Austin news

• Central Texas cities will not enforce youth curfews ahead of new law

  28-06-2023 23:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A law ending youth curfews in Texas cities goes into effect in September, but some affected municipalities have already stopped enforcement efforts.Affected cities in Central Texas include Cedar Park, Leander and San Marcos. 2022: San Marcos City Council votes to reinstate juvenile curfewAustin previously had a curfew, but the city council voted to end the rule in 2017.A public information officer with Cedar Park said the city's police have been instructed to not enforce the ord
  
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• Is an Airbnb 'collapse' happening in Austin?

  28-06-2023 23:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A viral tweet by the CEO of Austin-based Reventure Consulting claimed the city's Airbnb reservations are collapsing, with revenue down by 46.1%; however, another data firm claimed its data shows a much smaller decline over the past year.AirDNA, the company arguing against Reventure Consulting's claims, provided KXAN with their results alongside Reventure's published numbers:
  AirDNA said it could not speak directly about the claims made by Reventure Consulting CEO Nicholas G
  
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• Gordon, Campbell named All-Americans by Baseball America

  28-06-2023 23:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas juniors Lucas Gordon and Dylan Campbell were named All-Americans on Wednesday by Baseball America.The publication released its list of top NCAA Division I ballplayers with Gordon on the second team and Campbell on the third team.
  MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersGordon was named the Big 12 pitcher of the year this season with a 7-2 record and a 2.63 ERA i
  
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• Pflugerville named 'most livable small city' in Texas in new study

  28-06-2023 23:22 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — A new study names Pflugerville as the 'most livable small city' in Texas. The city ranked 31st on the nationwide list.The study, by SmartAsset, looked at 275 cities across the country with populations between 65,000 and 100,000.Each city was ranked based on various factors, including the number of bars, restaurants and entertainment establishments, housing costs, unemployment rates and average commute times.Here are the top 10 'most livable' small cities in Tex
  
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• Madonna bacterial infection could change when she performs in Austin

  28-06-2023 23:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After news broke about a health scare, Madonna fans may have to wait a while longer before they can see her perform again in Austin.
  The legendary singer's manager, Guy Oseary, posted on social media Wednesday that Madonna will postpone the start of her "Celebration" tour and reschedule shows after suffering from a "serious bacterial infection." He said Madonna had to stay several days in an intensive care unit after developing the infection on June 24.
  "Her health is impro
  
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• Trial date set in Nate Paul federal case

  28-06-2023 23:19 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for June 28, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) – A federal judge has set a date for jury selection, trial and a plea-deal deadline in the criminal case of Nate Paul, the Austin real estate investor linked to allegations against suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton, according to federal court records.Paul, 36, was indicted on June 6 on eight felony counts related to making false statements and false reports to credit unions and mor
  
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• FAA investigation opened after Allegiant flight close call at AUS

  28-06-2023 23:11 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for June 28, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Allegiant plane preparing to land at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Monday had to "initiate a climb due to a small aircraft in proximity," the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement to KXAN. The FAA has opened an investigation into the incident.The FAA said the closest proximity between the aircrafts was 1.6 miles and 200 feet.FAA investigating after planes ne
  
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• Former Elgin mayor pleads guilty to theft charge

  28-06-2023 23:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Former Mayor of Elgin, 38-year-old Christopher Cannon, pleaded guilty to a theft of property charge June 20, according to the Travis County District Attorney’s Office. The charge was a third-degree felony.“From January 27, 2015, through August 21, 2019, Mr. Cannon, a licensed insurance agent, acquired payments from the company Baker’s Backhoe Services but failed to submit those payments to obtain insurance policies,” the DA’s office said. RELAT
  
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• Extreme heat can be dangerous for people living with dementia

  28-06-2023 23:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Extreme heat can impact the health of many but can be even more dangerous for those living with dementia. Research shows that older adults are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses and that people living with dementia are at an even higher risk. Those who have dementia can be worse at judging weather conditions and are often not as good at cooling down when they heat up, according to research on the topic.  MORE: Heat-related illness on the rise in Cen
  
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• $675,000 Texas Two Step winning ticket sold in Austin

  28-06-2023 23:03 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (KDAF) — Wow! Getting some cash in your pocket to kick off the summer is the best way to do it — especially when it's more than half of $1 million.
  The Texas Lottery reported a $675,000 winning Texas Two Step ticket from Monday's drawing.
  "A $675,000 jackpot-winning ticket for last night’s #Texas Two Step drawing was sold in #Austin! #TexasLottery," the Texas Lottery tweeted. PREVIOUS: $500,000 Texas Two Step winning ticket sold outside DallasThe ticket matched all
  
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• Heat relief, daily rain chances by the 4th of July

  28-06-2023 22:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Temperatures are trending downward 1-2 degrees each afternoon, slowly and steadily bringing relief from this unusual early summer heatwave and bringing a more typical 4th of July forecast.A Heat Advisory and Excessive Heat Warning continue for much of the area this evening as heat and humidity continue at unusual levels for early summer.Heat alerts continue for most of the area WednesdayThe powerful heat dome responsible for the prolonged June heat wave will finally shift east a
  
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• Positive West Nile mosquito pool reported in Travis County

  28-06-2023 22:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Public Health announced Tuesday it identified a positive mosquito pool for West Niles Virus in the 78721 zip code, according to a release from APH.Although no human cases of West Nile were identified, the positive mosquito pool indicates the virus is in the community, APH said. In 2022, there were six positive mosquito pools in Travis County, 410 positive pools across the state of Texas and 46 confirmed West Nile virus cases in people, according to APH.“As more peop
  
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• How UT Austin students are looking for a workaround to maintain DEI

  28-06-2023 21:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)— This summer, some UT student leaders are starting to look for ways to make sure their campus is inclusive when everyone gets back from break.This comes after a new law was passed, banning diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offices, staff and initiatives at public universities and colleges. Texas lawmakers find consensus on bill banning diversity, equity and inclusion offices in public universities"When DEI is under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!," a group of
  
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• Almost 3,000 Texans had an abortion in Kansas last year, state data shows

  28-06-2023 20:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Almost 3,000 Texas women received an abortion in Kansas last year, new data shows. At the same time, the number of abortions performed in Texas ground to a halt in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning of Roe v. Wade.The Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade in a 6-3 decision on June 24, 2022, eliminating the nearly 50-year-old constitutional right to abortion. The ruling gave states the authority to limit or ban the procedure. Number of abortions in Texas dro
  
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• 'Groundhog day:' Second special session convenes with no signs of compromise on property tax cuts

  28-06-2023 19:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — As the second special legislative commenced Wednesday, lawmakers in the House and Senate hurried through their own familiar plans for property tax relief and showed no signs the two chambers are any closer to a compromise.The House of Representatives convened for less than 20 minutes. The House Ways and Means Committee unanimously passed a property tax relief bill that is identical to the bill that failed in the first special session. The full House is expected to pass i
  
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• Texas Court of Criminal Appeals rejects Rodney Reed's innocence claims and new trial

  28-06-2023 19:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Texas' highest criminal appeals court on Wednesday rejected death-row inmate Rodney Reed’s most recent applications claiming his innocence and seeking a new trial.The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals rejections – years in the making – are the culmination of a massive effort by Reed’s defense team that included a two-week evidentiary hearing in Bastrop in July 2021. Dozens of witnesses testified, including the victim Stacey Stites’ mother and her
  
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• Why are many Texans denied SNAP benefits due to car value?

  28-06-2023 18:44 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KIAH) — A new Texas law can affect how those struggling to feed their families may have their benefits adjusted by what kind of car they own.SNAP benefits are eligible to households based on income, resources and family size. As of last month, over a million SNAP benefit cases have been filed across Texas.
  However, according to Feeding Texas, a food bank nonprofit, more than 54,000 SNAP applicants in Texas were denied due to the value of their vehicles. Here's why. SNAP applicatio
  
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• Tracking the Tropics: Is it normal to go without Saharan dust this late?

  28-06-2023 18:42 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The tropics have been bustling with activity. Free from Saharan dust, several tropical waves have rolled off the coast of Africa in the last few weeks. But is this trend expected to continue, and could this season see more storms than expected?Plumes of Saharan dust — dry, dusty air carried from the Sahara Desert — are known to stabilize the atmosphere and prevent tropical activity.These plumes typically form over the Sahara Desert during the late spring, s
  
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• Records: Police arrest man in connection with suspected explosive device left in alley near downtown Austin

  28-06-2023 18:39 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The above video is KXAN's previous coverage of the incident in downtown Austin on June 25, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was arrested Sunday evening concerning a suspected explosive device found in downtown Austin. East 6th Street reopens after APD bomb squad investigationAccording to a Travis County arrest affidavit, 33-year-old Timothy Johnson was charged with possession of a controlled substance drug-free zone, fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, evading
  
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• Texas largemouth bass confirmed as world record catch

  28-06-2023 18:23 via kxan.com
  
  TYLER, Texas (KETK) - After months of anxiously waiting to hear back from the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), Lea Anne Powell got confirmation that she had officially broken the world record for the biggest largemouth bass ever caught in her line class.Powell explained that the process to get the record confirmed by the IGFA was thorough."The process was fairly intensive. I had to go online, fill out a whole bunch of paperwork and then I actually had to mail in a line sample of the l
  
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• Simone Biles returning to gymnastics competition in August for 1st time since 2020 Olympics

  28-06-2023 17:39 via kxan.com
  
  Simone Biles is back.The gymnastics superstar plans to return to competition at the U.S. Classic outside Chicago in early August, her first event since the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.USA Gymnastics announced Wednesday that Biles, a seven-time Olympic medalist and the 2016 Olympic champion, is part of the women's field for the single-day event set for Aug. 5 at NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates.Biles has taken most of the last two years off following her eventful stay in Japan, where her decision to remove h
  
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• Sheriff's Office: 3 arrested, charged in Travis County mail theft ring

  28-06-2023 17:32 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY (KXAN) -- Three people were arrested and charged in connection to what the Travis County Sheriff's Office said was an organized mail theft ring.
  The suspects were each charged with theft of mail ID info and engaging in organized criminal activity, which are first-degree felonies, according to TCSO.Cases of check fraud escalate dramatically, with Americans warned not to mail checks if possibleThe suspects were identified by TCSO and are listed below:
  Adam Timothy Liveoak, 45Amy Dean
  
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• UT scientists discover fossils of Jurassic sea creatures that used to swim across Texas

  28-06-2023 16:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Researchers recently made a major discovery in Texas by finding the state's first known Jurassic vertebrate fossils.
  A team led by scientists from the University of Texas at Austin discovered the bones in the Malone Mountains of West Texas. The fossils are believed to have belonged to an underwater dinosaur called the plesiosaur.
  The scientists said this discovery "filled a major gap in the state's fossil record."According to a release from UT, the bone fragments are from t
  
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• Round Rock summer camp working to protect children from heatwave

  28-06-2023 15:07 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK (KXAN) — With triple-digit temperatures in the forecast, summer camps in Central Texas are adjusting their outdoor activities this week.Over at the Best Kids Summer Camp in Round Rock, counselors are limiting the amount of time kids spend in the sun.Hannah Chapman is the camp’s co-founder. She says this is one of the hottest Junes she’s ever experienced in Central Texas.With this in mind, her camp recently put in place a new rule: a 15-minute limit on outdoor activit
  
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• Why does that cloud look like that? A closer look at some weird clouds

  28-06-2023 15:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Whether they look like a bunny, dinosaur or a fire truck; clouds can take on some truly unique shapes. Some clouds form under special conditions and really stand out.In this First Warning Weather University lesson, Chief Meteorologist David Yeomans takes a closer look at two clouds: the Mammatus cloud and the Undulatus Asperatus cloud.What you'll learn in this lesson:
  What is a cloud made of?How do thunderstorms help mammatus clouds form?How recent have scientists discovered a ne
  
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• APD looking for suspects who allegedly robbed woman at Costco

  28-06-2023 14:34 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The video in this story is from June 28, 2023.
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police said Tuesday they need the public's help in identifying two women who police said robbed a woman on June 22 at the Costco on U.S. 183 between Great Hills Trail and West Braker Lane.
  According to APD, the two took the woman's purse from her vehicle just after 6 p.m. and ran to their getaway car. Police said the woman tried to get her purse back but the suspects dragged her with their vehicle causing
  
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• NIL helping Austin shoe store, local athletes

  28-06-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Dr. Greg Grovey has long had a vision of opening a shoe store. As the founder of Kicking It ATX in The Domain in North Austin, running the store is a passion project."My dad was an entrepreneur so that kind of was instilled in me to be an entrepreneur," said Grovey. "Just having the dream of working for myself and doing something I love."MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslet
  
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• Live Comedy Capital of the World? Insight into Austin’s booming comedy scene

  28-06-2023 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin has long been known as the Live Music Capital of the World, but could another art form soon supplant it? Many involved in the Austin comedy scene say it has exploded in recent years with no signs of slowing down. Comedians, club owners and festival producers alike say that anyone from fledgling comics to well-established performers are flocking in droves to Central Texas from all over the U.S., leading to Austin quickly becoming a new epicenter of comedy. K
  
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• Hays County SWAT call ends in arrest

  28-06-2023 13:14 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) – The Hays County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday said a man faces two felony charges after the county's SWAT team was called out Sunday night.
  According to HCSO, deputies went to a home on Running Bull Lane in Kyle on Sunday evening around 7:30 p.m. after getting reports of a man pointing a rifle at a woman.
  HCSO said the attempts to get the man, who was later identified as Fabian Flores, 27, or the woman out of the home were unsuccessful so they called in the Hays County S
  
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• Hays County implements remote marriage license program

  28-06-2023 13:09 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas – Hays County residents can now apply remotely for a marriage license.The County Clerk’s Office recently implemented the GovOS Remote Marriage License Issuance program.
  According to the county, the program allows those who may not be able to visit the clerk’s office in person to apply remotely for a license. Couples who complete the process are considered to have appeared before the court.“We are very excited to offer this new program for our Hays Count
  
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• Slow temperature drop begins tomorrow

  28-06-2023 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's been a LONG couple weeks of triple digit heat here in Central Texas... but a bit of relief from the 100°+ temps & dry weather is on the horizon.A mix of Heat Advisories and Excessive Heat Warnings continues for much of the area today as 'feels like' temps could climb up to 110°. Sunshine and dry skies will stretch areawide.Heat alerts continue for most of the area WednesdayThe powerful heat dome responsible for the prolonged June heat wave will finally shift eas
  
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• Historic heat wave ends as calendar flips to July

  28-06-2023 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's been a LONG couple weeks of triple digit heat here in Central Texas... but a sliver of hope is on the horizon.A mix of Heat Advisories and Excessive Heat Warnings continues for much of the area today as heat index values could climb up to 110°. Sunshine and dry skies will stretch areawide.The powerful heat dome responsible for the prolonged June heat wave will finally shift east and weaken late week into the weekend. This displacement will allow high temperatures to dro
  
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• Police: Motorcyclist killed in June 14 crash on FM 2222

  28-06-2023 12:32 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The video in this story is from June 14, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police said Monday a motorcyclist died June 14 after crashing with a van on FM 2222 during morning rush hour.
  According to APD, the crash happened in the 8600 block of FM 2222 just after 6:45 a.m. on June 14. That is between FM 620 and Loop 360.PREVIOUS: 1 dead after motorcycle-vehicle crash on FM 2222APD said the unidentified motorcyclist died at the scene and the van driver remained and was cooperative.
  Th
  
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• Amber Alert issued for girl in Temple

  28-06-2023 10:10 via kxan.com
  
  TEMPLE, Texas (KXAN) – The Department of Public Safety issued an Amber Alert Tuesday night for a girl abducted from Temple.
  According to the alert, Temple Police are looking for Kryslee Hernandez, 7, and Amanda Guerra, 39. Police believe Hernandez is in "grave or immediate danger."Hernandez is white, 3 feet 10 inches tall, weighs 65 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes, according to the alert. She was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and shorts and carrying a backpack.Guerra is white,
  
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• Amber Alert discontinued for Temple girl

  28-06-2023 10:10 via kxan.com
  
  TEMPLE, Texas (KXAN) – An Amber Alert that was issued Tuesday night for a girl from Temple, Texas was discontinued Wednesday.
  The seven-year-old girl was located safe with the suspect in the case Wednesday morning, according to the Temple Police Department.
  Temple is around 70 miles north of Austin.
  The investigation is ongoing.
  
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• Texas baseball finishes top 10 in one of five national polls

  28-06-2023 03:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With Louisiana State's 18-4 romp over Florida to win the Men's College World Series on Monday, the 2023 college baseball season came to a close and final top 25 rankings were released by five major national publications.The Texas Longhorns finished No. 9 in the Baseball America Top 25, No. 11 by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, No. 12 in the USA Today Coaches Poll and No. 14 in both the D1Baseball.com and Perfect Game polls.
  Full Baseball America Top 25Full D1Baseball.com Top
  
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• Challenges of hiring private security for downtown Austin businesses

  28-06-2023 03:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Teghan Hahn, CEO of Wild About Music, is sick of her staff having to deal with repeated shoplifters.Especially when it escalates."They've been hit, spit on, scratched," she said.APD searching for suspect wanted in Royal Blue Grocery employee assaultNearby Congress Avenue businesses are seeing similar circumstances. So, at one one point, they all pitched in for a security guard.
  "It started out as a good deterrent," Hahn said. "Then we did we did start to have issues though with
  
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• Former NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett dies in Florida swimming accident

  28-06-2023 01:52 via kxan.com
  
  FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas (KNWA) — Former NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett has died while vacationing in Florida. He was 35.Mallett was reportedly among a group of people in the water near a sandbar off the shores of Destin, Florida on Tuesday, according to Nexstar's WKRG. The group was struggling to make their way out of the water, the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office reported, when Mallett went under.Lifeguards said he was not breathing when he was pulled from the water.
  Despite life-saving mea
  
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• Former NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett dies in apparent drowning in Florida

  28-06-2023 01:52 via kxan.com
  
  FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA) — Former NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett has died while vacationing in Florida. He was 35.Mallett was reportedly among a group of people in the water near a sandbar off the shores of Destin, Florida on Tuesday, according to Nexstar's WKRG. The group was struggling to make their way out of the water, the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office reported, when Mallett went under.Lifeguards said he was not breathing when he was pulled from the water.
  Despite life-saving measure
  
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• APD searching for suspect wanted in Royal Blue Grocery employee assault

  28-06-2023 01:07 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: Above surveillance video from Royal Blue Grocery on Third Street in downtown Austin shows an alleged thief shoving a store employeeAUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is seeking the public's help identifying a suspect wanted in a downtown Austin robbery assault, APD said in a news release Tuesday.Shortly after 8 p.m., June 17, officers responded to Royal Blue Grocery, 301 Brazos Street, in reference to the assault, the release said. Video: Downtown Austin grocery store e
  
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• Brad Stuver nominated for ESPN Sports Humanitarian Award for second consecutive year

  28-06-2023 00:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For the second consecutive year, Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver is receiving national recognition for the good things he does off the pitch.Stuver is again nominated for the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award, given by ESPN at its annual ESPY Awards ceremony July 12 to highlight "an athlete whose continuous, demonstrated leadership has created a measured positive impact on their community through sports."MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like thes
  
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• San Marcos to enter Stage 3 drought restrictions on July 2 as aquifer levels drop

  28-06-2023 00:42 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — The city of San Marcos will enter Stage 3 drought restrictions Sunday, due to dropping aquifer levels.The tighter restrictions will take effect at noon on Sunday, July 2.The city said Stage 3 restrictions are implemented when the 10-day average index well level on the Edwards Aquifer drops below 640' above mean sea level. As of Monday, the 10-day average was 638.5'. Lake Travis boat ramp to close due to low water levels; only one to remain open for now"We have be
  
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• Texas inmate dies while working in Huntsville heat

  28-06-2023 00:25 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The above video is KXAN's previous coverage of conditions in Texas prisons.AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- A 35-year-old inmate died of cardiac arrest Friday morning while mowing a field at the Goree Unit in Huntsville, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice confirmed Tuesday. Texas inmates ‘being cooked alive’ in heatwave with no air conditioningTDCJ identified the deceased inmate as Tommy McCullough from McKinney, Texas.
  McCullough's family is seeking more information as they
  
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