Austin news

• Insurance may reimburse for some food lost during power outages

  04-02-2023 22:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Some Austinites whose power has remained off for longer than 24 hours could lose hundreds of dollars of food. So, will home insurance cover these losses? Power outages were rampant in Austin and Travis County throughout the ice storm. As of Friday afternoon, there were over 100,000 customers still without power. If an outage lasts longer than four hours, the United States Department of Agriculture recommends throwing out all perishable foods in the refrigerator. T
  
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• US downs Chinese balloon over ocean, moves to recover debris

  04-02-2023 20:54 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States on Saturday downed a suspected Chinese spy balloon off the Carolina coast after it traversed sensitive military sites across North America and became the latest flashpoint in tensions between Washington and Beijing.An operation was underway in U.S. territorial waters to recover debris from the balloon, which had been flying at about 60,000 feet and estimated to be about the size of three school buses.Before the downing, President Joe Biden had said earli
  
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• The Fred Kerley Story: City of Taylor unveils mural honoring its hometown Olympian

  04-02-2023 20:25 via kxan.com
  
  TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) — Fred Kerley returned to his hometown of Taylor on Saturday morning, wearing a shirt that read, "To all the teachers who told me I wouldn't amount to anything."Kerley made this bold statement, backed by his community in Taylor as they honored him with a dedication ceremony, unveiling a mural of him. The image now standing tall for everyone to see coming from a photo during his 100-meter race in 2022 in Eugene, Oregon. That race would lead him to a world title.
  Kerley
  
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• Austin Mayor Kirk Watson tests positive for COVID

  04-02-2023 20:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Mayor Kirk Watson has tested positive for COVID-19, Watson said in a tweet Thursday morning.
  Watson wrote he would isolate himself at home, per CDC guidelines, which currently recommend people stay home for five days after testing positive. Watson did not say if he was experiencing symptoms but wrote that he is fully vaccinated and boosted."This situation is far from ideal, but I’m still in contact with staff and will continue to work and receive storm recovery briefings,"
  
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• South Austin fire causes critical, life-threatening injury, according to ATCEMS

  04-02-2023 19:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin and Travis County Emergency Medical Services responded to a south Austin fire Saturday morning, according to ATCEMS' Twitter.Three ambulances went to the home on Parkdale Place. ATCEMS has transported one patient with critical and life-threatening injuries to St. David's South. ATCEMS is evaluating two more patients for injuries, according to ATCEMS.Austin Fire Department responded to the fire Thursday morning. AFD rescued the patient, who is now being treated for injurie
  
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• AFD: 92-year-old woman dies after fire rescue in south Austin

  04-02-2023 19:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A 92-year-old woman died at the hospital after being rescued by the Austin Fire Department from a fire at a south Austin home Saturday morning, according to AFD.
  Austin and Travis County Emergency Medical Services sent three ambulances to the home. The woman was transported to St. David's South with critical, life-threatening injuries. She was later pronounced dead at the hospital, according to AFD.AFD responds to fire in south Austin (KXAN photo/Frank Martinez)AFD responds to f
  
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• Why do Texans eat pickles at movie theaters — and why doesn't everyone else?

  04-02-2023 17:00 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — While for many Americans, a trip to the movie theater may conjure images of overflowing popcorn buckets, for many a Texans, the idea may kickstart their salivary glands thinking of a juicy pickle.While it may come as a surprise to Texans that pickles and popcorn isn't as natural a combination for people who don't live in the Lone Star State (though theaters in neighboring states may also sell pickles), the reverse is true for many who aren't from the 28th state. Who’s res
  
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• Gas line break causes road closures on Congress Avenue

  04-02-2023 16:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Fire Department said crews were at the scene of a 4” natural gas line break in the 4400 block of South Congress Avenue.
  "Congress Avenue is shut down in both directions," AFD said.The department asked motorists to avoid the area for the next few hours.According to officials, Texas Gas was en route, and Austin police have the roadways blocked.AFD said South Congress was closed south of Ben White due to the gas line break."Seek alternate routes and avoid the area," AF
  
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• How Austin Energy ensure their workers are cared for while repairing storm damages

  04-02-2023 16:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Energy said it has been busy fixing power lines damaged in the ice storm. There are around 400 workers, nearly 100 of them from out of town, out on the streets repairing damages so energy is restored for everyone. As of Saturday, there are still roughly 100,000 Austin Enegery customers are still without power.KXAN morning anchor Sally Hernandez spoke with Austin Energy Public Information Officer Matt Mitchell to find out how workers stay safe while mending the infras
  
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• Top Black-owned businesses to go to in Austin for Black History Month

  04-02-2023 14:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- KXAN wants to know which Black-owned Austin businesses are your favorite.
  An Austin events page compiled a list of roughly 100 businesses --including restaurants, services and retail spaces -- where Austinites can support Black-owned businesses during February.
  KXAN is looking to feature one business from each category every weekend. If you have a favorite spot, email KXAN weekend anchor, Jala Washingon, at [email protected]
  
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• Warmer today and even warmer tomorrow

  04-02-2023 14:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Many are still dealing with power outages from the ice. Here is what Austin-Travis County EMS Paramedics suggest to stay warm:
  Put on layers of thick clothing and blanketsKeep everyone in one small room and close the doorsPull curtains/blinds shut
  Dense fog has settled into Central Texas. A DENSE FOG ADVISORY will be in effect until 10:00 Saturday morning.Thick fog for most areas this morningWe hope the power returns for everyone today. Thankfully, the area will find warmer temp
  
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• 70s return ahead of a widespread soaking rain

  04-02-2023 14:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Sunshine and 60s helped with the mood after a difficult week in Central Texas. The weather was certainly more ideal for line workers and tree trimmers helping to restore power to the area.
  Tonight will be mostly clear and cool, but not as cold as the last few nights. Low clouds and areas of fog should develop late in the night and into Sunday morning. Overnight lows should drop into the mid 40s in Austin with our coldest spots getting down into the upper 30s in the Hill Country.
  
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• 'Just do your job': West Austin neighbors still without power grow frustrated

  04-02-2023 04:38 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) — Homes in the west Austin neighborhood of Anderson Mills were still in the dark Friday night. Residents said they are frustrated that two years after the deep freeze of 2021, loss of power has them feeling an all too familiar chill.A resident who asked only to be called 'Joe' has lived in his home on Perthshire Street for 12 years.Since the 2021 freeze, he said the electrical connection to the home has been shaky. Losing power any time it freezes and even during heavy rain.F
  
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• Ice storm: Here's how you can get help, access to resources

  04-02-2023 04:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An ice storm passed through the Central Texas area this week, leaving behind considerable damage.Whether people need help with damage as a result of the storm, clearing down tree branches and limbs, insurance information, access to food resources or any open shelters, KXAN has compiled a list to get people the information they need.Here is a list of resources below:Central Texas Food Bank holding two special food distributionsWhen: Feb. 4, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.; 1:30 p.m. to 3:
  
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• Schools across Austin cleaning up downed trees, branches following freeze

  04-02-2023 03:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — While the freezing temperatures have moved out of Central Texas the impacts from the storm continue."I woke up and heard lots of crashing," said 12-year-old Henry Pugh. "First day I came out here after the freeze I had to be careful"The Pugh's yard filled with downed branches and hanging tree limbs. They are also without power.The Pugh family spent Friday cleaning up the downed trees and branches in their yard.
  Jennifer Pugh said she was worried to see the hanging branches,
  
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• Some Austin nursing homes, assisted living facilities still without power

  04-02-2023 02:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Concerned family members and even residents of some senior living facilities across the Austin area reported they are still without power heading into Friday night.
  KXAN investigators have been fielding concerns about lengthy outages at several skilled nursing and assisted living facilities that house older and often medically-vulnerable people.How does Austin Energy prioritize its response to power outages?Austin Energy said it prioritizes power restoration at these facilities,
  
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• A helping hand: Anderson High football team cleans up ice storm debris

  04-02-2023 02:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The winter weather that has swept across Central Texas has now given way to warmer temperatures but there is still work to be done. For the Anderson High School football team, they jumped at an opportunity to help.
  "Building relationships and enjoying it," said Anderson junior Brady Gephart about giving back as a team. "And really coming together as a family is really huge in these moments where the community needs you the most."MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sport
  
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• Jury clears Musk of wrongdoing related to 2018 Tesla tweets

  04-02-2023 01:49 via kxan.com
  
  SAN FRANCISO (AP) — A jury on Friday decided Elon Musk didn’t deceive investors with his 2018 tweets about electric automaker Tesla.The verdict by the nine jurors was reached after less than two hours of deliberation following a three-week trial and represents a major vindication for Musk.The trial pitted Tesla investors represented in a class-action lawsuit against Musk, who is CEO of both the electric automaker and the Twitter service he bought for $44 billion a few months ago.In 2
  
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• CapMetro took to the streets to clear roads while services were reduced

  04-02-2023 00:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Through the duration of the ice storm, while service was down, CapMetro employees took to the streets to try and clear fallen trees and branches. “Our employees have done a phenomenal job with the ice storm,” Vice President of Operations at CapMetro Miles Turpin said.CapMetro public facilities team trims fallen limbs during 2023 ice storm. (Photo courtesy: CapMetro)
  “They understood the need for these last 72 hours. And each one of them came in and di
  
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• YouTube workers strike over forced 'return' to an office most never worked at

  04-02-2023 00:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- YouTube Music workers went on strike Friday in response to a mandatory "return to office" order, which they say was never part of the job.The workers claim the order is an attempt by Cognizant, the Google sub-contractor who employs the YouTube Music workers, to weaken union support ahead of an unionization vote that would organize them under the Communications Workers of America."In an act of retaliation against our organizing efforts, our employer is forcing an end to remote wo
  
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• ATCEMS: 'Vast majority' of crashes due to non-working traffic lights

  04-02-2023 00:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Along Menchaca Road, at intersections without working traffic lights, multiple drivers swerved to miss each other as horns honked loudly. Several drivers appeared uncertain what to do -- some blowing through the intersection without ever stopping.How to see what traffic lights are out in AustinOne motorist waiting for her turn to cross shouted out her window to a KXAN reporter that her power has been out for three days.
  At least 104 traffic signals are flashing or dark "due to p
  
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