Austin news

• As Austin's homeless strategy officer resigns, some asking for deeper look at city spending

  31-08-2023 23:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- City Council Member Mackenzie Kelly is asking the City of Austin to do a full audit of its homelessness response, according to a memo. The request comes one day after the announcement that Austin's homeless strategy officer is resigning.
  “We have received Council Member Kelly’s memorandum and are looking into the recommendations outlined in the letter," a City of Austin spokesperson said.
  The council member is asking the city to provide "a detailed breakdown of the f
  
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• Bastrop H-E-B adding nearly 18K square feet in multi-million-dollar expansion project

  31-08-2023 23:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A multi-million-dollar expansion project is coming to H-E-B’s Bastrop store, according to the Bastrop Economic Development Corporation.BastropEDC said Phase 1, which included a parking lot addition, was already underway. The next step would impact the interior of the building.The building is set to undergo a large renovation and expansion, which is estimated to begin July 1, 2024, and include nearly 18,000 square feet of added space, according to BastropEDC.The expans
  
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• Austin records hottest summer on record, driest in 113 years

  31-08-2023 23:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- For years, hot summers in Central Texas have been judged by comparison to 2011 -- Austin's hottest summer on record. But as meteorological summer ends at 11:59 p.m. Aug. 31, it turns out this summer was even hotter in some parts of town.Austin records hottest summer on recordWe averaged the hourly temperatures from Camp Mabry, Austin's official weather recording site, every hour since Jun. 1 when meteorological summer began. This summer was a tie for Austin's hottest summer on r
  
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• Austin records hottest summer on record, and driest in 113 years

  31-08-2023 23:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- For years, hot summers in Central Texas have been judged by comparison to 2011, Austin's hottest summer on record. But as meteorological summer ends at 11:59 p.m. Aug. 31, it turns out this summer was even hotter in some parts of town.Austin records hottest summer on recordWe averaged the hourly temperatures from Camp Mabry, Austin's official weather recording site, every hour since Jun. 1 when meteorological summer began. This summer was a tie for Austin's hottest summer on rec
  
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• Texas A&M Forest Service rolling out prescribed burn grants

  31-08-2023 23:03 via kxan.com
  
  COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KXAN) -- The Texas A&M Forest Service will be offering grants to aid Texas landowners looking to offset any costs related to prescribed fires, per a Thursday release.More than $500,000 in grant funds are available for eligible landowners "conducting prescribed burns on their property by certified and insured prescribed burn managers," the release said. The grant program offered up more than $362,000 last year to help lead prescribed fire treatments on nearly 13,000 ac
  
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• Hot, more humid Labor Day weekend

  31-08-2023 22:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin will wrap up its hottest summer on record Thursday night as meteorological summer ends at 11:59 p.m.
  Average day and night temperatures tied for the hottest summer on record at Camp Mabry, matching exactly the heat we experienced in 2011. Austin-Bergstrom Intl. Airport experienced its hottest summer on record by a wide margin. 2023 was Austin's hottest summer on record. What should we expect in September?Hot temperatures, plenty of sunshine and a relatively stagnant weath
  
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• Witness, detective accounts shared on third day of 6th Street shooting suspect trial

  31-08-2023 22:20 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The above video is KXAN's previous coverage of the trial.AUSTIN (KXAN) – The trial of Sixth Street mass shooting suspect De’ondre White continued Thursday in Austin. PREVIOUS: Witness accounts, autopsy results shared at 6th Street shooting suspect trialWhite, 21, is charged with one count of murder and 14 counts of aggravated assault. He pleaded not guilty Tuesday in court.On June 12, 2021, 25-year-old Douglas Kantor was killed and more than a dozen others were injured
  
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• Travis County increasing jury pay rate

  31-08-2023 22:10 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Travis County announced its jury pay rate would increase, beginning Friday.Compensation will increase from the current $6 to $20 on the first day of jury services, as well as from $40 to $58 "on subsequent days except for the City of Austin jury trials," per a Travis County release.
  The increase is spurred by the passage of House Bill 3474, a bill sponsored by State Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano) that passed back in the spring during the Texas Legislature's 88th regular
  
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• Federal judge temporarily blocks Texas drag performance law from taking effect

  31-08-2023 21:42 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KXAN) — A Texas law that could criminalize drag performances in the state is temporarily blocked from going into effect after a federal judge's early decision about a legal challenge Thursday.
  U.S. District Judge David Hittner issued a temporary restraining order against Senate Bill 12, which was set to go into effect Friday. He granted this request after a two-day hearing earlier this week over a lawsuit brought by an Austin-based drag performer, a local drag production company a
  
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• Austin teen shooting suspect's capital murder charge reduced, bond granted

  31-08-2023 21:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Julietta Serrano stood outside the courthouse holding a sign reading "Justice for Bryan."Julietta Serrano outside of the courthouse seeking justice for her son Bryan. (KXAN Photo/Bri Hollis)
  It's about her son who police say was shot and killed in May by a 17-year-old. The two did not know each other.APD: 17 year old, 3 juveniles arrested in connection with southeast Austin shooting death"It was my son that night, but it could be anyone else," Serrano said.
  The suspect - Ervin C
  
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• 'Tremendous honor': Robin Henderson approved as APD interim chief by city council

  31-08-2023 20:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council on Thursday unanimously approved Robin Henderson as the Austin Police Department's new interim police chief.
  Henderson spoke exclusively with KXAN photographer Ed Zavala after the council's approval. She talked about APD staffing levels and recruitment efforts, public safety and downtown safety, and her priorities as interim chief. Watch the interview in the above video player.
  She said it's a "tremendous honor, privilege and pleasure" to take over as AP
  
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• Getting to a UT football game: How much does it cost?

  31-08-2023 20:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Getting to kickoff for Texas Longhorns football may be a little smoother this season, with construction closures wrapped up on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard at the Texas Capitol Complex.However, traffic is still inevitable around the UT campus during home games.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/newslettersKXAN Traffic Anchor Erica Brennes breaks down what you can expect and
  
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• New Texas law punishes students caught vaping in school

  31-08-2023 19:33 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video in this story shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 31, 2023AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) --- A new Texas law will increase punishments for students vaping on school campuses.
  House Bill 114 will go into effect Sept. 1.These new Texas laws take effect on Sept. 1It requires students caught with vapes at the school to be placed in an alternative schooling environment, or Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP).Dripping Springs Independent School District is one of the
  
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• Drug safety activists rally outside Governor's Mansion

  31-08-2023 19:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Activists rallied in front of the Governor’s Mansion Thursday in protest of Gov. Abbott’s policies regarding harm reduction and drug overdose prevention. August 31 marks International Overdose Awareness Day. The day comes after an increase in Fentanyl related deaths in recent years. In Texas, preliminary data shows a near 30% increase in Fentanyl related deaths from 2021 to 2022. One of the measures to combat this statistic increasing was
  
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• San Marcos man arrested in connection with grooming minor

  31-08-2023 18:51 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video in this story shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 31, 2023.TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A man was arrested July 4 in connection with reportedly grooming a young girl, according to the Travis County Sheriff’s Office.In April, TCSO said it responded to a report of sexual abuse of a child involving a 14-year-old girl who was reportedly groomed via Instagram by 24-year-old Ashton Popp, of San Marcos.Image of Ashton Popp (TCSO photo)
  According to a statement
  
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• Trans youth healthcare ban to begin after Texas Supreme Court denies motion

  31-08-2023 18:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A new Texas law banning transgender health care for minors will go into effect Friday, Sept. 1 after the Texas Supreme Court denied a motion for temporary relief on Thursday.
  A Travis County district judge issued a temporary injunction last Friday, August 25, blocking Texas’ ban on transgender health care for minors from going into effect in the new month.Judge issues injunction, temporarily blocking transgender youth health care ban from going into effect, state appealsTh
  
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• Trans youth health care ban to begin after Texas Supreme Court denies motion

  31-08-2023 18:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A new Texas law banning transgender health care for minors will go into effect Friday, Sept. 1 after the Texas Supreme Court denied a motion for temporary relief on Thursday.
  A Travis County district judge issued a temporary injunction last Friday, August 25, blocking Texas’ ban on transgender health care for minors from going into effect in the new month.Judge issues injunction, temporarily blocking transgender youth health care ban from going into effect, state appealsTh
  
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• Young child shot in road rage incident, TCSO says

  31-08-2023 18:36 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video in this story shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 31, 2023TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- A young child was severely injured in an apparent road rage incident Monday evening near Del Valle, the Travis County Sheriff's Office said.TCSO said the driver of a black Chevrolet Tahoe fired gunshots into a passenger vehicle around 7:30 p.m. at Elroy Road and Fagerquist Road. A child was shot and is in stable condition, TCSO said.Authorities are looking for the suspect who sh
  
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• PHOTOS: Blue Supermoon dazzles in sky above Central Texas

  31-08-2023 18:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you looked up at the sky Wednesday night, you were treated to a rare sight: a blue supermoon.According to NASA, a 'supermoon' occurs when a full moon passes through 'perigee,' or the point in its orbit when it's closest to Earth, causing it to appear large and bright in the sky. A 'blue moon' occurs when a full moon is seen twice in a single month.KXAN viewers sent in photos from across Central Texas:A blue supermoon seen from south Round Rock on Aug. 30, 2023. (Courtesy
  
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• City, EMS reach tentative agreement for new contract

  31-08-2023 17:40 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video in this story shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 31, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin said it reached a tentative agreement Monday with the Austin Emergency Medical Services Association (AEMSA).The “Meet and Confer Agreement” will be presented to AEMSA for approval prior to City Council consideration in mid-September. RELATED: EMS closer to contract agreement with City of Austin“The City and AEMSA grew to understand and appreciate the
  
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• City of Austin announces Labor Day closures

  31-08-2023 16:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The City of Austin said administrative offices and other municipal facilities will be closed on Monday, Sept. 4 for the Labor Day holiday.
  Business hours will resume Sept. 5.City Council offices, all recreation and senior centers, cultural centers, museums and libraries will be closed, the city said.Austin LibrariesAll Austin Public Library locations are closed Sept. 3 and Sept. 4.Utility Payment CentersUtility Payment Centers will be closed. Customers can ma
  
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• Clarence Thomas discloses multiple trips accepted from GOP megadonor Harlan Crow

  31-08-2023 16:35 via kxan.com
  
  Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has disclosed three trips he accepted from billionaire Harlan Crow last year, according to documents made public Thursday.Thomas has denied any wrongdoing in accepting the trips, two of which were to Dallas and one to the Adirondacks in New York. For one of the trips, Thomas said he flew private because of security concerns following the leak of the draft abortion opinion.His new financial disclosure form also includes supplemental information about a 2
  
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• These new Texas laws take effect on Sept. 1

  31-08-2023 16:22 via kxan.com
  
  AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) - As communities across the state of Texas get back into the swing of the school year, families may find the rest of their 2023 not only ruled by new fall activities and extracurricular schedules, but also new laws going into effect on Sept. 1.
  Some laws going into effect in the Lone Star State were passed back in 2021, but around 774 laws will go into effect that were passed by the Texas Legislature in 2023. A number of them have been challenged in court, others have
  
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• TSA dogs speed up security lines at AUS

  31-08-2023 15:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport often sees long lines.
  When it comes to slowed security lines, much of this can be credited to staffing shortages within the Transportation Security Administration. How to check TSA wait times before flying out of Austin’s airportHowever, help has come in the form of furry four-legged friends.David Heinzig works for TSA as a canine handler at Austin’s Airport."When I showed up and we were short-staffed, the lines were o
  
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• How bees can lower your property taxes

  31-08-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- Beekeeping across Central Texas is thriving and so are the bees."They were declining. We figured out a whole lot of reasons for that decline and it's going back up now," Texas Beekeepers Association President Dodie Stillman said. The bee just became an honored resident of Bee CaveWhich is good news for everyone who eats food."Every third bite relies on bees. Some bees are pollinating just about all the food we eat," Stillman said.Beekeeping isn't just a hobby, for som
  
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• Shots fired in ceiling during robbery attempt at Lakeline Mall, APD says

  31-08-2023 13:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police are investigating after they say gunshots were fired during an attempted robbery inside Lakeline Mall Wednesday evening.
  According to APD, the shots were fired into the ceiling during the robbery at the jewelry store inside the mall.Police said they were notified around 7:15 p.m.
  Police told KXAN the robbery suspects left before officers arrived. No one was hurt, APD said.
  
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• Round Rock focuses on water, traffic, and public safety in proposed budget

  31-08-2023 13:28 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- Round Rock city council approved the first reading of its proposed budget and is set to retain one of the lowest property tax rates in all of Central Texas. The budget puts an emphasis on traffic, water, and public safety as the city continues to grow.
  Sara Bustilloz, the city's communication director, said traffic is the main priority for Round Rock residents. The city is investing more than $100 million on road improvements to help with traffic.
  More than 50% of the
  
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• Increasing humidity into Labor Day weekend

  31-08-2023 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Hot temperatures, plenty of sunshine and a relatively stagnant weather pattern will result in elevated ground-level ozone today. An Air Quality Alert is in effect for the I-35 corridor, Bastrop and Caldwell County, but everyone can do their part to reduce their emission footprint.Ozone Action Day ThursdayAfternoon highs will return to the upper 90s and low 100s today, Austin's forecast high of 102° putting us tied with 1925 for the 2nd most triple digit days on record.Triple
  
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• Austin City Council: Fixing a broken process for new development, tourism investments

  31-08-2023 12:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin City Council has a lengthy agenda Thursday, the first meeting back after finishing its budget approval process. Here's some of what we're watching:
  Austin Tourism Public Improvement District
  Council members are expected to vote on draft language from city staff to move forward with its proposed Austin Tourism Public Improvement District (ATPID) which has been in the works for years. Council could sign off on creating the district itself later this year.
  The creation of th
  
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• Bastrop County animal shelter issues adoption call due to remodel, warns of euthanasia risk

  31-08-2023 12:27 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) – The Bastrop County Animal Shelter said Tuesday it needs to empty one of its largest kennels by Sept. 4 for a remodel.
  It said 92 dogs and 52 cats are at risk of being euthanized and are available for adoption.
  The pets are available on the shelter's website.
  The shelter said if you find an animal you are interested in, please be sure to have the animal's ID number on hand before calling the shelter so they can help you find out more information on the pet.  The
  
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• Austin-Bergstrom International Airport breaks ground on West Gate Expansion project

  31-08-2023 05:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport broke ground on the West Gate Expansion project Wednesday.
  The project is led by Journey With AUS, which will increase terminal space beyond current gates 33 and 34, adding 84,500 gross square feet over three levels of space, according to a news release from AUS.Central Texas and Austin leaders gathered at the airport Wednesday for the groundbreaking. “This is just the start of a series of transformative airport projects
  
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• 'They wanted us to know he was dying' Bowie HS football player overheats, rushed to ER after game

  31-08-2023 04:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)—A senior football player at Bowie High School almost died from a heat stroke after the first game of the season, his mom told KXAN.On Wednesday, things were somewhat back to normal for Justin Trumpler and his family, just days after he was rushed the the Emergency Room.
  Justin Trumpler rushed to hospital after heat illness. (Photo by: Jennifer Norman-Wolfe).
  Justin Trumpler rushed to hospital after heat illness. (Photo by: Jennifer Norman-Wolfe)."He started to say his head fe
  
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• APD seeking public's help finding person accused of hitting man with vehicle

  31-08-2023 04:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is seeking the public's help in finding a person who it says is responsible for hitting a man with a vehicle in south Austin over the weekend.Shortly before 12:30 a.m., Aug. 27, a man was walking his two dogs westbound in the 3400 block of Paisano Trail, when a vehicle driver him him, APD said. Police said the driver did not stop to help the man and drove away.The man suffered from a severe, life-threatening injury, according to the department. He wa
  
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• Some AISD campuses recipients of 'Inspire the Future' grant program

  31-08-2023 03:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Teachers in Austin ISD were surprised by Austin Ed Fund visiting school campuses on Wednesday to present checks to the 2023 Inspire the Future grant program recipients. With some 70 projects, around $400,000 was donated to the educators and student groups from Austin Ed Fund, a local nonprofit organization. Austin Ed Fund leaders said the fund passed $2.1 million in grant funding awarded out in less than a decade. The majority of projects this year went to element
  
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• Former Disney star says Texas arrest was 'a misunderstanding': report

  31-08-2023 03:29 via kxan.com
  
  ROCKWALL, Texas (KXAN) — Former Disney actor Mitchel Musso, who was arrested over the weekend in Texas, has denied the allegations against him in a new interview.
  Musso, known for his role as Oliver in “Hannah Montana,” was arrested by Rockwall police Saturday and charged with public intoxication and theft, in addition to other charges listed in jail records online.
  KXAS-TV in Dallas reported the Rockwall Police Department responded to a disturbance at a hotel around 7:15
  
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• Court documents say woman hit by vehicle in deadly north Austin crash

  31-08-2023 01:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One man was arrested and charged with accident involving death, a second-degree felony, after hitting a woman with a vehicle following a north Austin crash, according to an arrest affidavit.The crash killed the woman and injured several other people, Austin-Travis County EMS and records state. 1 dead, 4 injured after collision in north AustinShortly before 3:45 a.m. Sunday, the Austin Police Department responded to the scene of a head-on crash in the 9900 block of North Lamar Bo
  
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• Austin's homeless strategy officer resigning

  31-08-2023 00:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin's Homeless Strategy Officer, Dianna Grey, is resigning, City leaders confirmed to KXAN.
  The City assigned Grey to the post in late 2020. She officially took over the role in Jan. 4, 2021, according to our reporting at the time.
  Previously, Grey had worked at a private practice serving as an independent consultant which helped the City of Austin with supportive housing work. Prior to that, she was the director of the Texas Office of Corporation for Supportive Housing.
  Grey
  
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• Austin homeless strategy officer resigning, council members say

  31-08-2023 00:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin's Homeless Strategy Officer, Dianna Grey, is resigning, three Austin City Council members told KXAN.
  The city assigned Grey to the post in late 2020. She officially took over the role in Jan. 4, 2021, according to our reporting at the time.
  Previously, Grey had worked at a private practice serving as an independent consultant which helped the City of Austin with supportive housing work. Prior to that, she was the director of the Texas Office of Corporation for Supportive
  
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