Austin news

• 11-year-old Austin reporter covers White House decorations

  28-11-2022 23:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Eva Shapiro traveled from Austin to Washington D.C. for a very special assignment — covering the White House for a nonprofit media organization whose correspondents are all still in middle or high school.The 11-year-old was the first reporter to ask a question at Monday's White House press briefing."Given the situation in Iran with protesting, what are we going to do or what can we do to help?" Shapiro asked Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.Jean-Pierre referred to a
  
  Read more

• UT men's hoops ranked No. 2 in latest AP Top 25 poll

  28-11-2022 23:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's very early in the college basketball season, but poll voters think very highly of the Texas Longhorns men's basketball team.The Longhorns (5-0) moved up two spots to No. 2 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 rankings that were released Monday. It's the program's highest ranking since it was ranked No. 1 in January 2010.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/newslettersTe
  
  Read more

• Couple that aims to visit every Texas Roadhouse in US marks No. 300 in Amarillo

  28-11-2022 22:38 via kxan.com
  
  AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) - After Judy McNamara's retirement in 2017, she and her husband Mike began a mission to visit every one of the over 600 Texas Roadhouse locations in America. On Monday, their journey is expected to take them to Amarillo.
  According to the McNamaras, they've journeyed across 39 states to 293 Texas Roadhouse restaurants over the course of their quest. So far in 2022, they've visited over 40 locations, with at least 60 more planned for the rest of the year.
  "The food is j
  
  Read more

• Listen to KXAN News with new podcasts

  28-11-2022 22:23 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Take KXAN News with you wherever you go as our new podcasts launch Monday.
  Get caught up in the morning and evening throughout the week with in-depth, investigative reports, plus listen to our State of Texas show giving you a greater perspective on Texas politics.Search "KXAN News" in your favorite podcast app and download:KXAN News TodayKXAN News NightlyKXAN News SaturdayKXAN News SundayState of TexasYou can also check each out and find download links on the podcast page o
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• KXAN launches new news podcasts

  28-11-2022 22:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Take KXAN News with you wherever you go as our new podcasts launch Monday.
  Get caught up in the morning and evening throughout the week with in-depth, investigative reports, plus listen to our State of Texas show giving you a greater perspective on Texas politics.Search "KXAN News" in your favorite podcast app and download:KXAN News TodayKXAN News NightlyKXAN News SaturdayKXAN News SundayState of TexasYou can also check each out and find download links on the podcast page o
  
  Read more

• Why was an Elon Musk statue delivered to Tesla's gigafactory in Austin

  28-11-2022 21:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After being spotted around Austin during the Thanksgiving holiday, we now know why a statue of Elon Musk on a rocket was created and delivered to the Tesla factory in Austin.READ: Austin home prices cooling the fastest in the US, report statesCryptocurrency.The creators of the Elon GOAT cryptocurrency reportedly paid $600,000 for the statue to be built, according to the Wall Street Journal. The statue is Musk's head on the body of a goat, riding a rocket.The coin's website state
  
  Read more

• Why was an Elon Musk statue delivered to Tesla's Giga factory in Austin

  28-11-2022 21:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After being spotted around Austin during the Thanksgiving holiday, we now know why a statue of Elon Musk on a rocket was created and delivered to the Tesla factory in Austin.READ: Austin home prices cooling the fastest in the US, report statesCryptocurrency.The creators of the Elon GOAT cryptocurrency reportedly paid $600,000 for the statue to be built, according to the Wall Street Journal. The statue is Musk's head on the body of a goat, riding a rocket.The coin's website state
  
  Read more

• Travis County looking for legislative changes after startling overdose data released

  28-11-2022 20:52 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — More people are dying from fentanyl-related overdoses in Travis County than ever before, according to new data.
  While we don’t usually get overdose death data until the medical examiner’s report comes out at the end of the year, Travis County Judge Andy Brown asked for numbers early this year.They show in the first six months of 2022, there were 118 fentanyl-related overdose deaths, meaning someone died of an overdose and had fentanyl in their syst
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• What Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian said about NIL and coming to Texas, recruiting

  28-11-2022 20:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — "If you're choosing to come here because of NIL, you're coming here for the wrong reasons."Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian addressed Name, Image and Likeness when it relates to potential recruits at Monday's press conference, saying that's the last thing he wants to talk about when recruiting players. Longhorns move to No. 21 in AP Top 25, USA Today Coaches Poll"I want players to come to the University of Texas because they want to come to the University of Texas
  
  Read more

• City of Austin giving out winter weather home supplies this week — how to pick up

  28-11-2022 19:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin is helping residents prepare for winter weather by giving out supplies this week.Wintry weather home preparedness tipsThe City said the following items will be available for residents (while supplies last) to collect at City Utilities Customer Service Centers (UCSC):
  meter keyshose bib covershand-crank flashlightsemergency preparedness kit materialswinter preparedness tip sheetsThe gear will be available on certain days this week, as well as some days in
  
  Read more

• Austin airport among worst offenders for lost luggage, study shows

  28-11-2022 19:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin's airport is one of the nation's top offenders when it comes to lost luggage, a new study shows.Austin-Bergstrom ranked fourth for most lost luggage in the study by Price4Limo.com. Only Chicago's O'Hare International, Las Vegas' Harry Reid International and San Diego International ranked higher. Austin airport on track to see busiest year everAUS was the only airport in Texas to appear on the list. Major airports like Los Angeles, Atlanta and Washington Dulles also a
  
  Read more

• Report: Austin home prices cooling the fastest in the US

  28-11-2022 19:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new report shows housing prices in Austin are cooling off the fastest this year compared to other cities that boomed during the pandemic.
  The latest data shared Monday from real estate company Redfin showed Austin's median price per square foot went up 1.3% year-over-year in October. Despite that slight increase, it's still 23 percentage points lower than what Redfin reported in February earlier this year. That difference makes it the biggest drop in home-price growth ove
  
  Read more

• Former USA Gymnastics member, coach indicted on sexual assault charges

  28-11-2022 19:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Eugene ‘Gene’ Martinez, a former USA Gymnastics member and coach based in Pflugerville, was indicted by a grand jury on charges he sexually assaulted two different women.
  Martinez, who coached at Platinum Gymnastics Academy in Pflugerville, went before a grand jury in late September, records show. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Texas gymnastics coach accused of sexual assaults, parents say they didn’t knowInvestigators said Martinez, 41, sexually assaulted a woman in
  
  Read more

• Former USA Gymnastics coach indicted on sexual assault charges

  28-11-2022 19:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Eugene ‘Gene’ Martinez, a former USA Gymnastics member and coach based in Pflugerville, was indicted by a grand jury on charges he sexually assaulted two different women.
  Martinez, who coached at Platinum Gymnastics Academy in Pflugerville, went before a grand jury in late September, records show. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Texas gymnastics coach accused of sexual assaults, parents say they didn’t knowInvestigators said Martinez, 41, sexually assaulted a woman in
  
  Read more

• Most congested road in Texas? I-35 in Austin ranks No. 1 for truck traffic

  28-11-2022 17:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Interstate 35 through Austin came in third place for the most congested road in Texas.The Texas A&M Transportation Institue released its latest Texas' 100 Most Congested Road Sections report Monday and found drivers were delayed nearly 8 million hours along the stretch of I-35 from U.S. Highway 290 in north Austin to Ben White Boulevard/State Highway 71 in south Austin.When it comes to truck traffic, that part of I-35 ranks number one as the most congested section in th
  
  Read more

• Recap: News you may have missed over the Thanksgiving holiday

  28-11-2022 16:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Here are five news stories from the Austin area and Texas you may have missed over the holiday weekend.
  Video shows break-in at Austin Buddhist templeSurveillance video appears to show a group breaking into the Linh Son Buddhist Temple on Duval Road in Austin, prying open donation boxes and stealing cash from the prayer hall on Thanksgiving.Members said the group forced open the door of its monk’s bedroom, just outside the prayer hall, and stole money from inside. The
  
  Read more

• AFD: No injuries reported in south Austin fire

  28-11-2022 15:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — No injuries were reported after a structure fire in south Austin Monday morning, according to the Austin Fire Department.
  The fire took place in the 1000 block of Bannister Lane. That's near West Ben White Boulevard and Garden Villa Lane.
  AFD said the fire is out now. Crews are removing lingering smoke.
  KXAN has reached out to the agency for more information. We will update this story once a response is received.
  
  Read more

• Video shows the countdown to 2022 Zilker Holiday Tree lighting

  28-11-2022 14:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Zilker Holiday Tree is a special tradition for the Austin community. The installation was electrified Sunday night in Zilker Park in front of a crowd that was ready for the holiday season.
  Members of the community who attended were treated to Christmas tunes performed by the Austin Civic Wind Ensemble.Zilker Holiday Tree installed Wednesday for 2022 seasonPresident of the group Kalyn Cordova said music plays an important role in bringing people together.
  "It's one thing
  
  Read more

• WATCH: World’s largest active volcano erupting in Hawaii, sending ash nearby

  28-11-2022 14:03 via kxan.com
  
  HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano, has started to erupt, prompting volcanic ash and debris to fall nearby, authorities said Monday.The eruption began late Sunday night in the summit caldera of the volcano on the Big Island, the U.S. Geological Survey said. Early Monday, it said lava flows were contained within the summit area and weren't threatening nearby communities.The agency warned residents at risk from Mauna Loa lava flows should
  
  Read more

• APD investigating man's death in east Austin as a suspicious death

  28-11-2022 12:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said it's investigating a man's death in east Austin Monday morning. It's considering the death "suspicious."The scene is in the 8000 block of View Ridge Dr. That's in a neighborhood near Lake Walter E. Long and the Travis County Expo Center.
  The man died after a shooting, according to APD Watch Command. One person is detained.The department said it got the call around 1:39 a.m.
  This is a developing story; stick with KXAN for updates.
  
  Read more

• APD identifies man who died after confrontation, shooting in east Austin

  28-11-2022 12:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department identified a man who died after being shot in the chest in east Austin Monday morning. It said in the morning it considered the death "suspicious," and by the afternoon confirmed it was investigating it as a homicide.
  Police said the victim and another man were in a "confrontation" that escalated into a shooting in the 8000 block of View Ridge Dr. That's in a neighborhood near Lake Walter E. Long and the Travis County Expo Center.
  APD identified
  
  Read more

• Fog, drizzle, then 80s return Tuesday ahead of next cold front

  28-11-2022 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- South to southeast winds are quickly bringing Gulf moisture back to the area. Skies will become overcast with areas of fog and drizzle overnight, lingering into Tuesday morning.Light rain/drizzle possible for the Tuesday morning commuteClouds will clear during the afternoon. South to southwest winds will send afternoon temperatures surging to the upper 70s to a few between 80° and 82°.This warming trend doesn't last long. The next cold front arrives late Tuesday night in
  
  Read more

• Brief warming trend continues today

  28-11-2022 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Sunday highs reached the upper 60s to low 70s. Austin's high of 73° is 5° warmer than normal, the first day of an above-normal high since 79° on November 11th. The area will enjoy another sunny day with highs returning to the upper 60s to lower/middle 70s.
  Mild temperatures this afternoonSouth to southeast winds will bring moisture back to the area. Clouds will be increasing after 9 p.m. into the overnight hours. Areas of light rain/drizzle along with patchy fog will
  
  Read more

• 80s return Tuesday ahead of next cold front

  28-11-2022 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- South to southeast winds will bring moisture back to the area. Clouds will be increasing after 9 p.m. into the overnight hours. Areas of light rain/drizzle along with patchy fog will be in the forecast tonight through around 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday.Light rain/drizzle possible for the Tuesday morning commuteClouds will clear during the afternoon. South to southwest winds will send afternoon temperatures surging to the upper 70s to a few between 80° and 82°.This warming trend
  
  Read more

• Power outage at plant causes boil water notice for entire city of Houston

  28-11-2022 05:47 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KXAN) — A power outage at a water purification plant caused the City of Houston to issue a boil water notice throughout the entire city Sunday night.The city said that water pressure dropped below 20 pounds per square inch, which is the minimum amount of pressure required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The city said the power outage at the East Water Purification Plant in Houston happened at 10:30 a.m.Residents should boil the water for at least two minutes and
  
  Read more

• 50 best Cyber Monday deals on Amazon today and counting

  28-11-2022 05:33 via kxan.com
  
  Cyber Monday is the best time of year to be an online shopper. This sales holiday takes place the Monday after Black Friday, and e-commerce titans like Amazon have countless deals worth checking out. This year, we're keeping up with Amazon's best Cyber Monday deals, so you don't have to.
  So far, we've seen deep discounts on popular products like the iRobot Roomba j7, the Samsung Galaxy S22 and the Hamilton Beach Six-Speed Electric Stand Mixer.
  Updated: November 27,
  
  Read more

• These 100+ Cyber Monday deals have something for everyone on your shopping list

  28-11-2022 05:29 via kxan.com
  
  Which Cyber Monday deals at major retailers are best?
  It's finally here. The day you've been waiting for has arrived. No, not Christmas. It's Cyber Monday, the biggest online shopping day of the year. While it might seem like a relatively new event, the phrase was first coined way back in 2005 by the National Retail Federation's shop.org. That makes it an entire decade older than Prime Day.
  Cyber Monday is known for its deep discounts on an extensive variety of products. We've already seen great
  
  Read more

• Harmon makes return to lineup, Texas gets back on track with 74-50 win over Princeton

  28-11-2022 03:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (AP/KXAN) — Sonya Morris scored 15 points, Taylor Jones notched a double-double and No. 19 Texas breezed to a 74-50 victory over Princeton on Sunday.Morris sank 5 of 10 shots from the floor with two 3-pointers for Texas (3-3). Jones finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Rori Harmon had 11 points and Aaliyah Moore scored 10.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/newslettersIt was Harm
  
  Read more

• Hays County center for seniors awarded $106K for new building

  28-11-2022 03:14 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) - A place that provides social, health and educational activities for senior citizens in Hays County is turning people away because they don't have enough room.
  Membership to the Kyle Area Senior Zone (KASZ) grew dramatically after the pandemic and now the county is lending a hand to fund a new space."We're busting at the seams. We can only feed at lunch max 80 people and we have to turn the rest away. And that just kills me to do that to people," said Betty Conley, pre
  
  Read more

• Longhorns awarded No. 1 seed in NCAA volleyball tournament, hosts Fairleigh Dickinson in 1st match

  28-11-2022 03:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The top-ranked Texas Longhorns volleyball team is the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament and will host Farleigh Dickinson in the first round at Gregory Gym.The tournament selection committee announced the 64-team field Sunday night, awarding the Longhorns one of four top seeds in the tournament. Texas takes on the Knights in the first round at 8 p.m. Thursday with the second-round match at 8 p.m. Friday. Georgia and eighth-seeded Towson is the other matchup scheduled
  
  Read more

• Regional finals times, venues for Central Texas high school football teams

  28-11-2022 00:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The high school football season is starting to wind down and the regional finals are set with eight teams in the KXAN viewing area still on the field.In Class 6A-Division II, it's a rematch of the first game of the season between Dripping Springs and Vandegrift. The Tigers, in their first year in Class 6A, beat the Vipers with a game-winning field goal 23-20 all the way back on Aug. 26. Dripping Springs (12-1) thumped Harlingen 45-0 last weekend in the regional semifinals a
  
  Read more

• Austin-area high school football teams well-represented in regional finals

  28-11-2022 00:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The high school football season is starting to wind down and the regional finals are set with eight teams in the KXAN viewing area still on the field.In Class 6A-Division II, it's a rematch of the first game of the season between Dripping Springs and Vandegrift. The Tigers, in their first year in Class 6A, beat the Vipers with a game-winning field goal 23-20 all the way back on Aug. 26. Dripping Springs (12-1) thumped Harlingen 45-0 last weekend in the regional semifinals a
  
  Read more

• Travis County had 118 fentanyl deaths in first 6 months of 2022, same number as all of last year

  28-11-2022 00:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Casey Copeland wrote in his journal every day for six years. In it, he documents his goals, workouts and on a Monday last fall he wrote three words: "Make Drs Appt."
  It was his last entry.
  "I found him there on the bathroom floor," Carilu Bell, Copeland's mom, said. "And I had no idea what had happened. It wasn't until I had gotten his toxicology report back."
  Casey Copeland's final journal entry before dying a fentanyl poisoning in fall of 2021 (KXAN photo/Grace Reader)Copeland
  
  Read more

• Travis County could double the number of fentanyl-related deaths it saw last year

  28-11-2022 00:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Casey Copeland wrote in his journal every day for six years. In it, he documents his goals, workouts and on a Monday last fall he wrote three words: "Make Drs Appt."
  It was his last entry.
  "I found him there on the bathroom floor," Carilu Bell, Copeland's mom, said. "And I had no idea what had happened. It wasn't until I had gotten his toxicology report back."
  Casey Copeland's final journal entry before dying a fentanyl poisoning in fall of 2021 (KXAN photo/Grace Reader)Copeland
  
  Read more

Follow @Austin_News_US on Twitter!