Austin news

• Stonehenge II: What's up with this wacky Texas attraction?

  09-09-2023 21:45 via kxan.com
  
  INGRAM, Texas (NEXSTAR) — It's the sequel you didn't know Texas created. The Lone Star State's Hill Country may be a long way away from the mysterious Stonehenge monument in England, central Texas' Stonehenge II site isn't without mysteries of its own.The main mystery: What the heck is Stonehenge II and where did it come from? And what does Easter Island have to do with any of it? Why are Nature Valley granola bars so messy?The attraction, located in Ingram, is owned and maintained by the
  
  Read more

• $2M in funding coming to Austin-based National Domestic Violence Hotline

  09-09-2023 21:36 via kxan.com
  
  If you or someone you know needs support, the 24/7 SAFEline is available by phone at 512.267.SAFE (7233), by text at 737-888-7233, or by online chat at safeaustin.org/chat.AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, announced the Austin-based National Domestic Violence Hotline would receive $2 million to expand its crisis intervention services.The funds would help to expand direct services staff, enhance training and data collection, collaborate with field e
  
  Read more

• APD welcomes new cadets, holds pinning ceremony for interim police chief

  09-09-2023 20:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than a dozen new Austin police officers will begin patrolling the streets this weekend.The Austin Police Department honored 19 APD cadets who graduated from the police academy Friday.Interim Chief of Police Robin Henderson honors cadets during police academy graduation ceremony (APD photo)19 cadets graduated from the Austin Police Academy (APD photo)Cadets honored during police academy graduation ceremony (APD photo)The cadets will get to work right away, starting thei
  
  Read more

• Matthew McConaughey takes photos, signs new book ‘Just Because’ for hundreds in Austin  

  09-09-2023 19:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Hundreds lined up early Saturday morning outside of Book People in Austin to receive a signed copy of Matthew McConaughey’s new picture book, “Just Because,” and snap a photo with the Austin legend. “Matthew is the minister of culture,” Julius Crowe, who stood in line for three hours Saturday morning. “I'm [from] Austin. He's a local person from Austin. We both went to the same university. And I've seen so many of his movies—I'
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• A wet 7-Day Forecast

  09-09-2023 14:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Let's start today's discussion with some good news. First, rain and thunderstorms are in the forecast from today through at least Friday.
  Second, triple-digit highs are forecast only today and tomorrow.Friday's high at Camp Mabry was 107°, smashing the previous record of 102° in 2019. The high at Austin-Bergstrom was also 107°, easily besting the previous record of 103° in 1963.Most highs today will reach 101° to 105°. Today's record is 101° set in 20
  
  Read more

• When will the fall colors peak near me?

  09-09-2023 13:46 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Sure, many of us are still soaking in the summer sun — and heat — but fall is right around the corner. Depending on where you live, the leaves may have already started fading to their fall shades of reds, oranges, yellows and browns. How fast the leaves change, and when colors peak, largely depends on where you live. Regardless of where you live, though, the leaves around you are on a schedule. Why do leaves change color?What ignites the trees to erup
  
  Read more

• From 'Pop-pop' to 'Nana': Each state's most popular nicknames for grandparents

  09-09-2023 13:39 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – There's a special connection between grandparents and their grandkids made only stronger with each wink, hug, present and surreptitious candy slipped into a small hand.When it comes to nicknames that children develop for their grandparents a new survey by Preply found that popularity varies by state. The dive into Americans' terms of endearment for their grandparents comes in anticipation of National Grandparent's Day, on Sunday, Sept. 10.One grandchild's beloved "Nana" in Neva
  
  Read more

• Texas high school football scores for Friday, Sept. 8

  09-09-2023 06:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Anderson Trojans fended off the Austin Maroons to pick up a 6A-District 26 win 17-14 Friday at Nelson Field.Bowie and Westlake both shut out district opponents. The Bulldogs topped Del Valle 33-0 and the Chaparrals blasted Akins 64-0. Lake Travis beat Buda Johnson 52-24 to round out the district's action.REPORT YOUR SCORE: We'd love to post your team's score on our website, but we need your help to do it. Email the score of your game to [email protected] and we'll get it
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Suspect arrested in Buda homicide, HCSO says

  09-09-2023 03:35 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- On Thursday, a man was arrested in connection with a homicide that occurred at a gas station in Buda that same day, the Hays County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.Shortly after midnight Thursday, HCSO responded to the Insta-Fuel Travel Center, 16649 IH-35, in Buda for a report of an unconscious man near the gas pumps, the release said. Person of interest in deadly Buda shooting in custodyHCSO searches for suspect vehicle in connection with fatal shooting (HC
  
  Read more

• Build-a-Bear launches Dia De Los Muertos collection

  09-09-2023 01:58 via kxan.com
  
  HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Build-a-Bear is launching a collection inspired by Dia De Los Muertos.
  The bears and their outfits have traditional Catrin and Catrina makeup and costumes. Marigold flowers can be seen in the fabric of their clothing.
  (Source: Build-a-bear X page, formerly known as twitter)(Source: Build-a-bear X page, formerly known as twitter)(Source: Build-a-bear X page, formerly known as twitter)(Source: Build-a-bear X page, formerly known as twitter)(Source: Build-a-
  
  Read more

• RRISD PD to start self-dispatch service, continues partnership with county dispatch

  09-09-2023 01:51 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — The Round Rock Independent School District said while it is starting its own dispatch service for its district police force, it is not terminating a dispatch agreement it has with the Williamson County Sheriff's Office.Friday, screenshots of an internal letter from Williamson County to RRISD expressing concerns about the self-dispatch service circulated on social media. Parents criticized what appeared to be a lack of communication between the WCSO and RRISD abou
  
  Read more

• Barton Springs tree 'Flo' scheduled for removal, city to hold celebration of life

  09-09-2023 01:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin said the iconic Barton Springs leaning pecan tree “Flo” is tentatively scheduled to be removed Sept. 14.Third-party Certified Arborists completed their assessments of the tree after it was discovered to have an infection known as Kretzschmaria deusta, a wood decay fungus.Brittle Cinder Fungus seen on a tree (City of Austin photo)
  The city said all four Arborists recommended the removal of “Flo” due to safety concerns and the l
  
  Read more

• What's happening with Austin first responder contracts? A break down

  09-09-2023 00:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- At the start of the week, the City of Austin was working on contracts with all three of its first responder unions. Here's where they're at as of Friday.
  Austin Fire Department
  An arbitrator ruled on a labor contract between the City of Austin and the Austin Firefighters Association (AFA) Friday night. The contract is effective as of Friday and does not require approval from the AFA or city council.
  The contract will be in place until October 2025. Because the fire association's
  
  Read more

• DPS driver's license offices to reopen Monday

  09-09-2023 00:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Driver License (DL) Offices will reopen Monday after they were closed for a week due to a system upgrade, a DPS news release said Friday. Online services will also be available, the agency said.Over the Labor Day weekend, offices closed for a driver's license system upgrade, the release said. The offices closed Sept. 1 and were scheduled to open Tuesday. However, "a capacity issue caused by the upgrade overloaded the system, and servic
  
  Read more

• Georgia law enforcement agency has recruitment billboard in Austin

  09-09-2023 00:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A billboard on Interstate 35 in north Austin reads "Got Georgia on your mind?"
  It's from the Cobb County Sheriff's Office."We're looking for the absolute best, and if that means we have to go out of the state of Georgia to get it, we will," said Sgt. Jeremy Blake with the Georgia agency.
  The billboard advertises a $50,377 - $77,575 starting salary for existing officers willing to make the move.
  Cobb County Sheriff's Office billboard in Austin.
  According to the Austin Police Depa
  
  Read more

• Austin Fire union, city reach labor contract through arbitrator

  09-09-2023 00:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An arbitrator has ruled on a labor contract between the City of Austin and the Austin Firefighters Association (AFA). The contract is effective as of Friday and does not require approval from the AFA or city council.
  The contract will be in place until October 2025. Because the fire association's contract expired roughly a year ago, the contract factors in back pay and is considered a 3-year contract starting in October 2022.
  Firefighters will be paid roughly 4% more year-over-y
  
  Read more

Follow @Austin_News_US on Twitter!