Austin news

• Austin Pets Alive! issues foster appeal amid heat wave

  18-06-2023 23:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With the National Weather Service extending its heat alerts through Monday evening and heat index readings climbing, Austin Pets Alive! issued a "special appeal" Sunday for additional pet fosters.The shelter said its water chillers, misters and other resources can't combat the heat, urging residents to consider fostering to help get dogs indoors into cooler environments. Foster sign-ups can run anywhere from a few days' commitments to a couple of weeks or however long it ta
  
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• Pflugerville police identify man killed in SH 130 auto-pedestrian crash

  18-06-2023 23:29 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — The Pflugerville Police Department identified a man killed in an auto-pedestrian crash on northbound State Highway 130 last week.Police said the highway shut down around 5 a.m. June 13 near mile marker 428A, with traffic diverted onto the service road. The crash happened just north of East Pflugerville Parkway.On Sunday, police said Christian Reyes Vasquez, 30, was the pedestrian killed in the crash. No additional information regarding the crash was provided.
  
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• Texas legalizes statewide trap-neuter-return programs for cats

  18-06-2023 22:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Among a slew of new legislation signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott this month comes enhanced legal protections for trap-neuter-return programs, or tactics for treating unhoused cats statewide.Previously, people who participated in TNR programs in areas without legal protections could be held liable for the misdemeanor offense of animal abandonment. The newly signed law, House Bill 3660, offers legal protections for people who capture, sterilize cats and return them to the wild.
  
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• New study tracks California to Texas migration

  18-06-2023 21:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Within the past 10 years, Californians moving to Texas has become as clichéd as New Yorkers moving to Florida, according to a new study.“Not only is Texodus not slowing down, but the route is getting more crowded, increasing by a whopping 80% in 2021 compared to figures from a decade before,” StorageCafe, a company that has tracked migration trends, said.StorageCafe provided an analysis of Greater Austin counties after it conducted a Texas-wide study.Acco
  
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• New Austin bar filled with local nostalgia

  18-06-2023 19:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new bar in east Austin honors the city's history with dozens of signs from bars and restaurants of Austin's past and present.
  Sign Bar is decorated with more than 75 signs from new and old Austin establishments like Nutty Brown Cafe, Dart Bowl, Catfish Parlor, I Luv Video and other Austin spots.
  The bar was built in an east Austin closed automobile service station and has indoor, outdoor and patio spaces for guests.
  Founder Matt Luckie said the bar started 10 years ago as
  
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• Trader Joe’s store managers reveal their all-time favorite items

  18-06-2023 18:23 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Looking for a new special treat to toss into your cart? You can give into your impulses in the grocery aisle, or you can turn to the experts.
  The experts in this case are Trader Joe's store managers – or captains, as the company calls them. When the 537 or so store leaders gathered for the Annual Captains' Meeting in late 2022, they were asked about their favorite items from the iconic grocery chain by the company's podcast, Inside Trader Joe's.Their picks run t
  
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• Mom accused of murder after toddler strapped to booster seat for 15 hours

  18-06-2023 18:20 via kxan.com
  
  THONOTOSASSA, Fla. (WFLA) — A 24-year-old Florida mother is accused of murdering her toddler son, authorities said.
  Rebecca Gussage-Johnston told deputies the 2-year-old acted out and she punished him, according to the arresting officer's report.
  The report said Gussage-Johnston told deputies she watched her son take her his last breath and die in her arms. Gussage-Johnston did not call 911, despite having a working phone.
  Deputies said a concerned family member called authorities to repor
  
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• New Texas law will help first responders track overdoses in real-time 

  18-06-2023 18:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Lake Travis Fire Rescue Chief Robert Abbott knows the heartache.Families in his community including his department impacted by overdoses and fentanyl. "Hits home — I mean you start going, is this in my backyard — no, it's your front yard," Abbott said. In 2021, his Assistant Fire Chief, Mike Prather, lost his son to a fentanyl overdose. Prather recalled a frantic call from his wife saying she couldn't wake up their son, Kyle. "
  
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• Infant found dead inside garbage truck in Ohio

  18-06-2023 17:26 via kxan.com
  
  PLAIN CITY, Ohio (WCMH) — An infant was found dead inside an Ohio garbage truck Thursday afternoon after Plain City police received a call from the village's contracted refuse company.The infant appeared to be a full-term newborn from zero to one month of age, according to a news release from police.
  "My little brother comes around banging on the door saying there's a bunch of cops in front of our house," Plain City resident Dmitri Price said. "So I look out the window and there's about 12
  
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• 1 dead following pedestrian-related crash in west Austin

  18-06-2023 15:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A person died Sunday morning following a crash involving a pedestrian in west Austin, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.Officials said the incident occurred between the 4900 and 5400 blocks of North Capital of Texas Highway heading southbound.The Texas Department of Transportation said all lanes at Southbound Loop 360 at Courtyard Drive were closed due to a crash.ATCEMS said medics obtained a “deceased on scene pronouncement” for an adult that was struck by
  
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• Traffic Alert: Northbound I-35 near Round Rock shut down following fatal crash

  18-06-2023 14:39 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Northbound lanes of Interstate 35 near Round Rock were shut down Sunday morning following a traffic fatality, according to Round Rock Police.RRPD also said the northbound I-35 frontage road by IKEA would be closed, and drivers should seek alternate routes.Earlier Sunday morning, the Texas Department of Transportation initially said all lanes of northbound I-35 at Ranch-to-Market 1431 were closed due to the crash.TxDOT said traffic was diverting to the frontage ro
  
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• Traffic Alert: Northbound I-35 near Round Rock reopened following fatal crash

  18-06-2023 14:39 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Northbound lanes of Interstate 35 near Round Rock were temporarily shut down Sunday morning following a traffic fatality, according to Round Rock Police.The roadways have since reopened, according to RRPD.RRPD originally said the northbound I-35 frontage road by IKEA would be closed, and drivers should seek alternate routes.Earlier Sunday morning, the Texas Department of Transportation initially said all lanes of northbound I-35 at Ranch-to-Market 1431 were close
  
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• Isolated storm threat as intense heat rolls on

  18-06-2023 14:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Happy Father's Day from the First Warning Weather team!
  Highs on Sunday were record-tying as we reached 106º at Austin's Camp-Mabry tying the previous record from this day in 2011. This also made it the hottest day of the year.HeatThe National Weather Service has extended its heat alerts to 9 p.m. Tuesday. The Excessive Heat Warning is for heat index readings up to 120°. The Heat Advisory for the Hill Country is for heat index readings up to 112°.Heat Alerts extende
  
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• Hot and getting hotter

  18-06-2023 14:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Happy Father's Day from the First Warning Weather team. We expect some clearing of this morning's cloud cover with only a minimal chance for rain in the southern Hill Country this afternoon.
  Saturday's highs were in the mid to upper 90s at most reporting stations. Camp Mabry did not hit triple digits yesterday, peaking at 97°. That is still three degrees above normal.
  Today will be warmer with many at 100° and higher. Fewer clouds this afternoon will allow for the hotter
  
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• Heat holds steady until limited relief late in the week

  18-06-2023 14:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Happy Father's Day from the First Warning Weather team!BLOG: If June is this hot, what comes in July?Highs on Sunday were record-tying as we reached 106º at Austin's Camp-Mabry tying the previous record from this day in 2011. This also made it the hottest day of the year.HeatThe National Weather Service has extended its heat alerts to 9 p.m. Tuesday. The Excessive Heat Warning is for heat index readings up to 120°. The Heat Advisory for the Hill Country is for heat inde
  
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• Why do Metz Park and its attached recreation center have different names?

  18-06-2023 14:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Off Canterbury Street in east Austin lies Metz Neighborhood Park, home to a splash pad, pool, playground, sports courts and the future home of the city's upcoming bike polo court.But despite residing on the same property, an attached recreation center doesn't go by the name "Metz" anymore -- at least, not since Austin City Council action nearly three years ago.Here's the history behind the name change and why some city properties have undergone similar alterations in recent year
  
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• Kid-friendly things to do in Central Texas this summer

  18-06-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  CENTRAL TEXAS (KXAN) -- It doesn't *technically* need to be the summer season yet for Central Texas to feel positively tropical, with high temperatures and humidity to match.With schools out for the summer, you might be looking for ways to keep your kids occupied the next couple of months. We've got you covered: Here's a list of kid-friendly activities to beat the heat and make some summer memories this year.Take a dip in a local pool, splash padThe City of Austin is home to 45 public aquatic fa
  
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• Summer time in Central Texas: Where is a good place for a day trip near Austin?

  18-06-2023 05:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It certainly feels like summer outside, and with no cool temperatures any time soon, Central Texans want to find quick day trips that aren't too far from the Austin area.We took to social media to see what places you had in mind, and here is the list we compiled based off your answers.Rio Vista ParkRio Vista Park is located in San Marcos and is "a great place to put your kayak in and paddle upstream or just swim in the deep watering hole," according to the Visit San Marcos
  
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• Abbott vetoes more bills on final weekend

  18-06-2023 03:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Abbott is closing out the 88th legislative session with a flurry of vetoes as his battle against the Senate and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick over property tax continues. Which bills made it to the governor’s desk?The Texas State Constitution grants the Governor 20 days after the end of a regular legislative session to veto bills passed by Congress. If not vetoed, those bills become laws.As of Saturday night, Abbott has vetoed 47 bills.According to the Texas Legislative Research Li
  
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• Abbott breaks personal veto record as property tax fight with Senate continues

  18-06-2023 03:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Abbott is closing out the 88th legislative session with a flurry of vetoes as his battle against the Senate and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick over property tax continues. Which bills made it to the governor’s desk?The Texas State Constitution grants the Governor 20 days after the end of a regular legislative session to veto bills passed by Congress. If not vetoed, those bills become laws.As of Sunday night, Abbott has vetoed 74 bills.According to the Texas Legislative Research
  
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• 'Lucky to be alive': Florida deputy sucked into 100-foot drainage pipe while saving man

  18-06-2023 02:00 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A deputy of Florida's northwestmost county risked life and limb Friday to save a stranded motorist trapped amid torrential downpours and rising flood waters.Escambia County Deputy William Hollingsworth was on patrol in the early morning hours of June 16 to help stranded motorists caught in rapidly rising waters. Spotting a trapped citizen, Deputy Hollingsworth approached, unaware of the life-threatening incident about to unfold.Seconds later, the citizen disappeared un
  
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• 'It has to change': Mother of fentanyl victim reflects on legislative session

  18-06-2023 01:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A mother standing in the room as Governor Greg Abbott signed four bills into law aimed at addressing the steep uptick in people dying from fentanyl overdoses says more needs to be done.
  One of the bills signed into law will allow fentanyl deaths to be investigated as homicides.
  “Fentanyl is an epidemic that very simply, is taking too many lives,” Abbott said during the bill signing ceremony. “Because of the courageous partnership of grieving family members
  
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• State of Texas: 'I'm leaving Texas,' LGBTQ policies push some to look for an exit

  18-06-2023 01:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Gov. Greg Abbott held a ceremony Thursday afternoon to sign legislation he says will "protect women's sports," but LGBTQ+ advocates say it harms their community.
  Senate Bill 15 bans collegiate-level transgender athletes from competing on sports teams that do not align with their biological sex assigned at birth. It expands on similar restrictions that were signed into law two years ago, applying to sports play for Texas public schools grades K-12.
  During the regular legi
  
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