Austin news

• New Texas House caucus to focus on water security, updating systems

  09-02-2023 23:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Something that appears to bridge partisan divides at the Texas Capitol is water, because that singular issue is uniting a broad coalition of House lawmakers during this legislative session.
  At least 67 state representatives are now officially a part of the newly-formed Texas House Water Caucus. Those members include legislators from the state's biggest cities to its rural communities — with almost an equal number of Republicans and Democrats among its ranks. This cauc
  
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• In I-35's path: Austin icons, pillars, may be pushed out--some for a second time

  09-02-2023 23:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Right off of I-35 and East 31st Street sits a bustling Austin icon: Stars Cafe.
  "We've always had like a great time here. Great service, great... laughter, great memories," said customer Paige Hite.
  She frequents the spot once or twice a week with colleagues, after working at St. David's healthcare across the way.
  "Just kind of chill after a stressful 12-hour shift," she said. "It's very important to me for my sanity."
  As Austin has grown and the number of cars has multiplied, t
  
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• In I-35's path: Austin icons, pillars, may be pushed out — some for a second time

  09-02-2023 23:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Right off Interstate 35 and East 31st Street sits a bustling Austin icon: Stars Cafe.
  "We've always had like a great time here. Great service, great... laughter, great memories," said customer Paige Hite.
  She frequents the spot once or twice a week with colleagues, after working at St. David's HealthCare across the way.
  "Just kind of chill after a stressful 12-hour shift," she said. "It's very important to me for my sanity."
  As Austin has grown and the number of cars has mu
  
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• Court records: AISD behind on more than 800 special education evaluations

  09-02-2023 22:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Court records filed in an ongoing lawsuit against the Austin Independent School District reveal the district is behind on evaluating more than 800 students who might need special education services.The Texas Education Agency confirmed it has an ongoing investigation into the AISD special education department. Austin ISD is offering an interview with Superintendent Matias Segura Thursday afternoon to discuss this matter.The lawsuit brought on by federal protection and advoca
  
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• Gusty winds and colder air blow in overnight

  09-02-2023 22:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Following a gorgeous spring-like day Thursday with highs in the 70s, colder, windy weather is in the forecast to end your work week.A compact storm system moving into the area overnight brings increasing clouds and a few sprinkles to our area. A mainly dry, windy cold front sweeps through, lowering temperatures to the 40s Friday morning with wind gusts over 30 miles per hour adding to the chill.Gusty winds continue all day Friday as sunshine returns, though no Wind Advisory is e
  
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• Uvalde accountability: DPS director says 2 employees will be disciplined

  09-02-2023 22:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The head of the Texas Department of Public Safety suggested Thursday two DPS employees will be disciplined for their response to the Robb Elementary School mass shooting in Uvalde. Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies took more than 77 minutes to enter the classroom and take down the gunman.Nexstar asked DPS Director Steven McCraw questions about the investigation into the shooting and accountability Thursday after he testified to the Senate Finance Committee
  
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• Uvalde accountability: DPS director says 2 employees to be disciplined

  09-02-2023 22:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The head of the Texas Department of Public Safety suggested Thursday two DPS employees will be disciplined for their response to the Robb Elementary School mass shooting in Uvalde. Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies took more than 77 minutes to enter the classroom and take down the gunman.Nexstar asked DPS Director Steven McCraw questions about the investigation into the shooting and accountability Thursday after he testified to the Senate Finance Committee
  
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• Texas' top cop: no more DPS officers will be disciplined for Uvalde shooting response

  09-02-2023 22:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The head of the Texas Department of Public Safety suggested Thursday two DPS employees previously disciplined for their response to the Robb Elementary School mass shooting in Uvalde will be the only employees disciplined. Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies took more than 77 minutes to enter the classroom and take down the gunman.In September, the department announced seven DPS officials were under investigation for the response that day. Two of those who we
  
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• No more DPS officers will be disciplined for Uvalde shooting response, director says

  09-02-2023 22:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The head of the Texas Department of Public Safety suggested Thursday two DPS employees previously disciplined for their response to the Robb Elementary School mass shooting in Uvalde will be the only employees disciplined. Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies took more than 77 minutes to enter the classroom and take down the gunman.In September, the department announced seven DPS officials were under investigation for the response that day. Two of those who we
  
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• Texas celebs featured in Super Bowl LVII commercials released so far

  09-02-2023 20:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The first batch of Super Bowl commercials are out and you might notice some familiar faces.Big name advertisers from Netflix to Google are paying as much as $7 million for a 30-second spot during the big game on Sunday, in order to capture the attention of the roughly 100 million viewers who tune in each year.In order to get as much of a return on investment for those millions, most advertisers release their ads in the days ahead of the big game to get the most publicity fo
  
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• 2023 Austin Music Awards lineup announced, tickets on sale

  09-02-2023 20:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The lineup for the 41st annual Austin Music Awards was announced this week. Tickets are on sale now and benefit the SIMS Foundation.The Austin Chronicle is presenting the event at Mohawk on Red River Street on Feb. 26. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.
  Award categories include Song of the Year, Band of the Year, Best New Act, and more. Tickets can be bought online.
  The 2023 Austin Music Awards lineup includes the following:Jackie VensonComo Las Movie with Sab
  
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• 2 Texas QBs in Super Bowl, but who already won the state’s heart?

  09-02-2023 19:52 via kxan.com
  
  LUBBOCK, Texas – In Super Bowl LVII, Texas natives Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts will battle it out in the quarterback position.Mahomes comes from Whitehouse and was a legendary Texas Tech QB from 2014 through 2016. Hurts comes from Channelview and was a superstar QB for Alabama during the 2016, 2017 and 2018 seasons before transferring to the Oklahoma Sooners in 2019. So, in some sense, it’s a battle of two Big 12 quarterbacks.But before the game ever starts, has one of them alrea
  
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• Teen arrested in connection to crash that left child dead, adult injured

  09-02-2023 19:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A 17-year-old was arrested in connection to an early February crash that killed a child and injured an adult.The Austin Police Department said officers responded to the crash around 4:24 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4.APD said the call came in as a crash between an SUV and a sedan at the intersection of North Meadows Drive and Newmont Drive in north Austin.After the initial impact, the SUV kept going and then crashed into two pickup trucks parked at a nearby duplex, according to APD.
  
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• City relaunches program to help people with unpaid citations, outstanding warrants

  09-02-2023 19:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – On Tuesday, the City of Austin announced it relaunched its Warrant Amnesty Program. The city said the program helps people take care of unpaid citations and/or outstanding warrants without the threat of arrest.According to information from the city, people who resolve active warrants will have the warrant fees waived, but they must contact the court to take advantage of this program.“No officers will be sent out to take defendants into custody during this time frame,
  
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• Why does Austin Energy transfer millions back to the city's general budget?

  09-02-2023 19:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- This week, a news release from the political action committee Save Austin Now called into question $115 million in transfers made from Austin Energy to the city's general fund -- a practice that is city-mandated and a requirement for Austin Energy as a public, nonprofit utility service, officials said."For almost a year, we have been raising questions about the $115 million that city council transfers from Austin Energy to general revenue to fund their pet projects, instead of a
  
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• Court orders Travis County DA to record grand jury in law enforcement use of force cases

  09-02-2023 19:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A motion filed in the 331st District Court of Travis County was granted Thursday morning requiring Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza to record all Grand Jury proceedings related to investigations into use of force by law enforcement, excluding grand jury deliberations and/or voting.
  "We believe the extraordinary number of police officer indictments obtained by Mr. Garza since 2021 has been the result of his office carefully selecting what evidence to show to g
  
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• Court orders Travis County DA to record grand jury in law enforcement use of force case

  09-02-2023 19:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A motion filed in the 331st District Court of Travis County was granted Thursday morning requiring Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza to record Grand Jury proceedings related to investigations into use of force by an Austin police officer. The requirement excludes grand jury deliberations and/or voting.
  The motion specifically cites a current ongoing grand jury investigation in Travis County involving APD officer Alex Gaitan.
  "We believe the extraordinary numbe
  
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• KXAN launches new, state-of-the-art studio showcasing in-depth and investigative reporting

  09-02-2023 15:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — KXAN's brand-new studio debuted on the tail end of a winter storm that hit Central Texas and left thousands without power for days — and allowed us to bring the impact of that event to our viewers via improved presentation spaces.The studio upgrades were an investment on behalf of our audience so we're better equipped to tell in-depth, investigative stories in an engaging way.
  The new space — including an expanded First Warning Weather Center with mult
  
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• Where to find homelessness resources in Austin

  09-02-2023 15:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- For anyone experiencing homelessness in Austin, or for anyone who would like to provide those resources to people in need, here's what you need to know.Whether it is finding access to food or programs aimed to get you back into the workforce and/or housing, there are plenty of local resources to go around.City of Austin Basic Needs SitesThe City of Austin website provides resources for anyone experiencing homelessness, which starts with basic needs sites- places where people fro
  
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• TxDOT trying to get public input on I-35 expansion

  09-02-2023 14:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Transportation will host a meeting Thursday night to discuss the I-35 Capital Express Central Project, hoping to get public input on expansion plans through the downtown corridor.TxDOT’s preferred alternative plan would widen the major highway for a stretch of eight miles in the heart of Austin.Other design features include two lowered high-occupancy vehicle lanes, boulevard-looking frontage roads and the removal of I-35’s upper decks. RE
  
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• Home generator installers expect demand spike following ice storm

  09-02-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Just like it did after the epic winter storm of 2021, demand is expected to spike for home generators in Central Texas after a tree-snapping, blackout-inducing ice storm left more than 100,000 Austin-area customers dark and cold in early February.And just like 2021, customers will be waiting weeks or months for Austin Energy to schedule electrical shutoffs needed to complete home generator installations, according to multiple generator company executives and experts who spo
  
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• Man dies after being hit by car in northwest Austin

  09-02-2023 12:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police say a pedestrian died a week-and-a-half after he was hit by a car Jan. 25 in northwest Austin.
  According to Wednesday's APD announcement, a sedan crashed with Wenwu Cai, 68, on Balcones Club Drive on Jan. 25 around 7:45 p.m. That is southwest of US 183 and Anderson Mill Road near the Balcones Country Club.
  APD says Cai died at the hospital on Feb. 4.According to APD, the sedan's driver stayed behind and is cooperating with investigators.Balcones Club DriveAustin Po
  
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• AISD to consider boosting funds for tree care

  09-02-2023 12:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin ISD is looking to boost the amount of money it is paying to maintain and care for the trees on campuses and other district property.
  According to the agenda for Thursday night's Austin School Board of Trustees' Information Session, the administration wants to increase the amount of money AISD is paying for tree care from $100,000 a year to $200,000 a year.The agenda item did not mention the February 2023 ice storm.The Board of Trustees approved its current agreement with
  
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• Gorgeous weather cut short by late night cold front

  09-02-2023 12:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A quick rebound in temperatures is expected today ahead of yet another cold front sneaking in tonight.Despite the chilly start, today will feature beautiful February weather with afternoon highs in the low 70s under a bright blue sky. Winds will be out of the southwest gusting 10-20 mph most of the day, but a cold front arriving this evening will bring a quick and fierce north wind overnight into Friday.Gorgeous weather Thursday afternoonHowling north winds FridayIncreasing clou
  
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• One Round Rock I.S.D. teacher finds secret to keeping students engaged

  09-02-2023 12:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- When you walk into Shawn Sieber's classroom on the second floor of Westwood High School in Round Rock I.S.D., you may think you are accidentally walking into a crime scene.
  Scattered across the tables are what appears to be blood-soaked paper towels, and a majority of the students are walking around with large, gaping wounds on their arms and legs.
  But do not be alarmed.
  "That's normal for in here. That's, that's like a normal thing," Sieber said with a laugh.
  Those blood-soaked
  
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• 1 Round Rock ISD teacher finds secret to keeping students engaged

  09-02-2023 12:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — When you walk into Shawn Sieber's classroom on the second floor of Westwood High School in Round Rock ISD, you may think you are accidentally walking into a crime scene.
  Scattered across the tables are what appear to be blood-soaked paper towels, and a majority of the students are walking around with large, gaping wounds on their arms and legs.
  But do not be alarmed.
  "That's normal for in here. That's, that's like a normal thing," Sieber said with a laugh.
  Those blood-soake
  
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• APD reopens 35 after 18-wheeler fire near William Cannon

  09-02-2023 12:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police reopened northbound lanes of Interstate 35 near William Cannon Thursday morning after a fire that burned an 18-wheeler.
  Austin Police say the fire was out as of 4 a.m., and all lanes of Interstate 35 were reopened as of 6:30 a.m.
  Police say no one was hurt in the fire and the 18-wheeler was the only vehicle involved. APD says the 18-wheeler was no longer blocking traffic and would be towed later on Thursday.
  
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• 18-wheeler fire shuts down part of northbound I-35 near William Cannon

  09-02-2023 12:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police shut down two northbound lanes of Interstate 35 near William Cannon Thursday morning because of a fire that burned an 18-wheeler.
  Austin Police say the fire was out as of 4 a.m., and one of the lanes was reopened around 5 a.m.Police say no one was hurt in the fire and the 18-wheeler was the only vehicle involved.
  
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• No. 20 Longhorns notch 6th consecutive win, hold off Texas Tech 80-71

  09-02-2023 05:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The No. 20 Texas Longhorns weathered a fourth-quarter rally by Texas Tech and turned back the Red Raiders 80-71 Wednesday at Moody Center.It's the Longhorns' sixth consecutive win and avenges an earlier 68-64 loss to the Red Raiders on Jan. 18 in Lubbock, and it was a battle of attrition near the end of the game for both teams. A combined five players fouled out and the teams were whistled for 52 fouls, which led to 65 free throws between the two squads.MORE THAN THE SCORE:
  
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• How to set yourself up for insurance success ahead of another storm

  09-02-2023 05:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After two historic storms within two years, some have asked how to better prepare for the next one.
  Alyssa Onyx and her northwest Austin neighbors on Shady Oaks Drives were still in the dark Wednesday night."It's cold, it's dirty, it's just miserable," she said, adding that she's struggled to get help from her insurance company. "On top of everything else, it's just been very dire and straining." Will people get relief money for power outage costs?Insurance experts said this is
  
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• City of Austin, APA reach agreement for police oversight contract

  09-02-2023 05:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- The City of Austin and the Austin Police Association reached an agreement in principle for a four-year police oversight contract. A news release said the official announcement will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday.Previously, the city and APA clashed on adding police oversight to the labor contract in December. Earlier this week, city manager Spencer Cronk released a letter saying he was optimistic a negotiation would be reached. Austin city manager continues to push for negotiations as
  
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• City of Austin, APA reach agreement for police contract

  09-02-2023 05:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- The City of Austin and the Austin Police Association reached an agreement in principle for a four-year police oversight contract.
  City and police department leaders held a press conference Thursday morning for an official announcement. Watch the full conference in the video player above.
  Austin Police Association President Thomas Villarreal and Police Chief Joseph Chacon joined City Manager Spencer Cronk at the announcement.
  The contract has been under negotiation for almost a ye
  
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• Amid ice storm fallout, Austin Energy customers criticize new rate hikes

  09-02-2023 05:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- As Austin Energy works to restore power to the final hundreds of customers still in the dark after last week's ice storm, all customers are set to see another increase in their bills starting next month.
  That's when the base rate hike will take effect.
  City council members passed the move late last year, which will add about $9 to the average user's electric bill, according to the Austin Energy.
  That's on top of the pass-through rate hike, which went into effect in November and a
  
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• City Council to consider firing city manager, auditing Austin Energy Thursday

  09-02-2023 04:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In a special called executive session Thursday, Austin City Council is expected to spend much of the morning behind closed doors evaluating the effectiveness of Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk.
  By the end, the body -- a new mix of returning and freshly-elected members -- could decide to carry on as usual, terminate Cronk's contract or "lots of things in between," Mayor Kirk Watson said earlier this week.
  Watson ultimately placed the item on Thursday's agenda, with the backing
  
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• City Council approves Austin Energy audit, waives cleanup permits

  09-02-2023 04:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In a special-called executive session Thursday, Austin City Council was expected to spend much of the evening behind closed doors evaluating the effectiveness of Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk.
  By the end, the body -- a new mix of returning and freshly-elected members -- would decide to carry on as usual, terminate Cronk's contract or "lots of things in between," Mayor Kirk Watson said earlier this week.
  The results of the discussion from executive session are not likely to b
  
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• Big things happening at Austin City Council meeting Thursday: Here's what we're tracking

  09-02-2023 04:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In a special called executive session Thursday, Austin City Council is expected to spend much of the morning behind closed doors evaluating the effectiveness of Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk.
  By the end, the body -- a new mix of returning and freshly-elected members -- could decide to carry on as usual, terminate Cronk's contract or "lots of things in between," Mayor Kirk Watson said earlier this week.
  Watson ultimately placed the item on Thursday's agenda, with the backing
  
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• HHSC announces replacement SNAP benefits due to winter storm

  09-02-2023 03:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- The Texas Health and Human Services Commission announced Wednesday it received federal approval to allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients to apply for replacement benefits for food lost or destroyed during the winter storm, according to a news release from HHSC.“Prolonged localized power outages may have spoiled food for Texas families across our state during last week’s ice storm,” said Gov. Greg Abbott. “I thank HHSC for ensuring Texa
  
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• Bill would ban diversity, equity and inclusion at Texas universities

  09-02-2023 01:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- As Gov. Greg Abbott tells state agencies that using diversity, equity and inclusion criteria in the hiring process is "illegal," lawmakers in the legislature are pushing against the practice in Texas universities.State representative Carl Tepper, R-Lubbock, filed a bill to prohibit higher education institutions from funding or supporting diversity, equity and inclusion offices. HB 1006 also prohibits any efforts to formulate diversity "beyond what is necessary to uphold the e
  
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• Bill would ban Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Texas universities

  09-02-2023 01:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- As Gov. Greg Abbott tells state agencies that using diversity, equity and inclusion criteria in the hiring process is "illegal," lawmakers in the legislature are pushing against the practice in Texas universities.State representative Carl Tepper, R-Lubbock, filed a bill to prohibit higher education institutions from funding or supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion offices. HB 1006 also prohibits any efforts to formulate diversity "beyond what is necessary to uphold the
  
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• LIST: See which power positions Texas representatives landed this session

  09-02-2023 01:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Speaker of the House Dade Phelan announced committee assignments Wednesday morning, appointing Democrats as a quarter of all committee chairs, despite some pushback within the Republican party to not give the minority party leadership positions.“These assignments were made after careful consideration and extensive reflection, taking into account the committee preferences expressed by each member as well as the diverse talents they bring to the table — a combi
  
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• Baseball America predicts the Longhorns will make NCAA tourney, won't host a regional

  09-02-2023 00:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Even though the Texas Longhorns missed out on the preseason top 25 and just finished playing its alumni game last week, Baseball America thinks they'll make the NCAA tournament.In the website's preseason tournament field projection, Baseball America thinks that Texas will start the postseason on the road in Coral Gables, Florida, home of the Miami Hurricanes. It projects the Hurricanes as the No. 7 national seed and regional host, and Texas' first regional opponent would be
  
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• 5 Texas Longhorns invited to NFL Scouting Combine

  09-02-2023 00:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Five former Texas Longhorns received invitations to the NFL Scouting Combine set for Feb. 28-March 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
  What used to be a low-key event where team personnel would evaluate prospects and potential draft picks has become a made-for-TV spectacle, broadcast on the NFL Network. The main goal is for all 32 NFL teams to get medical information on prospective players, but they'll also do drills and activities to gauge how their athleticism could t
  
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• 300-job knife factory, HQ project dies in Leander

  09-02-2023 00:48 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (ABJ) -- An economic development project that had been billed as a milestone for a Williamson County suburb has fizzled out.Leander City Council voted Feb. 2 to terminate a Chapter 380 incentives agreement for "Project Cutting Edge" — the codename for a Cangshan Cutlery Co. factory and headquarters. It was supposed to be a 400,000-square-foot facility at 204 Heritage Grove Road that would have employed hundreds.Leander officials confirmed that the Cangshan project
  
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• Austin offers resources, support for storm recovery

  09-02-2023 00:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin is still picking up the pieces after the recent freeze and that’s one reason why the city is looking to help.On Wednesday, organizations from across Austin came together at Montopolis Recreation Center to offer any support they could for people in need. Oak wilt poses a threat to Texas live oaks after ice storm, arborists warnSome booths offered charging stations, while others offered mental health support or information on debris cleanup and the latest updates on p
  
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• Austin Resource Recovery debris requests increase to 18k+

  09-02-2023 00:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Resource Recovery said it had received about 4,000 more debris requests since Tuesday.
  That means its 70 crews are working on answering more than 18,000 service orders. RELATED COVERAGE: ‘Multi-month ordeal’: Austin Resource Recovery has 13K+ debris requests"If they haven't submitted a service order, it doesn't worry, we won't skip their house will we're picking up everything on that street, whether service order was requested or not," said Austin Resource Rec
  
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• Man convicted of murder for 2021 shooting death in north Austin

  09-02-2023 00:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Records showed a man connected to a north Austin homicide was convicted of murder and sentenced to 22 years in a state prison Jan. 24.According to Travis County court records, 37-year-old Cordell Christopher Adams pleaded guilty to the murder charge the same day he was sentenced. He was convicted of killing 27-year-old Alejandro Austin.Adams was originally booked into the Travis County jail in August 2021. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: U.S. Marshals task force arrests man accused of n
  
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• Austin's 'Heritage Tree' rules unclear for homeowners seeking to trim branches

  09-02-2023 00:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Last week's ice storm felled many trees and dropped branches, sometimes pulling down power lines and blocking accessways, leading to questions about preventative trimming.Kelsey Vance, an Austin resident, says that branches from two large trees pulled down her power lines and dropped branches on her home during last week's ice storm.
  She says that she tried to prevent this in 2021, asking the city to trim trees near her electrical lines. City workers did remove some smaller tree
  
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