Austin news

• Worker rescued after 'heat-related illness' at downtown Austin construction site

  16-07-2023 23:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A construction worker rescued from a downtown construction site Sunday is now recovering in a hospital from a "heat-related illness."
  The Austin Fire Department tweeted late Sunday afternoon its crews responded to a worker in need of medical attention "from a crane scaffold about 6 stories high" off a downtown construction site. Austin-Travis County EMS posted the call came in around 3:43 p.m. Sunday at 80 Red River Street, which is close to the Rainey Street area.The Austi
  
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• Austin Fire, EMS respond to construction worker heat incident on downtown site

  16-07-2023 23:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Fire Department and Austin-Travis County EMS are tending to a construction worker experiencing a heat-related issue on a construction site in downtown Austin Sunday afternoon.AFD officials tweeted late Sunday afternoon they responded to a worker in need of medical attention "from a crane scaffold about 6 stories high" off a downtown construction site. ATCEMS tweeted the call came in around 3:43 p.m. Sunday at 80 Red River Street.The Austin Fire Department and Aus
  
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• How to safely help wildlife during Texas summer heat

  16-07-2023 23:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With heat advisories in effect throughout Central Texas, it's not just residents who are feeling the heat — area wildlife are as well.The Austin Wildlife Rescue (AWR) said July and August are traditionally the busiest times of year for the organization, particularly with the summer months coinciding with baby season. But as elevated temperatures and humidity levels persist, AWR staff said wildlife dehydration has been a significant concern."It's hot enough on a regula
  
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• Some Texans are relying on lifesaving cooling centers. Find yours here.

  16-07-2023 21:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- As Texans brace for another week of record hot temperatures, cities across the state are offering cooling centers for those without reliable access to air conditioning or water.The Texas Division of Emergency Management has compiled the local centers into a statewide map. Texans can find the one closest to them at tdem.texas.gov/cool."We know it's hot, but there are things that you can do to try and minimize your heat exposure, like staying hydrated, like seeking shade and fi
  
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• Seen one of these cones around Texas? They're a radioactive relic of a bogus health treatment

  16-07-2023 21:33 via kxan.com
  
  LUBBOCK, Texas -- Lubbock was once a player in the health fad falsely promoting the medical benefits of drinking radioactively-charged water, and the artifacts are still around today.  A coworker recently brought a small concrete cone into the newsroom, calling it a “Lubbock Cone.” She said it was radioactive, and people would put it in water to infuse the water with radon.The newsroom at EverythingLubbock.com wanted to know why anyone would do that, so we asked Dr. Paul Fr
  
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• Barbie collaborations released in anticipation of movie premiere

  16-07-2023 21:30 via kxan.com
  
  HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Come on Barbie let's go ... shopping? With the anticipation of the new Barbie movie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, many brands have announced their marketing collaboration for the movie.
  The Barbie movie has been trending online since fans got a first look at the pink utopia of Barbie Land in the May trailer.
  The all-star cast has many fans ready for the premiere and to stores for the latest partnerships.
  As many as 30 collaborations have been
  
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• Texas ranked among cheapest energy states in the nation

  16-07-2023 21:24 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (KIAH) – As the U.S. continues to experience record-breaking heat, many want to keep the air conditioning on as much as possible – but that’s more costly in some states.A recent ranking from WalletHub, a personal finance website, aimed to rank “the most and least energy-expensive states.” Using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, WalletHub compared the average monthly energy bills in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.To do this, Wal
  
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• PD: Texas tattoo artist arrested after minor posing as adult gets tattoo without parent's permission

  16-07-2023 21:21 via kxan.com
  
  McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Texas tattoo artist was arrested after a minor posing as an adult got a tattoo without her parent's consent, documents detail.Edith Cuthbertson, of McAllen, was arrested on a charge of tattoo regulation requirements, according to Hidalgo County Jail records.A probable cause affidavit stated that on March 22, the mother of a 14-year-old girl reported to police that her daughter got a tattoo without her permission.The mother told police that when she confro
  
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• Central Texas counties part of 150 Texas counties deemed primary natural disaster areas

  16-07-2023 21:14 via kxan.com
  
  (FOX 44) - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 150 Texas counties as primary natural disaster areas due to a qualifying drought. The list includes Travis, Williamson, and many other Central Texas counties.This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. These loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replace
  
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• Texas duo sent to prison for attempting to transport 558 lbs of liquid meth

  16-07-2023 21:07 via kxan.com
  
  BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Brownsville resident was ordered to prison for helping traffic 558 pounds of liquid meth in a gas tank, the United States Attorney's Office announced.
  Ernesto Vargas, 42, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute liquid meth from south Texas to Dallas.According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Vargas was responsible for helping Pedro Rodriguez III, 45 of San Benito, transport the meth across the state in early January.On Jan. 11,
  
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• First responders extract patient after single-vehicle collision

  16-07-2023 20:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin-Travis County EMS and Austin Fire conducted a vehicle rescue in northeast Austin Sunday afternoon.ATCEMS said there was a single-vehicle collision in the 1600 block of Dungan Lane with one patient involved who was pinned in their vehicle.According to officials, the person was extricated from the vehicle, and medics were prepping them to be taken to the hospital.This is a developing story. Check back with KXAN for more details.
  
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• 1 transported with serious injuries after single-vehicle collision in northeast Austin

  16-07-2023 20:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin-Travis County EMS and Austin Fire conducted a vehicle rescue in northeast Austin Sunday afternoon.ATCEMS said there was a single-vehicle collision in the 1600 block of Dungan Lane with one patient involved who was pinned in their vehicle.According to officials, the person was extricated from the vehicle, and medics transported them to Dell Seton Medical Center with serious and potentially life-threatening injuries.
  
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• Study: How Texas compares to America’s top 1%

  16-07-2023 19:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A recent research study conducted by SmartAsset looked at the differences between the top 1% in each U.S. state.SmartAsset said it analyzed data from the IRS and Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine the minimum income required to be among the top 1% of earners in each state.“The 1% threshold varies from state to state, ranging from as much as $953,000 to as little as $368,000,” according to SmartAsset.The study said income thresholds vary in the four largest
  
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• PHOTOS: Smoke billows as Moore Peak fire continues to burn in Llano County

  16-07-2023 19:08 via kxan.com
  
  LLANO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A brush fire began burning at a ranch in Llano County Thursday afternoon and has remained active through Sunday morning, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.Officials said the fire was likely started by someone in the area operating machinery. RELATED: Llano County brush fire at 707 acres, nearly 20 agencies respondingHere are some photos of the fire taken by KXAN viewers:Photo of the Moore Peak Fire in Llano County as seen from Kingsland. (Courtesy M
  
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• PHOTOS: Moore Peak fire burns hundreds of acres in Llano County

  16-07-2023 19:08 via kxan.com
  
  LLANO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A brush fire began burning at a ranch in Llano County Thursday afternoon and remained active until Sunday night, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.The Forest Service's website said the fire was 100% contained as of 9:14 p.m. Sunday and had burned up to 707 acres.
  Officials said the fire was likely started by someone in the area operating machinery. RELATED: Llano County brush fire at 707 acres, nearly 20 agencies respondingHere are some photos of th
  
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• Pregnancies can be affected by the oppressive heat

  16-07-2023 18:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Our weather department's commitment during severe weather events is to keep you both informed and safe. This current heatwave would be classified as a severe weather situation given the oppressive heat that has affected all of us.Previous writings have focused on how heat affects humans as well as its impact on cats and dogs. Today we take its effect on humans a step further. How is the heat affecting those who are pregnant?Extreme heat can create problems for pregnant wome
  
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• Should you push over these stacks of rocks? Here's what NPS says you should do

  16-07-2023 18:01 via kxan.com
  
  YOSEMITE, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - Have you ever passed a tower of rocks perfectly balanced on one another while hiking and felt the urge to knock it over? Depending on where you are, that might not be the best idea.
  Officials at Yosemite National Park recently encouraged visitors to dismantle these man-made rock stacks, known as cairns, should they come across them within the park.
  According to park rangers, "leave no trace" ethics states that when recreating in wilderness spaces, the goal is to le
  
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• What's Texas' hottest day on record?

  16-07-2023 17:00 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — We're just shy of a month into summer but you may already be longing for a break from the heat. Here in Texas, August is typically the hottest month. But you can guarantee there will be some scorchers before then.But have you ever wondered: What was the hottest day ever recorded in Texas?What’s the hottest it’s ever been in Texas?The hottest maximum temperature ever recorded in Texas happened twice: First on August 12, 1936, in Seymour, northwest of Dallas
  
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• Powerball jackpot rolls to $900M: When's the next drawing?

  16-07-2023 15:07 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) - The Powerball jackpot has rolled yet again after no ticket matched the six winning numbers drawn Saturday, pushing the grand prize to an estimated $900 million. The current jackpot, with an estimated cash value of $465.1 million, has been growing since mid-April, meaning it has gone 37 consecutive drawings without a winner. Saturday’s Powerball numbers were 2, 9, 43, 55, 57, and red Powerball 18, with a multiplier of 2X. Two tickets in Texas and another in Colorado ma
  
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• Texas lawmaker vows to try again to make AC for renters mandatory

  16-07-2023 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – It’s not as if Jake Salinas was dialing down the digits on his thermostat with reckless abandon.A few weeks ago, his air conditioning was set to, what he considers, a conservative 76 degrees.Austin Resident Jake Salinas explains how the AC in his apartment wasn't cooling properly (KXAN Photo/Chris Nelson)“It started at 78 and then eventually would go to 81 and 82,” Salinas said. “That felt off, obviously.” The air was blowing, he said, but the
  
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• Historic July heatwave intensifies further

  16-07-2023 14:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After recording Austin's hottest Jul. 16 on record Sunday afternoon, we are forecasting a full work week of record high temperatures and the longest-ever stretch of extreme heat in Austin.High temperatures in Austin climbed to 106° at Camp Mabry on Sunday, beating the previous record high of 105° set most recently in 2009.One of the strongest heat domes ever observed is positioned over Las Vegas, NV, sending Death Valley, CA temperatures over 125° on Sunday. As the h
  
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• A few days of record heat

  16-07-2023 14:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A few showers showed up on radar during the 6 a.m. hour. The rain fell mainly in eastern Lampasas County south to northeast Burnet County. There were a few small showers over northwest San Saba County north of Richland Springs.
  Saturday's high temperature in Austin was 107°. It brings the average temperature for the first 15 days of July to 90.1°, keeping it as the second hottest start to a July 1st to 15th. The record was set last year when the first 15 days of the seve
  
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• VIDEO: Foxes spotted near St. Edward's University

  16-07-2023 14:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Friday, a KXAN viewer said she saw a family of foxes playing on the St. Edward's University campus.“I witnessed a treat this morning at work on campus. This family of grey foxes played in the street for 30 minutes,” Danielle Ostos, the viewer who filmed the foxes, said.According to the Texas Wildlife Association, there are three types of foxes that live in Texas:Swift or Kit Fox: Lives in the northwestern part of the stateRed Fox: Lives in the eastern and cen
  
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• Del Valle man takes plea deal, will serve 10 years in prison for 2022 Travis Co. murder, court documents say

  16-07-2023 05:02 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A Del Valle man took a plea deal in reference to a murder that occurred in January 2022 in Travis County, according to court documents.According to court documents, Anthony Huerta took the plea deal, which includes him serving 10 years in prison.Huerta, 18 at the time of the murder, was accused of shooting and killing Alan Sneddon, 58. 18 year old charged with murder after witness says he shot man through car windshieldSneddon was found the morning of Jan. 9,
  
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• 'We had 24 hours of water left': City of Blanco bumps up to Stage 6 water restrictions after supply issues

  16-07-2023 04:33 via kxan.com
  
  BLANCO, Texas (KXAN) —City of Blanco Mayor Mike Arnold said the city's water reserves have refilled enough to serve the city for the next few days under current Stage 6 water restrictions. He attributes the tightened restrictions to maintenance issues the city's water supplier is facing. Central Texas cities issue water restrictionsFriday, the city issued an emergency notice on its website about heightened water conservation efforts.The restrictions prohibit all outdoor watering and indust
  
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• State of Texas: Compromise at the Capitol sends property tax relief to Texas voters

  16-07-2023 01:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) - After a months-long stalemate that led to two special sessions, Texas lawmakers reached a compromise deal on property tax relief. The legislation passed both the House and Senate Thursday evening with near-unanimous support.It includes a measure to raise the homestead exemption to $100,000, up from the current $40,000 exemption.The plan includes $12 billion to lower school property tax rates, by having the state pay part of what school districts normally collect from homeowner
  
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• Hutto KOKEFEST 2023 canceled, KOKE FM says

  16-07-2023 00:28 via kxan.com
  
  HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) -- KOKE-FM announced Texas Music Network's cancellation of KOKEFEST 2023, which was scheduled for Aug. 4 and 5 at Adam Orgain Park in Hutto, the Hutto station announced on Twitter Friday.
  "We understand that this comes as a disappointment as this is not a decision we have taken lightly," KOKE-FM said.Furthermore, ticket holders will receive and email notification with refund instructions, the Hutto station said.
  For additional details, visit kokefest.com.
  
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