambient Air Quality Standards, exceed a state property line s
  
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• COP27: Helping those most affected

  09-11-2022 15:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Arguably the most important climate conference in the world is currently underway in Egypt. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's Conference of the Parties (COP) is meeting for the 27th time, bringing together nearly 200 nations with one goal: cut down on greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate human influence on climate change.Many topics are expected to be discussed, and almost all have a financial aspect to them. Let's dig a little deeper into the issu
  
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• Crash involving multiple vehicles blocks lanes on I-35 NB in Round Rock

  09-11-2022 14:51 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Most northbound lanes of Interstate 35 in Round Rock are blocked Wednesday morning due to a crash.The Round Rock Police Department said the highway is down to one lane near Round Rock Avenue. That's right near Round Rock's downtown area.
  Police said the crash involved multiple vehicles.
  Officers did say tow trucks are on the way to the scene, but drivers should expect delays.
  This is a developing story; stick with KXAN for updates.
  
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• Mystery solved — How a portable building ended up left along a Hays County road

  09-11-2022 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It didn't take a double take to catch a glimpse of a double door portable building parked on the side of Hilliard Road, just outside of San Marcos."I just drove by and saw it and thought, 'huh, that's new,'" Elizabeth Yakubik said. Austin area man’s bathrooms ruined after neighborhood constructionIt's not the kind of "new" Yakubik likes to see in her neighborhood, and she added that the oversize load had overstayed its welcome."It sets a bad precedent, she said. "It's
  
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• Judge to announce if some evidence in Armstrong's murder trial should be thrown out

  09-11-2022 14:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Travis County judge will announce Wednesday whether some evidence should be thrown out in Kaitlin Armstrong’s upcoming murder trial.Armstrong’s defense team argued last month that early-obtained evidence was gathered improperly by homicide detectives and thus should not be available for prosecutors to use against Armstrong in her hearing. Moriah Wilson, a beloved professional cyclist, was shot and killed at her friend’s east Austin residence the nig
  
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• Judge sets trial date for Kaitlin Armstrong, accused of murdering pro-cyclist last May

  09-11-2022 14:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Travis County judge said Kaitlin Armstrong, accused of killing professional cyclist Moriah Wilson, will have her jury trial starting the week of June 26 next year. This announcement follows a pretrial hearing where Armstrong’s defense team argued that early-obtained evidence was gathered improperly by homicide detectives and thus should not be available for prosecutors to use against Armstrong in her upcoming trial. Wilson, who was beloved in the cyclist commun
  
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• Judge sets trial date for Kaitlin Armstrong, accused of murdering pro-cyclist

  09-11-2022 14:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Travis County judge said Kaitlin Armstrong, the woman accused of killing professional cyclist Moriah Wilson, will have her jury trial starting the week of June 26, 2023.Wilson, who was a prominent figure in the cyclist community, was shot and killed at her friend’s east Austin home on May 11. Police said Armstrong, who has pled not guilty, murdered Wilson. How Austin murder suspect Kaitlin Armstrong tried to hide from authoritiesDuring a pre-trial hearing, Armstrong
  
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• Facebook parent Meta cuts 11,000 jobs, 13% of workforce

  09-11-2022 13:13 via kxan.com
  
  Facebook parent Meta is laying off 11,000 people, about 13% of its workforce, as it contends with faltering revenue and broader tech industry woes, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a letter to employees Wednesday.The job cuts come just a week after widespread layoffs at Twitter under its new owner, billionaire Elon Musk. There have been numerous job cuts at other tech companies that hired rapidly during the pandemic.Zuckerberg as well said that he had made the decision to hir
  
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• Two more days of a spring feel before the colder air arrives

  09-11-2022 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The unseasonably warm air remains for today and tomorrow with highs both afternoons in the upper 70s to low 80s. The normal high temperature for November 9 is 74°.These next two days look to be rain free.A cold front arrives in the Hill Country late Thursday night. It will march to the interstate, arriving by around sunrise. It moves over our eastern counties delivering a north wind 10 to 20 mph and gusty.Expect a chilly day FridayThis morning's map model indicated the showe
  
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• Forecast trending wetter and colder

  09-11-2022 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The countdown to our next cool down begins with temperatures expected to plummet by week's end.Afternoon highs will warm well above average for most of us today as we return to the upper 70s and low 80s. Mostly cloudy skies will stretch areawide with a few sprinkles possible, mainly west of I-35 (rain chance: 10%).More of the same is expected Thursday - warm, muggy and mainly dry skies - but this will mark our last day of our recent weather pattern. A strong cold front surging s
  
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• Building fire near Austin airport under control

  09-11-2022 11:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A commercial building fire near the Austin airport on Wednesday morning is under control, according to the Austin Fire Department.
  No one was hurt, AFD said, and the fire will be investigated.
  According to AFD, crews got a report of the fire at 3:30 a.m. in the 1100 block of the service road of Bastrop Highway, which is near the intersection of U.S. Highway 183 and State Highway 71.
  Austin Fire told KXAN the fire was burning the interior of a metal commercial structure.The
  
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• Austin Fire requests more personnel for building fire near the airport

  09-11-2022 11:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Fire crews requested a second alarm for additional personnel for a fire that was burning a metal building near Austin's airport Wednesday morning.
  According to Austin Fire, crews got a report of the fire at 3:30 a.m. in the 1100 block of the service road of Bastrop Highway, which is near the intersection of U.S. Highway 183 and State Highway 71.
  Austin Fire told KXAN the fire was burning the interior of a metal commercial structure. Crews were in offensive mode as of
  
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• American Brittney Griner moved to a penal colony in Russia

  09-11-2022 08:37 via kxan.com
  
  MOSCOW (AP) — The jailed American basketball star Brittney Griner has been moved to a penal colony in Russia, her legal team said Wednesday.A Russian court rejected her appeal of her nine-year sentence for drug possession last month.“Brittney was transferred from the detention center in Iksha on the 4th November. She is now on her way to a penal colony. We do not have any information on her exact current location or her final destination,” the statement from her legal
  
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• Texas Election Results: Nov. 8 midterm

  09-11-2022 02:00 via kxan.com
  
  App users, view full election results by tapping here.
  
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• Matthew McConaughey linked to group that could potentially buy Washington Commanders: reports

  09-11-2022 01:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — He's a co-owner of Austin FC, but it appears actor/professor/man of culture Matthew McConaughey wants to get involved in another kind of football, according to multiple reports.A number of media reports have linked the Austinite to a group including rapper Jay-Z and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos who are interested in buying the Washington Commanders. Current owner Dan Snyder is being pressured to sell the team after allegations of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work e
  
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• Texas Longhorns jump six spots in latest College Football Playoff rankings

  09-11-2022 01:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Following Saturday's 34-27 win at Kansas State, the Texas Longhorns climbed up the College Football Playoff committee's rankings, released Tuesday.The Longhorns, who debuted at No. 24 in this year's first set of rankings last week, jumped six spots to No. 18. The squad moved back into the Associated Press Top 25 and the USA Today Coaches Poll as well, also to No. 18 after being out of the polls the previous week.See the full CFP Top 25TCU, the Longhorns' next opponent, move
  
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• Woman found dead at Leander home identified by TCSO

  09-11-2022 01:25 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Travis County Sheriff's Office identified the woman found dead at a Leander home on Nov. 2.The woman was buried beneath a burn pit at a home in the 23000 block of Windy Valley Road. TSCO said the woman is 36-year-old Natalie Renee Pearce of Austin. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Arrest warrant outlines new details after buried body found at Leander homePeter Perius, 52, is in custody on a driving without a license charge and a tamper/fabricate physical evidence with i
  
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• TCSO identifies woman found dead at Leander home, suspect faces murder charge

  09-11-2022 01:25 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A man faces a murder charge in connection with a woman found dead at a Leander home on Nov. 2. On Tuesday, the Travis County Sheriff's Office identified the woman and also filed an arrest affidavit on the new charge.
  The woman was buried beneath a burn pit at a home in the 23000 block of Windy Valley Road. TSCO said the woman is 36-year-old Natalie Renee Pearce of Austin. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Arrest warrant outlines new details after buried body found at Leander
  
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• Is mail delivered on Election Day?

  09-11-2022 01:11 via kxan.com
  
  (WCMH) – Millions of Americans are casting their votes for the 2022 midterm elections on Tuesday, and some may be wondering whether or not the mail is running.The United States Postal Service does deliver mail on Election Day, which is not considered a holiday by the USPS. The holidays USPS observes include New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.In
  
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