Austin news

• 37th Street Lights tradition dazzles in Austin

  11-12-2022 23:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Trail of Lights at Zilker Park is known nationwide, but another display that brings joy to Austinites is the 37th Street Lights.
  "Do you like lights, do you like music, do you like a good time?" said Henry, a local light enthusiast. "This is right down your alley."Henry was one of several visitors to the lights show Friday evening, an annual event that has been a local Austin tradition for years.This tradition is put on by homeowners and volunteers, and the best way to
  
  Read more

• Austin HS students fundraise to buy sewing machines for Central Texas refugees

  11-12-2022 22:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than a year since the Afghanistan pullout crisis and less than a year since the war in Ukraine began, two Austin high school students have fundraised to help refugee families integrate in Central Texas.Yara Hussain and Stewart Haas, a senior and junior at Headwaters School, helped raise money to purchase sewing machines for four refugee families. The items were distributed on Sunday at Global Impact Initiative's headquarters, a nonprofit whose work includes integration
  
  Read more

• 'Keep Austin Cultural': Why one man decided to organize city's first Asian Culture Fair

  11-12-2022 22:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In the somewhat secluded Oskar Blues Brewery in north Austin, an aroma of Asian fusion lingered throughout the venue, with unique works of art canvassing every inch on Sunday afternoon.
  More than 300 people were expected to come out to what's being called the inaugural Asian Culture Fair, orchestrated by Haebichan Jung. You can call him Haebi, he told Reporter Jala Washington. All his friends do.
  It's a new cultural experience that perhaps fits right into the overall vibe o
  
  Read more

• 'Keep Austin Cultural': Here's why one man decided to organize the city's first Asian Culture Fair

  11-12-2022 22:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)— In the somewhat secluded Oskar Blues Brewery in North Austin, an aroma of Asian Fusion lingered throughout the venue, with unique works of art canvassing every inch on Sunday afternoon.
  More than 300 people were expected to come out to what's being called the first-ever Asian Culture fair, orchestrated by Haebichan Jung. You can call him Haebi, he told Reporter Jala Washington. All his friends do.
  It's a new cultural experience that perhaps fits right into the overall vibe o
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Officials: Church bus carry adults, children in Houston flips over, 1 in critical condition

  11-12-2022 22:07 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KXAN) — On Sunday, the Harris County Sheriff's Office said a small church bus with about 25 people on board, including children, flipped over. Officials responded to the crash at an apartment complex in the 90 block of Uvalde Road.HCSO said most of the passengers from the bus were taken to area hospitals. Officials said one person is in critical condition.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
  
  Read more

• Off-duty cop caught 'pissing' in ice machine

  11-12-2022 21:21 via kxan.com
  
  PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — An off-duty Chicago police officer vacationing in Florida was arrested Monday after he was caught peeing into an ice machine while at a bar in St. Petersburg, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.An arrest report says an employee at Jimmy B’s Beach Bar, located in the 6200 block of Gulf Boulevard in St. Petersburg Beach, was on their way to get ice from an ice machine when they found 30-year-old Henry Capouch "pissing" on the ice in the mac
  
  Read more

• WEEKEND READ: Recent Austin City Council votes, decisions to be aware of

  11-12-2022 20:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin City Council met Thursday to vote on and discuss several agenda items. Here’s what you missed.You’ll pay roughly $9 a month more on your Austin Energy bill starting in MarchAustin City Council passed a base rate increase Thursday night after nearly a year of heated back and forth about how much customers should pay.The result: Your customer charge, a flat rate, and the amount you pay for the energy you use are both going up. The approved proposal will
  
  Read more

• Grinch repeatedly cuts Christmas lights on woman’s home, she says

  11-12-2022 20:20 via kxan.com
  
  CONWAY, Ark. (KARK) - It looks like a Grinch is attempting to steal Christmas in Conway, Arkansas.
  The lights on Marilyn Moix's home have been cut clean through the power cords twice in one week, she told Nexstar's KARK. Her son, Justin Hoadley said they were targeted last year, too."This is our second time this year so far. It happened twice last year," Hoadley said. "We're going to keep fighting for Christmas joy because that's what we do at our house."Hoadley questioned why someone would targ
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Vision Zero reports 50% decrease in severe crashes on roads with speed displays

  11-12-2022 18:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new memo released by Austin Transportation Department's Vision Zero program on Thursday reported a 50% decline in severe crashes on roads with dynamic speed display devices (DSDDs). ATD has used the devices since 2016 as a means of reinforcing speed limits in mainly residential areas.Most crashes happening in Austin occur on state-owned roadways, like highways; however, Austin has identified high-injury roadway sections where a disproportionate number of crashes occur com
  
  Read more

• Texas man sentenced after smuggling migrants in fruit truck

  11-12-2022 18:25 via kxan.com
  
  CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Texas man was ordered to federal prison on Thursday after conspiring to transport undocumented migrants within the United States.Elias Lopez III, 35, pleaded guilty to his role in smuggling near the Sarita checkpoint on Dec. 10, 2021, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Southern District of Texas.Authorities discovered 24 undocumented migrants hidden among a load of watermelons in a commercial trailer, the USAO stated.The investigation r
  
  Read more

• Is a front license plate required in Texas?

  11-12-2022 18:12 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (NEXSTAR) — With the winter holidays right around the corner, drivers may see some vehicles traveling through Texas without a front license plate attached. This may leave some travelers confused about whether that is allowed in the state.According to Texas law, all vehicles must have a license plate on the front and the rear. Those who do not adhere to the law can face a fine of up to $200.The law does specify an exception to the rule for road tractors, motorcycles, trailers, and sem
  
  Read more

• Man wanted for sexual assault of a child in Texas arrested at international bridge

  11-12-2022 18:07 via kxan.com
  
  HIDALGO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Federal authorities arrested a man wanted for aggravated sexual assault of a child earlier this month at the Hidalgo International Bridge.Inocencio Hernandez, 60, a Mexican national and lawful permanent resident of Donna, Texas, was apprehended Dec. 1, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.CBP said when Hernandez arrived from Mexico at the international bridge a CBP officer immediately secured him after discovering he was a possible match
  
  Read more

• Diners rank 2 Austin, 4 Texas restaurants among 'most beloved' in America: report

  11-12-2022 15:29 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (KDAF) — They say everything is bigger in Texas, but most of the time it's better, too.The food scene is no exception, and that's proven by a new list of the top 100 most beloved restaurants in America for 2022. Four restaurants in Texas were ranked on the list.OpenTable reports they've analyzed over 13 million reviews from restaurants across the U.S. by verified diners, and the results showcase a selection of spots across America that leave a lasting impression."Despite challenging
  
  Read more

• 'I was angry because that's taxpayer money': Family's warning after getting unexpected Medicare bill

  11-12-2022 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Valerie Bennett rarely goes to the doctor, and she’s never had diabetes. So, it came as a troubling surprise when she noticed hundreds of dollars in diabetic supplies billed to her Medicare account and supplemental insurance in September and October.Valerie Bennett from the Lake Travis area reviews her Medicare statement. (KXAN Photo/Chris Nelson)
  Bennett tried multiple times to call the San Antonio company listed on the billing summary. She had never heard of the com
  
  Read more

• Rain chances return ahead of a temperature plunge

  11-12-2022 14:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - After some rain overnight into the early hours of Sunday morning we dried out nicely with some breaks of sun this afternoon with temperatures roughly 10 degrees colder. CENTRAL TEXAS 24 HOUR RAINFALL TOTALSClouds will take over our sky tonight with the potential for fog, drizzle and a few spotty showers after midnight.Tonight's forecastRain chances rise to 30% on Monday as a warm front pushes through the area. This will help temperatures rebound into the low 70s during the aftern
  
  Read more

• Cooler and drier air has arrived

  11-12-2022 14:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - The cold front arrived late Saturday night bringing numerous showers and thunderstorms east of I-35. Several reporting stations in Caldwell and Fayette Counties measured more than two inches of rain, topped by 2.89" at the gauge at Buckners Creek near Muldoon.The front has left Central Texas with temperatures that will be around normal today with highs in the lower to middle 60s. The air is much drier, too, with dew points mostly in the 50s.Highs at or below normal (65°) toda
  
  Read more

• Body found in Lady Bird Lake, APD investigating

  11-12-2022 05:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A body was found in Lady Bird Lake near South Pleasant Valley Road and South Lakeshore Boulevard, according to a tweet from Austin-Travis County EMS.The Austin Police Department is investigating the death. The cause of death has not yet been determined.KXAN will update this story as more information becomes available.
  
  Read more

• UT men's hoops clobber Arkansas-Pine Bluff 88-43 behind stout 2nd-half defense

  11-12-2022 04:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (AP) — Christian Bishop scored 16 points off the bench and No. 2 Texas held Arkansas-Pine Bluff to 13 points in the second half while coasting to an 88-43 win Saturday.Texas rose to its highest ranking in more than a decade after a 6-0 start before losing in overtime to No. 17 Illinois earlier in the week in New York City, its first game out of its home state. The Longhorns easily overmatched the Golden Lions in their return home.Texas guard Tyrese Hunter (4) and Texas forward Dillo
  
  Read more

• Top-seeded Texas volleyball beats Ohio State again, advances to Final Four

  11-12-2022 04:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns are going back to the national semifinals.For the 14th time in school history, the Longhorns earned a spot in the volleyball Final Four with a 3-1 win over Ohio State on Saturday at Gregory Gym. Set scores were 25-18, 21-25, 25-13, 25-21.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/newslettersThe top-seeded Longhorns will face either Stanford and San Diego in a se
  
  Read more

• Search for missing person at Lake Travis to resume Sunday morning

  11-12-2022 03:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Travis County Parks, Travis County Sheriff's Office (TCSO), Austin-Travis County EMS and Lake Travis Fire Rescue searched Lake Travis near Mansfield Dam Park on Saturday night after TCSO received a report that a person who went to the lake earlier hasn't returned home.The search and rescue teams used boats and thermal-imaging drones in their efforts.The search will resume Sunday morning, according to TCSO public information officer Kristen Dark.The incident has not transiti
  
  Read more

• Body of missing diver recovered from Lake Travis

  11-12-2022 03:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The body of a diver was recovered Tuesday after he went missing in Lake Travis Saturday evening.
  Travis County Parks, Travis County Sheriff's Office (TCSO), Austin-Travis County EMS and Lake Travis Fire Rescue searched Lake Travis near Mansfield Dam Park on Saturday night after TCSO received a report that a person who went to the lake earlier hadn't returned home.The search and rescue teams used boats and thermal-imaging drones in their efforts.Search efforts were conducted
  
  Read more

• Hey, Arnold! Vandegrift kicker nails game-winning FG, Vipers top Katy 38-35 in 6A-D2 semifinals

  11-12-2022 02:08 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO (KXAN) — Vandegrift did it again.The Vipers won their second consecutive playoff game with a fourth-quarter field goal from Hayden Arnold and they're headed to the Class 6A-Division II title game with a 38-35 win over Katy on Saturday at the Alamodome. Texas high school football state semifinals scores for Dec. 8-10With 0:02 remaining in the game, Arnold calmly connected on a 37-yard kick to send the Vipers to face DeSoto in the 6A-DII championship game Dec. 17 at AT&T Stad
  
  Read more

• Final public meeting for Zilker Park vision plan brings mixed reaction from locals

  11-12-2022 02:06 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) — Some locals say proposed changes to Zilker Park's master plan like building parking garages and reducing traffic on Barton Springs Road are too radical. They gave feedback like this to designers Saturday morning at the final community meeting on the 50 year plan.The full draft of the Zilker Park Vision Plan is 200 pages long, but some key projects proposed in it include limiting traffic on Barton Springs Road to one lane in either direction, converting a landfill west of Mo
  
  Read more

• Round Rock restaurant reopening Monday after car crashed into it

  11-12-2022 01:36 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Gino's Italian Restaurant announced it will reopen Monday after a car crashed into the building Saturday night.
  Round Rock Police posted on their Twitter account Saturday evening that a car drove into the restaurant, located at 1701 S. Mays St.Medics transported two people to a hospital with injuries not expected to be life-threatening. Six other people reported minor injuries, according to RRPD.A second tweet from the agency said that the driver of the car is co
  
  Read more

• Driver crashes car into Round Rock restaurant, injuring eight

  11-12-2022 01:36 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Round Rock Police posted on their Twitter account Saturday evening that a car drove into Gino’s Italian Restaurant at 1701 S. Mays St.Medics transported two people to a hospital with injuries not expected to be life-threatening. Six other people reported minor injuries, according to RRPD.A second tweet from the agency said that the driver of the car is cooperating and officers do not suspect that he was intoxicated.Roads in the area remain open, but RRPD as
  
  Read more

• Driver crashes car crashes into Round Rock restaurant, injuring eight

  11-12-2022 01:36 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Round Rock Police posted on their Twitter account Saturday evening that a car drove into Gino’s Italian Restaurant at 1701 S. Mays St.Medics transported two people to a hospital with injuries not expected to be life-threatening. Six other people reported minor injuries, according to RRPD.A second tweet from the agency said that the driver of the car is cooperating and officers do not suspect that he was intoxicated.Roads in the area remain open, but RRPD as
  
  Read more

• Some heavy rain and strong storms overnight

  11-12-2022 01:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - We are tracking an approaching cold front and passing storm system forecast to combine overnight to produce soaking rainfall in many areas.The front is expected to push through the area during the overnight hours, focusing the development of slow-moving thunderstorms in some communities that bring heavy rain for several hours.High-resolution clouds/radar forecast at 1:30 a.m.While not everyone will receive heavy rainfall tonight, some isolated areas may total 1-2" of rainfall and
  
  Read more

• Severe threat focused east overnight

  11-12-2022 01:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - We are tracking an approaching cold front and passing storm system forecast to combine overnight to produce soaking rainfall in many areas.The front is expected to push through the area during the overnight hours, focusing the development of slow-moving thunderstorms in some communities that bring heavy rain for several hours.High-resolution clouds/radar forecast at 1:30 a.m.While not everyone will receive heavy rainfall tonight, some isolated areas may total 1-2" of rainfall and
  
  Read more

• State of Texas: Division leads hundreds of TX congregations to leave Methodist church

  11-12-2022 01:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — More than 400 Texas churches voted this weekend to cut ties with the United Methodist Church (UMC) after decades of disagreements over stances on issues like same-sex marriage.
  Members of the Northwest Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church gathered Saturday for a special session, where 145 congregations agreed to leave or "disaffiliate" from the denomination. This includes churches stretching from West Texas to the Panhandle.
  On the same day, the Texas Annual C
  
  Read more

• Someone trespassed onto a ranch, cut the manes of over 20 of the horses

  11-12-2022 00:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Around 20 minutes from Austin’s bustling downtown, there is a tranquil farm home to chickens, a barn cat, goats and horses. People go there to take horseback riding lessons, hang out with some animals or just escape from the everyday hustle and bustle. Kathy, who wished not to share her last name, has run the horse stables there for many years. She said this past week something happened to disrupt the tranquility of the space that she had never experienced b
  
  Read more

• More families sign up for APD's "Operation Blue Santa" but toy drive needs more donations

  11-12-2022 00:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department says that their "Operation Blue Santa" holiday toy drive has seen more families ask for support than in 2021, but not enough donations and sponsors to support them.APD provided numbers about the drive, showing a 50% increase in families seeking toy donations (around 1,800 families with a total of 18,000 children). Typically, 1,200 families sign up for the drive and 80% of those families are supported through the "adopt-a-family" system. Related:
  
  Read more

Follow @Austin_News_US on Twitter!