Austin news

• San Marcos PD unveils new interview room to support victims, survivors

  19-09-2023 22:23 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) --- The San Marcos Police Department announced it has a new space aimed at creating compassion, safety and comfort.
  "Survivors of crime, domestic abuse, sexual assault, and children in traumatic situations will be able to use a 'soft interview room' to get the appropriate help they need," the City of San Marcos' news release said.
  According to the release, the room features the following:Soft lightingWhite noiseSoft textiles like couches and blanketsToysBean bag chair
  "C
  
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• Williamson County Elections Department tests voting machines ahead of November election

  19-09-2023 20:52 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Williamson County Elections Department on Tuesday held a logic and accuracy testing on its machines ahead of the general election coming up in November.
  The testing started at 10 a.m. and lasted until around noon.
  Williamson County Elections Department tests voting machines ahead of Nov. 2023 election (KXAN Photo/Ed Zavala) Williamson County Elections Department tests voting machines ahead of Nov. 2023 election (KXAN Photo/Ed Zavala) Williamson County Elect
  
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• Gov. Abbott will call special session for school vouchers in October

  19-09-2023 20:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- After two weeks of a tumultuous impeachment trial following nearly nine straight months of work for the part-time legislature, Texas lawmakers are preparing to return to the Capitol in October for a special session that will determine whether Gov. Greg Abbott can finally finish his push to send public dollars to private schools.On Tuesday, Gov. Abbott is holding a tele-town hall with Christian faith leaders across the state to announce "School Choice Sunday," an event in supp
  
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• Choice, vouchers, and teacher raises: Education showdown looming in Texas legislature

  19-09-2023 20:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- After two weeks of a tumultuous impeachment trial following nearly nine straight months of work for the part-time legislature, Texas lawmakers are preparing to return to the Capitol in October for a special session that will determine whether Gov. Greg Abbott can finally finish his push to send public dollars to private schools.On Tuesday, Gov. Abbott is holding a tele-town hall with Christian faith leaders across the state to announce "School Choice Sunday," an event in supp
  
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• New director named for Austin Resource Recovery

  19-09-2023 19:50 via kxan.com
  
  The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Sept. 19, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Resource Recovery interim director has earned the full-time role, according to a city release.Richard McHale was appointed to the lead ARR position in early September, taking over the role from former ARR Director Ken Snipes who was reassigned to the City's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) in March. Snipes is now the HSEM director, the release states. Austin Resource Reco
  
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• Police: Man exposes himself to to child at city rec center, mother concerned about sharing space with cooling centers

  19-09-2023 19:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A mother is speaking out after she says a man exposed himself to her 6-year-old daughter at an Austin Recreation Center."My daughter was like 'Dad I saw his thing,'" said the mother who wished to keep her identity anonymous.KXAN reached out to the City of Austin's Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department, as well as Parks and Recreation Department and APD for more information.The incident took place on September 5 at 5:20 p.m., according to the Austin Police De
  
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• Police: Man exposes himself to child at city rec center, mother concerned about cooling centers shared space

  19-09-2023 19:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A mother is speaking out after she says a man exposed himself to her 6-year-old daughter at an Austin Recreation Center."My daughter was like 'Dad I saw his thing,'" said the mother who wished to keep her identity anonymous.KXAN reached out to the City of Austin's Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department, as well as Parks and Recreation Department and APD for more information.The incident took place on Sept. 5 at 5:20 p.m., according to the Austin Police Depart
  
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• Man exposes himself to child at city rec center, mother concerned about cooling centers shared space

  19-09-2023 19:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A mother is speaking out after she says a man exposed himself to her 6-year-old daughter at an Austin Recreation Center."My daughter was like 'Dad I saw his thing,'" said the mother who wished to keep her identity anonymous.KXAN reached out to the City of Austin's Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department, as well as Parks and Recreation Department and APD for more information.The incident took place on Sept. 5 at 5:20 p.m., according to the Austin Police Depart
  
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• American Airlines cancels nonstop route from Austin airport

  19-09-2023 19:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — American Airlines has canceled a nonstop route between Austin and St. Louis as part of network evaluations.The airline last operated flights on the seasonal route in May, but a spokesperson confirmed to KXAN it would not be resuming flights after the seasonal break."As part of a continuous evaluation of our network, American has made the difficult decision to end service between Austin and St. Louis," the spokesperson said. "We will continue to offer robust service from Aus
  
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• UT president to hold State of the University Tuesday

  19-09-2023 19:02 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Sept. 19, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The University of Texas at Austin's President Jay Hartzell will deliver the school's annual State of the University address Tuesday afternoon. Report: UT Austin ranked 9th best public university in the nationThe address is set to start at 3 p.m. and will highlight UT's goals, initiatives, opportunities and overall progress, a release said.
  This will mark Hartzell's fourth State of the University add
  
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• UT president holds State of the University Tuesday

  19-09-2023 19:02 via kxan.com
  
  The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Sept. 19, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The University of Texas at Austin's President Jay Hartzell will deliver the school's annual State of the University address Tuesday afternoon. Report: UT Austin ranked 9th best public university in the nationThe address is set to start at 3 p.m. and will highlight UT's goals, initiatives, opportunities and overall progress, a release said.
  This will mark Hartzell's fourth State of the University address since he w
  
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• LIVE: UT president delivers State of the University Tuesday

  19-09-2023 19:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The University of Texas at Austin's President Jay Hartzell will deliver the school's annual State of the University address Tuesday afternoon. Report: UT Austin ranked 9th best public university in the nationThe address is set to start at 3 p.m. and will highlight UT's goals, initiatives, opportunities and overall progress, a release said.
  This will mark Hartzell's fourth State of the University address since he was appointed as the university's president in 2020.
  The address wi
  
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• Ex 'Drug Czar' talks FDA action against e-cigs, Texas law that punishes kids for vaping

  19-09-2023 16:35 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) -- Earlier this year, the U.S Food and Drug Administration announced it would crack down on the illegal sale of disposable e-cigarettes.“The FDA has started the process but sadly, what I'm concerned about are the number of kids that are dying until the FDA takes more aggressive action,” said Jim Carroll, the former director of the National Drug Control Policy.As “Drug Czar,” Carroll served as the principal advisor to former President Trump on drug policy for three
  
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• Tuesday is National Voter Registration Day

  19-09-2023 14:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Sept. 19 is National Voter Registration Day.
  The Texas Secretary of State's office says the voter registration deadline for the Nov. 7 Election is Oct. 10.
  Voters can confirm their registration status on the SOS Am I Registered? portal.The Secretary of State's office says you should contact your county voter registrar for specific questions about voter registration status.
  Texans who have recently changed their name or moved can update their voter registration online, the o
  
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• Almost 2,000 Texans have won more than $1 million in state lottery history

  19-09-2023 14:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Even if you don't win the jackpot, there's still a lot of money up for grabs in the lottery.In fact, almost 2,000 Texans have become overnight millionaires by purchasing a ticket.Since being introduced in 1992, the Texas Lottery has handed out almost $12.6 billion in prizes to players, as of Sept. 11, 2023.A total of 1,916 players have won more than $1 million and 227 have won more than $10 million, according to data from the Texas Lottery Commission.Meanwhile, four lucky p
  
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• HAAM Day underway with over 250 musical performances across Austin area

  19-09-2023 13:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians is hosting its 18th annual HAAM Day fundraising event on Tuesday.This is the largest fundraiser for the organization, wherein hundreds of Austin musicians perform at venues all across Central Texas in support of its mission to provide affordable access to health and wellness care for Austin-area low-income, working musicians.Funds raised go directly toward providing healthcare services for the musicians HAAM serves.Since 2005, HAAM h
  
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• Austin launches emergency preparedness pop-up events

  19-09-2023 13:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin emergency preparedness officials are taking newer steps to keep residents informed on what to do in the event of a weather-related emergency event.The City of Austin's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management launched emergency preparedness events this year. HSEM will host 10 pop-up events at Austin Public Library branches across the city, said Billy Callis, public information officer with HSEM."The intention is really to help get people prepared and awar
  
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• Austin launches emergency preparedness pop-up classes, events

  19-09-2023 13:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin emergency preparedness officials are taking newer steps to keep residents informed on what to do in the event of a weather-related emergency event.The City of Austin's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management launched emergency preparedness classes this year. HSEM will host 10 pop-up events at Austin Public Library branches across the city, said Billy Callis, public information officer with HSEM."The intention is really to help get people prepared and awa
  
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• Suspicious fire damages family-owned tire shop

  19-09-2023 13:28 via kxan.com
  
  LOCKHART, Texas (KXAN) -- The Lockhart Police Department said it is investigating a suspicious fire that damaged a family-owned tire shop in the town, as the business owners turn to the community for financial help.
  Ashley and Gilbert Rodriguez own and operate Legion Tire on Colorado Street in Lockhart. The business has been in the same building for about ten years. The fire started behind the building in an area where they store tires.
  The level of damageThose tires became fuel on the night of
  
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• Black goop clean up: how special gel and paint roller tech could help

  19-09-2023 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Oil spills have been some of the most impactful environmental disasters in human history. In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill released over two hundred million gallons into the Gulf of Mexico, turning the sea black for years."(That spill) still has a lasting impact on marine environments," said Guihua Yu, a professor of material science in the Cockrell School of Engineering at the University of Texas in Austin. Texas researchers farm water from thin airYu said that the
  
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• Agents bust alleged homemade booze maker near DFW

  19-09-2023 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Agents with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission seized an illegal still at a home in north-central Texas on Sept. 1, according to the agency.The agents found the still at a Johnson County home after getting an anonymous tip, the TABC said in Sept. 13 release.
  Agents from the agency's Arlington Regional Office led the operation.
  The still could be used to make illicit alcohol in violation of state law, the TABC said.
  A person living at the home admitted to agents that th
  
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• Hays CISD joins lawsuit against TEA over school rankings

  19-09-2023 12:28 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – The Board of Trustees of Hays Consolidated Independent School District voted 6-0 Monday evening to join a lawsuit against the Texas Education Commissioner.
  The lawsuit says the new rules for how the state will grade schools and districts were not provided before the school year they will be applied to.The lawsuit asks a judge to prevent the Texas Education Agency from releasing scores that use the newest metrics.Other school districts, including Del Valle and Pf
  
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• Georgetown ISD board unanimously approves resolution to accept chaplains as volunteers

  19-09-2023 04:52 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- The Georgetown Independent School District unanimously approved a resolution to accept chaplains as volunteers, with six trustees voting in favor of the resolution on Monday during a board meeting. Trustee Cody Hirt was absent.In June, Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 763 into law, which permits school districts to use school safety funding to hire chaplains or allow them to volunteer in public schools.After the vote, GISD board member Anthony Blankenship made a co
  
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• Recommendation for new affordable housing in downtown Austin

  19-09-2023 04:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- People "overwhelmingly" want to see more affordable housing - with the priority given to people working in the healthcare, hospitality and service industries, according to a community impact survey referenced in a new City of Austin memo.
  In response, the City Manager's Office had made an official recommended to convert at least part of the former HealthSouth property into affordable housing. The land is on the corner of Red River and 12th Streets, walking distance from Dell Set
  
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• Kickoff time set for Texas-Kansas matchup Sept. 30 in Austin

  19-09-2023 01:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Get ready for another afternoon kick at DKR.Texas and Kansas will kick off at 2:30 p.m., Sept. 30 in Austin, the Big 12 Conference announced Monday. The game will air on ABC.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/newslettersThe Longhorns and Jayhawks will meet for the 22nd time all-time with Texas picking up 17 wins. Texas is 9-1 against Kansas in Austin. Texas beat the Jayhawk
  
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• Kickoff time set for Texas-Kansas matchup on Sept. 30 in Austin

  19-09-2023 01:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Get ready for another afternoon matchup at DKR.Texas and Kansas will kick off at 2:30 p.m., Sept. 30 in Austin, the Big 12 Conference announced Monday. The game will air on ABC.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/newslettersThe Longhorns and Jayhawks will meet for the 22nd time all-time with Texas picking up 17 wins. Texas is 9-1 against Kansas in Austin. Texas beat the Jayh
  
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• State audit requested for 'total cost' of Ken Paxton impeachment trial

  19-09-2023 00:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick asked the state auditor's office to "immediately" begin a special audit into the cost of the investigation and subsequent impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, according to a letter released Monday.
  "To be clear, the goal is to determine the absolute total cost to the state of preparing for and conducting this trial from the beginning through its conclusion," Patrick's letter reads. Here’s how each Texas senator v
  
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• Temperatures remaining above normal

  19-09-2023 00:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The final days of summer are feeling exactly like the last days of the hot season. Temperatures will run higher than the average both with morning lows as well as afternoon highs.
  A sunny start to this day found most lows in the upper 60s to low 70s. Camp Mabry's low fell to 72°, three degrees above normal.This afternoon will start sunny but with increasing fair-weather clouds. The pretty picture-perfect day will be accompanied by a south wind that will send daytime maximums
  
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• Hotter than normal last week of summer

  19-09-2023 00:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As we count down the final days of summer, Mother Nature throws one more punch with hotter than normal temperatures expected through the weekend.As we close out our Monday, we're keeping an eye on a few isolated showers struggling to develop in the Hill Country. Outside of a handful of raindrops, not much is expected. The majority of us stay dry under a mainly clear sky overnight.Looking forward, the heat becomes the story. Afternoon highs will warm well into the 90s each day th
  
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• Heating up into the upper 90s

  19-09-2023 00:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As we count down the final days of summer, Mother Nature throws one more punch with hotter than normal temperatures expected through the weekend.The majority of us stay dry under a mainly clear sky overnight allowing for great visibility of tomorrow morning's celestial event - Venus' peak brilliancy! Venus will be at its brightest Tuesday morning from 4AM-sunrise. Look to the east for "Earth's twin" to be outshining many of it's outer space counterparts.Venus to be a peak bright
  
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