Austin news

• Texas House panel advances bills banning puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender kids

  14-04-2023 23:58 via kxan.com
  
  (Texas Tribune) — Texas lawmakers are a step closer to banning puberty blockers and hormone therapies for transgender youth after the House Public Health Committee advanced Senate Bill 14 and House Bill 1686 on Friday.The committee voted 6-3 to approve the two bills, and they will now have to get through the Calendars Committee before getting to the House floor. The Senate has already passed a version of the legislation, and a majority of Texas House members have signed on to an earlier ve
  
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• More housing in Austin? Commission comes up with new zoning plan

  14-04-2023 23:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In an attempt to work around Austin's decades-old Land Development Code (LDC), the planning commission is working on a new zoning category intended to incentivize more housing.The new zoning category would allow developers to come to the city with desired height, setbacks and parking, among other zoning standards in exchange for some affordable housing. The city would still get the final say.Council Member Ryan Alter explained the new zoning category like this: It "creates a bas
  
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• Record amount of fentanyl seized during traffic stop in Mission, Gov. Abbott says

  14-04-2023 22:56 via kxan.com
  
  MISSION, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Reynosa man was arrested in Mission after a traffic stop revealed one of the largest single fentanyl seizures during Operation Lone Star, Gov. Greg Abbott announced.On April 10, a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper stopped a black Cadillac SUV at the intersection of 43rd Street and Gumwood Avenue in Mission. During the traffic stop, authorities found five tape-wrapped bundles containing a white powdery substance, a news release from Abbott stated.
  
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• Supreme Court grants temporary pause on abortion pill ruling

  14-04-2023 22:06 via kxan.com
  
  The Supreme Court briefly paused a ruling from a federal court that would severely restrict access to the abortion pill mifepristone.The short order from Justice Samuel Alito on the court's emergency "shadow docket" will keep the status quo in place until at least midnight Wednesday while the administration's emergency request for a stay is considered by the full court.After the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals late Wednesday night essentially rolled the clock back to 2016 in imposing new limit
  
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• Hays County contractor arrested, charged with felony theft

  14-04-2023 20:57 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A Hays County contractor was arrested and charged with felony theft this week.
  John Paul Vargas, Jr., 45, was arrested and charged with felony theft of property, $150,000-$300,000, according to the Hays County Sheriff's Office. He also has a previous conviction, HCSO said.
  Vargas has been a general contractor in the Hays County area and received payments for work that he did not finish, HCSO said.
  If you hired Vargas or any of his companies for general construct
  
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• Drought grips 7.75 million Texans in latest report, impacts felt statewide

  14-04-2023 20:17 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for April 14, 2023.LUBBOCK, Texas -- The U.S. Drought Monitor for Texas showed very little relief Thursday despite recent rainfall, including severe storms Sunday. Nearly 80% of Texas was in drought – ranging from abnormally dry to exceptional drought in the latest report. At a statewide level, it was a slight improvement from the week before with fewer areas being in severe and moderate drought.An estimated 7
  
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• Officers cleared in June 2022 police shooting in north Austin

  14-04-2023 20:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Two police officers who were involved in a fatal shooting in north Austin last summer were cleared by a Travis County special grand jury this week.
  According to an announcement from Travis County District Attorney José Garza's office, the jury concluded its review on Tuesday and did not return an indictment for the two officers involved in the shooting.PREVIOUS: Guns, drugs, nearly $7K in cash recovered from hotel room after north Austin police shootingThe shooting happen
  
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• 'Hell of a scare': Matthew McConaughey opens up about Lufthansa flight on Kelly Ripa podcast

  14-04-2023 19:20 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video is from when the flight happened in March.
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Matthew McConaughey and his wife Camila were on the Lufthansa flight from Austin to Germany that experienced severe turbulence and had to make an emergency landing in Washington D.C. last month.
  Lufthansa flight 469 dropped nearly 4,000 feet, and seven people went to the hospital, Camila said in an Instagram post. She said everything was flying everywhere, and the plane was chaos. ‘4,000-foot dr
  
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• APD: DPS partnership 'successful' so far

  14-04-2023 18:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Since the Texas Department of Public Safety started patrolling in Austin, there have been "significant decreases in violent crime, response times, and calls for service," according to the Austin Police Department.
  Chief Joseph Chacon said he is in constant communication with DPS Regional Director Vincent Luciano about the partnership.
  DPS officers are assisting with traffic enforcement and deploying to areas with the highest number of 911 calls about violent crime, accordin
  
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• Daniel Perry document: Dozens of messages about guns, killing protesters

  14-04-2023 18:54 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The above video is KXAN's interview with Jeremy Sylestine, a former Travis County District Attorney's Office prosecutor-turned-defense attorney, for insight after more than 75 pages of newly-unsealed documents filed by the State were released.AUSTIN (KXAN) — A 76-page document unsealed Thursday contains a trove of social media posts, texts and search history for Daniel Perry, who was convicted of killing Black Lives Matter protester Garrett Foster in 2020.The document was no
  
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• Q&A: What's the significance of Daniel Perry social media document release?

  14-04-2023 18:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than 75 pages of newly-unsealed documents filed by the State in the murder trial of Daniel Perry show 259 examples of his texts, social media messages and search history. A jury convicted Perry of shooting and killing a protester, Garrett Foster, in 2020.But what is the significance of this document release? KXAN asked Jeremy Sylestine, a former Travis County District Attorney's Office prosecutor-turned-defense attorney, for insight.“I think that anytime your own
  
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• CROWN Act passes Texas House, heads to Senate

  14-04-2023 17:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Advocates were at the Texas Capitol Thursday morning to push state senators to pass House Bill 567, otherwise known as The Texas CROWN Act.According to the authors of the bill, CROWN stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.The act aims to create a quote respectful environment for natural hair. It would prohibit discrimination based on hair texture or protect hairstyles associated with race. RELATED: Austin city council OKs CROWN
  
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• Local organizations tell Black birthing stories through poetry

  14-04-2023 16:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Black Mamas ATX and Torch Literary Arts organized a poetry night in recognition of Black Maternal Health Week and in celebration of National Poetry Month.
  ‘Breaking Water: An evening of poetry and storytelling’ was inspired by Wangechi Mutu’s Water Woman, and spoke to Black women’s physical and mythical connection to water, specifically during and around the process of childbirth.
  'Breaking Water' highlighted the power of art to raise awareness and c
  
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• Win tickets to see 'To Kill a Mockingbird'

  14-04-2023 16:00 via kxan.com
  
  Win two tickets to see the Tuesday, May 9, 8 p.m. production of “To Kill a Mockingbird” at Bass Concert Hall. The contest opens on April 17 and closes on April 23.
  
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• ATCEMS and AFD to offer life-saving training Sunday

  14-04-2023 15:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin-Travis County EMS and Austin Fire Department will offer two free first-aid classes to the public on Sunday.According to an announcement from ATCEMS, the Stop the Bleed classes train potential bystanders or survivors to help others in mass casualty events before first responders arrive.
  The training teaches multiple techniques to control life-threatening hemorrhages, as well as tourniquet application, wound packing, and more, according to ATCEMS.
  Those who attend will
  
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• Georgetown prepares streets for Two Step Inn country music festival

  14-04-2023 15:11 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- The city of Georgetown is a day away from one of the biggest festivals in its history at San Gabriel Park. The two-day Two Step Inn festival will feature acts like Tyler Childers, Wynonna Judd, and T-Pain.
  If you live in Georgetown, or plan on visiting for the country music, here's what you need to know.
  Street Closures
  Many of the streets surround the park will be closed during the festival on Saturday and Sunday. The city has put together an interactive map to make
  
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• Abbott opens nominations to honor first responders in Star of Texas Awards

  14-04-2023 15:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Governor Greg Abbott's office opened nominations Thursday for the 2023 Star of Texas Awards.
  According to the announcement from the governor's office, the awards honor peace officers, firefighters, emergency medical first responders and members of federal law enforcement who were seriously injured or killed in the line of duty.The governor's office says nominations can also be made for private citizens who were seriously injured or killed while aiding or attempting to aid a
  
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• Coconut 'coir log' installation on Lake Austin helps prevent erosion

  14-04-2023 14:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - An installation of "coir logs" on the shore of Lake Austin is showing positive results. A recent visit to the pilot project revealed that erosion in the area has slowed significantly as plant life flourishes in the formerly sandy area.In 2009, Austin's Watershed Protection Department installed the coir logs. "A coir log is 100% coconut fibers, it's the husk," explained Andrew Clamann with the Watershed Department. "This entire object is biodegradable."The department installed two
  
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• Crossing guard in hospital after being hit by trailer: Leander Police

  14-04-2023 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) – A crossing guard for the Leander Independent School District was taken to the hospital after being hit by a trailer Thursday afternoon, according to the Leander Police Department.
  Police said officers were told about the crash at 2:38 p.m. at the intersection of South West Drive and Sonny Drive.Leander PD said the driver of a Ford truck and trailer had just turned onto South West Drive when the crossing guard stepped out into the crosswalk to stop traffic. Police sa
  
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• COTA's chairman talks about future expansion after 10 years of MotoGP in Austin

  14-04-2023 14:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — This weekend, Circuit of the Americas is hosting the MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix, marking the 10th time this major motorcycle race is taking place on the track.It’s also the only event of its kind in North America.20 men on motorcycles, revving up to 200 miles per hour: that’s what will be witnessed this weekend at COTA. MotoGP returns to Circuit of The Americas in April 2023After 10 years of MotoGP races in Austin COTA's chairman Bobby Epstein reflected on the p
  
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• Texas requires vehicle inspections — How many other states do it?

  14-04-2023 13:45 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (KXAN) -- With many new residents moving to the Lone Star State, vehicle registrations and inspections might not be top of mind. But with each state governing safety and emissions inspections individually, here's a status update on all of the inspections you need to know about while living in Texas.Nearly 20 states require some form of periodic vehicle safety inspections, including Texas. This applies to all registered vehicles statewide, per the Texas Department of Public Safety.While eve
  
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• Warm, muggy weather continues until Saturday cold front arrives

  14-04-2023 04:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With highs in the low 80s, this Friday afternoon's temperatures are expected to be the warmest we have seen in a week and a half. Even hotter weather is expected Saturday, with near-record highs in the forecast Saturday afternoon. El Niño watch issued: Here’s what that meansMostly cloudy to partly sunny skies will persist today with a 10% chance for an isolated storm in the afternoon and evening. Another chance for an isolated storm will arrive Saturday afternoon al
  
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• Warm and

  14-04-2023 04:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With highs in the low 80s, this Friday afternoon's temperatures are expected to be the warmest we have seen in a week and a half. Even hotter weather is expected Saturday, with near-record highs in the forecast Saturday afternoon. El Niño watch issued: Here’s what that meansMostly cloudy to partly sunny skies will persist today with a 10% chance for an isolated storm in the afternoon and evening. Another chance for an isolated storm will arrive Saturday afternoon al
  
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• Storm chance tonight ahead of near-record Saturday

  14-04-2023 04:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Clearing skies bringing increasing sun should push highs in the low 80s today. This Friday afternoon's temperatures are expected to be the warmest we have seen in a week and a half. El Niño watch issued: Here’s what that meansWe've increased rain and storm chances slightly after 9 p.m. tonight as a cluster of storms may be able to overcome the cap in the atmosphere and head toward Central Texas. The highest storm risk appears to our south, but some of our southern c
  
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• Man gets 20 years in 2021 Pflugerville murder

  14-04-2023 01:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was convicted of murder April 4 and sentenced to serve 20 years in state prison.According to records, 28-year-old Erick Lovelace was convicted by a court after he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder by use of a firearm.Records showed Lovelace committed the offense in June of 2021 in the 2800 block of Halite Bend in Pflugerville. RELATED: Affidavit: Fight over girlfriend led to Pflugerville shooting death, suspect charged with murderPast KXAN reporting showed Lovelac
  
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• Texas House passes $12 billion property tax relief package, setting up fight over appraisal cap with Senate

  14-04-2023 01:50 via kxan.com
  
  (Texas Tribune) -- A $12 billion proposal aimed at giving property tax relief to Texas homeowners and businesses cleared a major hurdle Thursday in the Texas House, setting up a showdown with the Senate over their warring tax-cut packages.House Bill 2 — backed by House Speaker Dade Phelan and carried by state Rep. Morgan Meyer, both Republicans — passed the full House by a 140-9 vote. It still must come back before the chamber for a final vote.The bill proposes pumping $12 billion in
  
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• Hutto ISD voters consider $522 million bond election for rapidly growing district

  14-04-2023 00:49 via kxan.com
  
  HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) — Hutto ISD said it's the fourth fastest-growing school district in Central Texas. In May, voters will decide on a $522 million school bond that would bring two new elementary schools and additions to several existing campuses.Dr. Celina Estrada Thomas, superintendent of Hutto ISD, said the district is expected to nearly double in the next 10 years.On the HISD bond web page, the student population is listed at 9,750. That number is projected to surpass 17,000 by 2032.Th
  
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• Austin Watershed suggests polystyrene container ban to reduce harmful litter in waterways

  14-04-2023 00:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – In an effort to find ways to reduce trash in Austin waterways, the Watershed Protection Department proposed looking into banning single-use products from Austin facilities and evaluating the possibility of prohibiting the sale of single-use material that negatively impact Austin’s water quality.On Thursday, the Watershed Protection Department sent out a revised memo to the Austin Mayor and City Council that described current efforts to reduce trash in the waterways an
  
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