Austin news

• Assault case against former UT basketball coach Chris Beard dismissed by Travis County DA

  15-02-2023 23:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza dismissed the domestic violence case against former Texas Longhorns head men's basketball coach Chris Beard.Garza said Wednesday that, "after a careful and thorough review of the evidence, recent public statements, and considering Ms. [Randi] Trew’s wishes, our office has determined that the felony offense cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt."Beard was arrested by Austin Police on Dec. 12 and later charged with assault
  
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• IRS pushes electronic tax filling, vetting tax preparers

  15-02-2023 23:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's tax filing season again, and the IRS has advice to make it as smooth as possible.
  IRS spokesperson Michael Devine said on Wednesday 19 million returns are already filed as of Feb. 3."What we suggest is for those folks who haven't filed already, take your time, there's no need to rush, make sure that you have all of the forms you need," Devine said. "If you don't receive a W-2 or a 1090 by the end of the February, you can contact the IRS and we may be able to help you g
  
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• HBO's 'The Last of Us' has Austin connections in more ways than one; St. Edward's to interview show actor

  15-02-2023 22:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- If you're one of the 4.7 million people who watched the premier of HBO's 'The Last of Us,' and you live in Austin, you probably noticed some familiarity in the episode.
  The series begins set in Austin. The premier episode tells the story of a father and daughter duo's day as a fungal infection quickly spreads, outbreaking a zombie-esque apocalypse.
  The plot of the video game-inspired show shifts out of Texas, following lead character Joel Miller - played by internet-beloved Pedr
  
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• Father of Georgetown teen killed by suspected fentanyl poisoning shares story

  15-02-2023 20:08 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN)) — The family of Layton Ivins is speaking out after losing the teen to an alleged case of fentanyl poisoning last month.Cody Ivins, Layton's father, says the Williamson County Sheriff's Office is investigating his son's death. While no cause of death has yet been shared, he says contaminated or counterfeit substances containing fentanyl are what led to the loss of the teen."I wake up every day and have to remind myself that he's not here," Ivins said.Ivins added he
  
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• UT expert explains how induced demand could impact I-35 project's congestion relief

  15-02-2023 20:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As the Texas Department of Transportation collects feedback from residents on its proposed I-35 Capital Express Central Project, agency officials say the proposed highway expansion will relieve congestion levels along the interstate.
  But some transportation experts forewarn of induced demand, adding I-35 might not see the kind of relief officials anticipate."Induced demand is very much like latent demand: If you lower the price of something, there are people waiting to buy it --
  
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• Austin FC reveals new 'Las Voces' primary jersey ahead of 2023 season

  15-02-2023 20:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Ahead of the team's third season in Major League Soccer, Austin FC unveiled a new look for the next two years.The club released its new primary jersey Wednesday dubbed the "Las Voces" kit joining the mint green "Sentimiento" kit as the squad's two official jerseys across all competitions.
  The new "Las Voces" primary jersey for Austin FC. (Photo by Jacob Gonzalez/Austin FC)The new "Las Voces" primary jersey for Austin FC. (Photo by Jacob Gonzalez/Austin FC)The new "Las Voces
  
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• Texas approves $90 million in grants to bolster cancer research

  15-02-2023 19:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Efforts to better understand and research cancer in Texas are getting a bolster, after the state approved $90 million in new grants on Wednesday.The governing board of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) approved the new grant funding during its quarterly meeting.
  “Today’s grants are an illustration of how CPRIT is fulfilling the original promise made to Texans at our founding,” said CPRIT CEO Wayne Roberts. “From re
  
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• Musicians' union launches "Fair Pay" campaign against SXSW, says artists paid as low as $100

  15-02-2023 19:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Union of Musicians and Allied Workers (UMAW) launched a campaign on Feb. 7 against the South by Southwest, or SXSW, festival, claiming that musicians are underpaid, with some artists receiving only $100 for their performances, according to a UMAW page on Action Network.The union says that performers are offered entry wristbands, or $100 for solo and duo performers and $250 for bands. This claim is supported by the SXSW Support webpage. International performers only receive e
  
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• Fans born to run to Moody Center for Bruce Springsteen concert Thursday

  15-02-2023 17:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Bruce Springsteen's biggest fans may think they're born to run to downtown Austin Thursday evening because that's when they're set to see the artist known as "The Boss" perform again.
  The legendary singer, along with his E Street Band, will take the stage at the Moody Center starting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The doors will open at 6 p.m., according to the venue's website.Moody Center parking: Where to go, how to reserve a spotThe Moody Center has an online tool available to h
  
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• Austin City Council votes to fire City Manager Spencer Cronk

  15-02-2023 17:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — All but one member of Austin's City Council voted to fire City Manager Spencer Cronk Wednesday.Natasha Harper-Madison was the lone "no" vote.
  Cronk will receive his base pay salary for 12 months, plus six months of COBRA payments and other payouts, which add up to about $463,000. He faced increased scrutiny following prolonged power outages from an ice storm in early February.Jesus Garza was named interim city manager.This is a developing story and will be updated as more i
  
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• Over 2 pounds of 'fentanyl paper' seized in Texas traffic stop

  15-02-2023 16:44 via kxan.com
  
  WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — A man is facing a first-degree felony drug charge after police said they seized a box of paper during a traffic stop that had apparently been sprayed with liquid fentanyl.Anival Ruis Porras, 40, of Wichita Falls, is charged with the manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance in penalty group 1-B over 400 grams. He was booked into the Wichita County Jail on Monday, Feb. 13, where he is being held on a $75,000 bond.According to the arrest affidavit, at arou
  
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• Hundreds of encampments cleaned up in Austin, HEAL initiative helps relocate some homeless people

  15-02-2023 16:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin and partners helped a total of 60 people move from an encampment at Pack Saddle Pass and U.S. Hwy. 71 to temporary bridge shelters as part of the Housing-Focused Encampment Assistance Link (HEAL) Initiative, according to a news release from the city.HEAL carries out closures of homeless encampments that pose the highest public health and safety risks, according to the release.“The City’s HEAL Initiative provides a compassionate response to homeless
  
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• Was this your ticket? $2 million winning Powerball ticket sold near Houston

  15-02-2023 16:34 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (KDAF) — What a time to be alive, another quarterback from Texas won the Super Bowl, the Longhorns of UT are headed to the SEC soon, and someone in the Lone Star State just won some serious cash from the lottery.The Texas Lottery reports a $2 million winning Powerball ticket was sold near Houston from Monday night's drawing, "A $2 MILLION winning ticket for last night’s #Powerball drawing was sold in #Pasadena! #TexasLottery #Texas."This ticket was able to match all five of th
  
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• Kyle granted $2 million for Water Reclamation Project

  15-02-2023 15:43 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) – The City of Kyle's Water Reclamation Project has been granted $2 million in federal appropriations to support drought-proofing and recycling water resources, according to a press release from U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett.
  The Reclaimed Water Master Plan intends to create a "drought proof" resource of water that can be used to irrigate city parks and green spaces as well as supply reclaimed water for road and construction projects, according to City
  
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• Texas doesn't penalize most senior living facilities with confirmed abuse. Why?

  15-02-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  Investigative Summary:Families trust and expect nursing homes and assisted living facilities to care for their loved ones and keep them safe. KXAN investigators found the majority of facility operators in Texas often face no penalty from the state regulatory authority for abuse going on under their roofs. KXAN explores how many homes have protocols to take action and correct the issues immediately, even before a state surveyor arrives, and why some advocates are asking lawmakers to take a close
  
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• New location open for debris drop off in Travis County

  15-02-2023 13:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- People living in Travis County have a new location to drop off their tree debris from the February winter storm.The county announced Tuesday it opened a site at Mansfield Dam Park, located at 4370 Mansfield Dam Park Rd.Location of drop off site (Courtesy: Travis County)The county says the drop off site will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will only accept tree limbs, branches, shrubs and leaves.The county will not take your trash, appliances, metal or other non-vegetati
  
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• IRS holds job fair for 400 positions

  15-02-2023 12:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN -- The IRS is looking to fill 400 mostly entry-level clerk and tax examiner positions at its Austin Processing Center.The agency is holding two hiring events Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Embassy Suites San Marcos Hotel and Conference Center in San Marcos at 1001 E. McCarty Ln.The IRS says most of the spots don't require prior tax expertise. Workers will be trained on the job and will have chances to advance.Work duties will include identifying and reviewing forms, p
  
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• Austin could tap into federal dollars to help with tree trimming efforts

  15-02-2023 12:47 via kxan.com
  
  KXAN (AUSTIN) -- A federal law designed to lower inflation and increase jobs provide an additional resource to Austin's tree trimming efforts following the winter storm that knocked out power for thousands.
  During the winter snap in early February, trees became frozen and branches snapped under the weight of the ice. Those branches fell on cars, homes, and power lines.
  Austin Energy is the sole city department responsible for trimming the tree branches around the city's power infrastructure.
  How
  
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• APD: Passenger dies after being hit by vehicle, driver flees

  15-02-2023 12:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police are looking for a driver who is suspected of hitting their passenger with their car and then driving off. APD says the passenger died at the scene.According to an APD release Tuesday, the deadly crash happened just after 1 a.m. Saturday at intersection of Rutland Drive and North Lamar Boulevard.APD says the preliminary information indicates the passenger got of the vehicle and was hit by the same vehicle.According to APD, the driver did not stop to render aid and l
  
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• APD looking for suspect in robbery, shooting

  15-02-2023 12:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police Department officers are looking for a man they suspect robbed and shot another man in southeast Austin in January.According to an APD release, the robbery and shooting happened on Jan. 10 just before 1 a.m. near Pleasant Valley Road and Stassney Lane.
  APD said the suspect made contact with the victim at a 7-Eleven on Stassney Lane earlier in the night.APD describes the suspect as:
  HispanicShort statureApproximately early 20sThin buildShoulder length, wavy hairThin
  
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• 'I need to hear his voice,' dreadful moments as Lakeway family tries to locate son at Michigan State University

  15-02-2023 05:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- "I called my husband who was picking our 11-year-old daughter up and I said, 'There is a an active shooter situation on campus and I can't get a hold of Connor," Michelle Wynne recalled.
  Connor, a 2020 grad from Lake Travis High School, now attends Michigan State University, where a gunman killed three students and injured five more Monday evening before taking his own life.
  "I pulled up... Michigan State campus maps. We could kind of see where everything was, how it was unfoldin
  
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• Dave Hollis, Disney exec turned self-help author, dies at 47

  15-02-2023 05:04 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (AP) — Dave Hollis, who left his post as a Disney executive to help his wife run a successful lifestyle empire, has died at his home in Texas. He was 47.Hollis, whose ex-wife Rachel Hollis wrote the bestseller “Girl, Wash Your Face," was pronounced dead Sunday afternoon at his home in Dripping Springs, a city on the outskirts of Austin, according to Hays County Justice of the Peace Andrew Cable. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death since Hollis, who was
  
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• Jason John's death prompts push for lighting on Lady Bird Lake trail near Rainey Street

  15-02-2023 03:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Police confirmed the body pulled from Lady Bird Lake Monday belonged to missing man Jason John, a 30-year-old last seen on Rainey Street.
  John was reported missing on Feb. 5. Friends and family formed several search parties to try and find him.
  "It's been a tough 10 days," said Rinju John, Jason's older brother.He described Jason as a happy-go-lucky guy who "would walk into a room with no one with him, and leave with a whole bunch of friends."' ‘This is a complete nightmar
  
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• Letter sent to Gov. Abbott, lawmakers explains why more funding could be headed to Texas' utility regulator

  15-02-2023 01:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Two years after the winter storm and cascading power failure that left millions of Texans in the dark and cold, a group of lawmakers has recommended the state increase funding for and improve oversight of the electric and water utility industries.
  In a report published on Tuesday, the anniversary of this historic storm, lawmakers on the Sunset Advisory Commission asked Texas' top leaders to consider increasing funding for the Public Utility Commission, which regulates the state'
  
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