Austin news

• Camp for girls in Austin teaches about construction trade

  13-07-2023 23:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Girls in the Austin area began participating in a construction camp this week where they are learning about the construction trade and picking up some new skills along the way.Camp NaWIC started Monday and runs through Friday. Each day has been focused on a different aspect of construction work, according to organizers.On Thursday, campers learned how to pour concrete, solder and build their own cactuses.Campers said they have enjoyed the experience so far."I do think that
  
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• Ken Paxton's defense and prosecution wrestle over rules ahead of impeachment trial

  13-07-2023 23:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — With less than two months before the start of the Senate impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton, attorneys defending and prosecuting the case are taking their arguments over pretrial rules public.On Wednesday morning, Paxton's defense attorneys made a motion for pretrial scheduling order or conference with proposed discovery deadlines ahead of the trial. Discovery is the process in which legal parties exchange information about the case, in order for
  
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• Ken Paxton's defense and prosecution fight over pretrial impeachment procedures

  13-07-2023 23:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — With less than two months before the start of the Senate impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton, attorneys defending and prosecuting the case are taking their arguments over pretrial rules public.On Wednesday morning, Paxton's defense attorneys made a motion for pretrial scheduling order or conference with proposed discovery deadlines ahead of the trial. Discovery is the process in which legal parties exchange information about the case, in order for
  
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• Abbott orders additional troopers to Austin 1 day after city suspends APD/DPS partnership

  13-07-2023 22:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott ordered an additional 30 Texas Department of Public Safety troopers to Austin, according to a spokesperson with DPS.The order comes one day after the City of Austin said it would be suspending the partnership between the Austin Police Department and DPS. RELATED: Texas Department of Public Safety says it will keep patrolling despite Austin suspending partnershipThe additional troopers would bring the total number to 130, not including the troop
  
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• Democrats wage last fight for teacher pay as lawmakers are set to approve property tax cuts

  13-07-2023 22:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- As the Texas Legislature nears the end of a months-long effort to pass a sweeping package of tax cuts, Democrats in the Texas House are waging their last fight to include their own priorities.The property tax package on the table, formed after negotiations between top Republicans like Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan, includes four main ways to cut taxes:
  Reducing school district property tax rates by subsidizing public education with an additiona
  
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• Democrats wage last fight for education, renters as lawmakers are set to approve property tax cuts

  13-07-2023 22:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- As the Texas Legislature nears the end of a months-long effort to pass a sweeping package of tax cuts, Democrats in the Texas House are waging their last fight to include their own priorities.The property tax package on the table, formed after negotiations between top Republicans like Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan, includes four main ways to cut taxes:
  Reducing school district property tax rates by subsidizing public education with an additiona
  
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• A new stretch of road in Buda improves downtown traffic

  13-07-2023 21:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The expansion of Robert S Light Boulevard in Buda has been open for a few weeks, but the official ribbon cutting for the project marks a new chapter in getting truck traffic out of downtown Buda.
  Robert S Light Blvd used to stop at FM 967, but now it continues to FM 1826, where you'll find numerous trucks now using the cut through keeping them off FM 967 through Downtown Buda.The Texas Department of Transportation broke ground on the expansion in October 2021 and completed
  
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• Llano County brush fire grows to 150 acres, at least 10 agencies responding

  13-07-2023 21:13 via kxan.com
  
  LLANO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A brush fire that began burning at a ranch Thursday afternoon has now grown to scorch 150 acres and is 10% contained as of just before 5 p.m.The Llano County Office of Emergency Management posted on its Facebook page that at least 10 agencies are now responding to the fire located near East Highway 71 and County Road 307. Crews also have CR 307 shut down right now due to the ongoing response.
  Initially, first responders told KXAN the fire began on a ranch prope
  
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• Llano County brush fire grows to 100 acres, at least 10 agencies responding

  13-07-2023 21:13 via kxan.com
  
  LLANO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A brush fire that began burning at a ranch Thursday afternoon has now grown to scorch 100 acres.
  The Llano County Office of Emergency Management posted on its Facebook page that at least 10 agencies are now responding to the fire located near East Hwy. 71 and County Road 307. Crews also have CR 307 shut down right now due to the ongoing response.
  Initially, first responders told KXAN the fire began on a ranch property. As of 2 p.m., the growing fire caused no e
  
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• Llano County brush fire grows, nearly 20 agencies responding

  13-07-2023 21:13 via kxan.com
  
  LLANO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A brush fire that began burning at a ranch Thursday afternoon has now grown to scorch 500 acres and is 40% contained as of 10:20 p.m.Officials said no homes have been lost, but 12 were now threatened.
  Air support and dozers are expected to will keep working on building firelines overnight.The Llano County Office of Emergency Management posted on its Facebook page that at least 10 agencies are now responding to the fire located near East Highway 71 and County Ro
  
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• Llano County brush fire grows, at least 10 agencies responding

  13-07-2023 21:13 via kxan.com
  
  LLANO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A brush fire that began burning at a ranch Thursday afternoon has now grown to scorch 400 acres and is 25% contained as of just before 9 p.m.Officials said no homes have been lost, but 12 were now threatened.
  Air support and dozers are expected to will keep working on building firelines overnight.The Llano County Office of Emergency Management posted on its Facebook page that at least 10 agencies are now responding to the fire located near East Highway 71 and C
  
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• Llano County brush fire at 707 acres, nearly 20 agencies responding

  13-07-2023 21:13 via kxan.com
  
  LLANO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A brush fire that began burning at a ranch Thursday afternoon grew to scorch 707 acres and is 80% contained as of 9 p.m. SaturdayOfficials said no homes have been lost, but 12 were threatened. The blaze was likely started by someone in the area operating machinery, according to the Texas A&M Forrest Service.
  Air support and dozers are expected to keep working on building firelines overnight.Humidity kept the flames low early Friday morning, which helped the
  
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• Llano County brush fire at 650 acres, nearly 20 agencies responding

  13-07-2023 21:13 via kxan.com
  
  LLANO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A brush fire that began burning at a ranch Thursday afternoon grew to scorch 650 acres and is 70% contained as of 4:10 p.m. Friday.Officials said no homes have been lost, but 12 were threatened.
  The blaze was likely started by someone in the area operating machinery, according to the Texas A&M Forrest Service.
  Air support and dozers are expected to keep working on building firelines overnight.The Llano County Office of Emergency Management posted on its Fac
  
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• Llano County brush fire at 600 acres, nearly 20 agencies responding

  13-07-2023 21:13 via kxan.com
  
  LLANO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A brush fire that began burning at a ranch Thursday afternoon grew to scorch 600 acres and is 50% contained as of 1:30 p.m.
  Officials said no homes have been lost, but 12 were threatened.
  Air support and dozers are expected to will keep working on building firelines overnight.The Llano County Office of Emergency Management posted on its Facebook page that at least 10 agencies are now responding to the fire located near East Highway 71 and County Road 307. Crews
  
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• LIVE: Crews responding to large fire in Llano County

  13-07-2023 21:13 via kxan.com
  
  LLANO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Officials in Llano County said there was a large fire near East Highway 71 and 307.Officials said the fire was about 2 acres and growing, but there were no evacuations put in place as of 2 p.m.Air support from the Texas Forest Service was en route to assist with the fire, according to the Llano County Office of Emergency Management.The fire is on a ranch property in the area, but there were no structures currently in danger, according to Llano officials.As of J
  
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• Crews responding to large fire in Llano County

  13-07-2023 21:13 via kxan.com
  
  LLANO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Officials in Llano County said there was a large fire near East Highway 71 and County Road 307.Officials said the fire is about two acres in size and growing, but there were no evacuations put in place as of 2 p.m.Air support from the Texas Forest Service was en route to assist with the fire, according to the Llano County Office of Emergency Management.The fire is on a ranch property in the area, but there were no structures currently in danger, according to Ll
  
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• Some industries continue to recover from the ‘Great Resignation'

  13-07-2023 20:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Global events in the first couple of years of the 2020s caused many Americans and Central Texans to leave their jobs by force or voluntarily. For example, some hospitality workers had to resign when COVID-19 restrictions came down, while others left their positions due to low wages or in search of something with more personal meaning.  Austin experts explain 10 reasons behind our current labor shortageSome dubbed this period the “Great Resignation,” an
  
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• Families and doctors sue Texas over its new ban on transgender care for minors

  13-07-2023 20:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A group of Texas families and doctors have filed a lawsuit in state court seeking to block the state's new law that bans gender-affirming care for minors, arguing it violates parental rights and discriminates against transgender teens.
  At least 20 states have adopted laws to ban some gender-affirming care for minors. Half of those laws are not in effect, either because they were passed so recently that they haven’t yet kicked in or, in the case of Arkansas, India
  
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• Boil water notice issued for Vista Ranch Water System

  13-07-2023 19:50 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) -- A boil water notice was issued Thursday for customers within the Vista Ranch Water System in Bastrop.
  The affected area includes all of the Vista Ranch Water System.
  A release from the system said the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required Aqua Water Supply Corporation, the operator of Vista Ranch Water System, to notify customers to boil water before consumption, due to "conditions which have occurred recently in the water system."
  The release also said
  
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• Nate Paul’s attorneys seek trial postponement, cite millions of documents to process

  13-07-2023 19:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Attorneys for Nate Paul, a federally indicted real estate developer with unique ties to impeached Attorney General Ken Paxton, have asked the court to suspend currently scheduled deadlines, which could move a potential trial to 2024. They say millions of documents still need to be analyzed in the complex financial crimes case, according to an unopposed motion filed Tuesday.Paul, 36, was indicted in early June on eight counts of making false statements and reports to mortgag
  
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• Woman at center of APD civil rights investigation, federal lawsuit was missing for over a year

  13-07-2023 18:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The woman at the center of a civil rights investigation and federal lawsuit against two Austin Police Department officers was missing for over a year, according to her attorney and family.
  The case and lawsuit were triggered by a video capturing Simone Griffith, 28, being repeatedly punched by an APD officer at an Austin strip mall in 2021.
  Records show Griffith's family attempted to make an official missing persons report last month. More than a week went by before APD ent
  
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• First Amendment group sues Texas Governor and others over the state's TikTok ban on official devices

  13-07-2023 17:48 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — A First Amendment group sued Texas Governor Greg Abbott and others on Thursday over the state’s TikTok ban on official devices, arguing the prohibition – which extends to public universities – is unconstitutional and impedes academic freedom.
  The complaint was filed by The Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, a free speech group in New York that’s suing on behalf a coalition of academics and researchers who study technology’
  
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• Parents, doctors sue Texas to block transgender minor health care ban

  13-07-2023 17:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Five Texas families with transgender children as well as three doctors are now suing the state to block a law from going into effect that would ban young people from receiving certain health care options and put medical licenses in jeopardy.
  This first legal challenge to Senate Bill 14 fulfills an earlier promise by a number of legal advocacy organizations. Those groups include the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, the ACLU, Lambda Legal and the Transgender Law Cente
  
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• Round Rock featured as No. 1 place to live in the country on TODAY Show

  13-07-2023 17:27 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- A Central Texas city was featured this week on NBC's TODAY Show as No. 1 on a list of the "top five places to live in the U.S."
  Round Rock topped the list, which highlighted the "top five booming cities across the United States where people want to live," according to NBC.How Round Rock may get projects moving before getting any bond moneyThe segment featured real estate broker Frances Katzen, who described Round Rock as "a little bit of a secret."“If you missed
  
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• Roller coasters still awaiting assembly at COTA but overall expansion of F1 venue on track, execs say

  13-07-2023 16:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) -- Dozens of pieces of blue roller coaster sit neatly organized into rows in one of the vast parking lots at the Circuit of The Americas race track in Southeast Austin. While they await assembly, they offer a hint of how the long-planned COTALand amusement park could take shape and advance track executives' goal of becoming more of a year-round entertainment destination. COTA’s chairman talks about future expansion after 10 years of MotoGP in Aust
  
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• Austin's Tree of the Year Awards return

  13-07-2023 15:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Tree of the Year Awards return once again this year after nearly a ten year hiatus. It re-launched last year (2022), but with with an updated, fresh focus on community engagement.
  TreeFolks, alongside Austin Parks & Recreation, spearhead the program and encourage everyone to get involved by nominating and voting for their favorite trees.Nonprofit TreeFolks, whose mission is to "empower Central Texans to build stronger communities through planting and caring for trees,
  
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• Copper wire theft on the rise, Austin Energy says

  13-07-2023 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than 20 major thefts of copper wire from Austin Energy customer-owned equipment have been reported this year alone.Thieves will pry open transformers and other equipment serving as the main power source to a building and cut wires to steal copper conduit.Austin Energy supervisor Jose "Joey" Hernandez believes these thieves are skilled at operating electrical equipment. ‘Playing catch-up’: New tree trimming crews expected to help with Austin Energy efforts&l
  
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• Report: Texas beaches could be unsafe for swimming

  13-07-2023 14:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, TX (KXAN) – An environmental group warned this month some Texas beaches could be unsafe for swimming.According to the July 5 Environment America report, Safe for Swimming, 61 Texas beaches were tested for fecal bacteria in 2022.
  The group said it examined whether fecal indicator bacteria levels exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) most protective “Beach Action Value,” which is associated with an estimated illness rate of 32 out of every 1,000
  
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• Campaign Context: DeSantis says record numbers of Chinese nationals crossing border

  13-07-2023 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) — In this Campaign Context video, we're examining comments made
  
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• How Round Rock may get projects moving before getting any bond money

  13-07-2023 13:56 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- The Round Rock City Council will discuss paying for certain parts of a bond package before the bonds are even issued during its council meeting Thursday night.The projects that could be funded are a part of the biggest bond package to ever be approved by voters in the city's history.
  The council agenda reads, "Consider a resolution expressing official intent to reimburse certain project expenditures for parks, roads, facilities and public safety." A city spokesperson
  
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• Austin shelters launch new push for fosters

  13-07-2023 13:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Two Austin shelters said Wednesday they need fosters to help reduce the need for space.
  According to Austin Pets Alive! and Austin Animal Center, APA! will care for up to 30 medium/large dogs at a time to help with space at AAC. That is in addition to the 120-250 animals APA! takes in from AAC each month. “We understand the need for immediate solutions to Austin Animals Center’s overcrowding challenges,” said Dr. Ellen Jefferson, President and CEO of
  
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• Excessive heat continues for the next 1-2 weeks

  13-07-2023 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Even by July standards, this ongoing heat wave is impressive, and for all the wrong reasons.Afternoon highs will climb well above seasonal average today with most of us topping out between 102°-108°. Morning clouds will quickly clear allowing maximum sunshine (a UV index rating of 12-extreme today).Heat alerts continue through the day ThursdayLooking back: Austin's high temperature soared to 108° on Wednesday, our 21st 100° day of the year and the hottest tempera
  
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• Pflugerville is getting a new H-E-B as supermarket chain begins construction

  13-07-2023 12:24 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — H-E-B said it has officially begun construction Wednesday on a new store in Pflugerville.The 127,000-square-foot store is expected to open in the fall of 2024, according to H-E-B. It will be located at Pflugerville Parkway and State Highway 130.When the store is completed, it will become the third H-E-B store in Pflugerville, according to H-E-B.“We are thrilled to start construction of our third store in Pflugerville, a growing community we’ve proud
  
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• Austin Pets Alive! to host Puppy 300 race Thursday

  13-07-2023 11:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Pets Alive! said Wednesday it was hosting a puppy race as a combination fundraiser and adoption promotion.
  APA! said the first-ever Puppy 300 race would happen Thursday afternoon from 4 to 6 p.m.
  According to APA!, the event will be streamed live, with an Instagram broadcast at 4:15 p.m. followed by a Twitch stream at 4:30 hosted by MJ "Widow" Austyn.
  Meet the competitors in Thursday's Puppy 300. (Courtesy: Austin Pets Alive!)Meet the competitors in Thursday's Puppy
  
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• Austin falls on the road 2-1 to Vancouver Whitecaps

  13-07-2023 07:33 via kxan.com
  
  VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Pedro Vite scored in the first minute and Sergio Córdova accounted for the only goal of the second half to lead the Vancouver Whitecaps to a 2-1 victory over Austin FC on Wednesday night.Córdova used a pass from Ryan Gauld in the 72nd minute to score the winner for the Whitecaps (7-7-7). It was his first goal this season for Vancouver after scoring nine times for Real Salt Lake last season.Vite used an assist from Brian White to score for a
  
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• This year's Texas football team is one that will be 'powered by love'

  13-07-2023 04:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Love comes in many forms and shows in many ways. For the Texas Longhorns, the players hope their love for each other shows up via a bunch of trophies by the end of the team's last Big 12 Conference season.During Big 12 Media Days at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, seniors Jordan Whittington and Jaylan Ford both mentioned the chemistry the team has developed over the past few years. They said it's an integral part of how the team has won games and will win more in the future.
  
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• 'Playing catch-up': New tree trimming crews expected to help with Austin Energy efforts

  13-07-2023 04:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- When the power in Isaac's South Austin neighborhood went out, he was worried. The temperatures had only dropped a few degrees from the triple-digit high; he worried about his eight-month-old baby and two teenagers.
  While he applauded the crews for their work in ultimately getting the outage restored, he told KXAN that based on the weather events of the past few years, he originally didn't have "any confidence" in the estimated restoration time."Would we get a hotel room?" he won
  
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• Homes evacuated in Cedar Park while police investigate 'suspicious items' inside residence

  13-07-2023 02:34 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — Officials in Cedar Park responded to a home in the area late Wednesday afternoon due to reports of suspicious items inside, according to the Cedar Park Police Department.CPPD said officers arrived at the home in the 2100 block of Parksville Way and evacuated nearby homes in the area as a safety precaution. Officials said some streets were also shut down.Cedar Park Police investigate 'suspicious items' found in home (KXXAN photo/Jake Sykes)Cedar Park Police invest
  
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• Homes evacuated in Cedar Park due to 'suspicious items' inside residence

  13-07-2023 02:34 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video is from Wednesday, July 12, 2023, when the scene was still active.
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — Officials in Cedar Park responded to a home Wednesday afternoon due to reports of suspicious items inside, according to the Cedar Park Police Department.CPPD said officers were called around 2 p.m. by a homeowner in the 2100 block of Parksville Way regarding items she discovered in her home.
  Several agencies were called to assist due to the nature of the items, CPPD
  
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• Cedar Park police find guns, explosive-making materials in home that prompted evacuation

  13-07-2023 02:34 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video is from Wednesday, July 12, 2023, when the scene was still active.
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — Officials in Cedar Park responded to a home Wednesday afternoon due to reports of suspicious items inside, according to the Cedar Park Police Department.According to CPPD, some of the items removed from the home included the following:
  29 firearmsAmmunitionVarious materials/chemical agents typically used to make explosives
  CPPD said officers were called around 2 p.m.
  
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• Goats brought in to help clean up near Lady Bird Lake

  13-07-2023 02:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Sick of poison ivy ruining your peaceful hikes around Lady Bird Lake? The Trail Conservancy said it brought out goats to help clean along the Butler Hike & Bike trail.Beginning Wednesday, organizers said a team of goats would start their residency on the trail to clear the area of harmful plant life. The organizers said it was not a problem because the goats love to eat.“Goats eat everything. They just eat everything. So, we're targeting them in areas th
  
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• US Congress has briefing to discuss risks, benefits of AI

  13-07-2023 02:11 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (Nexstar) — U.S. Senators received a classified briefing on artificial intelligence as Congress and the administration are scrambling to better understand the risks and benefits of generative AI.They are considering adopting legislative safeguards on the fast-moving technology.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said artificial intelligence was unavoidable, and lawmakers need to get up to speed.“AI is so complicated, so important, and is going to affect so many different
  
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• Illegal dumping causes problems in Williamson County

  13-07-2023 01:33 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Illegal dumping on private and public property continues to be an issue for landowners and law enforcement agencies in Williamson County. Why illegal dumping in Williamson County could cost youCedar Park resident Lynda Jones said her 10 acres of property have been a dumping ground for unwanted trampoline parts, bedroom furniture, and appliances over the years."It's in the $1000's that we spent cleaning it up. I don't have an exact dollar amount. Over the y
  
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• How will Texas' property tax relief plan affect school budgets?

  13-07-2023 01:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Texas Senate unanimously approved key components of the $18 billion dollar property tax relief package on Wednesday, making the anticipated deal one step closer to hitting the governor's desk, as it is expected to pass in the House Thursday.Senators stood and cheered after unanimously passing Senate Bill 2, the property tax relief piece, and Senate Bill 3, a franchise tax cut piece. CATCH-UP: $18 billion deal reached: Texans to get biggest property tax cut in state&r
  
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• Mixed reactions as City of Austin suspends partnership with DPS

  13-07-2023 00:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday, the City of Austin suspended its partnership with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Since the announcement, local groups have shown both support and disapproval of the decision.Mayor Kirk Watson indicated "recent events" led to the need for a pause, although he didn't specify in the release which events. He added, "This partnership was an innovative approach to address acute staffing shortages that were years in the making. However, any approach must be i
  
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• What Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian said at Big 12 Media Days

  13-07-2023 00:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Just 52 days before the Texas Longhorns' final Big 12 football season, head coach Steve Sarkisian spoke to the media at Big 12 Media Days about what this year's team is trying to accomplish."Anytime it's media days, that means college football is right around the corner," Sarkisian said in his opening statement. "That's an exciting time. I know that there's been so much talk about the SEC and what's happening in 2024, but I think one thing that I love about this team that w
  
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• Amid spikes in sexually transmitted infections, a Texas clinic is struggling to stay funded

  13-07-2023 00:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) –  A Texas sexual health clinic with multiple locations across the state reported that the demand for sexually transmitted infection testing increased by 176% in 2021. Despite the clear need for the services, the clinic has seen a 53% reduction in funding during the last 12 months. Texas Health Action’s Kind Clinic was founded in 2015 and, at no cost, “provides sexual health services in a safe and supportive environment with expertise in serving the LGBT
  
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• Study tracks change in the oceans' color

  13-07-2023 00:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- They are large bodies of water covering a good portion of Earth. The oceans cover 71% of the Earth's surface meaning just 29% of Earth is covered by land.
  Scientists at MIT, along with the National Oceanography Center in the United Kingdom, suggest that something is going on with our oceans that most people wouldn't notice. It has to do with the oceans' color. They are suggesting that man-made climate change may be contributing to a change in the water's hue.An ocean's blue hue
  
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• Williamson County reports 5th West Nile virus-positive trap of 2023

  13-07-2023 00:03 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A mosquito trap sample collected in the Brushy Creek MUD tested positive for West Nile virus, according to the Williamson County and Cities Health District.WCCHD said the positive test was indicated in lab results received Wednesday from the Texas Department of State Health Services lab in Austin. The sample was collected from a trap site near the Beck Preserve on Great Oaks Dr. on Friday. Positive West Nile mosquito pool reported in Travis County“Ex
  
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