Austin news

• Periods of scattered rain and thunderstorms continue in the forecast

  04-06-2023 22:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Weekend thunderstorms brought hail from the Austin Metro area through the Hill Country, wind damage reports in Lakeway and La Grange, and 1-2 inches of rain in many communities.Weekend rain totalsA few isolated showers and thunderstorms continue overnight, then rain and storms become a bit more widespread Monday afternoon and evening. The chance of rain Monday and again late Tuesday stands at 50%, and some storms may contain small hail and lead to minor flash flooding.Rain cover
  
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• RECAP: What to know about Raul Meza Jr.'s arrest, criminal history

  04-06-2023 22:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Since his arrest by the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force on May 25, Raul Meza Jr., 62, faces four charges and has combined bonds amounting to more than $3 million.Of the four charges, two were for murder, one for capital murder by terroristic threat and another for the unauthorized use of a vehicle.As of Sunday, Meza remained booked in Travis County Jail.What we know of Raul Meza’s criminal historyMeza’s criminal history dates back decades, including convictions in
  
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• What are Austinites' favorite doughnut shops?

  04-06-2023 19:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — We asked, you answered: While National Doughnut Day was celebrated on Friday, enjoying fried, sweet doughy treats is a yearlong love affair.Where are the best doughnut shops in the greater Austin area? Here are the spots KXAN viewers recommended.Round Rock DonutsFor nearly 100 years, Round Rock Donuts has been nationally renowned for its recipe, noted for its unique, orangey yellow dough tint. Its original location is at 106 W. Liberty Ave. in Round Rock, with a second loca
  
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• Queerbomb returns for its annual Austin event

  04-06-2023 17:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — LGBTQ+ community members and allies gathered in Austin Saturday to participate in the 2023 Queerbomb event.Queerbomb is an inclusive rally and march created by and for Austin’s queer community that has put on LGBTQ+ events in Austin since 2010.Saturday night attendees marched and partied on Sixth Street in celebration of Pride Month.People attend the 2023 Queerbomb event in Austin (KXAN photo/Jake Sykes)People attend the 2023 Queerbomb event in Austin (KXAN photo/Jake
  
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• The need for Green Chemistry

  04-06-2023 16:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Dr. David Soane is the Founder and CEO of Transform Materials. The company is "a sustainable chemical company that uses microwave plasma technology to convert natural gas into acetylene and hydrogen".He spoke with Rich Segal about Green Chemistry and its importance. He is concerned about the environment saying that there needs to be a change in how we make chemicals.He began by stating that Green Chemistry is the way of the future. He says that as the world's population continue
  
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• These are TripAdvisor's 15 highest rated Texas luxury hotels

  04-06-2023 15:03 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — The old adage about everything being bigger in Texas doesn't stop when it comes to hotel luxury. While the Lone Star State may not be top of everyone's mind for potential vacation spots, there's no shortage of "best" hotels to try out. It just depends who you ask.Filtering Texas luxury hotels by TripAdvisor's "5-bubble" rankings — indicating highest user ratings — show some serious amenities and happening hot spots. TripAdvisor bubble ratings are based on "quality,
  
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• SNAP applications processing faster, backlog and concerns over benefit cuts continues 

  04-06-2023 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — Tiesa Hollaway surveys the shelves. The food pantry at Hill Country Community Ministries has fresh fruits and vegetables, a variety of breads, milk and canned goods.Hollaway quickly walks through the small space — 900 square feet — smiling at a handful of volunteers who are preparing for a busy day."We are so grateful," Hollaway said. "Our shelves are full. I know that there are a lot of food pantries, whether it's ours or a
  
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• Texas passes bill eliminating mandatory vehicle inspections

  04-06-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Texas drivers will save a trip to the auto shop after lawmakers voted to eliminate the annual vehicle inspection requirement for most vehicles this legislative session.In 2025, those inspections will be replaced by an annual $7.50 fee — the same as the current inspection fee, but without the need to actually take your vehicle into the shop. Drivers in new vehicles that have not previously been registered will pay $16.75 upon registration. That money will benefit the Tex
  
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• Which Texas cities have the most forgetful Uber riders?

  04-06-2023 13:50 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (KXAN) — From a Danny DeVito Christmas ornament to a half-dozen cheesecakes, Uber drivers have seen plenty of strange items left behind by riders. According to the 2023 Uber Lost & Found Index, two Texas cities are particularly guilty of forgetting items en route.The most forgetful cities in this latest ranking are as follows:
  Jacksonville, FloridaSan Antonio, TexasPalm Springs, CaliforniaHouston, TexasSalt Lake City, UtahMiami, FloridaAtlanta, GeorgiaIndianapolis, IndianaKansas
  
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• More showers and thunderstorms today

  04-06-2023 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Northwest Gillespie County, including Doss, will be under a Flash Flood Warning until 8 a.m.
  A few LCRA rain gauges in Blanco, Gillespie, and Mason Counties have measured between one and two inches over the last 24 hours.There will be more showers and thunderstorms today with a good deal of moisture in the area. On average, around .50" to 1.00" could be measured.
  Keep your umbrella nearby todayThe Storm Prediction Center is looking at thunderstorms today to remain below severe l
  
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• Lower rain chances for this afternoon

  04-06-2023 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A few LCRA rain gauges in Blanco, Gillespie, and Mason Counties measured between one and two inches since midnight. The highest 24-hour rain total is 2.23" at Smithville, with 2.15" of that falling before midnight.There were six reports of hail between 5:30 and 6:15 in the Hill Country. Hail the size of a hen egg was reported at Pontotoc (NE Mason Co.). Ping pong ball-sized hail was reported on Highway 29 north of Castell.
  The other hail reports came from Williamson and Travis C
  
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• Rubín scores twice to lead Real Salt Lake to 2-1 victory over Austin

  04-06-2023 07:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Rubio Rubín found the net for the first time this season — scoring a goal in each half — to guide Real Salt Lake to a 2-1 victory over Austin FC on Saturday night.Rubín staked Real Salt Lake (5-7-4) to a 1-0 lead when he took a pass from Jasper Löffelsend and scored in the 15th minute. Rubín pushed the lead to 2-0, using assists from Maikel Chang and Andrés Gómez to score in the 81st minute.Austin (5-7-4) avoided the
  
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• Texas baseball advances to Regional Championship with victory over Miami

  04-06-2023 06:56 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas sophomore pitcher Lebarron Johnson Jr. brought his best stuff to lead Texas to a 4-1 win over Miami to advance to the Regional Championship.
  Johnson has been outstanding all season, but he pitched his first complete game against the Hurricanes while also striking out eight batters on a career-high 129 pitches.
  He faced trouble early on, as Miami loaded the bases in the first two innings, but the sophomore was able to get out of both jams.
  It was smooth sailing fo
  
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• Woman dead after Circle K shooting in Cedar Park, police say

  04-06-2023 03:08 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) -- One person is dead after a shooting in Cedar Park late Friday night, according to the Cedar Park Police Department's social media.Police responded to the incident at the Circle K off FM 620 and Hatch Road. One woman was found dead, police said.There were no further updates about the shooting Saturday, and police say that they are investigating the incident as a homicide.
  
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• State of Texas: 'I will not step back,' Abbott and Patrick clash over property tax plans

  04-06-2023 01:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — After five months of discord and a now a special session, top Republican leaders remain at a tense impasse over how best to lower property taxes.The Texas Legislature, which finished its regular session Monday, already set aside $17.6 billion from the state's budget to give Texans property tax relief. However, ideological differences between the two chambers about how to deliver that stalled lawmakers Monday from adjourning. They inevitably gaveled out that evening sine
  
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• Suspect dead, deputy injured in Bexar Co. officer-involved shooting

  04-06-2023 00:50 via kxan.com
  
  BEXAR COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — One person is dead, and a Bexar County Sheriff's deputy is in the hospital with injuries after a disturbance call escalated to an officer-involved shooting Saturday in Bexar County, BCSO said in a news conference.On Saturday morning, BCSO received several calls about a disturbance at a home in Bexar County, BCSO Sheriff Javier Salazar said.According to BCSO, the suspect, who was not identified Saturday, came to the home and began getting violent with family mem
  
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• How are serial killers tried in Texas? Why the Raul Meza Jr. trials could last years

  04-06-2023 00:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man charged in the death of an 80-year-old Pflugerville man earlier this month may actually be a "serial killer," Austin law enforcement officials announced last week.
  Raul Meza Jr., 62, was most recently charged with the murder of his roommate Jesse Fraga, 80. During his conversation with detectives, Meza also implicated himself in the murder of Gloria Lofton, 66, in 2019, according to police.
  Law enforcement now say there are additional cold cases they're looking at in conne
  
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