Austin news

• Cassava flour and fruit kept 4 children alive for 40 days after plane crash in Colombia's jungle

  10-06-2023 23:35 via kxan.com
  
  BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Four Indigenous children survived an Amazon plane crash that killed three adults and then braved the jungle for 40 days before being found alive by Colombian soldiers, bringing a happy ending to a search-and-rescue saga that captivated a nation and forced the usually opposing military and Indigenous people to work together.Cassava flour and some familiarity with the rainforest's fruits were key to the children's extraordinary survival in an area where snakes, mosqui
  
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• Austin businesses raise $255K for Health Alliance for Austin Musicians

  10-06-2023 23:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday, the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) raised more than $255,000 during the 2023 annual Corporate Battle of the Bands, exceeding last year's total of $227,000, according a new release from HAAM.HAAM is a local non-profit organization that provides access to affordable healthcare for Austin's low-income, working musicians, the release said."We are honored to have had so many from Austin’s business community come out in support of our communities&
  
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• Cassava flour, fruit kept 4 children, including baby, alive after plane crash in Colombia's jungle

  10-06-2023 23:07 via kxan.com
  
  BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Four Indigenous children survived an Amazon plane crash that killed three adults and then braved the jungle for 40 days before being found alive by Colombian soldiers, bringing a happy ending to a search-and-rescue saga that captivated a nation and forced the usually opposing military and Indigenous people to work together.Cassava flour and some familiarity with the rainforest's fruits were key to the children's extraordinary survival in an area where snakes, mosqui
  
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• 2 seriously injured after 3-vehicle crash in east Austin, ATCEMS says

  10-06-2023 22:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two people suffered serious injuries after a three-vehicle in east Austin early Saturday morning, Austin-Travis County EMS said on Twitter.Shortly before 4:45 a.m. Saturday, medics responded to a vehicle-rescue to an entrapped person in reference to the three-vehicle crash at 800-805 East Cesar Chavez Street, according to the tweet.The entrapped patient, who was not identified, was extricated from the vehicle. That patient, along with another, were taken to Dell Seton Medic
  
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• Texas Parks and Wildlife to use eminent domain for Fairfield Lake State Park site

  10-06-2023 21:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is petitioning to condemn Fairfield Lake State Park and Fairfield Lake to keep the state park open to the public.
  TPWD will use eminent domain to condemn the about 5,000-acre property. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission voted to authorize TPWD to condemn the land at a Saturday special meeting.From state park to private development: The twisting timeline of Fairfield Lake"Today’s action comes after TPWD and its commissioners
  
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• Woman dismembered and grilled, court documents say; daughter, grandchild charged

  10-06-2023 20:56 via kxan.com
  
  PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. (WDVM) - A woman and her daughter have been accused of murdering, dismembering and grilling the woman's mother, according to police.The investigation began when officers were dispatched to a welfare check on 71-year-old Margaret Craig in Landover, Maryland, Prince George County Police said.
  When officers visited Margaret's home, they said her daughter, 44-year-old Candace Craig, answered the door. She allowed officers to search the home for Margaret.
  After they "smell
  
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• Demo shows how the body is affected when trapped inside a hot car

  10-06-2023 20:51 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (KIAH) -- The heat in Texas is intense, but inside a car, it can be deadly.Nearly 40 children a year die from heatstroke, either because they were left or became trapped inside a car. That's about one child every 10 days killed in a hot car, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Looking over data from past years, Texas had the highest number of child deaths from 1990 to 2021 with a total of 146 fatalities. Heat safety tips (for people and pets) as Austin hits 10
  
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• 3 taken to the hospital after multi-vehicle crash in Travis County

  10-06-2023 20:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Several first responders arrived at a vehicle rescue in southeastern Travis County Saturday afternoon.Austin-Travis County EMS said four people were reported as trauma alerts after a multi-vehicle crash near the 8900 block of Farm-to-Market 812.ATCEMS said STAR Flight responded to the crash, along with two ATCEMS ambulances.Officials said one of the patients was pinned inside a vehicle and later extracted before being taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Additional
  
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• Heat safety tips (for people and pets) as Austin hits 100-degree days

  10-06-2023 20:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – On Friday, Austin had its first 100-degree day. The City of Austin and Austin Pets Alive! provided information on how to safely enjoy summertime in Austin amid the high-temperature days.The city encouraged residents to take precautions when spending time outdoors and to be aware of safety tips to prevent a heat-related illness or emergency. APA! also said it wanted to remind Austinites to look out for their dogs. How often does Austin hit 100°? Here&rsquo
  
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• 4 children, including a baby, survived a plane crash and 40 days alone in the Amazon jungle

  10-06-2023 18:46 via kxan.com
  
  BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Four Indigenous children survived an Amazon plane crash that killed three adults and then braved the jungle for 40 days before being found alive by Colombian soldiers, bringing a happy ending to a search-and-rescue saga that captivated a nation but also prompted questions about their extraordinary survival.
  Officials in the South American country announced their rescue Friday, following days of highs and lows as searchers frantically combed through the rainforest hu
  
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• June bird forecast: Chickadees and Cardinals

  10-06-2023 15:32 via kxan.com
  
  Bird ForecastWhat to watch for in June: Cheerful Chickadees and Colorful CardinalsHere’s the Central Texas bird forecast for the month, courtesy of Travis Audubon. Learn more about Central Texas birds and bird-related events for all ages at travisaudubon.org or by calling 512-300-BIRD. Follow us at www.facebook.com/travisaudubonThe Carolina Chickadee is a familiar bird in Austin. It is common in neighborhoods and parks with mature deciduous and/or evergreen trees. Chickadees readily visit
  
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• Storms fade as attention turns to long lasting heat

  10-06-2023 13:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Isolated storms in Milam County continue to bring a wind and hail threat.
  The most widespread storms will miss the KXAN viewing area and impact areas mainly between Waco and Dallas, but isolated strong or severe storms will be possible this evening for us too. We'll keep rain chances at 10% rain chances through 1 a.m., focused on northern areas only.Another low storm chance exists for Sunday and Monday, which will generally be hot and dry days that start with low clouds and end
  
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• Severe thunderstorm watch for northern areas tonight

  10-06-2023 13:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After another hot afternoon with highs in the mid to upper 90s, we'll be watching the chance for isolated storms this evening.The most widespread storms will miss the KXAN viewing area and impact areas between Waco and Dallas, but isolated strong or severe storms will be possible this evening. We'll keep rain chances at 20% this evening, favoring areas north of Austin.
  We'll have to watch outflow boundaries of storms to our north in case we can manage more storms in our area tha
  
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• Long lasting heat wave continues with no relief in sight

  10-06-2023 13:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Your Sunday starts with low clouds and fog before skies turn mostly sunny. Highs jump back up to 100º for the second day this year.Another low storm chance exists for Sunday and Monday, which will generally be hot and dry days. Rain chances on those days also favor northern areas with a low severe weather risk too.A ridge of high pressure will build further over the region next week, leading to dangerous levels of heat and humidity, and even several daily record high temper
  
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• Late day storm risk followed by string of triple digits

  10-06-2023 13:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Following early morning storms in parts of the Hill Country and Austin-metro, our atmosphere spends the afternoon recovering ahead of another risk of storms later this evening.24-hour rainfall totals as of Saturday 6:30AMMost of our Saturday will be spent under a mix of sun and clouds. Afternoon highs will warm well into the 90s, but with humidity, will bring heat index values back above 100° in most areas.Well-developed storms firing to our north will attempt to hold togeth
  
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• Get ready for the hottest week of the year (so far)

  10-06-2023 13:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Temperatures were hotter on Sunday with highs up near 100º in Austin during the afternoon. Feels-like temperatures ranged from 105-110º thanks to dew points near 70º+.A heat advisory remains in effect for Fayette County through 7 p.m. where heat index values will be highest.A Heat Advisory is in effect for Fayette countyWe're watching a slight rain or storm chance for our northwestern counties (San Saba, Lampasas etc.) through mid-evening, but most areas won't get
  
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• What's a common law marriage, and how's it defined in Texas?

  10-06-2023 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- You might've heard of the phrase "common law marriage" before, which signifies a different kind of union compared to one marked by a ceremony or other components behind a traditional marriage. But how is it defined here in Texas, and what rights do common law couples have in the eyes of the law?How does Texas define common law marriages?Texas' definition for a common law marriage is one where neither of the partners are married, both are ages 18 or older, they agree to be marrie
  
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• City of Leander looks at regulations for short-term rentals

  10-06-2023 04:44 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — Regulations could be coming soon for short-term rental (STR) operators in Leander. This comes as the City of Leander considers updating ordinances, so that STR properties are subject to permitting and a local Hotel Occupancy Tax.In a May workshop, city leaders heard regulation recommendations from staff. The staff member presenting the recommendations said the city was approached by a third-party company that tracks STR data.The data showed that the area had several
  
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• San Marcos River levels are lower than normal

  10-06-2023 04:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Ground water pumping and drought are having a major impact on some of our favorite watering holes and rivers.Last summer Jacob's Well shut down and remains closed for the foreseeable future."The river is very low," said Virginia Parker, executive director of the San Marcos River Foundation. "We have a lot more people moving to Central Texas which means we have a lot more straws going down into the Edwards Aquifer."The Splash Cats are competing in Texas Water Safari's Toughe
  
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• A look inside the private development for state park that Texas may take over

  10-06-2023 02:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Ahead of a hearing to determine whether the state of Texas will use eminent domain to take over the property, we're getting a look inside a planned private development on the site of a now-shuttered state park.The 'Freestone' community, on the site of Fairfield Lake State Park, is marketed as a "luxury lake and golf enclave encompassing the largest privately owned body of water in the United States," according to a marketing book provided to KXAN by Todd. TIMELINE: From sta
  
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• 2024 presidential field getting more crowded with new candidate announcements

  10-06-2023 01:32 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – A flood of new Republican candidates are jumping into the presidential race, which likely means party infighting is about to ramp up.This week, the 2024 presidential field got a lot more crowded. On Wednesday, former Vice President Mike Pence launched his campaign, directly challenging his former boss.North Dakota Governor Doug Bergum announced he’s running too.Also, former Trump ally Chris Christie officially declared his candidacy this week.The three new cand
  
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• Jury gives Cedric Marks death sentence for killing Jenna Scott and Michael Swearingin

  10-06-2023 01:20 via kxan.com
  
  BELTON, Texas (FOX 44) - UPDATE: The jury has given Cedric Marks the death sentence for killing Jenna Scott and Michael Swearingin. The jury made the decision after only a few hours of deliberation.As the fifth day of testimony in the punishment phase of the Cedric Marks Capital Murder Trial got underway, Marks’ sister, Darlena Marks Simmons testified in the morning. Darlena said she’s voluntarily testifying because she loves her baby brother. Darlena described Marks as protective, h
  
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• APD searching for driver in east Austin hit-and-run

  10-06-2023 01:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said detectives were searching for a driver suspected of a hit-and-run crash in east Austin earlier this week.APD said officers responded to the crash June 4 at approximately 5:45 p.m. at the intersection of E. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Harvey Street.According to police, a preliminary investigation revealed the driver of a pickup truck hit and forced a driver of an SUV onto the sidewalk. The crash then caused the SUV driver to hit a r
  
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• Contributions to Austin Energy could go toward students experiencing homelessness

  10-06-2023 00:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Energy is working with the City of Austin to help some of the community's most vulnerable.While paying their bills, Austin Energy customers can contribute to public education. The contributions would then get handed out to school districts to provide support to students who are experiencing homelessness."It was decided that basic needs, any funds, that came into the school districts would be spent on basic needs," advocate and volunteer Scott Johnson told KXAN.Furthermore
  
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• Who is Nate Paul — the Austin real estate investor tied to Ken Paxton, charged with 8 federal counts

  10-06-2023 00:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (TEXAS) – Nate Paul, the Austin real estate investor at the center of the Ken Paxton impeachment, was arrested on a federal warrant Thursday and indicted on eight charges related to making false statements and false reports to mortgage lending companies and credit unions. This instance is one of many headlines Paul has created over the years. Some media coverage of Paul dates back to 2005, when he was a precocious high school senior attending St. Michael's Academy in Southwest
  
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• Who is Nate Paul — the Austin real estate investor charged with 8 federal counts

  10-06-2023 00:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (TEXAS) – Nate Paul, the Austin real estate investor at the center of the Ken Paxton impeachment, was arrested on a federal warrant Thursday and indicted on eight charges related to making false statements and false reports to mortgage lending companies and credit unions. Nate Paul, Austin investor tied to Ken Paxton, charged with 8 federal countsThis instance is one of many headlines Paul has created over the years. Some media coverage of Paul dates back to 2005, when he was a high
  
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• Texas higher education changes strengthen, weaken power of campus admin

  10-06-2023 00:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Republican-led effort to reshape Texas' higher education during the regular legislative session was a partial success: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) offices will be shut down under SB 17, but the attempt to ban tenure for professors (SB 18) only garnered restrictions on the practice. SB 16, an attempt to ban "critical race theory" (CRT), stalled out in the House of Representatives higher education committee.SB 17 weakens the power of university administration, while
  
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