Austin news

• Austin's Ismail Elfath to be fourth official in 2022 FIFA World Cup final Sunday

  17-12-2022 23:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — When Argentina and France take the pitch in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final at Lusail Stadium outside of Doha, Qatar on Sunday, an Austin man will be in the middle of it all.Ismail Elfath, who moved from Morocco to Austin in 2001 to attend the University of Texas, will be the fourth official in Sunday's final. He's one of five Americans officiating at the tournament, and Sunday's assignment is his fourth of the tournament. He's the first American to officiate a World Cup fina
  
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• AFD members walk for 24 hours to honor colleague with stage 4 cancer linked to Sept. 11 attacks

  17-12-2022 23:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Fire Specialist, Robert Busby, has worked with the Austin Fire Department for the last 18 years. It was there where he met his colleague and friend, Travis Maher, 47, a battalion chief with the Austin Fire Department. “Travis, he is very straight-laced. He’s not one to really break character,” Busby said.
  “I definitely like to cut up a little bit and joke... So, just trying to break through his shell, being so serious was always one of my f
  
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• Armadillo Christmas Bazaar opens Saturday for 47th year

  17-12-2022 23:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The weeklong Armadillo Christmas Bazaar opened Saturday for shoppers to explore the works of over 200 artists and enjoy live music.
  The 47th annual shopping event is held at the Palmer Events Center. It's open from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. through Dec. 23.Visitors can shop from over 200 artists and listen to music from the art bazaar's 2022 lineup.
  General admission tickets are $12 for ages 12 and up. Shoppers can also buy a season pass, which is valid every day, for $47. Ticke
  
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• In first-ever state title game, Vandegrift hopes to make more school history with win over DeSoto

  17-12-2022 21:55 via kxan.com
  
  ARLINGTON, Texas (KXAN) — The Vandegrift Vipers have already made school history just by getting to the Class 6A-Division II state championship game, but they're not happy just to be there.After losing their first game of the season to Dripping Springs on a late field goal by the Tigers, the Vipers have won 14 consecutive games. However, their opponent in Saturday's title game, the DeSoto Eagles, are as battle-tested as they come and will be the Vipers everything they can handle. Scores fr
  
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• DeSoto's offense overwhelms Vandegrift with 42-17 win in 6A-DII title game

  17-12-2022 21:55 via kxan.com
  
  ARLINGTON, Texas (KXAN) — It was quite a ride for the Vandegifrt Vipers to their first-ever Texas football state championship game, but it came up just short in a 42-17 loss to DeSoto on Saturday at AT&T Stadium.DeSoto's swarming defense gave Vandegrift quarterback Brayden Buchanan all kinds of problems and their explosive offense was on full display. Scores from every 2022 Texas high school football state championship gameThe Eagles averaged 22.5 yards per pass completion and had two
  
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• Wreckage of 120-year-old boat surfaces as Great Salt Lake shrinks

  17-12-2022 20:52 via kxan.com
  
  SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) -- A boat that first set sail on the Great Salt Lake in 1902 recently was discovered as the lake shrinks to historic lows.
  The Great Salt Lake’s size has shrunk by about half in terms of surface water area. Now, those low water levels are revealing some of the lake's hidden history. Most recently, a sunken ship that had been lost for decades surfaced near the shore at the Great Salt Lake State Park just yards from the visitor’s center.“It’s
  
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• Top 10 most played holiday songs: Amazon Music

  17-12-2022 20:43 via kxan.com
  
  AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) -- Nothing evokes the feeling of extreme holiday nostalgia like peppermint drinks, bright lights and Christmas music.Whether the song is stirring up feelings of happiness, joy, or complete irritation as the rhythm is constantly pounding in one's head for a month, these Christmas songs will leave a lasting impression.
  Here's a list of the top 10 most-played holiday songs, according to Amazon Music.
  10. White Christmas - Bing Crosby
  The song "White Christmas" brings abo
  
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• 'Move Over, Slow Down,' Mills Co. tow truck driver killed in crash

  17-12-2022 18:34 via kxan.com
  
  MILLS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The family of a tow truck operator killed in a hit and run while on-duty wants to see the Move Over Law taken more seriously.It requires drivers to move over a line or slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit while passing emergency vehicles, law enforcement, tow trucks, utility service vehicles, TxDOT vehicles or other highway construction.Troopers say Patrick Morin, 61, was hit and killed while working to secure a car onto his tow truck near Goldthwai
  
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• Where to go for snow on Christmas

  17-12-2022 18:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" is a song written by Irving Berlin and made famous through the talented voices of Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole and Michael Buble, among many others. As we approach the Christmas weekend, perhaps many of you dream of somewhere with snow on the ground on Christmas morning.How much snow? The National Weather Service says a white Christmas happens where there is at least one inch of snow on the ground at 7 a.m. local time Christmas morning.Wher
  
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• Austin Christmas light display raised over $80,000 for critically ill children

  17-12-2022 18:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Jordan Maywald, 24, is at it again. This is the eighth year in a row he has put together an awe-inspiring display of lights at his Austin home, not only to impress his neighbors but to raise money for critically ill children – he raised over $80,000 for the Make-a-Wish Foundation last year. Like many young people, Maywald’s favorite time of year was putting up the lights for Christmas with his family. But when some people’s passion for Christmas lights dim
  
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• Central Texas Airbnb recognized for having best new host in the state

  17-12-2022 18:09 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) – Airbnb announced Friday that the No. 1 new Airbnb Host in the entire state of Texas was for a Central Texas homeowner. Airbnb recognized Derek for his listing in Dripping Springs. Airbnb said the criteria for the spot included becoming a first-listing Airbnb Host in 2022, having the most guest check-ins within that universe and already achieving “Superhost” status on the platform.“Derek has nearly 125 check-ins, maintains a near-
  
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• Manor ISD superintendent to leave district

  17-12-2022 16:28 via kxan.com
  
  MANOR, Texas (KXAN) — In a Friday announcement, the Manor ISD School Board said the district’s superintendent, Dr. Andre Spencer, would be leaving Dec. 30.“Dr. Spencer has been transparent about his intent to return to the Northeast to be closer to his family and the Manor ISD Board of Trustees congratulates him on this important next step in his professional and personal life. We thank him for his leadership during these last two years,” the board said.The search fo
  
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• 1 dead after vehicle crashes into concrete barrier in south Austin

  17-12-2022 14:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Police and Austin-Travis EMS officials confirm that a woman died Saturday after losing control of her car and crashing into a concrete barrier at East Ben White Rd. and South Congress Ave. in south Austin.According to ATCEMS, first responders arrived at the scene at 1:19 a.m. EMS officials reported a single-vehicle crash involving two patients, which were both declared trauma alerts.At the time, one patient was taken to the hospital with critical, life-threatening in
  
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• Some rain on Monday as we await cold nights in the teens

  17-12-2022 14:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin's official low temperature at Camp Mabry dropped below freezing early Sunday--about two weeks later than average. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport set a new record low Sunday morning dropping down to 22º beating the previous record of 23º (2019).
  Thanks to our cold start, the entire KXAN viewing area is now considered to have experienced a widespread freeze. This means "Freeze Warnings" won't be issued again this winter unless a prolonged period well below
  
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• Freeze warning for much of Austin Metro tonight

  17-12-2022 14:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Mostly clear skies tonight will help to usher in the coldest overnight lows since March. We're expecting *near* freezing temperatures in Austin, but outside of the city most areas should start Sunday morning at or below freezing with widespread 20s in the Hill Country.Freeze warning Sunday morningA FREEZE WARNING has been issued for Sunday morning for Travis and Hays Counties as well as most of our Eastern Counties. Williamson County and the Hill Country have already experienced
  
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• Clouds return today, rain Monday, bitter cold later this week

  17-12-2022 14:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Mostly clear skies tonight will help to usher in the coldest overnight lows since March. We're expecting *near* freezing temperatures in Austin, but outside of the city most areas should start Sunday morning at or below freezing with widespread 20s in the Hill Country.A FREEZE WARNING has been issued for Sunday morning for Travis and Hays Counties as well as most of our Eastern Counties. Williamson County and the Hill Country have already experienced a widespread freeze and will
  
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• Chilly afternoons until Thursday's Arctic cold front

  17-12-2022 14:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Saturday starts with a cloudy sky along with a few sprinkles. Most of these sprinkles are not reaching the ground because the air at the surface is dry. The clouds will gradually clear during the morning leaving a mostly sunny sky this afternoon. Today's highs will be below the normal of 64°.Saturday's daytime maximumsMany will be at or below freezing Sunday morning due to a mostly clear sky, light winds, and dry air.
  The area will see increasing clouds Sunday which will coo
  
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• 1 dead, 4 injured in Del Valle 2-vehicle crash

  17-12-2022 04:13 via kxan.com
  
  DEL VALLE, Texas (KXAN) — One person is dead and four others injured after a two-vehicle crash in Del Valle on Friday night.Austin-Travis County EMS said in a tweet the crash occurred in the 10500 block of FM 812 Rd.One of the five patients was pinned in the vehicle and had to be extricated by first responders.Medics also performed CPR on a patient, but were unsuccessful, and that victim was pronounced dead on the scene, ATCEMS said.
  The other four patients did not require EMS transportati
  
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• What gives with the 'Buscar' graffiti?

  17-12-2022 04:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's all over Austin: on light poles, stop signs, overpasses, underpasses and buildings. "Buscar." So what gives?
  The first clue might be right in front of us. The author of a book on the subculture of graffiti in Los Angeles — who studies gangs, graffiti and neighborhood changes — says the style of the tag itself tells a big part of this story.
  "The letters adhere to the basic styles that were popular in Los Angeles and New York during the 1990s and into the ea
  
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• Water main break near Walnut Creek could be causing murky water

  17-12-2022 03:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — When Walnut Creek went from crystal clear to a cloudy white overnight people living nearby wanted to know why."It is usually beautifully clear water we have quite a bit of fish and turtles," said Catherine McMullen, who lives next to the creek. "As far as I could see up stream and downstream it was milky white everywhere."Grace Howell walks by the creek every morning and was concerned so she reached out to 311 and KXAN."That was our biggest concern was just knowing what it
  
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• Tesla launches solar retail electricity in Texas

  17-12-2022 02:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- About a year after approval from the Texas Public Utility Commission, Tesla has launched Tesla Electric, its solar energy retail program.
  The company made the announcement on Twitter on Thursday, calling it "the electricity plan that offers low-cost clean energy for homes with Powerwall-- starting in Texas."
  It's the first Tesla program of its kind in the world, and it's part of a pilot program with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the Electric Reliability Counci
  
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• Texas 13-year-old found on highway makes outcry of sex abuse

  17-12-2022 01:59 via kxan.com
  
  BEXAR COUNTY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Bexar County Sheriff's Office arrested a man and woman after their child was found on a highway and made an outcry of continuous sexual abuse, officials say.Christopher Thomley, 39, was arrested on a charge of continuous sexual abuse of a child; and Ashley Thomley, 32, was arrested on a charge of child endangerment, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said at a news conference Wednesday."This case is just infuriating, sickening, beyond comprehensio
  
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• Austin mayor-elect Kirk Watson travels to D.C. to meet with Biden-Harris administration officials

  17-12-2022 01:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) –  On Friday, the White House hosted a series of briefings with several newly-elected mayors from cities across the country, and Austin’s Mayor-elect Kirk Watson was in attendance.The White House said during the forum, the mayors and mayors-elect met with several senior Biden-Harris Administration officials. MAP: How did your neighborhood vote in Austin’s mayoral election?A release said the administration officials outlined the president’s priorities, h
  
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• Father killed in hit-and-run by passing semi while pulled over for unrelated crash, still no leads

  17-12-2022 01:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department said it was still looking for the driver who hit Ian Lewis on I-35 in August and drove off.Ian Lewis was hit and killed on I-35.
  Police said the 24-year-old father was on the shoulder of the highway when it happened. Lewis' girlfriend Michelle Jackson said they had just gotten rear-ended and pulled over.
  "He was just getting insurance information when he got hit by a semi," she said.APD said they're actively working on the case but have no leads.
  Jac
  
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• 5.3 magnitude earthquake felt in West Texas Friday

  17-12-2022 01:08 via kxan.com
  
  PERMIAN BASIN, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) — A 5.3 magnitude earthquake rocked the Midland area of West Texas around 5:40 p.m. Friday.The quake registered in Stanton, about 12 miles east of Midland but ripples from the event spread as far as West Odessa, according to early reports. Magnitude 5.3 earthquake not the only one reported in West Texas17-year-old Hagen Jack, of Odessa, felt the shocks in Odessa, while playing video games online with local friends, who all said they felt the impact."It felt
  
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• 'Momnibus' bill aims to address dangers and disparities of pregnancy in Texas

  17-12-2022 01:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- When the latest Department of State Health Services report detailing continued dangers and disparities for pregnant women landed on Rep. Shawn Thierry's desk, she was disheartened but not surprised. She had lived through that data firsthand."I nearly lost my life in childbirth from receiving a high block epidural, and I had to yell out to put me under anesthesia," she recalled.Heading into her fourth legislative session, the Democrat from Houston is holding that experience close
  
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• Austin ranks among the top metropolitan centers for immigrant productivity and well-being

  17-12-2022 00:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin ranks among the top metropolitan centers for immigrant productivity and well-being, according to new research from the George W. Bush Presidential Center. The researchers found that foreign-born people thrive in technology hubs, such as the Bay Area and Seattle, and tech and finance centers, like Austin and Raleigh.There are 45 million immigrants living in the United States, 42 million of them living in metropolitan areas, according to the research. “If im
  
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• Chris Beard arrest: Longhorns coach uncertainty, what happens with legal process

  17-12-2022 00:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns men's basketball team is set to take the court Sunday for the second time after the arrest and suspension of head coach Chris Beard, and there's still uncertainty surrounding the program's leadership.Following Beard's arrest for felony domestic violence on Monday, the university suspended him without pay "until further notice," and then named associate head coach Rodney Terry the acting head coach for the Longhorns' game that night against Rice. Texas ba
  
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