Austin news

• Dripping Springs Montessori School closes abruptly, parents left waiting for full refunds

  08-06-2023 23:50 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Dripping Springs Montessori School closed its doors and shut down business a little more than a month ago.
  Parents said the school had been open for less than a year and they were shocked by the announcement.
  Caught by surpriseKatie Baron said her two daughters started going there toward the middle of March. Just five weeks later, she said they got an email announcing the school was closing. The letter blamed a teacher shortage and said last month's tuition would
  
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• How many special sessions could Texas have?

  08-06-2023 23:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – As top Republicans in Texas show no signs of compromising over property taxes, one of the charges in the legislature's first special session this year, lawmakers appear poised to return for yet another special session — or more, if needed.“I will call special session after special session after special session until a solution is reached,” Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday.How long is a special session?In Texas, one special session is limited to a maximum
  
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• Tracking county, city progress on gun violence reduction efforts

  08-06-2023 21:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- County, city and community leaders met for a summit Thursday to discuss ways to reduce gun violence.
  One year ago this week, the same group met for its first summit on gun violence, vowing to create a roadmap to building an "ecosystem" to combat the issue.ORIGINAL SUMMIT: ‘There’s a lot of talk,’ leaders promise action on gun violence"The county and city are listening, and we're doing everything we can to build out the ecosystem and infrastructure that can supp
  
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• Rainbow on the Creek Pride celebration happening Saturday

  08-06-2023 21:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Waterloo Greenway's annual "Rainbow on the Creek" will be held Saturday, with several offerings available to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride.Pride Month 2023: Ways to celebrate in Central TexasThe full lineup of events runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with doors at 5, at Moody Amphitheater and Waterloo Park.
  The fest will be hosted by Aira Juliet and will feature several performers and artists in Austin's LGBTQ+ community. The full lineup is below:
  5 p.m. – Doors
  6 p.m. – Papi Sii
  
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• Police search for man who robbed, sexually assaulted victim in south Austin parking lot

  08-06-2023 20:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Police are asking for the community's help to identify a man suspected of robbing someone at gunpoint and then sexually assaulting them outside a south Austin apartment complex.
  Detectives released a sketch of the suspect during a news conference Thursday. They said the man first approached the victim with a gun and demanded their belongings Sunday at about 10:14 a.m. This happened in the parking lot by an apartment building in the 9400 block of South First Street, which is clos
  
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• LIVE: APD holds press conference on sex assault investigation

  08-06-2023 20:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department will hold a press conference Thursday afternoon to provide details on a sexual assault investigation.Police said they're now asking for the public's help in identifying a suspect. However, they offered no other information at this time.Austin apartment issues 10 p.m. curfew, do residents have to follow it?The press conference will start at 3:30 p.m. Thursday. You can watch it live in this story and on Facebook.This developing story will be updated wi
  
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• APD to hold press conference on sex assault investigation Thursday

  08-06-2023 20:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department will hold a press conference Thursday afternoon to provide details on a sexual assault investigation.Police said they're now asking for the public's help in identifying a suspect. However, they offered no other information at this time.Austin apartment issues 10 p.m. curfew, do residents have to follow it?The press conference will start at 3:30 p.m. Thursday. You can watch it live in this story and on Facebook.This developing story will be updated wi
  
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• APD holds press conference on sex assault investigation

  08-06-2023 20:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department will hold a press conference Thursday afternoon to provide details on a sexual assault investigation.Police said they're now asking for the public's help in identifying a suspect. However, they offered no other information at this time.Austin apartment issues 10 p.m. curfew, do residents have to follow it?This developing story will be updated with more information.
  
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• Climate change makes flights bumpier, researchers find

  08-06-2023 20:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – If you have noticed increasingly bumpier flights over the years, new research suggests you may not be imagining it. Scientists have shown that as the earth has warmed airplane turbulence has intensified, and their research suggests that is only going to get worse.
  In a study published Thursday, scientists found that a type of air turbulence has increased by 55% from 1979 to 2020. Further, the researchers suggest that this type of turbulence -- clear-air turbulence -- will i
  
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• 100 Club of Central Texas expands to include Milam County

  08-06-2023 20:23 via kxan.com
  
  MILAM COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The 100 Club of Central Texas unanimously voted this week to include Milam County in its area of coverage.
  The club was founded in 1983 and supports law enforcement officers, emergency communications operators, emergency medical technicians, firefighters, and correctional officers by providing immediate financial and emotional assistance to first responders and their families when there has been a death of critical injury in the line of duty. It also provides schola
  
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• Austin joins list of Central Texas cities changing fire codes in response to Ponderosa Pet Resort fire

  08-06-2023 19:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin City Council passed an agenda item Thursday that would change the city's fire code for pet boarding facilities following a tragic Georgetown fire that took the lives of 75 pets staying at a pet resort.
  In September 2021, a fire broke out at the Ponderosa Pet Resort, killing 75 dogs belonging to 59 families. None of the facility’s staff members were on-site at the time, and there was no sprinkler system. Memorial built after at least 75 pets killed in Central Texas b
  
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• Austin City Council votes to extend Downtown Austin Community Court services to entire city

  08-06-2023 19:17 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) — The Austin City Council approved starting the process to expand the service area of its Downtown Austin Community Court, and possibly increase its funding. The court serves as a homeless diversion program and would serve the entire city not just downtown.A memo from the City of Austin earlier this month shared recommendations the DACC submitted for consideration in the next fiscal year.The recommendations formed at a DACC Advisory Board meeting in March included adding two
  
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• Austin City Council extends Downtown Austin Community Court services to entire city

  08-06-2023 19:17 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) — The Austin City Council approved starting the process to extend funding to its Downtown Austin Community Court, as well as expanding its service area. The court serves as a homeless diversion program and would now serve the entire city not just downtown.A memo from the City of Austin earlier this month shared recommendations the DACC submitted for consideration in the next fiscal year.The recommendations formed at a DACC meeting in March included adding two clinical case ma
  
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• Officials speak on closing the SH 45 Gap

  08-06-2023 18:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Hays County is conducting a $2.5 million dollar study to explore the feasibility of constructing SH 45 between I-35 and RM 1626.Currently, many Hays and Travis County drivers use SH 45 Southwest to travel from southwest Austin to cities like Kyle and onto I-35, but they have to take 1626 to do so because that's where SH 45 currently dead ends. And traveling from the east side of I-35, SH 45 Southeast dead ends at I-35.Hays County Commissioners would like to see a new portion of
  
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• APD: Motorcyclist dies 11 days after south Austin crash

  08-06-2023 18:20 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for June 7, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department released the name of a man who died June 1 after sustaining injuries during a motorcycle crash May 21 in south Austin.APD said a preliminary investigation revealed the motorcycle hit a curb in the 2900 block of West Slaughter Lane and ejected 44-year-old Jeremy Larsen.Police said Larsen was taken to a hospital, where he died June 1.According to APD,
  
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• Texas to use floating barrier to combat border crossings, Abbott says

  08-06-2023 18:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) —Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday afternoon a "new, water-based barrier of buoys" will be installed at the Texas border soon.
  Abbott made the announcement after signing several border security-related bills that passed during the 88th Legislative Session. Abbott said the installation of the buoys will start "immediately.""These buoys will allow us to prevent people from even getting to the border," Abbott said.Col. Steven McCraw, the director of the Texas Departme
  
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• Texas to deploy buoys as new barriers at border, Abbott says

  08-06-2023 18:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) —Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday afternoon a "new, water-based barrier of buoys" will be installed at the Texas border soon.
  Abbott made the announcement after signing several border security-related bills that passed during the 88th Legislative Session. Abbott said the installation of the buoys will start "immediately.""These buoys will allow us to prevent people from even getting to the border," Abbott said.Col. Steven McCraw, the director of the Texas Departme
  
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• LIVE: Governor Abbott to sign border security bills

  08-06-2023 18:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Governor Greg Abbott will hold a press conference Thursday afternoon to sign several "critical" border security bills that were passed during the 88th Legislative Session.Abbott will be accompanied by Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw, Adjutant General of Texas Major General Thomas Suelzer, bill authors and sponsors, as well as other legislators and law enforcement officers.
  While several bills the governor will sign fall under his broader priorities of
  
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• Governor Abbott to sign border security bills

  08-06-2023 18:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Governor Greg Abbott will hold a press conference Thursday afternoon to sign several "critical" border security bills that were passed during the 88th Legislative Session.Abbott will be accompanied by Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw, Adjutant General of Texas Major General Thomas Suelzer, bill authors and sponsors, as well as other legislators and law enforcement officers.
  While several bills the governor will sign fall under his broader priorities of
  
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• Buoys to be deployed as new barrier at Texas border, Abbott says

  08-06-2023 18:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — On Thursday afternoon, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced a "new, water-based barrier of buoys" will be installed at the Texas border soon.
  Abbott made the announcement after signing several border security bills that were passed during the 88th Legislative Session. Abbott said the installation of the buoys will start "immediately.""These buoys will allow us to prevent people from even getting to the border," Abbott said.Texas Department of Public Safety Director Col.
  
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• TCSO: Man missing in Lake Travis after not resurfacing

  08-06-2023 17:24 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for June 7, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) — Officials in Travis County said a man was last seen swimming in Lake Travis near Starnes Island Wednesday evening when a witness said he did not resurface.The Travis County Sheriff’s Office responded to an Assist EMS call at 9:06 p.m., and the area where the man was last seen was searched by Austin-Travis County EMS, Lake Travis Fire & Rescue, Jones
  
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• TCSO: Body found in Lake Travis after man disappeared

  08-06-2023 17:24 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for June 7, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) — Officials in Travis County said divers recovered a body from Lake Travis Thursday morning after a man disappeared near Starnes Island Wednesday evening.A witness said the man was swimming and did not resurface.The Travis County Sheriff’s Office responded to an Assist EMS call at 9:06 p.m., and the area where the man was last seen was searched by Austin-Travis County EMS,&n
  
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• NOAA declares El Niño, advisory issued

  08-06-2023 15:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- NOAA declared early Thursday morning that El Niño conditions are present and are expected to gradually strengthen later this year.All of the deterministic regions of the equatorial Pacific met the +0.5°C standard to be considered in an El Niño phase. In addition to the water requirement, low level and upper level winds also showed correlating El Niño conditions.Warmer than normal temperatures in the upper-ocean levels observed since March 2023Computer mo
  
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• Local museum to host week-long festival leading up to Juneteenth

  08-06-2023 15:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center will host the fourth annual Stay Black and Live (SB&L) Juneteenth Festival from June 12 until 19.
  According to the June 5 announcement, this year’s theme is Austin Family Reunion and will center local collaborations and partnerships with organizations and individuals making an impact.
  “We are incredibly proud to continue Austin’s Juneteenth celebration and tradition at our historic muse
  
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• Massive sports complex opens in southwest Travis County

  08-06-2023 14:15 via kxan.com
  
  SPICEWOOD (KXAN) — A massive sports complex is opening in southwest Travis County.The Bee Creek Sports Complex features five synthetic turf fields that can host a wide variety of athletic events and competitions.The $28 million project was funded by Travis County’s 2017 park bond package.Following five years of construction, the state-of-the-art athletic facility is now finished.A ribbon-cutting ceremony is being held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday within the complex, which is located at 444
  
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• Gov. Abbott names Kathleen Jackson as interim chair of Public Utility Commission

  08-06-2023 13:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Gov. Greg Abbott named Kathleen Jackson interim chair of the Public Utility Commission on Wednesday.
  Jackson has served as a PUC commissioner since August 2022. She replaces former PUC chair Peter Lake who resigned June 2.
  Gov. Abbott, in his statement announcing Jackson's appointment, said, “Kathleen and her fellow PUC commissioners are doing a terrific job implementing the 14 bipartisan reforms that were passed and signed into law in 2021 and working with
  
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• From state park to private development: The twisting timeline of Fairfield Lake

  08-06-2023 13:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A popular state park has closed to the public after almost 50 years in operation. A developer plans to turn the land into a private, gated community with multi-million dollar homes and a golf course.Fairfield Lake State Park, about 70 miles east of Waco, shut its gates for the last time at 10 p.m. on June 4. The following day, construction equipment arrived on site as the developer, Todd Interests, takes over. But a last-ditch effort by the state to acquire the land could l
  
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• Prepping your pets for severe weather or wildfires

  08-06-2023 13:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Hurricane season began on June 1 for the Atlantic Basin. While evacuations are much more likely for coastal zones, we are still susceptible to dangerous weather here in Central Texas.
  Flooding rain or wildfires could prompt evacuations here in Central Texas any time of year. Meteorologist Nick Bannin spoke with animal behavioral specialist Rachel Salant about what to do with your pets in the event of dangerous weather or fire concerns.Nick Bannin, Meteorologist: Rachel, not good
  
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• Resolution will look at homeless shelter capacity in Austin

  08-06-2023 12:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin City Council will vote on a resolution that would direct the city manager to identify the shortages in shelter bed capacity and navigation services. It is part of a list of items relating to homelessness in the city that council will discuss on Thursday.
  The resolution, if approved, would also direct the city manager to find cost scenarios to fix the shortage problem.Austin City Council: Homeless shelter capacity, building height changesWhat does the data show?
  Ending Hom
  
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• LIVE: Resolution will look at homeless shelter capacity in Austin

  08-06-2023 12:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin City Council will vote on a resolution that would direct the city manager to identify the shortages in shelter bed capacity and navigation services. It is part of a list of items relating to homelessness in the city that council will discuss on Thursday.
  The resolution, if approved, would also direct the city manager to find cost scenarios to fix the shortage problem.Austin City Council: Homeless shelter capacity, building height changesWhat does the data show?
  Ending Hom
  
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• Late day storms amid heat, poor air quality

  08-06-2023 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Scattered storms will attempt to disrupt today's heat and air quality issues, but not everyone will be able to cash in on the rain.Another Ozone Action Day is in effect today due to elevated ground-level ozone. Consider limiting your pollution footprint by carpooling, turning up your thermostat 1-2 degrees, or waiting to fill up your gas tank until after sunset.Ozone Action Day in effect Thursday "The future is smoky": Northeast U.S. air quality problems linked to climate change
  
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• Hotter weather coming, but scattered thunderstorms continue

  08-06-2023 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Scattered thunderstorms moved through parts of the area today bringing lightning and brief heavy rain, but no reports of damaging hail nor wind.Some areas recorded 1-2 inches of rain, including 1.75" of rain near Pedernales Falls State Park. Updated rainfall totalsA ridge of high pressure builds overhead the next several days, raising afternoon temperatures to the warmest of the year thus far in the middle and upper 90s.Forecast high temperatures Friday -- the hottest of the yea
  
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• Texas decathlete hanging on to small lead after 1st day of competition at NCAAs

  08-06-2023 05:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas junior Leo Neugebauer has a slim lead halfway through the decathlon after Wednesday's competition at the NCAA Track and Field Championships, held at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin.Neugebauer, who competed for his native Germany at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in the 10-event discipline, tallied 4,591 points through five events, 21 points clear of Georgia senior Kyle Garland. Neugebauer scored 949 points in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.61 seconds and
  
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• A playoff mindset since May has helped the Longhorns get to Stanford super regional

  08-06-2023 04:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As far as the Texas Longhorns baseball team in concerned, this weekend's Stanford super regional shouldn't be different from any of their games since May 1.Longhorns head coach David Pierce said the team's mentality since then has been to treat every weekend like a super regional with a spot in the Men's College World Series at stake.Texas, Stanford super regional to begin Saturday from Sunken Diamond"We started playing every weekend like win or go home," Pierce said.And so
  
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• Lake Travis ISD board approves 3% raise for all regular staff

  08-06-2023 04:11 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Lake Travis Independent School District Board of Trustees approved a 3% raise for all regular staff in a school board meeting on Thursday.In a letter sent to the LT family, it indicated all salary adjustments will become effect in July, August or September 2023, depending on the calendar start date.The letter said the raise will be calculated from the midpoint of the current year pay grade, which for teachers and librarians represents an increase of $1,920.Furtherm
  
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• Austin apartment issues 10 p.m. curfew, do residents have to follow it?

  08-06-2023 02:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A southeast Austin apartment complex sent a notice to tenants that a curfew would be implemented from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
  The complex, Array Apartments, is located on Burton Road between Oltorf Street and East Riverside Drive.
  "During this period, it is mandatory for all residents to remain indoors and restrict their movements outside their homes, except for emergencies or authorized activities," the notice reads, in part.
  Kristie Broadaway, who lives there, was shocked to see thi
  
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• Austin's crackdown on unlicensed short-term rentals loses steam due to legal questions

  08-06-2023 02:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- There are thousands of unlicensed, short-term rentals, like Airbnb and Vrbo, in Austin, but the city said it's not focusing on a crackdown, anymore, due to legal questions.
  In September, city staff said there were about 11,000 short-term rentals (STRs) in Austin, but only 1,875 were licensed. In response, city council passed a resolution in December aimed at getting more of them in compliance.
  The resolution directed the city manager to change city code to make sure properties a
  
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• “In a word, the future is smoky": Canadian wildfires linked to climate change

  08-06-2023 01:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- 100 million people are facing air quality alerts as thick Canadian wildfire smoke streams into the northeastern U.S., leading to apocalyptic scenes in New York City similar to the infamous images from San Francisco during California fires in 2020.The thick smoke traveling southward degraded air quality in five U.S. states to the "unhealthy" range. As Yale Climate Connections writers Bob Henson and Dr. Jeff Masters wrote on Thursday, "At 10 a.m. EDT Wednesday, June 7, the worst a
  
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• Canadian wildfires leading to historic U.S. air quality event supercharged by climate change

  08-06-2023 01:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- 100 million people are facing air quality alerts as thick Canadian wildfire smoke streams into the northeastern U.S., leading to apocalyptic scenes in New York City similar to the infamous images from San Francisco during California fires in 2020.The thick smoke traveling southward degraded air quality in five U.S. states, sinking into the "unhealthy" range. As Yale Climate Connections writers Bob Henson and Dr. Jeff Masters wrote on Thursday, "At 10 a.m. EDT Wednesday, June 7,
  
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• Changes coming to Texas' Teacher Retirement System in 2024

  08-06-2023 01:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 10 this session, setting the stage for acost-of-living adjustment to the Texas Teacher Retirement System (TRS) at the start of the new year.It will become law in Texas unless vetoed by Gov. Greg Abbott before June 18.
  Once the bill becomes law, it mandates an immediate one-time payment of $2,400 for TRS retirees and beneficiaries who are at least 70 years old. This payment is increased to $7,500 for those who are 75 and older.
  Accord
  
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• Benefits could increase for retired Texas teachers in 2024

  08-06-2023 01:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 10 this session, setting the stage for acost-of-living adjustment to the Texas Teacher Retirement System (TRS) at the start of the new year.It will become law in Texas unless vetoed by Gov. Greg Abbott before June 18.
  Once the bill becomes law, it mandates an immediate one-time payment of $2,400 for TRS retirees and beneficiaries who are at least 70 years old. This payment is increased to $7,500 for those who are 75 and older.
  Accord
  
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• Austin Energy will give you money to control your thermostat

  08-06-2023 01:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austinites could get money for letting Austin Energy adjust their thermostat.Austin Energy said it was offering an annual rebate for those who are enrolled in its Power Partner Thermostats program.On those days, the company said it would briefly adjust thermostat settings by two or four degrees to help offset high energy use, according to Austin Energy."The purpose of the Power Partner Program is to help Austin Energy customers with those smart thermostats basically control
  
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• Free HIV tests at Walgreens: most adults below 64 have never tested

  08-06-2023 00:48 via kxan.com
  
  SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – A pharmacy chain is offering free HIV testing on June 27, when tests will be available for customers at more than 400 locations across the nation.Walgreens has partnered with the Kaiser Family Foundation to give anyone who wants to know their HIV status a free HIV test.The Centers for Disease Control recommends that adults be tested at least once a year, but the majority of adults below age 64 have never been tested for HIV. One out of every eight people who h
  
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• Florida couple kept 5-year-old in cage, forced another child to drink boiling water, deputies say

  08-06-2023 00:44 via kxan.com
  
  DELAND, Fla. (WFLA) — A Florida couple faces dozens of charges for allegedly partaking in "a brutal pattern of child neglect, abuse and torture" against children in their home, detectives said.The Volusia Sheriff's Office said the situation began when Taylor B. Schaefer, 28, called deputies after getting a "gut feeling" that her boyfriend, 32-year-old Shawn M. Stone, was abusing her 5-year-old child.She called 911 after checking surveillance video and confirming the abuse, according to dep
  
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• 2 arrested, charged with evading police after south Austin shooting incident

  08-06-2023 00:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Travis County arrest affidavit revealed additional details surrounding a police pursuit through south Austin Monday night after reports of a shooting.The affidavit said 27-year-old Raymond Anthony Valdez, the driver of the vehicle, was charged with evading detention in a motor vehicle. Travis County jail records showed he was booked on the charge and held on a $10,000 bond.According to the affidavit, Austin Police officers responded to a shoot/stab hotshot call in the 400
  
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