Austin news

• Sarkisian 'had all intentions' of playing Arch Manning against Rice; top recruit's debut will have to wait

  07-09-2023 23:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For those hoping to see freshman Arch Manning get his first taste of college football last week against Rice, they nearly got it.Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said the fourth quarter flew by in the Longhorns' 37-10 win over the Owls at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, and he wasn't going to put Manning in just to put him in. Maalik Murphy took snaps near the end of the third and the entire fourth quarter in the win.Longhorns take on the TideNo. 11 Texas vs. No. 3 Alabama, 6 p
  
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• Tree limbs falling due to heat, drought and recent ice storm

  07-09-2023 23:11 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) --- This extreme heat is impacting everything around us, including our trees.
  Some tree businesses said more people are calling about limbs randomly breaking off.
  'Healthy looking trees are dropping large branches'It's something Greg Webb said he's seen personally while living in Wimberley.
  "Walking down to the river and a pretty big limb, probably about this big diameter, just fell out of the blue," Webb said. "Then we got down to the river and we hadn't been there 10
  
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• Tree limbs falling due to extreme heat, recent ice storm

  07-09-2023 23:11 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) --- This extreme heat is impacting everything around us, including our trees.
  Some tree businesses said more people are calling about limbs randomly breaking off.
  'Healthy looking trees are dropping large branches'It's something Greg Webb said he's seen personally while living in Wimberley.
  "Walking down to the river and a pretty big limb, probably about this big diameter, just fell out of the blue," Webb said. "Then we got down to the river and we hadn't been there 10
  
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• Heatwave breaks with rain and cooler weather next week

  07-09-2023 23:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Some of the hottest September temperatures on record are expected in Central Texas on Friday, but things really improve in our forecast next week.Austin set a record high temperature of 105 degrees on Thursday after our third-consecutive record-warm morning. A strong heat dome and a southwesterly component to the wind on Friday should warm temperatures further -- as hot as 108 degrees in Austin. This would be Camp Mabry's second-hottest September temperature on record.Hottest Se
  
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• Man sentenced to life in prison for 2021 murder in Fredericksburg

  07-09-2023 22:34 via kxan.com
  
  GILLESPIE COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A man was convicted by a jury in March in connection with a May 2021 shooting in Fredericksburg that killed one man and critically injured a 10-year-old girl.According to Gillespie County court documents, Esteban Mansanares-Wences was sentenced to life in state prison for murder.Documents showed Mansanares-Wences would receive a jail credit of 647 toward his sentence.Mansanares-Wences pleaded not guilty ahead of his trial date, according to documents.
  
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• How to prepare an emergency kit for a power outage

  07-09-2023 21:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) issued a Level 2 emergency energy alert due to "high demand, lower wind generation, and the declining solar generation during sunset" leading to reduced operating reserves on the grid.
  While no rolling outages occurred, ERCOT continues to request energy conservation efforts Thursday evening. But in the event that low grid operating reserves re-emerge, it's important to know what to have on hand in the event of
  
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• DIRECTV customers may miss out on 2023 NFL regular season opener

  07-09-2023 21:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thursday night, the Detroit Lions will take on the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in the first NFL game of the 2023 regular season.The game will be exclusively broadcast on KXAN in the Austin market, but since KXAN was forced off the DIRECTV lineup on July 2, DIRECTV customers may not be able to watch the game unless the dispute between Nexstar and DIRECTV is resolved.
  DIRECTV customers are being urged to call the company at (800) 531-5000 and demand that it restore
  
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• One person dead after vehicle-pedestrian crash in southeast Austin

  07-09-2023 21:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person is dead after a vehicle-pedestrian crash in southeast Austin Thursday, Austin-Travis County EMS said on Twitter.Shortly after 1:45 p.m., medics responded to the crash at East Ben White Boulevard and Montopolis Drive.One adult person was pronounced dead on the scene, medics said.No other information was available, and the incident remained under investigation Thursday.
  
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• Person of interest in deadly Buda shooting in custody

  07-09-2023 21:10 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video included at the top of this story is from past coverage of the shooting.
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A person of interest is in custody related to a deadly shooting that happened overnight Wednesday into Thursday morning, according to the Hays County Sheriff's Office.
  HCSO said one person was pronounced dead after a man was found unconscious with gunshot wounds shortly after midnight Thursday.The incident occurred at a Buda gas station in the 16600 block of Interst
  
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• HCSO searching for homicide suspect after overnight shooting

  07-09-2023 21:10 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Hays County Sheriff’s Office said one person was pronounced dead after a man was found unconscious with gunshot wounds shortly after midnight Thursday.HCSO said the incident occurred at a Buda gas station in the 16600 block of Interstate 35.Hays County detectives identified the suspect vehicle as a dark-colored four-door Chevrolet pickup truck with damage to the front passenger side bumper. HCSO said the truck had chrome door handles and black rims wit
  
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• Huston-Tillotson launches music business education program, first of its kind in Austin

  07-09-2023 20:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Huston-Tillotson University launched a new certificate program.
  It's called Music Business Foundations, and, according to a release from the school, it's the first music business education program in the City of Austin. The program starts this fall, with enrollment already available for local residents.
  The six-week certificate program will be housed at HT's Center for Entrepreneurship and will be open to Austin-area undergraduates and adult learners featuring a curriculum
  
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• Central Texas drought 'top one or two driest'

  07-09-2023 19:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Every Thursday morning, the U.S. Drought Monitor map gets updated to show any improvement or deterioration of the drought nationwide. Lately, most of Central Texas was downgraded to the worst level of drought "Exceptional." Meteorologist Nick Bannin spoke with Brian Fuchs from the National Drought Mitigation Center about the factors that go into the drought map and what it would take to get us out of drought.Nick Bannin, KXAN Meteorologist: Brian, what factors go into the drough
  
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• ERCOT issues conservation request for Thursday evening

  07-09-2023 19:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, is asking Texas to conserve energy Thursday evening from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.Due to "continued high temperatures, high demand, low wind, and declining solar power generation," ERCOT said operating reserves are expected to be low into the afternoon and evening hours and is asking Texans to conserve electric use if it's safe to do so.
  The council also expects similar conditions through Friday and said it will keep the public in
  
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• Fentanyl awareness top priority for Texas grandmother

  07-09-2023 19:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's office just announced it's handing out another 60,000 units of naloxone, also known as NARCAN, to Texas police departments.It's just one effort to combat Fentanyl-related deaths, but some families who have been impacted by this deadly drug are working to educate people on the dangers.JoAnn Lopez has an entire wall filled with pictures of people who have lost their lives from fentanyl and one of them is her granddaughter."You wake up in the morning a
  
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• AFD responds after apartment unit in downtown high-rise catches fire

  07-09-2023 18:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Fire Department said it responded to a fire at a high-rise in downtown Austin Thursday morning. AFD said the fire was on the 10th floor of the building.Fire crews were able to get the fire under control, according to AFD, and as of 11:31 a.m., the majority of the smoke had been cleared.AFD reported a person was trapped on a balcony of the building, but they were removed."Trapped person has been removed from the building safely and has been delivered to Austin EMS
  
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• Whistleblower Ryan Bangert kicks off Thursday testimony at Paxton trial

  07-09-2023 17:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The historic impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton is underway as senators weigh 16 articles of impeachment that accuse Paxton of abuse of office, bribery and corruption.A comprehensive guide to Ken Paxton’s impeachment trialKXAN’s Monica Madden is following the proceedings from the Senate Chamber and will bring updates live on X, formerly known as Twitter.Good morning from the TX Senate, where day 3 of Ken Paxton's impeachment trial
  
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• WATCH LIVE: Whistleblower Ryan Bangert kicks off Thursday testimony at Paxton trial

  07-09-2023 17:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The historic impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton is underway as senators weigh 16 articles of impeachment that accuse Paxton of abuse of office, bribery and corruption.A comprehensive guide to Ken Paxton’s impeachment trialKXAN’s Monica Madden is following the proceedings from the Senate Chamber and will bring updates live on X, formerly known as Twitter.Good morning from the TX Senate, where day 3 of Ken Paxton's impeachment trial
  
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• WATCH LIVE: Combative questioning to resume for whistleblower in day 4 of Paxton trial

  07-09-2023 17:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The historic impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton is underway as senators weigh 16 articles of impeachment that accuse Paxton of abuse of office, bribery and corruption.A comprehensive guide to Ken Paxton’s impeachment trialKXAN’s Monica Madden is following the proceedings from the Senate Chamber and will bring updates live on X, formerly known as Twitter.Good morning from the TX Senate, where day 3 of Ken Paxton's impeachment trial
  
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• Paxton impeachment: Whistleblower Ryan Bangert kicks off Thursday testimony

  07-09-2023 17:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The historic impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton is underway as senators weigh 16 articles of impeachment that accuse Paxton of abuse of office, bribery and corruption.A comprehensive guide to Ken Paxton’s impeachment trialKXAN’s Monica Madden is following the proceedings from the Senate Chamber and will bring updates live on X, formerly known as Twitter.Good morning from the TX Senate, where day 3 of Ken Paxton's impeachment trial
  
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• LIVE: Combative questioning to resume for whistleblower in day 4 of Paxton trial

  07-09-2023 17:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The historic impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton is underway as senators weigh 16 articles of impeachment that accuse Paxton of abuse of office, bribery and corruption.A comprehensive guide to Ken Paxton’s impeachment trialKXAN’s Monica Madden is following the proceedings from the Senate Chamber and will bring updates live on X, formerly known as Twitter.Good morning from the TX Senate, where day 3 of Ken Paxton's impeachment trial
  
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• Austin ISD to discuss proposed TEA special education plan

  07-09-2023 16:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin Independent School District will discuss the Texas Education Agency's proposed plan for its special education program during Thursday's school board meeting.The proposed plan was posted on the AISD school board agenda.TEA officials initially recommended a conservatorship after an investigation found the district failed to provide legally required services to students with disabilities.TEA's Special Investigation Unit reviewed 43 investigations by TEA's Offic
  
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• APD looking for 3 Lakeline Mall robbery suspects

  07-09-2023 15:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police released video and photos Wednesday as they continued looking for three men they said robbed a store inside Lakeline Mall on Aug. 30.PREVIOUS: Shots fired in ceiling during robbery attempt at Lakeline Mall, APD saysPolice said the robbery happened between 7 and 7:15 p.m. at a jewelry store.
  APD said the three men "aggressively entered" the store, threatened the employees with handguns, and stole an undisclosed amount of cash and jewelry.
  As the suspects were l
  
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• Spiders everywhere! How tree diversity could lead to more critters; save biodiversity

  07-09-2023 15:48 via kxan.com
  
  NATIONAL (KXAN) - Hate them or love them, spiders play a vital role in our environment. According to the National Institutes of Health, spiders kill an estimated 400-800 tons of prey, mostly insects, each year. They help prevent the spread of deadly diseases carried by mosquitoes and protect our crops from grasshoppers and beetles.A new study funded by the National Science Foundation and led by scientists with the University of Maryland may have found a way to increase spider populations: tree d
  
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• Crews fighting brush fire off MoPac in north Austin

  07-09-2023 15:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Fire crews are responding to a brush fire off MoPac in north Austin.
  The fire is near where MoPac and Park Bend Drive intersect, just north of The Domain, according to the Austin Fire Department.
  AFD warned that drivers should expect delays in the area.
  This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
  
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• Brush fire off MoPac in north Austin under control; likely originated in campsite, AFD says

  07-09-2023 15:23 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video is from a traffic update related to the fire at 8:31 a.m. Thursday.
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Fire crews have contained a brush fire off MoPac in north Austin.
  The Austin Fire Department said on social media Thursday morning the fire was near where MoPac and Park Bend Drive intersect, just north of The Domain.
  AFD said in an update crews got the fire under control, and it appears to have originated in a campsite.
  Brush fire near MoPac and Park Bend Drive contained (Photo: A
  
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• Bastrop County to get Public Health Department

  07-09-2023 14:53 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) – Bastrop County Commissioners voted on Aug. 28 to establish a Public Health Department in the county, according to a press release from the county.
  The announcement said the department's creation would be effective on Oct. 1.
  According to the release, commissioners voted unanimously after getting a report on June 12.The Bastrop County Public Health Improvement Project Final Report noted community leaders recommended that commissioners create a governmental public hea
  
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• One person killed in Wednesday night crash on Highway 71 in Del Valle

  07-09-2023 14:27 via kxan.com
  
  DEL VALLE, Texas (KXAN) – One person died after being struck by a vehicle on Highway 71 in Del Valle Wednesday night, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.
  ATCEMS said paramedics and Austin Fire crews responded to the westbound lanes of 71 near Cheviot Lane just west of Highway 973 around 9:12 p.m.Paramedics performed CPR on the adult patient but the person died at the scene, according to ATCEMS.
  
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• 'Got some work to do': New law takes away some Texas Veterinary Board authority, temporarily

  07-09-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Stepping off the elevator at the George HW Bush State Office Building, it’s apparent the staff on this floor recently moved into the newly-built building. While some of the surrounding offices and desks remain undecorated or even empty, Brittany Sharkey’s corner office feels settled: art on the walls, books on shelves and pictures in frames on her desk.It’s an image of the urgent progress the new executive director said she is hoping to make at the Texas B
  
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• 'Best version' of Xavier Worthy feeling rejuvenated in 2023

  07-09-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) - In Texas' season opening win against Rice, the Longhorns were never in real danger but the offense did sputter at times. Despite the slow moments, junior wide receiver Xavier Worthy didn't miss a beat.Seven catches for 90 yards in the win against the Owls for Worthy were both marks that led Texas. While putting up numbers like he always has, the third-year wideout feels different."I feel like I'm playing more relaxed," said Worthy. "Just doing me. Just having a smile about it. Go
  
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• Water compliance 'spotty' in Kyle in first week of new restrictions

  07-09-2023 13:06 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) -- The City of Kyle is in its first week of stage three water restrictions, and its assistant city manager said "dozens" of residents and business owners are not following the rules of water conservation.
  Kyle recently moved to stage three restrictions starting on Sept. 1 because its three water suppliers saw a drop in water levels from the lack of rain this summer. The city is currently in discussions with the city of San Marcos to purchase water for its residents.
  The bigges
  
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• Record September heat... but rain on the way

  07-09-2023 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's happening. Rain & cooler weather. It won't be today. And not tomorrow either. But soon. And we can't wait.Record heat next four daysAfternoon highs return to the triple digits in Austin for the 76th time this year today. In addition to the heat, the humidity will be a player in today's forecast, leaving most of us with heat index values 102°-109°. A Heat Advisory has been re-issued for most of the area.Daily records are expected to fall again Friday, Saturday an
  
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• One person dead in southeast Austin vehicle-pedestrian crash, ATCEMS says

  07-09-2023 05:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person is dead after a vehicle-pedestrian crash in southeast Austin Wednesday night, Austin-Travis County EMS confirmed on Twitter.Shortly after 9 p.m., medics and the Austin Fire Department responded to reports of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in the 3000-3195 block of East Highway 71 in the westbound lanes, medics said.One adult person was pronounced dead on the scene, medics said.Drivers should expect extended road closures around the scene, as well as seek an alternat
  
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• APD searching for suspect in north Austin hit-and-run

  07-09-2023 02:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said it was searching for a suspect in connection with a north Austin hit-and-run crash.APD said the crash occurred at approximately 5:20 p.m. on Aug. 30 at the Interstate 35 frontage road at Howard Lane.According to police, the driver of a suspect vehicle rear-ended the victim, which caused significant damage to both vehicles. APD said the victim suffered injuries because of the crash.“The suspect did not render aid, nor did he provide th
  
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• New COVID-19 variant arrives in Texas

  07-09-2023 02:03 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS - A new COVID variant has been identified in Texas, becoming the fifth state where the variant has been confirmed. BA 2.86, also known as Pirola, raised concerns because it has several mutations and it has been detected in several locations within a short amount of time.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Pirola has been detected in Israel, Canada, Denmark, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, and Thailand, including at least five st
  
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• Wanna bet? Austin, Tuscaloosa mayors make friendly wager ahead of Texas, Alabama football game

  07-09-2023 01:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Mayor Kirk Watson and City of Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox placed a friendly wager ahead of the Texas Longhorns-Alabama Crimson Tide football game.According to the wager, if Alabama wins, Watson said he would send Maddox and his team Central Texas barbecue from Micklethwait Craft Meats. If Texas wins, Watson said Maddox would send a spread from Dreamland BBQ to him and his team.“Texas is fired up and ready for a rematch,” Mayor Watson said. “I look forward
  
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• Horns Pregame Southeastern Showdown: Getting you ready for Texas-Alabama

  07-09-2023 01:15 via kxan.com
  
  Watch the 30-minute Horns Pregame Southeastern Showdown in the video player above as KXAN Sports gets you ready for the biggest game this week in college football.AUSTIN (KXAN) – Texas Longhorns starting quarterback Quinn Ewers told reporters that he thinks the team is "ready to take the next step" and the KXAN Sports team has a full breakdown of what it will take for the 'Horns to accomplish that in our Southeastern Showdown Special. Eyes on Alabama: Texas set for future SEC clashNo. 11 T
  
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• Horns Pre-game Southeastern Showdown: Getting you ready for Texas-Alabama

  07-09-2023 01:15 via kxan.com
  
  Watch the 30-minute Horns Pre-game Southeastern Showdown in the video player above as KXAN Sports gets you ready for the biggest game this week in college football.AUSTIN (KXAN) – Texas Longhorns starting quarterback Quinn Ewers told reporters that he thinks the team is "ready to take the next step" and the KXAN Sports team has a full breakdown of what it will take for the 'Horns to accomplish that in our Southeastern Showdown Special. Eyes on Alabama: Texas set for future SEC clashNo. 11
  
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• Texans asked to conserve energy with possible 'tight grid conditions'

  07-09-2023 00:33 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The above video explains the different ERCOT alert levels.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas' main electric grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, issued a conservation alert for Texans Wednesday evening due to potential "tight grid conditions," according to a press release. Understanding ERCOT’s emergency alert levelsThe request to conserve is from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, the release states. All government agencies, including city and county offices, are asked to
  
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• Rolling blackouts possible after ERCOT issues Emergency Level 2 due to low power reserves

  07-09-2023 00:33 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The above video explains the different ERCOT alert levels.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas' main electric grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, has now issued Energy Emergency Alert (EEA 2) due to low power reserves, the agency confirmed on Twitter."There are no controlled outages at this time. Please safely reduce electric use and have a plan to stay safe in case outages become necessary," the agency said on Twitter.However, an emergency alert from ERCOT said contr
  
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• ERCOT returning to normal operations, Texans still asked to conserve energy

  07-09-2023 00:33 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The above video explains the different ERCOT alert levels.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas' main electric grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas canceled its emergency level alert indicating rolling outages were possible, due to low power reserves.Earlier in the day, ERCOT issued a conservation alert for Texans Wednesday evening due to potential "tight grid conditions," according to a press release. Understanding ERCOT’s emergency alert levelsERCOT has several d
  
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• ERCOT issues EEA 2 due to low power reserves, no controlled outages right now

  07-09-2023 00:33 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The above video explains the different ERCOT alert levels.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas' main electric grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, has now issued Energy Emergency alert (EEA 2) due to low power reserves, the agency confirmed on Twitter."There are no controlled outages at this time. Please safely reduce electric use and have a plan to stay safe in case outages become necessary," the agency said on Twitter.Earlier in the day, ERCOT issued a conservation a
  
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• Vehicle fire causing traffic delays on I-35 in downtown Austin, city says

  07-09-2023 00:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A vehicle fire near Interstate 35 and 12th Street in downtown Austin is causing additional traffic delays, the City of Austin Transportation and Public Works said on Twitter.Shortly after 4:45 p.m., the city agency said multiple lanes are blocked in the northbound lanes on I-35.Drivers are urged to seek alternate routes and expect traffic delays, the agency said.
  
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