Austin news

• Austin police identify body found in Lady Bird Lake Saturday

  17-04-2023 23:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin police have identified the man recovered from Lady Bird Lake near Longhorn Dam Saturday.APD officials said police responded to a call in the 2700 block of Canterbury Street around 1:21 p.m. Saturday.
  First responders arrived and rescued the man from the water, identified as 30-year-old Christopher Hays-Clark. He was pronounced dead on the scene, officials said. Texas expert explores why conspiracies swirl around Lady Bird Lake deathsAPD is investigating his death but said
  
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• Texas expert explores why conspiracies swirl around Lady Bird Lake deaths

  17-04-2023 23:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Saturday, the Austin Police Department launched an investigation after public safety personnel recovered a body from Lady Bird Lake, near the Longhorn Dam.
  At the time, officials said there were no indications of suspicious activity or foul play related to the death. But that hasn't stopped rumors from circulating in recent months that hypothesize criminal activity is tied to these cases. RELATED: Austin Police investigating body found in Lady Bird Lake near Longhorn DamThe r
  
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• 1 injured, several cats rescued after east Austin fire, AFD says

  17-04-2023 23:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person suffered non-serious injuries, and several cats were rescued after a structure fire in east Austin Monday, the Austin Fire Department confirmed in a tweet.Shortly after 1:30 p.m., AFD responded to the fire at 1100 Reinli St., the tweet said. The response was later upgraded to a second alarm, but AFD was able to get the fire knocked down.According to AFD, one person was taken to the hospital by Austin-Travis County EMS with non-life-threatening injuries.Furthermore, a
  
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• Tour the NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft in Houston

  17-04-2023 23:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- If you have ever wanted a personal tour of the NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft, you have a chance next month.The aircraft that fly into the world's strongest storms and their crews are coming to Houston on May 1 as part of Hurricane Awareness Week.The aircraft, NOAA’s WP-3D and the U.S. Air Force Reserve WC-130J Hurricane Hunter, gather data inside of tropical storms and hurricanes via sensors mounted all over the plane -- from a weather radar to a wing-mounted scatteromete
  
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• Damp weather returns for many on Tuesday

  17-04-2023 21:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Clouds are increasing from west to east as a weak disturbance moves into the area. El Niño watch issued: Here’s what that meansPeriods of mist, light rain showers and even an isolated thunderstorm are expected in many areas overnight through the day Tuesday. While damp weather will be fairly easy to come by, rain totals will remain very light -- under 0.10" for most.Heat and humidity build midweek as rain chances dip lower on Wednesday, but a broad western storm slo
  
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• 205 people killed in work zones in Texas last year, only one was a construction worker

  17-04-2023 21:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- More than 200 people died in Texas last year in construction zones. That's actually a 16% decrease, but still far too many. The Texas Department of Transportation is hoping you will "Be Safe and Drive Smart to help End The Streak" of deadly crashes on roads in Texas."I'm one of thousands of road workers in Texas working hard to build and maintain our roadways," said Bo Wilson, who was speaking alongside representatives from TxDOT, Austin Police, the Texas Department of Public Sa
  
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• Calling all Kyles: City of Kyle attempting Guinness record for largest same-name gathering

  17-04-2023 20:35 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) -- Is your name Kyle? Do you know anyone named Kyle? If so, get ready to gather 'round in Kyle, Texas.
  The city is hoping to break the Guinness World Record for the largest same-name gathering. So, if your name is Kyle and you've wanted to break a world record, your time to shine is Sunday, May 21. There just needs to be more than 2,325 Kyles in Kyle at 4 p.m. that day.The same-name record has been held since 2017 by Kupreski Kosci in Bosnia and Herzegovina with a total of 2,3
  
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• Testimony begins in Cedric Marks capital murder trial

  17-04-2023 19:26 via kxan.com
  
  BELL COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44) - The first day of testimony in the Cedric Marks capital murder trial started at 9 a.m. Monday in Bell County's 426th District Court.Marks is accused of killing Jenna Scott and Michael Swearingin, who were both reported missing from Temple on January 4th, 2019. Investigators later found their bodies in Oklahoma and Swearingin's car abandoned in Austin.PREVIOUS STORY: Jury selection nears completion for Cedric Marks trialScott and Marks were at one time romantical
  
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• Looming decision over Austin ISD special education appeal expected today

  17-04-2023 18:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Independent School District leaders will announce late Monday afternoon whether it will appeal the state appointment of a conservator management team to oversee its special education operations.The Austin school district has been under investigation by the Texas Education Agency since 2021 for repeatedly missing state and federal deadlines to evaluate students suspected of needing special education services.The agency heightened its intervention on March 31 – a
  
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• Austin ISD to appeal state intervention of its special education department

  17-04-2023 18:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Independent School District leaders began the process of appealing the state appointment of a conservator management team to oversee its special education operations on Monday.
  “We understand the severity of this problem and take full ownership in addressing it,”
  said Austin ISD interim Superintendent Matias Segura. "We want to ensure the best possible alignment between our efforts as a district and the efforts of the state for the ultimate benefit of our
  
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• AUS: Long lines at airport due to TSA scanner installation, high traffic

  17-04-2023 18:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Long lines at Austin's airport this weekend into Monday were due to increased traffic and the installation of new TSA scanners, a spokesperson for the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport said.
  The scanners will be able to view carry-on bags in 3D, meaning travelers can leave everything in their bags, including food and electronics larger than a cell phone, according to a previous press release from AUS.RELATED: New TSA scanners being added at AUSAn airport spokesperson said t
  
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• Austin brings back free Zilker Park shuttle services this summer

  17-04-2023 17:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With summertime around the corner, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department will roll out its free Zilker Shuttle services next month.PARD announced Monday the free services will run to Zilker Metropolitan Park from the One Texas Center parking garage beginning May 27 through Sept. 4. The services will operate every Saturday and Sunday — as well as during the Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day holidays — from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. RELATED: Zilker Park addi
  
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• Building torn down, 'Hi, How Are You' mural stays up

  17-04-2023 17:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- If you drive past the intersection of 21st and Guadalupe streets, you'll see a familiar sight. The famous "Hi, How Are You" mural stands tall, but the building it was attached to was demolished over the weekend.
  The Hi, How Are You Project (HHAYP) -- a nonprofit created in 2018 and named for the late, beloved artist and world-renowned musician Daniel Johnston -- posted on Instagram the mural is being preserved during the construction of a new student housing project.Where to fin
  
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• PHOTOS: First-ever Two Step Inn county music festival

  17-04-2023 16:05 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — The dust is settling following the first-ever Two Step Inn country music festival in Georgetown, Texas.The festival rode in to down over the weekend, bringing together big names in music, including Zach Bryan, Tyler Childers, Wynonna Judd, Midland, Travis Tritt, Mavis Staples, Tanya Tucker as well as Diplo and T-Pain. Three stages were spread across San Gabriel Park and gave fans the same feel of Austin City Limits Music Festival but
  
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• This Georgetown neighborhood didn't want to clear-cut trees. The solution? Goats.

  17-04-2023 15:58 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- Toward the end of an old deer path leading down to the South Fork of Georgetown's San Gabriel River rests a herd of about 80 animals you wouldn't normally expect to see there.
  Goats.After three days on the job in the Wolf Ranch neighborhood, the herd took a late-morning break before resuming its work clearcutting the vegetation.
  Rather than bringing in heavy machinery or herbicides, the goats' teeth act as weedeaters; their manure as organic fertilizer.
  Goats resting
  
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• Trial starts for Georgetown man charged in connection to wife's disappearance

  17-04-2023 15:57 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — A jury trial begins Monday in the murder case of Julie Hall. Travis Hall, her husband, was charged in 2021 in connection to Julie's disappearance.
  Travis Hall, 50, faces murder and tampering with evidence charges in the disappearance of his wife, Julie Hall.PREVIOUS: Georgetown husband facing murder charge after investigation into wife’s disappearanceJulie was reported missing in February 2021 after she was last seen at her apartment and did not show up to
  
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• Georgetown man pleads guilty to wife's 2021 murder

  17-04-2023 15:57 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for April 17, 2023.GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — A jury trial began Monday in the murder case of Julie Hall. Travis Hall, her husband, was charged in 2021 in connection to her disappearance.
  Travis Hall, 50, faces murder and tampering with evidence charges in the disappearance of his wife, Julie Hall. He pleaded guilty in court Monday. PREVIOUS: Georgetown husband facing murder charge after investigation into wif
  
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• How an Austin-based nonprofit is providing Texans access to nutritious food

  17-04-2023 14:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Steven Johnson is the garden coordinator with Green Corn Project, a nonprofit dedicated to helping Texans attain access to nutritious, affordable food while also providing an education along the way.
  "Our mission is to help low income communities, individuals and communities at large, grow food for themselves that don't have access to that food," Johnson said.Their way of doing this is by planting gardening beds. Their planned and scheduled events are called "dig-ins".
  
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• Which parts of Texas are growing fastest, and how could that impact election results?

  17-04-2023 13:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than 30 million people now call Texas home, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.County population estimates as of July 2022 were released late last month. The statewide population grew by about 3% since the 2020 Census, but that growth isn't being seen evenly across the state.In fact, 102 of Texas' 254 counties saw a population decline in that two-year span.So which parts of the state are seeing the most growth, and how could that impact future election results in Texa
  
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• Round Rock repaving several roads in downtown area

  17-04-2023 13:31 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- Round Rock city council approved a project to repave several streets in the downtown area, many of which have not been resurfaced in over a decade.
  The project, valued at $3,543,440, will be completed by Bennett Paving, and the city is estimating it will take about 45 days to complete. Gary Hudder, the city's transportation department director, said the city tries to complete a street resurfacing project once a year, and it felt now was the right time to do a large-sc
  
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• Austin Mayor Kirk Watson reflects on 100 days in office

  17-04-2023 04:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Sunday marks the 100th day Austin Mayor Kirk Watson has been in office.
  "Some days I think, 'Wow, this is the fastest 100 days I've ever experienced,'" Watson said.
  KXAN sat down with him in a one-on-one interview to dive into a variety of issues from affordability to public safety.
  Watson described the nearly four months he's been in office as "fast and furious."
  AffordabilityIn that time, he said he's taken steps towards getting more affordable housing.
  Watson said one of the w
  
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• Wild series at Baylor goes Texas' way despite 26 walks by Longhorns pitching

  17-04-2023 03:18 via kxan.com
  
  WACO, Texas (KXAN) — Despite walking 12 Baylor hitters, the No. 19 Texas Longhorns baseball team escaped Baylor Ballpark with a series win following a 7-6 nailbiter on Sunday.The pitching staff took the Longhorns on quite an adventure in the 3-game series, issuing 26 walks and six hit batsmen combined. Texas won the opening game of the series Friday 11-9 and then dropped Saturday's game 10-9.
  MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than t
  
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• Walk-off win clinches series over Kansas Jayhawks for No. 8 Texas softball

  17-04-2023 01:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After a hiccup Friday, the No. 8 Texas softball team clinched the season series against the Kansas Jayhawks with a 3-2 win Sunday at McCombs Field.The Longhorns bounced back from their worst defensive game of the season Friday, committing five errors and losing 9-3, to win the second game of the series 10-0 in five innings before Sunday's 1-run victory.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newslette
  
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• Texas Capitol building evacuated after bomb threat Sunday

  17-04-2023 00:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Public Safety evacuated the Texas Capitol building after a bomb threat Sunday.Texas DPS sent an alert to Capitol staff shortly after 5 p.m. that told people to "leave the area and follow the directions of first responders."
  The alert said the Austin Police Department received a call saying a pipe bomb had been placed at the Capitol, and that state troopers with bomb-sniffing dogs are currently searching the area "with more resources responding."A DPS
  
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• No explosives found at Texas Capitol after bomb threat reported

  17-04-2023 00:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Public Safety said no explosive devices were found at the Texas State Capitol after an earlier bomb threat evacuated the grounds Sunday afternoon.
  Texas DPS sent an alert obtained by KXAN shortly after 4 p.m. that said Austin Police Department received a 911 call from an unknown person. The caller said there was a pipe bomb at the Capitol.
  DPS troopers and bomb-sniffing dogs searched the grounds to determine there was no explosive found. DPS said an
  
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• No devices found at Texas Capitol after bomb threat reported

  17-04-2023 00:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Public Safety said no explosive devices were found at the Texas State Capitol after an earlier bomb threat evacuated the grounds Sunday afternoon.
  Texas DPS sent an alert obtained by KXAN shortly after 4 p.m. that said Austin Police Department received a 911 call from an unknown person. The caller said there was a pipe bomb at the Capitol.
  DPS troopers and bomb-sniffing dogs searched the grounds to determine there was no explosive found. DPS said an
  
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• Round Rock middle school vandalized, leading to school closure Monday

  17-04-2023 00:09 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Weekend vandalism is causing Round Rock ISD leaders to close Walsh Middle School for at least Monday, a letter to families said Sunday afternoon.
  Principal Rudy Reyes said the damage was "extensive and included breaking science wash stations." The flooding went throughout the school and impacted a third of the classrooms.
  School is canceled for students Monday due to the damages. Staff will get more information about the Monday work day, Reyes said in the letter.
  
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