Austin news

• 2nd victim dies as a result of northwest Austin hookah lounge shooting, APD says

  02-02-2023 22:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Another person has died in connection to a hookah lounge shooting that occurred Jan. 28 in northwest Austin, according to the Austin Police Department.APD received reports of the shooting at approximately 10:19 p.m. at 12636 Research Blvd., police said in a news release.When police arrived on the scene, a total of five people were found with gunshot wounds, two with serious injuries, according to APD. ‘Horrific’: Jarrell students among 1 dead, 4 injured at north
  
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• Destructive ice storm ends, but hundreds of thousands still without power in the cold

  02-02-2023 22:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's been over 15 years since Austin has been hit with an ice storm this severe. The last round of this historic icing event is on its way out, with only a handful of isolated showers left to go.Widespread tree damage, long-lasting power outages and significant ice accumulations paralyzed many cities in Central Texas yesterday, and that continues to be the case today.
  Temperatures in the vast majority of communities have climbed above freezing , the uncomfortable cold will conti
  
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• How Austin Energy keeps track of medically vulnerable registry during outages

  02-02-2023 22:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For everyday residents, this week's power outages spelled discomfort and inconvenience as temperatures hovered below freezing and ice accumulated outside. But for residents who are medically vulnerable and reliant on equipment to keep them safe, these outages could be deadly.Earlier this week, KXAN reported on statewide and local registries for people with medical conditions that require specific devices. Those registries keep track of these customers in the event of outage
  
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• Texas executes inmate for 2007 fatal shooting of Dallas cop

  02-02-2023 21:36 via kxan.com
  
  HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — Texas on Wednesday executed an inmate convicted of fatally shooting a Dallas police officer nearly 16 years ago after a high-speed chase.Wesley Ruiz, 43, received a lethal injection at the state penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas, for the March 2007 killing of Dallas Police Senior Corporal Mark Nix.“I would like to apologize to Mark and the Nix family for taking him away from you," Ruiz said as he was laying strapped to a gurney in the death chamber. “I
  
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• Who to call if a fallen tree or limb is blocking the road in Austin

  02-02-2023 21:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you've been driving around Austin the last couple of days, you may have come across an icy roadblock: fallen trees and tree limbs.
  It's a scene in many neighborhoods, causing drivers to swerve or come to a complete stop and turn around.
  So, who do you call to clean it up? The City of Austin said 3-1-1. From there, Austin Public Works crews will respond.Does auto insurance pay for damage caused by a fallen branch?"We prioritize those based first and foremost on emergency
  
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• Austin-area cities offering tree limb, brush collections post-storm

  02-02-2023 20:40 via kxan.com
  
  CENTRAL TEXAS (KXAN) — Residents looking to clear out downed tree limbs or other brush will have the opportunity to do so through city-run collection services.Austin Resource Recovery customers can call 311 to request the removal of downed tree branches and other debris, Mayor Kirk Watson tweeted Thursday. Residents are asked to leave the limbs on the curb ready for collection, with crews responding to service requests as soon as possible.In Round Rock, city officials outlined three collec
  
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• Map: Record number of traffic incidents reported Wednesday amid ice storm

  02-02-2023 19:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin metro area saw 460 traffic incidents reported Wednesday amid the ongoing ice storm -- a record daily total that just edged past the 440 incident reports received during a past winter storm on Feb. 12, 2021, according to city data.Those traffic incident numbers come from Austin’s “real-time traffic incident reports” database, which tracks certain types of incident calls. The database holds reports from mid-September 2017 to the present. It includes tr
  
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• No boil water notice for City of Austin

  02-02-2023 19:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Water confirmed the city is not under a boil water notice, quashing rumors flying mid-morning that one was imminent.A number of people reached out to KXAN as well as city council members, asking about texts going around warning of an impending boil water notice.Austin City Council Member Chito Vela, who represents District 4, wrote on Twitter his office reached out to Austin Water and "they report relatively normal operations. No boil water notice has been issued or
  
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• Austin-area trees services in high demand post-ice storm

  02-02-2023 19:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- While the Winter Storm Warning officially ended at 10 a.m. Thursday, the road to recovery is just beginning for many Central Texans -- with some key help from arborists and tree-trimming services.Austin-based Angel's Tree Service was already out in Georgetown early this morning responding to requests for help. Co-owner Carlos Zarate told KXAN that he estimates his business has received roughly 200 service calls Wednesday and Thursday alone. RELATED: Does auto insurance pay for d
  
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• 'Queer Eye' star to design model home for Dripping Springs neighborhood

  02-02-2023 19:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (ABJ) -- Almost 600 new homes will spring up in the fast-growing suburb of Dripping Springs during the next three years or so — welcomed development in a region still short on housing.Tri Pointe Homes Inc. enlisted the aid of “Queer Eye” star Bobby Berk to design the model home for the new neighborhood the homebuilder is co-developing with Ohio-based M/I Homes Inc.The 188-acre development — known as Heritage — will be home to 586 homes at full build
  
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• Mayor Watson discusses future actions to combat winter weather

  02-02-2023 18:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Mayor Kirk Watson joined KXAN's Sally Hernandez and Tom Miller Thursday morning to discuss citywide issues related to the recent winter weather.Watson said the recent weather-related issues have been compared to what Austin experienced during the February 2021 winter storm, but said other than the ice, the storms were different. However, he said we should learn from the incidents."There are things that we should learn from this, and if we don't learn from it, an
  
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• Where to go to get warm in Austin on Friday

  02-02-2023 17:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you need a warm place to stay Friday night, you can go to the One Texas Center at 505 Barton Springs Rd. between 6 and 8 p.m. to register for a spot at a cold weather shelter.Austin Energy: Power should be fully restored by FridayWarming centers are also available during the day at specific public libraries around Austin:
  Little Walnut Creek Branch Library, 835 W. Rundberg Ln., Austin, TX 78758  (to reopen 11 a.m. Friday)Terrazas Branch Library, 1105 E. Cesar
  
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• Cold weather shelter still in operation Thursday night

  02-02-2023 17:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- If you need a warm place to stay Thursday night, you can go to One Texas Center at 505 Barton Springs Road between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. to register for a spot. Austin Energy: Power should be fully restored by FridayWarming centers are also available during the day at specific public libraries around Austin.The following warming centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today:
  Little Walnut Creek Branch Library, 835 W. Rundberg Ln, Austin, TX 78758   Terrazas Branch
  
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• TCSO investigates shooting that left 1 dead in northern Travis County

  02-02-2023 17:39 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Travis County Sheriff's Office said it was investigating an overnight homicide in northern Travis County.TCSO said at 12:56 a.m. Thursday, deputies responded to a disturbance call with shots fired in the 3100 block of Wells Branch Parkway.According to officials, a man in his 20s had multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead outside an apartment.TCSO said detectives have worked throughout the night, and the investigation remains ongoing. This is the second
  
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• More than 110 utility crews working to restore power in Austin

  02-02-2023 17:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than a hundred utility crews are working Thursday to restore service to the thousands of homes that remain without power because of the major ice storm.
  Jackie Sargent, the general manager of Austin Energy, shared the utility currently has 85 of its own crews in the field responding to outages throughout the area. Additionally, Austin Energy has assistance from 32 crews sent by neighboring utility companies.Austin Energy: Power should be fully restored by FridaySargent
  
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• Austin Fire responds to 10 structure fires in 12 hours

  02-02-2023 16:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Fire Department responded to multiple fires overnight Wednesday into Thursday morning.
  AFD tweeted at 7 a.m. Thursday the department responded to 10 structure fires in 12 hours.
  A duplex in northwest Austin was a "total loss" in one of those fires. It was caused by a downed power line.Todd Pomroy with AFD spoke with KXAN's Dylan McKim on the scene.
  Pomroy said the fire started shortly after 4 a.m. There were no injuries, but the occupants were displaced as a resu
  
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• Amber Alert discontinued for 1-year-old from San Antonio

  02-02-2023 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KXAN) -- An Amber Alert that was issued for a San Antonio toddler Thursday morning has been discontinued.
  The toddler was found safe and the alert discontinued a few hours after it was first issued.
  The Texas Department of Public Safety sent the alert for a toddler who San Antonio Police say was abducted Thursday morning.Authorities did not say whether the suspect was taken into custody.
  
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• Amber Alert: 1-year-old missing from San Antonio

  02-02-2023 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KXAN) -- The Texas Department of Public Safety issued an Amber Alert for a toddler who San Antonio Police say was abducted Thursday morning.
  Police say Aviani Brown, 1, was last seen wearing a white beanie, black jacket, a gray onesie with the word "Unity" and orange sweatpants. She has black hair and brown eyes and weighs 23 lbs.
  The suspect is Jaeshaun Brown, 20. He is a Black man, 5'7" and 130 lbs, and has brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing black clothing.
  
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• Nearly 1M drivers at risk of losing licenses. Are you one of them?

  02-02-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  Investigative Summary:Texas judges have the right to keep drivers from renewing their license if they don't pay traffic tickets or the fines associated with delaying payment — and our investigation found nearly one million current orders to do just that. Our KXAN investigation found it's a system keeping people from driving to work, and childcare, and often trapping families in a cycle of debtSince her license expired, Sanchez has worked at a gas station walking distance from her home, tr
  
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• Warnings and advisories end as ice storms pulls out

  02-02-2023 12:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's been over 15 years since Austin has been hit with an ice storm this severe. The last round of this historic icing event is on its way out, with only a handful of isolated showers left to go.Widespread tree damage, long-lasting power outages and significant ice accumulations paralyzed many cities in Central Texas yesterday, and that continues to be the case today.
  Temperatures in the vast majority of communities have climbed above freezing , the uncomfortable cold will conti
  
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• Warnings and advisories end as ice storm pulls out

  02-02-2023 12:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's been over 15 years since Austin has been hit with an ice storm this severe. The last round of this historic icing event is on its way out, with only a handful of isolated showers left to go.Widespread tree damage, long-lasting power outages and significant ice accumulations paralyzed many cities in Central Texas yesterday, and that continues to be the case today.
  Temperatures in the vast majority of communities have climbed above freezing , the uncomfortable cold will conti
  
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• Last round of historic ice storm this morning, temps rebounding

  02-02-2023 12:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's been over 15 years since Austin has been hit with an ice storm this severe. The last round of this historic storm pushes through this morning in the form of heavy rain, thunderstorms and pockets of freezing rain.Widespread tree damage, long-lasting power outages and significant ice accumulations paralyzed many cities in Central Texas yesterday, and that continues to be the case today. Although temperatures will slowly warm above freezing through the day, the uncomfortable c
  
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• ATCEMS: Four 911 calls about CO exposure in two hours Thursday morning

  02-02-2023 11:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Travis County EMS says it received four 911 calls for Carbon Monoxide exposure in two hours Thursday morning.
  ATCEMS says 12 people, including 5 children, were involved in the calls.
  According to ATCEMS, paramedics responded to three incidents which involved the use of generators in or near garages. WEATHER BLOG: How to avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning during the winter freezeShortly after the incidents, ATCEMS tweeted a reminder that "it is NEVER safe to run a generator i
  
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• Actor Nathan Chasing Horse accused of raping, physically abusing multiple girls for years in Las Vegas-based cult

  02-02-2023 05:12 via kxan.com
  
  LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Actor Nathan Chasing Horse is accused of sex trafficking, spiritual abuse and sexually assaulting underage indigenous girls, according to new documents released Wednesday.Las Vegas Metro police took Chasing Horse, 46, into custody in Las Vegas on Tuesday night. On Wednesday, authorities in Canada announced they are also investigating the "Dances With Wolves" actor."This is a very serious, serious situation as the events and the information [start] rolling out," Sgt. Nanc
  
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• Fire stations, shelters, hospitals, houses of worship hit with blackouts

  02-02-2023 04:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- It seems no one is immune from possible power outages.
  On Wednesday, Baylor Scott and White in Taylor andAscension Seton Northwest told KXAN they're running on backup generators.St. David's North Austin Medical Center said its power is back, but out of an abundance of caution, it has re-scheduled elective procedures.Austin Fire said it has had 15 stations fluctuating in and out of power.
  "We do have some that are on generator power, and we have some with no power," said Peter Tel
  
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• Why it's too late to trim trees to keep them from falling in the next freeze

  02-02-2023 04:24 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — As tree limbs drop from the weight of heavy ice, a local tree trimmer said it is too late to prune live oaks and cedar trees to prevent more from falling in the next freeze. That's thanks to a pesky beetle.John Macuk, owner of Arbor Oaks Tree Professionals, said Feb. 1 through July 1 is when invasive, sap-feasting beetles are out and about.Because they can transmit oak wilt from one tree to the next, trimmers typically abstain from cutting those types of trees ov
  
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• No. 24 Texas crashes the boards to snag road win over West Virginia

  02-02-2023 03:49 via kxan.com
  
  MORGANTOWN, W.VA. (KXAN) — No. 24 Texas dominated the boards and rode a balanced offensive attack Wednesday to top West Virginia 69-56 in a Big 12 Conference women's basketball game at the WVU Coliseum.The Longhorns won their fourth consecutive game and picked up a key road win with another game away from Moody Center against Kansas on Saturday, and they did it by clobbering the Mountaineers with a 39-25 rebounding advantage, including a 14-4 edge on the offensive glass. That led to 33 sco
  
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• Historic ice storm devastates trees, leaves 300,000+ in the cold and dark -- and more icing comes overnight

  02-02-2023 02:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Preliminary data from the National Weather Service shows that this has been Austin's worst ice storm since 2007.While the Feb. 2021 winter storm brought more snow than this storm has, this system brought central Texas crippling amounts of ice, bringing down trees and power lines across the area.Camp Mabry has tallied 0.64" of ice accumulation thus far -- adding hundreds of pounds to weighed-down trees and power lines. As of Wednesday evening, there are more than 210,000 electric
  
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• Austin's worst ice storm since '07 wipes out power, and more precipitation coming

  02-02-2023 02:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Preliminary data from the National Weather Service shows that this has been Austin's worst ice storm since 2007.While the Feb. 2021 winter storm brought more snow than this storm has, this system brought central Texas crippling amounts of ice, bringing down trees and power lines across the area.Camp Mabry has tallied 0.64" of ice accumulation thus far -- adding hundreds of pounds to weighed-down trees and power lines. As of Wednesday evening, there are more than 210,000 electric
  
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• Austin's worst ice storm since '07 slowly winds down

  02-02-2023 02:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Preliminary data from the National Weather Service shows that this has been Austin's worst ice storm since 2007.While the Feb. 2021 winter storm brought more snow than this storm has, this system brought central Texas crippling amounts of ice, bringing down trees and power lines across the area.Camp Mabry has tallied 0.64" of ice accumulation thus far -- adding hundreds of pounds to weighed-down trees and power lines. As of Wednesday evening, there are more than 210,000 electric
  
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• Officials searching for 2 missing babies, 2 suspects from Hardin Co.

  02-02-2023 01:53 via kxan.com
  
  HARDIN COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Hardin County Sheriff's Office is searching for 1-year-old Aaliyah Langford, after she was reported missing Wednesday, according to HCSO.Aaliyah is described by authorities as white, 3-feet tall, 40 pounds, blonde hair and blue eyes. The second baby is Aiden Langford, who is described as a white male, 4 months old, 2-feet 6-inches tall, 25 pounds, blonde hair, blue eyes.The first suspect is Tiffany Weaver, 31, who is described as white, 5-feet 7-inches tall, 13
  
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• Amber alert discontinued for missing babies in Hardin County

  02-02-2023 01:53 via kxan.com
  
  HARDIN COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Hardin County Sheriff's Office confirmed the search for two babies from Hardin County was discontinued Thursday.
  Previously, HCSO said 1-year-old Aaliyah Langford and 4-month-old Aiden Langford were missing.HCSO also confirmed the babies were with Tiffany Weaver, 31, and Aaron Langford, 29.Image provided by the Texas Department of Public SafetyIt was not immediately clear if either suspect was located or arrested. The case remained under investigation Thursday.
  
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• Amber alert discontinued for missing babies in Hardin Co.

  02-02-2023 01:53 via kxan.com
  
  HARDIN COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Hardin County Sheriff's Office confirmed the search for two babies from Hardin County was discontinued Thursday.
  Previously HCSO said 1-year-old Aaliyah Langford and 4-month-old Aiden Langford were missing.HCSO also confirmed the babies were with Tiffany Weaver, 31, and Aaron Langford, 29.Image provided by the Texas Department of Public SafetyIt was not immediately clear if either suspect was located or arrested. The case remained under investigation Thursday.
  
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• Austin's worst ice storm since 2007 slowly winds down

  02-02-2023 01:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Preliminary data from the National Weather Service shows that this has been Austin's worst ice storm since 2007.While the Feb. 2021 winter storm brought more snow than this storm has, this system brought central Texas crippling amounts of ice, bringing down trees and power lines across the area.Camp Mabry has tallied 0.64" of ice accumulation thus far -- adding hundreds of pounds to weighed-down trees and power lines. As of Wednesday evening, there are more than 210,000 electric
  
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• Where would the Longhorns land if the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament began now?

  02-02-2023 00:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the calendar turns to February, college basketball teams are preparing for the home stretch in their conference schedules and trying to position themselves for a magical run through March Madness.Texas forward Timmy Allen, right, goes against Oklahoma forward Jalen Hill (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Garett Fisbeck)
  The next three weeks will tell not just fans, but the NCAA tournament selec
  
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• How does Austin Energy prioritize its response to power outages?

  02-02-2023 00:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Downed trees and ice on power lines left tens of thousands of people in Austin in the dark on Wednesday. At times, nearly a third of Austin Energy’s customers faced outages, from hospitals to houses.
  Austin Energy has to prioritize its response when faced with this many outages, a spokesperson explained, but several factors will affect which outages get addressed first -- including whether a "critical infrastructure" customer is affected, how many people are impacted by a
  
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