Austin news

• Senator Cornyn launches bipartisan effort to increase access to lifesaving fentanyl test strips

  29-07-2023 22:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Five U.S. Senators, including Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, introduced a bill to decriminalize testing strips that detect fentanyl and xylazine, in order to slow the growing number of deaths from overdoses in the U.S. Overdose deaths have been on the rise in the U.S. in recent years, many of them from the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl, per CDC data. People use fentanyl knowingly, but others may accidentally consume it with other substances, such as cocaine and cou
  
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• 10 weird things about Texas that you didn't know!

  29-07-2023 22:13 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (KDAF) — These ten weird and wonderful facts about Texas showcase the state's unique blend of quirkiness and charm.
  From giant cowboy boots to mysterious lights and unusual museums, Texas never fails to surprise and delight visitors with its eccentric attractions.1. The World's Largest Cowboy Boots: Located in San Antonio, Texas, these gigantic cowboy boots stand at a staggering 35 feet tall. A quirky attraction, they serve as a reminder of Texas' deep-rooted cowboy culture.2. The M
  
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• APD officers stop kidnapping attempt in north Austin

  29-07-2023 22:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Five officers with the Austin Police Department were able to stop a kidnapping attempt Tuesday, according to APD.A child told an employee at a north Austin store she had been kidnapped, and the kidnappers were still in the building.Officers responded to an urgent check welfare call in the 8000 block of Shoal Creek Boulevard.APD said Officer Cody Carr and Officer Callie Wolfe arrived on the scene and based on the information provided in the 911 call, multiple suspects were f
  
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• DPS identify man killed during hit-and-run in Bastrop County

  29-07-2023 21:23 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) —  Officials identified a man who was struck and killed during a hit-and-run Sunday near FM 672 in Bastrop County.The man who died was identified as 23-year-old Cesar Bosco Mendoza, of Lockhart, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. PAST COVERAGE: DPS investigating after man dies in Bastrop CountyDPS said troopers responded to a call regarding a deceased pedestrian and said a preliminary investigation indicated a Bastrop County sheriff’
  
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• After large fraudulent donation, Sun Radio aims to recoup funds through a 'Radiothon'

  29-07-2023 21:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Sun Radio, a popular radio network with stations around Central Texas, held a fundraiser Thursday through Sunday to recoup financials after a sizable fraudulent donation in late 2022 and equipment damages from the 2023 ice storm. Solar Radio started over ten years ago and focuses on showcasing Texas musical talents. The network is solar-powered, and its mission is to “preserve the culture of Texas music with minimal impact on the environment,” according to
  
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• Georgetown lifeguards selected to test new Red Cross VR training tool

  29-07-2023 20:31 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Lifeguards in Georgetown helped test a new American Red Cross training tool, according to the city.Georgetown’s Parks and Recreation Department was selected as one of two cities in the U.S. to participate in beta testing for a new Lifeguard VR Training App in early 2023, according to the city.“Virtual reality technology addresses the challenges of drowning prevention and revolutionizes how lifeguards practice surveillance, delivering a more engaging a
  
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• Hiking this weekend? Violet Crown Trail now stretches from Zilker Park to Slaughter Creek

  29-07-2023 20:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Violet Crown Trail is expanding and connecting more throughout the city.
  A new portion of the trail—from Home Depot Boulevard to Mopac near William Cannon—is officially open as of Saturday morning.
  The trail, which is now 11 miles long, stretches from Zilker Park to Slaughter Creek in South Austin, according to Hill Country Conservancy. This group has been in partnership with the City of Austin since the early 2000s to make this a reality, according to its C
  
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• Lampasas County water shut-off impacts thousands

  29-07-2023 20:04 via kxan.com
  
  LAMPASAS COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44) — Thousands are without water in Lampasas County -- and even more are expected to be affected in the next 24 hours.
  This comes after a water main in Kempner ruptured on Wednesday -- and led to a stage 5 emergency water conservation for the city.Madison Eskilida is a volunteer firefighter in Kempner. She heard about the water supply shut off two days ago after a water line break."But I didn't know that we were going to be this severely affected until today,"
  
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• VIDEO: Foxes seen playing on trampoline in north Austin

  29-07-2023 19:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Sunday, a KXAN viewer said she saw baby foxes, also known as kits, playing on a trampoline in her garden in the north Austin area. VIDEO: Foxes spotted near St. Edward’s UniversityAccording to the Texas Wildlife Association, foxes live around the world in many different types of habitats. There are foxes living in the Arctic, the desert and even in trees. Some foxes have also adapted to live in urban environments like neighborhoods."There are three types of foxes t
  
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• What goes into putting a burn ban in place?

  29-07-2023 18:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Outdoor burn bans are in effect for all of Central Texas. Gillespie and Lampasas Counties put theirs into effect on July 24 and 25, respectively.KXAN Meteorologist Rich Segal spoke with Karen Stafford, the fire prevention program coordinator for Texas A&M Forest Service. She said that it is not the state that issues burn bans but each individual county. Enforcement is also done on the local level, be it the city or the county.All 15 counties in the KXAN viewing area hav
  
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• Austin comedy club helps bring the laughs to 6th Street

  29-07-2023 17:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin has a reputation as the "live music capital of the world," but it's not the only kind of show you can catch around town.
  Just off Sixth Street, near the intersection of Lavaca and Seventh, sits the Fallout Theater. Lisa Friedrich, co-owner of the Fallout Theater, says that the Austin comedy scene is booming."There's a ton of stand-up clubs downtown you would not have seen three years ago," said Friedrich.
  While downtown has changed around the theater, Fallout Theater
  
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• What does 'tump' mean and why do Texans say it?

  29-07-2023 15:21 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Pretend you accidentally knock your drink over. What would you say happened to it? If you're from Texas, or just from the south overall, you might say it "tumped" over.In general, the word is used when something falls over, spills over, or is knocked over. You can tump someone over or be tumped over by someone else. It's a useful word — but is it even a word?And moreover, why do Texans say this? 12 photos that only make sense if you grew up in TexasWhile "tump" isn't only
  
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• I hope you enjoyed the "coolest" day of the week

  29-07-2023 14:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Camp Mabry has reached a high of 100° and higher 22 times since June 8.The record for consecutive days of highs in triple digits is 27 set in 2011.
  Humidity percentages will lower nicely through the afternoon dropping to mostly the lower to middle 20s. That makes the heat index at or a little below the air temperature.Saturday will end as the "coolest" day of the next 7. The center of our heat dome will move back in over the Lone Star State.The center of the heat dome return
  
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• Another unwanted record on the way

  29-07-2023 14:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- 21. Camp Mabry has reached a high of 100° and higher 21 times since June 8. That ties for second place with 2001 and 2002. The record for consecutive days of highs in triple digits is 27 set in 2011. Those of you who were here then well remember that Camp Mabry reached 100°+ an astounding 90 times.Second place ... for now.During this stretch of 21 days the average high temperature is 105.2 degrees.
  July 2022's average temperature was 90.6°. As of yesterday's high of
  
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• Scuba in the middle of East Texas? Deep dive into family fun at Athens Scuba Park

  29-07-2023 14:04 via kxan.com
  
  ATHENS, Texas (KETK) — If you enjoy a little adventure under the sea, including exploring underwater wreckage or taking a relaxing ride on a kayak, you may love taking a dive at Athens Scuba Park.“A lot of people don’t expect this kind of a place to be in the middle of East Texas. There’s not a lot of places like this,” said one of the owners and instructors, Alex Wilcher.History of the parkBuilt in 1986 on the land of a former clay brick factory, the lake hold
  
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• Texas A&M regents could offer a settlement to the journalism professor at center of hiring controversy

  29-07-2023 14:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents will meet Sunday to authorize the university to negotiate a potential settlement with Kathleen McElroy, a Black University of Texas at Austin journalism professor, who turned down a position at A&M after the university changed her job offer under pressure from conservative groups.McElroy’s botched hiring led to the resignation of multiple administrators, including the university president last week. It&
  
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• How and why tar balls end up on Texas beaches

  29-07-2023 13:50 via kxan.com
  
  CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (KXAN) -- A phenomena washes up on Texas' beaches: sticky, black balls of tar.According to the Texas General Land Office (GLO), the tar balls come ashore in the summer due to changes in ocean currents. The balls occur when petroleum, whether arising from naturally occurring oil seeps or from off-shore oil spills, combines with seawater and solids. Report: Texas beaches could be unsafe for swimmingTar balls also occur near California, according to the National Oceanic and At
  
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• U.S. Capitol Police to open Texas field office, citing rising threats against members of Congress

  29-07-2023 05:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (The Texas Tribune) -- In response to increasing threats against members of Congress, the U.S. Capitol Police plans to open regional field offices across the country, including in Texas.Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger announced the plans at a joint oversight hearing of the Capitol Police Board, describing a 300% increase in threats to members of Congress over the past seven years.In addition to an office in Texas, the agency plans to open field offices in Milwaukee and Boston, Mange
  
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• Mayor Watson talks $65M to fight Austin homelessness, 'Death Star' litigation

  29-07-2023 03:23 via kxan.com
  
  Part of the mission of KXAN News is to foster a more informed and engaged community. We deliver in-depth coverage on topics like affordability, safety and mobility that affect the daily lives of Central Texans. And we explore sustainable solutions to economic, systemic and social problems. One way to achieve those goals is providing direct and consistent access to leaders who make decisions that shape local policy — seeking to understand their stances, holding them accountable for promises
  
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• 'I have some serious problems with that plan': Mayor Watson talks future of Zilker Park

  29-07-2023 02:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Zilker Park Vision Plan has become a hot button topic in Austin.According to the City of Austin's website, the park needs some upgrades.The site said Zilker is in crisis and facing increased ecological degradation, accessibility issues and damage from overuse in certain areas. The Vision Plan looks to address those issues with new parking garages, new pedestrian and bicycle bridges and even an amphitheater, but not all the proposed changes have been welcomed."I have som
  
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• 'I have some serious problems with that plan'; Mayor Watson talks future of Zilker

  29-07-2023 02:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Zilker Park Vision Plan has become a hot button topic in Austin.According to the City of Austin's website, the park needs some upgrades.The site said Zilker is in crisis and facing increased ecological degradation, accessibility issues and damage from overuse in certain areas. The Vision Plan looks to address those issues with new parking garages, new pedestrian and bicycle bridges and even an amphitheater, but not all the proposed changes have been welcomed."I have som
  
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• Texas rat, Arkansas skunk may soon be protected by an Act

  29-07-2023 01:58 via kxan.com
  
  SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will issue decisions on 31 southeast animals and plants and two southwest animals that may warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act.On July 24, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed to issue decisions on whether these species need protective status. The agreement came in response to a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity.
  “We could lose two out of every five wild species if we don’t
  
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• Texas mother accidentally calls 911 looking for son's soccer ball, deputy arrives and finds ball

  29-07-2023 01:56 via kxan.com
  
  BEXAR COUNTY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Texas woman who accidentally called 911 while looking for her son's soccer ball was shocked when she saw a deputy knock on her door with the missing ball.(Photo: Bexar County Sheriff's Office)
  According to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, the woman had a safety setting that allowed her to call 911 without unlocking. When emergency services answered, she told them it was an accident and everything was fine.A deputy was sent to do a welfare check, wh
  
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• 2 TABC agents expected to be terminated following DWI arrest

  29-07-2023 01:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two employees with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission are expected to be terminated August 1 following an investigation for policy violations, according to commission officials.A TABC spokesperson said an agent was arrested on a DWI charge. They were accompanied by another agent that was not arrested.TABC officials said a preliminary investigation found the agents violated TABC policy while operating a vehicle.Officials with the agency said the incident remained under
  
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• 100+ new affordable homes coming to a southeast Austin neighborhood

  29-07-2023 01:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Habitat for Humanity celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony Friday with some Austin city leaders for the future housing development of 126 affordable homes. Homes in the new community, called Persimmon Point, will be available at affordable prices to qualified low-to-moderate-income households, with individuals earning up to 80% of the local median income, around $36,000 annually.  MORE: New street in southeast Austin paves way for affordable housing“We
  
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• Why water restrictions vary across Texas cities

  29-07-2023 00:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As Texas cities tighten water restrictions due to infrastructure problems, low supply and high demand, state water agencies say there's no state standardization for how water restriction stages are determined. Jacob’s Well has zero flow once again, drought conditions a factorThe Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) said it requires wholesale and retail water suppliers to notify it within 5 business days of mandatory water use restrictions being implemented
  
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