Austin news

• Are Texas houses becoming more affordable?

  17-02-2023 23:33 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (NEXSTAR) – Affordability is one of the top issues for those seeking a new home in the U.S., but they may be able to catch a break in Texas.That’s because the state has some of the most affordable metros to buy a home in. With the housing market cooling off in certain areas, potential homeowners have lots of options in the Lone Star state.According to data from Redfin, Stacker ranked four Texas areas within the top 50 metros where homes are selling the most under the asking pri
  
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• NASA says meteorite fragments likely fell in Starr County: How to handle them

  17-02-2023 23:29 via kxan.com
  
  STARR COUNTY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A post by NASA provided an update on the general area of where it's now believed meteorites reached the ground in Wednesday's meteor encounter.In a statement sent to ValleyCentral Thursday night, NASA stated "radar and other data indicate that meteorites did reach the ground from this event."A post by NASA's Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science includes a composite image of "radar signatures of falling meteorites." The graphic shows an area
  
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• $10B impact: Texas music bouncing back after COVID-19 pandemic, but jobs slow to recover

  17-02-2023 22:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas' music industry has generated $4.6 billion in profits and over $10.8 billion in economic activity, according to the Texas Music Office's 2023 "Economic Impact of Music in Texas" study.The industry employs 90,000 people in Texas, according to the study. The direct impact, once combined with the industry's "ripple effect" into associated industries, accounts for "over 192,000 permanent jobs, $9.4 billion in earnings and $26.6 billion in annual economic activity."The State of
  
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• Cool start to weekend, warmer to finish

  17-02-2023 22:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The good news? Warmer weather is not too far out. The not-so-good news? We're for another cold night with a near-widespread freeze expected.Our evening temperatures will fall from the 40s to the 30s overnight leaving most of us at or below freezing by Saturday morning. Although downtown Austin is likely to hover near 33°, the majority of us are expected to be even colder so make sure to protect plants, pets and people tonight.Tomorrow afternoon, temperatures will warm to the
  
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• Police searching for suspects who robbed, attacked man in north Austin

  17-02-2023 21:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police are searching for two suspects who robbed and attacked a man in north Austin last month.
  It happened Jan. 13 outside of a home in the 9600 block of Newfoundland Circle.
  According to APD, the suspects pulled out a firearm and "pistol-whipped" the victim in his driveway. After hitting him, a second suspect began kicking him while taking his belongings.
  Police said the suspects then left the area in a red Nissan SUV, heading north on Newfoundland Circle.
  Suspect 1 is
  
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• Teen dating violence survivor gets justice, free resources available in Central Texas

  17-02-2023 20:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Hailey Solis, now in her 20s, endured months of dating violence when she was in 8th grade."There was this boy who kept asking me out. I said no many times," she said. "A few of those times, he took it lightly and he brushed it off. But then he would start verbally abusing, saying that no one would love me except for him. After a few other times, that's when it started to get physical."As this happened, Solis suffered in silence."I was so afraid of him and what he would do that I
  
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• As emergency food assistance nears end, 1 in 5 Texans face hunger

  17-02-2023 20:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (Nexstar) -- As COVID-era SNAP benefit increases are set to expire after this month, more than 1 in 5 Texans are worried they or their families will not have enough to eat.Polling from the nonprofit No Kid Hungry and Change Research shows that more than one in three adults reported at least one symptom of food insecurity in the past year, including 40% of parents.The group is raising concerns as federal food assistance is set to decrease in March. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cong
  
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• Man dies weeks after crashing into tree on Perry Lane

  17-02-2023 19:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A 74-year-old man has died after he crashed into a tree in central Austin last month.
  Austin Police Department officers responded to the single-vehicle crash on Jan. 11 around 10:20 a.m. in the 2900 block of Perry Lane. The driver of the car had crashed into a tree.
  The driver, Dean Weisner, was taken to a hospital, where he died on Feb. 6.
  This incident is being investigated as Austin's 12th fatal crash of 2023, resulting in 12 fatalities for the year.
  
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• Burnet County commissioners OK part of Thomas Ranch development plan that falls within county line

  17-02-2023 17:58 via kxan.com
  
  BURNET COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A new subdivision for 3,500 homes on Lake Travis got a preliminary okay to move forward with plans from Burnet County earlier this week.
  Burnet County commissioners on Tuesday gave the okay to plan for about 545 acres for part of the Thomas Ranch development that will be located within Burnet County.
  Thomas Ranch in total is a 2,200-acre development near Lake Travis that will deliver about 3,500 new housing units, a private club community with a David McLay Ki
  
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• Red River Street closure coming in downtown Austin for skyscraper construction

  17-02-2023 16:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A portion of Red River Street will close for construction work on what is set to become the tallest skyscraper in Texas.The Austin Transportation Department has approved a permit to close Red River from East Cesar Chavez Street to Driskill Street.The developers at the Waterline — the 74-story downtown development — are trying to install chilled water lines, which will require an excavation 20 feet below ground.According to an ATD memo, construction work will tak
  
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• 5 ex-officers charged in Tyre Nichols case plead not guilty

  17-02-2023 16:45 via kxan.com
  
  Watch the court hearing in the video player above.MEMPHIS, Tenn. --- The five former officers charged with second-degree murder in the killing of Tyre Nichols are being arraigned in court Friday morning.Ben Crump, attorney for Nichols' family, is scheduled to hold a press conference after the hearing.Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr., and Justin Smith were all terminated by the Memphis Police Department on January 21.All entered pleas of not guilty. The judge
  
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• Round Rock water park named Texas 'water park of the year'

  17-02-2023 16:13 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — When the heat swelters again in Texas, chances are you'll be looking for a place to cool down. Luckily, there's a good spot not too far away for Central Texans.
  A water park in Round Rock was recently named Texas Water Park of the Year.Rock'N River Water Park was given the title by the Texas Public Pool Council at its annual conference. The council gave the park the honor "in recognition of the impacts made to the youth and families of Round Rock," according to a
  
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• NASA: 1,000-pound meteoroid made entry near McAllen, data indicates ground impact

  17-02-2023 15:56 via kxan.com
  
  HIDALGO COUNTY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — NASA confirmed reports that a meteoroid made entry near McAllen on Wednesday, with data indicating that meteorites reached the ground.
  A statement from NASA sent to ValleyCentral stated the meteoroid was believed to be two feet in diameter and weighed about 1,000 pounds."Radar and other data indicate that meteorites did reach the ground from this event," NASA stated.
  According to the statement, meteorites tend to hit Earth's atmosphere at high speeds
  
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• UT study finds warming waters are moving plankton

  17-02-2023 15:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- 8 million years of global cooling pushed plankton toward the warmer waters of the tropics where they help sustain various fish population and the surrounding ecosystem. Now, as that gradual cooling gets undone more rapidly by a warming climate and waters that are now too warm, plankton are being forced poleward. This could have the potential for significant impacts to the tropics, where the plankton are leaving and the latitudes, where the plankton are heading.KXAN Meteorologist
  
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• Williamson County spends $12M on ice storm recovery, brush disposal continues

  17-02-2023 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Williamson County emergency officials estimated ice storm recovery efforts cost the county and its cities a combined $12 million so far- surpassing its disaster declaration threshold more than four times over.Michael Shoe, director of emergency management for Williamson County, said picking up and disposing of branches has lead to a majority of those recovery costs so far."The amount of brush, I can't even give you a number on it, it's so much.," Shoe said.At thi
  
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• The Better Business Bureau is warning people about this Texas company

  17-02-2023 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning people about MyTechBestFriend (MTBF), a company that advertises a virtual boot-camp-style training for the tech industry.
  The BBB lists the company with an Austin address but said upon further investigating MTBF seems to be based in Houston.
  There are 25 complaints and 10 reviews about the company over 2022 from people across the country, the BBB said.Modelyne Saintelus is one of those complainants.
  "I said, 'If no one's willing to help
  
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• Williamson County truck driver calls US 79 stretch 'intersection of death'

  17-02-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Two intersections between Hutto and Taylor, Texas, on U.S. Highway 79 are being referred to by truck drivers as “the intersection of death,” according to Victor Ruvalcaba, who works in construction and frequently drives his semi-truck on these roads.
  The specific spots on US 79 are Limmer Loop and County Road 101, both of which are popular routes for truck drivers traveling east to west, according to Ruvalcaba.Image of semi-truck turning onto t
  
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• Which Texas city has the most reported unidentified object sightings?

  17-02-2023 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Texas ranks fourth for most UFO sightings in the last two decades.
  This could either be a draw for UFO tourism or a warning for people to stay away. Still, it shows there's possibly still a belief out there in the unknown.US jets down 4 objects in 8 days, unprecedented in peacetimeThe U.S. government has taken more action to address airborne objects in the country's airspace. This month, the U.S. military shot down four unidentified objects in a week.
  "We’re calling t
  
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• Declining enrollment, budget deficit could mean Pflugerville ISD school closure

  17-02-2023 05:10 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN)-- Pflugerville ISD's school board will be tasked with making a tough decision at its next meeting.Due to declining enrollment trends and shifting district growth areas, as well as a multimillion dollar budget deficit, the district has looked at a number of ways to fix the issues.In December, PfISD Superintendent Doug Killian confirmed there were 10 proposals for consideration, with multiple different campus models proposed for closure. Six elementary schools were being
  
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• 5 takeaways from Gov. Greg Abbott's 'State of the State' address

  17-02-2023 04:46 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (KXAN) -- In Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's State of the State address Thursday evening, he laid out his legislative framework for the 2023 Texas Legislature, including the announcement of seven "emergency items" added to the legislative session.Here's a breakdown of five key takeaways from his 2023 address.Strengthening Texas' economy is critical for continued growthAbbott touted the state's $2 trillion economy as one of several indicators of the state's economic prosperity. His speech, deliver
  
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• Texas Democrats call out school safety, grid reliability in State of the State reaction

  17-02-2023 03:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Following Gov. Greg Abbott's State of the State address Thursday night, Texas Democrats' rebuttal featured sharp criticisms of Texas Republicans' efforts on school safety and education, border support and grid reliability.The rebuttal began with testimony from families of the victims in the Robb Elementary mass shooting. Sen. Roland Gutierrez led calls for Abbott to "show some political courage" in enacting policies to prevent future mass shootings.School safety, public educatio
  
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• Property tax cuts, school choice among Abbott's emergency items. How that compares to other Texas leaders

  17-02-2023 02:10 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — The issues Texas Gov. Greg Abbott would like the state legislature to tackle first this year include many Republican priorities like property tax cuts, school choice and additional border funding.
  The governor specifically identified seven emergency legislative items during his State of the State address Thursday evening. These will dictate what kinds of proposals state lawmakers can vote on within the first 60 days of the 88th regular legislative session, which
  
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• APD arrest 4th suspect wanted in October 2022 homicide

  17-02-2023 02:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- A fourth suspect was arrested in connection with an October 2022 homicide, according to the Austin Police Department.The fourth suspect was identified as Autumn Nicole Scarver, 18, according to APD.Previously APD released images of Scarver to the public Monday to seek the public's help in finding her. APD releases photos of 4th suspect wanted in October 2022 homicideOn Wednesday, APD's Tactical Intelligence Unit and the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force found and arrest
  
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• School vouchers aren't dead in Texas House, Speaker Phelan says in one-on-one

  17-02-2023 02:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — After stacking the public education committee with legislators who have previously expressed opposition to the idea of private school vouchers, Speaker of the House Dade Phelan said it is not out of the question for Texas' lower chamber.
  In a one-on-one interview with Capitol Correspondent Monica Madden Wednesday, the Beaumont Republican shied away from expressing outward support for using taxpayer money for private education, but didn't rule it out completely.
  "The appo
  
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• Dripping Springs ISD board unanimously votes $223M bond for May 6 election

  17-02-2023 01:00 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) — In a special meeting Wednesday, the Dripping Springs ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to call for a $223.7 million bond referendum for the May 6 election, according to a news release from DSISD.Work on the May 2023 bond began after the November election with a series of workshops with the board to regroup and develop a plan to serve the district's rising student enrollment, as well as capital improvement requests, the release said.The May 2023 bond p
  
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• Demand at San Marcos Airport grows, record number takeoffs and landings

  17-02-2023 00:25 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) - As Hays County continues to grow, so does demand on its airport. Nestled between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and San Antonio International Airport is the San Marcos Regional Airport.
  It services everything except scheduled commercial aircrafts. With 21 million passengers, Austin airport had a blockbuster year in 2022"Whether you're just an attendant pilot flying through to stop and get gas, or airplanes that are based here, or we have jets that are based her
  
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• Pflugerville extends free curbside limb, debris pickup

  17-02-2023 00:24 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) -- The Pflugerville City Council announced it is extending its free curbside storm debris pickups to help residents recover from the winter ice storm that hit earlier this month, according to a press release.
  At its Feb. 14 meeting, Pflugerville City Council approved a contract with an additional tree debris collection company-- KC Tree Service -- to assist city crews in storm recovery efforts.
  “We realize that Pflugerville needs help in recovering from this mont
  
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