Austin news

• How students can get into Typhoon Texas for free

  26-05-2023 23:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Typhoon Texas Waterparks announced students with good grades can get into its Austin and Houston locations for free from May 30 through June 2.The waterpark said its Great Grades Days event was dedicated to recognizing and rewarding students for exceptional academic achievements during the previous school year.According to Typhoon Texas, in order to join, the student must show their report card with 3 ore more As, along with the matching Student ID for free admission.Discou
  
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• Bill to rid Texas of paper license plates goes to governor

  26-05-2023 23:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Sparked in part by KXAN's "Risky Rides" investigations, a bill to rid Texas of its paper license plates received final approval in the House on Friday with a vote of 137-0. It now goes to the governor.
  If signed into law, metal plates would replace temporary dealer plates. For years, KXAN has investigated what became a $200 million black market. Criminals were able to not only counterfeit paper plates but also infiltrate the Texas Department of Motor Vehicle's system to pri
  
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• Patient safety bill, sparked by KXAN, goes to governor

  26-05-2023 23:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Amajor bipartisan bill aimed at protecting patients from dangerous doctors — filed in direct response to KXAN's "Still Practicing" investigations — received final approval from the House on Friday with a vote of 120-16. It now goes to the governor."HB 1998 will save lives in our state, protecting patients and healthcare professionals alike," said patient safety advocate Ware Wendell with the nonprofit Texas Watch. "We commend lawmakers for putting safety first a
  
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• What do the 20 Articles of Impeachment against Ken Paxton mean?

  26-05-2023 22:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Late Thursday night, lawmakers received their copies of 20 articles of impeachment. Chairman Andrew Murr said he will put the articles to a vote on Saturday, May 27, at 1:00 pm.The House General Investigating Committee, which has a conservative majority, presented the articles after adopting a formal recommendation that Attorney General Ken Paxton be impeached and removed from office.MORE: What we know about possible impeachment against Attorney General Ken Paxton
  
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• Refugee Services of Texas to permanently close after 'severe' budget issues

  26-05-2023 22:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Refugee Services of Texas, the state's largest refugee resettlement agency, is permanently closing after the agency was strapped with a "severe" budget shortfall.KXAN reported earlier this month the agency was laying off half its staff and closing offices in Fort Worth and Houston.In a press release Friday, the agency said those "drastic measures" were not enough to reduce the budget shortfall. The closure affects a further 150 employees."It is with heavy hearts that we hav
  
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• Judge approves mistrial motion in APD officer murder case

  26-05-2023 22:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A judge granted the defense's motion Friday for a mistrial for an Austin police officer accused of murder in a 2020 deadly shooting, according to a defense attorney involved in the case.
  The trial was supposed to begin Wednesday, but there were several snags with the jury selection process.
  Christopher Taylor, 31, is accused of shooting and killing Michael Ramos, 42, during a confrontation with police in a south Austin apartment complex parking lot in April 2020.
  Taylor is on ad
  
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• Judge approves mistrial motion for APD officer murder case

  26-05-2023 22:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A judge granted the defense's motion Friday for a mistrial for an Austin police officer accused of murder in a 2020 deadly shooting, according to a defense attorney involved in the case.
  The trial was supposed to begin Wednesday, but there were several snags with the jury selection process.
  Christopher Taylor, 31, is accused of shooting and killing Michael Ramos, 42, during a confrontation with police in a south Austin apartment complex parking lot in April 2020.
  Taylor is on ad
  
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• What we know about possible impeachment against Attorney General Ken Paxton

  26-05-2023 21:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Republican-led House is now poised to vote Saturday on the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton within the final days of the legislative session.The House General Investigating Committee presented the articles of impeachment to members late Thursday night, after unanimously adopting a formal recommendation to move toward impeachment. The five-member panel, with a conservative majority, revealed on Wednesday that it had been investigating the embattled attorney
  
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• What we know about impeachment against Attorney General Ken Paxton

  26-05-2023 21:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Republican-led House is now poised to vote Saturday on the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton within the final days of the legislative session.The House General Investigating Committee presented the articles of impeachment to members late Thursday night, after unanimously adopting a formal recommendation to move toward impeachment. The five-member panel, with a conservative majority, revealed on Wednesday that it had been investigating the embattled attorney
  
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• An inside look at APD's downtown patrols

  26-05-2023 20:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's a Friday night downtown, around 11 p.m., and Officer Gavin Smart's Sixth Street night patrol shift is just getting started."Just trying to organize the chaos," he said, keeping his eyes focused on the crowds walking down the street.Within 10 minutes of us filming, officers arrested a man who allegedly picked a fight at a bar. He appeared inebriated and had a cut near his eye.MAP: Where have Austin’s homicides occurred in 2023?APD officers said, in some cases, they rep
  
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• Sources: Lieutenant Governor holding up post-Uvalde transparency bill

  26-05-2023 19:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A years-long fight to close a controversial legal gap known as the "dead suspect loophole" has hit a last-minute snag. This development comes days after the one-year anniversary of the Uvalde mass shooting that killed 19 children and two teachers, which put a spotlight on the importance of public records, transparency and the truth."We've agreed to the changes that would make this bill operational and the House conferees have signed off on that," said Rep. Joe Moody, D-El P
  
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• Post-Uvalde transparency bill moves forward after late-session holdup by Lieutenant Governor

  26-05-2023 19:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Despite hitting a last-minute snag in the final full week of the legislative session, a years-long fight to close a controversial legal gap known as the "dead suspect loophole" is still moving toward the Texas governor's desk. This development comes days after the one-year anniversary of the Uvalde mass shooting that killed 19 children and two teachers, which put a spotlight on the importance of public records, transparency and the truth."We've agreed to the changes that wo
  
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• Post-Uvalde transparency bill moves forward after late-session hold up by Lieutenant Governor

  26-05-2023 19:57 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 26, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Despite hitting a last-minute snag in the final full week of the legislative session, a years-long fight to close a controversial legal gap known as the "dead suspect loophole" is still moving toward the Texas governor's desk. This development comes days after the one-year anniversary of the Uvalde mass shooting that killed 19 children and two teachers, which put a spotlight on
  
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• Memorial Day weekend deadliest for Texas drivers, who rank as worst drivers in the U.S.

  26-05-2023 19:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- According to a study from the car insurance company Jerry, Texas has suffered the most fatal crashes during Memorial Day weekend over the past decade, with Houston and Dallas leading nationally as the top two cities for fatalities. Austin Police Department starts ‘No Refusal’ initiative to curb drunk driving over Memorial Day weekendThe study, conducted by former Bloomberg economics editor Henry Hoenig, who now works for Jerry, used data from the National Highway Tra
  
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• Two Austin students head to Scripps National Spelling Bee

  26-05-2023 19:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – On Tuesday, 231 children aged 9 to 14 will face off in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C, perhaps leading to many of us feeling ashamed of our over-reliance on spell-check. Two Austinites – Shrethan Botla,14,  and Tarini Nandakumar, 12 – will compete to be this year’s spelling champion. Bolta, who said this is his first and last entry into the national competition, said he feels both nervous and excited ahead of the trip.&l
  
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• 2 Austin students head to Scripps National Spelling Bee

  26-05-2023 19:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – On Tuesday, 231 children aged 9 to 14 will face off in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C, perhaps leading to many of us feeling ashamed of our over-reliance on spell-check. Two Austinites – Shrethan Botla,14,  and Tarini Nandakumar, 12 – will compete to be this year’s spelling champion. Bolta, who said this is his first and last entry into the national competition, said he feels both nervous and excited ahead of the trip.&l
  
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• Suspect in Pflugerville man's death is the same man who killed an 8-year-old Austin girl in 1982

  26-05-2023 17:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – A suspect in the death of an 80-year-old Pflugerville man whose body was found Saturday is the same person convicted of raping and killing an 8-year-old girl over 40 years ago. Images of Raul Meza Jr. provided by the Pflugerville Police Department
  The Pflugerville Police Department sent Tuesday a press release, saying Pflugerville PD investigators identified Raul Meza Jr. as a person of interest in the death of Jesse Fraga, 80. On Thursday, it identified him as a suspe
  
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• Free Zilker Shuttle runs begin again Saturday

  26-05-2023 16:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The free shuttle to Zilker Park will return Saturday, the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department announced Thursday.
  According to the department, the shuttle will run 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from May 27 to Sept. 4 on the following days:Every Saturday and Sunday
  Memorial Day4th of JulyLabor Day
  Riders can park in the One Texas Center parking garage at 505 Barton Springs Rd. The shuttle driver must validate the parking ticket.Garage entrance/exit for One Texas Center. (Imag
  
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• New research looks into number of young people dying from alcohol, drugs and suicide

  26-05-2023 16:39 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) -- School is out for summer break and many kids may be spending more time on social media, but there's a warning that comes with that.The U.S. Surgeon General said social media risks are adding to the mental health challenges children, teens and young adults are facing.An urgent warning backed up by a new report from non-profit Trust for America’s Health, or TFAH.The yearly analysis, titled "Pain In The Nation," contains state-by-state data on how many young people are dying from al
  
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• 'CUDDLY' Rescue Rover aiding abandoned animals in Austin

  26-05-2023 15:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Animal shelters across Texas are overcrowded with pets that need homes.According to Austin Pets Alive!, thousands of animals annually are euthanized statewide.To lighten the load on these shelters, the nonprofit has rolled out a tool to transport dozens of dogs and cats to safety.The CUDDLY Rescue Rover recently took a 9-hour trip up from Laredo, Texas to the APA! headquarters.Clare Callison with Austin Pets Alive! says most of the animals being transported were only minute
  
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• Sample tests positive for West Nile in Williamson County

  26-05-2023 15:04 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – Williamson County officials said Thursday a mosquito trap sample collected in Georgetown tested positive for West Nile virus.
  According to the announcement from the Williamson County and Cities Health District, the positive sample was collected from a trap site near Geneva Park at 1021 Quail Valley Drive. The last date a positive sample was collected from this location was October 2022.West Nile virus found in 2 Georgetown mosquito samplesWCCHD said this i
  
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• Austin airport expects record-breaking number of summer travelers

  26-05-2023 14:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The scene at Austin-Bergstrom International airport on the first day of Memorial Day weekend could have been described as controlled chaos, with long lines at security checkpoints stretching outside of the terminal.
  The most shocking scene for many travelers Friday morning was how long the line was for TSA Pre-Check. Many travelers who have the green pre-check mark on their boarding pass, like Kirsten Chapton and her family, are accustomed to getting through security in a fast p
  
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• Wildfire seasons are expanding for much of the country

  26-05-2023 14:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The length of a given wildfire season is increasing for much of the country. The largest increase is occurring in the west, especially in the southwest during its increasingly hotter summers. Weather conditions with low humidity, extreme heat, and strong winds are all conducive for the spread of fire. A single day with all of these ingredients combined is considered a 'Fire Weather Day.'
  Our partners over at Climate Central looked at climate data at weather sites across muc
  
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• At least 10 people remain missing in Lake Travis, including this widow's husband

  26-05-2023 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  A photo of the new boat Manuel Salas purchased after his wife encouraged him to, "do something for you." (Courtesy Rose Ann Salas)
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It was Cinco de Mayo, and newlyweds Rose Ann and Manuel Salas planned to take their new boat out on Lake Travis for the first time, before heading to a family party in Elgin later that day.
  The couple got married just three months earlier after a courtship Rose Ann described as a "whirlwind" romance where Manuel "swept me off my feet."During th
  
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• Amber Alert: 2-year-old, 9-year-old abducted from San Antonio

  26-05-2023 13:38 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KXAN) -- Police are searching for two children who were abducted from San Antonio and last seen Thursday afternoon. A suspect has been named in connection to their abduction.The San Antonio Police Department is searching for Zylah Faulks, a 2-year-old Black female. She's described as 2’09” in height and 30 lbs, with black hair, brown eyes, and was last seen wearing unknown clothing.
  Police are also searching for Kamil Brown-Sykes, a 9-year-old Black female. She's
  
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• How do the top baby names in Texas compare to the nationwide rankings?

  26-05-2023 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas welcomed 2,532 new Liams, 2,120 Noahs, 1,892 Olivias and 1,793 Emmas in 2022.The Social Security Administration released the top baby names of last year. Liam and Olivia were the most popular male and female names in the state, reflecting popularity seen nationwide.In fact, the top two male and female names in Texas matched the overall rankings for the U.S. as a whole. It's not until third place where the rankings start to differ.Liam has been the most popular male na
  
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• Rain increasingly likely for Memorial Day

  26-05-2023 13:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Mostly cloudy skies of the afternoon will slowly clear into the evening.Tonight plan on a partly cloudy to mostly clear sky with lows in the upper 60s. It should stay dry tonight and reasonably pleasant for any Friday evening plans.Tonight's forecastSaturday will look and feel similar to today with sun giving way to increasing clouds later in the day. While rain chances aren't zero on Saturday, they're less than 10% with most areas staying dry.Slightly higher rain and storm chan
  
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• A mostly dry holiday weekend forecast

  26-05-2023 13:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The overnight hours were dry. Today will be dry, as well, with most high temperatures reaching the upper half of the 80s.Today's normal high is 90°Upper-level high pressure will be our main weather feature tomorrow and Sunday with no rain expected either day. After a partly cloudy sky Saturday there will be few more clouds arriving Sunday. Highs will reach the upper half of the 80s again tomorrow. The additional cloud cover means slightly lower high temperatures for Sunday.A
  
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• EMS' new pilot program speeds up water rescues on Lake Austin, Lady Bird Lake

  26-05-2023 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new pilot program on local lakes aims to reduce response time and get people help where they need it. Austin-Travis County EMS will join Austin Police Department patrol boats this summer on Lady Bird Lake and Lake Austin."We know that time is imperative. We only have 20 minutes to get to (a person in trouble)," said Brad Lines, a rescue training captain with ATCEMS.Normally, ATCEMS has boats stationed around the city. When an emergency is called in, those boats have to be
  
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• APD: One man stabbed on CapMetro Bus, one person in custody

  26-05-2023 11:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police said a man was stabbed on a Cap Metro bus Thursday night in south Austin. One person is in custody.
  According to APD, the stabbing was reported at 10:46 p.m. at South Congress Avenue and College Avenue. That is just north of Oltorf Street.According to Austin-Travis County EMS, paramedics took two patients to the hospital, one with serious injuries, the second with non-life threatening injuries.
  APD said one of the people taken to the hospital may have been the
  
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• APD: One man stabbed on Cap Metro Bus; one person in custody

  26-05-2023 11:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police said a man was stabbed on a Cap Metro bus Thursday night in south Austin. Police said one person is in custody.
  According to APD, the stabbing was reported at 10:46 p.m. at South Congress Avenue and College Avenue. That is just north of Oltorf Street.According to Austin-Travis County EMS, paramedics took two patients to the hospital, one with serious injury, the second with non-life threatening injury.
  In April, Austin Police said a man was detained after stab
  
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• Man dies after being hit by vehicle on Ben White Boulevard service road

  26-05-2023 11:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police said a man died overnight early Friday morning after being hit a vehicle on the eastbound service road of West Ben White Boulevard in south Austin.
  The crash happened near the intersection of West Ben White Boulevard and Banister Lane just before 1 a.m., according to APD.Austin Police said the eastbound service road of West Ben White was closed from Banister Lane to James Casey Street, and the 1st St exit ramp from US Highway 290 was closed while police invest
  
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• Man dies after being hit by vehicle on Ben White

  26-05-2023 11:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police said Friday a man died after being hit a vehicle on the eastbound service road of West Ben White Boulevard in south Austin.
  The crash happened near the intersection of West Ben White and Banister Lane just before 1 a.m., according to APD.Austin Police said the eastbound service road of West Ben White was closed from Banister Lane to James Casey Street and the 1st St exit ramp from US Highway 290 was closed while police investigate.Police said the man was on or
  
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• As legislative sessions ending soon, schools still need state funding

  26-05-2023 05:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With the legislative session ending soon, there is a lot of attention on school funding.Heading into the session, school districts had high hopes that lawmakers would increase the basic allotment, helping students and teachers in districts across the state, but now many who have pushed for more funding are upset.”The state is woefully underfunding our public schools,” said Ovidia Molina, Texas State Teachers Association President. ”We had hopes that with a $33
  
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• As legislative session draws to a close, schools still need state funding

  26-05-2023 05:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With the legislative session ending soon, there is a lot of attention on school funding.Heading into the session, school districts had high hopes that lawmakers would increase the basic allotment, helping students and teachers in districts across the state, but now many who have pushed for more funding are upset.”The state is woefully underfunding our public schools,” said Ovidia Molina, Texas State Teachers Association President. ”We had hopes that with a $33
  
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• Pflugerville police search for suspect related to homicide investigation

  26-05-2023 03:02 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — The Pflugerville Police Department said it was actively searching for a suspect in connection with a May 20 homicide investigation.PPD said it was working with the Lonestar Fugitive Task Force to find Raul Meza Jr. in connection with a homicide that occurred within the City of Pflugerville. Pflugerville police identify man found dead in home, identify person of interest in casePflugerville PD said it was working with the Travis County DA's office rega
  
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• Man sentenced on 4 charges related to 2020 aggravated sexual assault in east Austin

  26-05-2023 02:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was sentenced May 10 after pleading guilty to four charges related to a November 2020 kidnapping and sexual assault.Travis County court documents said 25-year-old Steve Martin Guerrero pleaded guilty and was convicted and sentenced on two aggravated sexual assault charges, an aggravated kidnapping charge involving bodily injury/sexual abuse, and an aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury.For the first three charges, he was sentenced to serve 30 years in a sta
  
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• MAP: Which school districts have increased teacher pay for the 2023-24 school year?

  26-05-2023 01:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Ahead of the upcoming school year, several districts are looking to attract new teachers by increasing salaries.The budget decisions come as state lawmakers fight over school choice and teacher pay at the Capitol. Several districts are waiting to see what, if anything, the legislature requires before setting salary schedules. Others will be finalizing budgets over the coming months.KXAN reached out to all 58 school districts in our viewing area to compare starting salaries
  
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• McCallum grad leaving her mark with Texas rowing

  26-05-2023 00:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Kaitlin Knifton grew up around rowing. Her dad, a Texas alum who rowed for the national team, tried to push the sport onto a hesitant Kaitlin. Eventually, he started to get his wish with Kaitlin in high school."My dad, he did have to bribe me to go to rowing practice," said Knifton, a graduate student. "He got me some Lululemon which at the time was all I wanted. And he would buy me JuiceLand every day before practice to get me to go."MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on
  
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