Austin news

• Texas women back in AP Top 25, tied for 1st in Big 12 with Iowa State

  30-01-2023 23:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Associated Press Top 25 women's college basketball rankings were without a team from the Lone Star State for just a week after the Texas Longhorns rejoined the poll Monday.The Longhorns moved back to No. 24 after a pair of wins over Oklahoma schools last week. Texas dropped the Sooners, ranked No. 14 at the time, 78-58 before beating Oklahoma State 78-69. The Sooners lost twice in Big 12 play to the Longhorns and Iowa State and fell six spots to No. 20.
  Full Associated
  
  Read more

• 150-pound dog 'seemed thankful' after rescue by Austin firefighters

  30-01-2023 23:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A large dog's tumble down an incline this weekend led to a coordinated rescue operation by Austin firefighters.
  The Austin Fire Department posted on Twitter that crews strapped a 150-pound Mastiff mix into a sled-like stretcher Sunday evening and used ropes to pull him up a steep hill to safety. The post stated the dog's name is Mason, and he "fell down an incline near the Colorado River."Austin Fire Department celebrates 100th birthday of oldest living retireeThe video sho
  
  Read more

• Mother of Parkland school shooting victim pushes for panic alert legislation in Texas

  30-01-2023 23:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — As Texas lawmakers prepare to tackle school safety-related bills in the aftermath of the Uvalde mass school shooting, the mother of a Parkland school shooting victim hopes legislators in all states will remember her daughter's name in a push for silent panic alert systems in schools.
  Lori Alhadeff lost her 14-year-old daughter Alyssa Alhadeff, who was killed during 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Since then, she has been t
  
  Read more

• Austin Transit Partnership names lone finalist for executive director, to CapMetro board's surprise

  30-01-2023 23:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Transit Partnership's Interim Executive Director Greg Canally has been named the lone finalist for the official position — an announcement that surprised some CapMetro board members Monday.The ATP board of directors confirmed he was the sole finalist for the position during a meeting Thursday. Canally has served in an interim capacity since last April.
  CapMetro Board Member Eric Stratton said he was surprised by the news, given that he wasn't aware that ATP
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• APD searching for 2 suspects in north Austin violent carjacking

  30-01-2023 23:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is seeking the public's help in identifying two men suspected in a violent carjacking in north Austin, according to a APD news release.Shortly after 2:15 a.m., Jan. 15, officers responded to reports of an aggravated robbery at an apartment complex in the 300 block of Ferguson Drive, the release said.The suspects pulled out guns, held the victim at gunpoint and pulled him out of the vehicle, police said. The suspects then hit the victim in the head wi
  
  Read more

• CapMetro delays launch of new customer payment system

  30-01-2023 22:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Following approval for two new transit fare systems in July, CapMetro delayed the launch of the affiliated customer account system.
  The board approved its fare-capping and Equifare programs in July, with both set to be hosted through CapMetro's new account-based system, Amp. The Amp physical and digital account options were set to be available in early 2023 under initial timelines.CAPMETRO NEWS: CapMetro names Dottie Watkins new president, CEOHowever, a Dec. 27 memo include
  
  Read more

• Texas holds at No. 10 in AP Top 25 with huge week in Big 12 Conference ahead

  30-01-2023 22:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas stayed put in the latest Associated Press Top 25 men's basketball rankings after a Big 12 Conference win and a nonconference loss to the top-five program.The Longhorns remained ranked No. 10 by the panel of college basketball writers while Monday's opponent, the Baylor Bears, shot up the chart six spots to land at No. 11 ahead of the big conference showdown in Austin.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the S
  
  Read more

• How this ice storm compares to our February 2021 winter storm

  30-01-2023 21:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Though this winter storm will likely bring Central Texans significant icing issues, major travel disruptions and isolated power outages, this storm will not be a repeat of our February 2021 winter storm. The duration and intensity of the freezing cold weather are the key differences.Here's how these two storms compare:February 2021A record storm by multiple accounts, the February 2021 winter storm is likely to stay unmatched for some time. A dip in the jet stream allowed a
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Will Austin trees survive this week's significant ice storm?

  30-01-2023 21:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Following one of the driest year's on record, many trees in Central Texas had a rough year. This week's winter storm, while only lasting a couple of days, could dump freezing rain on Central Texas. Ice can put a lot of stress on trees. School delays, closures in Central Texas amid winter weather warningWe wanted to know if this additional stress, plus the stress from the 2022 drought would equal a "tree-pocalypse."Short answer: no. Experts with ABC Home & Commercial Ser
  
  Read more

• CapMetro names Dottie Watkins new president, CEO

  30-01-2023 21:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Interim CapMetro President and CEO Dottie Watkins will officially take over the position as head of Austin's transit authority, following approval by CapMetro's board of directors Monday.Watkins began her multi-decade career as a bus operator with CapMetro while a student at the University of Texas Austin. Since last May, she has served as interim head of the transit agency, following former CEO Randy Clarke's departure to lead the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Autho
  
  Read more

• 'Massive' endangered American Eel washes up on Texas beach

  30-01-2023 21:01 via kxan.com
  
  PORT ARANSAS, Texas (KXAN) — A researcher recently found a large American Eel — an endangered species — washed up on a Texas beach.
  Jace Tunnell, reserve director at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute, showed the eel in a YouTube video, saying the eel was "as big as they get." He estimated the eel was around 4 feet long.
  According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), females can reach up to four feet in length, and males usually only reach a foot and a hal
  
  Read more

• Records: Pflugerville superintendent told staff he was 'disgusted' by former teacher's comment

  30-01-2023 19:44 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — School personnel records reveal it was a former Texas pastor and eighth-grade teacher who was caught on cell phone video telling Black middle school students “deep down in my heart, I am ethnocentric, which means I think my race is the superior one.”The incident happened in November. The language arts teacher, who is white, resigned from Bohls Middle School in Pflugerville days after a video of the conversation was posted to social media.  Pflu
  
  Read more

• ERCOT: Power grid expected to meet demand during winter weather this week

  30-01-2023 19:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Electric Reliability Council of Texas expects power to be able to meet demand in Texas this week with winter weather expected after a cold front moved south over the weekend. School delays, closures in Central Texas amid winter weather warningERCOT said in a Facebook post that it is "monitoring weather conditions and expects sufficient generation to meet forecasted demand."You can view real-time grid conditions online. You can also check your service provider for local outag
  
  Read more

• Several local districts close, delay classes amid winter storm

  30-01-2023 17:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With Winter Storm Warnings issued in Central Texas, some school districts are changing their schedules this week. KXAN Forecast: Ice risk for Central TexasThe warnings went into effect overnight Sunday into Monday morning. After a strong cold front blew through Central Texas Sunday afternoon, enough cold air could be in place to give way to some freezing rain and icing potential for parts of the area.Austin International SchoolClosed Tuesday.Austin ISDClosed Tuesday.Bartlett ISD
  
  Read more

• School delays, closures in Central Texas amid winter weather warning

  30-01-2023 17:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With Winter Storm Warnings issued in Central Texas, some school districts are changing their schedules this week.
  The warnings went into effect overnight Sunday into Monday morning. After a strong cold front blew through Central Texas Sunday afternoon, enough cold air could be in place to give way to some freezing rain and icing potential for parts of the area.Hays Consolidated Independent School District is dismissing school early Monday and plans to close schools Tuesday and W
  
  Read more

• Austin Public Health launching cold weather overnight shelters for Monday, Tuesday

  30-01-2023 17:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Public Health will run its overnight cold weather shelters Monday and Tuesday as a "significant icing threat" rolls through Central Texas early this week.APH's cold weather shelters are activated under the following conditions:
  32 degrees or colder overnight35 degrees with rain or other wet precipitation35 degrees with a wind chill of 32 degrees or colder
  Those in need of overnight shelter are directed to arrive at the One Texas Center between 6-8 p.m. Monday and Tue
  
  Read more

• Austin Police near return of license plate readers

  30-01-2023 17:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department getting closer to the return of automated license plate readers. The department will host two community input sessions on the use of the readers soon.
  Back in September, Austin City Council voted to reinstate the license plate reader program.According to APD, these high-tech cameras helped detectives crack dozens of violent crime cases between 2016 and 2020.License plate readers, or LPRs, collect pictures of license plates, which are than stored
  
  Read more

• Instagram launches new feature aimed at helping teens put down their phones

  30-01-2023 16:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Your teen's homework sits unfinished. She was supposed to help you with dinner, and she still hasn't taken the dog for a walk. Instead, she's on Instagram.It's scenarios like these that Instagram's new "quiet mode" is hoping to help avoid.Once it's turned on, you won't receive any notifications, and your profile will automatically send an auto-reply to anyone who direct messages you, letting them know about your status change. Texas takes aim at TikTok with concerns of nati
  
  Read more

• AAA: You need a winter weather emergency kit in your car. Here's what to keep in it

  30-01-2023 16:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Severe winter weather doesn't often strike Texas, but when it does, drivers should be prepared.AAA Texas is reminding drivers to make sure their vehicles are ready to hit icy or snowy streets if they need to travel in winter weather conditions.
  Preventive maintenance is essential for safe driving and greatly decreases the chances of being stranded in the cold, AAA said.
  If you do break down in the cold, you should have a winter emergency kit. Approximately 40% of American driver
  
  Read more

• Why $4 per gallon gas this spring isn't out of the question

  30-01-2023 16:32 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — Don't look now, but gas prices are heading back up, and GasBuddy predicts the national average could hit $4 again in a couple of months. The price for a gallon of regular is up more than 13% nationally over the past month.Some states have seen prices increase by nearly $1 per gallon this month alone.Just six weeks ago, the national average was hovering around $3 per gallon.Since bottoming out at that price, gas prices have steadily climbed. The current average is just shy of
  
  Read more

• TX parents demand lawmaker action on restraints in schools

  30-01-2023 16:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (TEXAS) — Texas parents are set to speak at the Capitol Monday morning in support of new legislation regulating the use of restraint in public schools, including the mother of a 14-year-old Round Rock Independent School District student with special needs who surveillance cameras recorded being tossed into a ‘cool down room’ by a school administrator last year.Disability Rights Texas, a federally designated legal protection agency for people with disabilities, and other
  
  Read more

• Texas parents demand lawmaker action on restraints in schools

  30-01-2023 16:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (TEXAS) — At the Texas State Capitol Monday, emotional parents tearfully shared stories of their children being physically restrained at school. Among the group – was Tatiana Alfano whose son was seen on surveillance video being thrown by a Round Rock Independent School District administrator last school year.Standing next to advocates for disability rights – parents recalled struggling to access video showing alleged abuses and barriers to accountability for educators w
  
  Read more

• This week is your last chance to see rare green comet - Where to watch

  30-01-2023 15:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - This week is your last chance to see a green comet zip by Earth. It may not return to our solar system for another 50,000 years.The comet, named C/2022 E3 (ZTF), hasn't visited our solar system since the stone age. The comet will be its closest to Earth on February 2nd, after which people in the Northern Hemisphere won't be able to see it. Green comet streaks across the sky in 2023 for first time since Stone AgeYou should be able to see the comet with the naked eye, but binocular
  
  Read more

• TxDOT Austin pretreating major roadways ahead of wintry weather

  30-01-2023 14:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas Department of Transportation crews are preparing roads for wintry weather that's moving into the state.
  Winter Storm Warnings were issued in Central Texas early Monday morning. After a strong cold front blew through the area Sunday afternoon, enough cold air could be in place to give way to some freezing rain and icing potential for parts of the area.TxDOT Austin crews are pretreating major roadways Monday morning ahead of the wintry precipitation and cold temperatures.
  Dr
  
  Read more

• Before Project Connect, Austin once considered a gondola public transit system

  30-01-2023 13:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Wednesday, CapMetro and local government officials commemorated the first completed project from the city's multi-billion-dollar public transit overhaul, Project Connect. PREVIOUS: 2 years into Austin’s Project ConnectThe program, approved by voters in November 2020, marked a substantial investment in light rail and regional rail lines, bus routes and other public transit resources within the greater Austin community.But once upon a time, before Project Connect was put
  
  Read more

• WEATHER ALERT: significant ice storm risk

  30-01-2023 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A significant ice storm begins today and continues through Wednesday for almost all of Central Texas.Sunday's cold front brought a quick drop in temperatures areawide, and with more cold air funneling in, temperatures are only expected to get colder through the day today. Gusty north winds will keep our "Feels Like" temps (wind chill values) in the 20s all day.Wind chills in the 20s all day MondayPeriods of light rain, freezing drizzle and freezing rain are possible this afterno
  
  Read more

• WEATHER ALERT: Ice threat continues

  30-01-2023 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Central Texas will continue under a Winter Storm Warning until noon Wednesday. Fayette County will remain under a Winter Weather Advisory also until noon Wednesday.Bracing for significant icing especially for the Hill CountryTemperatures are forecast to remain mostly in the upper half of the 20s to the lower half of the 30s Tuesday with only a minor "warming" to some lower to middle 30s Wednesday.
  Only a few above freezing Tuesday afternoonBased on Future Clouds and Radar the ma
  
  Read more

• NEW: ice risk worsens, warnings extended

  30-01-2023 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Central Texas will continue under a Winter Storm Warning until noon Wednesday. Fayette County will remain under a Winter Weather Advisory also until noon Wednesday.Bracing for significant icing
  Temperatures are forecast to remain mostly in the upper half of the 20s to the lower half of the 30s Tuesday with only a minor "warming" to some lower to middle 30s Wednesday.
  Only a few above freezing Tuesday afternoonBased on Future Clouds and Radar the majority of the freezing rain/fre
  
  Read more

• LIVE: WEATHER ALERT: significant ice storm risk

  30-01-2023 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A significant icing threat begins today and continues through Wednesday for almost all of Central Texas.Sunday's cold front brought a quick drop in temperatures areawide, and with more cold air funneling in, temperatures are only expected to get colder through the day today. Gusty north winds will keep our "Feels Like" temps (wind chill values) in the 20s all day.Wind chills in the 20s all day MondayPeriods of light rain, freezing drizzle and freezing rain are possible this afte
  
  Read more

• New speed limit signs coming to Old Settlers Park

  30-01-2023 12:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - The city of Round Rock is adding new speed limit signs to Old Settlers park after a safety analysis showed there was not appropriate signage along four roads within the park.
  Gary Hudder, the city's transportation director, said during a Jan. 12 city council meeting that the city had received complaints about the lack of signage and uniformity in the park roads.
  The roads that lacked the appropriate signage are:T.C. Oatts LaneWhitlow WaySports Capital CrossingAten Loop from Harre
  
  Read more

• Cowboys, OC Kellen Moore mutually agree to part ways: reports

  30-01-2023 01:50 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (KXAN) — The Dallas Cowboys and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore have "mutually agreed to part ways," according to the NFL Network and Dallas Morning News.Tom Pelissaro with the NFL Network tweeted Sunday afternoon about it, saying the team "felt change was needed after the disappointing end to the season."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 Dallas Morning News repor
  
  Read more

• Cowboys, OC Kellen Moore mutually agree to part ways

  30-01-2023 01:50 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (KXAN) — The Dallas Cowboys and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore have "mutually agreed to part ways," according to the NFL Network and Dallas Morning News.Tom Pelissaro with the NFL Network tweeted Sunday afternoon about it, saying the team "felt change was needed after the disappointing end to the season."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 Dallas Morning News repor
  
  Read more

• Austin Fire Department celebrates 100th birthday of oldest living retiree

  30-01-2023 00:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Fire Department celebrated a milestone Sunday for the agency's oldest living retiree.AFD crews marked Charles Bryant, Jr.'s 100th birthday with a party Sunday afternoon after he celebrated the milestone birthday on Jan. 25.The Austin Fire Department celebrated the 100th birthday of the department's oldest living retiree, Charles Bryant, Jr., on Sunday. (Courtesy: Austin Fire Department; Bryant Family)The Austin Fire Department celebrated the 100th birthday of the
  
  Read more

• 2 injured in San Marcos shooting early Sunday

  30-01-2023 00:00 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — Two people are in the hospital following a shooting at a San Marcos apartment complex early Sunday morning.San Marcos Police confirmed to KXAN it responded to a shooting at The Retreat, an apartment complex located at 512 Craddock Avenue. The call came in around 12:23 a.m.According to a preliminary investigation, police said a fight broke out at an apartment party, leading to a fight outside the entrance to the complex.Two people were shot and taken to Ascension
  
  Read more

Follow @Austin_News_US on Twitter!