Austin news

• Forecasting hottest first week of August in recorded history

  02-08-2023 23:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Extreme heat and dry vegetation are combining for a very high risk of wind-driven wildfires. At least two new fires started in the area on Wednesday.For the 26th day in a row and 42nd time this year, afternoon highs returned to the triple digits Wednesday in Austin. An Excessive Heat Warning and Heat Advisory continue areawide.A Red Flag Warning is also in effect for very high fire danger through 9 p.m. Low humidity, breezy winds and critically dry fuels mean fires that start wi
  
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• 'I wish it wasn't ending.' Departing Austin FC player speaks to fans at send-off

  02-08-2023 22:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Following the news that former Austin FC winger Diego Fagundez would leave the club, dozens of fans gathered Tuesday night to send the beloved player off. “I'm a little emotional, but I just want to say thank you to everybody since day one. You guys treated me and my family with a lot of love,” Fagundez told a crowd of around 100 FC fans.  MORE: Austin FC’s Diego Fagundez traded to LA Galaxy for Memo Rodriguez, cashAustin FC announced Tuesday tha
  
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• Second wildfire in Bastrop County grows to 38 acres, 90% contained

  02-08-2023 22:55 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management is responding to a wildland fire located near Hellinger Road. The fire, named the Mesquite Field Fire, is separate from the 100-acre Powder Keg Pine Fire that broke out Tuesday. Powder Keg Pine Fire in Bastrop estimated at 117 acres, 80% containedOfficials said the Mesquite Field Fire is currently estimated at roughly 38 acres and 90% contained, as of about noon Thursday.
  The Mesquite Field Fire has burned about 37
  
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• Second wildfire in Bastrop County grows to 37 acres, 80% contained

  02-08-2023 22:55 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 2, 2023BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management is responding to a wildland fire located near Hellinger Road. The fire, named the Mesquite Field Fire, is separate from the 100-acre Powder Keg Pine Fire that broke out Tuesday. Powder Keg Pine Fire in Bastrop estimated at 100 acres, 65% containedOfficials said the Mesquite Field Fire is currently estimated at roughly 37 acres and 80% co
  
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• Second wildfire in Bastrop County burns nearly 30 acres

  02-08-2023 22:55 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 2, 2023BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management is responding to a wildland fire located near Hellinger Road. The fire, named the Mesquite Field Fire, is separate from the 100-acre Powder Keg Pine Fire that broke out Tuesday. Powder Keg Pine Fire in Bastrop estimated at 100 acres, 65% containedOfficials said the Mesquite Field Fire is currently estimated at roughly 30 acres, as of abo
  
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• Second wildfire in Bastrop County burns almost two dozen acres

  02-08-2023 22:55 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management is responding to a wildland fire located near Hellinger Road. The fire, named the Mesquite Field Fire, is separate from the 100-acre Powder Keg Pine Fire that broke out Tuesday.Officials said the Mesquite Field Fire is currently estimated at roughly 20 acres, as of about 3:20 p.m. Wednesday.
  BCOEM said there is no containment of the fire, but added there are no evacuations necessary at this time.This is a developin
  
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• Second wildfire in Bastrop County 100% contained

  02-08-2023 22:55 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management responded to a wildland fire located near Hellinger Road. The fire, named the Mesquite Field Fire, is separate from the 100-acre Powder Keg Pine Fire that broke out Tuesday. Powder Keg Pine Fire in Bastrop estimated at 117 acresOfficials said the Mesquite Field Fire burned roughly 38 acres and is now 100% contained, as of shortly after 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
  The Mesquite Field Fire has burned about 37 acres in Bastrop
  
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• Fire near Georgetown burns estimated 60 acres

  02-08-2023 22:51 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video is from KXAN's wildfire coverage on Thursday, August 3, 2023.
  WEIR, Texas (KXAN) – Firefighters battled a 60-acre fire Wednesday afternoon in Weir, which is northeast of Georgetown.
  As of Wednesday evening, the fire was in the mop-up stage and close to contained, the Weir Fire Department said.The fire was reported to Williamson County Emergency Communications around 1:40 p.m. at County Road 150 and FM 972.Firefighters responded to a grass fire in Weir Wednesd
  
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• Fire near Georgetown burns 60 acres

  02-08-2023 22:51 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video is from KXAN's wildfire coverage on Thursday, August 3, 2023.
  WEIR, Texas (KXAN) – Firefighters battled a 60-acre fire Wednesday afternoon in Weir, which is northeast of Georgetown.
  As of Wednesday evening, the fire was in the mop-up stage and close to contained, the Weir Fire Department said.The fire was reported to Williamson County Emergency Communications around 1:40 p.m. at County Road 150 and FM 972.Firefighters responded to a grass fire in Weir Wednesd
  
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• Crews battle 60-acre fire near Georgetown, 80% contained

  02-08-2023 22:51 via kxan.com
  
  WEIR, Texas (KXAN) – Firefighters are battling a 60-acre fire Wednesday afternoon in Weir, which is northeast of Georgetown. The fire is estimated to be 80% contained, Williamson County said.The fire was reported to Williamson County Emergency Communications around 1:40 p.m. at County Road 150 and FM 972.Firefighters responded to a grass fire in Weir Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Firefighters responded to a grass fire in Weir Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. (KXAN Photo/Frank
  
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• 10-acre fire reported near Georgetown

  02-08-2023 22:51 via kxan.com
  
  WEIR, Texas (KXAN) – Firefighters are battling a 10-acre fire Wednesday afternoon in Weir, which is northeast of Georgetown, Williamson County said.The fire was reported to Williamson County Emergency Communications around 1:40 p.m. at County Road 150 and FM 972.Firefighters responded to a grass fire in Weir Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Firefighters responded to a grass fire in Weir Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Firefighters responded to a grass
  
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• Six City of Austin pools to remain open into September amid ongoing heatwave

  02-08-2023 22:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Six city pools in Austin will remain open well into September, more than a month later than they were originally scheduled to close for the season.The city shared Wednesday the pools will remain open through Sept. 24, "due to the ongoing heatwave and sufficient lifeguard staffing." Weather extremes: Austin’s hottest and coldest temperatures ever recordedThe pools remaining open are:
  Garrison Pool (6601 Menchaca Road)Govalle Pool (5200 Bolm Road)Mabel Davis Pool (3427
  
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• Travis County creates Community Legal Services Division for 'more fair and equitable' legal system

  02-08-2023 22:42 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Travis County Commissioners Court voted on July 25 to create two new departments that will comprise a new "Community Legal Services Division," according to a press release from the Commissioners Court.The two new departments are the Community Legal Services department and the Data, Policy and Performance Management department. The former will expand public defenders and work to ensure defendants have legal counsel during their first appearance in court. The lat
  
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• 'They saved us': Crews continue to battle Bastrop fire

  02-08-2023 22:05 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — Central Texas is on high alert as wildfire season continues on, but there are more dangers than just the fires.Crews are working in extremely hot conditions, with temperatures well above 100 degrees.The latest fire sparked in Bastrop has burned more than 100 acres.”Man, we had so many planes and helicopters out here it sounded like Vietnam,” said Keith who lives across the street from where fire crews were fighting the fire.The fire started Tuesday after
  
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• LCRA urging more water conservation efforts

  02-08-2023 21:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- There are two big weather stories going on at this time. One is the continued onslaught of highs reaching 100° and higher. Austin will have set a record for consecutive days of a triple-digit high by Friday, August 5.But depending on who you talk to the bigger story is the eventuality that by the middle of August the LCRA will move from Stage 1 of its drought contingency plan to Stage 2.The combined storage of Lakes Buchanan and Travis is forecast to fall below 900,000 acre-
  
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• City of Austin's DECA Alliance hosts its first small business summit

  02-08-2023 21:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An alliance that sets out to provide opportunities and resources for minority communities in Austin, was able to put its partnership to the test in a big way.The Diversity Ethnic Alliance (DECA), hosted its first small business opportunity summit through the City of Austin's Economic Development Department on Wednesday.
  DECA is made up of the City of Austin's Minority Chambers: The Austin LGBT Chamber, Greater Austin Asian Chamber, Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber, and
  
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• City of Austin's DECA Alliance hosts its first small business opportunity summit

  02-08-2023 21:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An alliance that sets out to provide opportunities and resources for minority communities in Austin, was able to put its partnership to the test in a big way.The Diversity Ethnic Alliance (DECA), hosted its first small business opportunity summit through the City of Austin's Economic Development Department on Wednesday.
  DECA is made up of the City of Austin's Minority Chambers: The Austin LGBT Chamber, Greater Austin Asian Chamber, Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber, and
  
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• San Marcos CISD rolls out new school marshals program

  02-08-2023 21:01 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) -- With the first day of school two weeks away, San Marcos CISD students were rolling out a new school marshals program this school year.Back in April, the San Marcos CISD Board of Trustees voted to approve the licensing program overseen by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. The program allows select school employees to carry a gun on campus after meeting specific requirements.Those requirements include having a current license to carry in Texas, passing a psycholo
  
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• ATCEMS: Body found near south Austin dog park

  02-08-2023 20:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin-Travis County EMS medics responded to a call Wednesday morning of a body near Edgecliff Terrace in south Austin, ATCEMS said.An adult was pronounced dead at the scene near the Norwood Estate Dog Park, ATCEMS said.KXAN has reached out to the Austin Police Department for more information.ATCEMS said the call came in at 9:51 a.m.This developing story will be updated as more information becomes available.
  
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• Austin pharmacy braces for possible late summer COVID, flu spikes

  02-08-2023 20:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Austin Public Health predicted a possible late summer wave of new COVID-19 cases last week, one Austin pharmacy is beginning preparations for any early respiratory illness spikes.Staff with the Austin-based Tarrytown Pharmacy said they are already seeing plenty of people coming in and seeking over-the-counter cough and cold medicine or complaining of respiratory symptoms. While that doesn't necessarily mean
  
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• Crash in Leander causes outage after vehicle knocks down power pole

  02-08-2023 20:04 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — Officials in Leander reported a power outage was caused after a vehicle crashed into a power pole in the area.The crash occurred at US 183 and Crystal Falls Parkway, according to the city.“The power outage is estimated to last two to three hours. PEC reports that 2,550 meters are affected,” the city said.According to the Pedernales Electric Cooperative, crews were on-site working to restore service as safely and quickly as possible.PEC’s outage map
  
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• $4M Mega Millions winning ticket sold in Burnet

  02-08-2023 19:50 via kxan.com
  
  BURNET, Texas (KXAN) — A lucky person who bought a lottery ticket in Burnet County is now a millionaire.The winning ticket, worth $4 million, was sold at the Hoover Valley Country Store at 7203 Park Road 4 West, just south of Inks Lake.According to the Texas Lottery Commission, the ticket matched all five white balls but not the Mega Ball number. The person also bought the Megaplier feature, which quadrupled their prize money. Your odds of winning the Mega Millions are 1 in 302 million; He
  
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• APD releases video, audio related to deadly south Austin police shooting

  02-08-2023 19:39 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 2, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday, the Austin Police Department released relevant audio and video from a deadly south Austin shooting, as well as identified the officers involved.James Woodrome, 60, was shot by an APD officer near an apartment in the early morning hours of July 20. He later died, APD said. APD identifies man shot, killed by officer in south AustinOfficers responded to a call regarding a woman stating
  
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• Suspicious package prompts investigation in Liberty Hill

  02-08-2023 19:20 via kxan.com
  
  LIBERTY HILL, Texas (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department bomb squad and other authorities were investigating a suspicious package Wednesday morning in Liberty Hill, the Williamson County Sheriff's Office said.WCSO said at 10:22 a.m. investigators responded to 1000 San Gabriel River Ranch Rd.WCSO said one residence was involved but the homes in the immediate vicinity were evacuated; although, officials could not confirm how many.Officials asked residents to stay out of the area with the in
  
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• Suspicious package investigation underway in Liberty Hill

  02-08-2023 19:20 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 2, 2023LIBERTY HILL, Texas (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department bomb squad and other authorities are investigating a suspicious package Wednesday morning in Liberty Hill, the Williamson County Sheriff's Office said.WCSO said investigators responded to 1000 San Gabriel River Ranch Rd., which is the address for the San Gabriel River Ranch Lake Dam.People in the immediate area have been evacuated. WCSO is asking others t
  
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• The Rio Grande's new reality: Kayaking through Operation Lone Star

  02-08-2023 18:47 via kxan.com
  
  EAGLE PASS, Texas (Nexstar) -- Life on the river is not as it once was.
  As Jessi Fuentes sets his kayak free in the Rio Grande, he's struck by the abrupt entrapment of his favorite pastime - the river, once free-flowing and free for all to access, now outfitted like the outer walls of a prison.The banks are bogged in mud, and the Carrizo cane is uprooted for concertina wire. Its razors are strewn with torn T-shirts, perhaps the only thing their one-time owners had on their backs before they surr
  
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• Ohio officer's 'crying,' disclosures led to firing after K-9 attack: records

  02-08-2023 18:41 via kxan.com
  
  CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) – Newly obtained records from Ohio's Circleville Police Department shine a light on how it handled a K-9 bite that grabbed national headlines.The July 4 incident unfolded when Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers chased a truck driver, Jadarrius Rose, who didn't pull over for an inspection for a missing mud flap.The chase stretched about 30 miles across three counties. It ended in Circleville, Ohio, after troopers used spikes to pop one of Rose's tires. There, Circle
  
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• Court rules Austin short-term rental ordinance unconstitutional

  02-08-2023 18:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A federal judge ruled Tuesday in a lawsuit against the City of Austin for its short-term rental (STR) ordinance, which a Houston couple said unfairly prevented them from listing their Austin property, according to court documents.The ruling from Senior U.S. District Judge David Alan Ezra granted plaintiffs Robert and Roberta Anding's motion for summary judgement, and rejected the City's motion to dismiss the Anding's claims.“The City is disappointed with the ruling and is
  
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• Specialized therapy team for at-risk youth coming to Hays County

  02-08-2023 18:35 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) --- Hays County will welcome a specialized response team to support at-risk youth.
  According to a press release by the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, the new Multisystemic Therapy (MST) team is a family and community-based treatment for at-risk youth from 12 to 17 years old.
  "It has proven most effective for treating youth who have committed or are at risk of committing violent offenses, have serious mental health or substance abuse concerns, are at risk of out
  
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• COVID summer surge: Hospitalizations more than triple in 2 Texas counties

  02-08-2023 17:57 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – A summer surge in COVID-19 cases has spiked the number of people in the hospital with serious complications from the virus. Nationwide, COVID-related hospitalizations are up 12% in the last week of available data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  But in some U.S. counties, the situation is dramatically worse. The CDC considers COVID-19 hospitalizations to be "medium" in 17 counties around the country. That means between 10 and 19.9 people are hospitalized wit
  
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• Photos: Wildfire burns near Bastrop State Park

  02-08-2023 16:57 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A wildfire in Bastrop County has burned around 100 acres as of Wednesday morning.
  The fire started Tuesday afternoon in the area of Highway 71 and Harmon Road. The Bastrop County Office of Emergency said fire progression had stopped overnight, and as of an 8:45 a.m. Wednesday update, no evacuation orders were in effect.
  Powder Keg Pine Fire burns in Bastrop County August 1, 2023 (Viewer-submitted photo) Powder Keg Pine Fire burns in Bastrop County A
  
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• Tracking the Tropics: Hurricane season enters its busiest stretch

  02-08-2023 16:42 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — While much of the east coast was sparred from any major tropical storm threats during the month of July, things could begin to change.The Atlantic hurricane season is known for its slow starts, but things begin to pick up when we flip our calendars to August."Climatologically speaking, the busiest time of the season is August and September, where 60% of all storms form,” Max Defender 8 Meteorologist Amanda Holly said.Since 1995, only five hurricane seasons have e
  
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• Video: Texas police wrongly stop, hold family at gunpoint

  02-08-2023 15:12 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — An Arkansas family says they are traumatized after being wrongly stopped and held at gunpoint by police in Frisco, Texas, after a mistake by an officer.
  Frisco police said in a news release that they observed a black Dodge Charger with an out-of-state license plate leaving a hotel on Sunday, July 23. Because of recent vehicle thefts in the area, where Chargers are "frequently stolen," police said the officer conducted a check on their computer of the vehicle's Arkansas licen
  
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• Girlfriend of convicted killer Cedric Marks enters guilty plea, receives sentence

  02-08-2023 14:32 via kxan.com
  
  BELTON, Texas (FOX 44/KWKT) -- The partner of convicted killer Cedric Marks officially pleaded guilty Tuesday afternoon to her part in the deaths of Jenna Scott and Michael Swearingin in 2019.
  The judge sentenced Maya Maxwell to 20 years in prison for tampering with a corpse.The hearing for Maya Maxwell was originally set for July, but it was reset for Aug. 1. According to Maxwell's defense attorney Kyle Watkins, "the basis of their motion was that Mr. Garza was not in town and he wanted to be h
  
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• Free pharmacy assisting uninsured Austinites

  02-08-2023 13:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Millions of Texans don’t have health insurance. For many, the treatments and medications can get expensive.People are often left with a tough decision between buying medications for chronic illnesses or paying to put food on the table for their families.In Austin, help is here with a volunteer organization expanding its free pharmacy for uninsured residents.Since June, the St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy of Texas has been filling prescriptions for free for those in need.
  
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• Ongoing heat, dry weather fueling high wildfire risk

  02-08-2023 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Extreme heat and fire weather concerns will remain the focus of the discussion for the next several days.For the 26th day in a row and 42nd time this year, afternoon highs will return to the triple digits in Austin. Today's forecast high of 107° is also likely to tie the record we set in 2011. Due to the extreme heat, an Excessive Heat Warning and Heat Advisory continue areawide.In addition to the heat, fire danger is prompting Red Flag Warnings to be issued. Breezy conditio
  
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• How new assistant coaches will have big impact for the Texas Longhorns this season

  02-08-2023 04:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Just like having depth on a player roster, it helps to have depth in the coaching staff. Texas Longhorns head football coach Steve Sarkisian knows that and made some important support staff hires over the summer.During his season-opening press conference Tuesday, Sarkisian spoke at length about three assistants he hired to help all three phases. With a ‘John Wick mentality,’ Texas Longhorns get started at fall camp WednesdayOn defense, Sarkisian brought in Payam
  
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• Report: Airbnb helps drive tourism in areas without hotels

  02-08-2023 03:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- Tourism is coming to places in Austin where there aren't any hotels, according to a report by Airbnb.The report said Austin neighborhoods without hotels had more than 470,000 guests and made more than $130 million in host earnings in 2022."Airbnb guests visiting these areas without hotels, they bring their tourism dollars. So they're visiting the local bakery, they're visiting the local shop, they're going to bars and restaurants and spending their money in these business," sai
  
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• Austin Police announces charges against man involved in alleged child kidnapping case

  02-08-2023 01:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Tuesday, the Austin Police Department announced charges against a man accused of attempting to kidnap a teenage girl last week in north Austin, according to an APD news release.Shortly before 4:30 p.m., July 25, officers responded to a check welfare urgent call in the 8000 block of Shoal Creek Boulevard, the release said. Officers arrested Willie Thompson, 48, and he was charged with trafficking of a child and sexual assault of a child.In a news conference Monday, APD commend
  
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• Trump indicted for efforts to overturn 2020 election and block transfer of power

  02-08-2023 00:58 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump was indicted on felony charges Tuesday for working to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the run-up to the violent riot by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol, with the Justice Department moving to hold him accountable for an unprecedented effort to block the peaceful transfer of presidential power.
  The four-count indictment reveals new details about a dark chapter in American history that has already been the subject of exhaustive federal investigat
  
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• How to view tonight's supermoon -- the first of two in August

  02-08-2023 00:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The first of two supermoons in August will be visible from Central Texas Tuesday night into Wednesday morning under mostly clear skies.The "Sturgeon Moon" is one of four supermoons in 2023, according to NASA. A supermoon is the term used when a full moon coincides with the moon's closest approach to Earth, making the moon appear 7% larger and up to 30% brighter.According to NASA, the name "Sturgeon Moon" comes from the large fish in the Great Lakes that were more easily caught t
  
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• Heatwave stretches to longest on record this week

  02-08-2023 00:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Following Austin's hottest July on record (for the second year in a row), August does not look much better.The hottest July in Austin weather historyAfter enjoying a few isolated downpours Tuesday evening from a passing disturbance, rain disappears from the forecast Wednesday through the coming weekend as record high temperatures return. Hotter than normal weather continues through at least mid-August with the string of consecutive 100-degree days in Austin potentially reaching
  
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