Austin news

• READ: Chris Beard's lawyer releases statement after UT fires head coach

  05-01-2023 22:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Longhorns head basketball coach Chris Beard released a statement through his attorney Thursday after the University of Texas at Austin fired him following an investigation into his felony arrest. Texas fires men’s basketball coach Chris Beard after arrest, domestic violence chargeBeard's attorney Perry Minton said the former head coach "is crushed" and "devastated" by the firing.“Chris Beard is crushed at the news he will not be coaching at the University
  
  Read more

• 100+ properties along I-35 are being displaced. What happens next?

  05-01-2023 22:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Transportation released its draft environmental impact statement in late December, a 500-page document outlining its expansion plans along Interstate 35 through the downtown corridor. With those plans comes the displacement of more than 100 businesses, residences and properties along the highway.Now through March 7, residents can review the documents and leave feedback on the proposed changes. Tucker Ferguson, TxDOT's Austin district engineer, told K
  
  Read more

• 100+ businesses along I-35 are being displaced. What happens next?

  05-01-2023 22:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Transportation released its draft environmental impact statement in late December, a 500-page document outlining its expansion plans along Interstate 35 through the downtown corridor. With those plans comes the displacement of more than 100 businesses, residences and properties along the highway.Now through March 7, residents can review the documents and leave feedback on the proposed changes. Tucker Ferguson, TxDOT's Austin district engineer, told K
  
  Read more

• Western storm set to bring gray, foggy and damp weather on Saturday

  05-01-2023 22:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Plans for today and tomorrow? Make some. Our weather is too gorgeous not to!After starting in the 40s and 30s earlier this morning, our temperatures are rebounding beautifully with afternoon highs topping out in the upper 60s and low 70s under a clear, sunny sky today. Low humidity, light winds and dry skies - hard to beat this kind of day in January.Friday will feature a slight bump in humidity, warmth and wind as southerly flow strengthens ahead of our next storm system. Overa
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Multi-disciplinary approach to combat crime at Givens Park

  05-01-2023 22:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department (APD) is working with other city departments as well as outside groups on ways to curb crime at Givens Park.Givens Park is on East 12 Street in east Austin.Person shot at Givens Park an ‘innocent bystander,’ officer tweetsWhile it's been the location for several shootings - some deadly - it's also a fixture in the community. The park received an award in September 2022 for having a strong community impact for six decades.APD has partnered
  
  Read more

• Council Member Kelly and Linda Guerrero – defeated District 9 candidate –  file criminal complaint against Mayor Adler

  05-01-2023 21:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) –  Council Member Mackenzie Kelly and Linda Guerrero – defeated City Council District 9 candidate –  filed a criminal complaint yesterday against outgoing Austin Mayor Steve Adler, two days before his final day in office. Kelly and Guerro said when Adler endorsed a City Council candidate on ATXN, the City of Austin government access channel, he criminally violated Texas Election Code. On Dec. 1., in a press conference in front of City Hall, Adl
  
  Read more

• 'Mattress Mack' drops $1.5 million on TCU to win college football championship game

  05-01-2023 21:27 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KIAH) — Jim McIngvale, the Houston furniture store owner who is commonly known as “Mattress Mack,” has again dropped a large wager for big sporting event, this time being college football’s national championship game.According to VSN’s Ben Fawkes, McIngvale has wagered $1.5 million on TCU to win Monday’s College Football Playoff Final against Georgia at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. The wager took place at the DraftKings Sportsbook in Louisia
  
  Read more

• Texas fires men's basketball coach Chris Beard after arrest, domestic violence charge

  05-01-2023 20:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The University of Texas at Austin has fired Chris Beard as its head men's basketball coach, Texas Athletics Director Chris Del Conte announced Thursday. Chris Beard’s contract shows options for termination, lucrative benefits"This has been a difficult situation that we’ve been diligently working through. Today I informed Mr. Beard of our decision to terminate him effective immediately. We thank Coach Rodney Terry for his exemplary leadership both on and off the
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Green comet streaks across the sky in 2023 for first time since Stone Age

  05-01-2023 20:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — This month there will be a once-in-a-civilization sight: a green comet named C/2022 E3 (ZTF) approaching Earth. The comet last passed through our solar system a little more than 50,000 years ago, according to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
  The comet, named C/2022 E3 (ZTF), will reach its perihelion, the closest point to the sun, on Jan. 12, according to NASA. It will be within 100 million miles of the star at this point.On Feb. 2, it will be about 26 million miles from E
  
  Read more

• California braces for 'Pineapple Express'

  05-01-2023 20:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The West Coast is bracing for a deluge of flooding rain, snow and mudslides. Many areas could see nearly a foot of rain with several feet of accumulating snow expected in the high elevations of the Sierra Mountains through Friday morning. Emergency officials ordered mandatory evacuations for areas that face a high risk of flooding as California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency in advance of this latest storm.
  Watches, Warnings & Advisories i
  
  Read more

• Gov. Abbott wants more penalties for ankle monitor violations

  05-01-2023 19:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Governor Greg Abbott wants to see reform around ankle monitor violations in the upcoming legislative session, the Republican indicated in a Wednesday letter to leaders of the Texas House and Senate.
  In a letter to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker Dade Phelan, the governor said there are currently "no criminal consequences" for parolees who cut off their ankle monitor. He cites previous cases in which parolees wearing ankle monitors still committed crimes, saying the devi
  
  Read more

• SNAP benefit extension continues in January, to end in February

  05-01-2023 19:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KAMR/KCIT) -- Officials with the office of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission has extended the allocation of emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, food benefits for January.According to a news release from Abbott's office, the commission is providing more than $344.1 million in emergency SNAP benefits in January, which is expected to help around 1.6 million Texas households.
  "As we enter the new year, we&r
  
  Read more

• Sen. Jane Nelson officially appointed as Texas Secretary of State

  05-01-2023 19:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A month after former Secretary of State John Scott announced his resignation from the role, Gov. Greg Abbott officially appointed Texas State Sen. Jane Nelson as his replacement on Thursday.
  Abbott accepted Scott's resignation on Dec. 6 and announced that he would appoint Sen. Jane Nelson to fill the position. The appointment was officially filed Thursday.
  She will be the 115th secretary of state for Texas. Previous coverage: Texas Secretary of State resigns; Abbo
  
  Read more

• Alex Gonzales Jr. case: Wrongful death lawsuits filed against 2 APD officers, City of Austin

  05-01-2023 19:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The family and girlfriend of Alex Gonzales Jr., a man who died after being shot at by Austin police officers, have filed civil lawsuits in Austin against APD Officers Luis Serrato and Gabriel Gutierrez, as well as the City of Austin.The Gonzales family attorney said the criminal justice system failed to hold Serrato and Gutierrez accountable for the death of Alex Gonzales Jr. LATEST: Travis County DA says no indictment in deadly January 2021 police shooting of Alex Gon
  
  Read more

• Damar Hamlin awake at hospital, showing "remarkable improvement"

  05-01-2023 17:40 via kxan.com
  
  CINCINNATI (WIVB) -- According to Buffalo Bills cornerback Kaiir Elam, Bills safety Damar Hamlin is awake after going into cardiac arrest during Monday night's game against the Cincinnati Bengals."Our boy is doing better, awake and showing more signs of improvement," Elam tweeted Thursday morning. "Thank you God. Keep the prayers coming please. All love 3!"Hamlin, 24, was put in a medically induced coma at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center following the incident. Tuesday, the Bills rel
  
  Read more

• Damar Hamlin awake at hospital

  05-01-2023 17:40 via kxan.com
  
  CINCINNATI (WIVB) -- According to Buffalo Bills cornerback Kaiir Elam, Bills safety Damar Hamlin is awake after going into cardiac arrest during Monday night's game against the Cincinnati Bengals."Our boy is doing better, awake and showing more signs of improvement," Elam tweeted Thursday morning. "Thank you God. Keep the prayers coming please. All love 3!"Hamlin, 24, was put in a medically induced coma at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center following the incident. Tuesday, the Bills rel
  
  Read more

• Bills CB: Damar Hamlin awake at hospital

  05-01-2023 17:40 via kxan.com
  
  CINCINNATI (WIVB) -- According to Buffalo Bills cornerback Kaiir Elam, Bills safety Damar Hamlin is awake after going into cardiac arrest during Monday night's game against the Cincinnati Bengals."Our boy is doing better, awake and showing more signs of improvement," Elam tweeted Thursday morning. "Thank you God. Keep the prayers coming please. All love 3!"Hamlin, 24, was put in a medically induced coma at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center following the incident. Tuesday, the Bills rel
  
  Read more

• MAP: Where have Austin's homicides occurred in 2023?

  05-01-2023 17:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — KXAN is keeping track of the number of homicides in the City of Austin.In total, one homicide has been reported thus far in 2023.Last year, 71 homicides were reported, down from a record-high 88 in 2021.The charts below will be updated as we learn new information. Scroll down for a map of where each homicide occurred.The chart below shows how the number of homicides reported in recent years changed over time.Below is a map showing where homicides occurred in 2023. The map i
  
  Read more

• Cruise soft launches 'robotaxi' service in Austin

  05-01-2023 16:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) -- Austin continues to play a key role in the development of autonomous vehicles.Cruise LLC has expanded its “robotaxi” service to a limited list of riders in Austin and Phoenix, Arizona. The service, which now has a presence in Central Texas, Arizona and San Francisco, is expected to expand to the public later in 2023.Backed by General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM), Honda (NYSE: HMC), Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT), T. Rowe Price (Nasdaq: TROW) and Walmart (NYSE:
  
  Read more

• NASA gives public first access to James Webb telescope data to create art

  05-01-2023 15:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - For the first time, the public is gaining access to data from the James Webb Space Telescope. Why? To create art!
  The release is part of NASA's Astrophoto Challenge; an annual competition to see who can create interesting art using data collected from telescopes both in space and on Earth.
  This year, participants will be creating art from one of the most famous space objects: the Pillars of Creation.The 2023 Astrophoto Challenge asks the public to create art using the James Webb
  
  Read more

• Public hearing to be held Thursday night on Braker Lane extension

  05-01-2023 13:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin is asking for public comment on a plan to extend one major road in far north Austin.
  The city is hosting an in-person and virtual hearing Thursday night from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The in-person hearing is on 8900 Cameron Rd.
  According to Austin Transportation, the plan would extend East Braker Lane from Dawes Place about 0.75 miles to Samsung Boulevard. Austin Transportation says the plan to extend Braker to Samsung is part of the Austin Strategic
  
  Read more

• Amber Alert issued for 17-year-old from north Texas

  05-01-2023 13:25 via kxan.com
  
  CELINA, Texas (KXAN) -- An Amber Alert was issued overnight for a missing 17-year-old from north Texas.
  The Celina Police Department is searching for Alexis Vidler, who is white, 5'5", around 138 lbs, and has brown hair and hazel eyes.
  Police believe she is in immediate danger.
  The suspect is driving a black 2022 Mitsubishi Mirage with a Texas license plate, which has the number RYT5102.
  Amber Alert suspect vehicle, last seen in Celina, Texas, with Texas license plate number RYT5102. (Courtesy:
  
  Read more

• Amber Alert discontinued for 17-year-old from north Texas

  05-01-2023 13:25 via kxan.com
  
  CELINA, Texas (KXAN) -- An Amber Alert that was issued in the morning hours of Thursday was discontinued Thursday afternoon.
  The Celina Police Department issued the alert when it began searching for a missing 17-year-old girl.
  The department said she was abducted and believed to be in immediate danger.
  Police did not indicate why the alert was discontinued.
  
  Read more

• Water main break creates temporary drop-off changes for Georgetown middle school

  05-01-2023 12:58 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- Parents dropping their kids off at a middle school in Georgetown will have to adjust their plans Thursday morning.
  Georgetown ISD says a water main break was discovered late Wednesday near Tippit Middle School.
  The district says it sent a letter to families about possible delays and changes but is going to tweet an additional message around 7 a.m. Thursday to make sure everyone was aware.
  The district says it does not anticipate the water main break impactin
  
  Read more

• Comfortably warm ahead of weekend rain

  05-01-2023 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Plans for today and tomorrow? Make some. Our weather is too gorgeous not to!Despite a chilly start, our temperatures rebound beautifully with afternoon highs topping out in the upper 60s and low 70s under a clear, sunny sky today. Low humidity, light winds and dry skies - hard to beat this kind of day in January.Friday will feature a slight bump in humidity, warmth and wind as southerly flow strengthens ahead of our next storm system. Overall, pleasant outdoor weather is still e
  
  Read more

• Victim identified in North Lamar homicide, APD continues investigating

  05-01-2023 10:01 via kxan.com
  
  The incident was first reported as a shooting, but police said the call came in as a crash. The article below has been updated to reflect that information.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police are investigating a homicide that occurred on North Lamar Boulevard just north of Highway 183 overnight Wednesday into early Thursday morning.According to the Austin Police Department, officers responded to a possible crash around 1:20 a.m. at the Palms on Lamar Apartments, which is in the 8600 block of North Lam
  
  Read more

• APD investigating homicide on North Lamar

  05-01-2023 10:01 via kxan.com
  
  The incident was first reported as a shooting, but police said the call came in as a crash. The article below has been updated to reflect that information.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police are investigating a homicide on that happened on North Lamar Boulevard just north of Highway 183 overnight Wednesday into early Thursday morning.According to the Austin Police Department, officers responded to a possible crash around 1:20 a.m. at the Palms on Lamar Apartments, which is in the 8600 block of North
  
  Read more

• Rori Harmon notches 4th triple-double in program history after review, leads Texas to 8th straight win

  05-01-2023 06:05 via kxan.com
  
  FORT WORTH, Texas (KXAN) — It took a little while to sort out after the game, but Texas sophomore point guard Rori Harmon etched her name in the program record book Wednesday.Harmon officially finished the game with 17 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds to become the fourth UT women's basketball player to record a triple-double in an 81-69 win over TCU, but it took a review of the game in order to make it official.
  MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign
  
  Read more

• 14-year-old girl dies following crash on electric skateboard

  05-01-2023 05:27 via kxan.com
  
  MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- A 14-year-old girl involved in a pedestrian crash on January 1 has died, according to a Midland Police Department news release. The crash happened around 6:29 p.m. on Sunday in the 5500 block of Magellan Street. Investigators said the girl was crossing the intersection of Magellan Street and Mockingbird Lane on an electric skateboard when she was struck by a vehicle heading west on Mockingbird Lane. The driver remained at the scene and th
  
  Read more

• Gun crimes involving teens spike in Austin, police data says

  05-01-2023 05:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In 2022, 74 juveniles were suspects in gun-related crimes, including murder, assaults and robberies, according to Austin Police Department data. In 2021, that number was 48.As the KXAN team kept hearing about teenagers involved in shootings and assaults, we asked APD for hard numbers to see the story the data told. APD arrests 2 teens in October homicide investigationWe asked the following question for the years of 2019 through 2022: How many suspects/victims of homicides and as
  
  Read more

• 'I wouldn't know what to do,' business finds out it's in potential I-35 displacement path

  05-01-2023 05:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- At Jimmy's Barbershop, every razor is hand-picked, and each barber is passionate.
  "I'm happy to do what I do," said Donny Rivera, who's been cutting hair for 25 years.
  "I dropped right out of high school and went straight from barber college straight to a barbershop," said Rivera, who credits his path and passion for keeping him out of jail.
  Jimmy, the owner, has been cutting hair for about 10 years and finally opened up his own shop in 2021.
  It's not just about hair at Jimmy's,
  
  Read more

• Lady Bird Lake lowered one foot to clean infestation of zebra mussels

  05-01-2023 04:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Water announced via tweet Wednesday it lowered Lady Bird Lake one foot in order to clean zebra mussels off the gates of Longhorn Dam.Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) listed Lady Bird Lake as one of 30 lakes infested with zebra mussels.The infestation signifies the mussels have an established population and are reproducing in the lake, the department explained in a press release Wednesday.TPWD said it detected zebra mussel larvae in the lake in October 2018 and May 2019, bu
  
  Read more

• APD makes arrest after security guard assaulted with crowbar

  05-01-2023 03:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police said a man was arrested Monday morning after smashing a bank window and hitting a security guard in the head with a crowbar.Court records said 31-year-old James Rashad Harris was in a Bank of America in the 500 block of Congress Avenue when he broke an ATM window inside with a metal rod.An affidavit said as Harris left the bank, two security guards began to follow him while identifying themselves and requesting Harris to stop.James Rashad Harris
  Photo: Austin
  
  Read more

• ATCEMS CPR coordinator educates public on how to save a life during cardiac event

  05-01-2023 02:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- Austin-Travis County EMS CPR Coordinator John Villanueva gave a demonstration Wednesday on what people need to know to administer CPR or to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in a cardiac event. Defibrillator, CPR important factors in saving a life after going into cardiac arrestIf paramedics are not around and someone suffers a cardiac event, Villanueva said to use hands-only CPR. This is the quickest and easiest to do when someone is in cardiac arrest, he said.Villan
  
  Read more

• P. Terry's fan gets 'fresh' tattoo for Texas burger chain

  05-01-2023 02:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – One P. Terry's superfan got some "fresh" ink for the freshest burgers around.Drake Snider entered 2023 with his first tattoo. He wanted it to be the vintage logo of Austin-based burger chain, P. Terry's. The fresh ink is symbolic of another first in Snider's life. Made in Texas: Viewers name the top Texas brands, businesses they love"P. Terry's has given me a lot of important 1st's in my life and so I know it was the move," said Snider in an Instagram post.
  P. Terry's tatto
  
  Read more

• Woman's RV along with grandfather's ashes stolen from Austin apartment complex

  05-01-2023 01:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Mary Brown said her RV was stolen from her Montopolis apartment complex parking lot the night of Dec. 30. The RV, she said, had in it the ashes of her beloved grandfather, who died a few years ago. Why this tiny spider has caused a big conversation “It hurts a lot,” Brown said.Brown moved from San Diego, California, to Austin with her daughter last year, she said. Her ex-husband and father of her daughter, who was living in the RV, came to Austin the weeken
  
  Read more

• Texas judge rules minors need parental consent for birth control

  05-01-2023 01:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Family medicine specialists and reproductive health advocates have raised concerns after an Amarillo-based federal judge issued a ruling that requires parental consent for birth control.The ruling targets the Department of Health and Human Services' Family Planning Program, known as Title X. The program has provided free and confidential birth control since 1970, but it prohibited clinics from requiring parental consent before offering care to minors. Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk
  
  Read more

• Teacher retention still a top priority for many districts

  05-01-2023 00:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The search to fill teaching positions continues for many school districts across the state of Texas.A quick search on the Austin Independent School District's website will show about 200 teaching positions that need to be filled. Hays CISD said it has 19 open positions they needed to fill.For months KXAN has been reporting on the issues."I was teaching high school at McCallum High School, and now, I work at UT," said one teacher KXAN spoke to over the summer.Some of the factors
  
  Read more

• 'There will be no other place to send them': Hays County homeless center closing its doors

  05-01-2023 00:45 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — One of the few homeless centers in Hays County is closing its doors in less than two weeks. H.O.M.E. Center does not have enough money to stay open.It comes at a time when more people are coming to them for help after being evicted.All of Garcia's belongings are just what's left in the trunk of his car. (Sarah Al-Shaikh/KXAN)
  "I got dirty clothes in my car that I can't wash. I don't have no money," Ramiro Garcia said.He lost the rest of it when he got evicted fr
  
  Read more

• APD arrests 2 teens in October homicide investigation

  05-01-2023 00:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin Police Department said it made two arrests in connection to an October homicide investigation where a teen was found shot inside a crashed vehicle in the 5700 block of N. Mopac Expressway.APD said 18-year-old Zavien Nathaniel Castilleja and an unnamed juvenile were arrested in connection to the case. Castilleja faces a capital murder charge, and the juvenile was charged with the second-degree felony of criminal conspiracy. PREVIOUS: APD finds 18-year-old hom
  
  Read more

• Report: State law enforcement jobs not competitive enough with local pay

  05-01-2023 00:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — A state workforce audit released Tuesday recommended continuing increasing salaries for certain state law enforcement employees in Texas, citing the need to retain employees and remain competitive with local jurisdictions.
  The annual report from the State Auditor's Office provided insight into salary and retention trends for employees that work in Texas state agencies. A previous December audit on rentention showed an average turnover rate for regular, full and part-time
  
  Read more

• Murder suspect involved in law enforcement chase arrested in Bastrop Co.

  05-01-2023 00:25 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — One person was arrested after a multi-agency vehicle chase involving a person wanted for murder ended in a crash Wednesday, according to a news release from the Bryan Police Department.Just after 1 p.m., BPD helped with the chase, which began near North Earl Rudder Freeway (State Highway 6) and Harvey Mitchell Parkway in Bryan, the release said.Multiple agencies responded, including the Texas Department of Public Safety, Brazos County Sheriff's Office and Col
  
  Read more

Follow @Austin_News_US on Twitter!