Austin news

• Is it now legal for people with domestic violence restraining orders to own firearms?

  03-02-2023 23:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A federal appeals court knocked down Thursday a federal law that bars people with domestic violence restraining orders from owning firearms. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said that the ban on weapons in this context “is an outlier that our ancestors would have never accepted,” the court wrote. Texas police found a rifle and a pistol at the home of a man who was suspected to have participated in a series of shootings between Dec. 2020 to Jan. 2021. At his
  
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• Thousands of residents still without power, with another cold night expected

  03-02-2023 22:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A historic ice storm across Central Texas is still leading to numerous power outages across the area with more than 100,000 Austin Energy customers still without heat.Power Restoration Update: Austin Energy is no longer able to provide a time estimate on full power restorationThe upper-level storm responsible for the mess we had much of the week is out of Texas, but temperatures were slow to warm Friday afternoon due to persistent cloud cover. New computer guidance suggests thes
  
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• Thousands of residents still in the cold with another cold night coming

  03-02-2023 22:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Official ice accretion amounts are in for Austin's Camp Mabry and 0.69" of ice will be added to the record books with most of it coming on Wednesday.Power Restoration Update: Austin Energy is no longer able to provide a time estimate on full power restorationThe upper-level low responsible for the mess we had much of the week is out of Texas. Temperatures have warmed so that daytime icing is no longer a concern after several reports of ice this morning. Temperatures today will h
  
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• Gov. Greg Abbott hires 'border czar' to accelerate wall construction

  03-02-2023 21:59 via kxan.com
  
  (Texas Tribune) — Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday the creation of a Texas “border czar” and said he has appointed a recently retired Border Patrol agent to that position who will “tap his expertise to deploy strategies that reduce illegal immigration and keep our community safe.”Abbott said Mike Banks, who retired from Border Patrol 10 days ago, will work alongside the Texas National Guard, state troopers and the Texas Facilities Commission to “acc
  
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• Texas education board changes stance on vouchers after previously rejecting 'school choice' policy

  03-02-2023 21:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The State Board of Education is changing its mind on "school choice" — voting Thursday to reverse its previous stance of asking Texas lawmakers to reject school vouchers or anything that gives public funding to private schools.In November, the Republican-majority board voted to encourage lawmakers to stay away from school voucher policies. The item was part of its legislative recommendations, calling on legislators "to reject all attempts to divert public dollars a
  
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• Protest-related indictment against Austin police officer dismissed

  03-02-2023 21:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An indictment against Austin police officer Nicholas Gebhart stemming from the May 2020 downtown Austin protests was dismissed Friday afternoon.Nicholas Gebhart was indicted on two counts of aggravated assault by a public servant, in the case of an injured teenager named Brad Ayala.Everything we know about the teen shot in the head with less lethal round at Austin protestGebhart's attorney Doug O'Connell confirmed the dismissal to KXAN. This story will be updated with addit
  
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• Case dismissed against Austin police officer indicted after 2020 protest

  03-02-2023 21:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An indictment against Austin police officer Nicholas Gebhart stemming from the May 2020 downtown Austin protests was dismissed Friday afternoon.Nicholas Gebhart was indicted on two counts of aggravated assault by a public servant, in the case of an injured teenager named Brad Ayala.Everything we know about the teen shot in the head with less lethal round at Austin protestGebhart's attorney Doug O'Connell confirmed the dismissal to KXAN. This story will be updated with addit
  
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• ERCOT unveils new 6-day supply/demand forecast dashboard

  03-02-2023 20:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Friday, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas announced a new 6-Day Forecast on the Supply and Demand dashboard that will provide Texans with an extended view of upcoming grid conditions.
  “Like an extended weather forecast, the new 6-Day Forecast dashboard provides an indication of future conditions on the grid for 6 days beyond the current operating day,” says Dan Woodfin, ERCOT Vice President of System Operations.
  ERCOT said while the forecasts may change, t
  
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• Gov. Abbott urges Texans to report ice storm damage

  03-02-2023 19:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Following the ice storm that left hundreds of thousands of Texans without power, Gov. Greg Abbott is urging those who the storm has impacted to report property damage through this online iSTAT damage assessment form, according to a press release."The State of Texas continues deploying assistance and providing all available resources to those impacted by this week’s severe winter weather," Abbott said.
  "As communities across the state begin to recover, Texans who have
  
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• One Texas city among best in the country to get married

  03-02-2023 19:50 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KIAH) -- Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and many may think of popping the question, but it will cost you. The average wedding costs $28,000. However, there is one city in Texas that is ranked among the best to get married, according to a new study. Personal finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2023’s Best Places to Get Married after speaking with experts.In their new report, WalletHub tried to help couples find the most wedding-friendly destinati
  
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• Police: Man arrested in taking of monkeys from Dallas Zoo

  03-02-2023 18:49 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (AP) — A 24-year-old man has been arrested in the case of the two monkeys taken from the Dallas Zoo after he was spotted near the animal exhibits at an aquarium in the city, police said Friday.Davion Irvin was arrested Thursday and was charged with six counts of animal cruelty, Dallas police said. Jail records, which don't list an attorney for him, indicate that he faces five charges of animal cruelty and that his bail was set at $25,000. A real zoodunit: Monkeys found but mystery d
  
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• Teen with special needs found alone in Texas, his family still not identified

  03-02-2023 18:45 via kxan.com
  
  MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) — The Midland Police Department held a news conference Thursday to update the community and surrounding areas about a case involving a teenager with special needs who was found last weekend. The search for the boy's family has garnered nationwide attention. On Jan. 29, officers found the non-speaking boy, believed to be between 15 and 20 years of age, walking alone in an alley near Ward Street and Shandon Avenue. Officers asked the young man his name, but he
  
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• How to see what traffic lights are out in Austin

  03-02-2023 18:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As thousands are without power as of Friday morning, those outages are also affecting traffic lights in the city.The Austin Transportation Department (ATD) has a map that shows which traffic signals currently have issues. You can access it here. At 10:26 a.m., ATD tweeted that 27 signals were flashing or dark because of outages. It also said it had restored 120 signals since the start of the ice storm, "with crews working 24h."It is also asking people to report dark traffic
  
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• LIVE: Austin Energy 'cautiously optimistic' about work to restore full power as city, county declare disaster

  03-02-2023 18:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As thousands remain without power Friday afternoon, Austin's mayor and the Travis County judge announced they're each issuing disaster declarations because of the ice storm.
  Mayor Kirk Watson and Judge Andy Brown said at a news conference Friday afternoon that this will allow the city and county respectively to access additional support from the state and federal levels to help with recovery efforts.LIVE BLOG: Power outages persist throughout Austin, Central TexasBrown told
  
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• LIVE: Austin Energy 'cautiously optimistic' about work to restore full power as city considers disaster declaration

  03-02-2023 18:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With warming temperatures melting off ice from trees and utility lines, the leader of Austin Energy said she's "cautiously optimistic" Friday morning that work to restore power would move more quickly now.
  Jackie Sargent, the general manager of Austin Energy, said icing caused extensive damage that keeps complicating efforts to fully restore electricity for customers.LIVE BLOG: Power outages persist throughout Austin, Central Texas"Today, however, we are cautiously optimist
  
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• Austin Energy 'cautiously optimistic' about work to restore full power as city, county declare disaster

  03-02-2023 18:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With warming temperatures melting off ice from trees and utility lines, the leader of Austin Energy said she's "cautiously optimistic" Friday morning that work to restore power would move more quickly now.
  Jackie Sargent, the general manager of Austin Energy, said icing caused extensive damage that keeps complicating efforts to fully restore electricity for customers.LIVE BLOG: Power outages persist throughout Austin, Central Texas"Today, however, we are cautiously optimist
  
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• Austin Energy 'cautiously optimistic' about work to restore full power as city considers disaster declaration

  03-02-2023 18:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With warming temperatures melting off ice from trees and utility lines, the leader of Austin Energy said she's "cautiously optimistic" Friday morning that work to restore power would move more quickly now.
  Jackie Sargent, the general manager of Austin Energy, said icing caused extensive damage that keeps complicating efforts to fully restore electricity for customers.LIVE BLOG: Power outages persist throughout Austin, Central Texas"Today, however, we are cautiously optimist
  
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• Austin Energy 'cautiously optimistic' about work to restore full power as city consider disaster declaration

  03-02-2023 18:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With warming temperatures melting off ice from trees and utility lines, the leader of Austin Energy said she's "cautiously optimistic" Friday morning that work to restore power would move more quickly now.
  Jackie Sargent, the general manager of Austin Energy, said icing caused extensive damage that keeps complicating efforts to fully restore electricity for customers.LIVE BLOG: Power outages persist throughout Austin, Central Texas"Today, however, we are cautiously optimist
  
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• Austin Energy 'cautiously optimistic' about work to restore full power

  03-02-2023 18:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With warming temperatures melting off ice from trees and utility lines, the leader of Austin Energy said she's "cautiously optimistic" Friday morning that work to restore power would move more quickly now.
  Jackie Sargent, the general manager of Austin Energy, said icing caused extensive damage that keeps complicating efforts to fully restore electricity for customers.LIVE BLOG: Power outages persist throughout Austin, Central Texas"Today, however, we are cautiously optimist
  
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• Boil water notices issued for parts of Hays, Travis and Bastrop counties

  03-02-2023 17:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Boil water notices have been issued for multiple areas in Hays County, an additional area of Travis County and part of Elgin in Bastrop County.Boil water notices have also been issued for Travis County Water District 10 and the City of Lexington. Is Austin under a boil water notice?The areas of Hays County under the notice include Hays County Water Water Control and Improvement Districts (WCID) 1 and 2, as well as the Reunion Ranch WCID.In Travis County, the Senna Hill
  
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• Census highlights changes in Austin's music scene, as high costs push musicians to suburbs

  03-02-2023 17:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin may be the Live Music Capital of the World, but the music scene is evolving, with more musicians now moving outside central Austin.Results from the 2022 Greater Austin Music Census were released Friday and showed how the landscape has changed. The census, a community-led initiative with more than 50 partners, including KXAN, is the second completed by the city. The first was conducted in 2014, becoming the first of its kind in the nation. Moody Center named Billboard
  
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• 2 Horseshoe Bay police officers injured after shooting

  03-02-2023 17:00 via kxan.com
  
  HORSESHOE BAY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Horseshoe Bay Police Department said two on-duty officers were shot at approximately 2:30 a.m. Friday in Horseshoe Bay.HBPD said the officers were taken to the hospital with minor injuries and later released.According to police, a suspect has been arrested.This is a developing story. Check back with KXAN for updates.
  
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• Why two carbon monoxide patients couldn't be treated in Austin

  03-02-2023 15:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Travis County EMS said it responded to a carbon monoxide exposure incident involving eight patients Thursday night in northwest Austin. Of the patients, six were adults and two were children.
  According to EMS, the remaining five patients were evaluated and refused EMS transport.In a press conference on Friday morning, ATCEMS assistant chief Wes Hopkins said the patients were part of one family, running their car in their garage to keep warm.
  "The garage door was open abou
  
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• Why two Austin patients had to be flown to San Antonio for carbon monoxide poisoning

  03-02-2023 15:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Travis County EMS said it responded to a carbon monoxide exposure incident involving eight patients Thursday night in northwest Austin. Of the patients, six were adults and two were children.
  According to EMS, the remaining five patients were evaluated and refused EMS transport.In a press conference on Friday morning, ATCEMS assistant chief Wes Hopkins said the patients were part of one family, running their car in their garage to keep warm.
  "The garage door was open abou
  
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• Why four carbon monoxide patients couldn't be treated in Austin

  03-02-2023 15:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Travis County EMS Chief Rob Luckritz said their biggest concern is carbon monoxide exposure, after having to transport four patients to San Antonio for treatment over the past day.
  EMS said Thursday night, they responded to a carbon monoxide exposure incident involving eight patients in northwest Austin. Of the patients, six were adults and two were children.
  According to EMS, the remaining five patients were evaluated and refused EMS transport.In a press conference on Fr
  
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• Why 4 carbon monoxide patients couldn't be treated in Austin

  03-02-2023 15:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Rob Luckritz said their biggest concern is carbon monoxide exposure, after having to transport four patients to San Antonio for treatment over the past day.
  EMS said Thursday night, they responded to a carbon monoxide exposure incident involving eight patients in northwest Austin. Of the patients, six were adults and two were children.
  According to EMS, the remaining five patients were evaluated and refused EMS transport.In a press conference
  
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• Crash involving 10 cars reported on US 183 in north Austin

  03-02-2023 15:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Drivers should expect major backups Friday morning in north Austin after icy conditions reportedly caused 10 cars to crash on U.S. 183.The wreck happened near Oak Knoll Drive on northbound U.S. 183, according to reports. Officers from the Austin Police Department are diverting traffic off the highway there due to ice still causing hazardous driving conditions.LIVE BLOG: Power outages continue throughout Austin, Central TexasAdditionally, Leander police posted on social medi
  
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• ATCEMS: Multi-patient carbon monoxide exposure incident, 2 flown to San Antonio for treatment

  03-02-2023 15:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Travis County EMS said it responded to a carbon monoxide exposure incident involving 8 patients Thursday night in northwest Austin. Of the patients, six were adults and two were children.
  ATCEMS said one child and one adult were transported with serious, potentially life-threatening symptoms. Officials said the two patients were then flown to University Hospital in San Antonio for specialized hyperbaric treatment.ATCEMS said a teenage patient was also taken to Dell Childr
  
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• ATCEMS: 8 people exposed to carbon monoxide, 2 flown to San Antonio for treatment

  03-02-2023 15:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Travis County EMS said it responded to a carbon monoxide exposure incident involving 8 patients Thursday night in northwest Austin. Of the patients, six were adults and two were children.
  ATCEMS said one child and one adult were transported with serious, potentially life-threatening symptoms. Officials said the two patients were then flown to University Hospital in San Antonio for specialized hyperbaric treatment.ATCEMS said a teenage patient was also taken to Dell Childr
  
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• RRISD offering curbside meal service Friday

  03-02-2023 14:08 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- Round Rock ISD said its food services department would host a curbside meal service for the community Friday after this week's winter weather.The district said the curbside meal service will be offered from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m."Everyone, regardless of age or residence, is eligible to receive a cold breakfast and lunch during curbside meal service. If families come with Round Rock ISD students, parents and guardians are asked to have their ID number available," the
  
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• A lot of sun with a needed warming

  03-02-2023 13:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The worst of the weather is behind us. No more freezing rain or freezing drizzle. And, for the short term, no more rain.Power Restoration Update: Austin Energy is no longer able to provide a time estimate on full power restorationThe upper-level low responsible for the mess we had much of the week is out of Texas. Clouds slowly cleared overnight with morning temperatures falling to the upper 20s to low/mid 30s. Today will be mostly sunny with highs expected to reach the upper 40
  
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• 50s this afternoon, but another freeze expected tonight

  03-02-2023 13:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The worst of the weather is behind us. No more freezing rain or freezing drizzle. And, for the short term, no more rain.Power Restoration Update: Austin Energy is no longer able to provide a time estimate on full power restorationThe upper-level low responsible for the mess we had much of the week is out of Texas. Temperatures have warmed so that daytime icing is no longer a concern after several reports of ice this morning. Temperatures today will head for the milder low 50s, w
  
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• APD: Man dies from injuries 10 days after being struck by vehicle

  03-02-2023 13:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Thursday, the Austin Police Department identified a man who died from injuries sustained after being struck by a vehicle Jan. 13 in southeast Austin.APD said 63-year-old Kenneth Edward Wilson was hit by the vehicle when he tried to cross the road near the 1900 block of E. William Cannon Drive. Wilson was taken to a hospital, and he later died Jan. 23.Police are investigating the crash as Austin's 5th deadly crash of 2023. So far, there have been five fatalities for the year.
  
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• Austin Energy customers say communication has to be better as thousands are still without power

  03-02-2023 05:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The number of Austin Energy customers without power has dropped from Wednesday morning, but there are still thousands without power as of Thursday.By 9:30 p.m. Thursday, there were about 143,000 Austin Energy customers without power.Austin Energy initially said power would be restored within 12 to 24 hours, then the company said Friday evening, but at Thursday's press conference, that changed again.“Austin Energy has determined we are unable to provide a specific rest
  
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• Tree trouble: Focus on vegetation management after Austin power outages

  03-02-2023 04:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With branches and trees littering yards and roads across Austin after the ice storm, city leaders faced questions about whether more tree trimming could have prevented some of the thousands of power outages that left people in the dark.Austin Energy unable to provide restoration timesAustin Energy regularly trims trees around power lines to not only prevent outages during winter storms, but also to prevent wildfires. It trims in specific areas at risk of causing problems, but al
  
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• Shots fired reported at Pflugerville shopping center

  03-02-2023 03:03 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) -- Pflugerville Police responded to a shots fired report Thursday night in Pflugerville's Stone Hill Town Center.Police said no injuries were reported in this "isolated incident," and there is no danger to the public.Police are asking people to avoid the area.The Stone Hill Town Center is near State Highway 130 and State Highway 45.This breaking news story will be updated as more information becomes available.
  
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• 50,000 without power in Williamson County, heavy ice on lines to blame, Oncor says

  03-02-2023 02:44 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Heavy ice on electrical wires have caused them to droop, strain, and break, leading to widespread outages across the county, utility provider Oncor said. County emergency managers said utility crews are working to restore power as county and city workers rush to clear fallen trees from roads.As of Thursday afternoon, Shantelle Brannon, deputy director of Williamson County emergency management, said 50,000 residents from Georgetown to Jarrell, and Taylor to
  
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• More than 100,000 people still in the dark and cold as power restoration slows

  03-02-2023 02:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Our worst ice storm in at least 16 years has come to an end, but widespread tree and power line damage in its wake is leading to lingering widespread power outages.Power Restoration Update: Austin Energy is no longer able to provide a time estimate on full power restorationAs of the latest report, Camp Mabry recorded 0.64" of ice accumulation over the last three days -- a historic amount that has added hundreds of pounds of weight to trees and power lines. When full reports are
  
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• Hundreds of thousands still in the dark, cold as power restoration slows after historic ice storm

  03-02-2023 02:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Our worst ice storm in at least 16 years has come to an end, but widespread tree and power line damage in its wake is leading to lingering widespread power outages.Power Restoration Update: Austin Energy is no longer able to provide a time estimate on full power restorationAs of the latest report, Camp Mabry recorded 0.64" of ice accumulation over the last three days -- a historic amount that has added hundreds of pounds of weight to trees and power lines. When full reports are
  
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• Business at the Texas Capitol is running slowly. It's on purpose

  03-02-2023 01:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The ice storm that slammed much of Texas this week also froze business at the Texas Capitol. Several key committees like the Senate's budget review and redistricting hearings were delayed, and most legislative work was put on pause.
  "The weather is moving in a little faster than anticipated, and it's going to be a little worse than anticipated," Senate Finance Chair Joan Huffman (R-Houston) told her committee on Monday. The committee will resume work on the budget proposal on
  
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• KXAN's Jim Spencer reflects on historic ice storm

  03-02-2023 01:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Quality data looking at the historic nature of this recent ice storm is not easy to come by. At Austin's Camp Mabry, they only installed an ice accretion measuring sensor six years ago.Other, less official, measurements go back farther in time. Forecast: KXAN First Warning WeatherSometimes the best way to look at how a storm compares is to speak with people who can remember. Who better than KXAN's former Chief Forecaster Jim Spencer who worked at KXAN for 30 years before semi-re
  
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• Report: Austin's run with the WGC-Dell Match Play likely over

  03-02-2023 01:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- 2023 may be the last time Austin Country Club hosts the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play Championship, according to a report from Golfweek.The Golfweek report states the Dell Technologies Match Play will lose its spot on the schedule as the PGA Tour makes changes to its 2024 schedule.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 current contract between the PGA Tour and Aust
  
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• Boil water notice issued for Lexington Water customers

  03-02-2023 00:05 via kxan.com
  
  LEXINGTON, Texas (KXAN) -- A boil water notice is in effect for all Lexington Water Customers. According to a City of Lexington Facebook post, customers should prepare for the notice to last through the weekend and into the first part of next week.MORE: No boil water notice for City of AustinTo ensure harmful bacteria and microbes are killed, the water should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil and boiled for two minutes.Alternatively, Lexington residents should purchase bottled water or obta
  
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