Austin news

• Can Texas legislators really strip city council? Bill filed to create 'District of Austin'

  17-11-2022 23:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Mixed in the stack of Texas bills intended to disrupt a historically liberal Austin City Council, House Bill 714 and House Joint Resolution 50 would strip it of its power altogether.
  In an act the director of the Donaldson Center for Communication Studies at the University of Texas, El Paso called, "a heavy dose of political theater," North Texas Rep. Jared Patterson filed a bill, and a joint resolution, that would make Austin a district with state oversight. Think something sim
  
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• Texas lawmakers file state bills targeting Austin

  17-11-2022 23:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In most legislative sessions, there are bills filed at the state level that subtly, or not so subtly, take aim at legislation passed by local progressive-leaning Austin lawmakers. ‘Abolishing daylight saving’ and other new Texas bills that might make you say ‘huh?’This session is no different from previous ones – there are several bills filed by Texas lawmakers that range from reducing initiatives already passed to getting rid of Austin City Council
  
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• Supplanting local Austin leaders and other Texas bills filed with a target on Austin

  17-11-2022 23:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In most legislative sessions, there are bills filed at the state level that subtly, or not so subtly, take aim at legislation passed by local progressive-leaning Austin lawmakers. ‘Abolishing daylight saving’ and other new Texas bills that might make you say ‘huh?’This session is no different from previous ones – there are several bills filed by Texas lawmakers that range from reducing initiatives already passed to getting rid of Austin City Council
  
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• Acting Uvalde police chief during Robb Elementary shooting resigns, CNN reports

  17-11-2022 22:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) -- Lt. Mariano Pargas, who was the acting police chief on the day of the mass school shooting in Uvalde, resigned from the Uvalde Police Department on Thursday, just days before city leaders were to decide his fate, according to CNN.Pargas was among nearly 400 law enforcement officials who responded to the Robb Elementary shooting on May 24 but waited more than an hour to take down the gunman. Nineteen students and two teachers were killed.Pargas’ resi
  
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• Ticketmaster cancels Taylor Swift public ticket sales due to demand, 'insufficient' supply

  17-11-2022 22:15 via kxan.com
  
  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – Bad news for Swifties everywhere: Ticketmaster has pulled the plug on its planned sales of general public tickets for the Eras Tour.On Thursday, one day before the sale of the tickets for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour was supposed to take place, Ticketmaster announced it would be canceling the sale due to "extraordinarily high demands on ticketing systems and insufficient remaining ticket inventory." Texas university offers course on Taylor SwiftTicketmaster did not in
  
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• Rangers to host 2024 All-Star Game at Globe Life Field

  17-11-2022 20:35 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (MLB) - The Texas Rangers have been awarded the 2024 All-Star Game, Major League Baseball announced Thursday. The Rangers will host the Midsummer Classic at Globe Life Field in what will be the ballpark's fifth season. "Major League Baseball is pleased to award the 2024 All-Star Game to the Rangers and the Cities of Arlington and Fort Worth, which presented a robust bid for All-Star Week," Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. "The Rangers stepped up under difficult circums
  
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• Voodoo Doughnut to open second Austin location on Burnet Road

  17-11-2022 20:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A popular Oregon-based doughnut shop is opening a second location in Austin in "late 2022."
  Voodoo Doughnut will set up a second store on Burnet Road near Houston Street and Lawnmont Avenue. The chain's existing Austin location is on East Sixth Street.
  This will be the company's sixth store opening this year, according to a release from Voodoo, and marks the business' 18th store in total.Austin Starbucks store to take part in nationwide strike Thursday and FridayVoodoo said
  
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• TxDMV unveils ‘major design overhaul’ of temp tags tied to widespread fraud

  17-11-2022 19:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Following years of widespread fraud and KXAN investigations, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles on Thursday announced a “major design overhaul” of its temporary paper tags.As part of its ongoing crackdown on temporary tag abuse – which ballooned into a $200 million black market and allowed criminals to hide in untraceable “ghost cars” – the TxDMV said after months of working with law enforcement on a redesign, it came up with a &ldquo
  
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• School bus crashes into Lockhart business after colliding with another vehicle

  17-11-2022 19:52 via kxan.com
  
  LOCKHART, Texas (KXAN) — A school bus crashed into a business after colliding with another vehicle early Thursday morning, according to the City of Lockhart. No one was hurt.
  The city said around 5:30 a.m. Lockhart Police responded to the crash in the 100 block of S. Colorado St. and U.S. Highway 183.
  A school bus was going south on Colorado/U.S. 183 when it collided with a sedan that was turning left on U.S. 183 from San Antonio Street/State Highway 142.
  The bus then crashed into the 183
  
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• Parts of SH 21 in San Marcos to close over the weekend

  17-11-2022 19:34 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — Closures along parts of State Highway 21 in San Marcos will impact drivers over the weekend.
  The Texas Department of Transportation said the highway will be closed between State Highway 80 and FM 1966 from 5 a.m. Saturday through Monday at 5 a.m. H-E-B, Hill Country Fare ground beef products recalled for possible foreign matterCrews will be setting beams for a new bridge, weather permitting, the agency said.
  Traffic will be detoured onto FM 1966 and FM 1984.
  
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• Wednesday's earthquake in West Texas was the third-strongest in state history

  17-11-2022 19:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Wednesday's earthquake in West Texas is the third-strongest ever recorded in the state, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey.The magnitude 5.3 quake was recorded at 3:32 p.m. in Reeves County, about 24 miles west-southwest of Mentone.The earthquake was felt as far away as Austin, more than 350 miles away.According to the USGS, the earthquake occurred "within the interior of the North American plate, far from any tectonic plate boundaries."Only two earthquakes h
  
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• Austin weighing street-level light rail in new Project Connect considerations

  17-11-2022 17:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — New design considerations released by the Austin Transit Partnership Wednesday outline possible scope tweaks on the Project Connect mass transit system, including the possibility of a street level light rail system through downtown.The considerations come four months after ATP board members opted to pause work on Project Connect's light rail system to reconsider its scope and features amid burgeoning costs associated with the project. Back in April, officials confirmed cost
  
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• This small Texas city ranks no. 1 for diversity in U.S.

  17-11-2022 17:00 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — One small Brazoria County city recently topped a national ranking of small cities with the most diverse populations.
  To calculate the rankings, Alabama-based home air quality retail company Filterbuy weighed several data factors — like ethnic/racial diversity, economic equality and more — to create a score out of 100.Migrants now being bused from Texas to PhiladelphiaAs of the 2021 U.S. Census, Pearland had about 125,990 residents. The city earned a composite index
  
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• NOAA winter outlook released: What it means for Texas weather

  17-11-2022 16:51 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Texans know better than to expect a white Christmas, but this winter is set to be anything but. An update to the Climate Prediction Center’s official winter forecast shows a hot and dry season ahead for the Lone Star State.
  The 90-day-outlook was published Thursday morning by the Climate Prediction Center, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service. It gives people a rough idea of what December, January and February
  
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• PHOTOS: Texas Longhorns beat Gonzaga 93-74 at Moody Center

  17-11-2022 16:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The No. 11 Texas Longhorns gave the No. 2 Gonzaga Bulldogs a taste of what Big 12 Conference basketball could be like for them Wednesday at Moody Center.Texas shot 51.5% from the field and drained 13 three-pointers to run away with a 93-74 win over the Bulldogs to move to 3-0 so far. GAME RECAP: No. 11 Texas Longhorns dial long distance, thump No. 2 Gonzaga at home 93-74Here are a few photos of emotional moments from the game.
  Texas forward Christian Bishop (32) reacts to f
  
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• Brendan Fraser says he won't participate in Golden Globes

  17-11-2022 15:57 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Brendan Fraser, whose performance in “The Whale” has made him a likely awards candidate this year, says he won't attend the Golden Globes in January if he's nominated.In 2018, Fraser said that he was groped by longtime Hollywood Foreign Press Association member Philip Berk, a former president of the organization behind the Globes. Fraser said the incident took place at a Beverly Hills, California, luncheon in 2003. Berk, a member from South Africa, was expe
  
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• Smart fitness studio opens in Lakeway

  17-11-2022 15:34 via kxan.com
  
  LAKEWAY, Texas (KXAN) — There’s a new gym that could change the way you work out in a shorter amount of time.The Exercise Coach is a fitness studio in Lakeway without weights. Instead, it’s outfitted with high-tech computerized machines as opposed to traditional training equipment.The exercise equipment moves as people push and pull without rest between each set. The data-driven exercise program has folks working out in just 20 minutes, twice a week, with one of its certified c
  
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• INTERACTIVE MAP: How did your neighborhood vote in the Texas gubernatorial election?

  17-11-2022 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott easily won reelection to a third term in the Nov. 8 election, defeating Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke by double digits.Abbott received almost 55% of the statewide vote, to O’Rourke’s roughly 44%.For in-depth coverage of the races and election news, head to KXAN's election coverage pageKXAN looked at precinct-level results in our 15-county viewing area to get a better picture of how Central Texans voted.O'R
  
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• Why do experts say children shouldn't wear a puffy jacket in the car?

  17-11-2022 14:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With winter weather here and temperatures dropping rapidly, you may think it is time to bundle up. However, parents could be putting their children in danger by simply putting them in a nice warm coat.
  The American Academy of Pediatrics said puffy coats should not be worn by children in a car seat. According to experts, the fluffy padding "flattens out from force." In an accident, this means the child's safety harness cannot properly protect them.Meteorologist Rich Segal sp
  
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• Texas lawmaker wants action, even more transparency for patients

  17-11-2022 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In direct response to a series of KXAN investigations into medical error transparency, a state lawmaker is proposing several fixes and has already drafted a bill to be introduced during the upcoming Texas legislative session."Transparency is the key," said State Rep. Julie Johnson (D-Farmers Branch), during a recent visit to Austin. "I think the best thing we can do legislatively is to make sure that we have laws in place that require and mandate transparency."
  In Texas, me
  
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• 'A long time' before Congress takes up medical error transparency

  17-11-2022 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If your doctor was sued for medical malpractice and had to pay up, would you want to know? How about if patients died? We found laws in Texas, and elsewhere, designed to prevent the public from ever finding out — protecting physicians over patients, advocates say.KXAN is looking at transparency — not just in Texas, but across the country — when it comes to medical error transparency. The exact number of patients who die every year due to medical errors is
  
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• Austin Starbucks store to take part in nationwide strike Thursday and Friday

  17-11-2022 13:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Unionized workers at an Austin Starbucks location are joining a nationwide strike against the coffee chain Thursday and Friday.
  45th and Lamar Starbucks Workers United said in a tweet Thursday that workers would walk the picket line outside the store at 4400 N. Lamar Blvd. from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days.
  The walkouts are scheduled to coincide with Starbucks’ annual Red Cup Day when the company gives free reusable cups to customers who order a holiday drink. Workers s
  
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• Amazon could cut 10K corporate jobs — what's at stake in Austin?

  17-11-2022 13:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — Amazon.com Inc., which has grown faster than just about any other company in Central Texas in recent years, could be the next technology business with mass layoffs nationwide.The e-tailer with a market capitalization of around $1 trillion plans to cut about 10,000 corporate and technology employees across the company, The New York Times reported on Nov. 14 based on anonymous sources. The cuts could start as early as this week, the Times said.It
  
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• Today's mild weather turns colder, wetter by the weekend

  17-11-2022 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin's high temperatures were locked in the 50s for the fifth-consecutive day on Wednesday -- much cooler than normal for mid-November.Enjoy today as the mild and sunny afternoon weather won't stick around very long. Clouds will increase again overnight and will hold over the area for the next several days as our next storm system approaches.A few pockets of light rain are possible Friday, but most of the rain comes Saturday as showers expand over the area late morning and aft
  
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• APD: Gunshots fired in the air outside 6th Street bar; no one hurt

  17-11-2022 11:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police say no one was hurt early Thursday morning when someone fired shots in the air outside a bar on East Sixth Street in Downtown Austin.
  Police say three to four gunshots were fired from a sedan with three to four people inside.According to APD, the shooting happened around 1:30 a.m. outside Tellers Bar on Sixth and Trinity Streets.APD says a traffic camera recorded the car leaving north on Trinity Street and then heading toward I-35.According to APD, officers stopped
  
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• Austin man picks up, moves entire house instead of letting property buyer tear it down

  17-11-2022 11:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austinites have been facing the frustrations of fast-paced growth and development for years, but one resident got creative with how he'd handle the impacts.
  John Picciandra is picking up his home and moving it 40 miles away from where it sat on South Congress Avenue for over 90 years. The home was behind Hotel San Jose and the Texas School for the Deaf, near the heart of South Congress.The property was bought and the plan for the home was to tear it down, but that's not what Pic
  
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• No. 11 Texas Longhorns dial long distance, thump No. 2 Gonzaga at home 93-74

  17-11-2022 05:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The No. 11 Texas Longhorns gave the No. 2 Gonzaga Bulldogs a taste of what Big 12 Conference basketball could be like for them Wednesday at Moody Center.Texas shot 51.5% from the field and drained 13 three-pointers to run away with a 93-74 win over the Bulldogs to move to 3-0 early in the nonconference schedule.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/newslettersGonzaga, in Spoka
  
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• Crews respond to fire at Dart Bowl building

  17-11-2022 03:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Fire Department responded to a structure fire at the vacant Dart Bowl building Wednesday evening.
  The department tweeted at 5:34 p.m. that the fire was under control, and that the cause was under investigation. A couple hours later, the department tweeted it was working to clear remaining smoke from the building with 110 mph wind from its Smoke Buster machine.Crews respond to fire at Dart & Bowl building (Image courtesy: Austin Fire Department)
  Crews respond
  
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• TCSO recovers thousands of dollars, arrests suspect after east Travis County aggravated robbery, SWAT incident

  17-11-2022 02:38 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – In court records filed Monday, the Travis County Sheriff’s Office detailed events surrounding an early November aggravated robbery and SWAT response near eastern Travis County.On Nov. 9, deputies responded to an aggravated robbery call at the Community First! Village in the 9100 block of Hog Eye Road.TCSO said the victim was an amputee who recently received a $10,000 insurance check for getting her leg injured and amputated.The victim told deputies she h
  
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• 'It's a Texas thing': Why do Texans love Texas so much?

  17-11-2022 01:42 via kxan.com
  
  Hays County, Texas (KXAN) - Buc-ee's, Whataburger and HEB are just a few places that hold a special place in many Texans' hearts.
  "It's a Texas thing. It really is," said Sally Cummings, a Texas native.
  But why does the love run so deep? Buc-ee’s breaks ground on its biggest store ever builtTexas State University Associate Professor of Marketing Rick Wilson said it's because those businesses tap into something that many feel strongly about: pride for the Lone Star State."Using the iconogra
  
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• Constraints on entry into a Christmas parade divide a Texas town

  17-11-2022 01:31 via kxan.com
  
  TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) — For decades, at the start of December, citizens of Taylor, Texas, flood their city’s center to watch festive floats sail down Main Street.  “It’s a parade that everybody looks forward to and likes to participate in,” said Stacey Osborne, communications director for Taylor. “Everyone feels like it's the beginning of the holiday celebration.”In the past, the planning of this small Austin suburb’s holiday parade has be
  
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• Gov. Abbott sends letter to President Biden, says Texas is ramping up border security

  17-11-2022 01:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas Governor Greg Abbott sent a letter to President Biden on Wednesday alerting the state would be escalating border security efforts.The letter follows another one Abbott sent earlier this week that called on the federal government to pay Texas back for money spent at the U.S.-Mexico border.In the letter, Abbott claims that there is a record-breaking level of illegal immigration at the border caused by the Biden administration."Prior to President Biden taking office
  
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• H-E-B, Hill Country Fare ground beef products recalled for possible foreign matter

  17-11-2022 00:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – On Wednesday, H-E-B issued a statement after Tyson Foods Inc., an H-E-B supplier, recalled nearly 94,000 pounds of Hill Country Fare and H-E-B ground beef products produced at its Amarillo facility.The recall was used due to the potential of foreign matter or mirror-like material contaminating the products, it said.“This recall involves 5- and 10-pound chubs of HCF 73% ground beef, and 5-pound chubs of H-E-B 80% ground chuck sold at H-E-B, Joe V’s, Mi Tienda, an
  
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