Austin news

• Report: Austin listed among cities with highest property taxes in US

  30-03-2023 23:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin metro ranked in the top 15 American cities with the highest property taxes, according to a report by Construction Coverage. The report ranked Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown at No. 13.According to the report’s findings, Austin metro’s effective property tax rate for owner-occupied homes was 1.4%.The report said the median property taxes paid for owner-occupied homes in Austin metro was $6,397, the median owner-occupied home value was $397,100
  
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• Trump indicted in Stormy Daniels hush-money case

  30-03-2023 23:39 via kxan.com
  
  Former President Trump was indicted on criminal charges in New York on Thursday for his role in organizing hush money payments made to an adult film star during his 2016 campaign, according to a source familiar with the proceedings.The history-making indictment marks the first time a president has been charged in a criminal matter and comes as several law enforcement entities are investigating Trump’s conduct in numerous probes.The charges laid out in the indictment remain unclear.The indi
  
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• Austin Police corporal runs nearly 200 miles for charity

  30-03-2023 23:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police Department Corporal Ben Mewis ran from the San Jacinto monument in Harris County to the Texas State Capitol to raise money and awareness for a cause close to his heart: CASA of Travis County.
  The run was just under 200 miles. Austin corporal runs from Alamo to Texas Capitol, uses passion to connect with communityCASA of Travis County helps children who have experienced abuse or neglect.
  “For me, specifically, the hardest calls that I take have to do with chil
  
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• City recruiting members for new pilot program to help prevent people from being evicted from their homes

  30-03-2023 22:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin Housing Department is recruiting community members who want to serve as Displacement Prevention Navigators to help prevent people from being evicted or foreclosed on, according to a news release from the city.The one-year pilot program will focus on two neighborhoods at high risk of displacement, which is Colony Park and Dove Springs, the release said. Compared to Austin as a whole, the pilot neighborhoods have higher shares of cost-burdened residents, as well
  
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• Rain showers, then sunshine and record heat

  30-03-2023 22:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --Welcome light to moderate rain showers continue across much of the area this evening with some rain totals adding up to 0.10"-0.25". Light rain showers taper off a bit after sunset tonight with cloudy, mainly dry weather overnight.A strong Pacific storm passing to our north will drag a cold front through our area late in the day tomorrow. This front has the potential to trigger isolated storms and showers along, but mainly east of I-35 late in the day.Cold front slides in late Fr
  
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• Report: Nonprofit vendor defrauded Austin Public Health of $417K

  30-03-2023 22:22 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for March 30, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — After an investigation that took longer than a year, the Office of the City Auditor in Austin said it found Central Texas Allied Health Institute (CTAHI), a nonprofit City of Austin contractor, committed fraud against Austin Public Health and falsified health records.
  According to the investigative report, CTAHI misrepresented over $1.1 million in financial transactions acros
  
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• Austin's Camp-Half Blood fundraising $150K to continue summer program

  30-03-2023 22:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Since 2006, Austin children have transported into the world of Rick Riordan's "Percy Jackson & the Olympians" series at Camp Half-Blood Austin. Now, camp officials are working to continue bringing the books' fantasy adventures to life, fundraising to keep the summer camp operating.CHBA aims to bring to life the "Percy Jackson" books to help instill a love for reading, as well as create an outlet for kids to act out adventures from the series. Overseeing the summer camp
  
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• Atmospheric rivers bring record breaking snowpack

  30-03-2023 21:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Atmospheric rivers have been stealing the headlines over the past several months as California has experienced a relentless amount of rain and snow. An atmospheric river is a narrow corridor of concentrated moisture or water vapor in the atmosphere. They can stretch hundreds to even thousands of miles in length while usually being much narrower in width (less than 500 miles or so). As this water vapor gets pushed up the mountains along the West Coast, this moisture is
  
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• CMT behind the scenes with Kelsea Ballerini, Kane Brown and the Texas longhorns

  30-03-2023 20:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The festivities for the 2023 CMT Music Awards in Austin are happening now.The music artists are in the live music capital of the world and giving fans a taste of what they can expect to see on the Country Music Television network.
  Kelsea Ballerini and Kane Brown will be at the helm of the award show airing live Sunday, April 2 from the Moody Center. LIST: Artists set to attend 2023 CMT Music Awards in Austin, Texas"To be in the building in a new city and have life feel like
  
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• 'Swatting' call temporarily locks down Austin elementary school — what is 'swatting'

  30-03-2023 20:39 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for March 30, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Midday Thursday, an east Austin elementary school was placed on a temporary lockdown after a "swatting" call came in at the school's address.
  The Austin Independent School District tweeted at 12:51 p.m. that Austin ISD Police placed Norman-Sims Elementary school on a brief lockdown while investigating a possible "swatting" situation.How ‘swatting’ calls spread as schoo
  
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• City audit finds lag in efforts to measure affordability, economic opportunity in Austin

  30-03-2023 20:02 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for March 30, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — In March 2018, the City of Austin adopted its Strategic Direction 2023 (SD23) plan, a five-year initiative to find and determine "advance equitable outcomes across Austin."Economic Opportunity and Affordability (EOA) is one of six areas incorporated into the SD23 plan. The premise for the EOA component focused on "having economic opportunities and resources that enable us to
  
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• Report: Qualified lifeguards could have been turned away

  30-03-2023 19:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Every Summer the City of Austin relies on hundreds of lifeguards to watch over city pools.The hiring process begins in November and to successfully run all 34 pools the city needs about 860 lifeguards.In 2022, over 1,000 people applied to be lifeguards, PARD hired about 422, and over 200 lifeguards returned from earlier seasons, but some qualified candidates were turned away according to a recent report.The report states: “We found that 95% of lifeguard applicants rec
  
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• Report: lifeguards turned away because of technological glitch

  30-03-2023 19:54 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for March 30, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Every Summer the City of Austin relies on hundreds of lifeguards to watch over city pools.The hiring process begins in November and to successfully run all 34 pools the city needs about 860 lifeguards.In 2022, over 1,000 people applied to be lifeguards, PARD hired about 422, and over 200 lifeguards returned from earlier seasons, but some qualified candidates were turned away
  
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• Daniel Perry trial day 3: Witnesses to deadly shooting at Austin protest testify

  30-03-2023 19:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Day three of the trial for the man accused of shooting and killing Garrett Foster in July 2022 began Thursday morning with testimony from people who were at the protest where it happened.
  Daniel Perry, an Army sergeant and part-time Uber driver, was indicted in the case in 2021 on felony charges of murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and a misdemeanor charge of deadly conduct. Perry entered a not-guilty plea Tuesday.  MORE: Daniel Perry trial day 2: Fian
  
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• Daniel Perry trial day 3: Witnesses recall deadly shooting at Austin protest testify

  30-03-2023 19:00 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for March 30, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) – Day three of the trial for the man accused of shooting and killing Garrett Foster in July 2022 began Thursday morning with testimony from people who were at the protest where it happened.
  Daniel Perry, an Army sergeant and part-time Uber driver, was indicted in the case in 2021 on felony charges of murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and a misdemeanor charge of
  
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• Daniel Perry trial day 3: Witnesses recall deadly shooting at Austin protest

  30-03-2023 19:00 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for March 30, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) – Day three of the trial for the man accused of shooting and killing Garrett Foster in July 2022 began Thursday morning with testimony from people who were at the protest where it happened.
  Daniel Perry, an Army sergeant and part-time Uber driver, was indicted in the case in 2021 on felony charges of murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and a misdemeanor charge of
  
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• 'Explosive growth': 20+ new restaurants, retail stores coming to Kyle

  30-03-2023 18:57 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) - The City of Kyle is booming with business. Costco opened its doors in the city Thursday morning. Costco to open Kyle warehouse ThursdayOfficials with the retail giant said it was one of their biggest grand openings, with hundreds linedup outside eager to get their carts.
  Hundreds of people walked through Costco's doors in Kyle Thursday morning. Many said they've been waiting years and years for this. (Photo: KXAN's Sarah Al-Shaikh)
  Costco is just one of several businesses op
  
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• High school students say they've found new way to prove Pythagorean theorem

  30-03-2023 17:22 via kxan.com
  
  NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – Two students at a school in New Orleans have presented evidence of a mathematical discovery that scholars have been trying to prove for 2,000 years.
  School officials at St. Mary's Academy say Calcea Johnson and Ne'Kiya Jackson, both 17, attended the American Mathematical Society's Annual Southeastern Conference where they said they had found a way to prove the Pythagorean theorem using trigonometry and without using circular logic."In the 2,000 years since trigonometry
  
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• Overnight RV stays become Central Texas businesses' side hustle

  30-03-2023 16:39 via kxan.com
  
  LULING, Texas (KXAN) — Inflation has hit several small businesses hard throughout Central Texas, cutting into their bottom line.Yet, a growing trend has emerged as an innovative way for businesses to earn extra income.Lots of local distilleries, breweries and wineries are letting travelers in trailers stay on their property for free.Those overnight stays are booked through Harvest Hosts, an RV club.The only rule: guests must buy an item from the small business before leaving in the morning
  
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• UT Austin researchers help develop blood test for traumatic brain injuries

  30-03-2023 16:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin's PsyBrain Lab helped develop the first commercially-available laboratory test for traumatic brain injury, or TBI, in the U.S., UT announced Wednesday.
  The university said the Food and Drug Administration just approved the Alinity i test.
  According to the announcement, the Alinity i test looks for elevated levels of two biomarkers in blood which it said are "tightly correlated with brain injury." UT said the technology, produ
  
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• New neighborhood of up to 1,600 homes gets green light in Caldwell County

  30-03-2023 16:10 via kxan.com
  
  CALDWELL COUNTY, Texas (Austin Business Journal) -- The Caldwell County Commissioners Court unanimously approved March 28 a development agreement between the county and a subsidiary of Lennar Corp. for a neighborhood of up to 1,600 homes in the rural area south of Austin. Is Elon Musk planning town east of Austin? The answer’s complicatedThe development agreement will allow Lennar — one of the region's busiest homebuilders — to transform the 491-acre parcel into a large communi
  
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• Gamma-burst temporarily blinds Earth's satellites; brightest in human history

  30-03-2023 15:34 via kxan.com
  
  Hawai'i (KXAN) - The brightest gamma-ray burst in human history was recently detected, scientists with the American Astronomical Society (AAS) announced on Tuesday. Nicknamed the BOAT, Brightest of All Time, NASA said in a release that it temporarily blinded Earth's satellites.The burst was initially detected on October 8th, 2022 by Voyager 1.According to a paper published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, the gamma-ray swept through our solar system 19 hours after it was initially detected.
  
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• 1 person injured in crash between pickup, semi-truck; Traffic blocked on I-35 service road at Riverside

  30-03-2023 14:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person was sent to a hospital after a crash between a semi-truck and pickup truck on the southbound I-35 service road near Riverside Drive.Real time traffic map The crash was reported at 6:15 a.m. Austin Police said the pickup truck hit the semi from behind and caught fire. The fire was put out.
  Austin Travis County-EMS said one person was pinned in the vehicle and had to be extracted. They were declared a trauma alert and taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
  As of 7
  
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• The bats are back, adding to Austin's charm

  30-03-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We love seeing them when they're here. They add a certain "je ne sais quoi" ambiance to Austin, attracting both locals and visitors. It's also possible that some plan their vacation around seeing them.Local band musicians? No. We're talking about the bats. The mammals lend so much to a tourists' visits.The bats have returned. Not just any bats. Our city's residents are Mexican free-tailed bats. They make their pilgrimage each spring when they leave central Mexico to various plac
  
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• 2 displaced after house fire in south Austin; no one hurt

  30-03-2023 13:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Two people were displaced after a house fire in south Austin overnight.
  Austin fire crews said no one was hurt in the fire, which burned a single family home on Cattle Trail. That area is east of Menchaca Road and south of West Dittmar Road.
  The fire was reported just before 12:30 a.m.AFD said at 2:11 a.m. that the fire was out and the cause was being investigated.
  
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• New population estimates show which areas of Texas grew the most in 2022

  30-03-2023 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas' population surpassed 30 million last year, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. The agency published its July 1, 2022 population estimates Thursday.But new data shows the growth is not being felt evenly across the state.Of the 254 counties in Texas, 158 saw an increase in population since July 1, 2021, while 95 had a population decline. One county, San Saba, had no change.Kaufman County, southeast of Dallas, grew faster than any other county in the sta
  
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• Hundreds of Texas crime survivors to rally for safety and justice at Capitol

  30-03-2023 12:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Hundreds of crime survivors and the families of crime victims will rally at the Texas Capitol Thursday afternoon to advocate for increased victim support and reforms that are meant to break the cycle of crime.
  “Communities most harmed by violence need support to heal and feel safe again,” Terra Tucker, the Texas director for the Alliance for Safety and Justice, said.
  What the group is calling forThe group, called the Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice, are demand
  
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• Drizzle and showers today ahead of record heat

  30-03-2023 12:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --Not a whole lot of sunshine expected today but with a stout southerly flow, we won't need it for today's warm up.Today will feature scattered showers and fairly widespread drizzle. Most of the drops won't be heavy, but it'll be enough to make for wet roads and damp conditions the majority of the time.Limited rainfall amounts with today's drizzle and scattered showers Afternoon highs will warm into the middle and upper 70s, a little above average for this time of year. Breezy wind
  
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• Costco to open Kyle warehouse Thursday

  30-03-2023 12:40 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) -- Get out the forks and knives out for the famous rotisserie chickens.
  Costco opens its newest location in Kyle during a community event on Thursday at 7 a.m.
  The City of Kyle says the 152,000 square-foot warehouse is located at 19806 IH-35. That is in the Dry River District Development between the Interstate 35 Frontage Road and Kyle Crossing.
  According to the city announcement, the Kyle Costco is the first in Hays County, the 37th in Texas, the 585th in the U.S. and the 850
  
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• Clouds and spotty rain not hurting the warm up

  30-03-2023 12:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --Not a whole lot of sunshine expected today but with a stout southerly flow, we won't need it for today's warm up.Today will feature on & off light rain mixed in with mainly cloudy skies. Afternoon highs will warm well into the 70s and low 80s, above average for this time of year. Breezy winds out of the southeast will reach sustained speeds of 15-25 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.Unseasonably warm Thursday afternoonA strong Pacific storm passing to our north will drag a cold fro
  
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• Austin ISD to hold public meeting on slowing down superintendent search

  30-03-2023 12:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Independent School District wants your input in Thursday night's meeting about the search for a new superintendent.As KXAN reported Monday, the president of Board of Trustees, Arati Singh, wrote a letter addressed to the AISD community that said the board is calling a special meeting March 30 to, “discuss the possibility of slowing down our search for our district’s next superintendent.”
  The letter also said the board would consider a contract extension
  
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• Austin ISD extends contract for interim superintendent, slows down search for full-time replacement

  30-03-2023 12:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Independent School District school board trustees voted unanimously to extend the contract of its interim superintendent, partly to slow down its search for a full time candidate.As KXAN reported Monday, the president of Board of Trustees, Arati Singh, wrote a letter addressed to the AISD community that said the board is calling a special meeting March 30 to, “discuss the possibility of slowing down our search for our district’s next superintendent.”
  The
  
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• Austin's leisure and hospitality industry booming, 13.4% increase from last year

  30-03-2023 05:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - From South by Southwest, NASCAR at the Circuit of The Americas, the Texas Relays and the Country Music Awards, Austin is packed with back to back events.
  Visit Austin's Communication Director Wesley Lucas said it is one of the busiest times of the year.
  "We've got Kite Fest, the CMT Music Awards, the US Women's National Team will be here playing Ireland at Q2 Stadium. We have Moto GP, the Texas Relays," Lucas said.
  With all of those events, comes a boost to the local leisure and
  
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• 2 arrested after traffic stop leads to pounds of suspected meth, marijuana being seized

  30-03-2023 05:35 via kxan.com
  
  UPSHUR COUNTY, Texas (KETK) - A traffic stop in Upshur County led to large amounts of drug paraphernalia being seized, officials said. 17-year-old arrested after high-speed chase ends in crash, police sayOn March 23, Upshur County investigators conducted a traffic stop on Camp Joy Road and Oliver Street. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Lee James Taylor II and the passenger was identified as Jessica Danielle Nicole Sellers.According to officials, when investigators approached the vehi
  
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• 'Mattress Mack' loses over $4M on Houston Cougars' loss in NCAA Tournament

  30-03-2023 05:31 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KIAH) — It was a tough loss for the Houston Cougars on Friday night, falling to the Miami Hurricanes in the Midwest Regional semifinals of the men’s NCAA Tournament. But it was a tougher loss for Texas’ big-time sports bettor, Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale.The Houston furniture salesman lost out on a big payday when UH lost in the Sweet 16, losing $4.05 million on wagers for the Cougars to win the national championship. If the Coogs did win out and win
  
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• APD searching for suspect accused of attacking man in downtown Austin

  30-03-2023 04:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is searching for a man accused of attacking a man in downtown Austin last month, according to an APD news release.At approximately 2:30 a.m., Feb. 27, personnel with Austin-Travis County EMS were flagged down by someone who reported an unidentified man was assaulted in the northeast corner of East Seventh Street and Trinity Street, the release said.According to police, the victim had severe injuries and was immediately taken to the hospital. Furtherm
  
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• New food items unveiled for 2023 Round Rock Express season at Dell Diamond

  30-03-2023 01:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The newest food items for the 2023 season at Dell Diamond were unveiled Wednesday.New menu items added at Dell Diamond for 2023 season (KXAN photo/Todd Bynum)New menu items added at Dell Diamond for 2023 season (KXAN photo/Todd Bynum)New menu items added at Dell Diamond for 2023 season (KXAN photo/Todd Bynum)New menu items added at Dell Diamond for 2023 season (KXAN photo/Todd Bynum)New menu items added at Dell Diamond for 2023 season (KXAN photo/Todd Bynum)New menu items a
  
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• No. 8 Texas, No. 1 Oklahoma ready for top-10 softball showdown

  30-03-2023 01:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The last time Texas and Oklahoma met on the softball field was for the college game's biggest prize. While stakes are quite a bit lower this time, it is still the Red River Rivalry and an intense series on the road.No. 8 Texas takes on No. 1 Oklahoma in a Big 12 Conference 3-game series beginning Friday, and the first game of the series will be at the same park the Sooners beat the Longhorns for the national title last year. No. 8 Texas softball has top 10 hitting, scoring
  
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• Elementary school in Fredericksburg placed on lockdown twice after reports of gunman nearby

  30-03-2023 01:19 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for March 29, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) – Students at an elementary school in Fredericksburg were placed on lockdown twice Tuesday after reports of a gunman near campus, according to Fredericksburg ISD.The district said the first lockdown was initiated after a student at the school reported seeing a man with a rifle in his backyard near the campus.After the 11:50 a.m. report, the elementary school campus was immediat
  
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• Brushy Creek opens brush drop-off site after ice storm cleanup backlash

  30-03-2023 00:39 via kxan.com
  
  BRUSHY CREEK, Texas (KXAN) — The Brushy Creek Municipal Utility District recently purchased a wood chipper to help residents clear debris from last month's ice storm.The M.U.D. received backlash several weeks ago after it announced it could not fulfill it's original plan to pick up debris in the district. Brushy Creek calls off ice storm damage pickupGeneral Manager Shean Dalton said the M.U.D's Board of Directors approved buying a wood chipper for this clean-up effort and that the site wi
  
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• Texas librarians alarmed over book review bill

  30-03-2023 00:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The Texas Senate Education Committee on Wednesday is considering a bill that would enforce "local community values" in school library books and could expose librarians to criminal penalties for harmful material in their libraries.Senate Bill 13 would create school library advisory councils tasked with ensuring "local community values are reflected in each school library catalog." Members of each council would be chosen by the school district's board of trustees."The proposed
  
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• Man allegedly hits, kills 20-year-old after multiple DWI arrests

  30-03-2023 00:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In August of 2021, police arrested Scott Taylor for manslaughter after crashing into—and killing—20-year-old Colton Roberts, a college student, on Jollyville Road in northwest Austin.Roberts' family, and the attorney now representing them in a civil lawsuit against Taylor, believe he shouldn't have been behind the wheel that day in the first place.Tanya, Roberts' mother, clutches a photo of her son as she leaves the courtroom.
  "The evidence in this case suggests
  
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