Austin news

• Texas boy, father killed following lightning strike

  19-06-2023 23:28 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (KXAN) — A six-year-old Texas boy died last week after he and his father were struck by lightning in May, according to reporting from The Dallas Morning News.The father went to pick up his two sons after they were dropped off by a school bus on May 15 in Bosque County, located northwest of Waco. The six-year-old boy was holding hands with his father when the dad was struck by lightning and the current passed through both him and his son. Report: Texas ranks No. 1 in lightning count i
  
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• Record June heatwave underway with isolated severe thunderstorms

  19-06-2023 22:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A nearly unprecedented early-summer heatwave intensifies further on Tuesday with daily record high temperatures of 107° expected in Austin and some of the hottest "feels like" temperatures on record. But like previous evenings, isolated severe thunderstorms remain in the forecast each day. BLOG: If June is this hot, what comes in July?Extreme heat continuesSome of the hottest June temperatures on record are expected over the next week or more as a rare early summer heat wave
  
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• NYT report: Austin gained 28K remote workers during pandemic

  19-06-2023 22:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new report from The New York Times' The Upshot found approximately 28,000 remote workers relocated to Austin during the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, marking the analysis' highest recorded net gain of remote workers nationally.The analysis found New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco were the three metros accounting for the highest losses of remote workers, with 116,000, 53,000 and 32,000 workers relocating from those areas, respectively. In contrast, Austin's net g
  
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• He became Austin's first black city council member after slavery, now historic home being restored

  19-06-2023 22:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)— Tucked away in the heart of Rosewood Park is where the cabin Henry Green Madison lived in after slavery sits.
  Historic Henry Green Madison cabin. (KXAN photos/Jala Washington).An $85,000 restoration project will now ensure it remains there. Austin Parks Foundation and theCity of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) are leading the effort. This is all happening ahead of the 2023 Juneteenth Holiday.
  According to PARD, Madison was born into slavery in Memphis, Tennesse
  
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• CapMetro adding 100+ bus shelters to service area amid scorching heat

  19-06-2023 20:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — CapMetro is installing more than 100 new transit shade shelters across its ridership network to help customers beat the scorching heat.Austin's transit authority partnered with Tolar Manufacturing on 149 new shelters slated to be installed in CapMetro's service area. The shelters feature solid aluminum roofs and perforated panels to help riders avoid the sun, the transit authority said in a tweet. CapMetro offers complimentary rides to cooling centersThe 149-shelter deliver
  
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• Texas library commission awarded $8M for expanded broadband access

  19-06-2023 19:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The U.S. Department of the Treasury awarded a nearly $8 million grant to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) to expand broadband access to community libraries.The $7.8 million in funds comes from the Library Infrastructure and Facility Access Improvement Grant and is designed to expand "high-quality modern infrastructure at Texas libraries," per a TSLAC release. TSLAC collaborated with the Texas Broadband Development Office throughout the funding proposa
  
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• IKEA Round Rock opens Juneteenth exhibit

  19-06-2023 19:24 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK (KXAN) -- IKEA is known for its unique approach to shopping and affordable, eclectic furniture and decor, but the Round Rock location is adding something new to its store.
  IKEA Round Rock on Monday unveiled a Juneteenth exhibit that focuses on the history of the holiday, the store said in a press release. The exhibit was curated by Carre Adams, the museum director and curator for the Washington Carver Museum.
  The exhibit is the first of what the store said will be a monthly rotation o
  
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• How to cool your Texas home without an A/C

  19-06-2023 18:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With triple-digit temperatures and high humidity levels continuing this week, so, too are Excessive Heat Warnings in Central Texas.
  For those without air conditioning or navigating a broken A/C, here are some tips for cooling your home amid the sweltering heat.Close your drapes, blindsAny sunlight entering your apartment or home will bring heat with it, so keeping your drapes or blinds closed during the summertime can mitigate any excess heat from entering your home. Report
  
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• Your garden can't escape the heat. How to make sure your plants don't die

  19-06-2023 16:57 via kxan.com
  
  BUDA, TX (KXAN) -- The June heat wave continues in Central Texas with no end to the triple-digit temperatures on the horizon.Austin already broke a heat record for the month after the temperature never dropped below 82 degrees on June 15th at Camp Mabry, the warmest low temperature in June on record. Austin just broke an all-time heat record for the month of JuneIf you're worried about your plants in this heat, or are already seeing signs of distress, you're not alone.
  If you're just starting a
  
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• Austin-based company attempts to design fusion power plant in Texas

  19-06-2023 15:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - The path to clean energy is becoming clear in Texas. Austin-based Focused Energy was one of eight companies to receive a $46 million grant from the Department of Energy. The grant is part of President Biden's plan to have a fusion powered electricity plant within a decade."Our ultimate goal is to produce electrical power with just tap water," said Charlie Jarrott, a senior scientist with Focused Energy.Jarrott said that fusion power is created when two atoms are forced to merge u
  
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• Texas named one of the 'most fun' states to visit in rankings by WalletHub

  19-06-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas is one of the most fun states to visit, according to a new report by WalletHub.The website graded all 50 states in a number of categories to determine which had the "greatest number and variety of fun and cost-effective options."Texas ranked No. 7 on the list, boosted by high scores for restaurants, movie theaters and amusement parks per capita.California claimed the top spot as most fun state to visit, ahead of Florida and Nevada. New York and Illinois rounded out th
  
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• TCOLE reform signed into law, expanding authority to set police standards

  19-06-2023 13:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation Sunday expanding the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement’s authority to set standards for law enforcement hiring, licensing, creatingnew departments and more.Though the long-awaited legislation was expansive and touted by some law enforcement experts as a positive step, one union executive expressed concerns about how it could remove due process protections for officers with negative reports in their personnel files.The bill, SB 144
  
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• Governor signs bill for four years of Texas Veterinary Board oversight

  19-06-2023 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed legislation authorizing four years of oversight for the agency tasked with regulating the state's animal doctors.
  Lawmakers passed the bill in the final hours of the 88th legislative session, to attach the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (TBVME) to another state agency temporarily, in order to help with data collection and management issues. The legislation stipulates that the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) will
  
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• Even without governor signing, 'dead suspect loophole' will finally close

  19-06-2023 12:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Sept. 1, Texas' controversial "dead suspect loophole" will finally close, ending a years-long effort to increase transparency when it comes to police records. However, the measure to bring about that change will go into effect without Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's signature.House Bill 30 revises an exemption to the Texas Public Information Act, which gave law enforcement discretion to withhold records in closed criminal cases where a suspect does not go through the court proc
  
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• Juneteenth closures in Georgetown

  19-06-2023 12:46 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) – The City of Georgetown will close many of its offices Monday in observance of Juneteenth.
  The city said there will be normal solid waste and recycling collection on Monday.Closed City Offices:
  Animal Shelter, 110 Walden DriveArt Center, 816 S. Main St.City Hall, 808 Martin Luther King Jr. St.Council and Courts Building (including Municipal Court), 510 W. Ninth St.Georgetown Municipal Complex, 300-1 Industrial Ave.Grace Heritage Center, 817 S. Main St.Parks and Re
  
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• APD: Person of interest in custody amid homicide investigation

  19-06-2023 12:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – A person of interest in a homicide investigation was taken into custody Monday morning after a person died in north Austin overnight.
  A public information officer with the Austin Police Department said a fight broke out around 3:20 a.m. Monday in a tent community in the 1000 block of Rundberg Lane, close to the North Austin YMCA.
  APD said someone in the community called 911 to report a person was injured. When officers arrived, they found a person with "obvious signs of tra
  
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• APD investigating homicide near Rundberg YMCA

  19-06-2023 12:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police said Monday morning officers launched a homicide investigation after a person died in a wooded area behind a YMCA in North Austin.
  According to APD, officers were sent to "shoot/stab" call in the 1000 block of West Rundberg Lane just west of North Lamar Boulevard at 3:20 a.m.
  Austin Travis County EMS said paramedics responded to stabbing call there and pronounced one person dead at the scene.
  Austin Police had no information on the person who died or any poten
  
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• Heat alerts extended as extreme heat continues

  19-06-2023 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Not a whole lot of good news from the Weather Dept. as triple digit heat continues today... and tomorrow... and the next day... and the next. BLOG: If June is this hot, what comes in July?Extreme heat continuesAfternoon highs will exceed 100° in most areas again this afternoon. The continuation of high heat and humidity will mean another day of Excessive Heat Warnings (two more days, at that) across Central Texas.Excessive Heat Warning in effect until Tuesday 9 p.m.High temp
  
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• Excessive heat alert continues for at least another two days

  19-06-2023 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Early-afternoon heat index readings stretched from 104° to 114°. These numbers will rise further into the afternoon perhaps getting as high as 112° to 120°. BLOG: If June is this hot, what comes in July?Extreme heat continuesThe National Weather Service has both expanded and extended the Excessive Heat Warning to include the entire KXAN viewing area until 9 p.m. tomorrow. The thinking here is that this Warning will be extended into Wednesday.Excessive Heat Warnin
  
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• Which City of Austin offices, facilities are closed for Juneteenth?

  19-06-2023 12:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The City of Austin announced Thursday several administrative offices and public facilities will close in observance of the Juneteenth holiday on Monday.
  Austin Parks and RecreationCity of Austin Recreation Centers, Senior Centers, Museums and Cultural Centers will be closed on Monday. City parks, playgrounds, tennis centers, and golf courses will be open for their regularly scheduled hours on Monday.Austin Resource RecoveryAustin Resource Recovery administrative office
  
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• Local teams to air it out at Texas 7-on-7 football championships June 22-24

  19-06-2023 05:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As Texas high school football teams prepare for the upcoming 2023 season, they'll take the pads off and sling it all over the field in the state 7-on-7 tournament June 22-24 at Veterans Park in College Station.Pool play matchups were released by tournament directors Sunday and Central Texas teams are out in full force. Division I includes 6A and 5A schools, SPC and TAPPS Division I teams, Division II has 3AD1 and 4A teams, and the remainder of private schools and Division I
  
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• 'It's dangerous:' Austin senior living facility A/C system not working

  19-06-2023 03:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- It's probably the worst possible time for an air conditioning system not to work with temperatures reaching the triple digits. But at Brookdale Senior Living on Gaines Ranch Road in Southwest Austin, that's exactly what happened.A spokesperson confirmed it has been out for a few weeks now.'It's dangerous, quite frankly'Adam, who asked not to share his last name, said his mother-in-law lives there.
  "Think at one point, my mother-in-law's thermostat was reading 85, which is very
  
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