Austin news

• Affidavit: Man set mattress on fire in deadly 2018 San Marcos apartment fire

  06-07-2023 23:44 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS (KXAN) -- A Hays County arrest affidavit obtained by KXAN has revealed new details about what led to the arrest of Jacobe Ferguson, who is facing an arson charge connected with a fire at a San Marcos apartment complex that killed five people in 2018. NEXT: Former resident arrested after deadly 2018 apartment fire in San MarcosDuring a news conference Thursday morning, the San Marcos fire marshal said authorities served an arrest warrant to the 30-year-old former resident early Wednesd
  
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• Boil water notice rescinded in Lago Vista

  06-07-2023 21:50 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for July 6, 2023LAGO VISTA, Texas (KXAN) -- The City of Lago Vista public water system was put under a boil water notice Thursday after a water main break, according to a notice. The notice is rescinded as of Saturday."The public water system has taken the necessary corrective actions to restore the
  quality of the water distributed by this public water system used for drinking water or
  human consumption purposes," t
  
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• Boil water notice issued for parts of Lago Vista

  06-07-2023 21:50 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for July 6, 2023LAGO VISTA, Texas (KXAN) -- The City of Lago Vista public water system is under a boil water notice after a water main break, according to a notice.The water main break caused "reduced distribution system pressure in Pressure Planes PP-3-A and PP-2," the notice states. The boil water notice is directed for those two pressure plane areas, which can be seen in the map below.The notice states the water
  
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• Newcomer Brandan Craig excited to join Austin FC

  06-07-2023 21:26 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC is adding fresh legs to its roster by acquiring defender Brandan Craig on loan from the Philadelphia Union.
  Craig, 19, has only played in one MLS game, but he's been a player who the club believes can help going forward as he'll be a member of the Verde and Black for the remainder of the 2023 season.
  He recently represented the US Men's Youth National Under-20 team at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup where he was teammates with Austin FC Head Coach Josh Wolff's son, Ow
  
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• Heavy downpours bring Austin's coolest day in a month

  06-07-2023 21:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Clouds and scattered heavy downpours brought us our coolest afternoon in a month with temperatures at Austin-Bergstrom limited to the 80s. But as a ridge of high pressure builds back into Texas, another heatwave builds.Some rain totals reached 1-2 inches Thursday afternoon as a surge of Gulf moisture enhanced rainfall coverage from the Gulf Coast sea breeze. Many parts of Austin saw their first measurable rain in two weeks. Updated rainfall totalsA ridge of high pressure builds
  
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• Two Round Rock teens compete in national weightlifting competition

  06-07-2023 21:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) –  Two local teenagers qualified and competed last month in the USA Weightlifting National Championships in Colorado Springs, the largest national weightlifting competition. Decker Fontenot, 13, and Usman Kahn, 16, both train at the Huszka Weightlifting Club in Round Rock and competed in Colorado in June. Decker has been weightlifting since he was 10. “I was really nervous before [the competition].  But once I hit my first lifts, you know, it just fe
  
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• Austin Police looking for new leads in deadly September 2022 stabbing

  06-07-2023 21:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is still asking for the community's help gathering leads in a deadly stabbing that happened in downtown Austin last September.Man killed in downtown Austin stabbing identified; video released of suspectsOn Sept. 4, 2022, at approximately 2:34 a.m., D’Andre Isaiah Day, 27, flagged down police near East Sixth Street and Brazos Street after he was stabbed.
  Day was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
  APD is holding a press conference on Thurs
  
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• Austin police look for new leads in deadly September 2022 stabbing

  06-07-2023 21:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is still asking for the community's help gathering leads in a deadly stabbing that happened in downtown Austin last September.Man killed in downtown Austin stabbing identified; video released of suspectsOn Sept. 4, 2022, at approximately 2:34 a.m., D’Andre Isaiah Day, 27, flagged down police near East Sixth Street and Brazos Street after he was stabbed.
  Day was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
  APD is holding a press conference on Thurs
  
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• Water tasting or smelling funny? Austin Water says it's working to fix the issue after customer complaints

  06-07-2023 20:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, Austin Water said it was aware some customers were experiencing taste and odor issues but said people should not worry.“Taste and odor issues do not indicate that treated drinking water is unsafe to drink. Austin Water feeds powder-activated carbon to treated water to resolve taste and odor issues. This is separate from the steps we take to disinfect water and we test our water throughout the distribution system multiple times a day, every day to make sur
  
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• UT researchers discover most distant active supermassive black hole

  06-07-2023 20:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A supermassive black hole, newly discovered by researchers with the University of Texas, is now the most distant ever discovered. Named CEERS 1019, it was detected by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).The supermassive black hole existed about 570 million years after the big bang.
  The black hole was one of three identified by the Cosmic Evolution Early Releases Science (CEERS) survey. The research was published in The Astrophysics Journal Letters.
  The team is led by Universit
  
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• Mainlanes of I-35 North in Georgetown to close for construction

  06-07-2023 20:09 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for July 6, 2023WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Transportation said it would close the northbound Interstate 35 main lanes to set beams on the Williams Drive bridge in Georgetown Thursday night.TxDOT said the closure would begin Thursday at 9 p.m. and last until 5 a.m. Friday.Traffic will be closed to drivers between State Highway 29 and Northwest Boulevard. TxDOT said traffic wo
  
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• On the hunt for a job? House of Torment hiring 50 positions for 2023 season

  06-07-2023 19:40 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for July 6, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Horror enthusiasts job hunting, look no further: House of Torment Haunted House Austin announced Thursday it is hiring for 50 open positions ahead of the 2023 season.Those ages 16 and older can apply to the jobs, which include cashier, event staff, scare actor, photographer, customer experience specialist and makeup artist positions. No prior acting or haunted house experience is req
  
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• Federal judge grants changes to Nate Paul's bond conditions

  06-07-2023 19:25 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for July 6, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) – A federal judge overseeing the criminal case of real estate investor Nate Paul – who faces eight felony counts related to multi-million-dollar loans he sought for his companies – has modified Paul’s bond conditions to allow him to continue litigating civil cases that predate his June arrest, according to an order signed Thursday. EXPLORE: Who is Nate Paul &mdas
  
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• TxDOT to host public meeting on 10-year transportation plan

  06-07-2023 18:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas Department of Transportation will host a public meeting Thursday for residents to weigh in on the agency's Unified Transportation Program, or UTP, a 10-year outlook on transportation projects statewide.Thursday's virtual meeting, beginning at 2 p.m., is the first of two meetings slated for July. A second, virtual public hearing will be held on July 25 at 2 p.m.TxDOT approves adjustments to the UTP annually, which helps determine transportation funding across the state.
  
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• TxDOT seeks public feedback on $100B, 10-year plan

  06-07-2023 18:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas Department of Transportation hosted a public meeting Thursday for residents to weigh in on the agency's Unified Transportation Program, or UTP, a 10-year outlook on transportation projects statewide.Thursday's virtual meeting was the first of two meetings slated for July. A second, virtual public hearing will be held on July 25 at 2 p.m.The Texas Transportation Commission is expected to approve the 10-year UTP at its Aug. 16 meeting. The draft plan, as proposed, featur
  
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• Scientists hope to use diaper technology for drinking water

  06-07-2023 18:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As the world's climate warms and droughts increase in frequency and intensity, science is searching for ways to cope. Why are droughts becoming more common and more severe?Researchers at MIT are looking at using technology already in existence in diapers to help extract water from the driest desert air in the hope of finding cost-effective solutions to bring liquid to parched parts of the world.KXAN Meteorologist Nick Bannin spoke with Carlos Diaz-Marin, a mechanical engineer at
  
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• Volkswagen bringing self-driving vehicle tech to Austin

  06-07-2023 17:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Car manufacturer Volkswagen announced Thursday it would roll out self-driving vehicle technology in the Texas capital later in July, per CNBC reporting.Approximately 10 of VW's ID Buzz electric vans will be deployed in Austin by the end of 2023, with the first two vans scheduled to begin testing before the end of the month. The vans utilize autonomous driving systems, developed in coordination with Mobileye.
  The ID Buzz vans are manufactured with lidar, radar and camera systems
  
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• Texas lawmakers to speak on property tax relief plan

  06-07-2023 16:13 via kxan.com
  
  A live stream of the 9:30 a.m. news conference will be available in the video player above.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas state representatives are expected to speak Thursday regarding a plan for property tax relief to all Texans.Rep. Ana-María Ramos is expected to join Rep. John Bryant and other members of the Texas House to discuss the plan.“The agreement delivers significant property tax relief in a fair and equitable plan,” Ramos said in a release.According to Ramos, Bryant&r
  
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• Texas lawmakers speak on property tax relief plan

  06-07-2023 16:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas state representatives spoke Thursday regarding a plan for property tax relief for all Texans.Rep. Ana-María Ramos joined Rep. John Bryant and other members of the Texas House to discuss the plan.“The agreement delivers significant property tax relief in a fair and equitable plan,” Ramos said in a release.A recap of the 9:30 a.m. news conference will soon be available in the video player below.According to Ramos, Bryant’s plan:
  Increases the ba
  
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• Texas Democrats file new property tax relief plan with focus on teachers, renters

  06-07-2023 16:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- As top Texas Republicans show scant signs of progress towards a deal to lower property taxes, some Democrats in the Texas House are taking the impasse as an opportunity to present their own ideas.State. Rep. John Bryant, D-Dallas, led a small coalition of progressives on Thursday in supporting a new package of property tax relief measures that tops out larger than any other proposal yet.His bill proposes $20.9 billion to provide homestead exemptions of up to $200,000, cash re
  
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• LIVE: Texas lawmakers speak on property tax relief plan

  06-07-2023 16:13 via kxan.com
  
  A live stream of the 9:30 a.m. news conference will be available in the video player above.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas state representatives are expected to speak Thursday regarding a plan for property tax relief to all Texans.Rep. Ana-María Ramos is expected to join Rep. John Bryant and other members of the Texas House to discuss the plan.“The agreement delivers significant property tax relief in a fair and equitable plan,” Ramos said in a release.According to Ramos, Bryant&r
  
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• Blue Bell debuts a 'monster' of a new flavor

  06-07-2023 16:07 via kxan.com
  
  BRENHAM, Texas (FOX 44) -- Blue Bell is celebrating National Ice Cream Month with the release of something monstrously delicious.
  The company's new Monster Cookie Dough ice cream is now in stores. This is a creamy vanilla ice cream with bits of brown sugar loaded with peanut butter monster cookie dough pieces, candy-coated chocolate pieces and dark chocolate chunks. Monster Cookie Dough is available in the half-gallon and pint sizes for a limited time.
  Meanwhile, Blue Bell's Dr Pepper Float Ice
  
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• Developer eyes 722-acre lakeside development near Lake Georgetown

  06-07-2023 14:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (ABJ) -- A Wyoming-based developer is eyeing a 722-acre development in Georgetown that could bring 1,500 homes and a 15-acre resort hotel to the west side of Lake Georgetown.While the project is still in its initial stages, representatives from Zovest Capital LLC on June 27 presented a proposal to the Georgetown City Council to support creating a municipal utility district for Lakeside Estates, which would be next to Santa Rita Ranch in the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction. The Santa
  
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• State law impacts regulations on pet sales in Texas cities

  06-07-2023 13:59 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- The Texas Regulatory Consistency Act, known by its opponents as the "Death Star" law, will take away the power to regulate pet sales from city governments.
  HB 2127 will not allow local governments to have more strict regulations when it comes to business and commerce. Some local rules that will be removed by the bill include mandatory water breaks for construction workers, eviction moratoriums and protections against predatory lending.Those who are against the law say
  
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• APD: SWAT responds to call in east Austin, 1 taken into custody

  06-07-2023 12:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An aggravated assault call in east Austin turned into a SWAT situation Thursday, according to the Austin Police Department.APD said officers responded to the call in the 7000 block of Decker Lane at 1:09 a.m. for reports of a man shooting his brother. Austin Police said the man shot was in the hospital with life-threatening conditions.APD said a perimeter was set up around the area, but the suspect was not found. Officers then received information the suspect could be at a
  
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• APD: SWAT call in progress in east Austin

  06-07-2023 12:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An aggravated assault call in east Austin turned into a SWAT situation, according to the Austin Police Department.APD said officers responded to the call in the 7000 block of Decker Lane at 1:09 a.m. for reports of a man shooting his brother. Austin Police said the man who was shot was in the hospital with life-threatening conditions.APD said a perimeter was set up around the area, but the suspect was not found. Officers then received information the suspect could be at a s
  
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• Scattered storms today ahead of triple digit heat

  06-07-2023 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Relatively-speaking, today will the coolest and wettest day of the next 7... but given the time of year, we'll need to manage expectations.High temperatures will climb into the upper 80s and low 90s this afternoon, likely to shake out as our "coolest" day in a few weeks! Although we won't be reaching for jackets, today's highs are likely to fall short of average for this time of year.We'll have a mix of sun and clouds and occasional showers and storms today arriving from southea
  
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• Hotter, drier weather follows today's scattered storms

  06-07-2023 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Relatively-speaking, today will the coolest and wettest day of the next 7... but given the time of year, we'll need to manage expectations.Early morning clouds will partially clear some by early afternoon, only to bubble up again later today with isolated to scattered storms in the mix. While some areas will miss out, others especially east of I-35 may tally 0.5" to 1" of rain.Isolated to scattered storms Thursday afternoon & early eveningAfter today, our weather pattern ret
  
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• APD: Latest average 911 hold time was roughly 3 minutes

  06-07-2023 04:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department said the average hold time from June 25 though July 1 was 2 minutes and 53 seconds.
  APD also said call-takers answered 69.18% of calls in 15 seconds or less. ‘Felt like I was abandoned’: Family on hold with 911 after crash, calls ISD police insteadAPD 911 operator vacancies.
  The 911 call center continues to face staffing struggles.
  According to APD, there are currently 47 vacancies out of 104 operator positions.911 operators answer incomi
  
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• Grant given to Dickey Museum to rebuild home of civil rights advocate a year after devastating fire

  06-07-2023 04:20 via kxan.com
  
  TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) -- Nearly a year to the date after a fire destroyed a historic landmark in Taylor, Texas, the organization in charge of it announced that it received a grant to help rebuild.
  The home of civil rights advocate Dr. James Lee Dickey burned down on July 10 last year. Dickey was a physician and civil rights advocate in Taylor. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2017. Historic home of civil rights advocate burns down in TaylorThe Dickey Museum &
  
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• South Austin had the most fireworks complaints over Fourth of July holiday

  06-07-2023 02:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin 311 received almost 1,000 calls complaining about fireworks over the Fourth of July holiday, data shows.Between 12 a.m. on July 2 and 6 a.m. on July 5, Austin 311 received a total of 929 firework-related service requests, according to data obtained by KXAN.The majority of those — 699 — were on the Fourth of July itself, while 106 were in the early morning hours of July 5. A further 99 calls were on July 3.A breakdown by zip code shows a concentration of c
  
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• New York Times ranks 20 of the best 'new generation' Texas barbeque joints, 3 Austin businesses make the list

  06-07-2023 00:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The New York Times said Texas barbeque is in a “golden age,” with emerging pitmasters bringing dynamic flavors from different cultures, thus reinvigorating the classic cuisine. NYT made a list of 20 Texas barbeque restaurants that best reflect the new generation of pitmasters and chefs, which included three Austin joints. One of the authors, Brett Anderson, traveled to Texas seven times to seek out the best barbeque haunts across the state, and the second a
  
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• New York Times: 5 Central Texas barbecue joints named to 'best in Texas' list

  06-07-2023 00:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The New York Times said Texas barbeque is in a “golden age,” with emerging pitmasters bringing dynamic flavors from different cultures, thus reinvigorating the classic cuisine. NYT made a list of 20 Texas barbeque restaurants that best reflect the new generation of pitmasters and chefs, which included three Austin joints. One of the authors, Brett Anderson, traveled to Texas seven times to seek out the best barbeque haunts across the state, and the second a
  
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• Scattered showers and thunderstorms again on Thursday

  06-07-2023 00:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Gulf of Mexico sea breeze brought some Central Texans welcome rain and thunderstorms on Wednesday, and we expect another round of late-day rain in some areas Thursday.A slug of tropical moisture from the Gulf is expected to lead to mostly cloudy skies and a 40% chance of scattered rain on Thursday. While some areas will miss out, others especially east of I-35 may tally 0.5" to 1" of rain.The heat ridge over the Desert Southwest is forecast to build back into the area Friday
  
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• Ford leads a group of five Longhorns on preseason All-Big 12 Team

  06-07-2023 00:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In their final season in the conference, Texas leads the way with five players named to the 1st Team All-Big 12 team voted on by the media.Linebacker Jaylan Ford was not only voted to the 1st team but named preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Ford's 119 tackles was the most by a Longhorn since 2004 and his team-leading four interceptions was most by a Texas linebacker since 2003. Junior defensive lineman Byron Murphy II joins Ford on the All-Big 12 defensive team. Murph
  
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• School safety audit: More than 95% of Texas campuses not accessible to 'intruder'

  06-07-2023 00:01 via kxan.com
  
  Texas (KXAN) -- The Texas School Safety Center released findings from audits on school campus safety during the 2022-23 school year. The findings revealed that most campuses did not need corrective action.
  The report is a compilation of information gathered during school inspections where security experts showed up unannounced at schools to conduct random, in-person intruder audits at campuses across the state. RELATED: Texas school report shows 95% of campuses didn’t allow access to &lsqu
  
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