Austin news

• Texans rally behind GoFundMe for WWII veteran's new wheelchair

  25-06-2023 22:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After a World War II veteran from Central Texas needed an electric wheelchair to more comfortably get around, dozens of Texans pitched in.Texans Carrie Baran and Chad Rudel coordinated to launch the fundraiser, benefitting 96-year-old veteran Jack Hugman, a Seaman 1st Class veteran with the U.S. Navy. Within a week's time, approximately $2,000 were raised. ‘That’s the way to go,’ Senate plan aims to give Texans $18B in property tax reliefBaran met Hugman a
  
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• Texas inmates 'being cooked alive' in heatwave with no air conditioning

  25-06-2023 22:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — In Texas' state jails, the inmates are sentenced to just two years or less. But every summer, former inmate Maggie Luna remembers, the women inside worried their short sentences may take their life."All of these women that were suffering with me had not a lot of time, and they feared that they were getting death sentences," she said. "Several times I told my mom, 'I hope I make it out of here.'"Her jail is one of the 70% of units within the Texas Department of Criminal J
  
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• Kalahari Resorts opens new outdoor waterpark expansion

  25-06-2023 21:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On the first official day of summer, the City of Round Rock said Kalahari Resorts — the city’s waterpark and adventure park — has opened its new outdoor waterpark expansion.The city previously announced the expansion plans in January. PAST COVERAGE: Round Rock waterpark Kalahari Resorts to expand by ‘thousands’ of square feet“You can now enjoy the new Adventure River, Bugs Burrow, Thirsty Turtle attractions and the many outdoor pools and
  
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• World's tallest dog lives right in Texas — find out where

  25-06-2023 20:48 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (KDAF) —Everything is big in Texas. Including 3-year-old Great Dane Zeus!
  Even his name comes with strength behind it, but this 1.046 meters (3 ft 5.18 in) gentle giant has been confirmed as the tallest dog in the world by Guinness World Records. Zeus weighed a staggering 25 pounds when his owner Britteny Davis got him back in February 2020. She describes him as a loveable dog who enjoys farmer's markets, spending time with family and his other pet siblings.
  The Davis Family li
  
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• NTSB investigating after worker 'ingested' into airplane engine in San Antonio

  25-06-2023 20:19 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO (NEXSTAR) - Federal officials say they are investigating after a ground crew member died after being "ingested" into a plane's engine at San Antonio International Airport last week.
  The Delta flight had arrived in San Antonio from Los Angeles on Friday at around 10:25 p.m. and was taxing to its gate with one engine on, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a statement.
  As the plane was taxiing, "a worker was ingested into that engine," NTSB explained. 19-year-old passenger
  
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• Man receives 30-year sentence for 2020 murder

  25-06-2023 19:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A jury sentenced a man June 16 to serve 30 years in state prison in connection with an east Austin murder that occurred in May 2020.According to court documents, 24-year-old Jeffery Wayne Garner, Jr. pleaded not guilty before his trial began. PAST COVERAGE: Argument about man touching a woman inappropriately leads to east Austin homicidePast KXAN reports said Garner was accused of killing 38-year-old James Lewis Allen Jr. on May 28, 2020, after an altercation.According to c
  
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• Top-rated steakhouse in the Lone Star State is in Central Texas, according to Yelp

  25-06-2023 18:03 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – The average steakhouse usually specializes in all the foods your cardiologist warns you about: large portions of red meat, gooey mac and cheese, towers of fried onion rings, and various vegetables that have been generously creamed (corn or spinach, mostly) before reaching your table.For the sake of your next angiogram, you probably shouldn’t eat these foods on a regular basis. But if you’re dead-set on disregarding your doctor’s advice, you should at least bre
  
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• 'Kinky, Curly, Coily' natural hair festival happening in Austin this weekend

  25-06-2023 16:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In all its kinky, curly, coily glory, one of the only black natural hair festivals is back—this time, with a new reason to celebrate.
  Since Gov. Greg Abbott signed the Crown Act into law, banning hair discrimination in the state, the fourth annual festival hopes this year's event will continue an important conversation about hair acceptance.From 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Cha'Keeta B Music will teach people how to style their natural black hair. The event will be
  
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• Next chance of rain? July 4th weekend...

  25-06-2023 14:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Sunday morning Camp Mabry only dropped to 80°. That sets a new record "warm" low, the previous being 79° in 2009.Scattered clouds moving through Central Texas during the afternoon has helped to mitigate some of the heat today, but still widespread highs in the triple digits are expected this afternoon. These clouds produced some incredibly localized showers, but they've since dried out and no additional rain is expected. BLOG: June likely to end as top 5 warmest in Austi
  
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• Hot and dry through the week

  25-06-2023 14:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin-Camp Mabry reached 103° Saturday afternoon to bring the number of triple-digit highs in June to nine. That number will increase by six by Friday, the last day of the month.Today's normal high is 95° BLOG: June likely to end as top 5 warmest in AustinMorning clouds will clear during the morning with a sunny sky again this afternoon.
  The Heat Advisory is in effect today for much of Central Texas. Maximum heat index readings this afternoon will likely rise to between
  
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• Truckers don’t have enough parking. Why it should matter to you

  25-06-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — We’ve all felt the frustration of looking for a parking spot, but imagine having to do it every day at work.That’s the challenge for Texas truck drivers and those across the nation. According to the United States Department of Transportation, nationwide there’s roughly one parking spot for every 11 truckers.Buda-based truck driver Michael Lombard knows the challenges all too well, not just from his travels around the country hauling agriculture equipment,
  
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• Hang out with the aliens this summer in Texas - Here's how

  25-06-2023 13:32 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (KDAF) —Texas has been known to have its fair share of alien sightings in the state. So it's not surprising that Marfa, Texas, has an official viewing area for sights of the unknown ie; dancing, floating orb-colored lights.
  Marfa Lights Viewing Center is open and free to the public, many have said they have encountered firsthand unexplained mystery lights at the center. Which has caused more people to attend events centering around the mysterious lights.
  The city has even gone as fa
  
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• Where and when are lightning deaths most common?

  25-06-2023 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The third full week of each June is designated as National Lightning Safety Awareness Week.Since 2006, almost 500 people have been killed by lightning strikes, according to the National Lightning Safety Council. Only five states have not recorded a lightning death during that time: Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, New Hampshire and Washington.Fatal lightning strikes are most common in Florida, with 86 deaths reported since 2006. Texas ranks second nationwide, with 39 deaths, ahead
  
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• Drunk drivers in Texas will have to pay child support if parents killed in crash

  25-06-2023 13:28 via kxan.com
  
  HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A new law in Texas will force drunk drivers who kill a parent in a crash to pay for the victim's child support.House Bill 393 states that a defendant convicted of intoxication manslaughter will be ordered to pay restitution for a child whose parent or guardian was the victim of the offense.The bill, which was filed by Texas Rep. Craig Goldman, goes on to say that a court will determine the amount to be paid monthly until the child reaches 18 years old, or
  
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• 1 person dead after auto-pedestrian crash on SH 71

  25-06-2023 13:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One adult died in an auto-pedestrian crash in southwest Austin late Saturday night, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.
  It happened around 10:30 p.m. near the intersection of State Highway 71 and US 290.
  The adult was pronounced dead at the scene, according to ATCEMS.
  No other information was available at the time.
  
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• June likely to end as top 5 warmest in Austin

  25-06-2023 05:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- June 2022 was the hottest June on record in Austin, but this June isn't far behind.Looking at the June mean temperatures from the beginning of the month through June 24, we're currently experiencing the ninth hottest June to date.
  Hottest Junes to date (through June 24) First Warning Weather Forecast for Central TexasWith triple digit highs and potentially record-breaking warm low temperatures for the remainder of the month, this June should enter the top-5 warmest category by t
  
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• APD searching for homicide suspect for deadly shooting in March

  25-06-2023 05:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department earlier this week took to social media to request the public's help in finding a homicide suspect wanted for a deadly shooting that occurred in March in north Austin, according to APD.On March 18, officers found a man, later identified as 20-year-old Barry Dockery, lying in the backyard of a home in the 300 block of Deen Avenue with a gunshot wound. ATCEMS attempted life-saving measures, but Dockery was later pronounced dead. Police identify vic
  
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• Abortion rights activists reflect on anniversary of SCOTUS' Dobbs decision, overturn of Roe v. Wade

  25-06-2023 05:03 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — Activists around Central Texas used the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson decision, which overturned the court's previous Roe v. Wade and led to restrictions in abortion access, to raise money and promote information on how to get the procedure.In San Marcos, student-led organizers hosted vendors and abortion rights volunteers in a fundraiser for abortion funds. Texas-based abortion funds resume funding for out-of-state abortions, trave
  
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• Travis Co. Clerk's Office celebrating Marriage Equality Day with free wedding ceremonies Monday

  25-06-2023 02:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Travis County Clerk's Office is celebrating Pride month, as well as the eighth anniversary of marriage equality on Monday, with free wedding ceremonies conducted by Judge Nicholas Chu, the clerk's office said in a news release.Twenty-four couples are scheduled to be married Monday, with weddings taking place throughout the day, the release said.On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court determined the constitution recognized a right to same-sex marriage via Obergefell v. Hodges rul
  
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• State of Texas: Rules set for trial that could remove Ken Paxton from office

  25-06-2023 01:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) - After two days of delays and private deliberation, the Texas Senate voted Wednesday night to approve rules for the upcoming impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton.The trial is scheduled to begin on Sept. 5. Senators approved a separate resolution ordering Paxton to appear before the Senate by 9 a.m. on that date.One highly-anticipated decision was whether Paxton's wife, State Sen. Angela Paxton, would be required to recuse herself. That issue was addressed
  
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