Austin news

• Ballet Austin's 'The Nutcracker' sells out for first time in history

  07-12-2022 23:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For the first time in Ballet Austin's history their production of the Nutcracker has sold out for every show."I was shocked when I went online yesterday or two days ago and all the tickets were sold out," said Christina Sedillo-Armstrong who has been taking her family to the performance for years.A quick visit to BalletAustin.org and you will find all 15 performances are sold out."This unprecedented response to this time-honored Austin holiday tradition makes this year's 60
  
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• Cases of canine flu surge in Texas, what to watch out for

  07-12-2022 23:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --While respiratory illnesses in humans – such as COVID-19, RSV and influenza – are on the rise in Texas, experts are saying that Texans should not only look out for their human family members this season but also for their furry ones. “We're definitely seeing an outbreak of canine influenza in various parts of the state of Texas,” said Dr. Lori Teller, Clinical Associate Professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sci
  
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• Texas will have a new secretary of state Jan. 1. What role do they play in state politics?

  07-12-2022 23:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas will welcome a new secretary of state come Jan. 1, after current Secretary of State John Scott announced Monday he'd resign from his office, effective at the end of the year.Gov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday he'd appoint State Sen. Jan Nelson to fill the position, marking her the 115th secretary of state for Texas. But what exactly is the role of a secretary of state?In Texas the secretary of state is one of six state officials making up the state's executive departm
  
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• Texas state parks commencing holiday happenings throughout December

  07-12-2022 23:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Throughout the month of December, Texas state parks will host themed guided walks, scavenger hunts and more, according to a news release from Texas Parks and Wildlife.Anyone planning a trip to a Texas state park are encouraged to reserve their day pass in advance, since some parks expect to reach their capacity limit, the release said.To reserve day passes online via Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website or by calling (512) 389-8900.For more information about all holiday a
  
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• Texas State Parks commences holiday happenings throughout December

  07-12-2022 23:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Throughout the month of December, Texas State Parks will host themed guided walks, scavenger hunts and more, according to a news release from Texas Parks and Wildlife.Anyone planning a trip to a Texas state park is encouraged to reserve their day pass in advance, since some parks expect to reach their capacity limit, the release said. Day trip options near Austin to see holiday attractionsAccording to the release, Big Bend Ranch State Park will host its event from 6:45 to 9
  
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• Texas State Parks commence holiday happenings throughout December

  07-12-2022 23:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Throughout the month of December, Texas State Parks will host themed guided walks, scavenger hunts and more, according to a news release from Texas Parks and Wildlife.Anyone planning a trip to a Texas State Park are encouraged to reserve their day pass in advance, since some parks expect to reach their capacity limit, the release said.To reserve day passes online via Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website or by calling (512) 389-8900.For more information about all holiday a
  
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• Donated electric piano from Coldplay arrives at Dell Children's

  07-12-2022 22:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – On Tuesday, Texas Music Project, a charitable organization that promotes the benefits of music education to at-risk youth in Texas, donated a Yamaha electric piano from rock band Coldplay to Dell Children’s Medical Center.Dell Children’s said the Texas Music Project donation kicked off the nonprofit’s 20th anniversary of supporting music education programs in Texas, with the electric piano being its 100th instrument donat
  
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• Why Texans' car insurance rates are going up

  07-12-2022 22:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- If you've recently renewed your car insurance policy, or are about to do so, you may want to brace yourself.
  "What we're seeing is kind of an average about 20%," said Rich Johnson, a spokesperson for the Insurance Council of Texas.
  He said although they've seen rates steadily increase since around 2017, this is a bigger spike than usual.
  Johnson said the biggest driving factor is inflation.
  "During the pandemic, we saw those used vehicle prices skyrocket. That's a cost that if t
  
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• Gov. Abbott issues ban of TikTok on government-issued devices

  07-12-2022 22:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday issued a ban of the use of TikTok on any government-issued devices.
  The governor said in a press release that the ban is due to growing threat of the Chinese Communist Party gaining access to critical U.S. information. Abbott sent letters to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Speaker Dade Phelan and state agency leaders saying the state has a responsibility to preserve the safety and cybersecurity of Texans.
  Texas is the latest state to issue a ban of
  
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• Near-record warmth continues Thursday, but a cold snap on the horizon

  07-12-2022 22:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As our weather pattern remains relatively unchanged, near-record warmth, muggy humidity and mainly cloudy skies continue. While a few sprinkles are possible, measurable rain is unlikely this week.Forecast temperatures from Thursday morning through afternoon are expected to approach record levels.Forecast high temperatures ThursdayRain chances increase slightly Saturday and Sunday as upper-level moisture increases, but rain coverage and intensity still fail to impress. Expect a 3
  
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• Warrant: ‘Recording device’ left in girls locker room in Texas, superintendent arrested

  07-12-2022 21:53 via kxan.com
  
  SEAGRAVES, Texas -- An arrest warrant provided new details Wednesday afternoon on the accusations leading to the arrest of School Superintendent Joshua Neil Goen, 43, of Seagraves.Goen was arrested Monday, according to officials. The FBI and other law enforcement agencies searched his home Tuesday. He was charged with Invasive Visual Recording – which is a state jail felony.The warrant said Gaines County sheriff’s deputies were called to the Seagraves High School in mid-November.&ldq
  
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• AISD board to interview 4 candidates for interim superintendent position, vote being held Dec. 15

  07-12-2022 21:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin ISD Board of Trustees released a statement Wednesday to provide an update on the search for its interim superintendent.The board said it met Tuesday to review the 17 candidates that applied for the interim superintendent position. Four of the 17 candidates were chosen for interviews with the trustees, according to AISD. RELATED: Austin ISD aims to name new interim superintendent on Dec. 15“Our decision-making process incorporated input from the Austin ISD c
  
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• 75-year-old to graduate St. Edward's with doctorate degree

  07-12-2022 21:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — St. Edward's University will host its fall commencement Friday, including the first students earning their doctorate degree from the university's new doctorate program.Among the doctorate degree graduates is Emily Salazar, a 75-year-old woman and former St. Edward's employee earning her Doctor of Education (EdD) degree. While Salazar will be the one accepting the degree Friday, she said it's a reflection of all her family, students and loved ones who've championed her journ
  
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• Up-armored Humvee stolen from U.S. Army Reserve Center in San Marcos

  07-12-2022 20:42 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — Authorities are searching for an up-armored Humvee that someone stole from the U.S. Army Reserve Center sometime in late November.The San Marcos Police Department said the theft happened between the evening of Nov. 22 and the morning of Nov. 28.During that time frame, police said an unknown person or persons broke into the fenced area of the center, located off Leah Avenue, and stole the vehicle.TOP STORIES: Body found in ditch along FM 973 in southeast AustinVeh
  
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• Sesame Street Live! headed to H-E-B Center in Cedar Park

  07-12-2022 19:54 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — Elmo, Big Bird and other Sesame Street favorites are making a stop in Central Texas just before Christmas.
  Sesame Street Live! Make Your Magic is headed to the H-E-B Center in Cedar Park on Dec. 22 and Dec. 23 for three performances.Day trip options near Austin to see holiday attractionsYou'll watch Elmo go on a journey to learn how to do magic from a magician. While he'll make mistakes along the way, Elmo will also learn to believe in himself.
  Here's a breakdown
  
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• US Border Patrol agent dies in accident while on duty

  07-12-2022 19:20 via kxan.com
  
  MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A U.S. Border Patrol agent assigned to the McAllen Station was killed in an accident while on duty, federal authorities announced Wednesday.At about 1 a.m. Wednesday, a Border Patrol agent on an all-terrain vehicle was assigned to the McAllen station and was tracking a group of suspects that illegally crossed the border. Reports: Ted Cruz’s daughter OK after police called to Houston homeWhile on the vehicle, the agent was involved in an accident near
  
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• TRANSCRIPCÓN: Debate del alcalde de Austin entre Celia Israel y Kirk Watson

  07-12-2022 18:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Los dos candidatos que compiten por representar a los habitantes de Austin como su alcalde debatieron el jueves por la noche en el estudio de KXAN, discutiendo el costo de vida, la seguridad pública y por qué su experiencia los prepara para ser el próximo líder de la ciudad.Celia Israel y Kirk Watson se dirigen a una elección de desempate después de que ninguno obtuviera más del 50% de los votos durante las elecciones del 8 d
  
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• Reports: Ted Cruz's daughter OK after police called to Houston home

  07-12-2022 17:41 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KIAH) — Texas Sen. Ted Cruz's daughter is OK after police responded to a situation at their home Tuesday night, according to reports.Police were called around 7:40 p.m. to Cruz’s home in the River Oaks neighborhood for reports of a 14-year-old teen girl that had self-inflicted stab wounds and security was able to get the knife away from her.Police said there was no evidence of a crime and did not confirm the girl was Cruz’s daughter.The teen was transported to the
  
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• Scratch ticket makes Georgetown resident $1 million richer

  07-12-2022 17:36 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — A scratch lottery ticket made someone who lives in Georgetown $1 million richer.
  The Texas Lottery shared Wednesday morning that this lucky resident won the top prize from a Power 200X scratch ticket, which has only happened three previous times in this particular game's history. The latest winner, who is choosing to remain anonymous, bought the ticket from the H-E-B store at 19348 Ronald W. Reagan Blvd. in Georgetown. Manor resident wins $2 million off Powerball
  
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• Germany: Suspected far-right extremists arrested, accused of planning armed coup

  07-12-2022 17:25 via kxan.com
  
  BERLIN (AP) — Thousands of police officers carried out raids across much of Germany on Wednesday against suspected far-right extremists who allegedly sought to overthrow the government in an armed coup. Officials said 25 people were detained.Federal prosecutors said some 3,000 officers conducted searches at 130 sites in 11 of Germany's 16 states. While police raids against the far right are not uncommon in the country — still sensitive to its grim Nazi past — the scal
  
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• LIVE: LIST: See which 439 Texas Methodist churches are leaving denomination

  07-12-2022 17:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — No churches in the Austin area decided to leave the United Methodist Church, at least not yet. However, a total of 439 congregations in other parts of the state met this past weekend and voted to officially cut ties with the major denomination.
  The churches that voted to disaffiliate are mostly concentrated in East Texas, West Texas and the Panhandle. Many of them are reportedly leaving to join a more conservative breakaway denomination called the Global Methodist Church. R
  
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• LIST: See which 439 Texas Methodist churches are leaving denomination

  07-12-2022 17:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — No churches in the Austin area decided to leave the United Methodist Church, at least not yet. However, a total of 439 congregations in other parts of the state met this past weekend and voted to officially cut ties with the major denomination.
  The churches that voted to disaffiliate are mostly concentrated in East Texas, West Texas and the Panhandle. Many of them are reportedly leaving to join a more conservative breakaway denomination called the Global Methodist Church. R
  
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• Years-long struggle to reform TCOLE may end this legislative session

  07-12-2022 16:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Sunset Advisory Commission members expressed concern over the drawn-out, years-long process of reforming the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, but they did appear to agree on a few changes they could push in the upcoming legislative session, according to testimony and discussion at a commission hearing Tuesday.Lawmakers have struggled to pass statutory changes to the TCOLE, amid tensions with law enforcement groups — including police unions — over how much po
  
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• Day trip options near Austin to see holiday attractions

  07-12-2022 16:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As winter break approaches for many school-age and college students, you might be wondering how to spend the free time or celebrate the holidays close to home.
  Here are some day trips from Austin that are less than two hours away, but could still give you a mini-vacation feeling:
  Wimberley: 47-minute drive from AustinWimberley has celebrated the holidays with its annual Trail of Lights at the EmilyAnn Theatre for 24 years now. Visitors can stroll six acres of trails that ar
  
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• Body found in ditch along FM 973 in southeast Austin

  07-12-2022 15:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A body was found in a ditch off FM 973 in southeast Austin on Wednesday morning, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.
  The agency said the body was found at 7:30 a.m. near Platt Lane. That's across from Tesla Road.
  ATCEMS said it pronounced the person dead at the scene. The agency said it is possible it was a traffic fatality.
  Road closures could occur in the area for the investigation, according to ATCEMS.
  The Texas Department of Transportation said the northbound lanes o
  
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• APD: Pedestrian dies after being hit in southeast Austin

  07-12-2022 14:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A pedestrian died earlier this month after a crash in southeast Austin near the airport on Nov. 30, according to the Austin Police Department.
  APD said the pedestrian who died hasn't been identified yet.
  The crash took place at 8:37 a.m. on Nov. 30 in the 7700 block of E. Ben White Blvd. service road eastbound, APD said. That's near East Riverside Drive.Woman killed in central Austin crash identified by policeA pickup truck hit the pedestrian, APD said. The driver of the pi
  
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• Impressive fall foliage in Central Texas likely caused by unusually warm temperatures

  07-12-2022 14:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Have you been outside at all the last few weeks and noticed the trees? Seriously, it's beautiful out.
  KXAN viewers sent dozens of photos of the trees. It is a very unusual sight to see these red, orange and yellow tones in Central Texas. According to the experts, the warm weather and lack of a hard freeze this season are to blame."Fall color happens because chlorophyll typically, which is green, typically masks all the other pigments in a leaf," said John Davis, urban ecolo
  
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• Family fears dead relative is 'lost' in Travis County cemetery

  07-12-2022 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — He's been buried in a Travis County cemetery for nearly 20 years, but the family of Wilbert Thompson fears he's been lost.Because of a moved headstone and records the county admits are poor, the family no longer believes Thompson is where the county says he is. Texas pothole so big and long-lasting, neighbors named itWilbert Thompson was buried at the Travis County International Cemetery in 2004.Over the years during visits, Wilbert’s sister, Donalyn Thompson, picked
  
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• Man dies after southeast Austin motorcycle crash in November

  07-12-2022 13:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department on Tuesday identified the man killed in a motorcycle crash on Nov. 25 in southeast Austin.
  The man was Terry Gonzales, 31, APD said in a press release.
  The crash took place just before 3 p.m. that day in the 6100 block of Asa Dr., which is near Palm Elementary School and Onion Creek.
  Officers responded to the crash, which only involved the motorcycle. Gonzales, identified as the motorcyclist, was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injur
  
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• Unseasonably warm and humid through the weekend

  07-12-2022 12:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As our weather pattern remains relatively unchanged, more clouds, humidity and warmth continue to be the main story.We'll kick off our Wednesday with mostly cloudy skies and patchy fog, but good news for sunshine-lovers -- we'll finally see a little more of that big ball of fire in the sky with partly sunny skies this afternoon. High temperatures will run well above average with most of us in the upper 70s to low 80s.Rain chances increase slightly Friday and Saturday as upper-le
  
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• Man shot and killed on East 6th Street

  07-12-2022 10:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police say a man died after being shot early Wednesday morning on East Sixth Street in downtown Austin.Police say officers were called to the intersection of Sixth and Trinity Streets at 2 a.m. for the report of the shooting.
  Police say the man died around 2:15 a.m.
  Austin-Travis County EMS confirms paramedics pronounced an adult patient dead at the scene.
  Police did not say if any suspects were in custody.
  This stretch of East Sixth Street, which is between Trinity Stree
  
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• Man dies after shooting on East 6th Street; person of interest detained

  07-12-2022 10:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —Austin Police said a man in his 30s died after a shooting early Wednesday morning on East Sixth Street in downtown Austin. A person of interest is being detained.
  APD Public Information Officer Alexandra Parker said the shooting happened near Sixth and Trinity Streets at around 2 a.m.She said officers working the downtown nightlife district heard gunshots and found a man in the area "with obvious signs of trauma."TOP STORIES: Police investigating south Austin suspicious deat
  
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• No. 17 Illinois rallies late, beats No. 2 Texas 85-78 in OT

  07-12-2022 04:11 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 12 of his 16 points in overtime, including the tiebreaking 3-pointer with 3:34 remaining, and No. 17 Illinois rallied to hand second-ranked Texas its first loss of the season, 85-78 on Tuesday night in the Jimmy V Classic.Jayden Epps added 11 points, including the final five points of regulation — a 3-pointer with 35 seconds left and two tying free throws with 8 seconds remaining. Epps then blocked Marcus Carr’s jumper in the lane jus
  
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• Moody Center named Billboard's highest-grossing venue of its size

  07-12-2022 04:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Moody Center topped Billboard Magazine's list of highest-grossing venues in the world.
  In Billboard's year-end box score charts, the Moody was named the No. 1 highest-grossing venue in the world for the category of 10,001-15,000-person capacity arenas.
  The Moody Center opened in April of this year and has hosted more than 90 events so far, including nearly four dozen sold-out concerts. The venue surpassed every other national and international venue in the same category in g
  
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• Student loan forgiveness: Millions mistakenly told their debt relief was approved

  07-12-2022 02:54 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON, D.C. (WJBF) — A corrected email will soon be sent out to millions of student loan borrowers after they received an email last month with the wrong subject line telling them their student debt relief had been approved.According to Business Insider, the emails were supposed to say that the applications were received. Around nine million student loan borrowers who had applied for relief had received incorrect emails between November 22 and November 23, 2022.The error was made by a
  
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• Williamson County puts around 60 boxes of Narcan in county buildings

  07-12-2022 01:46 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — An initiative by Williamson County EMS and Bluebonnet Trails Community Services has placed about 60 boxes of Narcan, the opioid overdose-reversing drug, in county buildings. The number of overdoses in the county has already surpassed the amount seen last year.Amy Jarosek, the community health paramedic program captain for Williamson County EMS, said while the county is not experiencing waves of overdoses like those seen in Hays and Travis County, she and partners
  
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• Williamson County DA's office honors victims of violent crimes at Tree of Angels ceremony

  07-12-2022 01:31 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Williamson County District Attorney's Office honored victims of violent crimes at its 10th annual Tree of Angels Ceremony.
  The annual ceremony allows the community to remember families whose lives have been impacted by violent crime.
  There was a dedication and lighting of the Tree of Angels before it was adorned. After, families, loved ones, and survivors of violent crimes are invited to bring an angel ornament to place on the tree.Williamson County DA's of
  
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• 1 injured after motorcycle crash in east Austin

  07-12-2022 01:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person was critically injured in a motorcycle crash in east Austin Tuesday evening.
  Austin-Travis County EMS said on Twitter the crash happened at 5:35 p.m. in the Levander Loop area, near where East Cesar Chavez and East 7th Streets meet Ed Bluestein Boulevard.ATCEMS performed CPR on the driver of the motorcycle, who was transported to Dell Seton with critical life-threatening injuries.
  Drivers should expect closures and delays in the area.
  
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• Police investigating south Austin suspicious death

  07-12-2022 00:45 via kxan.com
  
  This incident was originally reported as a fatal shooting. This story has been updated for clarity.
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is investigating a homicide after one person died from serious injuries Tuesday.
  APD said during a press briefing that a call reporting an injured man came in at 4:52 p.m. Tuesday. When officers arrived on scene they found a man with "obvious signs of trauma," then began life-saving efforts until Austin-Travis County EMS arrived.
  APD said the victim wa
  
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• Austin PD identifies man killed in south Austin shooting

  07-12-2022 00:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department on Thursday identified the man who was shot and killed in south Austin on Tuesday afternoon. APD said the victim was Michael Seibert, 41.
  The shooting took place in the 700 block of Mankato Dr. That area is near the Mary Moore Searight Metropolitan Park.At 4:52 p.m. Tuesday, APD said there was a 911 call reporting a shooting in the area and that a man had been shot.
  When officers arrived on the scene they found a man with "obvious signs of traum
  
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• 1 dead in south Austin shooting

  07-12-2022 00:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person is dead following a shooting in south Austin.
  It happened in the 700 block of Mankato Drive shortly before 5 p.m. That area is near the Mary Moore Searight Metropolitan Park.
  The Austin Police Department said the victim was an adult man, who was pronounced dead on the scene.
  This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
  
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