Austin news

• Public Utility Commission of Texas calls for 'voluntary power conservation'

  20-08-2023 23:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) is echoing calls from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) for "voluntary power conservation" Sunday. PUCT officials requested Texans to "voluntarily reduce electricity use" due to ongoing extreme temperatures and high power demand.The latest voluntary conservation notice is effective from 7-10 p.m. Sunday.At this time, ERCOT isn't experiencing emergency conditions, officials said in the release. The PUCT's voluntar
  
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• Hawaii governor says more than 1,000 people still unaccounted for after devastating wildfires

  20-08-2023 23:02 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) – Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (D) said on Sunday more than 1,000 people were still unaccounted for, as search and rescue operations continue to scour the devastation left behind by the wildfires in Maui County. “More than 1,000 are unaccounted for, about 1,050. It will take several weeks still. Some of the challenges are going to be extraordinary. As you reported, 85 percent of the of the land of the impact zone has been covered now by what amounts to an army of search and
  
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• Austin SWAT responding to shots fired call at north Austin apartment

  20-08-2023 22:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department's SWAT unit is responding to an incident in north Austin Sunday afternoon.Police said in a social media post the incident is reported at 212 W. Lola Drive, located near Georgian Drive and West Powell Lane.
  Police told KXAN the initial call said shots had been fired in an apartment. Officials added there is a barricaded suspect and that it's unclear if there are any victims involved in the incident.APD officials said they will host a media briefi
  
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• Man sentenced 11 years after fatal stabbing

  20-08-2023 22:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was sentenced to 12 years in state prison in connection with a fatal 2012 stabbing in southeast Austin.Travis County court documents said Hector Ramirez-Lopez pleaded guilty to murder, which was connected to the death of Randal Wells on April 28, 2012, in the 2400 block of Wickersham Lane. RELATED: Suspect in 2012 Austin stabbing murder surrenders to Mexico authoritiesAccording to past KXAN coverage, while a warrant was issued and Ramirez-Lopez was charged with murder
  
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• Austin included in list of US cities where wildfires threaten the most homes

  20-08-2023 21:51 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – The Maui fires are a terrifying reminder of the destruction that wildfires can cause. It's a threat many Western U.S. residents are unfortunately familiar with.
  A new report from CoreLogic analyzed how many homes and apartments in 14 Western states are at a high risk of fires. They looked at areas' slope, drought conditions, wildfire fuel, wind and other factors to determine places with the most at-risk residences.
  The West's largest state, California, unsurprisingly had the mo
  
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• Man sentenced in shooting death of bystander outside Austin strip club

  20-08-2023 21:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in state prison in connection with the death of a man who was shot in the head outside a strip club in northeast Austin in May 2021.According to Travis County court documents, 22-year-old Perkins Clayton Sexton received his sentence after negotiating a plea deal and pleading guilty to the murder of 22-year-old Alejandro Martinez. RELATED: Suspect arrested in shooting death of bystander outside Austin strip clubAccording to past KXAN
  
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• Jet ski collision on Decker Lake prompts STAR Flight response

  20-08-2023 20:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —  Several agencies responded Sunday to a collision between two jet skis on Decker Lake, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.ATCEMS said the call for the crash, which involved 2 jet skis, 4 adults and 1 child, came in at 1:15 p.m.According to officials, at least two people were injured as a result of the crash.At 1:45 p.m., ATCEMS said one patient was still in the water but was with a rescue swimmer.ATCEMS, Austin Fire Department and Travis County STAR Flight all respo
  
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• Austin yard displays greet children heading back to school

  20-08-2023 19:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's back-to-school season throughout Central Texas, and Austinites might see some colorful new displays welcoming students back to school.Kimmie Klein originally opened Austin Yard Cards in 2014 as a way to put a more unique flair on birthdays, graduations and other celebratory occasions. Last year, Liz Merkel took over the business for Klein, a friend of hers from their neighborhood.Despite the business being nearly a decade old, Merkel remembered the surge in interest at
  
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• Murder charge dismissed, man gets 5 years for unlawful possession of a firearm

  20-08-2023 19:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —  A man was convicted and sentenced Aug. 1 in connection with a May 2022 offense, according to Travis County court documents.Records showed 51-year-old Michael Lance Arendt was sentenced to serve five years in state prison for the unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.Arendt was originally charged with murder, but the charge was dismissed during a plea agreement, according to documents.According to past KXAN coverage, Arendt was arrested in Laredo as a suspect in
  
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• Texas pilot program focuses on treating opioid, other substance use in pregnancy

  20-08-2023 15:30 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KXAN) — As Meagan Shealy settles in at home after an overnight shift, her baby can be heard cooing in the background. "He's going to be 10 months old," Shealy said proudly to KXAN during a Zoom interview. Meagan Shealy enjoying time with her baby. (Courtesy: Meagan Shealy)
  She's a mom to seven but explained this is the first time she's been able to truly experience those early milestones. "I've gotten to be a mother to my son for the first time," she said. 
  
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• 'Offering common sense,' Texan makes case to GOP presidential primary voters who want an option to Trump

  20-08-2023 15:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — On Wednesday, Republican candidates for president are scheduled to meet on stage in Milwaukee for the first debate leading up to the 2024 primary. The only Texan in the race, former Congressman Will Hurd, is still trying to earn a spot on the stage.Candidates have to meet requirements for polling and campaign contributions to participate in the debate. Candidates must register at least 1% support in three national polls or a mix of national and early-primary state polls.
  
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• The strangest Texas town names: How to say them, and how they got there

  20-08-2023 15:24 via kxan.com
  
  Between different languages, traditions, events, notable people, and sometimes just a distinct sense of humor, Texas has a long history of towns winding up with names ranging from the unique to the downright silly.
  Because of that, it isn't uncommon for newcomers and locals alike in the Lone Star State to have a couple of questions: How do you even say that, anyway? How did they come up with that?How do you say that?In much the same way that the 1940s saw the publication of the first complete mi
  
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• Rain remains in Tuesday's forecast

  20-08-2023 14:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- This afternoon's highs are forecast to reach up to 103° to 107°. This will be Austin's 44th consecutive day with a high in triple digits.Today's normal high is 98°Winds coming from the east this afternoon will gust up to 20 mph.The area of disturbed weather is about to enter the Gulf of Mexico where it is expected to become an area of low pressure by tomorrow. It is moving to the west at 15 to 20 mph. Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center suggest this could be
  
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• Fire danger rises before rain chances

  20-08-2023 14:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We continued our triple digit stretch on Sunday thanks to abundant sunshine and strong high pressure still in place.Tonight will be mostly clear the majority of the time, but some patchy low clouds could develop early Monday as humidity increases a little bit.In advance of a tropical system heading for Texas on Tuesday we'll notice winds picking up on Monday.The sunshine, relatively dry air and additional wind will mean our fire danger worsens on Monday. Red Flag Warnings have b
  
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• Rural Texas awaits mental health windfall after expanded state investment

  20-08-2023 14:06 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 (Nexstar) — Across 25,000 square miles of the Texas Panhandle, Nancy Tanner can offer scant help to rural Texans in a worsening crisis."People are unhappy. People are unstable right now," Tanner said. "There has been an upswing of mental health cases, and it's not going to get any better." About 98% of Texas counties hav
  
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• Texas neighborhood has 'Friends'-themed street names

  20-08-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) – A neighborhood just outside of Austin features some familiar names in a neighborhood where your friends will always be there for you.In Taylor, you can pivot your way into a "Friends"-themed neighborhood, where you’ll find other memorable, familiar names connected to the series.According to the City of Taylor, the creation of the street names lies with the developer. Furthermore, the developer is WBW Development, which is based in Killeen.Pivot Drive and Yemen
  
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• Police: 2 found dead in Manor after possible murder-suicide

  20-08-2023 13:54 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.MANOR, Texas (KXAN) —  Two people were found dead after officers with the Manor Police Department responded to a shots-fired call overnight at a home in the 12000 block of Riparian Road.MPD said officers responded to the call at 11:59 p.m. Saturday.Police said when officers arrived, a woman was found outside with “ob
  
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• 2 found dead in Manor after shots-fired call

  20-08-2023 13:54 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.MANOR, Texas (KXAN) —  Two people were found dead after officers with the Manor Police Department responded to a shots-fired call overnight at a home in the 12000 block of Riparian Road.MPD said officers responded to the call at 11:59 p.m. Saturday.Police said when officers arrived, a woman was found outside with “ob
  
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• 1 critically injured in auto-pedestrian crash on North Lamar

  20-08-2023 13:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One adult is injured after a vehicle hit a person on North Lamar Boulevard late Saturday night, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.
  The crash happened in the 100 block of North Lamar Boulevard around 11 p.m.ATCEMS said one person was transported with critical, life-threatening injuries to Dell Seton.
  No other information was available at the time of the crash.
  
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• Seahawks starters look sharp in limited action, Seattle tops Dallas 22-14

  20-08-2023 10:07 via kxan.com
  
  SEATTLE (AP) — Geno Smith looked sharp in his two drives, Drew Lock led Seattle to a pair of second-quarter touchdowns, and the Seahawks beat the Dallas Cowboys 22-14 on Saturday night.Seattle (2-0) gave a number of its starters on both sides of the ball a little bit of playing time in the second week of the preseason, while Dallas (0-2) left the majority of its starters on the sideline as spectators yet again.“Really pleased with the overall feeling of the game from start to finish,
  
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• City announces selection as one of 24 cities for US Dept. of State Cities Forward Program

  20-08-2023 04:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin and Mayor Kirk Watson announced the city was selected as one of 24 cities from across the United States to participate in the City Forward program, according to a news release from the City of Austin.The Cities Forward program is a collaborative initiative between the U.S. Department of State, ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, Resilient Cities Catalyst and the Institute of the Americas, according to the city.Launched in April
  
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• Chick-fil-A's new sandwich comes with a lot of 'firsts' for the franchise

  20-08-2023 04:17 via kxan.com
  
  The video above is an unrelated upcoming promotional event.DALLAS (KDAF) — Chick-fil-A is releasing a new sandwich for the first time in nine years. And boy does it come with a lot of firsts for the company; like its new seasonal chicken sandwich.
  "We wanted to create a standout sandwich that would deliver a unique spin for our guests, without losing the classic taste of the Original Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich. The Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich uses ingredients and flavors our gu
  
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• Police investigating after teen drowns at New Braunfels Tube Chute

  20-08-2023 03:28 via kxan.com
  
  NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas (KXAN) -- The New Braunfels Police Department is investigating after a 16-year-old drowned at the New Braunfels Tube Chute, the City of New Braunfels said in a news release Saturday.Officers responded at approximately 3 p.m. to the New Braunfels Tube Chute for a report of a missing person, the release said. River patrol officers were on the scene immediately and began searching for the missing 16-year-old, who officials said was swimming above the Tube Chute Dam with family.
  
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• Will a tropical low bring rain to central Texas?

  20-08-2023 02:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We're watching what is now a tropical wave moving toward Florida with the potential to grow into a slightly stronger Tropical Depression over the Gulf of Mexico early next week.Potential for a Tropical DepressionAs of Saturday evening the National Hurricane Center have the odds that our wave turns into a Tropical Depression at 50%.Area to watch for potential development into a Tropical DepressionA Tropical Depression occurs when you have an area of low pressure with thunderstorm
  
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• Taylor International BBQ Cook Off implements fire plan amid dry conditions

  20-08-2023 02:36 via kxan.com
  
  TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) --- With the hot and dry weather still ripe for wildfires, events are having to modify how they operate; that includes the yearly International BBQ Cook Off in Taylor.
  Fire extinguishers, jugs of water and inspections by the Taylor Fire Department were just a few precautions taken at the event.
  "When you've got fire going and all the dry grass and trees and everything in the wind, you want to make sure that you've got precautions. We always have water and a fire extinguisher
  
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• State of Texas: New details about Paxton accusations revealed in documents

  20-08-2023 01:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — In late July, lawyers for Ken Paxton submitted motions to dismiss the articles of impeachment facing the suspended Attorney General. Paxton's team argued in part that removing him from office would unfairly overrule the will of Texas voters, saying voters elected him, even though they knew about the allegations against him.Late Thursday night, the House impeachment managers released nearly 4,000 pages of exhibits after teasing for months that "damning" evidence to back t
  
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• Federal court finds Texas law requiring rejection of mail ballots violates the Civil Rights Act

  20-08-2023 00:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas ruled Thursday that portions of Texas Senate Bill 1, which was adopted in September 2021, violate the Civil Rights Act of 1964, according to a news release from the United States Department of Justice.
  The court found that parts of S.B. 1 require officials to reject mail-in ballot applications and mail-in ballots based on errors or omissions that are not material in determining whether voters are qualified under Texas law
  
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