Austin news

• Memo: 125 City of Austin vehicles in need of AC repairs

  17-08-2023 23:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin is working to repair roughly 125 vehicles from its city-run fleet that have air conditioning issues.The city's total vehicle fleet amounts to 7,260 vehicles, as of Aug. 11. Of those 7,260 vehicles, 4,863 of them are classified as "on-road" vehicles, per a Wednesday city memo.City officials confirmed approximately 125 vehicles have open work orders relating to AC issues, with 13 of those vehicles belonging to Austin Resource Recovery.
  "These work orders encompa
  
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• Toxic algae confirmed in several Austin waterways, including Barton Springs

  17-08-2023 23:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Following analysis of water samples across Austin from May to June, the Austin Watershed Protection Department confirmed that toxic algae has been found in the water from several locations, including Barton Springs. Excessively high temperatures and dry weather patterns increase the likelihood of toxic algae mats in creeks and lakes. Though the presence of the algae was confirmed in Barton Springs, toxin levels in the water are not “concerning,” and th
  
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• Where do the rich live in Austin? Our list and map show the way to wealth

  17-08-2023 23:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (ABJ) — If you want to find the metro's wealthiest ZIP codes, you’ll need to travel west of MoPac Expressway.The top five on Austin Business Journal's latest list of ZIPs ranked by median household income form a loose band stretching from the hilly bends of Lake Austin down to Driftwood. That household income ranged from $187,778 in the No. 1, the 78733 ZIP that includes the Barton Creek neighborhood, to $153,438 in 78619, on the southwest fringe of the capital city
  
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• Where do the rich live in Austin? ABJ map shows the way to wealth

  17-08-2023 23:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (ABJ) — If you want to find the metro's wealthiest ZIP codes, you’ll need to travel west of MoPac Expressway.The top five on Austin Business Journal's latest list of ZIPs ranked by median household income form a loose band stretching from the hilly bends of Lake Austin down to Driftwood. That household income ranged from $187,778 in the No. 1, the 78733 ZIP that includes the Barton Creek neighborhood, to $153,438 in 78619, on the southwest fringe of the capital city
  
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• LIST: Wealthiest ZIP codes in the Austin-area

  17-08-2023 23:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (ABJ) — The 2023 list of Austin's wealthiest ZIP codes ranks the median income of households in the five counties that make up the Austin area: Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop and Caldwell.The list reveals that wealth is found not only in the expected affluent areas of the city but has spread its green to the rural areas.Data provided by data.census.gov using 2021 estimates. Statistics are based on the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS).Read the full story and l
  
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• Storage container fire in San Saba causes intense smoke, no evacuations

  17-08-2023 23:27 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 17, 2023SAN SABA, Texas (KXAN) — A storage container with plastic and petroleum materials caught on fire Thursday in San Saba, according to officials. MAP: Wildfires in Central Texas this yearSan Saba OEM said the "intense" fire broke out across the road from a pecan facility.Evacuations were not ordered, but officials said they had people shelter in place since the evacuation route would have brought them closer to th
  
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• Hays CISD updates dismissal order for safety concerns, parents left frustrated

  17-08-2023 23:21 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) --- Starting Thursday, all Hays CISD students who walk to school will now be the last to leave.
  In a newsletter to parents the district wrote, "these students will remain in the building in the air conditioning until their release. We will ensure their safety until the majority of vehicles are out of the area."It's part of a new district policy Hays CISD said it's been working on over the summer to address "community concerns regarding school safety, resident/neighborho
  
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• Dog suffers heatstroke after being tethered outside, shelter says

  17-08-2023 23:16 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- A dog is now in the care of the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter after a third-party animal agency found it tethered outside and in distress from the heat.April Pfeifer, community programs coordinator at the WCRAS, said the dog, Hugo, was found two days ago by a partner of the agency. The shelter said the dog was diagnosed with heatstroke. Puppies found on side of road saved, shelter seeking more help from fostersShe said she could not reveal which gro
  
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• What's a sun kink? How extreme heat hits Austin railroads

  17-08-2023 22:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As Austin continues its longest consecutive stretch of triple-digit days in recorded history, it's not just residents who are feeling the heat -- the city's local railroads are, too.When temperatures around the globe peak, rail operations have to adjust services to battle the heat's impacts, CapMetro said in a blog post Thursday. For Austin's transit authority, that means trains must slow down on tracks once the railroads reach 135 degrees or warmer. CAPMETRO NEWS: https://www.k
  
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• Weak tropical system may break heatwave and bring rain next week

  17-08-2023 22:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect again Friday with near-record high temperatures well over 100° areawide.
  This comes after an extreme high temperature of 109° Thursday at Austin-Bergstrom -- the fourth-hottest temperature ever observed there. High temperatures matched the hottest of the year thus far Thursday at Camp Mabry reaching 108°.Scorching heat continues this weekend with forecast temperatures of 107° both afternoons in Austin.Tropical system may imp
  
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• Texas to invest $142B in transportation infrastructure upgrades

  17-08-2023 22:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday a $142 billion investment into the state's transportation infrastructure, including $100 billion earmarked for the Texas Department of Transportation's 10-year state roadways plan.This latest investment represented a $25 billion increase over the previous year, according to a TxDOT release Thursday. TxDOT's 10-year state roadways construction plan, or the 2024 Unified Transportation Program, incorporated more than $6 billion allocated to
  
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• Ascension Seton Williamson recognized for sustainability efforts

  17-08-2023 22:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Ascension Seton Williamson was recognized as a facility leading the way in utilizing environmentally-friendly practices to reduce waste at the hospital. Medexel, an Indianapolis-based provider of health care facilities, recognized five Ascension hospitals around the U.S. that have made significant progress toward environmental sustainability. Medexel and the Ascension system partnered a decade ago to help move the Ascension health care system towards a greener future.
  
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• UT-Austin Police complete investigation on Guadalupe Street

  17-08-2023 20:53 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 17, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) — University of Texas at Austin Police said Thursday officers conducted an investigation in the 2000 block of Guadalupe Street, which is close to the intersection with Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, near the UT campus.Around 1:30 p.m., police said officers completed the investigation, and "there was no threat to the campus community."UT Austin Police initially posted to social media about the r
  
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• ACL releases 2023 performance schedule

  17-08-2023 20:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin City Limits Music Festival released its performer schedule Thursday for Weekend One and Weekend Two.For 2023, ACL will have eight stages with performances as early as 12:45 p.m. and the latest ending at 10 p.m.Weekend One begins Friday, Oct. 6 and ends Sunday, Oct. 8. Weekend Two begins Friday, Oct. 13 and ends Sunday, Oct. 15.Take a look at the full schedule here.
  
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• ERCOT issues voluntary conservation notice for Thursday afternoon

  17-08-2023 19:05 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 17, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, issued a Voluntary Conservation Notice for Thursday afternoon.
  ERCOT is asking Texans to voluntarily reduce electric use, if it's safe to do so, from 3-8 p.m. due to "extreme temperatures, forecasted high demand, & lower reserves due to low wind generation. Understanding ERCOT’s emergency alert levelsThe council said on social media it is
  
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• Total eclipse traffic drives some Texas schools to cancel class

  17-08-2023 18:06 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The above video highlights how Central Texas communities are preparing for the 2024 solar eclipse event.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas total solar eclipse isn't until April 8, but Texas school districts are preparing now. While many districts are planning to host special events for their students, others are having to cancel class due to the expected onslaught of tourists."It's kind of a once-in-a-lifetime thing for our students," Megan Hamilton, district communications specialist wit
  
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• 5 people bitten by dogs in Manor

  17-08-2023 17:54 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 17, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) — Five people were bitten by dogs in Manor Thursday morning, one of whom had to go to the hospital, according to Austin Travis County EMS and the Manor Police Department."Some first responders have been unable to exit vehicles due to threats by dogs," ATCEMS tweeted at 9:15 a.m.It said the "group of dogs" were in the area of Arbor Hill Cove between Sugar Bush Path and Bullhorn Acacia pass.
  ATCEMS
  
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• 59th annual Austin Trail of Lights returns Dec. 8-23

  17-08-2023 17:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Trail of Lights Foundation announced the dates Thursday for the 2023 Austin Trail of Lights, which will take place Dec. 8-23, according to a news release from the Trail of Lights Foundation.Tickets to the Dec.1 Night Lights Preview Party will go on sale in late September, the news release said. Interesting things to know about Austin’s Trail of LightsVisitors who want to get a first look at the annual event in downtown Austin's Zilker Park can attend the 10th annual Ni
  
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• Travis Early College High School classes canceled Thursday after 'incident' on campus

  17-08-2023 16:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Classes were canceled Thursday morning for Travis Early College High School because of an "incident" that happened on campus.
  In a social media thread, the Austin Independent School District said the campus was safe and there was no danger to students or staff.
  AISD said students who were already on buses will be returned home. For students already on campus, the district is coordinating transportation back home.KXAN has reached out to AISD for more information and will update t
  
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• Travis Early College High School classes canceled Thursday after body found on campus

  17-08-2023 16:10 via kxan.com
  
  If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. Crisis counselors are available 24/7.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Classes were canceled Thursday morning for Travis Early College High School after a body was found on campus, officials said.Austin-Travis County EMS said a call came in at 7:41 a.m. and it pronounced one person dead on scene.In a social media thread, the Austin Independent School District said the campus was safe an
  
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• Travis Early College High School classes canceled after body found on campus

  17-08-2023 16:10 via kxan.com
  
  If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. Crisis counselors are available 24/7.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Classes were canceled Thursday and Friday for Travis Early College High School after a body was found on campus, officials said.Austin-Travis County EMS said a call came in at 7:41 a.m., and medics pronounced one person dead on scene."It is with great sadness that I share with you that early this morning, one of our
  
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• LIVE: Travis Early College High School classes canceled Thursday after 'incident' on campus

  17-08-2023 16:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Classes were canceled Thursday morning for Travis Early College High School because of an "incident" that happened on campus.
  Austin-Travis County EMS said one person died at the scene. The call came in at 7:41 a.m.In a social media thread, the Austin Independent School District said the campus was safe and there was no danger to students or staff.
  Travis Early College High School classes canceled after ‘incident’ on campus Aug. 17, 2023 (KXAN Photo/Todd Bynum) Travi
  
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• Thorndale ISD starts school with armed teachers

  17-08-2023 15:09 via kxan.com
  
  THORNDALE (KXAN) — As parents drop off their kids for the first day of school, they’ll see a sign standing in front of all three Thorndale Independent School District campuses.For the last six years, Thorndale ISD has equipped its teachers with guns and active shooter training to protect its students.
  It’s a warning for intruders, indicating that some staff members are armed and may use force to protect their students.For the last six years, Thorndale ISD — located about
  
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• Back to school: Online safety tips you should know about

  17-08-2023 13:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As any proud parent would be, there's a moment of celebration when you send your child on to their next milestone for the next school year. But as things get back into gear, what are some online safety tips to help keep you and your family safe?The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has multiple articles with tips on sharing back-to-school photos of your children and back-to-school internet safety tips.Sharing back-to-school photosAs you share those precious back-to-school photos, the
  
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• Amber Alert: Missing 2-year-old found

  17-08-2023 13:36 via kxan.com
  
  BEAUMONT, Texas (KXAN) -- An Amber Alert for a missing 2-year-old was discontinued Thursday.The updated notice stated the 2-year-old was found.
  
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• Amber Alert issued for 2-year-old missing from Beaumont

  17-08-2023 13:36 via kxan.com
  
  BEAUMONT, Texas (KXAN) -- An Amber Alert was issued overnight for a 2-year-old boy from Beaumont.
  The Beaumont Police Department is searching for Braylon Harris, a Black 2-year-old boy who is described as 2'11" with brown hair, brown eyes, and was last seen with braids in his hair. His clothing was unknown.
  Braylon Harris (Photo: Texas Department of Public Safety)
  Police are looking for Georgiann Randall in connection to Harris's abduction. Randall is described as a Black, 29-year-old woman who
  
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• Bastrop ISD opens 2 new schools as district grows in size

  17-08-2023 12:53 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) -- Camino Real and Colony Oaks elementary schools opened their doors for the first time this week, marking the first new schools to open in Bastrop Independent School District since 2009. The two identical schools, both with a capacity of 750 students, provide more space for a fast-growing district.
  Real Camino, built in Cedar Creek, and Colony Oaks, located in west Bastrop, cost just over $64 million to build. The funds were approved by voters in a 2021 bond election. The
  
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• Record heat… but hope remains for tropical rain next week

  17-08-2023 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The heat worsens today with temperatures in record territory, but hope remains for a potential change towards cooler and wetter weather next week.An Excessive Heat Warning has been issued for all of Central Texas beginning noontime today and continuing until 9 p.m. Austin's forecast high of 108° is likely to surpass the 100-year-old daily record and tie for the hottest temperature of the year.Excessive Heat Warning in effect Thursday 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.In addition to the heat,
  
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• LIVE: Record heat… but hope remains for tropical rain next week

  17-08-2023 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The heat worsens today with temperatures in record territory, but hope remains for a potential change towards cooler and wetter weather next week.An Excessive Heat Warning has been issued for all of Central Texas beginning noontime today and continuing until 9 p.m. Austin's forecast high of 108° is likely to surpass the 100-year-old daily record and tie for the hottest temperature of the year.Excessive Heat Warning in effect Thursday 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.In addition to the heat,
  
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• Hutto may have victim of cybercrime, city says

  17-08-2023 12:29 via kxan.com
  
  HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) – The City of Hutto said Tuesday it may have been the victim of a cybercrime involving thousands in city funds.
  According to the city, it was told by its financial institution late Monday evening that $193,000 in city funds were transferred to an illegitimate account impersonating a known vendor.
  The financial institution has assured the city that there is no further risk of being defrauded by this account again and no personal information was involved in this criminal
  
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• Downtown Austin Alliance to host Safety Forum Thursday

  17-08-2023 12:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Downtown Austin Alliance will host the Downtown Safety Forum on Thursday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
  The meeting will be held on Zoom, and people can register to attend online.According to the Alliance, Austin Police Lieutenant Zachary Lahood will speak about the Austin Police Department Real Time Crime Center and the High Activity Location Observation, or HALO safety camera system.
  Austin Police Commander Jeff Olson will provide an upda
  
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• Georgetown ISD experiencing growing pains in country's fastest-growing city

  17-08-2023 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- As the district with the unique distinction of serving the country's fastest-growing city, Georgetown ISD is racing to keep pace with its exploding student body population.
  However, in the words of Superintendent Dr. Devin Padavil, "there's no such thing as keeping up." NEXT: Set for SchoolThursday, the district with 13,155 students returns to school, facing new challenges related to growth, safety, and staffing.
  Padavil talked with KXAN ahead of the return about the
  
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• Suspect at center of Harris County Blue Alert arrested, sheriff says

  17-08-2023 12:08 via kxan.com
  
  CORRECTION: A previous version of this story said two suspects were arrested in connection with the shooting. One suspect has been arrested and charged, and the other was apprehended, questioned and released, according to law enforcement officials. This story has been updated to reflect that information.
  HOUSTON (KXAN) – The suspect wanted in connection to a shooting that injured a Harris County Sheriff's deputy Wednesday night was arrested and charged with attempted capital murder, accord
  
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• Both suspects at center of Harris County Blue Alert arrested, sheriff says

  17-08-2023 12:08 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KXAN) – Both suspects have been arrested in connection to a shooting that injured a Harris County Sheriff's deputy Wednesday night.
  According to Gov. Greg Abbott's office, James Green was apprehended Thursday.
  The other suspect, Terran Green, was taken into custody Thursday night around 11:50 p.m. after a standoff with SWAT in Humble, northeast of Houston, according to a social media post from Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.MORE: What is a Blue Alert?Two law enforcement officer
  
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• Blue Alert issued after Harris County deputy shooting; 1 arrested, 1 still at large

  17-08-2023 12:08 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KXAN) – One suspect has been arrested in connection to the shooting of a Harris County Sheriff's deputy Wednesday night, and another suspect is still on the run. The governor's office is now offering a $20,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the other suspect.According to Gov. Greg Abbott's office, James Green was apprehended.
  The other suspect is Terran Green, a black man, 34, who is described as 5-feet-4-inches-tall, 180 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
  
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• Blue Alert issued after Harris County deputy shooting

  17-08-2023 12:08 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KXAN) – The Texas Department of Public Safety issued a Blue Alert late Wednesday night after a Harris County sheriff's deputy was shot and wounded.According to the alert, officers are looking for two men in connection with the shooting:Terran Green, a black man, 34, who is described as 5-feet-4-inches-tall, 180 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a gray shirt and black shorts.
  James Green, a black man, 37, who is described as 5-feet-6-inches-tall, 168 pounds, wi
  
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• Kyle Rittenhouse launches nonprofit with far-right Texans as he ramps up political engagement in the state

  17-08-2023 03:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (The Texas Tribune) -- Kyle Rittenhouse, the right-wing activist who was famously acquitted of killing two Black Lives Matter protesters in 2020, is stepping up his involvement in Texas politics.Already this year, he’s rallied with a Texas secessionist movement leader, endorsed ultraconservative midterm candidates, and railed against Texas gun control legislation and the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton.Now, Rittenhouse is creating a nonprofit in the state — with hel
  
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• Texas agency warns there could be thousands of abandoned, deteriorated water wells

  17-08-2023 02:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) said the recent incident in Bastrop County where three people died trying to rescue a dog that had fallen into an abandoned cistern highlighted the dangers of abandoned or deteriorated water wells in Texas.TDLR said there could be thousands of abandoned or deteriorated water wells in Texas posing safety hazards and contributing to groundwater pollution.According to the department, a well is considered “abandone
  
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• 52 arrests made statewide since Texas 'street takeover' task force began

  17-08-2023 01:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As the Austin Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety continue to investigate a July "street takeover" event that landed three people in the hospital, KXAN has learned more about the scope of these investigations across the state.
  In February, DPS - in conjunction with several local agencies - launched the Street Takeover Task Force, following a takeover event that resulted in dozens of criminal charges.Operation Burnout: 17 more charged in February ‘st
  
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• Central Texas housing market continues cooling trend in latest ABoR report

  17-08-2023 01:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Central Texas housing market has continued its cooling trend, according to the new report from the Austin Board of Realtors.The report said the median family income in the area was $122,000, which would mean buyers could generally afford a home between $300,000 to $400,000.However, less than 40% of homes sold in the Austin-Round Rock area in July fell into that price range.According to the July report, the City of Austin’s current median price for a home was $550,
  
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• An appeals court backs some abortion drug limits, pending the Supreme Court's approval

  17-08-2023 01:09 via kxan.com
  
  NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Mail-order access to a drug used in the most common form of abortion in the U.S. would end under a federal appeals court ruling issued Wednesday that cannot take effect until the Supreme Court weighs in.
  The decision by three judges on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans overturned part of a lower court ruling that would have revoked the Food and Drug Administration’s 23-year-old approval of mifepristone. But it left intact part of the ruling that
  
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• Austin pharmacy to pay $200K to resolve allegations against Controlled Substances Act

  17-08-2023 00:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin pharmacy agreed to pay $200,000 in civil penalties to resolve allegations that it violated the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), according to the Department of Justice.The DOJ said a routine inspection was conducted at People’s Pharmacy Inc., or Peoples Rx, in June 2022. Peoples Rx operates five retail pharmacies and one compounding laboratory in the Austin area, according to the DOJ.A release said investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration determ
  
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• With a wide-open competition, Longhorns are buying into running back by committee

  17-08-2023 00:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas had more than 2,000 rushing yards speed out the door after Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson were selected in the NFL Draft. Now with returning backs ready to shine plus newcomers who could see significant time in the backfield, the competition at running back in fall camp is one of the most intriguing for the Longhorns.With the pounding running backs take, having a handful of guys trusted to pack the pigskin is essential at any level of football. The Longhorns certa
  
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• Trans teen testifies in court over Texas ban on gender-related healthcare

  17-08-2023 00:05 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (Nexstar) — For the first time since the law was passed, a Texas transgender teenager testified in court Wednesday over how that law that will soon ban gender-transition-related health care for minors would impact him.16-year-old Nathan Noe — a pseudonym he uses out of fear of being targeted — testified in a Travis County district court about how he felt uncomfortable in his skin before beginning hormone therapy to transition from female to male.“It f
  
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• Some abortion drug restrictions are upheld by an appeals court in a case bound for the Supreme Court

  17-08-2023 00:03 via kxan.com
  
  NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Mail-order access to a drug used in the most common form of abortion in the U.S. would end under a federal appeals court ruling issued Wednesday that cannot take effect until the Supreme Court weighs in.
  The decision by three judges on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans overturned part of a lower court ruling that would have revoked the Food and Drug Administration’s 23-year-old approval of mifepristone. But it left intact part of the ruling that
  
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