Austin news

• Lockdown lifted at 2 Round Rock high schools after 'anonymous threat'

  28-09-2023 23:16 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Round Rock ISD said McNeil and Round Rock High School were on lockdown Thursday afternoon for approximately two hours while authorities “investigated an anonymous threat."According to a letter sent to parents, the lockdown was initiated at 3 p.m. while RRISD’s police department investigated the alleged threat.The district said on social media around 4:50 p.m. that the lockdown had been lifted."All students and staff were kept safe and secure throughou
  
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• 2 Round Rock high schools on lockdown after 'anonymous threat'

  28-09-2023 23:16 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Round Rock ISD said McNeil and Round Rock High School are on lockdown Thursday afternoon while authorities “investigate an anonymous threat."According to a letter sent to parents, the lockdown was initiated at 3 p.m. while RRISD’s police department investigated an alleged threat."All students and staff are safe and secure throughout the entire process," the letter reads.As of 4 p.m., the lockdown was still in place, according to the district. The spok
  
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• Police searching for person of interest in downtown Austin stabbing of minor

  28-09-2023 22:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is seeking the public's help finding a person of interest in connection to the stabbing of a minor in downtown Austin early Thursday, the agency said in a news release.At approximately 5:40 a.m., 911 dispatch received an urgent service call in the 200 block of West Avenue, according to police. Officer and Austin-Travis County EMS responded to the scene and found a victim with stab wounds.In a social media post, the Austin Police Association said a mi
  
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• Minor stabbed on the way to work in downtown Austin, assault crimes rising

  28-09-2023 22:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is seeking the public's help finding a person of interest in connection to the stabbing of a minor in downtown Austin early Thursday, the agency said in a news release.At approximately 5:40 a.m., 911 dispatch received an urgent service call in the 200 block of West Avenue, according to police. Officers and Austin-Travis County EMS responded to the scene and found a victim with stab wounds.In a social media post, the Austin Police Association said a m
  
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• Hot final days of September, but welcome rain late next week

  28-09-2023 22:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today the warmth continues with temperatures giving way to mid 90s again for the afternoon. We'll average about 8-10º warmer than normal into early next week.A slim (10%) rain chance returns this afternoon and early evening for today and this weekend, but most of us miss out on these very isolated showers.Your Friday looks mostly dry and mostly sunny as we stay in the mid 90s again with rain chances less than 10%.Both days of the weekend see a slightly higher chance for a s
  
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• Study finds link between vaping and asthma in teens

  28-09-2023 19:54 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN Live’s top headlines for Sept. 28, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) – Vaping, or e-cigarette smoking, may increase the risk of developing asthma, even if those kids have never smoked typical tobacco products, according to a Texas A&M University School of Public Health research study.E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices. When inhaled, a fluid – often infused with nicotine and flavor – heats and creates a vapor. The devices were inn
  
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• Georgetown watering restrictions loosened; All customers to be on 1 day watering schedule

  28-09-2023 19:36 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- Starting Friday, Georgetown water utility customers' watering restrictions will change.
  All Georgetown water utility customers will be on a one-day-per-week watering schedule, and the western portion of customers is moving into Drought Stage 2 restrictions.LIST: What are the current water restrictions in your city?According to the city, customers in the western side of Georgetown’s service area – generally the areas west of D.B. Wood Road and southwest of
  
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• Agriculturists hope for recovery this winter after scorching Central Texas summer

  28-09-2023 19:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Agriculture experts say recent rain supplemented an overall dry summer but the effects of the scorching season could extend into this winter.The Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service said in Central Texas, rainfall has had little impact on ending exceptional drought conditions. While pastures have greened up, it is uncertain if enough foliage will be produced to bale before it is too cold to harvest.The agency said growers also planted wheat and oats in hopes that wetter
  
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• Mexican airline brings new international route to Austin in March 2024

  28-09-2023 19:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin will once again have nonstop flights to Monterrey, Mexico, after a low-cost Mexican airline announced plans to launch the route next year.Viva Aerobus will begin flights on March 22. The announcement comes less than a month after Spirit Airlines canceled its route to Monterrey, citing lower-than-expected passenger demand.Nonstop flights will operate four days a week, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Flights will leave Austin at 2:35 p.m. on those days, and fl
  
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• Texas State emotional support dog helps fire victims, first responders in Maui

  28-09-2023 18:47 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — At the request of local officials in Hawaii, the Texas State University Police Department's mental health officer and Brady, the university's therapy dog, went on a two-week trip to Maui to help victims and first responders there. RELATED COVERAGE: Hawaii officials say DNA tests drop Maui fire death count to 97Officer Kendra Marsteller and Pawfficer Brady are a certified therapy team that helps individuals in crisis and victims of crime.
  “Bringing a dog to
  
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• INSIGHT: Austin Film Festival returns for 30th annual event

  28-09-2023 18:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Film Festival is less than a month away, beginning Oct. 26 and running through Nov. 3.Barbara Morgan, the executive director of the Austin Film Festival, joined KXAN’s Jennifer Sanders to tell us a little bit more about the festival.Read a full transcription of the discussion below or watch the interview in the video player above.SANDERS: Thirty years—A huge accomplishment! What can people expect this year?MORGAN: It's really exciting here.
  
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• Could the ocean take away our carbon problem?

  28-09-2023 18:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the world looks for ways to reduce our carbon dioxide output in order to curb climate change, there's another option to reduce carbon — recapturing it.
  KXAN Meteorologist Nick Bannin spoke with Dr. Kevin Kroeger from the United States Geological Survey about some ways they're looking at storing CO2 in our oceans to make this world more livable while we attempt to reduce our carbon footprint above the sea surface.Nick Bannin, KXAN Meteorologist: Dr. Kroeger, you're
  
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• First Warning: Coolest stretch since May on the way

  28-09-2023 17:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Since the beginning of June we've only had highs in the 80s six times and never for a full week. Mostly it's been triple digits or 90s and well above normal.Our luck may change soon as increasing signs of a cooler and wetter trend look set to kick in by the time we begin the second week of October.As a trough of low pressure tracks from the western states eastward and our current high pressure retreats, we may get our strongest cold front in a while to bring longer-lasting
  
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• LIVE: KXAN LIVE, Raul Meza Case: Parole History

  28-09-2023 17:12 via kxan.com
  
  KXAN crime reporter Brianna Hollis and digital reporter Sam Stark dive into the investigations into Raul Meza Jr. on "KXAN Live: The Meza Case" to give you a look behind the curtain at the team's coverage. You can watch the streams live on Thursday mornings at 10:30 a.m.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Raul Meza, 62, is a convicted murderer who now faces charges in the 2019 death of his neighbor and the May 2023 death of an 80-year-old man.TIMELINE: What we know of Raul Meza’s criminal historyThe Austin P
  
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• KXAN LIVE, Raul Meza Case: Parole History

  28-09-2023 17:12 via kxan.com
  
  KXAN crime reporter Brianna Hollis and digital reporter Sam Stark dive into the investigations into Raul Meza Jr. on "KXAN Live: The Meza Case" to give you a look behind the curtain at the team's coverage. You can watch the streams live on Thursday mornings at 10:30 a.m.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Raul Meza, 62, is a convicted murderer who now faces charges in the 2019 death of his neighbor and the May 2023 death of an 80-year-old man.TIMELINE: What we know of Raul Meza’s criminal historyThe Austin P
  
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• Trail of Lights 2023 tickets now available

  28-09-2023 17:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An Austin holiday tradition is within sight, as tickets for the 59th annual Trail of Lights are now available.
  Tickets for the Trail of Lights are available for purchase online. Details about each ticket type are below.
  General Admission tickets - General Admission (GA) opens at 7 p.m. and is free for the Dec. 8 Grand Opening and on six additional public nights. The other seven public nights are $8 per person except for children under 12 years old, who always receive free G
  
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• Pflugerville police searching for missing teen girl

  28-09-2023 15:58 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) -- The Pflugerville Police Department is searching for a 17-year-old girl they say was last seen Wednesday.
  Police are asking for help locating Brie Ann Mitchell, who was reported missing by CPS after leaving a hospital in Pflugerville Wednesday.Mitchell is described by police as a white female, 5'4" and 187 lbs, with brown/blonde hair and blue eyes.
  Brie Ann Mitchell, 17, was reported missing by CPS after leaving a hospital in Pflugerville Wednesday. (Pflugerville Pol
  
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• San Marcos to celebrate Uhland Road improvements

  28-09-2023 15:03 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – The City of San Marcos will hold a public celebration Thursday morning to mark the finish of improvements to several city roads.
  The city will hold a ribbon cutting for the Uhland Road Improvements project at 9 a.m. at 1303 Uhland Road, near the Hays County Sheriff’s Office. The public is invited to attend the event.According to the city, the Uhland Road Improvements project added drainage improvements along the County Road, Uhland Road and a part of River
  
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• Manor PD looking for person of interest in mail theft

  28-09-2023 14:22 via kxan.com
  
  MANOR, Texas (KXAN) – Manor police said Wednesday they were looking for a woman they said was a person of interest in an alleged mail theft from early September.
  According to the Manor Police Department, the alleged theft happened in the 11900 block of Bastrop Street around 4:16 p.m. on Sept. 7. That is just west of FM 973.
  Manor PD said the woman had a tattoo on her right shoulder and appeared to have an ankle monitor on her left ankle.
  She was driving what looks to be an older gray Honda
  
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• Longhorns' Gbenda seeing perseverance pay off

  28-09-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - The current landscape of college sports - particularly football - is very different from what it was just five years ago. For better or worse, players have much more freedom to transfer from one program to another.There is no better example in college football than Colorado, who welcomed more than 50 transfers with new head coach Deion Sanders this past off-season. Programs like Texas have seen players leave for other schools as well.The Longhorns do have players that have stuck
  
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• County Attorney: Spike in DPS arrests contributes to backlog as prosecutors focus on more nonviolent cases

  28-09-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An email from the Travis County Attorney to city staff about concerns with the DPS partnership in Austin led KXAN to discover her courts have had to process nearly triple the amount of misdemeanor arrests from the agency that it did last year.
  County Attorney Delia Garza sent the email in June, days before troopers were set to resume their beefed up Austin patrols following a hiatus when more resources were needed on the border. KXAN obtained the email as part of a public i
  
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• APD releases name of motorcyclist killed in Sunday crash

  28-09-2023 13:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police Wednesday released the name of the motorcyclist who died in a crash Sunday in southeast Austin.
  According to APD, Shane Donaway, 46, died at the scene of the crash in the 6600 block of South Pleasant Valley Road near William Cannon Drive. Austin Travis County-EMS posted that paramedics performed CPR on Donaway before he died.
  APD said the crash is being investigated as Austin's 67th fatal crash of 2023, resulting in 70 fatalities for the year. As of September
  
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• Hail storm repairs could be slowed by roofing tile shortage

  28-09-2023 12:29 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- Josh Herrington said the homes in the Cat Hollow neighborhood in Round Rock look like a war zone following Sunday night's hail storm. Herrington is the owner of Sixth Gen Roofing, and he and his team are in the process of helping homeowners who suffered roof and window damage.
  "The ice storm -- it was bad, it was bad, but it was a lot of clean up. This is going to be a lot of work," Herrington said.
  That work could be compounded because of a shortage in a certain mate
  
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• Hail storm repairs could be slowed by roofing shingle shortage

  28-09-2023 12:29 via kxan.com
  
  Correction: An earlier headline of this story said there was a shortage in roof tiles. It is actually a shortage in roof shingles. The headline has been changed to reflect that.ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- Josh Herrington said the homes in the Cat Hollow neighborhood in Round Rock look like a war zone following Sunday night's hail storm. Herrington is the owner of Sixth Gen Roofing, and he and his team are in the process of helping homeowners who suffered roof and window damage.
  "The ice storm --
  
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• '24-hours is not the limit': Austin-area aerospace company breaks record

  28-09-2023 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) -- Firefly Aerospace, an end-to-end space transportation company based in Cedar Park, announced this month that they broke the record for rocket launch speed. They prepped the payload for a rocket, named Victus Nox, in 57 hours and launched that rocket in just 27 hours. The previous record, according to Firefly Aerospace, was 21 days."We had a mission that we signed up for, we accomplished that," said Bill Weber, CEO of Firefly Aerospace.The company was tasked by the U.S
  
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• TSA ready to strengthen security with new baggage handling system at AUS

  28-09-2023 05:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Below the Barbara Jordan Terminal, hundreds of bags and suitcases are searched each hour.Longtime TSA agent Louise Yates has worked in one of these bag screening rooms at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport."I started with TSA in 2002 because of what had happened on 9/11,” she said. “I wanted to play a part in making people safe."The TSA said it typically takes about five minutes for a bag dropped off at the ticket counter to get loaded up on the tarmac.
  
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• Police investigating deadly east Austin crash, victim not identified

  28-09-2023 04:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is investigating a crash that occurred in east Austin last week that left one person dead, according to a APD news release.Shortly before 7:40 p.m., Sept. 21, APD responded to the 1500 block of 51st Street for the single-vehicle crash, the release said. According to Austin-Travis County EMS, the vehicle crashed into a pole. One dead after car crashes into pole in east Austin, ATCEMS saysOne person was pronounced dead on the scene, according to police
  
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• Warmth to continue into October, but rain is coming

  28-09-2023 04:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today the warmth continues with temperatures in the low 70s giving way to mid 90s again for the afternoon. We'll average about 8-10º warmer than normal into early next week.A slim (10%) rain chance returns this afternoon and early evening for today and this weekend, but most of us miss out on these very isolated showers.Today's forecastYour Friday looks dry and mostly sunny as we stay in the mid 90s again.Both days of the weekend see the return for a spotty shower or storm,
  
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• TCSO launches cold case webpage in hopes of finding answers

  28-09-2023 03:25 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Travis County Sheriff's Office launched a cold case page on its website in hopes of reaching "people who can help solve these decades-old mysteries," according to a TCSO release. DNA technology helps solve 2004 San Marcos cold caseThe page, on the TCSO website, is organized by decade, the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, and will periodically feature specific cases at the top, the release said.The categories include photos of each victim and a description of the
  
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• DNA technology helps solve 2004 San Marcos cold case

  28-09-2023 01:28 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN Live’s top headlines for Sept. 27, 2023.SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) -- On Wednesday, the City of San Marcos said an October 2004 sexual assault cold case was solved due to advanced DNA technology, the agency said in a news release on its website.On Oct. 9, 2004, the San Marcos Police Department received a call about a man who entered a woman's home and sexually assaulted her in her bedroom, according to the release. When officers arrived on the
  
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• Austin middle school no longer directing traffic after verbal threats, according to principal

  28-09-2023 00:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Traffic issues at an Austin middle school have turned ugly, according to a recent email sent out by the school.Gorzycki Middle School's principal sent a the letter to parents this week, which highlights issues with parents using profanity, verbally threatening staff and yelling at the staff during school pick up.The letter states: "Starting Tuesday, GMS will have staff on the sidewalk in front of the school monitoring students, but will NOT be helping direct traffic an
  
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