Austin news

• Austin ISD pride week concludes but not without pushback from a lawmaker

  24-03-2023 22:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin Independent School District closes out its pride week Saturday. Each day this week, the district has put on different pride-themed activities, culminating in an event this Saturday with a keynote speaker, food trucks and a student dance. Eliza Layola, principal of Menchaca Elementary School for nearly a decade, said celebrating the week is especially important in Central Texas. “It's actually not about the event or even the week — it's about
  
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• Bill would remove city protections for 'cedar fever' Ashe Juniper trees

  24-03-2023 22:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A short bill filed by Texas Rep. Ellen Troxclair, R-Austin, would remove municipal protections for Ashe Juniper trees across Texas, a move that ecologists warn could have a serious impact on Central Texas.House Bill 2239 would amend a section of state law that currently only prevents municipalities from preventing the removal of diseased, dead or dangerous trees. Troxclair's bill simply adds the Ashe Juniper to the list. Why can’t we get rid of the trees that cause &l
  
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• Bill would remove city protections for Ashe Juniper trees

  24-03-2023 22:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A short bill filed by Texas Rep. Ellen Troxclair, R-Austin, would remove municipal protections for Ashe Juniper trees across Texas, a move that ecologists warn could have a serious impact on Central Texas.House Bill 2239 would amend a section of state law that currently only prevents municipalities from preventing the removal of diseased, dead or dangerous trees. Troxclair's bill simply adds the Ashe Juniper to the list. Why can’t we get rid of the trees that cause &l
  
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• Gorgeous weekend weather until clouds increase on Sunday

  24-03-2023 22:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Following a wet start to the day Friday, clear skies and low humidity have returned on a breezy west wind. Live updated rainfall totalsClear skies and dry air will allow for chilly mornings this weekend, with temperatures in the 40s in colder rural valleys.
  Saturday morning forecast temperaturesDaytime highs will be warm, and low humidity will make for comfortable conditions. Clouds will increase on Sunday along with a slim 10% chance of a rain shower, but both days look pleasan
  
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• Austin is experiencing a top 10 warmest start to the year

  24-03-2023 21:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Warmth has been no stranger to Central Texas so far in 2023.Through March 24, Austin (Camp Mabry) is experiencing its ninth-warmest start to the year on record. The average mean temperature, which accounts for the highs and lows of the day, is up to 59.2º year-to-date, which is over two degrees warmer than normal.Austin's weather statistics year-to-date
  Austin's Camp Mabry has broken six heat records so far in 2023 but set no cold records.Camp Mabry heat records
  Austin
  
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• Austin family in Paris amid protests of Macron's pension plan shift

  24-03-2023 21:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN/AP) -- More than a million people took to France's streets Thursday to protest a bill pushed through by President Emmanuel Macron that raised the retirement age from 62 to 64 without a vote in parliament, according to the Associated Press.
  Transportation, schools, restaurants, supermarkets, banks and trash collection are just some of the services being impacted by protests and strikes, the outlet reported.READ MORE: Violent French pension protests erupt as 1M demonstrate"We were out
  
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• Jury convicts man in 2020 fatal stabbing

  24-03-2023 21:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Travis County jury convicted a man of manslaughter Feb. 28 in connection with the death of a 36-year-old man in southeast Austin in July 2020.Travis County records showed 37-year-old Vincent Serrato originally pleaded guilty to the original murder charge, but he was convicted on the lesser charge of manslaughter. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Suspect arrested in southeast Austin stabbingCourt records showed a judge sentenced Serrato to serve 18 years in state prison for the death of
  
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• Amber Alert: Teenage girl missing from Robinson

  24-03-2023 20:53 via kxan.com
  
  Robinson (FOX 44/KWKT) -- The Texas Department of Public Safety has issued an Amber Alert for a 14-year-old girl from Robinson.Police say Cadence Masterpool disappeared with a young woman Thursday afternoon.She was last seen in the 500 block of Celeste Drive.Cadence Masterpool.
  Cadence was last seen wearing a black dress, white and grey leggings, and dark blue crocs.She has two tattoos: 5300 Brauswood on her left chest and a 'Hello Kitty' tattoo on her stomach.She also has lip and nose piercings
  
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• Amber Alert for missing Robinson girl canceled

  24-03-2023 20:53 via kxan.com
  
  Robinson (FOX 44/KWKT) -- The Texas Department of Public Safety has ended the Amber Alert for a 14-year-old girl from Robinson. DPS says the teen has been found.Police said the teenager left home voluntarily with a young woman Thursday afternoon.She was last seen in the 500 block of Celeste Drive.Police are not saying at this time where the girl was found or anything about the woman she originally left with.
  
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• Kaxan, beloved KXAN mascot, dies after brain cancer battle

  24-03-2023 20:27 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows the behind-the-scenes of making the 'Top Dogs' Super Bowl commercial starring Kaxan.AUSTIN (KXAN) – KXAN’s beloved mascot Kaxan, who was diagnosed with brain cancer in February, has died.Over the past decade, Kaxan has served as the handsome ball of fluff that appeared alongside KXAN Senior Forecaster Jim Spencer. Kaxan wins community service awardKaxan was found in an alleyway behind the KXAN studios more than a decade ago. He was taken to Austin
  
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• Taxpayers in these states see the largest refunds

  24-03-2023 20:14 via kxan.com
  
  (SmartAsset) - As we progress through the 2023 tax season, many Americans have their eyes on a potential tax refund. But getting money back from the government can actually be a double-edged sword.
  Earning a large tax refund may mean that you gave Uncle Sam an interest-free loan throughout the course of the year instead of putting that money to work for you in other ways.
  Still, the majority of people who file a U.S. tax return every year end up getting a refund. For the 2021 tax year, which inv
  
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• APD: Man accused of shooting girlfriend, arrested in east Austin murder investigation

  24-03-2023 20:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police said an arrest was made Thursday in connection to a Wednesday murder investigation in the 5800 block of Techni Center Drive.APD said the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force members and United States Marshals Service arrested 33-year-old Timothy Pace, who is suspected of killing his girlfriend, Shahre-Ka Mays, 27.Homicide Detectives and Crime Scene Specialists with APD said Pace shot Mays and then left the area. RELATED: Woman dies in east Austin shootingAccording to
  
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• 6 Austin homicides in 10 days, a closer look at the data

  24-03-2023 19:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Twenty-one homicides have occurred in Austin so far this year. Six of them have happened in the last 10 days. MAP: Where have Austin’s homicides occurred in 2023?Last year, 71 homicides were reported, down from a record-high 88 in 2021.According to police data compiled by KXAN, thus far in 2023, homicide numbers are at a similar point to 2022 and 2021.The recent stretch of homicides started on March 14 and ended on March 23. They were not related - and most were
  
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• Fort Hood becomes Fort Cavazos on May 9

  24-03-2023 19:04 via kxan.com
  
  FORT HOOD, Texas (FOX44) — Fort Hood will officially be redesignated Fort Cavazos on May 9.The Fort Hood Press Center said Friday morning that this comes in honor of a Texas-born hero of the Korean and Vietnam wars, Gen. Richard Edward Cavazos. The ceremony will be held at the III Armored Corps Headquarters. Fort Hood family well-being enhanced by new policiesThe post is one of nine U.S. Army installations being redesignated based on the Naming Commission’s recommendations to remove
  
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• National Labor Relations Board files complaint against Starbucks for retaliation against union organizers

  24-03-2023 18:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The National Labor Relations Board, or NLRB, issued a complaint against Starbucks on March 7, claiming that the company violated workers' rights and targeted Austin-area employees for organizing their workplaces.The complaint arose after Workers United, an Service Employees International Union (SEIU) affiliate union, under which Starbucks workers are organizing, told the NLRB that organizers had been interrogated, surveilled and threatened by Starbucks managers. Starbucks violat
  
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• UT professor 1st Latin American to receive 'Nobel Prize of mathematics'

  24-03-2023 18:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A professor at the University of Texas at Austin was awarded mathematics' highest prize this week.
  The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters named Luis A. Caffarelli, a UT professor of mathematics, winner of the 2023 Abel Prize.
  The prize is considered the Nobel Prize equivalent in mathematics and one of the top international awards.
  Norway’s King Harald V will present the Abel Prize to Caffarelli at an award ceremony in Oslo on May 23. He is the first Latin A
  
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• Texas House moves toward medical cannabis expansion

  24-03-2023 16:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Texas lawmakers are one step closer to significantly expanding access to medical cannabis. The Texas House Committee on Public Health this week unanimously approved a bill to increase the THC limits in medical cannabis and expand who is eligible to use it.HB 1805 by State Rep. Stephanie Klick (R-Fort Worth) would change the definition of "low-cannabis THC" to 10 milligrams. Cannabis products are currently limited to 1% THC by weight. It would also expand the list of elig
  
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• Look inside a Texas medical cannabis facility as lawmakers move to expand access

  24-03-2023 16:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Texas lawmakers are one step closer to significantly expanding access to medical cannabis. The Texas House Committee on Public Health this week unanimously approved a bill to increase the THC limits in medical cannabis and expand who is eligible to use it.HB 1805 by State Rep. Stephanie Klick (R-Fort Worth) would change the definition of "low-cannabis THC" to 10 milligrams. Cannabis products are currently limited to 1% THC by weight. It would also expand the list of elig
  
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• Volunteers needed in Alzheimer's research that could spot disease decades before

  24-03-2023 15:22 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON, D.C. (KXAN) -- The number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease is expected to double in the next two decades, according to new findings by the Alzheimer’s Association.The report warns Alzheimer's disease and other dementias are expected to increase from 6.7 million today to nearly 13 million by 2050.An experimental drug aims to change that outlook.“It is now possible to identify individuals at risk of developing dementia 20 years before symptoms,” said
  
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• Caritas of Austin reopens Dining Hall after 3 years

  24-03-2023 14:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A downtown community staple reopened this week after the COVID-19 pandemic forced its doors closed in 2020.
  Caritas of Austin opened the Dining Hall for the first time in three years on Thursday.
  The community kitchen, which is located at 611 Neches St., has been open since 1964 but had to switch to to-go only during the pandemic.Where to find homelessness resources in Austin"We are reopening the dining room because we believe it's important for people to have the opportuni
  
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• 18-wheeler struck by train in Luling Thursday

  24-03-2023 13:58 via kxan.com
  
  LULING, Texas (KXAN) -- An 18-wheeler was struck by a train at a crossing in Luling on Thursday.
  It happened at a crossing on Elm Avenue, according to a social media post from the Luling Police Department.
  NBC's News 4 in San Antonio reported that the driver was able to escape the truck before the collision happened.
  Luling police did not say why the crash happened.
  
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• How Austin FC team uses oxygen to create an advantage

  24-03-2023 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- While Q2 stadium is where Austin FC play their games, much of the hard work is done elsewhere.Most of the training and recovery for Austin FC happens at the St. David's Performance Center in north Austin. That's where they have multiple practice soccer fields, a weight room, a barber shop and an altitude training room.In the altitude training room, the air is regulated so it simulates the lower oxygen content found at higher elevations. It helps to prepare for places the team tr
  
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• QUIZ: Do you know Texas' official state symbols?

  24-03-2023 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Did you know that peach cobbler is the official state cobbler of Texas?Or that Texas blue topaz is the official state gem? Or that petrified palmwood is the official state stone of Texas?Texas has no less than 76 state symbols or designations, according to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, everything from state cooking implement to state hashtag (by the way, there are three - one for the state as a whole, one for tourism and one for the Texas Legislature). &l
  
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• Rain this morning, sunshine this afternoon

  24-03-2023 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The weather was quiet during the overnight hours. Mason and San Saba Counties were under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 6 a.m. No severe weather ever affected these two counties. Thunderstorms moved in to western San Saba County around 5:30 a.m. with no severe weather, just lightning.Gusty south winds have howled across the area during the overnight hours with some gusts between 20 and 25 mph. Gusty west winds will be noted this afternoon drying out the air. The warming wind
  
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• Quick clearing and heating this afternoon

  24-03-2023 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Rain has moved through most of the area and will continue to exit our eastern counties by early afternoon.CENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL TOTALSSunshine will continue to come out quickly from west to east. West winds will help to accelerate the warming today. Temperatures will jump into the middle and upper 80s as compressional heating dries out the air and allows highs to soar.Forecast highs Friday afternoonA bright and warm weekend is ahead for all of the area. Highs will be in the upp
  
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• Man in 20s shot, killed in southeast Austin; City's 6th homicide in 10 days

  24-03-2023 11:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man died Thursday night after he was shot multiple times at an apartment complex in southeast Austin.
  A 911 "shots fired" call came in at 10:43 p.m. from the Woodway Square apartment complex on Teri Road, according to the Austin Police Department.
  Police said medical treatment was administered, but the man was pronounced dead on the scene at 11:09 p.m.Homicide detectives started investigating the case Thursday night.
  Police said there was a relationship between the victim and
  
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• Juvenile arrested in southeast Austin homicide; city's 6th homicide in 10 days

  24-03-2023 11:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man died Thursday night after he was shot multiple times at an apartment complex in southeast Austin. Police said Friday that a juvenile was arrested and charged related to the death.A 911 "shots fired" call came in at 10:43 p.m. from the Woodway Square apartment complex on Teri Road, according to the Austin Police Department.
  Police said medical treatment was administered, but the man, later identified as 22-year-old Darion Dupree, was pronounced dead on the scene at 11:
  
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• Trump remains 'well liked' by Texas Republicans, Texas Politics Project poll says

  24-03-2023 06:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Former President Donald Trump will hold his first campaign rally ahead of the 2024 election in Waco Saturday. According to new polling by the Texas Politics Project, Trump "remains well liked among Texas Republicans."Trump's job approval rating was always high amongst Texas Republicans, never dropping below 78% throughout his presidency, according to the Texas Politics Project.His favorability ratings amongst Texas Republicans, and likely GOP primary voters, have remained c
  
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• Longhorns baseball on 11-game tear going into Big 12 opening series vs. Texas Tech

  24-03-2023 04:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After a wild 17-11 win over Incarnate Word on Tuesday, the Texas Longhorns are riding an 11-game winning streak into the Big 12 Conference opening series against Texas Tech.The three-game set begins Friday at UFCU Disch-Falk Field and is on the back end of a 14-game homestand, but the Longhorns know the Red Raiders will present a much larger challenge than anyone else they've played at the friendly confines the past two weeks.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports s
  
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• Zilker Park adding new pay stations, increasing prices for parking

  24-03-2023 04:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Parks and Recreation Department will soon add new automated parking pay stations to Zilker Park.Parking lots near Stratford Road and the South Barton Springs Pool lot near Azie Morton Road will now have pay stations like the rest of the park.The lots were free before the decision was made to add the paid parking. The automated parking stalls for these areas will be activated on May 1, 2023.In 2016, pay stations were installed to help reduce both traffic congestion and
  
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• Abilene Christian University professor arrested, accused of sexually abusing adopted children

  24-03-2023 03:18 via kxan.com
  
  ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) - An Abilene Christian University professor has been accused of sexually abusing his adoptive children, including at least one incident that happened on campus.Charles Wadlington was arrested on a warrant for Sexual Abuse of Child and now remains held in jail on a $75,000 bond.Court documents state that in March 2023, a child came forward to police and said she and her sister were sexually assaulted by Wadlington, their adoptive father, and their brother may have been
  
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• How weather affects a golf ball's distance

  24-03-2023 02:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The final WGC-Dell Technologies Match play tournament is in full swing over at Austin Country Club. The forecast looks to be a warm one with temperatures into the 80s for the remainder of the tournament. Dell Match Play ForecastThe First Warning Weather team looked at how varying types of weather can impact a golf ball's distance.TemperatureA golf ball hit in warm air will travel further than cold air. Here's why:Cold air is more dense than warm air and will cause a moving
  
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• Georgetown charter school parents ask for crosswalk after construction near school

  24-03-2023 01:09 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — A charter school in Georgetown said it is working with city and county leaders to make crossing the street safer for its students after recent construction nearby changed traffic patterns.Gateway College Preparatory School is right next to the intersection of Westinghouse Road and Higgins Road.Construction on the part of Westinghouse Road that runs directly in front of the school wrapped up this week.Williamson County is currently widening parts of the road throu
  
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• Texas Longhorns to battle veteran Xavier team Friday in Sweet 16

  24-03-2023 00:41 via kxan.com
  
  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KXAN) - The Texas men's basketball team has already made history in an emotional season making the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2008. Now they are set to duel with the Xavier Musketeers out of the Big East at 8:45 p.m. Friday.Xavier reached the second weekend after beating a pair of double-digit seeds. The Musketeers handled 14th-seeded Kennesaw State 72-67 and 11th-seeded Pittsburgh 84-73. ‘One big family’ mindset has glued Longhorns together, put them into 1s
  
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• 'One big family' mindset has glued Longhorns together, put them into 1st Sweet 16 since 2008

  24-03-2023 00:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns men's basketball team hasn't been to the Sweet 16 in 15 years, and while that's a tremendous accomplishment the team is proud of, they certainly aren't satisfied.The second-seeded Longhorns take on third-seeded Xavier at 8:45 p.m. Friday at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City to see who moves on to Sunday's Elite Eight, and what has held the team together this season has been their love for one another.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories li
  
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• Where to get the best tamales in the Austin area

  24-03-2023 00:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After KXAN did a callout on social media asking where the best tamales were in Austin, there were a few places in and around the area everyone preferred.While not one person said a single place in Austin stood out, the consistency remained in where Austinites said the best places for tamales reign, even if they are not directly in Austin.Tamale HouseTamale House has always been a neighborhood spot since 1958, the Tamale House website said. The business served the downtown Austin
  
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