Austin news

• CapMetro to install pedestrian crossing at I-35, 4th St. intersection

  28-08-2023 23:54 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 28, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- CapMetro's board of directors approved Monday a nearly $430,000 allocation toward the construction of a pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Interstate 35 and 4th Street.The CapMetro board approved a contract with Rio Grande Pacific Technology, Inc. for the intersection construction work. The project will add a traffic signal and protected crosswalk for people walking and riding bikes bo
  
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• 'Which lane do I use?'; Lamar, W. 6th draw concerns over confusing traffic lanes

  28-08-2023 23:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Confusing traffic lines are causing concerns on one of Austin's busiest roads.Drivers tell us they don't know which lanes to use on a stretch of Lamar Boulevard which is just south of Barton Springs Road."Cars stopping, not knowing where to go, honking at each other, not knowing where to go," said Isaac Rodriguez who lives on Lamar. "A lot of mass confusion there."Confusion over lanes that can be hard to recognize."Do you follow the white lines or the black lines," said Rodrigue
  
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• 'Will more students come because of this?': The future of DEI on public vs. private campuses

  28-08-2023 23:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)—A new Texas law has prompted systems like The University of Texas at Austin to make the call to pause diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. But what about private campuses?
  Senate Bill 17 bans DEI offices, staff and initiatives at public universities and colleges throughout Texas. That law is set to go into effect in January 2024.Texas lawmakers find consensus on bill banning diversity, equity and inclusion offices in public universitiesPrivate campuses can still choos
  
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• 'Will more students come because of this?' Future of DEI on public vs. private campuses

  28-08-2023 23:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new Texas law has prompted systems like The University of Texas at Austin to make the call to pause diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. But what about private campuses?
  Senate Bill 17 bans DEI offices, staff and initiatives at public universities and colleges throughout Texas. That law is set to go into effect in January 2024.Texas lawmakers find consensus on bill banning diversity, equity and inclusion offices in public universitiesPrivate campuses can still cho
  
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• CapMetro gearing up for $120M northeast Austin facility

  28-08-2023 22:32 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 28, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As CapMetro prepares for a new service facility in northeast Austin, the city's transit authority is poised to begin a community engagement process on the project this fall.CapMetro officials said in an Aug. 15 memo the new facility will encompass approximately 128,000 square feet and will help facilitate maintenance and operations work for CapMetro's Access and Pickup services. The upcoming f
  
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• Milder temperatures and lower humidity blow in

  28-08-2023 21:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In the wake of a late-August cool front, temperatures and humidity will be lower and more tolerable through the work week. With that said, afternoons will still be hot with some areas making it to 100 degrees.Watch for a slim chance of a passing downpour this evening -- mainly south of the Austin area -- as yesterday's front continues to plow southward. BLOG: Could PDO mess with our wet El Niño?North winds will be breezy Tuesday, blowing 10-20 mph through the day, bringin
  
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• Sarkisian responds to Big 12 commissioner telling Texas Tech to 'take care of business'

  28-08-2023 21:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Steve Sarkisian and Big 12 Conference commissioner Brett Yormark won't be eating turkey and watching football together while Yormark is in Austin for Thanksgiving.In his first game week press conference Monday, Sarkisian responded to Yormark's commentswhile at a Texas Tech football booster function, saying to Red Raiders head coach Joey Maguire, "you better take care of business like you did right here in Lubbock last year." Sarkisian wants Longhorns to play with ‘fan
  
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• LIVE: APH: 33% increase in COVID-19 cases in past week as new strain emerges nationally

  28-08-2023 21:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting an uptick in hospitalizations nationwide related to a new strain of COVID-19 -- and Austin Public Health are seeing similar upticks in case counts locally.Between Aug. 6 and Aug. 12, the CDC's COVID Data Tracker tool reported a 21.6% increase in hospitalizations throughout the United States. It comes as the latest COVID-19 strain Eris -- more formally referred to as EG. 5 -- emerged earlier this summer and became the do
  
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• APH: 33% increase in COVID-19 cases in past week as new strain emerges nationally

  28-08-2023 21:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting an uptick in hospitalizations nationwide related to a new strain of COVID-19 -- and Austin Public Health are seeing similar upticks in case counts locally.Between Aug. 6 and Aug. 12, the CDC's COVID Data Tracker tool reported a 21.6% increase in hospitalizations throughout the United States. It comes as the latest COVID-19 strain Eris -- more formally referred to as EG. 5 -- emerged earlier this summer and became the do
  
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• Texas French Bread Garden now open 7 days a week; Main location rebuild hits standstill

  28-08-2023 21:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas French Bread has slowly but surely been on its way to recovery after a fire destroyed the bakery a year and a half ago.
  The Garden at Texas French Bread is now open daily from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to a newsletter and social media posts from the restaurant.
  "Beginning today, we'll be open 7 days a week in the TFB Garden," the newsletter read in part. "I think our daytime breakfast & lunch service is a hidden gem — emphasis on the hidden part. A tall bo
  
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• Missing elderly woman in east Austin found dead, APD says

  28-08-2023 21:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An elderly woman who was reported missing in east Austin Monday was later found dead, the Austin Police Department told KXAN.Police previously said the woman was hearing impaired and was last seen around the 3800 block of Rogge Lane.
  Furthermore, police said the incident was not being investigated as a homicide. The incident remained under investigation Monday.
  
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• APD searching for missing elderly woman in east Austin

  28-08-2023 21:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is seeking the public's help finding a missing elderly woman who was last seen on Monday, the Austin Police Department said.The woman is described as a white woman, who is hearing impaired, is 5 feet 2 inches and weighs approximately 145 pounds, according to police. She was last seen wearing a red and blue plaid shirt, black pants and slippers.Police said the woman was last seen around the 3800 block of Rogge Lane. Anyone who may know the whereabouts
  
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• Sarkisian wants Longhorns to play with 'fanatical effort' Saturday vs. Rice in season opener

  28-08-2023 20:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's the first game week of the 2023 season, and Texas head football coach Steve Sarkisian couldn't stop smiling when he met with the media Monday morning to officially kick things off.The Longhorns, ranked No. 11 in the Associated Press Top 25 to start the season, take on the Rice Owls at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, and Sarkisian said this is his favorite time of year for numerous reasons.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More
  
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• LIVE: Sarkisian wants Longhorns to play with 'fanatical effort' Saturday vs. Rice in season opener

  28-08-2023 20:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's the first game week of the 2023 season, and Texas head football coach Steve Sarkisian couldn't stop smiling when he met with the media Monday morning to officially kick things off.The Longhorns, ranked No. 11 in the Associated Press Top 25 to start the season, take on the Rice Owls at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, and Sarkisian said this is his favorite time of year for numerous reasons.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More
  
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• Former State Bar leaders call for disbarring AG Paxton

  28-08-2023 20:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- A group of fourteen attorneys filed a complaint with the State Bar of Texas Monday, asking the legal regulatory body to investigate the criminal allegations facing suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton and seeking possible disbarment."Paxton‘s contact is so egregious that the State Bar has no real option other than moving forward with the inquiry into disbarring Paxton. His conduct is shameful, illegal, and unethical," complainant attorney Jim Harrington said. "No attor
  
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• Reports: Former Disney star arrested in Texas

  28-08-2023 19:25 via kxan.com
  
  The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 28, 2023.ROCKWALL, Texas (KXAN) -- Former Disney actor Mitchel Musso, known for his role as Oliver in "Hannah Montana," was arrested over the weekend in Texas, according to multiple reports from various news outlets.
  NBC 5 in Dallas reported Musso, 32, was arrested by Rockwall police Saturday and charged with public intoxication and theft, in addition to other charges listed in jail records online.
  According to NBC 5, the Rockwall Police D
  
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• Rally against lawsuit that could undo Austin code changes aimed at affordability

  28-08-2023 18:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Roughly 50 people gathered outside of the Travis County Civil and Family Courts facility Monday to protest a lawsuit that could result in the overturning of several Land Development Code (LDC) changes aimed at affordability.
  The lawsuit claims homeowners' protest rights were violated, which was enough to overturn a previous overhaul of the LDC several years ago.
  Though a hearing for the suit was scheduled for Monday according to court dockets, that hearing was postponed, accordi
  
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• New Texas law to allow temporary highway speed limits under certain conditions

  28-08-2023 18:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Beginning Friday, a new law will authorize the Texas Department of Transportation to temporarily change speed limits during roadway construction or inclement weather without statewide approval.House Bill 1885, authored by State Rep. Terry Canales (D-Edinburg), allows variable speed limits to be used "to address inclement weather, congestion, road construction, or any other condition that affects the safe and orderly movement on traffic on a roadway for which the commission has t
  
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• TGIF: Central Texas school district embraces four-and-a-half day school week

  28-08-2023 16:52 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) -- "Thank God it's Friday" has some extra meaning for students and staff at Harmony Public Schools in Central Texas.While some Texas school districts have switched to a four-day-week, and most still have a traditional five-day-week, the charter school district is meeting the two in the middle, with early release on Fridays.76 Texas school districts have moved to four-day weeks, affecting almost 90,000 studentsAssistant Superintendent Dr. Amy Chankin said the request for a change came from
  
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• Tropical Storm Idalia forecast to intensify, life-threatening storm surge 'likely' for parts of Florida

  28-08-2023 16:24 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tropical Storm Idalia is forecast to intensify into a hurricane on Monday, the National Hurricane Center said.Officials said Tropical Storm Idalia is moving at 8 mph and is located about 90 miles south of the western tip of Cuba.LIST: Evacuation zones announced ahead of Tropical Storm Idalia
  Meteorologists said Idalia's winds are near 65 mph, with higher gusts.
  The National Hurricane Center said Idalia is forecast to pass near or over western Cuba tonight. It is foreca
  
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• NHC issues Hurricane Warnings as Tropical Storm Idalia forecast to bring life-threatening storm surge to Florida

  28-08-2023 16:24 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tropical Storm Idalia is forecast to intensify into a Category 1 hurricane on Monday before strengthening into a major hurricane by Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center said.According to a 10 a.m. ET update, Tropical Storm Idalia is moving north around 8 mph and is located about 90 miles south of the western tip of Cuba. Idalia is expected to continue its motion north through Monday evening before turning northeast on Tuesday and Wednesday. LIST: Evacuation zones a
  
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• LIVE 11AM Idalia track: Hurricane, storm surge warnings issued

  28-08-2023 16:24 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tropical Storm Idalia is forecast to bring "life-threatening storm surge" to much of Florida's northwest coast as it intensifies into a Category 1 hurricane on Monday, the National Hurricane Center said.According to a 10 a.m. update, T.S. Idalia was moving north around 8 mph about 80 miles south of the western tip of Cuba.MondayTropical Storm Idalia is expected to continue its current track north through Monday evening bringing strong winds and heavy rain to Cuba. Curr
  
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• Hurricane Warnings issued across Tampa Bay area as Tropical Storm Idalia forecast to bring life-threatening storm surge

  28-08-2023 16:24 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tropical Storm Idalia is forecast to bring "life-threatening storm surge" to much of Florida's northwest coast as it intensifies into a Category 1 hurricane on Monday, the National Hurricane Center said.According to a 10 a.m. ET update, Tropical Storm Idalia is moving north around 8 mph and is located about 80 miles south of the western tip of Cuba. Idalia is expected to continue its motion north through Monday evening before turning northeast on Tuesday and Wednesday.
  
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• Hays CISD to consider claiming good-cause exception for HB 3

  28-08-2023 16:02 via kxan.com
  
  BUDA, Texas (KXAN) – The Hays CISD Board of Trustees Monday evening will consider claiming a good cause exception to a new Texas law on school security, according to the board agenda.According to the resolution before board members, the district said it can't comply with House Bill 3 because of a "lack of available qualified personnel."
  HB 3 goes into effect on Friday.
  The resolution said the board would develop and document an alternative standard.Other local school districts KXAN spoke w
  
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• Hays CISD approves good-cause exception for HB 3

  28-08-2023 16:02 via kxan.com
  
  BUDA, Texas (KXAN) – The Hays CISD Board of Trustees Monday evening voted to get a good cause exception to a new Texas law on school security, according to the board agenda.According to the resolution before board members, the district said it can't comply with House Bill 3 because of a "lack of available qualified personnel."
  HB 3, which goes into effect Friday, would require armed security officers at every campus.The resolution said the board would develop and document an alternative st
  
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• Drippings Springs ISD to move forward with school marshal program, approves exception to HB 3

  28-08-2023 15:18 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) – The Dripping Springs ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to get a Good Cause Exception from House Bill 3.Schools struggle to find money, hire more officers after lawmakers gut safety billHouse Bill 3, which goes into effect Friday, would require armed security officers at every campus.
  The school board voted to move forward with a School Marshal Program as an alternative standard.
  If districts aren't able to comply, they can claim a Good Cause Exception
  
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• Drippings Springs ISD to consider 'alternative standard' to HB 3

  28-08-2023 15:18 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) – The Dripping Springs ISD Board of Trustees is expected Monday night to take up an "alternative standard" under a new state law.Schools struggle to find money, hire more officers after lawmakers gut safety billHouse Bill 3, which goes into effect Friday, would require armed security officers at every campus.
  In May 2023, KXAN reported the district had four School Resource Officers (SROs) and the board voted to add three.Dripping Springs ISD to increase schoo
  
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• Central Texas leaders mark 60th anniversary of March on Washington, launch equity initiative

  28-08-2023 14:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Monday marks the 60th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech that was delivered during the  March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963. In Austin, a community event will take place on the South Steps of the Texas State Capitol at 9 a.m. to celebrate the progress made since MLK’s speech while launching a new equity initiative.The group is calling it Dream Together 2030, a goal to begin building a better fu
  
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• Central Texas Red Cross volunteers 'spread thin' during busy fire season

  28-08-2023 13:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Officials for the Central Texas chapter of Red Cross say it needs more volunteers after a string of fires and natural disasters this summer.Between January and June this year, there were 22 home fires where Red Cross volunteers were called to help, but that number increased significantly in July and August. There were 77 fires in those two months with 55 happening in August alone, according to Red Cross volunteer Richard McAlister.
  Last week, Austin experienced an apartment fire
  
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• Silver Alert issued for 68-year-old San Antonio man

  28-08-2023 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KXAN) -- A Silver Alert was issued Monday morning for a 68-year-old man who has a diagnosed cognitive impairment and was last seen in San Antonio Sunday morning.
  Juan Valdez is described as a white man that is 5'7" and 170 lbs with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing an unknown colored t-shirt, blue jeans, and gray sneakers.
  Valdez was last seen at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday in the 1700 block of West French Place in San Antonio. That's in the Woodlawn Lake area just
  
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• One round of rain for the week

  28-08-2023 12:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Those who missed out on yesterday's rain will have one more opportunity before our next dry stretch settles in.Scattered storms and showers and expected to return this afternoon. Like Sunday, these storms are likely to drop temperatures fairly quickly once developed. Not everyone will see rain, but those who do could pick up anywhere from 0.1"-0.25" (isolated pockets of more). BLOG: Could PDO mess with our wet El Niño?Our humidity will also get pushed away giving way to m
  
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• After Lance trade, Will Grier shines in possible last game with Cowboys

  28-08-2023 05:04 via kxan.com
  
  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Will Grier looked and sounded as if his last act with these Dallas Cowboys was throwing for 305 yards with star quarterback Dak Prescott as his play-caller.Bittersweet, indeed, as the fifth-year player said.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersGrier had a hand in four touchdowns in a 31-16 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in a preseason finale Saturday n
  
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• 'Like liquid gold:' Central Texans turning to rainwater collection amid drought

  28-08-2023 04:50 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Even though there hasn't been a consistent amount of rain in Central Texas for the last few months, one local business said many people are turning to them for rainwater collection tanks.
  It is in such high demand, one farmer is on a months-long wait list to get one.
  'It's like liquid gold'While Central Texas is starting to see rain here and there, it hasn't been enough to get Kathleen Mooney's well up and running again.
  "My well went dry earlier this spring and
  
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• Could PDO mess with our wet El Niño?

  28-08-2023 02:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — While we've talked about ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation) at length over the past year, there's another player in our weather that we're watching this year...PDO.PDO stands for Pacific Decadal Oscillation and it can influence the amount of precipitation we get in Central Texas.Pacific Decadal OscillationThe Pacific Decadal Oscillation is quantified by a number that represents three things:
  The strength of the Aleutian Low;Kuroshiro Current: Ocean current that chan
  
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