Austin news

• Anthony De Anda becomes 1st Austin FC Academy player to sign with pro developmental club

  23-01-2023 23:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The pipeline began to run Monday for Austin FC's academy and its new development team Austin FC II.Defender Anthony De Anda, 17, is the first academy player to sign with Austin FC II, Verde's professional development team that begins play in MLS NEXT Pro this season. De Anda signed a two-year contract through 2024 with club options for two additional years.
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• Waterloo Greenway phase two construction approved

  23-01-2023 23:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) – The second phase of Waterloo Greenway was approved for construction by the Waller Creek Local Government Corporation on Thursday.
  The Confluence, formerly called Creek Delta, will continue the 35-acre Waterloo Greenway park and trail system along downtown Waller Creek. Construction will begin in spring 2023 and is estimated to last two to three years.
  “The Confluence is an incredible example of how we can celebrate and preserve our green spaces in the midd
  
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• Gov. Abbott deploying emergency resources ahead of severe weather

  23-01-2023 23:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Under Gov. Greg Abbott's direction, the Texas Division of Emergency Management is beginning to prepare state emergency response resources in the wake of severe weather threats anticipated across Texas.The storm is expected to begin Monday night and extend through Wednesday morning. It includes both severe weather and winter storm threats, per a Monday news release.FORECAST: Widespread, beneficial rainfall expected on Tuesday“The State of Texas is fully prepared for in
  
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• 'Major wreck' shuts down westbound US-79 in Round Rock

  23-01-2023 22:58 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — A "major wreck" is shutting down the westbound lanes along a busy stretch of U.S. Hwy. 79, according to Round Rock police.
  Police posted on Twitter that the crash happened Monday afternoon on the highway, known locally as Palm Valley Boulevard, just west of A.W. Grimes Boulevard in front of the H-E-B plus! store.
  Officers are asking drivers to avoid the area and find other ways around it.
  KXAN will update this developing story once additional details are shared.
  
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• 1 dead, 3 injured in Round Rock 2-vehicle crash

  23-01-2023 22:58 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) —One person is dead, and three others were injured after a two-vehicle crash in Round Rock Monday.At approximately 3:20 p.m., EMS responded to the two-vehicle crash in the 1600 block of E. Palm Valley Boulevard, Round Rock Police said in a tweet.According to police, first responders provided medical aid to one adult woman who was pronounced dead on the scene at 4 p.m.Three other people were taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries, police said.
  
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• Texas lawmaker files bill that could strip Austin of its compatibility laws

  23-01-2023 22:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A Republican state lawmaker filed a bill that, if passed, would scrub some of the City of Austin's compatibility laws. Those laws restrict how tall buildings can be when they're built next to certain zoning, including single-family homes.Council Member Chito Vela of District 4 described compatibility as "a force field" around some homes. In the City of Austin, there's a sliding scale of permissible height that extends 540 feet from a single-family property, "which is a huge area
  
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• Fans raise $30K for Texas band after gear, instrument trailer stolen

  23-01-2023 22:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Nearly two months after an Austin band's trailer full of instruments and gear was stolen, fans helped fundraise $30,000 to support the band on its road to recovery.Back in late November, Crobot guitarist Chris Bishop told KXAN video captured a red single cab pickup truck pull up alongside the trailer. The truck then hitched the trailer before driving off. That trailer contained more than $30,000 worth of instruments, equipment and props Bishop said were integral to the band
  
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• Ascension confirms layoffs in Texas

  23-01-2023 22:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Healthcare company Ascension has confirmed it laid off employees in Texas.
  KXAN asked the healthcare provider for more information about how many employees were laid off, what positions were impacted and if affected employees received severance packages.
  This was Ascension Texas' statement to KXAN:The global COVID-19 pandemic has taken a significant operational toll on health systems across the country, and Ascension Texas is no exception.We continue to evolve how we delive
  
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• APD identifies victim, suspect in deadly shooting at east Austin gas station

  23-01-2023 22:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- The Austin Police Department on Monday identified the man who died after a shooting at an east Austin gas station Saturday. Officials also identified the man accused of shooting him, according to a APD news release.At approximately 11:15 p.m., officers responded to the shooting at the Shell gas station at 4509 E Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., according to police.1 dead after shooting at east Austin gas station, APD homicide unit investigating by: Julianna RussOfficers arrived and
  
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• AFD: Gas, water leak reported Monday afternoon on Slaughter Lane

  23-01-2023 22:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Fire said crews are responding to a gas leak on Slaughter Lane near MoPac Expressway in southwest Austin.
  AFD said a construction crew struck a gas line Monday afternoon, and Texas Gas Service is responding to the site.
  The fire department also said a water line was struck, and Austin Water is sending crews to the scene.
  In response, eastbound lanes of Slaughter Lane are closed. Traffic is diverted east of MoPac.
  This is a developing story. Check with KXAN for update
  
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• Fewer and fewer polar bears as the ice melts

  23-01-2023 21:48 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) — Climate change is noted across the country and around the world through the various intense weather that has occurred. One recent example of this is the atmospheric river that has bombarded California with one storm after another creating floods, mudslides and heavy snow.
  You don't have to go far to find another example of the adverse effects of climate change. Up in the Arctic, temperatures have been rising at a rate that causes the ice to continue to melt. A report indicated the
  
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• What could Austin's I-35 'cap and stitch' program look like?

  23-01-2023 21:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Mobility Committee received an update Jan. 19 on the city's Our Future 35's Cap and Stitch program, which is being done in conjunction with the Texas Department of Transportation's Interstate 35 expansion project near downtown.
  The presentation provided a timeline on the program, potential funding sources and gave a look at what a possible cap and stitch build could look like in Austin. With construction on TxDOT's I-35 expansion set to begin as early as mid-2024
  
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• Highest mold count of the year expected Tuesday

  23-01-2023 21:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – It has been no secret that mountain cedar has been stealing the show in recent weeks being the lead allergen responsible for irritating the most Central Texans. Cedar started to be detected in our area in small doses as far back as late December and has peaked with the highest count of the season (so far) back on January 4. Mold however, has been relatively tamefor 2023 as we continue to experience one of the driest starts to January ever. January starts off as one of the w
  
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• Florence man sentenced to 15 years for producing, sending child pornography

  23-01-2023 20:39 via kxan.com
  
  FLORENCE, Texas (KXAN) — A Florence man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for producing and sharing child pornography, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Monday.Joseph Reichard, 23, was sentenced Friday to 15 years in federal prison plus 15 years of supervised release, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas said. He was charged with sexual exploitation of a child and production of child pornography.
  The office said Reichard used his cell phone to produce image
  
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• UT women's hoops drop out of AP Top 25, no Texas teams in poll for 1st time ever

  23-01-2023 20:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With the Texas Longhorns women's basketball team falling out of the Associated Press Top 25 rankings this week, it marks a dubious occasion for all NCAA programs in the Lone Star State.The Longhorns went 1-1 this week and were dropped into the receiving votes category of the poll, leaving no state of Texas programs in the women's poll for the first time in its 47-year history.Full Associated Press women's basketball rankings
  Wayland Baptist, Stephen F. Austin and Baylor wer
  
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• Round Rock waterpark Kalahari Resorts to expand by 'thousands' of square feet

  23-01-2023 20:24 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- Round Rock's only waterpark is expanding, and it'll be ready in time for the 2023 summer season.Kalahari Resorts said on its website that the outdoor waterpark is being expanded, and by summer 2023, visitors will be able to enjoy "thousands of square feet worth of brand-new rides and attractions."The resort has an outdoor waterpark, indoor waterpark, and an adventure park.
  The outdoor area currently includes a basketball pool, two swim-up bars and pools, and a kids ar
  
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• Data: Texas ranks third-worst for people waiting for disability benefits, some dying

  23-01-2023 20:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — New applicants for disability benefits are having to wait upwards of seven months for their claims to be processed, according to Social Security Benefit data.And that's only getting worse, though fewer people have applied for disability benefits in the last three years, according to a USA Facts Report. USA facts is a non-partisan nonprofit that compiles data. It interpreted recent Social Security data released January 2023.According to data, between December 2021, and Decem
  
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• Longhorns fall 3 spots to No. 10 in AP poll, showdown with No. 4 Vols looming

  23-01-2023 19:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns men's basketball is still a top-10 team in the eyes of Associated Press voters, but not by much.In the latest AP Top 25 poll released Monday, the Longhorns dropped three spots to No. 10 following a 1-1 week in Big 12 Conference play, which included a 78-67 loss to Iowa State and a 69-61 win over West Virginia.
  Full Associated Press men's basketball rankings
  The Longhorns are one of six Big 12 teams in this week's rankings, the most of any conference in t
  
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• Affidavit: Man called 911 after deadly east Austin shooting

  23-01-2023 18:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – A Travis County affidavit filed Thursday provided more information surrounding an east Austin shooting where a man was accused of killing his wife.Travis County court records showed Austin Police officers responded to a call Thursday at approximately 3:52 p.m. in the 2200 block of Colgate Lane. The 911 caller said 77-year-old Willie Herbert Easley called her, and she could tell he was in distress. RELATED: Man accused of shooting, killing wife in east Austin homeRecords sai
  
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• M&M'S to shelve mascots because 'even a candy's shoes can be polarizing'

  23-01-2023 18:15 via kxan.com
  
  (WGHP) — Say so long to Red, Yellow and all the other M&M'S spokescandies. Mars, the company behind the candy-coated chocolates, said it is shelving its M&M mascots – at least for now – after receiving backlash over recent design changes.On Thursday, Mars said the company would be redesigning the M&M’S characters as part of the brand's commitment "to creating a world where everyone feels they belong."
  For example, the green M&M traded her go-go boots for a
  
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• Most cats don't make it out of the Lampasas animal shelter. Now there's a plan to save more animals

  23-01-2023 17:53 via kxan.com
  
  LAMPASAS, Texas (KXAN) -- The aftermath of the pandemic has not been kind to the Lampasas Animal Shelter or the cats and dogs that end up there.
  Of the 652 cats taken in by the shelter last year, two-thirds were euthanized. While the numbers for dogs were better, still more than a quarter of the 548 dogs taken in were killed.Currently, the save rate at Lampasas Animal shelter is 74% for dogs and 34% for cats. Lampasas Animal Shelter Supervisor Kasey Schwartzer said the issue is a serie
  
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• December unemployment rate drops in Texas, nearly 30,000 jobs added

  23-01-2023 16:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In December, Texas added 29,500 positions, marking the 14th consecutive record employment high in the state.
  The Texas seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined for the first time in three months to 3.9% in December, the first month the rate fell below 4% since February 2020, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.
  Education and health services led job growth in December with 12,700 positions added, followed by financial activities, which grew by 6,300 jobs. Manuf
  
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• How California, Arizona and other states are trying to generate a whole new water supply

  23-01-2023 15:38 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) – Underground storage may be a key for Western states navigating water shortages and extreme weather.  Aquifers under the ground have served as a reliable source of water for years. During rainy years, the aquifers would fill up naturally, helping areas get by in the dry years. But growing demand for water coupled with climate change has resulted in shortages as states pump out water from aquifers faster than they can be replenished. The fallout can also lead to d
  
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• These are the highest paying jobs in Texas, report finds

  23-01-2023 15:08 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – If you can't stop inflation, you can at least try and get a pay raise.
  U.S. News & World Report recently released its 2023 jobs report, including a breakdown of the cities where workers can take home top dollar. The analysts took every job title that U.S. News & World Report tracks and found the metro areas where those professions earn the most.
  Twenty career types have especially high salaries to be found in Texas cities, according to the report.Dallas is one of t
  
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• Traffic delays on I-35 southbound due to crash near 51st Street

  23-01-2023 14:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A crash on I-35 southbound near 51st Street is causing traffic delays for morning commuters.
  At least three cars were involved. They were cleared from the scene around 7:30 a.m., but there are still major delays in the area.
  Two lanes were still blocked on the interstate while crews worked to clear the crash.
  There may be delays on southbound MoPac because of commuters taking a route alternate to the interstate.
  It's not clear if anyone was injured or what caused the crash.
  This
  
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• Traffic delays on I-35 southbound after crash near 51st Street

  23-01-2023 14:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A crash on I-35 southbound near 51st Street caused traffic delays for Monday morning commuters.
  At least three cars were involved. They were cleared from the scene around 7:30 a.m., but there were still major delays in the area.
  Two lanes were blocked on the interstate while crews worked to clear the crash.
  There may be delays on southbound MoPac because of commuters taking a route alternate to the interstate.
  It's not clear if anyone was injured or what caused the crash.
  Crash
  
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• Australians finding a home on St. Edward's basketball team

  23-01-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In 2017, St. Edward's University head men's basketball coach Andre Cook and assistant Taylor Land took a trip to Australia to scout some of the basketball talents down under. They went all over the country searching for potential Hilltoppers.The first player they came across was Corey Shervill of Perth who came to south Austin and had immense success over his time with St. Edward's. Now nearly six years later, the connection between Australia and Austin is still strong.MORE
  
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• Austin Airport workers get bump in minimum wage

  23-01-2023 12:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin recently raised its minimum wage from $15 to $20 per hour.This 33% pay bump also includes any contract employees that work with the City of Austin.At the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, several food service and retail workers recently received raises.Their employer is the Delaware North Company, one of the companies contracted with the airport. Operating several restaurants and retail stores within the Barbara Jordan Terminal, DNC was the first to
  
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• Widespread rain less than 24 hours out

  23-01-2023 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Grab the heavy coat this morning - it's a cold start to the new work week with most of us starting our Monday in the 30s.By midday, sunshine will help boost temperatures to the 50s and 60s, similar to what we felt Sunday. Clouds will begin to thicken by evening ahead of our next weather-maker, expected to bring significant rain and storms to our are by tomorrow morning.Wettest weather of 2023 so far...An incoming storm system will roll right over our state bringing widespread ra
  
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• Widespread, beneficial rainfall expected on Tuesday

  23-01-2023 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The day dawned with very cold air as lows dropped to the middle/upper 20s to low 30s. Camp Mabry's low was 33°, 9° below normal. The airport was much colder with a low of 25°, 13° shy of normal. A clear sky, very dry air, and very little wind created excellent radiational cooling.The warm-up will be to the upper 50s to low 60s with increasing clouds during the afternoon. The clouds had already thickened in some of the Hill Country before noon.We are looking at ou
  
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• Nice weather change coming Tuesday

  23-01-2023 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The day dawned with very cold air as lows dropped to the middle/upper 20s to low 30s. Camp Mabry's low was 33°, 9° below normal. The airport was much colder with a low of 25°, 13° shy of normal. A clear sky, very dry air, and very little wind created excellent radiational cooling.The warm-up will be to the upper 50s to low 60s with increasing clouds during the afternoon. The clouds had already thickened in some of the Hill Country before noon.We are looking at ou
  
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• Community gathers for protest demanding to see video of Hays County inmate’s death

  23-01-2023 04:14 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Dozens of people gathered outside the headquarters for the Hays County Sheriff's Office demanding justice for Joshua Wright, a Hays County inmate shot and killed in December by a corrections officer."Release the video!" protestors cried out.The jail took Wright to Ascension Seton in Kyle for medical treatment. The Sheriff's Office claimed he assaulted a corrections officer before trying to escape the emergency room on foot.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Family demands Hays
  
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• Before the rain, January off to one of the driest starts ever

  23-01-2023 04:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Soaking and widespread rain is in the forecast for Tuesday and we need it. Austin is off to one of its driest starts to a year on record.January isn't typically that wet of a month in Central Texas anyway. We average 2.64 inches of rain in a typical January at Austin's Camp Mabry. That makes January our fourth-driest month of the year.Even for a typically drier month, we're off to an even drier start than usual.We've only picked up 0.08" of rain at Camp Mabry this month and we e
  
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• No. 25 Longhorns stifle Baylor offense, grab 5th Big 12 win 68-55 on the road

  23-01-2023 03:01 via kxan.com
  
  WACO, Texas (KXAN) — The No. 25 Texas Longhorns held Baylor scoreless for nearly half of the final quarter to run away with a 68-55 victory in Big 12 Conference women's basketball action Sunday at the Ferrell Center.The Longhorns held Baylor scoreless for the final 4:04 and 31% shooting for the game at 18-for-58. Baylor had 73 possessions in the game, two more than the Longhorns at 71. Texas outrebounded the Bears 48-34 and blocked eight shots.Baylor guard Sarah Andrews (24) battles Texas
  
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• ATCEMS: 7-8 cars involved in crash on I-35 lower deck near Concordia Avenue in north Austin

  23-01-2023 02:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — At least seven vehicles were in a crash Sunday on North Interstate 35 southbound, according to a tweet by Austin-Travis County EMS.
  The crash was reported to 911 around 6:45 p.m. According to ATCEMS, the crash occurred on the lower deck of I-35 southbound. The reported location is near Concordia Drive in north Austin.ATCEMS has responded with three ambulances and an EMS commander is also at the scene. Austin Fire and Austin Police are also responding to the scene.ATCEMS sai
  
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• ATCEMS: 2 sent to hospital after multiple cars crash on Interstate 35 in central Austin

  23-01-2023 02:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two people were taken to the hospital after at least seven vehicles were in a crash Sunday on North Interstate 35 southbound, according to a tweet by Austin-Travis County EMS.
  Medics said the injuries aren't expected to be life-threatening. One of the injured was taken to Dell Seton Medical Center and the other went to St. David's North Medical Center.The crash was reported to 911 around 6:45 p.m. According to ATCEMS, the crash occurred on the lower deck of I-35 southbound.
  
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• Former Vandegrift wide receiver Graylan Spring dies after collision with 18-wheeler in East Texas

  23-01-2023 01:55 via kxan.com
  
  CORRIGAN, Texas (KXAN) — Graylan Spring, a Vandegrift High School graduate and wide receiver on the Vipers football team, died from injuries sustained in a collision with an 18-wheeler Friday near Corrigan.The Vandegrift High School football team's Twitter account tweeted Sunday afternoon, honoring Spring and saying he was "a friend to everyone."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/newslette
  
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