Austin news

• Patient air lifted to hospital after wilderness rescue in northwest Austin

  03-06-2023 21:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person suffered a traumatic injury on a bike trail Friday in northwest Austin, Austin-Travis County EMS said on Twitter.Shortly after 3 p.m., medics, STAR Flight and the Austin Fire Department responded to 10800-10825 Dodge Cattle Drive attempting to find the person who was injured, the tweet said.The person, who was not identified by Saturday, was transported via STAR Flight to St. David's Round Rock Medical Center with critical, life-threatening injuries, medics said.There
  
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• Travis County grand jury indicts out-of-state executives for insurance fraud

  03-06-2023 20:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – A Travis County Grand Jury indicted multiple Georgia-based corporate executives for doing insurance business in Texas without licenses, according to the Travis County District Attorney’s Office. “Our office will hold accountable powerful actors who violate our laws,” Travis County District Attorney José Garza said in a press release. “This was a collaborative effort between our office and the Texas Department of Insurance, and I appreciat
  
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• APD searching for 3 men in connection with March shooting that injured 1

  03-06-2023 20:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said it was searching for three men in connection with a shooting that injured a man in March.Detectives said the shooting occurred March 8 at 1:14 a.m. in the 3400 block of North Interstate 35 Frontage Road heading northbound.APD officers and Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services arrived at the scene and found a man with a gunshot wound in one leg. APD said the man was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.Detective
  
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• 'Just Majority' campaign makes stops in Austin, pushing for more balanced Supreme Court

  03-06-2023 19:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)—A group of diverse advocates are traveling in a bus around the country, pushing for change within the U.S.'s highest court.
  It's called the 'Just Majority,' campaign. The message?: ‘Democracy Demands A Fair And Ethical Court,' as seen in bold letters on the campaign's tour bus. A group made up of reproductive, gun violence prevention, civil rights and racial justice advocates are spreading awareness about the Judiciary Act."The Judiciary Act would put new Supreme Court
  
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• UT Austin preps to educate thousands with new AI program

  03-06-2023 19:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The University of Texas at Austin this week opened applications for its first-ever online master's degree in artificial intelligence. The first of its kind in the nation, the program debuts next spring.UT estimates there will be 97 million new AI-related jobs globally over the next two years. The university told KXAN it received roughly 10,000 inquiries about its new program."Organizations, companies are in dire need of people with these skills. But there aren't enough peop
  
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• Gov. Abbott signs bill banning transgender health care for minors into law

  03-06-2023 18:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law Friday the controversial Senate Bill 14 that bans gender transition care for Texas minors. The law will go into effect Sept. 1. The law will prohibit minors from receiving puberty blockers and hormone therapy to transition the gender they identify with. Texas kids already accessing these types of treatments will have to “wean” off of the medication over a period of time that minimizes risk and in a manner that is “medi
  
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• Counties with the worst droughts in Texas

  03-06-2023 18:17 via kxan.com
  
  STACKER — Nearly a fifth of the continental U.S. is currently experiencing moderate to exceptional drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.While the West is currently experiencing a brief reprieve from its driest period of the last 1,200 years—other parts of the country, like the Central U.S., are experiencing spells of unusual dryness.In periods of drought, levels of major reservoirs and rivers can fall dramatically. Groundwater systems to feel the effects, and 
  
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• See a paw print sticker on a mailbox? Why you shouldn't remove it

  03-06-2023 18:01 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – More than 5,300 mail carriers were bitten by dogs last year, a number the USPS is trying to bring down with a push for public awareness as well as a clever, if simple, sticker-based program.The Paw Program which has been instituted in several cities across the U.S. since it was rolled out in 2020, uses a color-coded system to inform carriers who may not be familiar with the route which houses have dogs. A yellow paw sticker means that there is a dog living nearby, while an oran
  
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• Texas law taking effect in June may impact summer driving courses

  03-06-2023 17:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KAMR/KCIT) - As the 88th legislative session for the Texas Senate and House of Representatives draws to a close and the last stream of bills head to Texas Governor Greg Abbott's desk for final approval, some laws signed in 2021 are still taking effect.
  While many of the laws going into effect in 2023 rolled out as soon as the ball dropped for the new year, some changes related to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation went into effect June 1. These changes, initially part of HB
  
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• The Worst and Best places to raise a family could be right here in Texas!

  03-06-2023 17:38 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (KDAF) — It's important to have a family, but the location makes all the difference!Financial advisory website, Wallet Hub ranked the best and worst places to raise a family. Plano, which is just right outside Dallas, is ranked #4 out of 182 cities on their list. Austin ranked #26.Wallet Hub said, "In order to determine which cities are most conducive to family life, WalletHub compared 182 U.S. cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the mos
  
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• Legal team investigating Paxton racks up nearly $15k in expenses

  03-06-2023 17:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) –  The attorneys hired by the Texas House to investigate Attorney General Ken Paxton, leading to his impeachment, cost at least $14,198, according to invoices obtained by KXAN. Combined legal fees, travel reimbursement and lunches cost taxpayers $14,198.61, per legal records. There could be more invoices KXAN was not able to obtain.  MORE: Texas House committee recommends impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton, sets date to considerThe team the House hired
  
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• Pride Month 2023: Ways to celebrate in Central Texas

  03-06-2023 15:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In the early hours of June 28, 1969, New York Police raided the Stonewall Inn, a bar in Greenwich Village, and aggressively pulled members of the LGBTQ+ out of their safe haven and into the streets. It was not uncommon for police at this time to raid bars where lesbians and gay men were known to visit, but on this night, some decided to fight back.
  LGBTQ+ people had been protesting before this event, but the Stonewall uprising -- as it would later be known -- took the gay rights
  
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• ATCEMS: 1 taken to the hospital with serious injuries after vehicle rescue in east Austin

  03-06-2023 15:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin-Travis County EMS responded to a vehicle rescue call early Saturday morning in east Austin.Officials said the incident occurred near the 200-240 blocks of Bastrop Highway at 2:19 a.m.Medics took an adult patient from this incident as a Trauma Alert. ATCEMS said the patient has serious injuries that were not expected to be life-threatening.As of 3 a.m., ATCEMS said it was no longer on the scene, and no other information was available.
  
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• Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum highlights dinosaurs, European influence

  03-06-2023 13:54 via kxan.com
  
  CANYON, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — Nestled on the campus of West Texas A&M University in Canyon is a museum that tells the rich history of the High Plains region: the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum."Our local history involves a global perspective," said Renea Dauntes, Research Assistant and Archivist for the museum. "We were taught, many of us, about cattle and livestock and that it was formative in this region. Something that isn't always talked about is the influence of European countri
  
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• Thunderstorms pushing into Austin now

  03-06-2023 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Expect strong to severe storms to continue to develop and move into the Hill Country. The rain will spread eastward across I-35 into some of our eastern counties this evening.
  Shower/thunderstorm chances go up to 60% Sunday. The forecast includes a Marginal Flash Flood Threat from brief times of heavy rainfall. Afternoon highs Sunday will average the middle to upper 80s. Monday's maximums will be mostly in the low to mid 80s. With a lower 40% of rain. BLOG: Summer forecast relea
  
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• Rain chances ramp up through the weekend

  03-06-2023 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Expect strong to severe storms to continue to develop and move into the Hill Country. The rain will spread eastward across I-35 into some of our eastern counties this evening.
  Evening showers and thunderstorms move to the eastThe Storm Prediction Center has much of our area in a Marginal Risk for severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening with the main threats from hail to gusty winds.
  Shower/thunderstorm chances go up to 60% Sunday. The forecast includes a Marginal Flash F
  
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• Rain chances ramp through the weekend

  03-06-2023 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Saturday dawned with sunshine and fair-weather clouds. The morning was quite comfortable with some dew points (a measure of moisture) in the middle/upper 50s to low 60s.
  Lows were in the mid 60s to several at 70° and 71°. A few cities had lows in the low to mid 60s, including San Marcos where the low was 62°. Camp Mabry's low was 70°.Upper-level low pressure is over the Panhandle Saturday morning. It will be the main feature influencing the weather locally. Most
  
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• Rain & storm chances continue into work week

  03-06-2023 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Strong to severe storms continue to push south and east of Austin. Storms brought beneficial rain with many LCRA gauges recording 3/4" to an inch of rain. A 59 mph wind gust was also recorded at Austin-Bergstrom Airport. Expect drying conditions overnight as the atmosphere recharges.Shower/thunderstorm chances go up to 60% Sunday. The forecast includes a Marginal Flash Flood Threat from brief times of heavy rainfall. Afternoon highs Sunday will average the middle to upper 80s. M
  
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• A little rain today with more coming Sunday

  03-06-2023 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Rain with a few isolated thunderstorms moved west to east across our southern viewing area. A rain gauge near Harper measured .02". A measurement of .01" was found at Fredericksburg, Luling, and San Marcos, among others.Upper-level low pressure is over the Panhandle Saturday morning. It will be the main feature influencing the weather locally. Most of this afternoon's showers and thunderstorms will be over the Hill Country. The rain will spread eastward across I-35 into some of
  
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• West Australia opening first, only US investment and trade office in Austin

  03-06-2023 04:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The government of Western Australia is investing $10.1 million in a new investment and trade office in Austin. The office, set to open in early 2024, aims to bolster and diversify Western Australia’s economy.A delegation of Western Australian government officials held a reception at Two Hands on South Congress on Thursday regarding the opening of the new office. Simone Spencer, the deputy director general for strategy and international engagement at the Western Austra
  
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• Bee Keepers extra busy during swarm season

  03-06-2023 03:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Bees are causing quite the buzz across Central Texas."We probably get 50 to 100 calls a day," said Keith Huddle, owner of Keith's Bee Service.March to June is peak swarming season in Texas. This happens when honeybee hives are overcrowded."They split and send off half of the hive to start new hives," said Huddle.Huddle said he's found bees all over the place -- in buildings, utility boxes and trees. Once they have a home to protect they can get very aggressive."Once they ha
  
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• Abbott appointee resigns as chair of power grid regulator

  03-06-2023 03:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (The Texas Tribune) -- Peter Lake, chair of the Public Utility Commission — which regulates the state’s power grid — resigned Friday, according to a statement from Gov. Greg Abbott’s office.Lake was appointed by Abbott in April 2021 following the devastating near-statewide power outages that killed hundreds of people during Winter Storm Uri that February. In that time, he spearheaded a plan to help the state’s grid withstand weather disasters.But state lawmak
  
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• Lawsuit shows how murdered man came to live with his alleged killer, Raul Meza Jr.

  03-06-2023 02:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Court records reveal new details about how a convicted killer -- accused of more murders -- was able to move into the home of one of his suspected victims.TIMELINE: What we know of Raul Meza’s criminal historyKXAN investigators discovered a 2012 lawsuit filed by Jesse Fraga, a former probation officer, along with his wife and a third plaintiff listed as “John Doe.” KXAN has learned Doe was a pseudonym for Raul Meza Jr. – who police believe brutally killed
  
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• Records: Man gets 7 years for manslaughter related to motorcycle crash that killed 2 in Leander

  03-06-2023 02:04 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — A man was sentenced to serve seven years in state prison following a September 2022 crash that killed two people in Williamson County.Cody James Landrum, 25 at the time of the crash, pleaded guilty to two manslaughter charges May 18, according to Williamson County court documents. RELATED: Man arrested in connection with fatal Leander motorcycle crashAccording to past KXAN coverage, Police said Landrum’s vehicle struck a motorcycle near the intersection of RM
  
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• Texas might use eminent domain to prevent developer taking over state park

  03-06-2023 01:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The state of Texas may try to use eminent domain to prevent a developer from turning a state park into a private community.The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission will hold a special meeting June 10 to consider acquiring the land through condemnation, the process by which governments can use eminent domain.The developer, Dallas-based Todd Interests, plans to turn the property into a gated community with multi-million dollar homes and a golf course. The company will official
  
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• Texas Ten Most Wanted fugitive captured in Central Texas

  03-06-2023 01:06 via kxan.com
  
  KILLEEN, Texas (FOX 44) - One of Texas' Ten Most Wanted fugitives has been arrested in Killeen.Kentrell Lamar Fletcher, 35, affiliated with the Gangster Disciples gang, was arrested by members of the U.S. Marshals' Lone Star Fugitive Task Force. including DPS Special Agents, Deputy U.S. Marshals, the Killeen Police Department and the Coryell County Sheriff’s Office.
  Fletcher was convicted of burglary of a habitation in 2008 and was subsequently sentenced to three years of confinement in a
  
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• Ranked worst for running are these Texas cities—Do you agree?

  03-06-2023 01:02 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (KDAF) — Looks like it’s time to call in the running wranglers!
  Runners are not going to find the running experience they expect in these Texas cities, according to Lawnlove's list of the best and worst cities for running. San Antonio ranked at #31, and Austin ranked at #39.Lawnlove is a lawn care service website that allows you to discover local lawn care services.Lawn Love said, " We compared the 200 biggest U.S. cities based on seven categories. We considered access to high
  
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• Live: Biden expected to address bipartisan debt ceiling deal

  03-06-2023 00:55 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — President Joe Biden on Friday will address the debt ceiling deal that he negotiated with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy that sailed through Congress with bipartisan support.
  The deal will suspend the debt limit for two years, while also putting in new work requirements for older Americans receiving food assistance. It also boosts funding for veterans and defense and approves a natural gas pipeline going from West Virginia to Virginia. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Offic
  
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• 'Crisis averted': Biden addresses bipartisan debt ceiling deal

  03-06-2023 00:55 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — In a Friday evening address from the Oval Office, President Joe Biden addressed the debt ceiling deal that he negotiated with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy that sailed through Congress with bipartisan support.
  The deal will suspend the debt limit for two years, while also putting in new work requirements for older Americans receiving food assistance. It also boosts funding for veterans and defense and approves a natural gas pipeline going from West Virginia to Virginia. The n
  
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• Biden signs debt ceiling bill with just days to spare

  03-06-2023 00:55 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — With just two days to spare, President Joe Biden signed legislation on Saturday that lifts the nation’s debt ceiling, averting an unprecedented default on the federal government’s debt.The White House announced the signing, done in private at the White House, in an emailed statement in which Biden thanked congressional leaders for their partnership.Biden on Friday celebrated a “crisis averted" in his first address since the deal's passage, saying, “No
  
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• 'Jail is not the answer': Leaders to discuss mental health diversion program details

  03-06-2023 00:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For the last several years, Joy Jiles' 39-year-old son, Miguel, has cycled in and out of jail. He has schizophrenia and his mom worries without more readily available mental health resources, the cycle is going to continue.
  "I love my son so they're gonna call me, I'm gonna do everything that I can in my power to try and help him but I just feel like other things need to be done," Jiles said. Her son is in jail right now, expected to be released over the next few months.
  Jo
  
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• Texas lawmakers allocated more than $2 billion to increase the state’s water supply, reduce flooding

  03-06-2023 00:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — During this year’s legislative session, Texas lawmakers allocated part of the state’s historic $32.7 billion surplus toward better protecting the state against droughts and floods — an investment that followed one of the hottest summers on record and the worst drought in a decade.Climate change has brought higher temperatures to Texas that accelerate evaporation rates from reservoirs and dry soil more quickly, meaning less water flows in
  
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• What could Texas' largest nurse strike mean for Austin patients?

  03-06-2023 00:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- Ascension Seton nurses are poised to walk off the job if they don't come to a contract agreement with the company.
  The National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United said its 900 registered nurses at Ascension Seton Medical Center voted to authorize a one-day strike.‘Largest nurses strike in Texas history’: Ascension Seton nurses vote to authorize strikeIf that happens, the union group said it would be the first nurses strike in an acute care setting, as
  
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• Does the 'drag ban bill' target transgender Texans?

  03-06-2023 00:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A bill that bans "sexually oriented performances" in the presence of minors passed during Texas' 88th legislative session. As the bill moved forward, transgender Texans voiced concerns that the bill might target them for non-explicit performances or for merely existing in public spaces.
  Lambda Legal South Central Regional Director Shelly Skeen spoke on these fears, and said that this bill does not apply to transgender people going about their lives."I don't want people to feel l
  
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• CapMetro Board approves initial Project Connect recommendation

  03-06-2023 00:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Capital Metro Board of Directors unanimously approved Friday Austin Transit Partnership’s pick for the first Project Connect rail line, making it one stop closer to being adopted.  The recommendation for the initial light rail system, which runs from 38th Street down south to Oltorf St and southeast to Yellow Jacket Lane, already has the approvals of the ATP Board of Directory and the Austin City Council.
  This was the last approval needed before the plan
  
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