Austin news

• Hottest day of the year so far with little relief in sight

  12-07-2023 23:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin's high temperature soared to 107° on Wednesday, our 21st 100° day of the year and the hottest temperature recorded so far in 2023. As an unusually strong heat dome continues to control our weather, there is no relief in sight for at least the next week.The Heat Advisory that was in effect has been upgraded to a more serious Excessive Heat Warning, in effect through 9 p.m. Thursday. Heat index values may reach 114°, presenting a serious risk to the health of th
  
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• Affidavit: Woman admitted to drinking before hitting woman, boat, house

  12-07-2023 22:49 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for July 12, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A deadly east Austin crash involved a car hitting both a boat and a home, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by KXAN. The crash left one person dead, and one arrested over the weekend. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: One dead, one arrested after vehicle-pedestrian crash in east AustinAt approximately 11:15 p.m. Saturday, officers from the Austin Police Department responded to the 5400 blo
  
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• Affidavit: Driver admitted to drinking before hitting woman, boat, house

  12-07-2023 22:49 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for July 12, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A deadly east Austin crash involved a car hitting both a boat and a home, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by KXAN. The crash left one person dead, and one arrested over the weekend. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: One dead, one arrested after vehicle-pedestrian crash in east AustinAt approximately 11:15 p.m. Saturday, officers from the Austin Police Department responded to the 5400 blo
  
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• Piles of trash, furniture, appliances cleaned up from property on Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone

  12-07-2023 22:48 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) --- A home in San Marcos that once had piles of items ranging from tires, appliances and clothing on its front lawn has since been cleaned up. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ‘It’s a big worry’: Piles of items collected at property on Edwards Aquifer Recharge ZoneThat's after two neighbors bought the property from the landowner and started clearing the garbage.
  This is what it looked like before the cleanup:
  Piles and piles of tires, appliances, clothing and more ha
  
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• Police searching field for leads related to Raul Meza, potential 'serial killer'

  12-07-2023 21:43 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for July 12, 2023.
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Austin Police and Pflugerville Police are searching a field off FM 1825 in Pflugerville, following leads related to possible serial killer Raul Meza Jr., according to Pflugerville police.Meza, 62, was arrested by the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force on May 25. He faces four charges and has combined bonds amounting to more than $3 million. MOR
  
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• Integral Care to open northeast Austin facility, setting out to serve black and brown community

  12-07-2023 21:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Neighbors who live in northeast Austin are at higher risk for hospitalization and early death.
  That's according to Integral Care and its partners. It's why in it worked for nearly a decade to open a new healthcare facility in a location right off I-35.
  It's about equity and access for the group and its partners.
  Patients will have access to primary and mental health care, counseling and wellness programs, a pharmacy and other referral resources. This is all available to com
  
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• Property tax cuts hit the fast track as Texas Senate advances long-awaited agreement

  12-07-2023 21:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — A key portion of an $18 billion legislative package to cut land-owning Texans’ property taxes received unanimous approval in the Texas Senate on Wednesday, moving the long-awaited compromise deal along a fast track to the governor’s desk after months of agonizing negotiations among the state’s top Republicans.The House is expected to vote on the legislation Thursday.The agreement, which was announced Monday, would lower taxes for the sta
  
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• The Book Burrow surpasses sales goal, opening door for new space

  12-07-2023 19:27 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — A week and a half after a social media call for help, The Book Burrow has passed its goal of selling 1,000 books, creating the possibility of finding a home for Pflugerville's only bookstore.Previous: Pflugerville’s Book Burrow closes in on a store after social media support“I thought we were gonna sell maybe 200 books…it’s been a crazy week,” said store owner Kelsey Black to KXAN on July 7. “I am just blessed that the
  
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• 2 injured after rollover crash on East US-290

  12-07-2023 19:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two people were injured in a two-vehicle crash on East US-290 eastbound near Manor.
  Austin-Travis County EMS tweeted one of the vehicles was rolled over on its roof, and one person was pinned in a vehicle and had to be extricated.Travis County Emergency Services District 12 tweeted the crash was near Beltex Drive and Paseo De Presidente Boulevard.
  ATCEMS said both people involved were declared trauma alerts and were transported to Dell Seton with potentially serious injurie
  
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• Mother fights for new food allergy awareness law after son dies eating at McAllen restaurant

  12-07-2023 19:08 via kxan.com
  
  HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — After nearly a decade of pushing for food allergy awareness following the death of her son, a determined mother's hard work paid off as a new law goes into effect this year.In 2014, Sergio Alexander Lopez died after ingesting peanut butter at a McAllen restaurant. Before eating, Lopez checked with employees whether it was safe.
  Lopez, who was 24, was an aspiring musician who graduated from high school in Harlingen.ValleyCentral spoke with his mother, Beli
  
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• Texas Department of Public Safety says it will keep patrolling despite Austin suspending partnership

  12-07-2023 18:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Interim City Manager Jesús Garza announced Wednesday that he has suspended the City's partnership with the Texas Department of Public Safety with the approval of Mayor Kirk Watson.
  "I feel like we had a partnership that had promise to it," Watson said. "But when you can't defend certain actions, you have to, as I've said from the very beginning, you have to make changes."Watson defended DPS' presence in Austin when KXAN sat down with him Monday to discuss
  
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• City of Austin suspends partnership with Texas Department of Public Safety

  12-07-2023 18:42 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for July 12, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Interim City Manager Jesús Garza announced Wednesday that he has suspended the City's partnership with the Texas Department of Public Safety with the approval of Mayor Kirk Watson.
  “From the start of this partnership with DPS, I said I wanted Austinites to feel safe and be safe. Recent events demonstrate we need to suspend the partnership with DPS. The
  
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• Tracking the Tropics: New hurricane outlook predicts 'above-average' season

  12-07-2023 18:22 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Researchers at Colorado State University are now forecasting an “above-average” Atlantic hurricane season due in part to record warm sea surface across much of the Atlantic.The updated forecast predicts 18 named storms, nine hurricanes, and four major hurricanes — that’s five more named storms, three more hurricanes, and two more major hurricanes than CSU’s initial predictions.(WFLA)But researchers warned there’s more uncertainty tha
  
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• How much money is Austin spending on homeless camp clean up?

  12-07-2023 18:00 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for July 12, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) — On May 1, 2021, Austin voters approved Proposition B, making it a criminal offense for anyone to sit, lie down or camp in public areas. Since that time the city has been cleaning up and moving hundreds of camps across the city, but it comes at a cost.Many of the people experiencing homelessness usually just move to another area when they are forced out of a camp site, which mea
  
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• Downtown Austin courthouse briefly evacuated Wednesday

  12-07-2023 17:42 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for July 12, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) — Those inside a courthouse in downtown Austin were briefly evacuated Wednesday morning.A KXAN employee working to pick up court documents said an employee told him to leave due to "an evacuation" shortly after 10 a.m. He, along with other members of the public, attorneys and judges, gathered outside the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center at 509 W. 11th Street.People were
  
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• Texas falls out of top 5 in CNBC's top states for business list

  12-07-2023 14:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – A study of America's top states for business placed Texas out of its top 5 for the first time since it was started in 2007.
  CNBC’s America’s Top States for Business study ranked Texas No. 1 in 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2018. According to CNBC, Texas placed sixth overall in 2023.
  Here's the breakdown:CNBC said Texas ties for No. 1 with California in Access to Capital with abundant financing for small businesses.
  Texas trails only North Carolina in Workforce
  
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• Permanent safety changes proposed for Rainey Street area

  12-07-2023 14:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin Parks and Recreation Department told the city council on July 6 a consultant group hired by the city has made recommendations for permanent safety improvements along Rainey Street near Lady Bird Lake.
  According to a city memo, the proposed changes include:A camera at the corner of Rainey Street and Cummings Street.Strategies to encourage the use of alternate pedestrian routes after the trail closes at 10p.m.: New infrastructure along East Avenue, pedestrian scale
  
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• Campaign Context: President Biden claims he created record number of jobs

  12-07-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  As campaign season nears, politicians are turning up the volume on campaign rhetoric. To cut through the noise, we’re launching Campaign Context, a weekly series providing clarity on the messages you’re hearing from candidates on the campaign trail. We’re digging past the politics and into the facts to provide you with the transparent, spin-free information you need to make informed decisions this election season.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Kicking off KXAN's Campaign Context series,
  
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• List: Top 5 tree diseases in Austin and how to spot them

  12-07-2023 13:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Trees have been through a lot the last few years in Central Texas. In 2021, the snowy freeze, and then in February 2023, the ice storm.Meteorologist Nick Bannin spoke with Kevin Martin, an arborist with Davey Tree Expert Company, about the diseases you're most likely to see in Austin and Central Texas.KXAN Meteorologist Nick Bannin: Kevin, thanks for being here. You've got the list of the top five most prevalent tree diseases here in Central Texas. What are they?Kevin Martin, Ar
  
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• Volunteers cleanup Lady Bird Lake following Fourth of July

  12-07-2023 13:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It’s been over a week since Fourth of July festivities wrapped up in Austin.Throughout the Independence Day weekend, Austin witnessed thousands of people on paddleboards, kayaks and boats in Lady Bird Lake.This week, cleanup efforts have continued as a lot of litter is still floating on the lake. RELATED: Impact paddle boarders, kayakers have on Lady Bird LakeOn Tuesday, a team of 25 volunteers went on kayaks to pick up waste on the water.With gloves and grabbers, the
  
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• Safety improvements planned for Bluff Springs Road

  12-07-2023 12:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin is planning to make safety and mobility improvements to Bluff Springs road, one of the highest crash corridors in the city, according to its acting transportation safety officer.
  In a five-year study from 2018 to 2023, the stretch of road just south of William Cannon drive was experiencing a vehicle-related crash every eight days on average, according to the city's virtual open house on the safety project. There were 237 documented crashes that resulted in 51
  
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• Rain-free and dangerously hot weather continues

  12-07-2023 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As we suffer through our third hottest start to July on record, unfortunately, no change in pattern looks to bring relief anytime soon.Heat alerts have been expanded and extended through Thursday 9 p.m. An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect for most of the area due to temperatures hovering near 105° and heat index values up to 114°. A Heat Advisory is in effect for Gillespie and Blanco County for temperatures near 103°.Heat alerts remain in place through 9 p.m. Thur
  
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• Excessive heat for several days

  12-07-2023 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The average temperature (highs and lows) at Camp Mabry for the first 11 days of this month is 88.9° making this the third hottest July to date. This is 4° above normal. The average temperature will continue to increase with forecast high temperatures remaining in triple digits going out to at least Tuesday, July 18.Heat index readings Tuesday afternoon reached 116° at La Grange and 115° at San Marcos. Thus, the National Weather Service increased this area heat al
  
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• LIVE: I-35 in far north Austin reopens after deadly auto-pedestrian crash

  12-07-2023 11:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The southbound lanes of Interstate 35 in far-north Austin have reopened after deadly crash shut them down for several hours early Wednesday morning.REAL TIME TRAFFIC UPDATESThe Texas Department of Public Safety said troopers were called to the scene, which was near Grand Avenue Parkway, around 3:40 a.m. after a Toyota Camry hit a man who was walking on the highway.
  The highway reopened around 6:20 a.m.The driver stayed on the scene of the crash and is not expected to face c
  
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• I-35 in far north Austin reopens after deadly auto-pedestrian crash

  12-07-2023 11:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The southbound lanes of Interstate 35 in far-north Austin have reopened after deadly crash shut them down for several hours early Wednesday morning.REAL TIME TRAFFIC UPDATESThe Texas Department of Public Safety said troopers were called to the scene, which was near Grand Avenue Parkway, around 3:40 a.m. after a Toyota Camry hit a man who was walking on the highway.
  The highway reopened around 6:20 a.m.The driver stayed on the scene of the crash and is not expected to face c
  
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• Deadly auto-pedestrian crash shuts down I-35 southbound in far north Austin

  12-07-2023 11:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Travis County Sheriff's deputies shut down the southbound lanes of Interstate 35 in far-north Austin after a person was hit by a vehicle early Wednesday morning.TCSO tweeted the crash was in the southbound lanes of the interstate just south of the Grand Avenue Parkway exit.
  According to the Department of Public Safety, a person was hit and killed in the area.REAL TIME TRAFFIC UPDATESSouthbound drivers are being asked to take the Grand Avenue exit and re-enter the interstate
  
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• Crash shuts down I-35 southbound in far north Austin

  12-07-2023 11:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Travis County Sheriff's deputies shut down the southbound lanes of Interstate 35 in far-north Austin after a crash early Wednesday morning.TCSO did not give much information about the crash except to say it was in the southbound lanes of the interstate just south of the Grand Avenue Parkway exit.
  Southbound drivers are being asked to take the Grand Avenue exit and re-enter the interstate at the entrance ramp south of Howard Lane.
  Authorities did not give a time on when the
  
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• How Rodney Terry built his first roster as Texas Longhorns head men's basketball coach

  12-07-2023 05:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Entering his first full season as the Texas Longhorns men's head basketball coach, Rodney Terry not only recruited through the transfer portal but also in his own locker room.In an interview with KXAN Sports Director Roger Wallace, Terry discussed how he approaches the transfer portal and how he and his staff were able to put together a roster with new and old faces heading into the 2023-24 season.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign u
  
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• One dead, one arrested after vehicle-pedestrian crash in east Austin

  12-07-2023 04:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person is dead, and another person was arrested after a vehicle-pedestrian crash over the weekend in east Austin, the Austin Police Department said in a news release Tuesday.At approximately 11:15 p.m. Saturday, officers responded to the 5400 block of Pecan Brook Drive for reports of a crash involving an SUV and a pedestrian, the release said.The SUV driver hit a boat trailer parked on the roadway and then hit the pedestrian, Janicia Molina, 30, according to police.The drive
  
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• Lawmakers moving swiftly to pass property tax relief

  12-07-2023 03:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Lawmakers unanimously approved a package of three bills to provide record property tax relief through the House Ways and Means Committee Tuesday, clearing the way for much of the legislation to receive approval by the full House and reach the Governor's desk.Top leaders anticipate the legislature will have finally passed all of their bills by Thursday afternoon.
  Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told Nexstar he expects the measures will receive strong public approval and homeowners will s
  
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• 6 Longhorns selected in 2023 MLB Draft led by Campbell, Gordon

  12-07-2023 01:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft concluded Tuesday after 20 rounds with six Longhorns plucked by big league squads.Outfielder Dylan Campbell and left-handed pitcher Lucas Gordon were selected on the draft's second day Monday. Campbell, who set a Big 12 and school record with a 38-game hitting streak this season, was picked by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth round. Gordon went two rounds later to the Chicago White Sox at No. 179 overall. ‘It was
  
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• Dripping Springs woman charged with pretending to be a Texas lawyer

  12-07-2023 00:52 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN)—A woman in Dripping Springs was recently arrested and charged with pretending to be an attorney licensed to practice law in Texas.Nichole Humes — who worked for the Dorothy Butler Law Firm — was formally charged with 'Falsely presenting oneself as a lawyer,' based on alleged misrepresentations in November 2022.The law firm's owner, Dorothy Lawrence, denies being aware of any wrongdoing.Dororthy Lawrence sits down with Reporter Jala Washington to d
  
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• Dripping Springs woman charged with pretending to be a lawyer

  12-07-2023 00:52 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN)—A woman in Dripping Springs was recently arrested and charged with pretending to be a lawyer.
  Nichole Humes — who worked for the Dorothy Butler Law Firm — was formally charged with 'Falsely presenting oneself as a lawyer,' based on alleged misrepresentations in September 2022.The law firm's owner, Dorothy Lawrence, denies being aware of any wrongdoing.Dororthy Lawrence sits down with Reporter Jala Washington to discuss arrest of former employee (K
  
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• Memo: "Drastic steps" needed to properly staff Austin airport tower

  12-07-2023 00:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Air traffic controller staffing for the tower at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) has "already fallen behind the rapid increase of air traffic within our airspace," according to a memo sent to regional air traffic control representatives.
  Just last month, the CEO for United Airlines blamed such staffing shortages - which are occurring nationwide - for recent delays that plagued various airlines.A spokesperson for AUS said air traffic control shortages impact airl
  
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• Drugs, homeless camps continue at East Austin Park

  12-07-2023 00:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Drugs and homeless camps continue to plague a popular east Austin park.People living near Parque Zaragoza told KXAN back in May that they don't feel safe and want something done, but today the problems continue."We have had to lock up a lot of stuff and we never had to before." said Kathy DeLeon who lives across the street.In May, the City of Austin's Parks and Recreation Department told us the camps in the park have been cleared multiple times over the last year and a
  
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• Surly hawk causes disruptions in USPS deliveries in south Austin

  12-07-2023 00:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – A pugnacious hawk has been causing some drama in a south Austin neighborhood.Axios Austin originally reported that the hawk swoop attacked multiple residents, and the United States Postal Service said it has to halt operations to neighbors within the bird’s reach until it pacifies. USPS told KXAN that it had stopped delivering to several homes in Travis Heights to protect its employees from getting harmed by the bird. “The Postal Service always strives
  
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• 'Really upsetting': Graffiti, fires prompt more security cameras, patrols at Hays County park

  12-07-2023 00:19 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) --- More security cameras and patrols are coming to a Hays County park. That's after the Five Mile Dam Park was hit with graffiti and fires in one week.
  "There were letters. There were some pictures. There were like little flames and flowers. I remember seeing a cow. There were some inappropriate pictures and words as well," said Education Coordinator for the Hays County Parks Department Katherine Sturdivant.
  The Fourth of July fire
  Sturdivant said sometime after the pa
  
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