Austin news

• DPS urges Texans not to travel to Mexico amid ongoing violence throughout the country

  10-03-2023 23:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Public Safety is urging Texans to avoid traveling to Mexico during spring break, due to ongoing violence throughout the country, according to a DPS news release.“Drug cartel violence and other criminal activity represent a significant safety threat to anyone who crosses into Mexico right now,” DPS Director Steven McCraw said. “We have a duty to inform the public about safety, travel risks and threats. Based on the volatile nature of
  
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• Texas Senate bill proposes arrests of anyone, anywhere crossing border illegally

  10-03-2023 23:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — A Texas Republican senator is proposing a bill that would create a new crime for those who cross the border illegally, authorizing law enforcement to arrest and prosecute anyone who crosses the border, and can do so anywhere in the state.
  Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, filed Senate Bill 2424 on Friday, the deadline for state lawmakers to introduce any new legislation.According to a news release from Lt. Governor Dan Patrick's office, the penalties would be up to one ye
  
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• Many states allow people to take roadkill. Why doesn't Texas?

  10-03-2023 23:15 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (NEXSTAR) – If you accidentally kill a wild animal with your vehicle in Texas, do you have the right to take it home for dinner?Many states, like California, have certain exceptions about what animals can be picked up off the road and whether drivers are legally protected in doing so. Other states, like Louisiana, have made it illegal to collect roadkill entirely.Texas belongs to the latter camp, having completely outlawed the practice of picking up roadkill.Wildlife Public Informati
  
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• Woman charged with arson, accused of setting several fires on East 2nd, 3rd Streets

  10-03-2023 21:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A woman is facing an arson charge for allegedly setting several fires near downtown Austin in February, according to an arrest affidavit.
  Ruth Rogmad, 43, was arrested in connection to multiple fires involving a residence, fences, trash cans, and motorcycles, according to the affidavit.Image of Ruth Rogmad (APD photo)
  Around 3 a.m. Feb. 10, the Austin Fire Department responded to reports of multiple fires near the 1000 block of East 2nd Street. Crews found two motorcycles o
  
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• A seesaw of temperatures and humidity this weekend

  10-03-2023 21:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A cold front will be toying with our area through the weekend, blowing through then retreating multiple times. This will lead to big swings in temperatures and humidity through Sunday.The front pushes northward overnight as a warm front, bringing heat and humidity back to the area on Saturday. Some parts of the Hill Country may top 90 degrees with afternoon sun.The front reverses course as a cold front early Sunday morning, leading to a cooler, breezy and more seasonable end to
  
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• 3 Texas women sued for wrongful death after assisting with abortion

  10-03-2023 21:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) -- A Texas man whose ex-wife terminated her pregnancy is suing three women who assisted her under the state’s wrongful death statute, the first such case brought since the state’s near-total ban on abortion last summer.Marcus Silva is represented by Jonathan Mitchell, the former solicitor general of Texas and architect of the state’s prohibition on abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy. The lawsuit is filed in state court in Galveston County, where
  
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• SXSW 2023: Bob Odenkirk, Michelle Rodriguez, Robert Downey Jr. among celebrities expected at spring festival

  10-03-2023 21:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — South by Southwest is back and giving guests a whole lot to check out. The big event brings together the worlds of tech, politics, fashion, music, comedy and film, to name a few.
  The 10-day conference and festival also continues to bring big names to the capital city.Be on the lookout because here's a list of the some of the celebrities expected to be in Austin for SXSW 2023.*List is subject to change due to scheduling.Comedy
  US actor Bob Odenkirk arrives for the 29th Scree
  
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• The proper way to address residents in these Central Texas cities, towns

  10-03-2023 20:38 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The above video is a 2022 video exploring why Texans love Texas.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Did you know the word for the proper way to describe or address the inhabitants of a place is a demonym? There are more than a hundred demonyms in Texas alone.Some places in Texas have different variations, or the official name for residents wasn’t the preferred term by actual citizens, so we’ll leave it up to you to pick your favorite.For the places without an official demonym, resid
  
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• Crews put up trail fence, lighting near Rainey Street

  10-03-2023 20:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Parks and Recreation Department (PARD)has installed four sets of solar-power lights and a fence on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail near Rainey Street.
  The project wrapped up Friday afternoon, ahead of the official start of spring break and SXSW.Last week, friends and family members of people who went missing near the trail spoke at the City Council Public Safety Committee meeting. These loved ones called for additional safety measures like lighting and surveillanc
  
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• Crews put finishing touches on trail fence, lighting near Rainey Street

  10-03-2023 20:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) is wrapping up the installation of four sets of solar-power lights and a fence on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail near Rainey Street.
  The project should wrap up by Friday afternoon, ahead of the official start of spring break and SXSW.Last week, friends and family members of people who went missing near the trail spoke at the City Council Public Safety Committee meeting. These loved ones called for additional safety measures
  
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• Senate bill to give detailed look into Republicans' plans for 'school choice'

  10-03-2023 19:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — State Senator Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), chair of the Senate Committee on Education, will file Senate Bill 8 Friday afternoon, giving a detailed look into top Republicans' priority to subsidize private education.Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick chose Senate Bill 8 to carry one of his top 30 priorities of "empowering parental rights -- including school choice." Governor Greg Abbott has advocated for creating state-funded "education savings accounts" that will give money
  
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• Senate bill gives detailed look into Republicans' plans for 'school choice'

  10-03-2023 19:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — State Senator Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), chair of the Senate Committee on Education, filed Senate Bill 8 Friday evening, giving a detailed look into top Republicans' priority to use state money to subsidize private education.Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick chose Senate Bill 8 to carry one of his top 30 priorities of "empowering parental rights -- including school choice." Governor Greg Abbott has advocated for creating state-funded "education savings accounts" that wi
  
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• City removes permit-parking sign originally clipped over handicap parking

  10-03-2023 19:53 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for March 10, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A KXAN viewer sent in a picture showing a sign for permitted parking clipped over a handicap-accessible parking sign near the convention center in downtown Austin.
  The viewer said he struggled to find parking, and ultimately found a spot six blocks away, while "walking for [him] is quite difficult." How to get to, from South by Southwest for 2023 festivalKXAN reached out to the Ci
  
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• Steve Sarkisian's takeaways from Ewers, Manning and 1 week of spring football

  10-03-2023 19:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One of the biggest names in recent college football recruiting is on campus and practicing for the University of Texas. Quarterback Arch Manning and the rest of the Longhorns football team wrapped up the first week of spring practice."We make a big deal out of the guy losing his ID twice the first couple weeks of school," Steve Sarkisian said with a smile about growing pains with Manning. "He's a freshman in college, but he does take it seriously and wants to be really good
  
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• SXSW: Can milk and meat save us from climate change?

  10-03-2023 19:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One of the big topics at this year's South-by-Southwest is the battle against climate change. While transportation and the energy sector play a huge role in global warming, another vital piece of our lives has a major role: meat and agriculture.A recent report published in the scientific journal Nature found that around 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions were produced by agriculture. According to the report, food consumption alone could cause the global temperature to r
  
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• Report: Elon Musk plans to build his own town in Texas

  10-03-2023 17:54 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Elon Musk set Tesla's engineering headquarters in California, but he might be planning something bigger for Texas.According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, Musk is planning to build his own town in Bastrop County.
  KXAN and KXAN's media partners at the Austin Business Journal previously reported on a partnership between Musk's team and Lennar Corp. - one of the nation’s largest homebuilders - to build a subdivision in the area for Musk's workforce.
  
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• Neighbors upset with Boring Co.'s wastewater dumping request

  10-03-2023 15:48 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Neighbors and city officials in Bastrop County are concerned about the Boring Company's request to dump more than 100,000 gallons of treated wastewater into their drinking-water supply, and this month they will get a chance to hear from Elon Musk's company and the state commission responsible for granting the permit to dump.
  After a public outcry against the permit, and a request from state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quali
  
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• Williamson County celebrates 175th birthday, invites public to help paint mural

  10-03-2023 15:34 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- Williamson County and Georgetown are having a big celebration this weekend.
  The county and city are observing their 175th birthday with free activities, like music and a light show. Plus, the public is invited to help paint a mural celebrating the big birthday.How Williamson County is paying for ice storm cleanupThe artist behind the mural is Yasaman Mehsra, who was selected after an open call for submissions by the City of Georgetown’s Arts and Culture Board.
  T
  
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• Asteroid could hit Earth on Valentine's Day in 2046

  10-03-2023 15:34 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON D.C. (KXAN) - Earth may have a very bad Valentine's Day in its future. NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office announced earlier this week that they have detected an asteroid that may impact the Earth on February 14th, 2046.
  We've been tracking a new asteroid named 2023 DW that has a very small chance of impacting Earth in 2046. Often when new objects are first discovered, it takes several weeks of data to reduce the uncertainties and adequately predict their orbits years into th
  
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• Pedestrian hit, killed on FM 969 near Regency Drive

  10-03-2023 14:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A person was pronounced dead on the scene of a crash on FM 969 near Regency Drive.
  Austin-Travis County EMS tweeted at 6:48 a.m. that an adult patient was pronounced dead on scene.
  The person was reportedly struck by a vehicle, according to the tweet. No other patients were involved.
  The Austin Police Department has the nearby area blocked off. Drivers should avoid the area if possible.
  
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• 'It's the wild west': Texas legislature to decide future of kratom

  10-03-2023 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – This session, the Texas legislature will look at two bills related to regulating kratom products – an herbal substance that can produce opioid-and-stimulant-like effects– which are easily accessible for anybody over 18 in the state. While Texas looks at ways to make the substance safer for consumers, others states are contemplating whether it should be banned. What is kratom?Kratom products are derived from the leaves of a tropical tree grown in the South P
  
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• 'It's the wild west': Texas legislature may decide future of kratom in state

  10-03-2023 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – This session, the Texas legislature will look at two bills related to regulating kratom products – an herbal substance that can produce opioid-and-stimulant-like effects– which are easily accessible for anybody over 18 in the state. While Texas looks at ways to make the substance safer for consumers, others states are contemplating whether it should be banned. What is kratom?Kratom products are derived from the leaves of a tropical tree grown in the South P
  
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• SZA splashes into Moody Center with highly anticipated SOS tour

  10-03-2023 13:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — SZA made a huge splash as she returned to Austin for her "SOS" tour at Moody Center Thursday night.The singer is in no need of saving because she's in control. The mic was all the way on the entire time. The show was full of impressive vocals, entertaining theatrics and pure emotion.It was only a few months back when the songstress headlined the 2022 Austin City Limits Music Festival. During her ACL set, she gave fans a glimpse of the stage design that fans get to see now o
  
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• A seesaw of temperatures with little rain

  10-03-2023 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After last night's cold front came through with little fanfare, we're noticeably cooler today.Still, as more breaks of sun come through the clouds this afternoon we'll see temperatures climbing close to seasonable norms this time of year. For Austin, normal highs for March 10 is 72º and we think we'll get there.A surge of warmth pushes back in for Saturday as we jump back into the middle and even upper 80s, but don't blink...because we cool back down into the 70s again for
  
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• Houstonian sentenced to 60 years in for fatally stabbing girlfriend from Dallas

  10-03-2023 04:05 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON-- A 64-year-old Houston man with a history of violence was sentenced to 60 years this week. He was convicted for fatally stabbing his girlfriend as she tried to leave him to go back to Dallas, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said Wednesday.
  The most dangerous time for a victim of domestic violence is when they are trying to leave the relationship. That is exactly why we take any and all allegations of domestic violence so seriously.
  Harris County District Attorney Kim OggKenneth
  
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• Learn which blood type puts you at higher or lower risk for early stroke

  10-03-2023 03:57 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (KIAH)- In Texas, the stroke death rate for ages 35 and up is 78 per 100,000, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And now, researchers may have found that your blood type may affect your risk of early stroke.
  The University of Maryland concluded those with type A blood are 12% more likely to have a stroke when they are under the age of 60 than other blood types.“The number of people with early strokes is rising. These people are more likely to die f
  
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• Texas beats feisty Oklahoma State to advance to Big 12 Tournament semifinals

  10-03-2023 03:25 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for March 10, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's never easy to beat a team three times, but No. 12 Texas was able to accomplish that over Oklahoma State with their 61-47 win in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal.
  The Longhorns were without senior forward Timmy Allen who missed the game with a lower leg injury.
  The game was not a pretty affair, as both teams combined for 33 turnovers and no team shot better than 40% fro
  
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• Storm risk decreasing overnight, but some rain still possible

  10-03-2023 03:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A cold front returning to the area overnight will spark scattered showers and thunderstorms, although the latest threat of severe, damaging storms has dropped. NEW BLOG: La Niña has ended — Here’s what’s next and when El Niño could beginThe same cold front that brought a brief respite from the heat and humidity Wednesday evening returns overnight, bringing cooler weather on Friday. The front will trigger scattered showers and a few thunderstorms.R
  
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• City of Austin spends roughly $500K a year cleaning up graffiti

  10-03-2023 02:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin spent around $500,000 cleaning up graffiti in both fiscal year 2021 and 2022, data collected by KXAN shows.
  There are three major departments involved in the work, according to the city, though they may not be exhaustive. Of those departments -- Building Services, Transportation and Parks and Recreation -- PARD spends the most by far.
  The Austin PARD said in Fiscal Year 2022, its four full time employees and one supervisor scrubbed off more than 33,000 square
  
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• How Williamson County is paying for ice storm cleanup

  10-03-2023 01:58 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell said the county expects the bill for storm damage could reach $15-$20 million in just a few months.This week Williamson County Commissioners extended the county's disaster declaration, which gives it the opportunity to be reimbursed by the federal government for ice storm recovery costs. Williamson County extends disaster declaration until June after ice stormCurrently, the county estimates it already spent $12 million on reco
  
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• Despite uptick in tech layoffs, Austin hasn't yet seen job carnage

  10-03-2023 01:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal)-- While reports of technology layoffs have become much more common in recent months, the Austin area has been spared from serious job market carnage."We're not seeing a lot of pain yet in Austin," said Thom Singer, CEO of the Austin Technology Council, a nonprofit advocacy group. "I don't know what's going to play out. There's a lot of smart people who are predicting this year is going to get worse. But so far, we're not hearing a lot of huge impact in the Austin
  
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• Study shows exercise plays a direct role in reducing breast cancer

  10-03-2023 01:24 via kxan.com
  
  COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KXAN) – It has long been understood that exercise can be beneficial in preventing some types of cancers, but only in recent years have scientists started to understand why.A team of Texas A&M researchers showed in a recently published paper that a hormone secreted by muscles during exercise can reduce tumor growth and even kill cancerous cells. “That was the cool and, I guess, groundbreaking news that we were able to show mechanistically – there
  
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• Austin City Council approves measure to expand public charging stations

  10-03-2023 01:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- Due to the growing interest in electric vehicles, Austin City Council took steps Thursday to ensure the City of Austin has a "robust network" of public charging stations, according to a news release from the city.The council voted to direct the city manager to develop a plan for the equitable distribution of public charging stations, including direct current (DC) fast charges and Level 2 chargers, which the city said are more common in homes and workplaces, the release said.The r
  
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• Multiple dead in Jehovah's Witness hall shooting in Germany

  10-03-2023 01:05 via kxan.com
  
  BERLIN (AP) — Shots were fired inside a building used by Jehovah's Witnesses in the northern German city of Hamburg on Thursday evening, and several people were killed or wounded, police said.
  The shooting took place in the Gross Borstel district, a few kilometers (miles) north of the downtown area of Germany's second-biggest city.
  “We only know that several people died here; several people are wounded, they were taken to hospitals,” police spokesman Holger Vehren said.He said
  
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• 6 bills on school safety, funding, and the teacher shortage — what you need to know

  10-03-2023 01:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Days before the bill filing deadline, Texas lawmakers announced a flurry of new bills aimed at solving some of the largest problems facing the state’s public schools: safety and its dwindling workforce.Here’s what you need to know.House Bill 11: Teacher pay and workloadThis bill, filed by Rep. Harold Dutton, D-Houston, will attempt to codify many of the recommendations made by the Teacher Vacancy Task Force.The group of more than 40 public school teachers and ad
  
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• 6 bills filed on school safety, funding and the teacher shortage — what you need to know

  10-03-2023 01:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Days before the bill filing deadline, Texas lawmakers announced a flurry of new bills aimed at solving some of the largest problems facing the state’s public schools: safety and its dwindling workforce.Here’s what you need to know.House Bill 11: Teacher pay and workloadThis bill, filed by Rep. Harold Dutton, D-Houston, will attempt to codify many of the recommendations made by the Teacher Vacancy Task Force.The group of more than 40 public school teachers and ad
  
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• Some dead in shooting at Jehovah's Witness hall in Germany

  10-03-2023 00:48 via kxan.com
  
  BERLIN (AP) — Shots were fired inside a building used by Jehovah's Witnesses in the northern German city of Hamburg on Thursday evening, and several people were killed or wounded, police said.
  The shooting took place in the Gross Borstel district, a few kilometers (miles) north of the downtown area of Germany's second-biggest city.
  “We only know that several people died here; several people are wounded, they were taken to hospitals,” police spokesman Holger Vehren said.He said
  
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• Additional water restrictions possible this summer if dry weather continues

  10-03-2023 00:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- New projections from the Lower Colorado River Authority show that if drier-than-normal weather continues, the combined water storage in lakes Travis and Buchanan may drop below a threshold that would trigger additional water restrictions in Austin this summer.Even with periodic rain events, much of Central Texas, including the Austin area, has stacked up a 16-20" rainfall deficit in the last year -- rainfall we should have received but haven't. This has led to low lake levels an
  
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• Church shooting in Germany leaves several dead, wounded

  10-03-2023 00:34 via kxan.com
  
  BERLIN (AP) — Shots were fired inside a building used by Jehovah's Witnesses in the northern German city of Hamburg on Thursday evening, and several people were killed or wounded, police said.
  The shooting took place in the Gross Borstel district, a few kilometers (miles) north of the downtown area of Germany's second-biggest city.
  “We only know that several people died here; several people are wounded, they were taken to hospitals,” police spokesman Holger Vehren said.He said
  
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