Austin news

• City council holds first work session on proposed city budget

  19-07-2023 23:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In its first work session since the release of the proposed city budget, Austin's city council asked questions of Interim City Manager Jesus Garza and Chief Financial Officer Ed Van Eenoo."The budget I'm proposing is really focused on three themes, getting back to basics in city government services, advancing Council priorities and shepherding critically important, once-in-a-generation projects for our community," Garza said.Council members received their copies of budget on Fri
  
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• Austin moves to #1 for hottest July on record

  19-07-2023 23:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The first 19 days of the month have now tied for the hottest July on record to date, matching the day and night temperature average from July, 2022.For the fourth consecutive day Wednesday, Austin tied or broke a daily record high, reaching 106 degrees which ties the record set just last year. Austin also set an all-time record for number of consecutive days with highs of 105+ degrees. The streak is now at 10 days, and appears it should continue for some time.Excessive Heat Warn
  
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• Austin in the midst of its hottest July on record

  19-07-2023 23:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The first 19 days of the month have now tied for the hottest July on record to date, matching the day and night temperature average from July, 2022.For the fourth consecutive day Wednesday, Austin tied or broke a daily record high, reaching 106° which ties the record set just last year. Austin also set an all-time record for number of consecutive days with highs of 105°+. The streak is now at 10 days, and appears it should continue for some time.Excessive Heat Warnings a
  
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• Texas Parks and Wildlife adds 2 new fishing, paddling access sites

  19-07-2023 23:18 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS (KXAN) -- The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department announced this week two new river access sites are now available for public use as part of the state agency's ongoing River Access and Conservation Area (RACA) program.The two sites are located along the Brazos and San Marcos rivers, available for those looking to fish or paddle on waterways.The Brazos River location is situated in Milam County near Calvert and includes two access areas downstream of FM 979, per the release. The newly creat
  
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• What is the Wet Bulb Temperature?

  19-07-2023 23:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Nearly all of you know about how the temperature, the humidity, the wind direction and wind speed affect our everyday lives.
  During this second heat wave Central Texas is experiencing there is another statistic that is being used-- one that measures the heat stress in direct sunlight.It's the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature. In addition to its factoring in the temperature, the humidity and the wind speed is also looks at the sun's angle and whatever cloud cover there may be.
  "Ingredi
  
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• Kyle Police Department relocates headquarters to new center

  19-07-2023 23:00 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) -- The Kyle Police Department announced it had officially relocated its headquarters and primary operations to its new public safety center, located at 1700 Kohlers Crossing.Residents in need of filing a report or complaint as well as speaking to police in person will do so at the public safety center. The department's non-emergency line remains the same, with residents able to call 512-268-3232 with all non-emergency needs.The department, alongside City of Kyle officials, wil
  
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• BCSO's Facebook gets hacked, creates new one to gain followers back

  19-07-2023 22:54 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Bastrop County Sheriff's Office said on Twitter Tuesday that its Facebook page was hacked.According to BCSO, Facebook has "completely refused to help," so it currently has no access and is unable to regain control of or delete it.Furthermore, BCSO created a new Facebook page, so it can gain its followers back, the tweet said.
  
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• Three arrested in connection with June shooting in Elgin

  19-07-2023 22:48 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live’s top headlines for July 19, 2023ELGIN, Texas (KXAN) — On Tuesday, the Elgin Police Department said three people were arrested following a shooting that occurred in Elgin back in June, according to an EPD news release.At approximately 5:45 p.m., June 20, EPD responded to a disturbance call in the 600 block of Alley A, police said. Officers arrived on the scene and found two men with gunshot wounds, according to EPD. Elgin Police: 2 shot,
  
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• Texas women denied abortions give emotional accounts in court, ask judge to clarify law

  19-07-2023 22:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — For the first time since Roe v. Wade was overturned, Texas women who were denied abortions described in court Wednesday how they were unable to end their pregnancies despite serious risks to their health or carried babies they knew would not survive.Their testimony was often emotional, and at one point, the judge called a recess after one woman whose child died shortly after being born was overcome while recounting the catastrophic end to her pregnancy.The women are be
  
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• Austin collector creates dream house for 600+ Barbie dolls

  19-07-2023 22:33 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live’s top headlines for July 19, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) — Life in plastic really is fantastic for the vast collection of Barbie dolls that one woman keeps artfully displayed throughout her north Austin home.
  Diana Harris spent the past 25 years amassing more than 600 dolls, so her love of Barbie precedes the buzz whipped up recently over the movie about the iconic Mattel toy coming out Friday. However, she's incredibly excited by all the hype, ju
  
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• Leander water issues improve as repairs continue on barge, water restrictions remain

  19-07-2023 22:13 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — The City of Leander said water pumps that failed last week and caused tighter water restrictions are getting closer to operating at full capacity. As its water supplier continues those repairs, it asks customers to keep conserving water. Central Texas cities issue water restrictionsLeander is currently under Phase 3 water restrictions, which limit all outdoor watering to hand-held only.These restrictions were a result of several water pumps on a raw water barge oper
  
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• Pregnant woman dies after truck hits alligator north of Corpus Christi, authorities say

  19-07-2023 21:51 via kxan.com
  
  REFUGIO COUNTY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A woman and her unborn child are dead following a rollover crash after hitting an alligator on a Texas highway, authorities announced.Deputies with the Refugio County Sheriff's Office responded to a rollover on State Highway 35 near FM 774 early Sunday morning.Truck hits an alligator in the middle of State Highway 35 (Refugio County Sheriff's Office)
  According to Refugio County officials, the truck rolled over after hitting an alligator in the middle
  
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• How to better ease the effects of climate change

  19-07-2023 21:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Zolton Nagy is an assistant professor of civil engineering at the University of Texas Austin. He authored an article on how homeowners, businesses and government entities can and should do a better job when it comes to combating the effects of climate change.
  Nagy said single-family homes represent about 70% of residential buildings and nearly 20% of U.S. energy consumption in Texas and the United States.
  Homeowners can help the effort by making energy-saving adjustments during
  
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• Online chat with local, undercover detective leads to east Texas teacher's child porn arrest

  19-07-2023 21:47 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KIAH) — An educator in Smith County thought he was having an online conversation with a child.Turns out it was a Montgomery County Precinct 1 Constable's Office detective posing as a minor, and the conversation they had and a two-month-long investigation led to the teacher's arrest.The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force anticipates Fabrizio Olague will face numerous charges of child pornography. Registered sex offender accuse
  
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• Austin to vote on standard pay rate for all city-led music performances

  19-07-2023 21:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin could approve Thursday a new, uniform pay rate scale for musicians hired to perform at City-led music events.Currently, there isn't a universal, standardized pay rate across all City departments, and some pay discrepancies exist across departments.For example, the city's Economic Development Department approved a pay rate of $200 per musician for a City Hall performance during council meetings, while the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport currently pays mu
  
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• Kyle's Pie in the Sky 2023 live music lineup announced

  19-07-2023 20:44 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) — Austin may be the Live Music Capital, but a trip 20 miles south on Interstate 35 will take you to another capital.
  Kyle is the official, trademarked Pie Capital of Texas, and it celebrates that title every year with its Pie in the Sky Hot Air Balloon Festival.The festival this year will take place on Friday, Sept. 1, and Saturday, Sept. 2, at Lake Kyle Park.
  There will be live music, a mini carnival, tethered hot air balloon rides, hot air
  
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• Tracking the Tropics: New hurricane model uses supercomputers to predict hurricanes faster than ever

  19-07-2023 18:27 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A revolutionary weather model that accurately predicted the rapid intensification of Hurricane Ian will assume the position as the National Hurricane Center's premier hurricane forecasting model.The NHC said its new "Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System," or HAFS for short, went operational on June 27 alongside older models for the 2023 hurricane season. The system is the first new major forecast model to use NOAA’s updated weather and climate supercomputers.Ba
  
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• Tracking the Tropics: New hurricane model promises more accurate forecasts with help from supercomputers

  19-07-2023 18:27 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A revolutionary weather model that accurately predicted the rapid intensification of Hurricane Ian will assume the position as the National Hurricane Center's premier hurricane forecasting model.The NHC said its new "Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System," or HAFS for short, went operational on June 27 alongside older models for the 2023 hurricane season. The system is the first new major forecast model to use NOAA’s updated weather and climate supercomputers.Ba
  
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• Did Buc-ee's purposely misspell 'Howdy' on Texas billboard?

  19-07-2023 18:01 via kxan.com
  
  TEMPLE, Tex. (WFLA) – Usually, when drivers see a billboard indicating that a Buc-ee's is nearby, excitement fills the air, but for motorists in Texas, a certain Buc-ee's billboard drew many questions.
  While Texas is filled with many Buc-ee's signs and billboards, eagle-eyed driver Tab Patterson noticed something a little off with one of the billboards near Temple, Texas.World’s largest Buc-ee’s opens in Tennessee, but it won’t hold the title for longThe word "howdy" was
  
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• PHOTOS: Wildfire burns dozens of acres near Ruby Ranch in Buda

  19-07-2023 17:32 via kxan.com
  
  BUDA, Texas (KXAN) -- Multiple first responders were called to assist with a wildfire in the Ruby Ranch subdivision in west Buda near Montgomery Court on Tuesday, the Hays County Office of Emergency Management (HCOEM) said on social media.Officials said the fire started after a homeowner was cutting something with a saw and sparks caught the grass on fire.A wildfire started burning near Ruby Ranch in Buda on July 18 after a saw sparked and caught grass nearby on fire (KXAN Photo/Blake DeVin
  
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• Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired holds career fair Wednesday

  19-07-2023 15:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) will hold a career fair Wednesday for residential instructors and support staff.The fair will be at the school at 1100 W 45th St from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  According to TSBVI, the school will offer information, tours of the 45-acre campus, on-site applications and a chance to meet with human resources about pay and benefits.
  TSBVI said starting pay is equivalent to $20 an hour.TSBVI students create touchable, inclusiv
  
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• Don't Mess with Barbie: The dolls inspired by Texas

  19-07-2023 14:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In case you haven't noticed, the world is currently in a major Barbie era and you don't want to mess with her!Barbie, who’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts, first stepped on to store shelves in March 1959, according to toymaker Mattel. Over the decades, she’s accumulated quite the wardrobe and built an impressive resume. Her resume includes being a cheerleader, sign language teacher, nurse, President of the United States and even a news reporter. Ken adds
  
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• Austin's weather extremes: Record rain and snow

  19-07-2023 13:50 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows the latest from the KXAN First Warning Weather team.AUSTIN (KXAN) — At KXAN, we're keeping track of Austin's weather extremes.Have you ever wondered what Austin's longest period without rain is? What about the heaviest snow in recorded history? The answers are all below!Click here to see Austin's heat and cold records.
  We have created several interactive charts to help break down Austin’s weather records. Scroll down to explore all the data, or ju
  
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• Shelter issues warning about snakes, pets and heat

  19-07-2023 13:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – As Austin and Central Texas bake in extremely high temperatures, Austin Pets Alive! warned pet owners about a danger they may not be aware of: snakes.Austin ties record for most days at or above 105° in a rowAPA! said Tuesday snakes are looking for cool places such as rocks on hiking trails, around potted outdoor plants or under wooden porches.
  In most cases, the shelter said snakes will leave people and their pets alone if they are left alone. Here are some remind
  
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• Wipes and other items causing severe clogs in Austin's sewer system, officials say

  19-07-2023 12:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Water is reminding people to not flush any baby wipes, diapers, rags, or other items down the toilet, because they are causing clogs in the sewage system all too often.
  "We are responding to sanitary sewer overflows every week," Jay Porter, the Austin Water's special services manager, said.
  The utility took to Twitter to remind people to not put wipes in the pipes. It tweeted three times in the past two weeks about recent clogs that crews had to untangle from the system.
  
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• Women denied abortions in Texas ask court for clarity over state's exceptions to ban

  19-07-2023 12:53 via kxan.com
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Women who sued Texas after saying they were denied abortions despite serious risks to their health are headed to court Wednesday as legal challenges to abortion bans across the U.S. continue a year after the fall of Roe v. Wade.The Texas case is believed to be the first brought by women who were denied abortions since the right to an abortion in the U.S. was overturned, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights, which is representing them. Previous: Women sue Tex
  
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• Animal shelter wants you to adopt a 'Barkie'

  19-07-2023 12:24 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) – The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter said Tuesday it tied its newest adoption event to Friday's release of the new "Barbie" movie.
  The shelter said all dogs and cats, including puppies and kittens, can be adopted for whatever price adopters think is fair through Sunday, July 23 in the “Barkie Name Your Price" adoption event.
  You can get a first look at all of the "Barkies" online.The shelter also offers what it calls a Doggy Day Out Dream Date. Com
  
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• APD identifies motorcyclist in deadly west Austin crash

  19-07-2023 05:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Tuesday, the Austin Police Department identified the motorcyclist who died in a motorcycle-vehicle crash in west Austin over the weekend, according to an APD news release.At approximately 12:15 p.m. Saturday, officers responded to the crash between the motorcycle and an SUV driver in the 4900 block of FM 2222 Road, according to police. 1 dead following motorcycle collision in west AustinThe motorcyclist, Denis Joe Watkins, died on the scene, police said. The SUV driver remain
  
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• Second positive West Nile virus mosquito trap sample reported in Williamson Co.

  19-07-2023 04:10 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas -- A sample of mosquitoes collected in the Brushy Creek MUD tested positive for West Nile virus, according to a news release from Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD).The testing is part of WCCHD Integrated Vector Management program, which through surveillance, control, prevention and education aims to prevent human infection of mosquito-borne diseases, the release said.The positive sample was collected from a trap site near Cat Hollow Park (Liberty Walk
  
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• 2nd positive West Nile trap found in Brushy Creek area, 6th in Williamson Co.

  19-07-2023 04:10 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas -- A second sample of mosquitoes collected in the Brushy Creek MUD has tested positive for West Nile virus, according to a news release Tuesday from Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD).
  This is the sixth reported West Nile virus-positive trap of the 2023 season in Williamson County, the release said. This is also the fifth week in a row that a positive trap was reported in Williamson County.The testing is part of WCCHD Integrated Vector Management progra
  
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• Trump rails against Jan. 6 probe at Iowa town hall: 'It bothers me'

  19-07-2023 03:57 via kxan.com
  
  Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday railed against a Justice Department investigation into his efforts to remain in power after losing the 2020 election hours after he said he was a target of the probe.Trump, in his first on-camera comments on the investigation, told Fox News’ Sean Hannity during a town hall in Iowa that he was bothered by the timing of the notification. He went on to repeat his claims that he is being targeted because of his standing in the GOP presidential primary r
  
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• New record: never has Austin been this hot for this long

  19-07-2023 03:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We've tied or broken the daily high record the last 3 afternoons, and we'll continue to rival records in the days ahead.Afternoon highs will reach 102°-108° areawide today, well above seasonal averages for this time of year. Austin's forecast high of 107° today is not only expected to break the daily record of 106° set just last year, it will also seal the deal for the longest stretch of 105° or hotter (10 days) we've ever observed here in Austin, a record th
  
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• 'It's inhumane:' Dangerous TDCJ heat conditions on display at Texas Capitol

  19-07-2023 02:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Tears streamed together with sweat as Tona Naranjo stepped inside a mock prison cell under the record-hot Texas sun. Sending prayers up to her son, she imagined his final moments spent inside bare walls trapping unbearable heat."Jon Anthony Southards, I'm doing this for you, son... I need to know exactly what my son faced in his last moments," she said. "No human being deserves this."Her son Jon Anthony was found unresponsive in his cell at TDCJ's Estelle Unit near Hunts
  
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• Woman says she called retired officer when she couldn't get through to Austin 911

  19-07-2023 02:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A woman said she was put on hold Sunday while trying to call 911 to report a man on a bike getting hit by a car in the intersection of South Lamar Boulevard and Toomey Road.
  The Austin Police Department confirmed officers responded to a crash around 12:15 a.m. and said the cyclist was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.APD: Latest average 911 hold time was roughly 3 minutesKen Casaday, a former APD officer and former president of the Austin Police Association (APA), sai
  
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• Abbott responds to report that troopers and soldiers were ordered to deny migrants water, push children into Rio Grande

  19-07-2023 02:04 via kxan.com
  
  EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) -- Texas lawmakers said they plan to ask the Department of Justice to look into reports that Texas troopers and National Guard members have been ordered to push migrant children back into the Rio Grande and deny asylum-seekers water even in extreme heat.According to the Houston Chronicle, a verified email from a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper described his orders under Operation Lone Star and called them "inhumane."Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in March 2020 la
  
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• Arena Football is coming back to Austin in 2024

  19-07-2023 01:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Professional football is coming to Austin in 2024.The Arena Football League, which went bankrupt for a second time in 2019, is making a return under new ownership and Austin was named one of the 16 locales to have teams on Tuesday.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersF1 Sports and Entertainment bought the rights to AFL in 2022 and made the announcement on Feb. 1, 2
  
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