Austin news

• Central Texas school district moves to 4 day school week

  01-03-2023 23:59 via kxan.com
  
  ROCKDALE, Texas (KXAN) — A Central Texas school district is turning to a four day school week in an effort to retain teachers and improve student learning.Rockdale ISD currently has half days on Wednesdays, but will start a four day schedule for students in the 2023-24 school year.
  Students will attend classes Monday through Thursday, while Fridays will be a time for teachers to plan future lessons and work on professional development.Cheyanne Miller, who is the principal of Rockdale
  
  Read more

• 3 dead in State Highway 71 crash in Burnet County, DPS investigating

  01-03-2023 23:55 via kxan.com
  
  BURNET COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Three people are dead and four others were injured in a head-on collision on State Highway 71 near East Trail Road in Burnet County early Sunday morning, according to a preliminary report from the Texas Department of Public Safety.Prior to the crash, a 2020 Ford F-350 with four occupants was traveling west on 71. Coming east on 71 was a 2013 Hyundai with three occupants.The report said the crash occurred around 3 a.m. Sunday when the Ford struck the Hyundai.Al
  
  Read more

• Depth is a concern for Longhorns women's hoops as NCAA tournament approaches

  01-03-2023 23:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With one game remaining in the Big 12 Conference regular season, the No. 12 Texas women's basketball team needs to get healthy if it plans on making a deep run in March Madness.Texas plays Kansas State on Saturday in Manhattan to close out the schedule and will be either a No. 1 or No. 2 seed going into the conference tournament beginning March 9 in Kansas City. However, it could be a short stay in the tournament if the Longhorns have to play with a thin bench as they did a
  
  Read more

• February started icy but ended unseasonably warm

  01-03-2023 23:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The weather whiplash Central Texas experiences certainly held true in February. The month started about the same way January ended. Unseasonably cold temperatures with lows at freezing or below opened the month with the coldest being 29° on Feb. 1.
  There was a gradual slow warming but with below-normal highs through the fourth. Austin heading for its top 10 warmest winter everMuch of the rest of the month lived up to Bee Cave Bob's prediction that spring would start ear
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Severe weather threat: Timing and impacts

  01-03-2023 23:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The risk of severe thunderstorms continues to increase as the Storm Prediction Center has an Enhanced risk for much of Lampasas, northeast Burnet, northern Williamson and much of Milam CountiesAn increasing threat for severe weather ThursdayKXAN First Warning Weather forecastThe set-upThe upper-level low that will be impacting our weather has made it onshore around Los Angeles. The forecast path takes this low into southeast Arizona Thursday morning.
  Upper storm system to a
  
  Read more

• Professional fastpitch softball team 'The Texas Smoke' makes Austin its home

  01-03-2023 23:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin has a new professional sports team in town: The Texas Smoke, the fourth franchise team in Women’s Professional Fastpitch (WPF) softball.The team is owned by professional athletes and couple Brandon Phillips and Jade Cargill. Phillips previously played in Major League Baseball and currently plays for the Lexington Legends. Cargill is the current and longest-reigning All Elite Wrestling champion.Brandon Phillips, co-owner of The Texas Smoke.
  "My sister was like t
  
  Read more

• KISS to play Austin's Moody Center in band's final 50 shows

  01-03-2023 22:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Legendary rock band KISS will spend one of its final shows rocking out at Austin's Moody Center, the band announced in its tour schedule.KISS will kick off the North American leg of its final tour playing at the Moody Center on Oct. 29, per the schedule. The KISS Army presale is scheduled for 10 a.m. CT March 6, with a public sale slated to begin at 10 a.m. CT on March 10."The Final 50 Shows," the band said in a tweet Wednesday. "The End is HERE!"KISS' self-proclaimed final
  
  Read more

• Records: Man sentenced in 2021 child sexual assault at south Austin Walmart

  01-03-2023 22:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – An Austin man connected to a May 2021 investigation was found guilty of indecency with a child involving sexual contact.Seth Davidson Hilliker, 51, was convicted and sentenced to serve 15 years in state prison Feb. 23, according to Travis County court records.According to past reporting, Hilliker was accused of forcibly touching a 6-year-old child in a sexual manner at a south Austin Walmart on May 15, 2021. Travis County jail records showed Hilliker was later arrested and
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Texas' top educator recommends major change to pandemic-era law meant to help children

  01-03-2023 21:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas Education Agency (TEA) commissioner testified at the first meeting of the Texas Senate Public Education committee on Wednesday, and gave an update on the state of public education in Texas and the implementation of HB 4545.In his presentation, Morath says that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the education of Texas Children, creating a deficit that put Texas below its 2022 goals.
  "[4545] was designed to attack this problem," Morath said. "My conclusion
  
  Read more

• Texas an example of proposal to make out-of-state doctors available

  01-03-2023 20:39 via kxan.com
  
  ARKANSAS (KNWA/KFTA) — As Arkansas' healthcare leaders focus on residencies to address the state's growing need for more physicians, the state's patients are looking for options. And Texas may have a solution."I think that we need all the help we can get," said State Rep. Lee Johnson, the chair of the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee.
  "I think we're going to all be drinking from the firehose, you know, in 5 to 10 years," he continued.Johnson said one way to expand heal
  
  Read more

• Austin Transit Partnership names Greg Canally executive director

  01-03-2023 20:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One of three bodies overseeing the implementation of Austin's multi-billion-dollar Project Connect transit system appointed and confirmed its permanent executive director Wednesday.The Austin Transit Partnership — an entity created and tasked with seeing Project Connect's delivery to Austin voters — voted Wednesday to confirm Interim Executive Director Greg Canally to the full-time position. Canally had served in an interim capacity since last April when then-Ca
  
  Read more

• City makes 'key leadership changes,' interim city manager announces

  01-03-2023 20:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin's recently appointed interim city manager announced several "key leadership changes" Wednesday.
  Rey Arellano, the assistant city manager, is retiring, according to a release. Jacqueline Yaft, the executive director of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is resigning, it said.One-on-one with Austin’s interim city manager, Jesús Garza“Rey and Jacqueline have each served this city for several years, and it is important to me that we thank them for t
  
  Read more

• Austin interim city manager makes 'key leadership changes'

  01-03-2023 20:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin's recently appointed interim city manager announced several "key leadership changes" Wednesday.
  Rey Arellano, the assistant city manager, is retiring, according to a release. Jacqueline Yaft, the executive director of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is resigning, it said.One-on-one with Austin’s interim city manager, Jesús Garza“Rey and Jacqueline have each served this city for several years, and it is important to me that we thank them for t
  
  Read more

• Houston mayor says ISD takeover coming soon; TEA says no decision has been made

  01-03-2023 19:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – During a city council meeting Tuesday, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said he heard the Texas Education Agency plans to take over Houston Independent School District as soon as this week.Meanwhile, TEA officials and the head of the agency said no final decision has been made."I called the commissioner over the weekend and asked -- and said, 'I am hearing these rumors and confirm to me whether TEA is going to be taking over Houston ISD.' He didn't confirm or deny it. He said
  
  Read more

• Speaker Phelan unveils second batch of priorities focused on economy, workforce

  01-03-2023 18:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Texas Speaker of the House Dade Phelan announced three additional legislative priorities for the lower chamber on Wednesday, focused on economic and workforce development as population growth in the Lone Star State booms at a "rapid pace."“As Texas continues to grow and attract even more business that creates jobs and spurs local economies, our state must ensure that we have the kinds of tools to keep us competitive with others on a national and global scale, Phela
  
  Read more

• Austin bar owner concerned after camera shows man graffitiing 'I was raped, I am OK'

  01-03-2023 18:06 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above is from a Feb. 27 story about the graffiti seen all over Austin
  The SAFE Alliance encourages anyone who is a survivor of sexual violence to seek help. You can call their 24-hour hotline at 512-267-SAFE (7233), text 737-888-7233, or call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4573) for help.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As graffiti messages alluding to sexual assault are plastered all over Austin, a bar owner says his business was also tagged — and
  
  Read more

• Austin bar manager concerned after camera shows person graffitiing 'I was raped, I am OK'

  01-03-2023 18:06 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above is from a Feb. 27 story about the graffiti seen all over Austin. You can watch tonight's story at 10 on KXAN
  The SAFE Alliance encourages anyone who is a survivor of sexual violence to seek help. You can call their 24-hour hotline at 512-267-SAFE (7233), text 737-888-7233, or call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4573) for help.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As graffiti messages alluding to sexual assault are plastered all over Austin, a bar general
  
  Read more

• Austin bar manager concerned after camera shows man graffitiing 'I was raped, I am OK'

  01-03-2023 18:06 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above is from a Feb. 27 story about the graffiti seen all over Austin. You can watch tonight's story at 10 on KXAN
  The SAFE Alliance encourages anyone who is a survivor of sexual violence to seek help. You can call their 24-hour hotline at 512-267-SAFE (7233), text 737-888-7233, or call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4573) for help.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As graffiti messages alluding to sexual assault are plastered all over Austin, a bar general
  
  Read more

• Austin Zoning exodus: 5 of 7 positions vacant, director tells council

  01-03-2023 18:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In a council committee meeting Tuesday, Austin's Housing and Planning Department shared of its seven zoning positions, five are vacant.
  "That's through normal attrition. That's a 20-year group that was working together, and in the last six months or so have decided to shift on and do other things either through retirement or different challenges with the City of Austin," Rosie Truelove, director of the Housing and Planning Department, said.
  State law allows local municipali
  
  Read more

• Space just got bigger: scientists add 200k objects to universal map

  01-03-2023 16:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Developing a map of the universe is now closer than ever before. Scientists with the University of Texas announced this past month that they have now located and mapped more than 170,000 new galaxies and nearly 5,000 possible black holes.The research was published this February in The Astrophysical Journal.
  HETDEX, Hobby-Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment, uses the Hobby-Eberly Telescope in West Texas to detect light emitted by hydrogen from 10 billion light-years away. Acco
  
  Read more

• Austin Resource Recovery to give update on winter storm debris collection

  01-03-2023 16:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Resource Recovery is planning to give an update on winter storm debris collection on Wednesday morning.
  Austin Resource Recovery, or ARR, has been working to collect what it says is an “unprecedented” amount of debris from the storm.ARR previously said the cleanup process could take nearly three months. It expects the last pass of debris cleanup to be done by April 30.Staff will also talk about the use of city parks to improve collection efficiency.
  T
  
  Read more

• Austin Resource Recovery gives update on winter storm debris collection

  01-03-2023 16:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Resource Recovery gave an update on winter storm debris collection on Wednesday morning.
  Austin Resource Recovery, or ARR, has been working to collect what it says is an “unprecedented” amount of debris from the storm. Winter storm debris cleanup could last until end of April, City of Austin saysARR previously said the cleanup process could take nearly three months. It expects the last pass of debris cleanup to be done by April 30.Staff also talked ab
  
  Read more

• Austin Resource Recovery: 65,000 dump truck loads of winter storm debris collected

  01-03-2023 16:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) crews have picked up about 65,000 dumpster truck loads of tree limbs and debris since the February 2023 freeze, it announced Wednesday morning.
  That's equivalent to 100,000 tons of material, ARR Director Ken Snipes said.
  "This has been massive and extensive effort here in the city of Austin, much more debris than we've collected at any other time for any other storm events or any other situations that we've had to deal with in terms of rec
  
  Read more

• Austin Resource Recovery: 65,000 dump truck loads of on winter storm debris collected, clean-up will take months

  01-03-2023 16:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) crews have picked up about 65,000 dumpster truck loads of tree limbs and debris since the February 2023 freeze, it announced Wednesday morning.
  That's equivalent to 100,000 tons of material, Director of ARR, Ken Snipes said.
  "This has been massive and extensive effort here in the city of Austin, much more debris than we've collected at any other time for any other storm events or any other situations that we've had to deal with in terms of
  
  Read more

• Austin tourism set to takeoff this Spring, starting with ATX Open

  01-03-2023 14:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the weather warms up, you may see a lot more visitors in Austin.This March there are many major events taking place, such as South by Southwest, the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play Championship and the inaugural ATX Open.In Tarrytown, the Westwood Country Club has been transformed into a 1,700 seat stadium court for the WTA tournament. The ATX Open features some of the top-ranked women tennis professionals in the world. Previous: Stadium for inaugural ATX Open will seat
  
  Read more

• CMT Music Awards ticket presale starts Wednesday

  01-03-2023 14:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tickets go on presale Wednesday for the 2023 CMT Music Awards, which will be held April 2 at Austin's Moody Center.The awards show bills itself at country music's only show where fans select all the winners. Carrie Underwood, Kelsea Ballerini announce 2023 CMT Music Awards move to Austin, TexasGeneral presale begins Wednesday at 10 a.m. and ends Thursday at 10 p.m., then tickets go onsale to the general public on Friday at 10 a.m.
  According to Moody Center, the doors for the sho
  
  Read more

• VOTE: Help us choose the best KXAN viewer photo of February 2023

  01-03-2023 13:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Here at KXAN, we get hundreds of photos sent to us each month by viewers just like you.We want to showcase some of the best pictures we receive, so we narrowed them down to our 10 favorites for the month. Unsurprisingly, February's picks are dominated by the ice storm. We received thousands — no really, thousands — of photos during and after the storm.Help us choose the best viewer photo of February 2023. Look through the 10 pictures below, then vote for your fa
  
  Read more

• RESULTS: This is the best KXAN viewer photo of February 2023, as voted by you

  01-03-2023 13:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Here at KXAN, we get hundreds of photos sent to us each month by viewers just like you.We want to showcase some of the best pictures we receive, so we narrowed them down to our 10 favorites for the month. Unsurprisingly, February's picks are dominated by the ice storm. We received thousands — no really, thousands — of photos during and after the storm.The winning photo moves on to represent February in the best viewer photos of the year competition once 2023 is
  
  Read more

• Capital Metro apologizes for service issues with weekend Austin FC game

  01-03-2023 13:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Capital Metro apologized to riders Tuesday for service after the Austin FC match on Saturday, Feb. 25, saying it was "not up to standards".
  CapMetro said in a tweet thread that it should have called more trains into service on Saturday.
  The agency said it has reduced service in past years on game days "to accommodate more service immediately before and after matches." But CapMetro said it got "strong" customer feedback wanting regular service, in addition to Special Events Servi
  
  Read more

• Austin Pets Alive! needs kennel space to treat puppies with parvo

  01-03-2023 13:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An Austin's non-profit animal shelter says it needs your help so it can help puppies from across Texas.Austin Pets Alive!'s Parvo Puppy ICU is the first of its kind in the United States.
  The shelter said Tuesday it has received around 20 requests to treat puppies from all over Texas, but it can't take them in until it has the kennel space.
  APA! is asking people foster or adopt healthy puppies who have already been treated including Alaska Circle, Armadillo and Tigerstripe.Puppy
  
  Read more

• "21 for 21:" Hundreds join Uvalde survivors at Texas Capitol to call for gun safety

  01-03-2023 12:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Passionate chants for school safety lulled into pained silence as Caitlyne Gonzales took the microphone at the Texas Capitol Tuesday."I remember hearing my best friend scream," she said through tears. "The next day we got the news from my mom. The worst news that any child should get."The ten-year-old watched 19 classmates die when a gunman attacked Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022. On Tuesday, she stood before hundreds of gun safety activists and around the families of
  
  Read more

• Strong/severe storms Thursday

  01-03-2023 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The risk of severe thunderstorms continues to increase as the Storm Prediction Center has an Enhanced risk for much of Lampasas, northeast Burnet, northern Williamson and much of Milam CountiesAn increasing threat for severe weather ThursdayKXAN First Warning Weather forecastThe set-upThe upper-level low that will be impacting our weather has made it onshore around Los Angeles. The forecast path takes this low into southeast Arizona Thursday morning.
  Upper storm system to a
  
  Read more

• LIVE: Strong/severe storms Thursday

  01-03-2023 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The risk of severe thunderstorms continues to increase as the Storm Prediction Center has an Enhanced risk for much of Lampasas, northeast Burnet, northern Williamson and much of Milam CountiesAn increasing threat for severe weather ThursdayKXAN First Warning Weather forecastThe set-upThe upper-level low that will be impacting our weather has made it onshore around Los Angeles. The forecast path takes this low into southeast Arizona Thursday morning.
  Upper storm system to a
  
  Read more

• Fire burns temporary brush drop-off site in Round Rock

  01-03-2023 12:28 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- The Round Rock fire department said a fire burned a temporary brush drop-off site near the Dell Diamond Tuesday night.
  According to a press release from the City of Round Rock, crews arrived at 9:51 p.m. to the facility on East Palm Valley Boulevard and found an excavator and a mulcher were on fire. The city said the machinery was being used for brush disposal after the early February ice storm.The city said Round Rock fire crews were able to contain the fire by 10:09
  
  Read more

• Thursday's cold front brings severe risk then strong winds

  01-03-2023 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - As we flip the calendar to March, our forecast appropriately calls for thunderstorms on Thursday. Problem is, some of those storms could be strong to severe. BLOG: March forecast: What to expect as severe weather season beginsToday will feature more clouds than sun with a few sprinkles in the mix. Despite the minimal sunshine, afternoon highs will have no problem soaring well above seasonal normals (again). Austin's forecast high of 87° is likely to tie the daily record,last
  
  Read more

• Rockdale ISD adopts 4-day school week

  01-03-2023 05:41 via kxan.com
  
  ROCKDALE, Texas (FOX 44/KWKT) -- Rockdale Independent School District joined a growing number of Texas schools that will only hold classes four days a week.RISD adopted a new calendar for the 2023-2024 school year Tuesday night, with the input of parents, teachers, and community leaders. Could KISD be the next school district to try a 4-day school week?The hope is the new schedule will help students grow and keep valuable teachers in the district.Students will attend classes Monday through Thurs
  
  Read more

• Texas man arrested after search warrant reveals drugs, weapons, Santa Muerte statue

  01-03-2023 05:38 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An alleged gang member was arrested after he was caught with drugs and weapons, authorities said.Robert Salas, 43, was arrested on charges of unlawful carrying of a weapon and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, a post from the Bexar County Sheriff's Office stated.
  On Feb. 22, deputies, along with agents with the DEA, executed a search warrant on a residence in the 1600 block of Terrell Bend. Sheriff identifies new suspects, mot
  
  Read more

• No. 1 LSU beats Texas 3-0 on 9th-inning home run

  01-03-2023 05:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns held the country's top-ranked college baseball team down for more than eight innings Tuesday at UFCU Disch-Falk Field, but eventually the Louisiana State Tigers roared.After a pair of walks to start the ninth inning, LSU second baseman Gavin Dugas launched a 3-run home run over the left-center field wall for the first runs of the game and what turned out to be the game-winning swing.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and s
  
  Read more

• 1 person dead after vehicle-pedestrian crash in north Austin, ATCEMS says

  01-03-2023 04:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- One person is dead after a vehicle-pedestrian crash in north Austin Tuesday, Austin-Travis County EMS said in a tweet.Shortly after 8 p.m., medics responded to the 9500 block of North Lamar Boulevard for reports of the crash.According to the Austin Police Department, officers responded to the scene saying only the pedestrian was found on the scene, but not the vehicle involved.Medics said to avoid the area of the crash and to expect traffic closures.It was not immediately clear w
  
  Read more

• Mexican president says Tesla to build plant in Mexico

  01-03-2023 03:53 via kxan.com
  
  MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico's president announced Tuesday that electric car company Tesla has committed to building a major plant in the industrial hub of Monterrey in northern Mexico.President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said the promise came in phone calls he had Friday and Monday with Tesla head Elon Musk. It would be Tesla's third plant outside the U.S., after one in Shanghai and one near Berlin.López Obrador had previously ruled out such a plant in the arid northern
  
  Read more

• What is Texas' Wildland Fire Preparedness Level?

  01-03-2023 02:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas A&M Forest Service announced Tuesday the Wildland Fire Preparedness Level has been raised to Level 2 due to the potential threat of increased wildfire activity this week. This comes ahead of a strong Pacific storm system expected to bring conducive conditions for rapid wildfire growth.What is the Wildland Fire Preparedness Level?According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, Preparedness Levels are "planning assumptions dictated by fuel and weather conditions,
  
  Read more

• Jason John's death prompts Council committee meeting on Rainey St. trail safety

  01-03-2023 01:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- More than a dozen friends and family members whose loved ones were found dead in or near Lady Bird Lake — including 30-year-old Jason John — gathered at a special-called meeting of the Austin City Council Public Safety Committee.
  "I think their efforts and our efforts [Tuesday] are starting to show some sort of movement forward," John's friend Josh Gale said.
  Since John's body was pulled from the lake on Feb. 13, his friends and family have called for more lighting a
  
  Read more

• Do spring-like temperatures in winter mean the summer will be hotter than normal?

  01-03-2023 01:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Much of the second half of February was spent with unseasonably warm temperatures, peaking at a high of 91° on Feb. 22. In fact, it was on this day that Austin had an average daily temperature of 80°, the warmest winter day ever.There were a few things that Central Texans would want to know about how these warmer-than-temperatures would impact the weather heading into the spring and summer seasons.Keith White, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said we see te
  
  Read more

• Police identify victim in north Austin 3-vehicle deadly crash

  01-03-2023 01:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- The Austin Police Department identified the victim of a deadly three-vehicle crash in north Austin that occurred Feb. 21, APD said in a news release.The victim was identified as Aciel Fernandez, 40, according to police.Officers responded to reports of the crash, which occurred between a sedan, a pickup truck and a van at the intersection of East Anderson Lane and Cameron Road, police said. 1 person dead after 3-vehicle wreck in north AustinThe passenger in the sedan, later identi
  
  Read more

• Analysis: Black-owned home values and homeownership trending upward

  01-03-2023 00:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Homes owned by Black families gained in value more than any others across the U.S. during the pandemic years, according to a new analysis by Zillow.Black-owned homes have historically been appraised for much lower than homes owned by Non-Hispanic White Americans. In 2018, the Brookings Institute found that homes in Black neighborhoods were valued at 55% lower than the median home value in White neighborhoods.  MORE: Austin nonprofit mobilizes to get racist language rem
  
  Read more

• Advocates want lawmaker help with student dropout prevention

  01-03-2023 00:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Education advocates are asking for help when it comes to making sure students aren't left behind.Members of the nonprofit Communities in Schools rallied at the Capitol on Tuesday. The dropout prevention organization works to keep K-12 students in school by focusing on academics, attendance and mental health. In Texas, 58% of school aged students live in poverty, according to the nonprofit. Without support and funding, advocates said these students are at risk of missing school,
  
  Read more

• 1 chance left for Pflugerville ice storm debris pickup

  01-03-2023 00:03 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — Still cleaning up from the ice storm? So are many of your Central Texas neighbors.
  More than 55,000 cubic yards of tree limbs and brush debris were picked up in Pflugerville, the city's winter storm recovery dashboard shows. That includes 72.3 miles of Pflugerville streets services.RELATED: Your photos help show the scope of the historic 2023 Central Texas ice stormPflugerville residents can check updates on their neighborhood's brush pickup on the dashboard's
  
  Read more

Follow @Austin_News_US on Twitter!