Austin news

• Texas begins installing buoy barrier to deter migrants on Rio Grande River

  07-07-2023 22:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Trucks hauling rows of large, orange-colored buoys arrived Friday at the U.S.-Mexico border, where the state of Texas is set to string them along a section of the Rio Grande River as a tactic to deter migrants from crossing illegally into the country.
  The Texas Department of Public Safety shared pictures on social media of the new buoy barrier, which showed equipment lifting some parts of it off a flatbed truck. The law enforcement agency noted in its tweet, "The buoys have
  
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• Texas begins installing buoy barrier to deter migrants on Rio Grande

  07-07-2023 22:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Trucks hauling rows of large, orange-colored buoys arrived Friday at the U.S.-Mexico border, where the state of Texas is set to string them along a section of the Rio Grande as a tactic to deter migrants from crossing illegally into the country.
  The Texas Department of Public Safety shared pictures on social media of the new buoy barrier, which showed equipment lifting some parts of it off a flatbed truck. The law enforcement agency noted in its tweet, "The buoys have arriv
  
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• TDCJ moving to digital mail to try to reduce contraband entering jails

  07-07-2023 22:21 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) -- The Texas Department of Criminal Justice, or TDCJ, will soon transition to a digital mail platform.
  The department said in an announcement Friday the goal of the transition is to reduce the number of contraband items coming into facilities throughout the state.Texas inmates ‘being cooked alive’ in heatwave with no air conditioningTDCJ will roll the program out in phases starting on July 17, according to the announcement. It will first launch at Polunsky, Coffield, Powledge,
  
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• Delta Air Lines launching two new nonstops from Austin in October

  07-07-2023 22:16 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for July 7, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) — Delta Air Lines is adding two new nonstop flights from Austin to its schedule later this year.Beginning Oct. 9, the airline will fly direct from Austin-Bergstrom International to both Las Vegas and Orlando. Tickets for both new year-round routes go on sale on July 8. FULL LIST: All the new nonstop flights from AUS this yearDaily flights to Harry Reid International in Las Vegas w
  
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• Pflugerville's Book Burrow closes in on a store after social media support

  07-07-2023 21:45 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) -- A sizable social media response may allow local bookstore The Book Burrow to reach its goal of selling 1,000 books by July 12, which would let the business find a new home.Courtesy Kelsey Black
  The Book Burrow currently occupies a space in the Three Legged Goat, a wine and craft beer bar located at 200 E Pecan St. in Pflugerville. It moved into that space in Spring 2023, but the business has been in operation since 2021. During 2021-2023, the business sold books fro
  
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• City appoints new Downtown Austin Community Court Administrator

  07-07-2023 20:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin said it appointed Robert Kingham as the next Downtown Austin Community Court Administrator.According to a release from the city, Kingham served as the Court Operations Manager for DACC since 2017.“Robert Kingham is an excellent choice as the next Court Administrator for the Downtown Austin Community Court,” Bruce Mills, Interim Assistant City Manager for Public Safety, said.  “He has the experience and knowledge needed to ensure the
  
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• Texas gunman in Walmart shooting gets 90 consecutive life sentences and may still face death penalty

  07-07-2023 19:34 via kxan.com
  
  EL PASO, Texas (AP) — A white gunman who killed 23 people in a racist attack on Hispanic shoppers at a Walmart in a Texas border city was sentenced Friday to 90 consecutive life sentences but could still face more punishment, including the death penalty.
  Patrick Crusius, 24, pleaded guilty earlier this year to nearly 50 federal hate crime charges in the 2019 mass shooting in El Paso, making it one of the U.S. government’s largest hate crime cases.Crusius, wearing a jumpsuit and shack
  
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• Texas gunman in Walmart shooting gets 90 consecutive life sentences but may still face death penalty

  07-07-2023 19:05 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for July 7, 2023EL PASO, Texas (AP) — A white gunman who killed 23 people in a racist attack on Hispanic shoppers at a Walmart in a Texas border city was sentenced Friday to 90 consecutive life sentences but could still face more punishment, including the death penalty.Patrick Crusius, 24, pleaded guilty earlier this year to nearly 50 federal hate crime charges in the 2019 mass shooting in El Paso, making it o
  
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• Q&A: Construction on Loop 360 will eliminate traffic lights in Westlake

  07-07-2023 18:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Construction on Loop 360 in Westlake has marked a year into the project, where the Texas Department of Transportation is removing the signals at Westlake Drive and Cedar Street.
  Our traffic anchor, Erica Brennes, sat down with Bradley Wheelis from the TxDOT Austin office for an update on the project and to learn more about the long term vision for 360.Construction at Westlake Drive and Loop 360 (KXAN Photo)Erica Brennes: What's going on with construction on 360? I've actually ha
  
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• Q&A: Construction on Loop 360 will eliminate traffic lights in parts of west Austin

  07-07-2023 18:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Construction on Loop 360 in west Austin has marked a year into the project, where the Texas Department of Transportation is removing the signals at Westlake Drive and Cedar Street.
  Our traffic anchor, Erica Brennes, sat down with Bradley Wheelis from the TxDOT Austin office for an update on the project and to learn more about the long-term vision for 360.Construction at Westlake Drive and Loop 360 (KXAN Photo)Erica Brennes: What's going on with construction on 360? I've act
  
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• Longhorns earned $15.5M in NIL deals so far; new information now limited by Texas law

  07-07-2023 18:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN/Austin Business Journal) -- In the two years since University of Texas student athletes were allowed to ink name, image and likeness deals, they've earned at least $15.5 million, according to reporting from the Austin Business Journal based on public records requests. Inside the future of NIL and how Texas stack upMost of the money -- $13, 579, 662 -- went toward football and men's basketball, but student athletes from 15 different sports reported 2,980 deals to the university as of
  
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• Impact paddle boarders, kayakers have on Lady Bird Lake

  07-07-2023 18:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In the midst of holiday celebrations, numerous people took to Lady Bird Lake, whether by paddle board, kayakers or other means, but how does the increase in people on the lake impact the ecosystem?The City of Austin’s Watershed Protection Department said a lot of paddlers and people walking on the sediments could dislodge aquatic plants and stir-up sediments, temporarily increasing turbidity and nutrient contents.And with any large gathering in the water, there is the
  
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• Lawmakers to hear from public on property tax relief

  07-07-2023 17:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- A special committee of Texas House lawmakers on Friday will hear public testimony regarding a slate of new legislation aimed at cutting property taxes.The House Select Study Committee on Sustainable Property Tax Relief convenes at the Capitol at 11:00 Friday morning to hear testimony "only on methods to reduce the tax burden of appraisal increases on all real property."Speaker Dade Phelan created that committee amid a months-long standoff on a deal to lower property taxes. He
  
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• Lawmakers hear from public on property tax relief

  07-07-2023 17:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- A special committee of Texas House lawmakers on Friday heard public testimony regarding a slate of new legislation aimed at cutting property taxes.The House Select Study Committee on Sustainable Property Tax Relief convened at the Capitol to hear testimony "only on methods to reduce the tax burden of appraisal increases on all real property."Speaker Dade Phelan created that committee amid a months-long standoff on a deal to lower property taxes. He was a primary supporter of
  
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• Registered sex offender accused of finding 10-year-old victim on Snapchat, arrested in Hays County

  07-07-2023 17:02 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A registered sex offender was arrested in Hays County Sunday in connection with child sex trafficking, according to the Hays County Sheriff’s Office.HCSO said 24-year-old Diego Alejandro Cortez was taken into custody in Kyle and charged with harboring a runaway child, a Class A misdemeanor. An additional charge of child trafficking to engage in sexual conduct, a first-degree felony, was later added, according to officials.Cortez does not have an attorney l
  
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• The coolest spots on Austin's Hike and Bike Trail to beat the heat

  07-07-2023 15:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- If you are one of the 5 million visitors who hit the hike and bike trail around Lady Bird Lake every year, then you are likely looking for the best spots on the trail to cool off.“The best place to sit down, cool off and get away from the heat is under Mopac bridge at Lou Neff Point,” said Jonatan Salinas the Ecological Restoration Coordinator with The Trail Conservancy.Part of Salinas’ job is to make sure the 10-mile trail has enough areas and amenities to kee
  
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• Pours for Pets fundraiser assisting animals in Austin

  07-07-2023 14:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A local nonprofit is bringing business to local breweries and restaurants while assisting animals in need.Throughout the month of July, Austin Pets Alive! is hosting its annual fundraiser, Pours for Pets.This passport-style event benefits APA!’s lifesaving programs that have helped Austin remain the longest-running No Kill city in the nation.Juan Negrette is a public relations specialist with Austin Pets Alive!"It's a great way for the community to go out and enjoy a
  
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• Traffic Alert: Vehicle fire blocks several lanes near I-35 in north Austin

  07-07-2023 14:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A vehicle on fire has blocked several lanes near Interstate 35 in north Austin, according to the City of Austin’s Transportation and Public Works Department.Officials said the fire was near the northbound I-35 Frontage Road and Wells Branch Parkway.Drivers were asked to consider alternate routes and expect delays.This is a developing story. Check back with KXAN for more details.
  
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• ATCEMS: 1 dead, 2 with serious injuries after crash off SH 130

  07-07-2023 12:39 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Officials said a person died early Friday morning after two vehicles were involved in a collision near the 10100 block of North State Highway 130 heading north. Two others were also reported with serious injuries, one possibly life-threatening.Austin-Travis County EMS said the initial callout occurred at 1:20 a.m. for a single vehicle 100 to 200 feet down an embankment. Officials later discovered a second vehicle and identified there were three total patients
  
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• Rain chances dry up ahead of another heat wave

  07-07-2023 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Our chances for spotty showers continue to dwindle as very isolated showers continue to dry up. Still, it was another day below 100º, which we have to be grateful for.Tonight will be partly cloudy with widespread low clouds heading in to start our Saturday morning.Those clouds lift by mid-morning to reveal a mostly sunny sky that will push temperatures into the upper 90s tomorrow. We'll probably escape ONE MORE DAY without 100º heat on Saturday, before triple digits re
  
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• Next string of 100s takes hold this week

  07-07-2023 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Hot... and only getting hotter.After some nice spots of soaking rain yesterday, our rain chance thins out today to only include a 10% chance of isolated storms late morning through early evening. Afternoon highs will be a few degrees warmer but will top out close to seasonal averages.The infamous "heat dome" currently sitting to our west will nudge a bit closer to the state this weekend into next week. This change in pattern will shut down our rain chances and allow temperatures
  
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• Magnet factory brings future of clean energy to Central Texas

  07-07-2023 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) -- Magnets are going green in Central Texas. Noveon Magnetics celebrated its grand opening this summer, after opening its doors in 2020. The company manufactures permanent magnets by reusing old ones."We can reprocess old magnets from applications that reached the end of their lives," said Catalina Tudor, co-founder and Chief Information Officer with Noveon.Traditionally, rare earth metals needed to produce magnets are mined. Not only does this require digging for a non-
  
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• State prepares to take over case against Walmart mass shooter

  07-07-2023 04:18 via kxan.com
  
  EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – As the federal hate crimes case against the El Paso Walmart mass shooter concludes, Texas state prosecutors are preparing to take Patrick Wood Crusius to court once again. And this time, his life will be on the line.“I want to emphasize that nothing that happens in the federal courthouse will affect what happens in the state courthouse,” El Paso District Attorney Bill Hicks said on Thursday. “We are still going to be prosecuting the Walmar
  
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• Austin ISD teachers asked to pay back $2,000 bonus after district 'inadvertently' overpaid some employees

  07-07-2023 03:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Email records show some Austin Independent School District teachers are being asked to pay back a $2,000 retention stipend after district officials said they accidentally paid them out to the wrong employees.According to a district email sent to teachers, the retention stipend was a recruitment tool meant for newly hired staff who agreed to be assigned to hard-to-staff positions. The email from the Chief Human Capital Officer said a processing error led to the bonus also go
  
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• Austin ISD teachers asked to pay back $2,000 bonus after district accidentally overpaid some employees

  07-07-2023 03:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Email records show some Austin Independent School District teachers are being asked to pay back a $2,000 retention stipend after district officials said they accidentally paid them out to the wrong employees.According to a district email sent to teachers, the retention stipend was a recruitment tool meant for newly hired staff who agreed to be assigned to hard-to-staff positions. The email from the Chief Human Capital Officer said a processing error led to the bonus also go
  
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• Austin could change how it notifies you about new developments

  07-07-2023 02:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's a section of the Austin City Council agenda that's easy to overlook: zoning and neighborhood plan amendments. But city council members say when you provide feedback on changes that could be made to a property near you, it makes a difference.
  "I can think of numerous instances where neighbors have showed up and said, you know, this change isn't really something we support, we think it should be more in line with this or that. And we listen, and we make those changes, right t
  
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• Austin could change how it notifies you about new development

  07-07-2023 02:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's a section of the Austin City Council agenda that's easy to overlook: zoning and neighborhood plan amendments. But city council members say when you provide feedback on changes that could be made to a property near you, it makes a difference.
  "I can think of numerous instances where neighbors have showed up and said, you know, this change isn't really something we support, we think it should be more in line with this or that. And we listen, and we make those changes, right t
  
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• AUS, Copa Airlines celebrate new nonstop service to Panama City

  07-07-2023 01:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Copa Airlines on Thursday celebrated the first flight from Austin to Panama City.
  In February, AUS announced the Latin American airline would be joining the airport with a new, nonstop service to Panama City starting July 6.4 new routes announced for Austin airport, including 2 new international destinationsThis comes after what AUS said was a "years-long effort by city leaders and airport business partners" to connect Austin and Ce
  
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• 62-year-old dies after being hit while riding in motorized wheelchair on FM 969

  07-07-2023 01:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A 62-year-old man died at the hospital after being hit by a pickup truck while he was riding a motorized wheelchair on FM 969.
  The crash happened on June 26 shortly before 1:30 p.m. in the 6600 block of FM 969.MAP: Where have Austin’s fatal crashes occurred in 2023?Austin Police Department officers responded to the crash, which involved a pickup truck and a man on a motorized wheelchair.
  The man, later identified as Victor Hunter, 62, was taken to a hospital, where he late
  
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• Atlantic hurricane projections jump despite El Niño

  07-07-2023 00:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Colorado State University issued its third Atlantic hurricane forecast for 2023 and they now expect a busier than normal hurricane season.Earlier projections weighed heavily on the belief that El Niño would be the dominating force this year. El Niño typically acts to suppress tropical activity to near or below normal in the Atlantic. 2023 Atlantic hurricane forecast in AprilNow, we're already four storms into the season after an unnamed sub-tropical storm in Januar
  
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• Study finds baby formula shortage led to many families using 'unsafe' practices

  07-07-2023 00:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – In a study recently released in BMC Pediatrics, researchers found that many families, especially lower-income ones, engaged in risky infant feeding practices to cope with the 2022 infant formula shortage. Due to COVID-19 supply chain disruptions, as well as some big brand recalls, seeing empty baby formula shelves in 2022 was not uncommon. Researchers found the shortage led to many families turning to harmful practices – such as diluting formula with water and us
  
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