Austin news

• What to do if your vehicle gets caught in flood waters

  10-05-2023 23:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Amid a recent stint of flashing flooding in Central Texas, Austinites are reminded to stay vigilant during severe weather episodes. But what should you do if your vehicle gets caught in flood waters?Do not attempt to drive through flooded roadways -- even as little as six inches of water can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles, according to reporting from Forbes advisor. Remember: Turn around and don't drown.But should you find yourself in a flash flood situation, th
  
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• Dangerous flooding possible Mother's Day weekend

  10-05-2023 23:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Spotty showers or a rogue thunderstorm will be possible this afternoon, but rain chances are only 20%. In general you'll notice drying with mostly cloudy skies giving way to some sunshine. Highs today should reach the low 80s, especially with increasing sun.Thursday is trending mostly dry with only a low rain chance (10%) and some afternoon sun. Then comes our main event Friday night into Mother's Day weekend.A strong low pressure system stalls west of the state, drawing in near
  
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• Texas softball lands 5 on Big 12 all-freshman team, Scott named to first team

  10-05-2023 22:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns softball landed six players on the All-Big 12 Conference team with five on the league's all-freshman team.The Big 12 released its postseason awards Wednesday and it heavily featured both the Oklahoma Sooners and the crop of outstanding Longhorn freshmen.
  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/newslettersReese Atwood, Leighann Goode, Citlaly Gutierrez, Ashton
  
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• Ivan Melendez crushes first High-A home run 475 feet Tuesday for Hillsboro Hops

  10-05-2023 22:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Ivan Melendez left the Texas Longhorns baseball program with the nickname "The Hispanic Titanic," and he showed everyone why he earned the moniker Tuesday night.Melendez hit his first home run for the Hillsboro Hops a whopping 475 feet with an exit velocity of 111 mph against the Spokane Indians at Avista Stadium in Spokane. Melendez is in his first full year of Minor League Baseball with the Hops, the Advanced Single-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Arizona picked
  
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• Dust storms becoming more fatal

  10-05-2023 22:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Dust storms are no longer considered rare and confined to any particular region or regions. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Air Resources Laboratory issued a report in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society finding these storms are causing an increase in the number of traffic fatalities in the United States.The most recent dust storm happened on May 1 when 72 vehicles were involved in a crash just south of Springfield, Illinois. Seven people died
  
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• Northwest Austin residents revolt against planned speed bumps, saying they could do more harm than good

  10-05-2023 21:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Residents in a northwest Austin neighborhood are banding together to stop the Austin Transportation Department from putting in over a dozen speedbumps on a busy street. The neighborhood is in a part of Austin that is at an elevated risk for wildfires, and Greystone Drive, where ATD plans to add the bumps, would be used as an evacuation route for some during a natural disaster event, neighbors told KXAN. To stop the project, nearly 650 neighbors from around 550 separate
  
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• Austin residents revolt against planned speed bumps, say could do more harm than good

  10-05-2023 21:59 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 10, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) – Residents in a northwest Austin neighborhood are banding together to stop the Austin Transportation Department from putting in several speedbumps on a busy street. The neighborhood is in a part of Austin that is at an elevated risk for wildfires, and Greystone Drive, where ATD plans to add the bumps, would be used as an evacuation route for some during a natural disaster e
  
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• Flash flood washes trucks into Walnut Creek

  10-05-2023 21:51 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) — Flash flood waters last month washed several vehicles away from an East Austin neighborhood into Walnut Creek. One small business owner is still trying to recover several of his work units still stuck in the creek bed.Torrential rain brought flash floods across the Austin area on April 20th, leading to at least 30 damaged homes and water rescues from cars stuck on US 183. Man describes getting caught in high water during north Austin flash floodsThe City of Austin just days
  
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• SMCISD campuses placed on lockout after social media post; lockout has since been lifted

  10-05-2023 21:44 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — All campuses in San Marcos CISD were placed on lockout around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday after the district was made aware of a social media post circulating regarding a threat.The district said the post was not specific to SMCISD, but the district placed the schools on lockout out of an abundance of caution while the San Marcos Police Department investigated the social media post. SMPD said it was aware of the threat of violence made on social media and circulati
  
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• How expensive are Austin's new light rail design options?

  10-05-2023 21:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In a few weeks' time, Austinites will learn the design and route behind the city's initial investment into light rail transit service. Project Connect leaders are expected to deliver a final design recommendation at the Austin Transit Partnership's May 24 meeting, with an official vote and decision expected on June 6.
  It comes after ATP debuted five initial investment options March 21. The proposals came after project heads paused light rail design work last summer amid anticipa
  
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• Texas House considers removing drag mention from ban bill

  10-05-2023 20:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas House of Representatives' State Affairs committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 12, which would ban sexually explicit or suggestive performances while minors are present. Its proposed substitutions to the bill, though, would remove mention of drag performances or gender non-conformity.SB 12 passed in the Senate on April 5. It went to the House, but was referred to the committee after its first hearing. A related bill, SB 1601, is also currently being deliberated
  
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• Hays CISD student suffers heart attack two days after birthday

  10-05-2023 19:17 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Hays CISD said one of its students is in the hospital after suffering a heart attack two days after turning 17 years old.According to her family, Lehman High School junior Riley Koenig went into cardiac arrest on April 15. She's been in the hospital ever since.RELATED COVERAGE: UT researchers create e-tattoo that could help detect heart diseaseThey said she was home when it happened and that her older sister and brother were there to help perform CPR and call 911.
  He
  
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• Rainy day activities: Eco-friendly, recycled kid crafts

  10-05-2023 16:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Keeping kids entertained can be a challenge, especially with a rainy forecast like the one we have this weekend. And while a new toy from the store typically ends in fun and excitement, there are more resourceful modes of play that can be just as fun and exciting!So how do you promote engagement, sustainability and enjoyment without ever leaving the house? Meteorologist Kristen Currie spoke with educators at the Sylvan Learning Center to get some ideas on homemade, eco-friendly
  
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• Drier midweek but heaviest rain still to come

  10-05-2023 16:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Some spots of Central Texas have received significant rain in the last few days, others haven't seen a drop. But the heaviest of the rain of the week is still to come.Scattered storms and showers are likely to continue east of I-35 this morning before gradually lifting away by this afternoon. A few isolated storms may linger late day, but more of today's rain activity come before noon.Thursday is trending mostly dry with only a few isolated showers/storms (20%). Then comes our m
  
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• One clothing line is blending sustainability with comfortability

  10-05-2023 15:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The fashion industry as a whole is not environmentally friendly. The industry is responsible for nearly 10% of our annual global carbon emissions. Every year the fashion industry uses 93 billion cubic meters of water. 87% of the clothing fiber ends up in our landfills while half a million tons of plastic microfibers are dumped into our oceans.
  One clothing line however, is eager to be more environmentally friendly towards our planet.Meteorologist Sean Kelly spoke with Louis
  
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• Del Valle ISD approves 6% raise for all positions

  10-05-2023 15:20 via kxan.com
  
  DEL VALLE, Texas (KXAN) -- Del Valle Independent School District teachers and staff are getting a raise.
  The Del Valle ISD Board of Trustees during a special board meeting on Monday approved the superintendent's recommendation of a 6% salary increase for all teachers, librarians, counselors, nurses, paraprofessionals, auxiliary staff and administration.The district’s starting teacher salary is now $58,000 per year, the minimum hourly rate for auxiliary staff is $16 per hour, and the minimu
  
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• Austin Energy crews help get power to Navajo Nation families

  10-05-2023 14:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Families in the Navajo Nation were able to turn on the lights in their homes for the first time after crews from Austin Energy travelled to Leupp, Arizona to instal nearly 100 power poles and more than eight miles of overhead wires.According to Tuesday's announcement from Austin Energy, 11 crew members and 10 trucks traveled 4,152 round-trip miles and worked for two weeks alongside Navajo tribal utilities and other public power providers from across the country.The cre
  
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• Why two dozen KXAN journalists took on TxTag troubles … again

  10-05-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  Investigative Summary:This story is part of KXAN’s “TxTag Troubles” investigative project launched May 7, 2023. Following related reports in recent years, our team rededicated its resources to this major consumer issue, after hundreds of viewers complained to usabout resurfaced billing and customer service problems with the state’s tollway operator and its contracted vendors. During our reporting, the Texas Department of Transportation began reaching out to viewers who h
  
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• Money, politics and TxTag: Abbott donors on oversight board

  10-05-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  Investigative Summary:This story is part of KXAN’s “TxTag Troubles” investigative project launched May 7, 2023. Following related reports in recent years, our team rededicated its resources to this major consumer issue, after hundreds of viewers complained to usabout resurfaced billing and customer service problems with the state’s tollway operator and its contracted vendors. During our reporting, the Texas Department of Transportation began reaching out to viewers who h
  
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• Director: TxTag vendors doing better, but still not satisfied

  10-05-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  Investigative Summary:This story is part of KXAN’s “TxTag Troubles” investigative project launched May 7, 2023. Following related reports in recent years, our team rededicated its resources to this major consumer issue, after hundreds of viewers complained to usabout resurfaced billing and customer service problems with the state’s tollway operator and its contracted vendors. During our reporting, the Texas Department of Transportation began reaching out to viewers who h
  
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• Voters approve more than $3 billion in school bonds across Central Texas

  10-05-2023 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Voters in 15 school districts across Central Texas approved more than $3.4 billion in bonds in Saturday's election.In total, $3,422,330,131 in bonds were approved. That money will go toward building new schools, buying new school buses, upgrading technology and even building a swim center.A further $119 million in bonds were rejected by voters in five districts. Click here for full election resultsLeander ISD had the largest price tag. Three bonds in the district totaled mo
  
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• Round Rock voters approve biggest bond package in city history

  10-05-2023 13:20 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- Round Rock voters approved a $274 million bond package in the May 6 election, making it the city's largest bond package in history and the first one to be approved since 2013.
  The general obligation bonds will go toward quality of life and public safety projects throughout the city.
  Where's the money going?
  The city of Round Rock created a webpage for Bond 2023 that lays out the details of the bond package, the timeline of planning events, and the impact on property t
  
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• 2 separate I-35 crashes causing delays north and southbound for Wednesday morning commuters

  10-05-2023 13:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Wednesday morning commuters are starting their day with heavy traffic delays because of crashes on I-35 southbound and northbound.
  The Austin Police Department said there's a jackknifed 18-wheeler on I-35 southbound near Cesar Chavez Street.
  All lanes of southbound I-35 were closed for a period of time Wednesday morning but reopened around 6:25 a.m. Drivers should still expect delays in the area.
  There's a second crash on I-35 northbound near Slaughter Lane causing heavy delays
  
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• 18-wheeler crash closes I-35 southbound in downtown Austin

  10-05-2023 13:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Wednesday morning commuters are starting their day with heavy traffic delays because of crashes on I-35 southbound and northbound.
  The Austin Police Department said there's a jackknifed 18-wheeler on I-35 southbound near Cesar Chavez Street. All lanes of southbound I-35 are closed as of 5:55 a.m., and traffic is being diverted to the service road.There's a second crash on I-35 northbound near Slaughter Lane causing heavy delays as well. That crash is blocking the left lane and c
  
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• Man dies in overnight homicide in East Austin

  10-05-2023 11:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police said a man is dead after officers found his body off Manor Road in East Austin late Tuesday night. Police said the man's death is being investigated as a homicide.
  This is the 28th homicide of 2023 in the City of Austin.
  According to APD, officers were called at 11:29 p.m. to a report of gunshots being fired at the intersection of Manor Road and Rogge Lane.
  APD said officers checked the area and additional calls and information came in, they found the man with
  
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• LIVE: Man dies in overnight homicide in east Austin

  10-05-2023 11:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police said a man is dead after officers found his body off Manor Road in east Austin late Tuesday night. Police said the man's death is being investigated as a homicide.
  This is the 28th homicide of 2023 in the City of Austin.MAP: Where have Austin’s homicides occurred in 2023?According to APD, officers were called at 11:29 p.m. to a report of gunshots being fired at the intersection of Manor Road and Rogge Lane.
  APD said officers checked the area and addition
  
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• Man rammed police vehicle during law enforcement chase in south Austin, APD says

  10-05-2023 05:35 via kxan.com
  
  The video above is from the 9 p.m. newscast before KXAN learned additional detailsAUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person was arrested after leading law enforcement on a chase in south Austin Tuesday, according to the Austin Police Department.At approximately 7:22 p.m., 911 dispatch received a report of a drunk driver, according to police. Officers attempted to stop the the driver shortly before 7:40 p.m., but the driver drove off, police said.The Texas Department of Public Safety assisted APD in the chase.
  
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• Longhorns smash 3 HRs in 10-5 win over UT Arlington

  10-05-2023 05:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas smacked six extra-base hits including three home runs to top UT Arlington 10-5 in nonconference baseball action Wednesday at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.Peyton Powell, Jared Thomas and Porter Brown all hit homers for the Longhorns and Dylan Campbell extended his school-record hitting streak to 27 games. Projections: Texas baseball could be on the road to start NCAA tournamentPowell put the Longhorns on the board in the first inning with a solo blast on a full count over the
  
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• Bill that would require Texas schools to teach fentanyl-awareness passes through House

  10-05-2023 04:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — House Bill 3908, commonly known as Tucker's Law, will now go before the Texas Senate for consideration. It would require schools to provide education-based curriculum on drug addiction and fentanyl abuse prevention for grades 6-12.The House Bill was presented by Rep. Terry Wilson, who represents District 20, made up of parts of Williamson County. Since it's affirmative House vote, Tucker's Law has now been picked up by Sen. Brandon Creighton, who represents District 4, Mont
  
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• Drier midweek but heaviest rain, flooding risks still to come

  10-05-2023 04:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Although some spots of Central Texas have received significant rain in the last few days, the heaviest of the rain is still to comeScattered storms and showers are likely to continue east of I-35 this morning before gradually lifting away by this afternoon. A few isolated storms may linger late day, but more of today's rain activity come before noon.Then comes our main event Mother's Day weekend.A deep trough of low pressure stalls west of the state, drawing in near-record amoun
  
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• TDEM deploys state emergency response resources ahead of severe storms happening this week

  10-05-2023 04:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Tuesday, Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate state emergency response resources ahead of severe storms, potential flash flooding expected to hit the state from now through the weekend, according to a news release from TDEM.“The Texas Emergency Management Council is closely monitoring weather conditions across the state, including flash flooding threats and severe weather risk,” said Texas Emergency Management Chi
  
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• Texas softball falls out of top-5 after being swept by Baylor

  10-05-2023 03:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns softball didn't fall much in the latest national rankings release, but voters in most polls dropped them outside the top five after they were swept by Baylor to end the regular season.Texas fell two spots from No. 5 to No. 7 in both the ESPN/USA Softball and D1Softball.com polls while tumbling five spots from No. 5 to No. 10 in the NFCA/USA Today Coaches poll. Voters in the SoftballAmerica poll dropped them four spots from No. 6 to No. 10.MORE THAN THE S
  
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• 'Shock, disbelief': Kyle church closing child care program, families left frustrated

  10-05-2023 02:29 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) - Families in Kyle are scrambling to find child care after a program provided by First Baptist Church Kyle announced its closing.
  "Shock, disbelief, a little bit of panic, right? Because now, where are we going to put our child?" said parent, Abigail Silva.
  Her daughter attends the Mother's Day Out Program offered at the church.
  "It allows families to have part time child care at an affordable rate and it's Christian based," Silva said.
  She was planning on sending her youngest
  
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• Texas GOP revives 'Border Protection Unit' after Democratic delay

  10-05-2023 02:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The Texas House early Wednesday morning passed a provision to establish the state's own border patrol force after Democrats came close to killing the measure on a procedural objection.
  House Bill 20 by Tyler Republican Matt Schaefer would have created the "Border Protection Unit" as a new agency under the Texas Department of Public Safety. Officers in that unit would have authority to arrest unlawful border crossers, build border barriers, search vehicles, use force against c
  
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• House to debate broad border powers expansion in challenge to federal law

  10-05-2023 02:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The Texas House on Tuesday evening is set to debate legislation to significantly expand the state's authority over the U.S. border.House Bill 20 by Tyler Republican Matt Schaefer would create the "Border Protection Unit" as a new agency under the Texas Department of Public Safety. Officers in that unit would have authority to arrest unlawful border crossers, build border barriers, search vehicles, use force against cartels and more. Their jurisdiction would extend not just to
  
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• House delays vote on broad border powers expansion in challenge to federal law

  10-05-2023 02:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The Texas House Tuesday night delayed a vote on legislation to significantly expand the state's authority over the U.S. border.House Bill 20 by Tyler Republican Matt Schaefer would create the "Border Protection Unit" as a new agency under the Texas Department of Public Safety. Officers in that unit would have authority to arrest unlawful border crossers, build border barriers, search vehicles, use force against cartels and more. Their jurisdiction would extend not just to bor
  
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• Raise-the-age gun bill in peril as Texas House deadline looms

  10-05-2023 02:05 via kxan.com
  
  (Texas Tribune) — The unexpected elation felt this week by gun control advocates and families of Uvalde shooting victims quickly faded Tuesday, when a bill that would raise the age to legally purchase semi-automatic rifles lost its newfound momentum and was left off the Texas House’s agenda ahead of a key deadline.If the bill isn’t added to the agenda soon, the development could permanently obstruct its path to becoming law.The proposal has long faced stiff odds in a state that
  
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• What is Title 42 and how has US used it to curb migration?

  10-05-2023 01:41 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — This week marks the end of coronavirus restrictions on asylum that have allowed the U.S. to quickly expel migrants at the southern border for the last three years.The restrictions are often referred to as Title 42, because the authority comes from Title 42 of a 1944 public health law that allows curbs on migration in the name of protecting public health.The end of Title 42's use has raised questions about what will happen with migration at the U.S.-Mexico border. The Bide
  
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• Fort Hood officially renamed to Fort Cavazos

  10-05-2023 01:30 via kxan.com
  
  FORT CAVAZOS, Texas (FOX 44/KWKT) — Courageous, innovative, decorated, and distinguished are all of the attributes that describe the man whose name will echo at one of the world's largest military bases.
  Fort Hood is now officially Fort Cavazos.
  In May 2022, the naming commission, appointed by Congress, submitted a request to change the name of the post to Fort Cavazos.After months of debate and planning, May 9 officially marks the new beginning for Fort Cavazos.Under Secretary of the Army
  
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• Kyle Fire reducing response times, adding positions as city continues to grow

  10-05-2023 00:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Kyle Fire Department is looking for new firefighters and will soon add another fire station as growth in the city continues."So we have watched it (Kyle) grow from 5,000 and we are approaching 90,000 in this area," said Mark Schultz, who moved to Kyle as a volunteer firefighter in 1999.With more people moving to Kyle, calls to Kyle Fire have increased significantly over the years."We were running 500 calls when I first started volunteering," said Schultz. "Now we are go
  
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• Austin FC expects 'combative' New Mexico United as Verde seeks first-ever win in U.S. Open Cup

  10-05-2023 00:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC certainly hopes its second try at the U.S. Open Cup tournament goes better than its first.The team's first appearance in the tournament last year was brief after they fell 2-1 to San Antonio FC in the third round — the round that Verde and Black entered the tournament in. On Wednesday, Austin FC has another shot to advance in the tournament when it takes on New Mexico United at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Q2 Stadium.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports sto
  
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• Travis County unanimously votes to bump corrections officers, deputies pay

  10-05-2023 00:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Travis County Commissioners voted unanimously to increase base pay for both its corrections officers in the jail and deputies in the field. Both will get a $5,000 base rate increase.
  The conversation was brought forward largely due to understaffing at the jail. The Travis County Sheriff's Office said of it's 731 corrections officer positions, 248 are vacant. That's a roughly 35% vacancy rate.
  Corrections officers will go from a base rate of $50,000 to $55,000 starting in June. T
  
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