Austin news

• Dripping Springs dances into 6A boys soccer semifinals after up-and-down season

  12-04-2023 23:50 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) — Coming off a Class 5A state title game appearance a year ago, the Dripping Springs Tigers boys soccer team barely made the playoffs in its first year in Class 6A this season.
  Needing to win their last two games in district play to edge Westlake for the fourth and final playoff spot, the Tigers (14-11-2) did that and then won their next five postseason games to advance to the 6A semifinals at 7:30 p.m. Friday. They'll take on Allen at Birkelbach Field in Geo
  
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• State employee union rallies for raises, cost-of-living adjustments

  12-04-2023 23:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Members of the Texas State Employees Union (TSEU), Texas AFL-CIO chapter and Texas Communication Workers of America (CWA), as well as retirees and supporters, held a Lobbying Day at the Texas State Capitol on Wednesday.The TSEU is asking lawmakers for:
  a $10,000 per year raise for all state employees and university workers;a pension increase for retired state employees; and,more funding and staff for state services and universities.The day began with a march; union members and s
  
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• Heat and humidity slowly build ahead of a small storm chance

  12-04-2023 23:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Following eight straight days of cooler than normal afternoon high temperatures, south winds return -- and so do heat and humidity.Morning low temperatures remain comfortable Thursday, in the 50s areawide, but daytime highs return to warmer than normal levels topping 80 degrees. By Saturday afternoon, temperatures approach 90 degrees with muggy humidity in place.Clouds increase Friday and Saturday as a storm system passes far to our north, but rain chances remain slim at just 10
  
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• 'A ripple effect': Make A Wish eyes $150K fundraising goal to support Central Texas kids

  12-04-2023 23:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Sixteen years ago, a Disney cruise commercial inspired then-four-year-old Sam Benesch to request a Make-A-Wish trip to Florida to meet all his favorite Disney characters. Now, years later, Benesch is a Make-A-Wish program intern working to help other Central Texas children's dreams come true.For nearly 40 years, Make A Wish Central & South Texas has helped grant more than 5,500 wishes to children diagnosed with cancer, diseases and other health complications. Now, the o
  
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• Gulf of Mexico sea levels continue to rise

  12-04-2023 22:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The 2023 hurricane season is approaching. The Eastern Pacific's season starts May 15. For the Atlantic, which includes the Caribbean and the Gulf, the tropical season commences on June 1.Studies show that climate change is affecting hurricanes by making them more intense. Experts have also reported that hurricanes are traveling a little slower leading to an increase in the amount of rain that accumulates.
  Experts will be making their predictions coming up on how many named storm
  
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• Council item aims to limit parking lot requirements for bars to curb drunk driving

  12-04-2023 22:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A City Council resolution calls for eliminating certain parking lot restrictions for bars."Eliminating parking requirements for bars can encourage alternative modes of transportation and reduce the incidence of drunk driving," the resolution reads.
  District 3 City Council Member Jose Velasquez is behind the measure.
  According to current building standards, properties that are at least 2,500 square feet accommodate at least 25 drivers. Bars 10,000 square feet or more must have en
  
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• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower fundraiser aims to inspire next generation of conservationists

  12-04-2023 22:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As part of the University of Texas' 40 Hours for the 40 Acres fundraiser, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is raising money to fund four undergraduate internships in the fields of science, communication, conservation and operations. Donate now to the Wildflower CenterThe Wildflower Center, designated the Botanic Garden of Texas, advocates for the conservation of native plants, sustainable gardening, and the preservation of central Texas' beautiful natural spaces. It is kn
  
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• Dripping Springs ISD $223M bond up for vote in May after previous bond failed

  12-04-2023 22:20 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) - There's $223.7 million on the Hays County ballot this May. It's money for the Dripping Springs ISD 2023 bond.
  It includes both a focus on the district’s growth, capital improvements and renovations on DSISD’s oldest campus and campus security, as well as ADA updates on all district campuses. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Dripping Springs ISD board unanimously votes $223M bond for May 6 electionThe 2023 bond package includes things like:
  Build Elementary School N
  
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• TIMELINE: The latest with the Daniel Perry case

  12-04-2023 20:29 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: In the video above, a recap of KXAN News' morning headlines for April 12, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Former Army Sergeant Daniel Perry has yet to be sentenced after a jury found him guilty of murder on April 8.Perry shot and killed an Air Force veteran and Black Lives Matter Protester, Garrett Foster during a racial justice protest in July 2020 in downtown Austin. Daniel Perry found guilty of murder in protester’s deathFoster was armed with a rifle.
  Perry — who was in
  
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• Kyle police searching for 4 suspects in armed robbery at Mr. Gatti's Pizza

  12-04-2023 20:22 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) -- Police are searching for four suspects involved in an armed robbery that happened Monday at Mr. Gatti's Pizza in Kyle.
  It happened around 10 p.m. Monday at the Mr. Gatti's located at 22510 I-35. According to the Kyle Police Department, all the suspects were wearing gloves and face coverings and were armed. The weapons they had included two handguns and a semi-automatic rifle, KPD said.
  According to KPD, one of the suspects drew a gun and chased after employee
  
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• Texas House passes bill to expand medical marijuana program

  12-04-2023 20:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — More Texans could soon have access to the state's medical marijuana program after the Texas House approved a bill Wednesday that would expand eligibility to people who suffer from chronic pain.The bipartisan legislation, HB 1805, was sponsored by Rep. Stephanie Klick, R-Fort Worth, who also chairs the House Public Health Committee. Since the state created the "Compassionate Use" law in 2015, it has expanded the type of conditions in which Texas patients can qualify for l
  
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• Williamson County reduces repeat emergency health calls by 80%

  12-04-2023 20:08 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Williamson County EMS said over the last 9 years its reduced the number of repeat calls for emergency services by 80%. The agency credits its program that operates similarly to house calls and a tech-based health records system for that decrease in calls.The county said it started its Community Health Paramedic program in March 2014, after noticing a need to address calls from high utilizers of EMS. A high utilizer is someone who has made three or more cal
  
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• Border communities rally against 'Border Protection Unit' bill

  12-04-2023 19:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The Texas House Committee on State Affairs on Wednesday will consider a bill to create the "Border Protection Unit," vesting broad new law enforcement responsibilities in a new arm of the Department of Public Safety and challenging the limits of the state's border jurisdiction.House Bill 20 by Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, gives DPS a new responsibility of "defense and security of this state's air, maritime, and land borders." The governor would have sole authority to appoint
  
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• Moontower Just For Laughs kicks off this week. What makes Austin laughable?

  12-04-2023 19:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Moontower Just For Laughs kicks off Wednesday, with headliners like Seth Meyers, Jenny Slate, and Leslie Jones to take stages in Austin.
  The annual festival takes place April 12-23 and will feature over 100 comics across more than 10 venues in Austin. Trevor Noah was previously on the lineup, but has since dropped from the list of performers. Leslie Jones, Jenny Slate among several comics added to Moontower Just For Laughs lineupAvery Moore, an Austin comedian who will be perfor
  
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• Which Austin roads will be closed for the Statesman Capitol 10K race Sunday?

  12-04-2023 19:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thousands will lace up their sneakers and take to the streets this Sunday for the 46th Statesman Capitol 10,000 (Cap10K), a 10-kilometer road race that takes first place as the largest 10K in Texas and sixth largest in the country.
  The 6.2-mile race takes runners on a scenic tour through the heart of downtown and parts of central and west Austin. As a result, a slew of area roadways will be fully or partially closed Sunday.Here's a comprehensive look at those road closures.
  
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• VIDEO: Bobcat spotted in Plum Creek neighborhood in Kyle

  12-04-2023 17:24 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) -- A Kyle resident had an Easter animal encounter over the weekend, but it wasn't with a bunny.
  Sophia Johnson sent KXAN a video of a bobcat she came across while walking her dog in the Plum Creek area of Kyle. You can watch the video below.
  Johnson said she was out for a walk on Easter Sunday with her chihuahua when the encounter happened. Her chihuahua can even be heard growling at the bobcat in the video.Johnson said she took the sighting as an "auspicious sign." She plays
  
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• Local nonprofit challenging you to show off 'green pride' this Earth Day

  12-04-2023 17:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Earth Day is right around the corner: April 22. A Texas nonprofit is asking you to pay extra attention to Mother Earth this year by joining their challenge.
  EarthShare Texas supports better air quality, develops green building technology, protects the environment and does wildlife rehabilitation.Francoise Van Keuren is the executive director of EarthShare Texas. In the above video she talks about their 'Earth Month Sustainability Challenge' that began late last month and runs th
  
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• Austin-based startup designing humanoid robot with NASA

  12-04-2023 15:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin-based startup company is trying to change the future, designing robots aimed at altering the way we work and live.Back in 2016, Apptronik was founded by four men within the human-centered robotics lab at the University of Texas at Austin.Now, they’ve expanded to over 70 employees and are working with NASA to commercialize a humanoid robot.Nicholas Paine is Apptronik’s chief technology officer. Delivery robots coming to UT Austin campus for 5-year study
  
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• Austin-based startup designing humanoid robot for NASA

  12-04-2023 15:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin-based startup company is trying to change the future, designing robots aimed at altering the way we work and live.Back in 2016, Apptronik was founded by four men within the human-centered robotics lab at the University of Texas at Austin.Now, they’ve expanded to over 70 employees and are working with NASA to commercialize a humanoid robot.Nicholas Paine is Apptronik’s chief technology officer. Delivery robots coming to UT Austin campus for 5-year study
  
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• Georgetown ISD appoints interim superintendent

  12-04-2023 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) – The Georgetown Independent School District Board of Trustees appointed an interim superintendent Tuesday.Accordioning to a district announcement, trustees unanimously named Lindsay Harris to the job starting May 1 when current superintendent Fred Brent becomes Superintendent Emeritus. Related: Georgetown ISD’s superintendent to retireThe district said Harris has been Chief Strategist for Leadership & Culture. According to the district, she has work
  
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• Lawmaker calls Texas gang database ‘scary,’ urges reform

  12-04-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Lawmakers in the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee discussed a bill Tuesday that could reform the state’s gang database system, a law enforcement tool used to catalog dangerous street gang members. But critics say the database can target the wrong people and violate their rights.Mary Gonzalez, D-Clint, authored House Bill 230. She told the committee it is a “simple” bill that requires notifying people if they’ve been placed in the g
  
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• Marble Falls teachers awarded thousands of dollars for their ideas

  12-04-2023 13:59 via kxan.com
  
  MARBLE FALLS, Texas (KXAN) -- Equipped with cowbells and oversized checks, a group of donors from the Marble Falls Education Foundation (MFEF) and district administrators roamed the hallways of Marble Falls Independent School District schools making noise in a usually quiet school.
  The disruption in the school day was a welcome one for MFISD teachers. The cowbell-tolling group were bringing a much needed surprise with them. The group handed out $72,000 of grant money to teachers and staff throug
  
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• Texas Parks and Wildfire to stock lakes across Texas with catfish

  12-04-2023 13:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, or TPWD, said Monday it will stock thousands of catfish at lakes across Texas through the fall.
  TPWD said its Neighborhood Fishin' program "provides an opportunity for friends and families to participate in the Texas traditions of outdoor recreation by reeling in catfish close to home."TPWD will stock catfish from April to October at 18 lakes, including five in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, four in the Houston area, two each in Austin and
  
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• Austin Parks and Rec plans to offer bonuses to summer employees, open all pools June 12

  12-04-2023 13:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin Parks and Recreation Department, or PARD, said Tuesday it would offer bonus pay to summer seasonal employees and open all PARD pools by June 12.In a memo to the City Manager released on Tuesday, PARD director Kimberly McNeeley said summer seasonal employees, which include lifeguards and camp counselors, would be eligible to earn up to an additional $750 throughout the summer.City staff: Lifeguard hiring going well, all pools expected to open this summerAccording
  
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• Hwy 71 shut down near FM 620 due to 18-wheeler crash, diesel spill

  12-04-2023 12:37 via kxan.com
  
  LAKEWAY, Texas (KXAN) -- All lanes of Hwy 71 near FM 620 were shut down around 5:20 a.m. because of an 18-wheeler crash and diesel spill on the roadway.
  Lakeway Police tweeted that all lanes of Hwy 71 were shut down between Great Divide Drive and Bee Cave Parkway. That area is near the Hill Country Galleria.
  Bee Cave Police said the 18-wheeler hit a 500-gallon tank of diesel on Hwy 71 near Great Divide Drive, and the diesel spilled all over the road. Police said it's not clear why the tank was t
  
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• Eastbound lanes of Highway 71 reopen after 18-wheeler crash, diesel spill

  12-04-2023 12:37 via kxan.com
  
  LAKEWAY, Texas (KXAN) -- The eastbound lanes of Highway 71 near FM 620 are back open after all lanes of the highway were closed due to an 18-wheeler crashing into a drum of diesel and spilling it all over the roadway.
  Lakeway Police tweeted at 5:21 a.m. Wednesday that all lanes of 71 were shut down between Great Divide Drive and Bee Cave Parkway. That area is near the Hill Country Galleria.Real time traffic mapIn another tweet at 7:36 a.m., Lakeway Police said one eastbound lane reopened but all
  
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• Texas State returns the favor, beats No. 19 Texas in Austin

  12-04-2023 07:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — History repeated itself Tuesday in Austin.Steady offense led the Texas State Bobcats to a 9-3 win over the No. 19 Texas Longhorns at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. Like last year, the squads split a two-game series with the visiting team winning. Texas won Monday's game at Bobcat Ballpark 5-2.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersLast season, the Bobcats dropped their home
  
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• Where DPS is patrolling in Austin and why

  12-04-2023 05:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Stabbings and shootings have decreased in Austin since the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) upped patrols in Austin, according to the Austin Police Department (APD)."If there's a perception that there's more police in the area, you're going to be less likely to commit that crime," said Asst. Chief Jeff Greenwalt. "And conversely, if you haven't seen a cop in a while, and there's a perception there's not enough cops on the street - they're going to feel more emboldened and
  
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• Central Health President, CEO stepping down by the end of 2023

  12-04-2023 04:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Central Health President and CEO Mike Geeslin announced Monday he plans to "depart" the Travis County healthcare district by the end of this year, according to a news release from Central Health.Geeslin will mark six years with Central Health in May, the release said.
  “For the past year, I’ve met with the Board about Central Health’s ongoing transformation and thinking about the next generation of CEOs to lead the organization,” Geeslin said in the news r
  
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• Warming spring temperatures ahead of weekend cold front

  12-04-2023 04:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tuesday afternoon was Austin's 7th-consecutive cooler than normal day with high temperatures in the 70s under partly cloudy skies.The forecast remains pleasant and spring-like through the work week with cool mornings and areas of valley fog, then dry, mild afternoons.A slow and steady warming trend begins Wednesday as high temperatures return to near 80 degrees. Warmth and humidity slowly build through Saturday afternoon as the next storm approaches.As things appear now, we only
  
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• A beautiful day with dry and mild air

  12-04-2023 04:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The day started sunny with no fog. Fair-weather cumulus clouds arrived during the morning leading to this afternoon's partly cloudy to mostly sunny sky. Afternoon highs will climb to near 80° on a day when the normal high is 80°.Afternoon highs seasonably mild todayAfternoon maximum temperatures will continue rising each day through Saturday which is when the next cold front arrives.The forecast remains quiet until late Friday afternoon. An upper-level trough is forecast
  
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• Texas House votes to permanently stay on daylight saving time. But Congress won’t allow it — yet.

  12-04-2023 02:01 via kxan.com
  
  (Texas Tribune) — The Texas House has taken sides in one of America’s most polarizing debates — whether to continue changing clocks twice a year, ditch daylight saving time altogether or stick with later daylight permanently.The representatives’ overwhelming verdict: Stay on daylight saving time moving forward. Why does Texas still observe daylight saving time?The chamber voted 136-5 on Tuesday to give initial approval to House Bill 1422, from Rep. Will Metcalf, R-Conroe.
  
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• Austin man reindicted on 2020 aggravated sexual assault, other charges

  12-04-2023 01:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin man was reindicted on four charges surrounding a November 2020 incident in east Austin.According to indictment records, 25-year-old Steve Martin Guerrero was charged with aggravated robbery, aggravated sexual assault, aggravated kidnapping involving bodily injury and sexual abuse, as well as aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury.On Nov. 24, 2020, Guerrero was arrested by the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in connection with a Nov. 9 aggravated sexua
  
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• Walmart removes T-shirt from sale after shoppers notice vulgar acronym

  12-04-2023 01:30 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Walmart has removed a recycling-themed shirt from sale after a viral Twitter post pointed out a vulgar acronym hidden within the design.The shirt featured large lettering reading “RE” on the left, with the words “cycle,” “use,” “new” and “think” written in smaller lettering on the right. The intended takeaway, apparently, was for onlookers to interpret the message as four distinct words: “recycle,” “r
  
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• ACC celebrates reopening of Latin American Cultural Center 'El Centro'

  12-04-2023 00:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Community College District (ACC) celebrated its grand reopening of the ACC Latin American Cultural Center (LACC), according to a news release from ACC.The center, also known as El Centro, provides a safe, inclusive space for students to explore and celebrate their cultural heritage, the release said.The center temporarily closed to move to a larger space at the ACC Riverside Campus, the release said. The new space includes a library with a rare book collection, a film
  
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• Amazon creating science hub with UT Austin

  12-04-2023 00:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With a goal to prompt new discoveries and create solutions to help society, Amazon and the University of Texas at Austin are creating a new science and engineering hub, the two partners announced Tuesday.The UT Austin-Amazon Science Hub will foster collaboration among faculty and students by developing a pipeline of research talent, a release said. Initial focus areas are machine learning, image/video processing, robotics and networking/communications.Q&A: UT lecturer s
  
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• How does the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles decide who gets pardoned?

  12-04-2023 00:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Saturday he was working as quickly as possible to pardon Daniel Perry.One day before, a jury convicted Perry of murdering Garrett Foster during a July 2020 Black Lives Matter protest. That night Perry was driving for Uber when his car entered a demonstration where a group of protesters – including Foster armed with a rifle – were gathering. Perry admitted to shooting Foster, but his attorneys argued it was in self-defense. MORE:
  
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