Austin news

• Lower Colorado River Authority selects constructor of new power plant

  06-08-2023 22:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) chose Minnesota-based Fagen, Inc. to lead engineering, procurement and construction work on LCRA's upcoming "peaking" power plant.The plant is set to be built near Maxwell in Caldwell County. The natural gas-fired plant is expected to provide roughly 190 megawatts of dispatchable power to the Texas power grid, per an LCRA release.For context, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas said one megawatt can power approximately 200 hom
  
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• Here's what the Farmers' Almanac has predicted for the next Texas winter — and why it may be wrong

  06-08-2023 21:52 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows the latest from the KXAN First Warning Weather team.TYLER, Texas (KETK/KXAN) — As summer continues, some people are wondering when things will finally cool down — and the latest prediction from the Farmers' Almanac has injected a dose of hope. But are its predictions accurate? Almanacs predict cold, wet winter — but can you trust them?The Farmers' Almanac has been publishing its forecasts for over 200 years using its secret f
  
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• Here's what the Farmers' Almanac has predicted for the next Texas winter

  06-08-2023 21:52 via kxan.com
  
  TYLER, Texas (KETK) - As summer continues, some people are wondering when things will finally cool down.The Farmers' Almanac has been publishing their forecasts for over 200 years using their secret formula and this week they have predicted that "the brrr is back" for the 2023-2024 winter.In their extended winter forecast, it is predicted that Texas will see an unseasonably cold, stormy winter for this year.
  Last winter, the Farmers' Almanac predicted a chilly winter with normal precipitation fo
  
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• Here's what the Farmers' Alamac has predicted for the next Texas winter

  06-08-2023 21:52 via kxan.com
  
  TYLER, Texas (KETK) - As summer continues, some people are wondering when things will finally cool down.The Farmers' Almanac has been publishing their forecasts for over 200 years using their secret formula and this week they have predicted that "the brrr is back" for the 2023-2024 winter.In their extended winter forecast, it is predicted that Texas will see an unseasonably cold, stormy winter for this year.
  Last winter, the Farmers' Almanac predicted a chilly winter with normal precipitation fo
  
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• 'It's a game-changer': Wounded veteran celebrates new airplane bathroom accessibility rule

  06-08-2023 21:50 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Advocates are celebrating a new rule from the Department of Transportation that will make airplane bathrooms more accessible. However, they're hesitant, because travelers won't see these changes immediately.As a wounded veteran who uses a wheelchair, Charles Brown knows that for those with disabilities, flying often means going without access to a bathroom."It's demeaning, it's degrading. You have to dehydrate yourself so you don't have to urinate," Brown said.Brown
  
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• 'Fleeing for our lives': Hays County residents, businesses recount escaping 400-acre Oak Grove Fire

  06-08-2023 20:39 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Hays County Office of Emergency Management and several Central Texas agencies continue to respond to the Oak Grove Fire, a 400-acre blaze that's 30% contained as of Sunday morning.The fire began Saturday afternoon and was first reported near Oak Grove Road near San Marcos.
  On Sunday, officials with the Texas A&M Forest Service said there was no fire growth overnight or current evacuations in place. Neighbors and businesses KXAN spoke with described the moment
  
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• Man accused of shooting Austin police officer in 2021 sentenced

  06-08-2023 20:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A 24-year-old man was sentenced July 25 in connection with a shooting that injured an Austin police officer on April 9, 2021.According to Travis County court documents, 24-year-old Gregorio Sarmiento pleaded guilty July 18 to aggravated assault of a public servant, a first-degree felony. Sarmiento previously faced a charge of attempted capital murder of a peace officer, according to court records. PAST COVERAGE: Man accused of shooting Austin officer and another motorist in
  
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• Crews respond to fire near Hudson Bend

  06-08-2023 19:58 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Lake Travis firefighters responded to a brush fire near Hudson Bend on Sunday afternoon, according to officials.Lake Travis Fire Rescue said the fire was approximately one acre, as of 12:46 p.m. As of 12:50 p.m., crews were able to get the fire under control.The fire is in the 5000 block of Hudson Bend Road, according to LTFR.Officials are expected to provide more updates as details become available.This is a developing story. Check back with KXAN for more det
  
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• What are the best grasses for Central Texas homes?

  06-08-2023 19:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With so many new residents relocating to Central Texas each year, many might come from milder climates without triple-digit summer temperatures. As so many new homes are built each year, which grasses are most optimal for properties in Central Texas?Michele Piwonka, head of customer relations and social media marketing at The Grass Outlet, told KXAN there are two grass types most ideal for Texas' drought conditions: the Tifway 419 Bermudagrass and the Celebration Bermudagrass.[T
  
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• ‘A beautiful and magical experience’: Barton Hill Farms permanently closes

  06-08-2023 18:33 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — On Wednesday, Barton Hill Farms announced it has permanently closed.“We would like to thank the entire community and the families that visited our farm venue throughout the years. Since 2012, it has been a delightful experience serving you all. We are especially grateful for those families and individuals that made visiting our events an annual tradition,” Barton Hill Farms said.The owners said the farm was "a beautiful and magical experience” for
  
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• What are David Yeomans' favorite weather movies?

  06-08-2023 17:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — While KXAN's First Warning Weather Team members are experts in the reality of everyday weather and natural disasters, they're no strangers to depictions of extreme weather in movies.For KXAN Chief Meteorologist David Yeomans, his ranking for the Top 3 best weather movies are as follows:
  "Twister""The Day After Tomorrow""The Perfect Storm"
  How did KXAN viewers' preferences compare? We reached out via X -- formerly known as Twitter -- and Facebook to see which weather movies
  
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• Man gets 12-month sentence related to 2021 fatal crash in Taylor

  06-08-2023 17:21 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A man was convicted and sentenced for his role in a fatal crash that killed two people in Taylor in 2021, according to Williamson County court documents.Documents showed 29-year-old Dylan Wade Weise was convicted by a court July 24 after pleading guilty to criminal negligent homicide, which was a lesser offense. He was previously charged with two counts of intoxication manslaughter related to the 2021 incident.Weise was sentenced to serve 12 months in stat
  
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• Will this be another August like 2022?

  06-08-2023 16:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- This morning when putting together the forecast there was one map that I looked at that gave me a glimmer of hope that Central Texas may soon break out of this relentless heat that has gripped the area since July 8.The Climate Prediction Center has teased us before with a Wetter Than Normal forecast. It's happened a few isolated times during this heat wave.
  Looking forward to having this actually develop
  This time, there may be something to the CPC's second-week forecast (August
  
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• PHOTOS: Oak Grove Fire burns in Hays County

  06-08-2023 16:27 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Oak Grove Fire in Hays County started Saturday near San Marcos and continues to burn.
  The wildfire is estimated to be 400 acres in size with 20% containment as of Sunday morning, according to Hays County and the Texas A&M Forest Service.FIRE UPDATES: One home destroyed, multiple evacuations from Oak Grove wildfireHere are KXAN staff and viewer photos and video of the fire:
  Officials responded to a large outside fire, known as the Oak Grove Fire, in Hays
  
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• Several highs above 105°

  06-08-2023 14:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Saturday's high of 106° tied a record first set in 2011. It's the 29th consecutive day and 45th day overall of a triple-digit high.Today's high is, again, forecast to reach 107°. The record high for August 6th is 105° set in 2013. BLOG: Forget the heat: Here's when cooler air usually comesThe Excessive Heat Warning runs from noon - 9 p.m. for most of Central Texas with feels-like temperatures as high as 105° to 109°.The Heat Advisory remains in place for Blan
  
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• Hot and dry, what else can we say?

  06-08-2023 14:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Temperatures soared again on Sunday with highs into the triple digits for the 30th day in a row. Relative humidity levels continue to plummet setting us up for another day with a high wildfire danger. BLOG: Forget the heat: Here's when cooler air usually comesThe Excessive Heat Warning runs from until 9 p.m. for most of Central Texas with feels-like temperatures as high as 105° to 109°.The Heat Advisory remains in place for Blanco and Gillespie Counties for possible heat
  
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• 'Eternally grateful': City of Kyle's mayor praises firefighters, others as Oak Grove Fire's progress halted

  06-08-2023 06:32 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — City of Kyle Mayor Travis Mitchell wants everyone to go hug a firefighter after the forward progress of a wildfire was halted shortly before 9 a.m. Saturday in Hays County.As the Oak Grove Fire burned down a home and forced evacuations of approximately 30 others in an area near Kyle and San Marcos, Mitchell said the teamwork of fire departments from all corners of the Austin area was exemplary and on-point to get the fire's momentum stopped. Churches in San Marc
  
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• 'Eternally grateful': City of Kyle's mayor praises firefighters, others as Oak Grove Fire progress halted

  06-08-2023 06:32 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — City of Kyle Mayor Travis Mitchell wants everyone to go hug a firefighter after the forward progress of a wildfire was halted shortly before 9 a.m. Saturday in Hays County.As the Oak Grove Fire burned down a home and forced evacuations of approximately 30 others in an area near Kyle and San Marcos, Mitchell said the teamwork of fire departments from all corners of the Austin area was exemplary and on-point to get the fire's momentum stopped. RELATED: Churches in
  
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• Churchs in San Marcos, Wimberley open doors for Oak Grove Fire evacuees

  06-08-2023 05:12 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Those who evacuated their homes Saturday due to the Oak Grove Fire burning near San Marcos can seek shelter at two churches in the area.Promised Land Church, located at 1650 Lime Kiln Road in San Marcos, and First Baptist Church of Wimberley at 15951 Winters Mill Parkway have opened their doors for evacuees to stay until they are allowed back in their homes. One home destroyed, multiple evacuations from Oak Grove wildfire, estimated at 300 acres and 10% containe
  
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• Churches in San Marcos, Wimberley opened doors for Oak Grove Fire evacuees

  06-08-2023 05:12 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Those who evacuated their homes Saturday due to the Oak Grove Fire burning near San Marcos sought shelter at two churches in the area.As of Sunday morning, no evacuation orders were in place, according to the Hays County Office of Emergency Management.
  Promised Land Church, located at 1650 Lime Kiln Road in San Marcos, and First Baptist Church of Wimberley at 15951 Winters Mill Parkway opened their doors for evacuees to stay until they were allowed back in their
  
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• Churches in San Marcos, Wimberley open doors for Oak Grove Fire evacuees

  06-08-2023 05:12 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Those who evacuated their homes Saturday due to the Oak Grove Fire burning near San Marcos can seek shelter at two churches in the area.Promised Land Church, located at 1650 Lime Kiln Road in San Marcos, and First Baptist Church of Wimberley at 15951 Winters Mill Parkway have opened their doors for evacuees to stay until they are allowed back in their homes. One home destroyed, multiple evacuations from Oak Grove wildfire, estimated at 300 acres and 10% containe
  
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• Texas' Dylan Disu hosts basketball camp at Hendrickson

  06-08-2023 04:53 via kxan.com
  
  Pflugerville (KXAN) - Dylan Disu left the Austin area after high school to play college basketball at Vanderbilt. Following two years at Nashville, the Pflugerville native came back home to play basketball at Texas."Especially my second year with Covid limiting travel, I didn't really get to play in front of my family or people that I knew too much," said Disu about playing at Vanderbilt. "Just to represent Austin basketball, it means a lot to me."Disu had been fighting injuries over his time wi
  
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• ATCEMS responds to major crash in northwest Travis County

  06-08-2023 01:03 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- On Saturday, the Austin-Travis County EMS responded to a major crash in northwest Travis County, the agency said on social media.Medics responded shortly after 5:30 p.m. to the 4200 block of North FM 620, near Mansfield Dam Ct., for a pediatric trauma alert.Additionally, ATCEMS said that Travis County STAR Flight also responded to the crash. Three ambulances and an incident commander were also on the scene.Drivers are urged to avoid the area and expect closures.Thi
  
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• State of Texas: 'The river is hurting.' Lawsuit claims buoy barrier damages Rio Grande

  06-08-2023 01:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Life on the river is not as it once was.
  As Jessie 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, is now outfitted like the outer walls of a prison.The banks are bogged in mud, and the Carrizo cane was uprooted for concertina wire. Spools of tiny spikes are strewn with torn T-shirts, perhaps the only thing their one-time owners had on their backs
  
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