Austin news

• Congregation Beth Israel hosts congregation in new space nearly two years after arson

  30-09-2023 22:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — "Just a battering of our soul," said former president of Congregation Beth Israel Laura Corman said of a 2021 fire that burned the synagogue.
  After using worship space at nearby St. Matthew's for nearly two years, the congregation is back at home - just one building over, and just in time for Yom Kippur.ORIGINAL STORY: Arson investigators respond to fire started outside central Austin synagogue"We weren’t able to gather in our home with our worship in our community,"
  
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• San Marcos police shut down portion of highway to search for homicide suspect, road has since reopened

  30-09-2023 22:00 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – San Marcos Police closed in both directions a portion of Highway 123 early Saturday morning due to an ongoing homicide investigation. The portion of the highway, between Redwood Road and Old Bastrop Road, was reopened after 5 a.m. Saturday, but police have yet to release additional details about the homicide incident except that SMPD was continuing its investigation. In a social media post, the San Marcos Police Department said it closed down the highwa
  
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• San Marcos police identify homicide victim

  30-09-2023 22:00 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – On Sunday, the San Marcos Police Department identified a homicide victim in connection with an incident that occurred Saturday morning.According to SMPD, the victim was identified as 41-year-old Nathaniel Hudson.San Marcos Police closed in both directions a portion of Highway 123 early Saturday morning due to an ongoing homicide investigation. The portion of the highway, between Redwood Road and Old Bastrop Road, was reopened after 5 a.m. Saturday, but polic
  
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• Gov. Abbott calls third special session to begin Oct. 9

  30-09-2023 21:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Gov. Greg Abbott said a special session will start at 1 p.m., Oct. 9, according to a letter sent to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan.Abbott told Christian faith leaders in a tele-town hall on Sept. 12 that he intended to call another special session this year. The upcoming special session will be the third of the year and is set to begin in October.What's to come in the third special session?One of the main items on the agenda Abbott plan
  
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• Gov. Greg Abbott says special lawmaking session will begin on Oct. 9, likely on school vouchers

  30-09-2023 21:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) -- Gov. Greg Abbott has notified the Texas Legislature that a third special session will begin on Oct. 9.A Sept. 26 letter signed by Abbott and addressed to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan, did not indicate the focus of this special session. But the governor has said repeatedly the next special session would focus on public education, including the issues of school vouchers and public school funding.Abbott’s decision comes
  
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• Lane closures on I-35 at Williams Drive begin Sunday

  30-09-2023 20:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) said there would be lane closures on Interstate 35 beginning Sunday due to construction.According to TxDOT, the closures would be along Williams Drive.The left lane of Northbound I-35 from the State Highway 29/University Avenue exit (261) to Northwest Boulevard would be closed nightly from Sunday, Oct. 1 through Monday, Oct. 2 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.On Northbound I-35 from the San Gabriel River to Northwest Boulevard, the left la
  
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• Top 25 matchup in the Big 12 Saturday at DKR, No. 3 Texas vs. No. 24 Kansas

  30-09-2023 19:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The No. 3 Texas Longhorns hope to exorcise the demons of 2021 when the No. 24 Kansas Jayhawks last visited DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.The Jayhawks came into Austin and stopped the Longhorns 57-56 in overtime on a 2-point conversion to Jared Casey who caught his first pass of the season on the play, but both coaches agreed earlier in the week the game was long ago and the current teams are much different.
  #Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian (@CoachSark) greets the student sect
  
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• No. 3 Longhorns offense fires on all cylinders in 40-14 win over No. 24 Kansas

  30-09-2023 19:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you haven't heard of Jonathon Brooks now, that's your own fault.The bruising Texas running back ran roughshod over the No. 24 Kansas Jayhawks for 217 yards on 20 carries with two touchdowns to help lead the No. 3 Longhorns to a 40-14 win Saturday at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.
  #Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian (@CoachSark) greets the student section🤟at DKR. ’Horns hoping for their first 5-0 start since the 2009 season. #HookEm pic.twitter.com/eyNtOJpUzy&mda
  
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• These are Texas' highest-rated haunted tours on TripAdvisor

  30-09-2023 19:11 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Boo! It's finally October and with it comes (hopefully) cooler temperatures and fun spooky nights out with friends and family. If you're looking for a pre-Halloween activity in Texas, you're in luck: the Lone Star State has no shortage of ghoulish festivities to help you get in the spirit.Using TripAdvisor's Traveler Favorite rankings, here are the top 10 haunted tours in Texas. 9 rattlesnakes of Texas and how to spot themRankTourLocationCost per person1.The Haunted Ghost Bus T
  
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• Florida investigators solve woman's murder nearly 30 years later; suspect's daughter provides 'significant' evidence

  30-09-2023 16:16 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – On Nov. 1, 1993, Roslin Kruse was found dead on the shoulder of a road in Gibsonton, Florida, having been strangled to death.Now, nearly 30 years later, detectives in Hillsborough County say they have identified the man they believed murdered the 23-year-old woman thanks to a "significant breakthrough.""In the realm of law enforcement, there are few challenges as daunting as solving a cold case that has lingered for nearly three decades," Sheriff Chad Chronister said.K
  
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• APD makes progress in recruiting 911 dispatchers, call-takers

  30-09-2023 15:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) –  The Austin Police Department is making progress in hiring enough staff for its Emergency Communication (ECOMMS) center, according to a memo. Staffing shortages in the department have led to slower-than-normal pick-ups for emergencies in the last couple of years. APD said it has been “hyper-focused” in addressing the large number of vacancies, which has led to the implementation of some effective programs, per the memo. MORE: APD: Latest average 911 ho
  
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• ATCEMS: 1 taken to hospital with critical injuries after vehicle rescue in south east Austin

  30-09-2023 14:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin-Travis County EMS responded to a vehicle rescue call early Saturday morning in southeast Austin.The rollover collision, which caused the patient to become trapped under a vehicle, occurred before 6 a.m. in the 1100 block of Bastrop Highway Service Road, ATCEMS said.
  The adult patient was unconscious and transported to Dell Seton Medical Center with critical life-threatening injuries.
  
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• New shade structures in East Austin make it easier to enjoy the outdoors

  30-09-2023 14:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Parks Foundation made it easier to beat the heat with the unveiling of new shade structures at the recently opened Pomerleau Park.
  It's part of a $2 million commitment the foundation has to match the city's funds for providing heat protection for playgrounds and recreational facilities across Austin.
  "I think this summer highlighted the need for shade more than ever," said Austin Parks Foundation CEO Collin Wallis. "And as council member Alter said, people won't
  
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• East Austin affordable housing development to begin construction next month

  30-09-2023 14:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin's Housing Department has officially closed on $74.5 million to help finance affordable, multi-family housing in East Austin.
  Construction on Phase 1 of the development, referred to as Seabrook Square 1, is meant to start in October. The Housing Department says the 204-unit, multi-family apartment building will be built at 3511 and 3515 Manor Road, now addressed as 2210 Pershing Drive.
  Construction of Phase 2, which consists of  60 units of permanent
  
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• New pop-up course hopes to prepare Austin residents for the worst

  30-09-2023 14:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new pop-up training course is hoping to keep the citizens of Austin safer.
  The City of Austin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, or Austin HSEM,held a class on basic emergency preparedness called "Ready Together" on September 28th at the Montopolis Recreation & Community Center.
  The 2-hour course covered the four steps of emergency preparedness, which Austin HSEM describes as making a plan, building a kit, knowing your neighbors, and staying informe
  
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• Very warm to start October before rain chances rise

  30-09-2023 14:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A slim rain chance (10%) will continue for southern areas into the first couple hours of the evening, but mostly it's a dry rest of your Saturday as we wrap up September at midnight.Overnight will be partly cloudy and I anticipate more clouds for Sunday, but that won't stop it being warm. Highs should reach the low to mid 90s. A very limited, less than 10%, rain chance is in place for the late afternoon and evening hours of Sunday, but generally it's another dry day.Sunday's for
  
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• A weekend of heat but cooler air is on the way

  30-09-2023 14:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Afternoon highs today through Monday will return to mostly the middle 90s. Temperatures will lower to the upper 80s to low 90s Tuesday and Wednesday.
  A cold front heading to Central Texas will deliver a north wind Thursday dropping highs to the upper 70s to low 80s for the end of the week.
  That's the first piece of good news. The better news is that rain chances will go up beginning Tuesday as Gulf moisture moves into the area. It's mostly rain Tuesday though there will be an in
  
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• Texas high school football scores for Friday, Sept. 29

  30-09-2023 06:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin High Maroons picked up their first win of the season with a 31-27 win over Bowie at Burger Stadium on Friday.Now every team except for Akins in 6A-District 26 has a district victory. The loss drops Bowie to 2-2 in district play and a three-way tie for fourth with Buda Johnson and Anderson.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 on our we
  
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• Dangerous dogs killing cats in North Austin

  30-09-2023 05:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Over the past two weeks, a pair of stray dogs have killed over five cats within the Wooten neighborhood in North Austin.Carie Hendrick lives in a nearby condominium complex.She said a number of neighbors have reported these incidents of their pets being under attack to 311.Yet, help hasn’t arrived."Everyone's very much on edge with their own pets and worried about the prey instinct of these dogs,” Hendrick said.These dogs typically hunt between dawn and dusk, as
  
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• APD: Suspect accused of robbing east Austin bank twice

  30-09-2023 02:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police are looking for a suspect accused of robbing the same east Austin bank twice over the span of three months, according to an APD release.APD said the estimated 16 to 22-year-old went to an A+ Federal Credit Union location on U.S. Highway 290, demanded cash and threatened a bank teller on June 21 at 12:20 p.m. and Sept. 28 at 3:20 p.m.The suspect was described by police as a thin Black man, around 5’4” to 5’6” tall with long dreadlocks or twis
  
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• $240M in funding to go toward Texas seaports

  30-09-2023 02:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Friday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced the Texas Transportation Commission approved $240 million in funding for Texas seaports.“Texas ports play a critical role in our state’s booming economy, helping Texas continue to drive America’s economy and remain a hub for international trade,” said Governor Abbott. “This historic investment will not only bolster Texas’ ports infrastructure, it will help build a brighter economic future for all Texa
  
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• Boat ramp at Decker Lake closed due to low water levels

  30-09-2023 01:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Beginning Sunday, public access to the boat ramp at Lake Walter E. Long, or Decker Lake, would be closed, according to the City of Austin.The city said on Sept. 12, the elevation of the lake was 554.07 feet above mean sea level, which was approximately one foot below the normal operational range. Officials said the lake level was too low to safely allow boating.“The lake level is maintained by pumping water from the Colorado River. Flows from the Colorado River have b
  
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• 'My fight will continue': Paxton whistleblower ready for lawsuit to move forward

  30-09-2023 01:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) - Two weeks after Attorney General Ken Paxton's acquittal in his impeachment trial, the Texas Supreme Court announced on Friday that the whistleblowers' lawsuit against Paxton can move forward.The lawsuit was filed by former top deputies at the Office of Attorney General who claim they were wrongfully fired by Paxton.The former employees say the firings came after making "good faith" reports to the FBI about alleged actions taken by Paxton for the benefit of Austin-area real est
  
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• Austin wants to 'cap and stitch' TxDOT's I-35 expansion -- but can it afford it?

  30-09-2023 01:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin has been working with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for years to make major changes to the state's Interstate 35 Capitol Express Central project.
  But as a major funding deadline looms, Council Member Vanessa Fuentes hinted at the question during a mobility committee meeting Thursday: How is the City going to pay for it?
  The City of Austin needs to fork over roughly $730 million dollars to TxDOT if it wants all of the "caps and stitches" it wor
  
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• Longhorns wide receiver DeAndre Moore using NIL money for turkey-based food truck

  30-09-2023 00:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In an effort to stand out in Austin's food truck scene, Texas Longhorns wide receiver Deandre Moore wants to talk turkey.With his mother Taleea doing the cooking, the freshman wideout is using NIL money to fund Jive Turkey, a food truck with a turkey-based menu in central Austin at 1637 E. Riverside Drive. Longhorns’ Gbenda seeing perseverance pay offWhile in high school, Moore was looking to incorporate leaner sources of protein into his diet as he trained to be a co
  
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• City approves petition signed by Taylor residents to stop pay increases for city council members

  30-09-2023 00:08 via kxan.com
  
  TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) -- A petition signed by more than 1,300 Taylor residents was approved by the City of Taylor and the city clerk in an attempt to overturn a pay increase for city council members, a city spokesperson confirmed to KXAN Friday.The petition was submitted by Terry Burris, the man who started the petition.“Most were upset that the council gave themselves an increase,” Burris said.On Aug. 17, after nearly a year of discussing pay compensation, council members voted 3-2 t
  
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