Austin news

• APD Chief Joseph Chacon on DPS halting partnership: 'Unfortunate but understandable'

  16-05-2023 23:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon said the Texas Department of Public Safety's (DPS) increased patrols in Austin "has been critical given the staffing shortages APD is experiencing."DPS ceased its partnership with APD over the weekend so troopers can focus their attention on border cities in the wake of the expiration of Title 42, according to law enforcement sources.
  The initiative, called the Austin Violent Crimes Task Force (AVCTF), began on March 30 as a way to assist A
  
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• Isolated heavy downpours this evening, then drier weather returns

  16-05-2023 23:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We are now enjoying above-normal May rainfall after more than a week of on-and-off showers and thunderstorms.A cool front moving through the area this evening interacting with plentiful humidity in place may spark a few additional heavy downpours early this evening. While some areas will remain dry, others may see up to an inch of rainfall.Clouds/radar forecast showing a few heavy downpours Tuesday eveningDrier, hotter weather comingA ridge of high pressure and drier northwester
  
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• Defending national champs Texas start season on the road; welcome new teams to Big 12

  16-05-2023 22:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With four new teams in the Big 12 Conference next season, the Texas volleyball schedule looks a little different than in years past.Houston, BYU, Central Florida and Cincinnati all join the conference next season, and while Texas will play everyone in the new-look Big 12 at least once next season, they'll tangle with six of the teams back-to-back to create the 18-game slate.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the
  
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• Medical billing transparency legislation passed, heads to governor

  16-05-2023 22:41 via kxan.com
  
  This report is an update to KXAN’s “Medical Debt Lawsuits” investigation. Our team will continue to follow the bills during Texas’ legislative session.AUSTIN (KXAN) – Legislation that will increase medical billing transparency – by requiring hospitals to provide an itemized receipt to patients before sending their bill to collections – achieved final passage by the Senate on Tuesday.The Senate’s approval of SB 490 by Sen. Bryan Hughes, (R-Mineola),
  
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• Medical billing transparency legislation passed, heads to Gov.

  16-05-2023 22:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Legislation that will increase medical billing transparency – by requiring hospitals to provide an itemized receipt to patients before sending their bill to collections – achieved final passage by the Senate on Tuesday.The Senate’s approval of SB 490 by Sen. Bryan Hughes, (R-Mineola), caps the measure’s passage through both chambers. The bill now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature.Hughes’ legislation was amended to trim the types of he
  
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• LIVE: Lineup by day revealed for Austin City Limits 2023

  16-05-2023 22:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin City Limits Music Festival revealed the daily lineup for its 2023 edition, according to a news release from the event.The announcement also said one-day general admission tickets, one-day GA+ tickets, one-day VIP tickets and one-day platinum tickets will go on sale Wednesday on the ACL website. Prices for three-day tickets will also increase at the same time.
  The annual festival will take place at Zilker Park Oct. 6-8 and Oct. 13-15, according to the release. Kendrick
  
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• Lineup by day revealed for Austin City Limits 2023

  16-05-2023 22:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin City Limits Music Festival revealed the daily lineup for its 2023 edition, according to a news release from the event.The announcement also said one-day general admission tickets, one-day GA+ tickets, one-day VIP tickets and one-day platinum tickets will go on sale Wednesday on the ACL website. Prices for three-day tickets will also increase at the same time.
  The annual festival will take place at Zilker Park Oct. 6-8 and Oct. 13-15, according to the release. Kendrick
  
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• How to stay safe from mosquitoes

  16-05-2023 22:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Mosquitoes are prevalent in Central Texas year-round. But it seems to be this time of the year where we see more of them. The mosquitoes are not only a nuisance but some of them carry disease. An expert in Entomology, Wizzie Brown, shares some insight.Insuranks came out with a report detailing which states have the most mosquitoes and those who have the least. Louisiana was ranked first as the state with the most mosquitoes.Texas came in fifth for its mosquito population. She fe
  
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• Here's why researchers find so many 'creepy' items on Aransas beaches

  16-05-2023 21:26 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 16, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) – If you decide to take a stroll down an Aransas, Texas, shore, you’d likely come upon typical beach items like seashells, seaweed or beach glass. But here, there is an increased chance of discovering more peculiar objects, like a message in a bottle, shell-encrusted dolls or even an artificial limb. “We do weekly surveys looking for stranded sea turtles, nesting
  
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• Up to 16,000 power outages reported in east, southeast Austin Tuesday afternoon

  16-05-2023 20:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Roughly 16,000 people in east and southeast Austin lost power between 12:20 p.m. and 1:10 p.m. Tuesday. That number was at roughly 12,000 by 1:25 p.m. How to check for Central Texas power outagesTwo major clusters of outages shown on the Austin Energy outage map affected the Riverside/Oltorf area and Govalle/East Cesar Chavez area in the timeframe of 12:20 p.m. - 1:10 p.m.Screenshot of Austin Energy power outage map near the Govalle/East Cesar Chavez area taken around 1 p.m. Tue
  
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• Up to 16,000 power outages reported in east, southeast Austin Tuesday

  16-05-2023 20:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Roughly 16,000 people in east and southeast Austin lost power between 12:20 p.m. and 1:10 p.m. Tuesday. That number was at roughly 12,000 by 1:25 p.m. How to check for Central Texas power outagesTwo major clusters of outages shown on the Austin Energy outage map affected the Riverside/Oltorf area and Govalle/East Cesar Chavez area in the timeframe of 12:20 p.m. - 1:10 p.m.At 5:30 p.m., the outages had dwindled to 142 total customers. Almost all of those outages were concentrated
  
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• Austin Energy says snake caused power outage in east, southeast Austin

  16-05-2023 20:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Energy said a snake caused a power outage "made contact with an electrified circuit" causing thousands to be without power Tuesday afternoon.
  Austin Energy said a chicken snake crawled into one of the substations.Roughly 16,000 people in east and southeast Austin lost power between 12:20 p.m. and 1:10 p.m. Tuesday. That number was at roughly 12,000 by 1:25 p.m.Austin Energy said a snake caused a power outage "made contact with an electrified circuit" causing thousands to
  
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• Gator found in Central Texas ditch: sheriff video

  16-05-2023 20:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A scaley visitor was spotted in Central Texas this week.
  A gator was found in a ditch Monday near La Grange in Fayette County, according to the Fayette County Sheriff's Office. It was spotted on FM 2145 near Citzler Road."The rain has definitely washed in some things you don’t see every day in Fayette County!" the sheriff's office said on Facebook.
  Texas Parks and Wildlife relocated the gator, the post said.
  How common are gators in Texas?
  Alligators have lived in Tex
  
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• Upgrades coming to Austin low water crossing website after issues during recent storms

  16-05-2023 19:28 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 16, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- During recent storms and heavy rainfall, a website that keeps track of low water crossing road closures in Central Texas experienced issues due to high demand.
  ATXfloods currently has a message on its site that reads, "Due to high volume on this site, there may be delays communicating road closures on this site. Visit ATXFloods on Twitter for road closure information."Some KXAN view
  
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• Texas-Alabama kickoff time announced

  16-05-2023 19:23 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 16, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns and Alabama Crimson Tide will meet for an evening kickoff on Sept. 9 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Texas Athletics announced. Longhorns score 42 runs in 2 games to clinch series win over San Jose StateThe kickoff time was released Tuesday for Texas and Alabama's final, non-conference meeting before the teams become Southeastern Conference foes. Kick
  
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• Ted Cruz's bill targeting dangerous street drug ‘tranq’ gets approval by US Senate committee

  16-05-2023 18:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – A bill seeking to enhance the understanding of a dangerous and increasingly prevalent street drug, xylazine, is one step closer to passing after receiving approval from the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Monday.Xylazine, commonly referred to as tranq, is a non-opiate sedative authorized in the U.S. only for veterinary use. It has had the most severe impact in the Northeast but was first detected in a Texas illicit fentanyl batch in March. 
  
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• City finds blue-green algae on Lady Bird Lake, Lake Austin; algae may be toxic

  16-05-2023 18:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Summer is near, and Austin's blue-green algae season is already here.
  The city said Tuesday that staff has found blue-green algae in Lady Bird Lake and Lake Austin. These algae are presumed to be toxic. PREVIOUS: Toxic algae season underway in AustinThe Watershed Protection Department said blue-green algae was found at every monitoring site on Lady Bird Lake and Lake Austin except at the Walsh Boat Landing.
  The city has documented toxic algae yearly since 2019 in Lady Bird
  
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• Opal Lee, ‘Grandmother of Juneteenth,’ receives honorary doctorate degree from UNT

  16-05-2023 16:59 via kxan.com
  
  DENTON, Texas (KXAN) -- Opal Lee, recognized as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” celebrated with graduates at the University of North Texas over the weekend.
  The 96-year-old Marshall native received an honorary doctorate degree Sunday as part of UNT's Spring Commencement.
  Lee graduated from UNT with a Master of Education in 1963.
  She, a retired educator, was pivotal in the push to make Juneteenth a national holiday.Portrait of Opal Lee, ‘Grandmother of Juneteenth,’ u
  
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• Austin Parks and Rec seeing a surge in summer job applicants

  16-05-2023 16:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Summer is right around the corner, with most schools letting out for break next week.The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department is gearing up for an abundance of summer activities with a full-fledged recruiting effort.Summer seasonal employees — such as lifeguards and camp counselors — will earn a $20 minimum wage along with being eligible to earn up to $750 in bonuses throughout the summer. Austin Parks and Rec plans to offer bonuses to summer employees
  
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• Did the pandemic contribute to a rise of children with speech delays and hearing loss?

  16-05-2023 15:40 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) -- A recent national survey found an increase in kids ages zero to five years old with hearing loss and speech delays.“Members of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association who are certified audiologists and speech-language pathologists were polled post-pandemic,” said Dr. Robert Augustine. “We learned that one third of our audiology members discovered young children were experiencing undiagnosed hearing loss during this time. Similarly, 80% of our certified speech
  
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• KXAN wins 3 regional Edward R. Murrow awards

  16-05-2023 14:55 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) — KXAN earned three regional Edward R. Murrow awards, the Radio Television Digital News Association announced Monday.Considered among the most prestigious awards in journalism, the Murrows have been awarded to news organizations since 1971, according to RTDNA.KXAN earned awards in the Digital, Excellence in Innovation and Investigative Reporting categories for television-large markets. This marks the second year in a row the regional honor has been given to KXAN
  
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• Investigators said video of student thrown into wall wasn't abuse, then changed their minds

  16-05-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  Investigative Summary:A special team within the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services has ruled out or not confirmed physical abuse allegations in more than 1,400 cases involving school employees. Records KXAN obtained show, in some cases, where DFPS investigators determined “physical abuse” didn’t occur, other agencies found the behavior — sometimes depicted in video surveillance — unlawful and even worthy of termination.
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) &mda
  
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• Lost your car keys? How an Austin library membership key tag can help

  16-05-2023 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An Austin resident reunited with his missing set of car keys two weeks after they were lost, all thanks to his library membership.A person who follows Austin Public Library on social media reached out to the library system, saying they had found a missing set of car keys while paddle boarding on Lady Bird Lake. Austin Public Library’s puppetry program delights audiences for 45 yearsThe only identifying information available was the person's library key tag attached to the
  
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• Scattered rain returns today ahead of brief dry out

  16-05-2023 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After a healthy round of scattered storms Monday, we'll have one more opportunity for heavy rain today before drier and hotter weather makes a brief return midweek.
  Observed 1-week rainfall totals as of Monday afternoonWhile rainfall has been welcome and added some moisture to the soil, it has thus far failed in producing significant runoff into the lakes. Lake Travis is up 6 inches in the past week, but is still more than 30 feet below its average May level.Scattered rain conti
  
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• A few showers today then three days of bright warm weather

  16-05-2023 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- More beneficial rain fell over Central Texas Monday afternoon and night with several rain totals of one to two inches. Camp Mabry's total of .95" continues a mostly wet month with the May total up to 3.30", nearly an inch above normal.There will be a 30% chance of a few more showers and isolated thunderstorms. Unlike Monday when the afternoon started stormy with frequent lightning, this afternoon began quietly with a few dying showers coming through northern San Saba County.Ther
  
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• Dell Jewish Community Center celebrates grand re-opening

  16-05-2023 12:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – A center of Jewish life in Central Texas reached a milestone Monday asShalom Austin celebrated the official grand re-opening of a renovated and expanded Dell Jewish Community Center.
  Shalom Austin said the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation matched $6.25 million of the more than $25 million capital campaign to aid in the construction.
  Dell JCC is named after Dell founder and CEO Michael Dell and his wife Susan.The Dells joined Monday's ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebrati
  
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• $20 million construction project beginning on William Cannon Drive

  16-05-2023 12:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Construction crews will begin working this month on much needed improvements to William Cannon Drive in southeast Austin.
  "This is in the best interest of our community. It's for the safety of our kids who want to walk and bike to school safely," council member Vanessa Fuentes, who represents the area where construction is happening, said.
  Scope of the project
  The project will bring major changes to the roadway between Running Water Drive and McKinney Falls Parkway. The area has
  
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• Durham report on Trump-Russia investigation: What led to it and what happens next

  16-05-2023 12:03 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — An investigation into the origins of the FBI's probe into ties between Russia and Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign has finally been concluded, with prosecutor John Durham submitting a much-awaited report that found major flaws.The report, the culmination of a four-year investigation into possible misconduct by U.S. government officials, contained withering criticism of the FBI but few significant revelations. Nonetheless, it will give fodder to Trump supporters w
  
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• LIVE: APD: SWAT situation ends at north Austin apartment

  16-05-2023 09:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police said a SWAT situation at a north Austin apartment complex ended Tuesday morning but gave no other details.
  According to an earlier report from police, a robbery call at the Starburst Apartment complex on Interstate 35 turned into a SWAT situation just after midnight Tuesday morning.
  According to Austin Police, officers were called to the complex just north of US 183 around 9 p.m. Monday.
  Police said the caller was robbed at the door of an apartment.
  Police bel
  
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• APD SWAT team at north Austin apartment

  16-05-2023 09:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police said its SWAT team was called out to a north Austin apartment just after midnight Tuesday morning.
  According to Austin Police, officers were called to the apartment complex on 8800 North Interstate 35 just after 9 p.m. Monday.
  According to Google, that address matches the Starburst Apartments located on the south side of the interstate just north of US 183.Police said the SWAT team was called out around 12:30 a.m. Police did not say how many people were inside
  
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• APD: SWAT situation ends at north Austin apartment

  16-05-2023 09:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police said a SWAT situation at a north Austin apartment complex ended Tuesday morning but gave no other details.
  According to an earlier report from police, a robbery call at the Starburst Apartment complex on Interstate 35 turned into a SWAT situation just after midnight Tuesday morning.
  According to Austin Police, officers were called to the complex just north of US 183 around 9 p.m. Monday.
  Police said the caller was robbed at the door of an apartment.
  Police bel
  
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• Pivotal House vote moves Texas closer to banning puberty blockers, hormone treatments for trans kids

  16-05-2023 06:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — Texas has taken a major step toward banning transgender minors from getting puberty blockers and hormone therapy — care that medical groups say is vital to their mental health — after the state House approved Senate Bill 14 on Monday.Trans Texans and LGBTQ advocates consider the bill one of the most consequential pieces of legislation in this year’s legislative session. It would ban trans peop
  
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• APD's AI bot getting non-emergency reports into system faster

  16-05-2023 04:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department's new artificial intelligence-powered non-emergency reporting system is getting people's reports ingested into the system more quickly than the old portal, according to Lt. Sheldon Askew."Currently, we're looking at a 3-5 day turnaround from a reporting party dropping a report into the system, and that report getting assigned to a detective," he said, adding that this process is what held things up the most with the old system. PREVIOUS: APD launches
  
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• On target: Highland Park Elementary archery team wins national title

  16-05-2023 03:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - The archery team at Highland Park Elementary School has had a lot of success in recent years, consistently placing in the top 10 at national tournaments. At this year's championship in Sandy, Utah, the Scotties from Highland Park made some history."Our school's never done something like that," said Augie Burns. "I think when we first found out, we were like 'Oh my gosh, that's so crazy. We just broke a school record.'"MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like th
  
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• City of Austin employees to return to the office, union not on board

  16-05-2023 02:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Many City of Austin employees are being asked to return to the office starting later this year, according to a city memo from Interim City Manager Jesús Garza.
  Starting in early June, employees in management positions with the city will be required to work five days a week in person, the memo said. Non-executive staff that have been working from home will have to return to the office no less than three days a week starting in October.
  "It is imperative, in my opinion, tha
  
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• Former Lake Travis star Brett Baty named top Mets prospect, No. 10 overall in MLB

  16-05-2023 01:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After starting the season in Triple-A, former Lake Travis star Brett Baty has been playing third base in 23 games for the New York Mets since his call-up in mid-April. Now according to MLB Pipeline, he's a top-10 prospect in all of baseball.The prospect analysis division of MLB.com, MLB Pipeline moved Baty up nine spots to No. 10 from their last set of rankings in April. He's now considered the Mets' top prospect as catcher Francisco Alvarez has enough MLB service time to b
  
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• School voucher bill tied to ending STAAR test in Texas House

  16-05-2023 00:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — A Texas House committee rewrote a bill that would allow parents to use taxpayer dollars for private school tuition. The substitute legislation debated Monday is getting major pushback, including a veto threat from the governor, for significantly limiting who can access what are known as "education savings accounts."
  Additionally, this committee substitute for Senate Bill 8 would eliminate the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) test and some other hi
  
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• Austin Mayor Kirk Watson addresses DPS, APD partnership being put on hold

  16-05-2023 00:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Public Safety will temporarily cease its partnership with the Austin Police Department so that troopers can focus their attention on border cities in the wake of the expiration of Title 42.In March, the Austin Violent Crimes Task Force, which called on DPS to help patrol Austin, was formed as a way to assist APD. DPS temporarily halts partnership in Austin"The partnership between APD and DPS was definitely successful in the city of Austin," Austin Ci
  
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• San Marcos CISD school board considers teacher pay raise

  16-05-2023 00:20 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — Teachers with San Marcos CISD could be getting more money.
  On Monday night, the school board is discussing and possibly voting on a pay raise.RELATED COVERAGE: Austin ISD looking to fill over 200 vacancies for 2023-24 year, holding career fair Saturday"Not only a percentage increase, but we're also looking at longevity increases. So the longer you stay in San Marcos, we want to take care of you," SMCISD Chief of Communications Andrew Fernandez said.
  SMCISD said i
  
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• San Marcos CISD school board approves 3% teacher, nurse pay raise

  16-05-2023 00:20 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — Teachers with San Marcos CISD will be getting more money.
  On Monday night, the school board approved a 3% increase for teachers and nurses, along with a longevity plan.RELATED COVERAGE: Austin ISD looking to fill over 200 vacancies for 2023-24 year, holding career fair Saturday"Not only a percentage increase, but we're also looking at longevity increases. So the longer you stay in San Marcos, we want to take care of you," SMCISD Chief of Communications Andrew Fer
  
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• Austin hosts disaster simulation to train for future emergencies, pandemics

  16-05-2023 00:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin joined regional leaders, public health officials and hospital professionals to host a disaster simulation Monday, in an effort to build up emergency responses to pandemics and natural disasters.The simulation follows the COVID-19 pandemic and takeaways government officials and health organizations made regarding emergency responses, according to a release.The City of Austin along with regional leaders, public health officials and hospital staff participated in
  
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