Austin news

• Why this tiny spider has caused a big conversation 

  04-01-2023 23:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Despite efforts to remove the Bone Cave harvestman, a small arachnid found only in Central Texas, from the endangered species list, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined yesterday the spider relative should remain. “The primary stressor and reason for past loss (of the Bone Cave harvestman), human development, is continuing currently and will continue into the future,” the organization said in its report. “We find that the Bone Cave harvestman shou
  
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• Want a say in the Zilker Park Vision Plan? Deadline is Sunday

  04-01-2023 22:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin is asking for feedback on its draft Zilker Park vision plan. The deadline to share your thoughts is Jan. 8.
  The 350-acre park is a special spot for many, including Austin native Quin Aldredge who was working out at the park.
  "It's been such an essential part of my life here in Austin and I hope it stays that way. I love it," he said.
  But the park could look much different moving forward. The draft Zilker Park vision plan includes an underground parking ga
  
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• Man faces 8 charges in connection to New Year’s Day chase with officers in Pflugerville

  04-01-2023 22:36 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – A man was arrested Sunday after court records said he evaded police officers in a vehicle that was reported stolen.Court records said there was a camera hit on a stolen vehicle located near Wells Branch Parkway and Dessau Road, and a Pflugerville Police Department patrol officer located the vehicle at the intersection of Farm-to-Market 685 and Pfennig Lane in Pflugerville.When police activated the emergency lights and sirens to stop the vehicle and suspect, th
  
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• Chris Beard’s contract shows options for termination, lucrative benefits

  04-01-2023 22:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – University of Texas men’s basketball coach Chris Beard remains suspended without pay following a felony arrest in mid-December. UT’s decision on Beard’s future as a coach remains pending, but his contract with the university shows how lucrative the high-profile coaching position can be, and how it could be terminated.Beard, 49, was arrested Dec. 12 for assault by strangulation, family violence, by the Austin Police Department – a third-degree felony.
  
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• Chris Beard’s contract shows lucrative benefits, options for termination

  04-01-2023 22:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – University of Texas men’s basketball coach Chris Beard remains suspended without pay following a felony arrest in mid-December. UT’s decision on Beard’s future as a coach remains pending, but his contract with the university shows how lucrative the high-profile coaching position can be, and how it could be terminated.Beard, 49, was arrested Dec. 12 for assault by strangulation, family violence, by the Austin Police Department – a third-degree felony.
  
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• APD release drawing of north Austin kidnapping suspect

  04-01-2023 22:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department released a drawing of a man Wednesday who was suspected of kidnapping a child in north Austin in November 2022, according to an APD news release.At approximately 4 p.m., Nov. 30, 2022, officers responded to a restaurant in the 13000 block of the North Interstate 35 service road, the release said.
  When officers arrived on the scene, a parent was picking up food and left the vehicle running with an 8-year-old child inside, the release said.
  Police
  
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• Coldest morning of the week expected Thursday

  04-01-2023 22:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Very pleasant winter weather continues through the work week with mild, sunny days and brisk, clear mornings. IN DEPTH: New January forecast shows improving odds for rainForecast low temperatures Thursday morningThe tranquility of our weather will be interrupted Saturday as a piece of a powerful western storm system breaks off and clips Texas. Clouds build in early Saturday and skies remain overcast through the day, with light rain showers passing through at time. Rain showers a
  
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• LIVE: Biden delivers remarks on border security, shares intent to visit US-Mexico border

  04-01-2023 21:16 via kxan.com
  
  HEBRON, Ky. (AP) — President Joe Biden intends to visit the U.S.-Mexico border — his first trip there since taking office — in connection with his meeting next week in Mexico City with the leaders of Mexico and Canada.“That’s my intention, we’re working out the details now,” Biden told reporters Wednesday during a trip to Kentucky.Biden said upon his return to the White House that he hoped to see “what's going on” at the border and also plann
  
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• Biden intends to make his first visit to US-Mexico border

  04-01-2023 21:16 via kxan.com
  
  HEBRON, Ky. (AP) — President Joe Biden said Wednesday he intends to visit the U.S.-Mexico border — his first since taking office — in connection with his meeting next week in Mexico City with the leaders of Mexico and Canada.“That’s my intention, we’re working out the details now,” Biden told reporters during a trip to Kentucky.Biden said upon his return to the White House that he hoped to see “what's going on” at the border and also planned
  
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• Biden delivers remarks on border security, shares intent to visit US-Mexico border

  04-01-2023 21:16 via kxan.com
  
  HEBRON, Ky. (AP) — President Joe Biden intends to visit the U.S.-Mexico border — his first trip there since taking office — in connection with his meeting next week in Mexico City with the leaders of Mexico and Canada.“That’s my intention, we’re working out the details now,” Biden told reporters Wednesday during a trip to Kentucky.Biden said upon his return to the White House that he hoped to see “what's going on” at the border and also plann
  
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• Cedar fever relief tips, according to Central Texans

  04-01-2023 19:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- If you live in Central Texas, there's a probability that you've been experiencing the dreaded effects of cedar pollen -- a cold-like battle also known as "cedar fever."Cedar is a winter allergy and the season typically peaks in January. Over the last week or so, cedar pollen counts have been "very high," according to our Pollen Sense technology.We asked our viewers on Facebook and Instagram what the best methods of dealing with cedar fever are.Some commenters suggested moving ou
  
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• Texas bulldog 'Star' wins AKC 'Best in Show'

  04-01-2023 19:46 via kxan.com
  
  ORLANDO, Fla. (KXAN) — A North Texas bulldog was crowned the American Kennel Club's "national champion" recently.The bulldog, known as "Star", won "Best in Show" at the AKC National Championship in Orlando over the Dec. 17-18 weekend. She is owned by Alaina Moulton, Kevin Mason and Natalie Mason of Glen Rose, which is about an hour southwest of Fort Worth, according to an AKC release. Williamson County Animal Shelter offering $10 adoptions"Star" won best of breed over 30 bulldogs and the n
  
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• Williamson County Animal Shelter offering $10 adoptions

  04-01-2023 19:08 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter is offering $10 adoptions in an effort to help the community make a "big impact" in the New Year.
  All medium-to-large adult dogs - or all big dogs - are $10 to adopt this week.
  The shelter currently has over 150 dogs and said every adoption makes a big impact on its ability to provide quality care for each animal.
  Currently, the shelter said it's built to care for around 100 dogs, so right now, it's at critical capa
  
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• Paxton: Texas enters $43M settlement against JUUL

  04-01-2023 18:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – On Wednesday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a $43.3 million dollar settlement against JUUL Labs would begin in Texas state court.Paxton said the settlement was a part of a more than $430 million resolution between JUUL Labs and 33 states and territories. The settlement resulted from the two-year bipartisan investigation into JUUL’s marketing and sales practices. PREVIOUS: JUUL to pay $438.5M in multi-state settlement for deceptive marketing, sales practi
  
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• $1 million winning lottery ticket sold at Round Rock store — again

  04-01-2023 17:28 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — A Round Rock store sold a winning $1 million lottery ticket for the second time in just weeks.
  The aptly named store Luck Zone, located at 1250 East Palm Valley Blvd., sold the winning ticket on Wednesday, according to the Texas Lottery's website.
  The winner has not yet claimed the prize.
  A $1 million prize can be won if a Mega Millions ticket matches 5 out of 5 numbers but not the Mega Ball number. If the ticket is upgraded by paying for a Megaplier, the winning
  
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• Skin protection during winter months

  04-01-2023 16:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – As we push further into the heart of winter, Central Texans will continue to deal with bouts of dry and cold weather. These harsh conditions can lead to irritated, dry and cracked skin and lips.
  Even with the days becoming shorter and the sun angle lower in the sky, many people can and do get sunburn as well; especially those traveling to areas with snow or water.
  Meteorologist Sean Kelly spoke with Doctor Emily Wood, who is a dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin
  
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• Texas tops U-Haul's list of 'growth states' for 2nd year in a row

  04-01-2023 15:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas has once again topped U-Haul's list of top moving destinations. It was named the "top growth state" of 2022.
  2022 was the second year in a row for the state to hit the mark, and the fifth time since 2016.Florida, both Carolinas, and Virginia rounded out the top five. Illinois and California were ranked 49th and 50th.
  2022 was also the second year in a row California was ranked last.Texas tops U-Haul’s 2021 ‘growth index,’ California at bottomU-Haul t
  
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• Bastrop business painting historic church to help with massive renovation

  04-01-2023 14:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Bastrop Christian Church has been standing for 127 years since its construction in 1895.Since the spring of 2022, the historic building has undergone a massive renovation. Yet, this project is pricy — estimated to cost around $675,000.One business in Bastrop is lending a helping hand by offering to paint it for free.That 1 Painter is a locally owned painting company serving Central Texas.Each year, the business picks a participant for the Paint it Forward Program.
  
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• ABJ: Austin-based tech company expands

  04-01-2023 12:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) -- Austin-based financial technology company Abrigo just got larger.The company, which provides compliance, credit risk and lending solutions for community financial institutions, announced Jan. 3 that it has acquired Valuant, a compliance and credit risk software and service provider. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.Based in Columbia, South Carolina, Valuant offers accounting technology and services that help banks and financial institutions compl
  
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• ABJ: Architecture firm with Austin location announces merger

  04-01-2023 12:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) -- An architecture firm with an Austin presence is expanding.New Hampshire-based Market Square Architects PLLC — which has a second office on Bee Cave Road in Austin — merged with Nashville-founded and St. Louis-based Aesh Design Architects. The combined company will be known as Market Square Architects and be led by MSA founders and partners Adam Wagner and Robert Harbeson. In 2018, the firm expanded into the Austin market with a similar merger to a
  
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• Warm temperatures heading to the weekend

  04-01-2023 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The area started of chilly this morning with most lows in the low to mid 40s. There were a few mid/upper 30s in the Hill Country. Austin's low of 42° is a degree shy of normal.High clouds will be drifting west to east during the afternoon resulting in a partly cloudy to mostly sky. A west/northwest wind continues to bring us dry air. Most highs today will be in the low 70s with a few mid/upper 60s for the Hill Country.Winds gusts are forecast to exceed 15 to 20 mph in much o
  
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• Gorgeous weather leading up to weekend cold front

  04-01-2023 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Weather like what we have this week is why we tolerate 60+ days of triple digit heat in the summer.Sunshine and high clouds can be expected through the day with breezy winds at times. Winds out of the northwest will raise fire danger concerns, mainly in the Hill Country.
  Despite the chilly morning, afternoon conditions look fantastic with highs topping out in the upper 60s to low 70s and low humidity. If enjoying the outdoor weather, be mindful that allergies are likely to be a
  
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• DPS investigating deadly crash in Bastrop County

  04-01-2023 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating a deadly crash in Bastrop County Tuesday evening.
  According to DPS, the crash was reported just before 10 p.m. on FM 2336 near State Highway 95. That is just north of Camp Swift, or 7 miles north of the City of Bastrop.DPS did not have information about the number of people involved, the number of vehicles involved or the status of the investigation.
  It said more information would be available later in the day
  
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• Kansas State's red-hot shooting downs No. 6 Texas 116-103

  04-01-2023 06:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The No. 6 Texas Longhorns got down early and could never recover in a 116-103 loss to Kansas State on Tuesday at Moody Center.The Wildcats used tremendous ball movement to rack up 23 assists and create easy buckets on backdoor cutters, and point guard Markquis Nowell was on fire from 3-point range. He nailed 6-of-10 attempts from long range and ended with a game-high 36 points. He was also 12-for-12 from the foul line.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories l
  
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• Law enforcement statewide revamps recruitment following 2022 turnover

  04-01-2023 05:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Even though the Austin Police Department (APD) has enough officers to respond to emergencies, low staffing levels have led to the decline of certain proactive patrols and community policing efforts.That's one of the reasons the department, according to Lt. Jay Swann, is trying out a new toolbox of recruiting tactics. Austin Police joins 30 by 30 Initiative to increase sworn women officers on force"As you can imagine, recruiting in law enforcement today is very competitive," he s
  
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• Damar Hamlin injury strikes a chord with former Westlake star & his advocacy efforts

  04-01-2023 05:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- It was September 2006, and Westlake football star Matt Nader felt on top of the world.
  "I was going into my senior year. I was committed to play for the University of Texas, Mack Brown and the Longhorns," Nader said.
  But on the field at college station on that hot and humid evening, something didn't feel right.
  "I remember being really lethargic, and just kind of feeling malaise... and being tired, and just not quite as acute as I normally would be," he recalled.
  After his team s
  
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• Austin chief medical officer gives insight on what could have sent Buffalo Bills player into cardiac arrest

  04-01-2023 04:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Dr. Mark Escott, Austin's chief medical officer, spoke with KXAN Tuesday to discuss heart health after Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin was still in the ICU Tuesday due to collapsing on the field during Monday Night Football.In a tweet Monday, Escott said Hamlin could possibly have suffered commotio cordis.Less than 30 commotio cordis cases a year are reported in the United States, said Escott."It's a hard blow to the chest," he said. "That hit can cause the heart to go into de
  
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• Thousands raised after only LGBTQ club in San Marcos suddenly closes

  04-01-2023 01:29 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — Donations poured in Tuesday for workers at the only LGBTQ club in San Marcos after its abrupt closure on New Year's Day.
  A fundraiser launched online for the employees of the Stonewall Warehouse, and so far it's brought in more than $5,600. According to the GoFundMe site, the staff members learned Sunday the business sold and that they all lost their jobs. The club's Instagram page showed it hosted a party on New Year's Eve, the night before the sudden closure wa
  
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• Austin FC signs another goalkeeper, makes coaching changes as 2023 season approaches

  04-01-2023 01:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC announced a new signing and some staff changes ahead of the 2023 season this week.The club added depth to its goalkeeping unit with the signing of free agent Matt Bersano. Bersano, a Chandler, Arizona, native, has spent the past five seasons with the San Jose Earthquakes organization. He spent the first three seasons with the Quakes on loan to Reno 1868 FC of the USL Championship division, recording 20 clean sheets in 57 appearances. Austin FC signed him to a two-
  
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• APD looking for vehicle in southeast Austin hit-and-run

  04-01-2023 01:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- The Austin Police Department released vehicle details for a suspect wanted in a southeast Austin hit-and-run that left one person seriously injured, according to an APD news release.The crash happened Sept. 5, 2022 just after midnight in a Subway parking lot located in the 1900 block of E. Oltorf St., the release said.According to police, the male victim, who was unidentified, was walking through the parking lot when a pickup truck hit him head-on. The driver then backed up and l
  
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• Reason there are so many broken water fountains around Lady Bird Lake

  04-01-2023 01:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After the Arctic air blasted into Central Texas the week before Christmas, the much warmer temperatures that followed shortly after beckoned many Austinites outside to dethaw.But if the trail that circles Lady Bird Lake and Lake Austin was your chosen area to enjoy the sun over the weekend, you may have wondered why some water fountains were flowing and others were not. Kanya Lyons of the Parks Department said when there is inclement weather forecasted, Operations and Maint
  
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• Central Texas arachnid to stay on endangered species list after review

  04-01-2023 00:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Tuesday an arachnid found only in Central Texas will stay on the endangered species list after a comprehensive review.
  The Bone Cave harvestman, a relative of the spider, lives only in subterranean habitats of the Balcones Canyonlands in portions of Travis and Williamson counties. The blind cave arachnid was placed on the endangered species list in 1988 due to habitat destruction from urbanization to keep up with population growth in the r
  
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