Austin news

• LIVE: Arrest made after deadly 2018 apartment fire in San Marcos

  05-07-2023 23:43 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — Several agencies plan to announce the arrest of a suspect almost five years after a deadly fire at a San Marcos apartment complex.
  According to a news release from the City of San Marcos, someone is now in custody after the fire that killed five people at the Iconic Village apartments on July 20, 2018. City leaders are not yet sharing the suspect's name or what led authorities to this person. However, they plan to put out more details at a news conference Thursda
  
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• Former resident arrested after deadly 2018 apartment fire in San Marcos

  05-07-2023 23:43 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — A 30-year-old former resident is now in custody facing an arson charge almost five years after a fire at a San Marcos apartment complex killed five people.Investigators said Jacobe Ferguson is currently in the Hays County Jail on a charge of arson causing serious injury, a first-degree felony. During a news conference Thursday morning, the San Marcos fire marshal said authorities served an arrest warrant to Ferguson early Wednesday morning in the 700 block of Eas
  
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• Arrest made after deadly 2018 apartment fire in San Marcos

  05-07-2023 23:43 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — Several agencies plan to announce the arrest of a suspect almost five years after a deadly fire at a San Marcos apartment complex.
  According to a news release from the City of San Marcos, someone is now in custody after the fire that killed five people at the Iconic Village apartments on July 20, 2018. City leaders are not yet sharing the suspect's name or what led authorities to this person. However, they plan to put out more details at a news conference Thursda
  
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• Music Commission to consider city-lead push for better pay for SXSW musicians

  05-07-2023 22:58 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) — The City of Austin's Music Commission will consider backing changes that would raise pay for musicians who play at South By Southwest. This comes after the city's Parks and Recreation board recommended to start charging the festival to use city venues if wages are not increased. Austin Parks and Rec Board votes to recommend ‘fair pay’ for SXSW artistsThe Music Commission is set to discuss recommendations and possibly take action at its meeting Wednesday evening.
  
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• Tuesday set an unofficial record for the hottest day on Earth. Wednesday may break it.

  05-07-2023 22:46 via kxan.com
  
  The planet's temperature spiked on Tuesday to its hottest day in decades and likely centuries, and Wednesday could become the third straight day Earth unofficially marks a record-breaking high. It's the latest in a series of climate-change extremes that alarm but don't surprise scientists.
  The globe's average temperature reached 62.9 degrees Fahrenheit (17.18 degrees Celsius) on Tuesday, according to the University of Maine’s Climate Reanalyzer, a common tool based on satellite data, obser
  
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• Deep Eddy Pool returns to regular hours after repairs

  05-07-2023 22:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Deep Eddy Pool returned to its regular operational hours after undergoing repairs.
  The pool is now open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, with the shallow end opening at 10 a.m.The City of Austin said these hours reflect a return to normal operational hours after the well pump and other mechanical issues were repaired.For more information about Deep Eddy Pool, visit the city's website.
  
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• LCRA awards $800,000 in latest round of community project grants

  05-07-2023 21:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Lower Colorado River Authority has awarded more than $800,000 to first responders and community projects in the latest round of the agency's community grants program.The LCRA awarded $814,951 to 34 projects across its wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. The funds are part of the agency's Community Development Partnership Program (CDPP), which to date has awarded grants totaling almost $50 million.The two largest grants went to Bellville Little Leag
  
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• DoorDash drops driver who swore at customer in viral video: 'We've removed this Dasher from our platform'

  05-07-2023 21:49 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – A delivery driver for DoorDash is no longer working for the company after a viral video appeared to show him cursing at a customer for leaving what he deemed to be an insufficient tip.Lacey Purciful, the Texas resident at the receiving end of the DoorDasher’s anger, had uploaded surveillance footage of the exchange on TikTok over the weekend. Food delivery fees add up. Who keeps the money from all those surcharges?In the clip, the DoorDash driver could be seen removing Pu
  
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• Walmart mass shooter faces judge, expected to speak in court

  05-07-2023 21:34 via kxan.com
  
  EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – The man who shot 23 people dead at an El Paso Walmart almost four years ago showed little emotion as he appeared for the start of his sentencing hearing in federal court Wednesday morning.Patrick Wood Crusius, 24, mostly looked straight ahead and occasionally at the bench as Senior U.S. District Judge David C. Guaderrama reviewed the pre-sentencing report for the suspect. He wore a blue prison uniform, black-rim glasses and shaggy hair.As the procedures sta
  
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• Austin FC specialty license plates now available online

  05-07-2023 20:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin FC fans can now showcase their Verde pride from the comfort of their own car.Custom license plate manufacturer My Plates announced Wednesday an official Austin FC license plate is now available online. Austin FC is the only Major League Soccer team in the Texas program with its own official license plate, company representatives said in the release. ICYMI: Texas passes bill eliminating mandatory vehicle inspectionsAustin FC plates are available for purchase, starting at $
  
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• Texas mother fights fungal meningitis after cosmetic procedure in Matamoros

  05-07-2023 20:39 via kxan.com
  
  HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Texas family is asking for support after a mother of three was diagnosed with fungal meningitis following a cosmetic procedure in Matamoros. A snail causes an Austin woman’s dog to become severely ill, racks up thousands in vet billsKVEO in Brownsville spoke with 31-year-old Crystal Villegas, who is currently hospitalized at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen after she was diagnosed with the rare infection that causes swelling around the b
  
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• Is your neighborhood being targeted? Some Austin neighborhoods seeing significant increase in auto thefts

  05-07-2023 20:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Auto thefts in Austin continue to be a problem as more and more people are getting their cars stolen.The most recent data from May shows a 23% increase in auto thefts, putting the total from January to May of this year to 2,586. In comparison, there were 2,110 auto thefts from January to May of 2022.Detective Julian Ogle with the Austin Police Department’s auto theft interdiction unit said car thefts are continuing at an alarming rate.“Specifically, in the last
  
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• H-E-B Splash Park now open at Texas State Aquarium

  05-07-2023 19:59 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for July 5, 2023.CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (KXAN) -- Visitors to the Texas State Aquarium will have a new way to beat the heat and stay cool this summer.Texas State Aquarium announced Monday its new H-E-B Splash Park is open for guests and aquarium members to enjoy. Visitors are welcomed to stop by the splash park as part of their aquarium admission.The $2.8 million park is three times the size of the aquarium's previou
  
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• STUDY: Here are the Texas cities with the highest, lowest cost of living

  05-07-2023 19:42 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for July 5, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) –  When it comes to the cost of living in the Lone Star State, Austinites pay the most while those living in Midland pay the least, according to a new analysis by Texas Real Estate Source. New study tracks California to Texas migrationProperty experts for the real estate search engine analyzed several factors – including property taxes, utilities and prices of some goo
  
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• Fire crews respond to boat dock fire in northwest Austin

  05-07-2023 19:31 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for July 5, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A boat dock fire on Coldwater Canyon Drive in northwest Austin has led to significant damages to the dock, Austin Fire Department officials tweeted Wednesday. Sheriff: Body of 8 year old missing in Lake Travis foundOfficials told KXAN the fire happened in the 7300 block of Coldwater Canyon Drive, where at least one boat was on fire. The fire is primarily under control now, and no in
  
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• Teen pinned inside vehicle after crash near Circle C neighborhood

  05-07-2023 19:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A teenager was pinned inside of a vehicle after a crash in southwest Austin near the Circle C neighborhood Wednesday morning.Austin-Travis County EMS said the crash happened near La Crosse Avenue and Walpole Lane. ATCEMS reported the crash on social media at 11:31 a.m.The teen is considered a "trauma alert" and will likely be taken to a local hospital, ATCEMS said.The Austin Fire Department and ATCEMS responded to the scene. First responders are asking people to avoid the a
  
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• Tracking the Tropics: Can hurricane history help us predict future patterns?

  05-07-2023 18:06 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The tropics have been quiet for the first time since the season's first tropical wave formed in late May. But as we move further into the hurricane season, can we expect the peace to continue?Meteorologists often look at the past to paint a better picture of the future. So this week, Max Defender 8 Meteorologist Rebecca Barry and WCBD Meteorologist Rob Fowler will turn through the pages of history to see where things might be headed next.The National Hurricane Center h
  
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• Texas State offers free 24/7 counseling for students

  05-07-2023 17:22 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) --- Texas State University students are now able to access more mental health support, with university officials crediting a new partnership with the virtual health provider TimelyCare.
  The collaboration allows Texas State students to access these services 24/7 at no additional cost to them via the TimelyCare App or by visiting TXST TimelyCare.The university said students will have access to the following:On-demand mental health and emotional support (TalkNow) Menta
  
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• Austin Fire received 300 fireworks-related calls this 4th of July

  05-07-2023 16:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As many gathered to celebrate the Fourth of July Tuesday, Austin Fire Department dispatchers answered roughly 300 calls regarding fireworks-related incidents, the department said in a tweet Wednesday.Of the 300 calls received, approximately 250 of them related to grass, dumpster and trash fires. The agency also responded to a handful of structure fires. PHOTOS: Austin neighborhoods throw Fourth of July celebrationsThe 300 calls received related to fireworks are phone calls "abov
  
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• CapMetro rail service temporarily suspended for maintenance

  05-07-2023 15:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- CapMetro's MetroRail service will be suspended Wednesday through July 14 as part of planned maintenance along the rail line.Special event MetroRail service will resume on July 15 for the Austin FC game at Q2 Stadium.A portion of Braker Lane will also be closed at the railroad crossing from July 7-12 as CapMetro crews continue work at McKalla Station. Businesses along the roadway will be available for access.CapMetro released a map of eastbound and westbound traffic detours for d
  
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• University of Texas Police Department welcomes new chief

  05-07-2023 14:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- New leadership is joining the University of Texas at Austin Police Department Wednesday with the swearing in of new police chief Eve Stephens.UTPD will host the swearing-in ceremony at 8 a.m. Wednesday. Stephens joins UTPD after retiring from the Austin Police Department in March, following almost 24 years of service there.
  
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• University of Texas Police Department welcomes first female, Asian-American chief

  05-07-2023 14:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)—New leadership is joining the University of Texas at Austin Police Department Wednesday with the swearing in of new police chief Eve Stephens.According to the University, she's the first female chief and is also the first Asian-American to serve in the role.Eve Stephens, first female and Asian-American sworn in as UT Police Chief. (KXAN photos/Lauren Ryan).Eve Stephens, first female and Asian-American sworn in as UT Police Chief. (KXAN photos/Lauren Ryan).Eve Stephens, first
  
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• Law enforcement suicide: How state and federal governments support officers, track deaths

  05-07-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — "Cops are those individuals others look to solve problems and protect persons in need. Weakness is not seen as an option and therefore, they will often refuse to acknowledge their own internal struggles," an online obituary stated.That obituary was written for a Texas police officer who took his own life last year on Dec. 2.
  The following day on Dec. 3, a second Texas police officer from a different law enforcement agency also died by suicide.Both officers were in their 40s
  
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• Group covers confederate monument outside Williamson County courthouse

  05-07-2023 13:55 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- While the Fourth of July commemorates the Declaration of Independence within the United States, two groups focused on a different piece of U.S. history Tuesday.Outside the Williamson County Courthouse in Georgetown stands a confederate monument. Members of the Williamson County Patriots wrapped the monument with a black fabric Tuesday, before then wrapping it with an American flag.
  The group was taking signatures down to showcase to Williamson County Commissioners the
  
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• Round Rock roofer wins national contest

  05-07-2023 13:31 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK (KXAN) — A Round Rock woman has been named the Female Roofing Professional of the Year.Michelle Ly took the top honor in this annual campaign put on by Beacon, highlighting women in the roofing industry across the U.S. and Canada.More than 3,000 women were nominated for the competition.Ly, who serves as operations manager at Hall Roofing and Construction in Round Rock, was also the first woman from Texas to win this award.Working within an industry historically dominated by men,
  
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• H-E-B celebrates grand opening of Nutty Brown store

  05-07-2023 13:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- H-E-B commemorated the grand opening of its Nutty Brown location in southwest Austin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday morning.Located at 12021 U.S. Hwy. 290 West in Austin, the new 103,000-square-foot grocery store is at the former site of the Nutty Brown Amphitheatre. To help commemorate the history of the location, the H-E-B store will showcase legacy venue memorabilia, including signed guitars from Texas musicians who played the Nutty Brown Amphitheatre and a vintage
  
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• Construction project causing frustration in east Austin neighborhood

  05-07-2023 12:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A storm water improvement project overseen by the City of Austin's Capital Projects Delivery Department is raising concerns for neighbors who live in the path of the construction site.
  The neighborhood, located between Manor Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and situated west of Alexander Avenue, is surrounded by new developments and construction. Recently, large dump trucks and construction noises are the typical sights and sounds of the area. For the past month, neighb
  
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• PHOTOS: Austin neighborhoods throw Fourth of July celebrations

  05-07-2023 01:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Neighborhoods across Austin gathered together Tuesday to commemorate the Fourth of July holiday.Patriotic parades took over the streets, complete with decorated vehicles and bikes.
  "It brings everyone together, and it helps us to understand our community and that we get to know our neighbors and celebrate being Americans," Allandale parade volunteer Amanda Cagle said.
  Neighborhoods like Allandale, Northwest Hills, Shady Hollow and Tarrytown each organized their own events f
  
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