Austin news

• First female Texas DPS Ranger major on new role in Central Texas

  15-09-2023 23:35 via kxan.com
  
  WACO, Texas (FOX 44) - The Texas Department of Public Safety has announced the promotion of Texas Ranger Captain Wende Wakeman to the rank of Major. This makes her the first female Ranger Major in the organization's storied 200-year history.Wakeman now serves as the Major of Texas Ranger Company F, which is stationed in Waco. As Ranger Major, Wakeman oversees 27 rangers and three lieutenants across the region - which spans just south of Dallas to south of San Antonio. Texas pharmacist convicted
  
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• Austin Public Health could soon test wastewater for influenza, RSV indicators

  15-09-2023 23:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Public Health (APH) already looks at wastewater to detect the prevalence of COVID-19, and may start to test for influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), according to APH chief epidemiologist Janet Pichette."It would be really great to add things like RSV, norovirus and influenza because then that kind of gives us an idea of when our flu season and other seasons start," Pichette said. "We kind of have an idea with norovirus that we tend to get more gastrointestinal
  
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• AISD listens to plan to improve Mendez MS rating, adopts new guidelines to protect district students, staff in hot weather

  15-09-2023 22:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, nonprofit Third Future Schools updated AISD's board on an action plan to improve Mendez Middle School.The board of trustees approved the collaboration with Third Future Schools in March 2022 following consistent "F" ratings by the Texas Education Agency.The outlined plan included improving the campus to a "D" rating this school year, a "C" rating next year, and a "B" rating by the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years.KXAN is still waiting on ratings from this past
  
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• Cellphone service down in Lockhart since Thursday

  15-09-2023 22:33 via kxan.com
  
  LOCKHART, Texas (KXAN) -- Cellphone service in Lockhart has been down since Thursday, according to a Caldwell County spokesperson.It is unknown at this time what caused the outage, the spokesperson said. However, it could be a cut in fiber optics but not sure what the cause was Friday.People are reporting either not having service at all or having limited service.There was no word on when the services were expected to be fixed.
  
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• Local Realtor Group says housing inventory increasing, but still tight

  15-09-2023 22:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A report released Thursday by the Austin Board of Realtors (ABoR) claims that an increase in closed sales on homes shows buyer confidence in the Austin-Round Rock Metro housing market. The group also claims that housing inventory has increased, but still lags behind a six-month supply benchmark.ABoR's "Central Texas Housing Report" is updated monthly with data from the previous month. According to a press release from the group, the area saw an 8.8% month-over-month increase in
  
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• Austin chosen to receive $4 million grant to create 'reuse warehouse'

  15-09-2023 21:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin was recently chosen, along with 24 other communities, to receive funding from the Environmental Protection Agency to support and improve recycling efforts.
  Austin will use the $4 million grant to create a reuse warehouse. According to a release, the warehouse will accept drop-off furniture donations and redistribute them to regional nonprofit organizations with a focus on furnishing homes for those transitioning out of homelessness.
  The city hopes to open the
  
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• BCBSTX, Huston-Tillotson announce collaboration for culturally-aligned maternal, infant healthcare in Texas

  15-09-2023 21:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) along with Huston-Tillotson University started a program called "Boldly B.L.U.E." The goal of the program is to empower mothers in Texas.The “B.L.U.E.” stands for Birthing, Learning, Understanding and Empowering.The program is part of BCBSTX's expanded special beginnings initiative, which aims to increase the number of diverse doulas, midwives and certified lactation consultants in Central Texas.It also strives to cre
  
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• City of Austin to create tourism improvement district

  15-09-2023 20:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin is one step closer to creating a Tourism Public Improvement District (PID) to help bring in new revenues while the Austin Convention Center is under construction. The city council signed off on the service plan Thursday.It will go before hotels within Austin's city limits for approval before it's brought back to the council for a final consideration later this fall.Under the plan, Austin hotels with at least 100 rooms would be taxed 2% of the gross room r
  
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• City of Austin, Austin EMS Association approve 4-year contract

  15-09-2023 20:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After months of negotiation, a signing ceremony was held Thursday afternoon that celebrated the new four-year contract between the city of Austin and Austin Travis County EMS.The deal included a 4% raise overall to start, and an increase in the entry-level pay rate. RELATED: Austin City Council: Police department data, EMS labor contractAccording to Selena Xie, president of the Austin Emergency Medical Services Association, members voted 93% in favor of the contract with a
  
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• Texas pharmacist convicted for role in 'pill-mill'

  15-09-2023 19:56 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KXAN) -- A Houston jury convicted a Texas pharmacist Wednesday for her role in a pharmacy that dispensed over 100,000 opioid pills in exchange for cash. According to prosecutors, Deanna Winfield-Gates worked as a relief pharmacist at Health Fit Pharmacy, located in Houston. The Department of Justice characterized the cash-only pharmacy as a "pill-mill." Magnitude 4.0 earthquake reported in South TexasProsecutors argued Health Fit handed out the drugs, oftentimes based on fraudulent pres
  
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• End of an era: Free parking on South Congress will soon be a thing of the Austin past

  15-09-2023 19:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — There is about a month and a half left to park for free in the heart of South Congress before those free street parking spots become metered spots.KXAN Traffic Anchor Erica Brennes reports on the end of the free parking era on SoCo."I had no idea that was happening. I think that's terrible. You have to pay for everything now in this town," said Austin resident Chase Myers.You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone on SoCo thrilled to hear there will no longer be free parking on S
  
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• Catholic Charities hosts block party in Austin, puts packages together for refugee children

  15-09-2023 18:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — People gathered Thursday at a volunteer event to put together packages of school supplies for refugee children living in Austin.Catholic Charities of Central Texas hosted a block party at its Austin campus, which featured live music, food trucks and volunteers coming together to assemble the school supply kits.The event was part of its Refugee Resettlement Services program. The program provides services to help guide refugees through their resettlement experience."When fami
  
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• Police investigating 'suspicious package' near Austin jail

  15-09-2023 16:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Police are investigating a scene near the Blackwell Thurman Criminal Justice Center in downtown Austin after a "suspicious package" was reported in the area.
  According to the Travis County Sheriff's Office, a call came in around 8 a.m. about the package, which was placed behind the central booking area outside the building.
  The roads in the area are blocked while officials investigate.
  The Austin Police Department and TCSO are investigating to make sure it's nothing dangerous, T
  
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• Police clear scene after 'suspicious package' report near Austin jail, no threat detected

  15-09-2023 16:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Police began investigating a scene near the Blackwell Thurman Criminal Justice Center in downtown Austin after a "suspicious package" was reported in the area.
  According to the Travis County Sheriff's Office, a call came in around 8 a.m. about the package, which was placed behind the central booking area outside the building.
  At 10:24 a.m., TCSO said the scene was cleared, and there was no threat.The roads in the area were blocked while officials investigated.
  The Austin Police
  
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• Motion denied for change of venue request in APD officer's trial

  15-09-2023 16:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A request to move the trial for Christopher Taylor, the Austin Police officer charged with murder in the death of Mike Ramos, out of Travis County was denied during a hearing Friday.Taylor's attorneys filed a motion to request a change of venue in July, claiming the case is too widely known locally for an impartial jury to be selected.RELATED: Attorneys for APD officer request change of venue for upcoming October trialTaylor is accused of shooting and killing Michael Ramos, 42,
  
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• Change of venue hearing Friday for APD officer charged with murder

  15-09-2023 16:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTN (KXAN) -- A hearing is set for 1:30 Friday afternoon to discuss moving the trial for Christopher Taylor, the Austin Police officer charged with murder in the death of Mike Ramos, out of Travis County, according to Taylor's attorney Ken Ervin.
  Taylor's attorneys claim the case is too widely known locally for an impartial jury to be selected. They filed a motion to request a change of venue in July.
  Taylor is accused of shooting and killing Michael Ramos, 42, during a confrontation with poli
  
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• WATCH LIVE: Senate to vote on articles of impeachment Saturday morning in Ken Paxton trial

  15-09-2023 15:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — On Saturday morning, the Texas Senate was set to vote on the articles of impeachment in Ken Paxton's trial.The House board of impeachment managers and defense attorneys for suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton gave closing arguments in the historic trial Friday, making their final cases to the 30 eligible senators who will decide whether Paxton can keep his elected title.Closing arguments started at 9 a.m. Friday. Watch in the video players within this story, or on KXAN
  
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• WATCH LIVE: Closing arguments in historic impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton

  15-09-2023 15:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The House board of impeachment managers and defense attorneys for suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton will give closing arguments in the historic trial Friday, making their final cases to the 30 eligible senators who will decide whether Paxton can keep his elected title.Closing arguments started at 9 a.m. Friday. Watch in the video player at the top of this story, on air on KXAN, or on KXAN's Facebook page.
  Paxton appeared in the Senate chamber Friday morning for the f
  
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• Senate to vote on articles of impeachment Saturday morning in Ken Paxton trial

  15-09-2023 15:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — On Saturday morning, the Texas Senate was set to vote on the articles of impeachment in Ken Paxton's trial.The House board of impeachment managers and defense attorneys for suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton gave closing arguments in the historic trial Friday, making their final cases to the 30 eligible senators who will decide whether Paxton can keep his elected title.Closing arguments started at 9 a.m. Friday. Watch in the video players within this story, or on KXAN
  
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• Closing arguments over in historic impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton

  15-09-2023 15:34 via kxan.com
  
  The above video shows the House board of impeachment managers give closing arguments.
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The House board of impeachment managers and defense attorneys for suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton will give closing arguments in the historic trial Friday, making their final cases to the 30 eligible senators who will decide whether Paxton can keep his elected title.Closing arguments started at 9 a.m. Friday. Watch in the video players within this story, or on KXAN's Facebook page
  
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• Closing arguments in historic impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton

  15-09-2023 15:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The House board of impeachment managers and defense attorneys for suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton will give closing arguments in the historic trial Friday, making their final cases to the 30 eligible senators who will decide whether Paxton can keep his elected title.The near-end of the trial comes after senators — functioning as a jury — heard from more than a dozen witnesses testifying about their firsthand experience with Paxton, who is accused o
  
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• Closing arguments end, deliberations begin in Ken Paxton impeachment trial

  15-09-2023 15:34 via kxan.com
  
  The above video shows the House board of impeachment managers give closing arguments.
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The House board of impeachment managers and defense attorneys for suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton gave closing arguments in the historic trial Friday, making their final cases to the 30 eligible senators who will decide whether Paxton can keep his elected title.Closing arguments started at 9 a.m. Friday. Watch in the video players within this story, or on KXAN's Facebook page.
  Clo
  
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• Bastrop boy becomes pro cornhole player

  15-09-2023 15:14 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — Cornhole is often something we see played at tailgates, backyards or bars.Yet, an 11-year-old boy from Bastrop has turned this game into a career.Brayden Wilson is the youngest professional player in the American Cornhole League. His love for the game grew during the COVID-19 pandemic when the world shut down.“The first time I threw the bag, I fell in love with it,” Wilson said.Almost every day, he practiced and played cornhole with his father, Steven.Wh
  
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• Immigrant advocates, faith leaders call on Congress to act after judge declares DACA illegal

  15-09-2023 15:06 via kxan.com
  
  McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) -- Dozens of faith organizations and migrant advocacy groups spoke out on Thursday calling on Congress to act after a federal judge in South Texas declared DACA to be illegal.Border commuters fume as CBP closes pedestrian crossing to process wave of migrants
  On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen, of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, sided with Texas and eight other states that sued the federal government to stop the Deferred Actio
  
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• More thunderstorms today

  15-09-2023 14:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Mason and San Saba Counties will be under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 11 a.m. At this time there is no severe weather in these counties.Possible severe storms this morning in San Saba and Mason CountiesTwo rounds of showers and thunderstorms will add to to the rain the area has received in the past week. There will be a few showers and thunderstorms for the Hill Country this morning.A much better chance of showers and thunderstorms arrives this afternoon with the potential
  
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• Drying trend begins after a wet few days

  15-09-2023 14:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Rain has disappeared from radar and most should stay dry the rest of the day. Only a low chance for a spotty sprinkle or light shower remains. LIVE RADARMost areas picked up 0.5"-1.0" of rainfall today. Check out how much was picked up where you live at the link below. CENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL TOTALSGoing into tonight we'll maintain a low chance for a spotty shower, but coverage appears very isolated. Overnight lows drop into the upper 60s thanks to the rain cooled air settling in
  
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• A few leftover showers as drying trend begins

  15-09-2023 14:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Our widespread round of rain has exited our Eastern Counties, but some leftover showers are moving through the Hill Country and may bring parts of the Austin Metro some light rain before 5 p.m. LIVE RADARMost areas picked up 0.5"-1.0" of rainfall today. Check out how much was picked up across the area at the link below. CENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL TOTALSGoing into tonight we'll maintain a low chance for a spotty shower, but coverage appears very isolated. Overnight lows drop into the
  
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• LIST: Here are the Texas semifinalists in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program

  15-09-2023 14:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than 1,500 high school students in Texas have been named semifinalists in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program.The scholarship program announced Wednesday more than 16,000 semifinalists nationwide. Of those, 1,543 are in Texas, roughly 10% of the nationwide total.Scholarships worth nearly $28 million combined will be awarded to 7,140 students in the spring.To be considered, students must take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/N
  
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• Why is there scaffolding on the Texas Capitol building? 

  15-09-2023 13:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – If you’ve been to the Texas Capitol in the last year, your visitor photos may include some unsightly scaffolding. So what’s happening at the state capitol building? Well, it involves 200 bags of pigeon poop and trash. How Austin became the ‘Live Music Capital of the World’A two-year project to replace the Texas Capitol’s copper roof began in fall 2022 with scaffolding added during the first several months of the project. This is the f
  
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• I-35 in Buda reopens after deadly multi-vehicle crash Friday morning

  15-09-2023 12:47 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video is from a 6:30 a.m. traffic update while the interstate was still closed.
  BUDA, Texas (KXAN) -- Interstate 35 northbound in Buda has reopened after part of it was shut down for several hours early Friday morning after a deadly crash involving four vehicles.
  The Buda Police Department said the interstate was shut down near exit 220/Main Street. The department posted about the incident on social media at 4:31 a.m.The department posted an update at 8:30 a.m. that the
  
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• Deadly multi-vehicle crash closes I-35 northbound in Buda Friday morning

  15-09-2023 12:47 via kxan.com
  
  BUDA, Texas (KXAN) -- Part of Interstate 35 northbound in Buda was shut down early Friday morning after a deadly crash involving three vehicles.
  The Buda Police Department said the interstate was shut down near exit 220/Main Street. The department posted about the incident on social media at 4:31 a.m. REAL-TIME TRAFFIC MAPSAccording to BPD, three vehicles were involved in the crash. It's not clear how many people were killed in the crash, or the exact cause, but police said it was potentially du
  
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• Texas high school football scores for Thursday, Sept. 14

  15-09-2023 06:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thunderstorms rolling through Central Texas led to the postponement of two area games and the delay of others Thursday night.Pflugerville and Bastrop, along with Seguin and Lehman, are backing their games up due to Thursday's lightning that came with some nasty thunderstorms. Pflugerville and Bastrop will move their game to Smithville and play at 7 p.m., Friday while Seguin and Lehman will try again at 11 a.m., Saturday at Bob Shelton Stadium.REPORT YOUR SCORE: We'd love to
  
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• Pease Park wants to add giant troll as statement piece near downtown Austin

  15-09-2023 04:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Pease Park wants to add a statement piece to the landscape just on the edge of downtown Austin.Leaders with Pease Park Conservancy want to explore the feasibility of a public artwork donation from the Conservancy to the City of Austin.The park, along Lamar Boulevard from 15th Street to 24th Street, strives to be a place opening up the wonders of the natural world to guests. Now, the park wants to add a giant troll.Pease Park Conservancy wants toexplore the feasibility of a publi
  
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• Additional rounds of storms Friday and Saturday

  15-09-2023 02:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Strong to severe storms brought heavy rain, strong winds and hail to parts of Central Texas this evening. This after a microburst brought damage to a neighborhood in Cedar Park this morning.Microburst likely the cause of damage in Cedar Park with early morning storms Central Texas rainfall amountsMoving into the overnight hours, storms will gradually push south and dissipate. Our next round will not be too far behind though as storms are likely to roll back in late Friday mornin
  
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• A few storms today, but more expected Saturday

  15-09-2023 02:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Strong to severe storms brought heavy rain, strong winds and hail to parts of Central Texas Thursday evening. This after a microburst brought damage to a neighborhood in Cedar Park during the morning.Microburst likely the cause of damage in Cedar Park with early morning stormsThanks to a midday arrival of scattered showers and storms today, we expect the afternoon will trend drier with a partly sunny sky. Rain chances for the rest of the day have dropped to 40% as the atmosphere
  
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• Gritty Wyoming comes to Austin as Longhorns try to avoid 'Bama hangover

  15-09-2023 01:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If the No. 4 Texas Longhorns want to start the season 3-0 for the first time since 2012, they'll need to get by a veteran Wyoming team that already has a victory over a Big 12 opponent this season.It's easy for people to think this is some sort of trap game, meaning the highly-touted Longhorns, coming off their historic win over Alabama, could potentially take the Cowboys lightly and stumble at home. In the first game of the season for the Cowboys on Sept. 2, they welcomed
  
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• Magnitude 4.0 earthquake reported in South Texas

  15-09-2023 00:57 via kxan.com
  
  FALLS CITY, Texas (KXAN) -- A 4.0 magnitude earthquake hit South Texas Thursday afternoon, according to the United States Geological Survey.USGS reported the earthquake was northeast of Falls City, which is southeast of San Antonio. MAP: What’s the strongest earthquake ever recorded in Texas?According to USGS, this is the fourth earthquake registered in the U.S. over the past day.Earthquakes in TexasUSGS data shows more than 2,800 earthquakes have been reported in the Lone Star State since
  
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• 911 lines remain out of service in Hays County due to cut line

  15-09-2023 00:30 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Due to a line cut in the area, the Hays County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) said the majority of their 911 service is out, the agency confirmed to KXAN.On Thursday afternoon, HCSO sent a notification to the community in Hays County saying 911 lines were out of service.As of Friday, Hays County officials said 911 was still down but that the problem was close to being fixed in order to restore service.
  Calls have been routed through Travis County 911 since Thursday with min
  
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• 911 lines out of service in Hays County Thursday afternoon

  15-09-2023 00:30 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Hays County Sheriff's Office said phone lines are out of service Thursday afternoon.A notification sent to the community in Hays County said 911 lines for Hays County are currently out of service. Power outages affecting PfISD schools; Copperfield students to be picked up early or moved to DelcoSome severe storms are moving through Central Texas Thursday afternoon.To reach HCSO, you can call (512) 393-7896.Some school campuses in the Pflugerville Independent Scho
  
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• 911 lines out of service in Hays County due to cut line

  15-09-2023 00:30 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Due to a line cut in the area, the Hays County Sheriff's Office said the majority of their 911 service is out, the agency confirmed to KXAN.On Thursday afternoon, HCSO sent a notification to the community in Hays County saying 911 lines were out of service.HCSO is re-routing calls to other agencies in the area. If you don't get anyone on the line, you can call HCSO at (512) 393-7896.
  
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• 911 lines back in service in Hays County

  15-09-2023 00:30 via kxan.com
  
  The video above is previous coverage on Sept. 14.HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- On Friday, the Hays County Sheriff's Office said 911 lines were back up and running.Shortly before 8:40 p.m., HCSO sent a notification to the community in Hays County saying the 911 service was back.HCSO previously said Thursday the 911 service was out due to a cut line.
  
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