Austin news

• Report: Former Austin Parks employee falsified timecards, received $11K in unearned wages

  02-07-2023 23:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new investigative report released from the City of Austin's Office of the City Auditor found a former Parks and Recreation Department employee fraudulently collected $11,000 after falsifying time cards for six months.Now-former PARD employee Desarae Ybarra submitted timesheets for hours she didn't work between June and December 2021, per the auditor report. She began working at PARD as an IT geospatial technician in March 2021 and "was responsible for updating tree invent
  
  Read more

• Meet the 20 year old leading a super PAC for the Texas Senate race, and she's just getting started

  02-07-2023 22:25 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (Nexstar) — In the era of influencers, partisan politics and the explosion of social media — one young Texas woman is carving out her own lane in the national landscape, using her phone as her soap box.When Congressman Matt Gaetz — a Trump-aligned Republican representing Florida — made body-shaming comments about abortion rights activists at a 2022 conservative summit event, a Texas teen turned the mockery into millions. Then 19-year-old Olivia Julianna, a Democra
  
  Read more

• Hill Country Galleria to host annual 4th of July festival

  02-07-2023 22:15 via kxan.com
  
  BEE CAVE, Texas (KXAN) — The Hill Country Galleria will host its annual Independence Day Festival on Tuesday, featuring fair rides, live music and fireworks.
  The free festival runs from 4-10 p.m. Tuesday at Hill Country Galleria, located at 12700 Hill Country Road, Bee Cave. Planned festivities include fair rides, a Vista Brewing pop-up, live music, fireworks and street shopping with more than 40 vendors.
  Events are scheduled as follows:
  4 p.m.: Festival begins4-4:45 p.m.: School of Rock p
  
  Read more

• Finally! Rent prices in Texas are dropping

  02-07-2023 22:01 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (KDAF) — Living in Texas presents many challenges, including financial ones.  The cost of everyday essentials is going up, from gas to toilet paper and rent.
  The good news about things increasing like the price of rent is that usually when prices rise up, they eventually have to fall. This means that although things may be more expensive now, there is hope for relief in the near future.Since March 2020, rent.com reports that rent prices are down for the first time in a year.&nb
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Facts about the Declaration of Independence you may not know

  02-07-2023 21:49 via kxan.com
  
  SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – As schoolchildren, Americans are taught about a fateful day in July when 56 people signed the Declaration of Independence and used cursive to initiate the escape from the reign of King George III, but there are key facts about that day in 1776 that are often overlooked.A woman also "signed" the Declaration of IndependenceHer name was Mary Katharine Goddard, and she was a colonial-era journalist. Also the postmistress of Baltimore, Maryland, she came from a fam
  
  Read more

• Woman pleads guilty to tampering charge in connection with 2018 murder investigation

  02-07-2023 21:29 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A Buda woman submitted a guilty plea May 22 in Hays County for a tampering with physical evidence charge related to a 2018 murder investigation.With the charge, 42-year-old Jeanette Stevens could receive a maximum prison sentence of 10 years, with a minimum sentence of two years, according to court documents. RELATED: Bodycam video shown during first day of Hays County murder trialStevens was arrested in 2018 on two charges in connection with the murder of 36-ye
  
  Read more

• Woman takes plea deal in connection with 2018 crash that killed 1

  02-07-2023 19:23 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A woman was sentenced June 26 to 10 years of probation in connection with a 2018 crash incident that killed a man, according to Travis County court documents.Image of Dawn Denny (APD photo)
  Records said Dawn Denny, 55, pleaded guilty to a manslaughter charge.According to past coverage, Pflugerville police said Denny hit and killed 36-year-old Donald Alan Waller, whose car had stalled on the side of the road.As a part of the plea agreement, records showed Denny
  
  Read more

• Man pleads guilty to 2021 murder, aggravated robbery in Buda

  02-07-2023 19:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in a 2021 murder in Buda.
  Jason Oliver Martinez, 22, pleaded guilty in April to four charges: capital murder and three counts of aggravated robbery. His plea bargain agreement has a 20-year sentence, which began April 10, including 803 days of jail credit.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 3 minors, 1 adult from Austin arrested in connection to Buda murderMartinez and three minors were charged in connection to the murder in Jan
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Man sentenced to 10 years for 2020 fatal San Marcos crash

  02-07-2023 14:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man pleaded guilty to three charges in connection with a 2020 crash in San Marcos that left one person dead.
  Kyle Nissen, 33, pleaded guilty in April to three charges: intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault with serious bodily injury. His plea bargain had a sentence of 10 years in prison, which began April 19.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Man turns himself in, charged with intoxication manslaughter after deadly San Marcos crashIn 2020, Nissen was charged af
  
  Read more

• Low rain chances during the week

  02-07-2023 14:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Afternoon showers and thunderstorms Saturday deposited some moderate to heavy rain in parts of the Hill Country. Two reporting stations measured more than one inch of rain. A gauge 4 miles north of Doss recorded 2.56" of rain. A gauge 17 miles southeast of Mason measured 1.22". CENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL TOTALSRain moved into the southern Hill Country overnight. There were a few brief pockets of moderate to heavy rain over parts of Blanco, Burnet, and Lampasas Counties. Overall, the
  
  Read more

• Brief break from triple digits with spotty storms

  02-07-2023 14:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Highs on Sunday finally stayed below 100º in Austin for the first time since June 23! We should stay below triple digits for a few more days, but not much below.
  Clouds kept our temperatures down a bit today, but these clouds aren't bringing much rain. Only very isolated light showers are possible this evening, mainly in the Hill Country.
  For most of us it will be a mostly to partly cloudy night with lows dropping into the upper 70s.Tonight's forecastMonday should feature m
  
  Read more

• A few days of double-digit highs

  02-07-2023 14:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It was nice to get a break from highs of 100° and higher with most maximum temperatures Sunday in the mid to upper 90s. What's better is that we have a few more days of this.
  The afternoon started with a few areas of light rain in some of Gillespie and San Saba Counties. This is part of the slight chance of showers and a few thunderstorms during this afternoon and early evening. Otherwise, the sky will be mostly cloudy. Glad for some shade from these clouds.Today's normal hi
  
  Read more

• How to keep your car seats cooler in the Texas heat

  02-07-2023 13:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Hopping into a car on a day when temperatures have exceeded 100 degrees can rattle even the most unflappable among us.  How do other cities deal with extreme heat?While undoubtedly uncomfortable, it can also be dangerous too. On warm days, cars can quickly heat to deadly levels, even with the windows partially down. For parents wanting to reduce heat levels so kids don’t burn themselves on car seats, KXAN meteorologist Kristen Currie shared a few tips. 
  
  Read more

• Texas named best state for summer road trips in new report

  02-07-2023 13:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you're planning a road trip this summer, you may not have to go very far. Texas was just named the best state for summer road trips in a new report.WalletHub rated each state based on road trip costs, safety and activities, with various factors determining the score in each category. What is the most visited state park in Texas? Here’s the top 10 countdownCosts include average gas prices and car repairs, as well as lowest prices of campsites and three-star hotel ro
  
  Read more

• George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum offers free exploration of Texan's legacy

  02-07-2023 13:14 via kxan.com
  
  COLLEGE STATION, Texas (FOX 44/KWKT) — A stop in College Station is also a chance to step into history in an interactive and educational way by visiting the George H.W. Bush Library and Museum.This destination is celebrating its 25-year milestone and is a free stop for history lovers and those wanting to learn more about one of the United States' impactful leaders.The museum and library are rich in history and offer multiple exhibits narrating the late former president's life as well as sc
  
  Read more

• Halfway through 2023, Austin ninth hottest to date

  02-07-2023 05:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We’re now halfway through 2023 and it’s time for a weather status check. As you’ve probably noticed, it has been hotter than usual, especially in the month of June. Graphic shows rainfall amounts for the 1st half of the year (Jan. 1st-June 30th). Normal rainfall for Austin is 18.54" vs. the rain in 2023 is 14.32".
  Typically, in a normal January-June period we receive 18.54 inches of rain in Austin. For the first half of this year however, we have only accu
  
  Read more

• Portion of US-183 frontage road temporarily patched after reports of cracked road

  02-07-2023 04:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Cracked road on a portion of the US-183 frontage road was temporarily patched Friday ahead of the 4th of July weekend, a Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) spokesperson told KXAN.The cracked road was reported on the US-183 Toll at 5315 Ed Bluestein Blvd, CTRMA said.Traffic Alert: Portion of US-183 frontage road closed for roadway repairsMore specifically, CTRMA said the cracked road was in front of the YMCA, and it was temporarily patched and open to traffic
  
  Read more

• Busy weekend for lakes could spread aquatic invaders

  02-07-2023 04:24 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department urges those hitting local lakes this July 4th holiday to prevent the spread of invasive Zebra Mussels and aquatic plants.According to TWPD, the invasive Zebra Mussel's first infestation in Texas was found in Lake Texoma in 2009 but are now in dozens of Texas lakes. The species is known to adhere itself to bottoms of boats and motors which makes them easy to accidentally transport. MAP: Zebra mussels are now in 35 lakes across TexasMon
  
  Read more

• Austin FC settles for draw at Inter Miami

  02-07-2023 03:39 via kxan.com
  
  After two wins at home to start the second half of the MLS season, Austin FC couldn't quite keep the good mojo going on the road at Inter Miami settling for a 1-1 draw.The host club got on the board first with a goal in the 47th minute from their star Josef Martínez.A cross found its way through three Austin players to Martínez who slotted it home past goalkeeper Brad Stuver.After a scoreless first half, Austin quickly responded with an equalizer. Sebastián Driussi's shot in
  
  Read more

• 2 dead after fiery crash in Williamson Co., DPS says

  02-07-2023 03:12 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Two people are dead after a two-vehicle crash in Williamson County Saturday, the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed to KXAN.At approximately 2:20 p.m., troopers responded to the crash at State Highway 95, half a mile south of Coupland Drive, DPS said.A Chevrolet pickup, occupied by a man driver, was traveling north on SH 95, DPS said. Then, a Ford F-350, occupied by a woman driver, was traveling south on SH 95. For an unknown reason, the Chevrolet
  
  Read more

• State of Texas: Families, inmates raise concerns about dangerous heat for Texas prisoners

  02-07-2023 01:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — A 35-year-old inmate died of cardiac arrest on the morning of June 23 while mowing a field at the Goree Unit in Huntsville, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice confirmed Tuesday.TDCJ identified the deceased inmate as Tommy McCullough from McKinney, Texas.
  McCullough's family is seeking more information as they raise concerns over the conditions during the summer heat."We received a call yesterday afternoon that he passed away due to a heat stroke because he was made
  
  Read more

• Pflugerville Fire Chief: July 4th one of busiest days for firefighters

  02-07-2023 00:25 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — As the sun set over Travis County on July 4, 2022, Austin Fire Department's incidents webpage rapidly added new incidents across the city and county: grass fires, structure fires and more.Pflugerville Fire Chief Nick Perkins said that the night of July 4th is routinely one of the busiest nights for firefighters. What to know about fireworks use in Travis County this 4th of July"I think it's a combination of it being a holiday weekend — there's a lot of p
  
  Read more

Follow @Austin_News_US on Twitter!