Austin news

• 'Action means something to me': Mayor Kirk Watson responds to winter storm report

  03-10-2023 23:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After a City-wide after-action report was released Tuesday, KXAN City Hall reporter Grace Reader sat down with Mayor Kirk Watson to talk about what happens next.
  You can find the full interview with the mayor, broken into topics highlighted in the report, below:
  CommunicationThe report highlighted communication challenges between City, County and private-sector staff working the winter storm. There were challenges in determining which staff members should be doing what, meaning
  
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• Man running from Canada to Mexico to raise awareness for declining monarch butterfly population

  03-10-2023 23:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Canadian ultra-marathon runner Anthony Battah is running roughly 2,800 miles in 90 days to raise awareness for the rapidly declining monarch butterfly population. Battah's trek mirrors the monarch butterfly’s migration pattern, starting in Canada and finishing in Mexico. He left his home in Montreal on July 29 and plans to finish at the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, about two hours east of Mexico City, on Nov. 1. He will pass through Austin on Thursday or
  
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• Police identify body found while AFD responded to northwest Austin grass fire

  03-10-2023 23:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department has identified the woman found dead while firefighters responded to a grass fire in the Northwest Hills area as 32-year-old Melissa Davis.
  The Austin Fire Department responded to a grass fire just after 5 a.m. Friday morning near the intersection of Mesa Drive and Cat Mountain Drive. APD said fire officials contacted the police department when AFD found a body during that response.
  Davis was found with "trauma to the body," according to Tuesday's new
  
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• House makes history, removes McCarthy as Speaker

  03-10-2023 22:48 via kxan.com
  
  Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is no longer Speaker of the House.A small group of House Republicans, led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) joined with Democrats to oust him in a 216-210 vote.Tuesday marks the first time the House has ever voted to remove a sitting Speaker, a historic development that will catapult the chamber into another chaotic Speaker’s race following January’s marathon election.The House is now in uncharted territory.The chamber will be run by an acting Speaker —
  
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• ABJ: RetailMeNot seeks to downsize real estate footprint in Austin

  03-10-2023 22:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — RetailMeNot Inc. is rethinking its real estate footprint in downtown Austin, but what that means for the digital coupon company’s office space is still up in the air. The company’s lease for 100,055 square feet in the 301 Congress office tower downtown is up in January 2025, said Richard Paddock, office project partner at HPI Real Estate Services & Investments, who handles leasing at the tower. That lease is ending at a time when offi
  
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• Police need help solving 'road rage homicide' in north Austin

  03-10-2023 22:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Police are asking for the community's help to find the person who shot and killed a woman in north Austin this weekend after they got into a minor crash.
  Homicide Det. Israel Piña told reporters Tuesday afternoon that the victim's name is Teressa Gandy Ferguson, 46.MAP: Where have Austin’s homicides occurred in 2023?Officers said they found a person inside a vehicle that crashed Saturday evening into a guardrail on the southbound frontage road near the 8500 blo
  
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• LIVE: Police ask for help solving north Austin homicide after person found inside vehicle

  03-10-2023 22:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Police are asking for the community's help to solve a homicide that happened in north Austin this past weekend.
  Officers said they found a person inside a vehicle that crashed Saturday evening into a guardrail on the southbound frontage road near the 8500 block of North Interstate 35. Their investigation switched from a crash call to a homicide because the person they discovered had injuries “not consistent with a crash.” MAP: Where have Austin’s homicides
  
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• Georgetown to spray for mosquitos after trap tests positive for West Nile Virus

  03-10-2023 22:27 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — After another mosquito trap tested positive for West Nile Virus, the City of Georgetown will spray for mosquitos Sunday and Monday evenings, the city and county health district said Tuesday.
  The trap sample was collected Sept. 27 at a site on Yellow Rose Trail in Sun City, according to the city and Williamson County and Cities Health District.
  According to 2023 season data from the WCCHD, there have been 25 West Nile Virus-positive collections this year in
  
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• Pumpkin season: Patches, fall festivals open around Austin

  03-10-2023 22:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's pumpkin picking season, and several pumpkin patches and fall festivals are underway across the Austin area.
  From pumpkin picking to hayrides to apple cannons, here's a roundup of some Central Texas pumpkin patches.
  Crowe's Nest Farm FestThe festival in Manor features a pumpkin patch, hayrides, barrel rides, live music, a snake show, barn animals and more. The festival is open on Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 29.
  The fall festival is located at 10300 Taylor Lane, M
  
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• Austin ranks No. 2 in US for people starting a business, report says

  03-10-2023 22:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- According to a new analysis by LinkedIn's Economic graph team, Austin comes in at No. 2 for recent business-formation growth.
  Hotspots for new entrepreneurs:
  AtlantaAustinSeattleSan FranciscoChicagoBostonMiami-Fort LauderdaleNew York CityLos Angeles
  Denver
  The report noted that those metros span all major time zones in the country.
  "Austin, Texas (No. 2) and Chicago (No. 5) are standouts in the central U.S., while Denver (No. 10) is the Mountain time zone’s presence. On t
  
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• Austin ranks #2 in leading U.S. metro for people starting a business

  03-10-2023 22:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- According to a new analysis by LinkedIn's Economic graph team, Austin comes in at No. 2 for recent business-formation growth.
  Hotspots for new entrepreneurs:
  AtlantaAustinSeattleSan FranciscoChicagoBostonMiami-Fort LauderdaleNew York CityLos Angeles
  Denver
  The report noted that those metros span all major time zones in the country.
  "Austin, Texas (No. 2) and Chicago (No. 5) are standouts in the central U.S., while Denver (No. 10) is the Mountain time zone’s presence. On t
  
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• Police release sketch of man accused of attempted child abduction in Georgetown

  03-10-2023 21:41 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- On Tuesday, the Georgetown Police Department released a sketch of a man accused of attempting to abduct a child from their home last month in Georgetown.In a news release Tuesday, police provided a sketch, as well as a description of what the man could looked like the day the attempted abduction occurred on Sept. 18. Child taken away from Georgetown home in attempted abduction, police sayAt approximately 11 a.m., officers responded to the 3100 block of Northwest Boule
  
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• Pedernales Electric Cooperative celebrates turning 85 with its Central Texas birthday twins

  03-10-2023 21:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As the Pedernales Electric Cooperative celebrates its 85th anniversary, it's sharing the celebratory love with some Texas Hill Country residents also turning the big 8-5.PEC is hosting birthday parties alongside its customers also turning 85 this year, according to a news release. Its first celebration was held Tuesday at the Kyle Area Senior Zone, the release added.Approximately 80 residents were expected to attend the event, officials said in the release. Event festivities inc
  
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• San Marcos police identify homicide suspect, ask for help locating him

  03-10-2023 20:39 via kxan.com
  
  Note: the above video shows KXAN's previous coverage identifying the victim in the homicide.
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) -- The San Marcos Police Department has released the identity of the suspect involved in a homicide over the weekend and is asking for the public's help locating him.
  Police identified Ray Robert Saenz Jr.,18, as the suspect in the Saturday death of 41-year-old Nathaniel Hudson.PREVIOUS: San Marcos police identify homicide victimSMPD said Saenz may be armed, and investigators con
  
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• 2023 Austin ice storm debris could fill Q2 Stadium 4 times over, city report finds

  03-10-2023 20:36 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for Oct. 3, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The ice storm that coated the greater Austin area in late January and early February was responsible for more than 170,000 tons of storm debris -- enough to fill Q2 Stadium more than four times over, an after-action report from Austin Resource Recovery revealed.The "historic" winter storm resulted in approximately 0.71 inches of freezing rain and ice accumulation, the most in city h
  
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• Near-record heat Wednesday, then cooler and wetter weather

  03-10-2023 20:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Unseasonably hot weather persists overnight into Wednesday, with morning lows and daytime highs approaching record warmth for Oct. 4. But two strong cold fronts and a rain-making storm are approaching Texas.The chance of rain remains low overall overnight and Wednesday, but a few passing showers and storms are possible for some.The guarantee of periods of rainfall and the start of more autumn-like temperatures come on Thursday. Read the full details at the link below. BLOG: Fall
  
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• It's not just Tesla: Elon Musk's other companies look to hire dozens in Central Texas

  03-10-2023 20:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) -- Elon Musk’s business empire continues to ramp up operations across Central Texas.Aside from Tesla, Musk’s other companies include space and rocket pioneer SpaceX, tunneling startup The Boring Company and brain implant startup Neuralink Corp. Combined, the companies are hiring for more than 100 positions in a variety of fields and are building or leasing space across the metro.In Bastrop County, shell companies tied to Musk own close to 450 acres al
  
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• Driver dies after crashing into construction truck on MoPac

  03-10-2023 20:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A 26-year-old died last week after crashing into a construction truck on MoPac, according to the Austin Police Department.
  According to APD, Javier Graves was driving a sedan in the 2900 block of South MoPac Expressway when he crashed into the back of a construction truck. The crash happened shortly after 1 a.m.Sept. 27.
  Graves was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
  The driver of the construction truck was also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, APD
  
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• Amid soaring rates of STIs, the CDC has a new recommendation to reduce them

  03-10-2023 19:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – To increase sexually transmitted infection prevention in groups at an elevated risk, medical professionals might consider prescribing a common antibiotic soon after a person has been exposed, according to a CDC and HHS draft recommendation released Monday. STI rates have reached record highs with no indication of slowing down— cases of gonorrhea, syphilis and congenital syphilis have increased in recent years, according to the CDC. There was a slight decrease in
  
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• ERCOT trying to increase operating reserves ahead of winter

  03-10-2023 19:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas' electric grid operator is looking to increase its operating reserves in preparation for winter this year.
  The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, sent a Request for Proposal (RFP) to stakeholders Monday to increase operating reserves to add up to an additional 3,000 megawatts for this winter's peak load season, per a release from ERCOT.
  “Our request to procure capacity in advance of winter is part of our continued commitment to maintain grid r
  
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• Man sentenced for 2021 murders of 2 teens in Caldwell County

  03-10-2023 19:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man pleaded guilty to two counts of murder in the May 2021 deaths of two teens in Caldwell County, according to court documents.
  Michael Morris pleaded guilty to the murder charges with 50-year sentences for each charge, according to a Sept. 13 plea agreement. These will be served concurrently.
  In May 2021, the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call concerning gunfire. When deputies arrived, they found two people with gunshot wounds who died at the scene
  
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• Communication, shelter issues identified during 'hurricane-level' Austin ice storm, report says

  03-10-2023 18:42 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for Oct. 3, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Communication difficulties between city and county staff, translation service mishaps and shelter security issues were some of the necessary improvements flagged in the City of Austin and Travis County's winter storm after-action report.The report evaluated the city and county's response to the extreme winter storm that slammed the region in late January and early February 2023, lea
  
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• Where 2023 ACL Festival attendees are coming from, according to Airbnb

  03-10-2023 18:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin City Limits Music Festival starts this weekend, and thousands of festival-goers are expected to come to the Live Music Capital of the World.
  Vacation rental company Airbnb said the 2022 ACL Festival brought over $10 million in revenue to hosts in Austin. This was generated by about 20,000 guests.RELATED: Who is performing at ACL this year?The average guest spent about $250 per day in Austin at shops, restaurants and bars, according to Airbnb's survey of guests.
  I
  
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• Here’s what Austin Energy needs to fix or improve, according to 2023 winter storm after-action report

  03-10-2023 18:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Energy needs to focus on communication, customer experience, emergency preparedness, storm response and coordination, according to a newly-released after-action report on the 2023 winter storm.
  Over several days at the beginning of February, nearly a third of the utility’s customers lost power when ice-coated tree limbs -- and even entire trees -- crashed down onto power lines. In some spots, ice accumulated directly on the power lines, taking them down and leaving
  
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• There are new updated guidelines for breast cancer screenings, here's what to know:

  03-10-2023 16:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and according to health officials 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.This year, two new guidelines were issued in hopes of detecting breast cancer early.“Breast cancer is the most common cancer that is detected in women, it doesn't matter if you don't have risk factors for breast cancer, just being a woman is enough of a risk factor,” said breast surgeon Dr. Ingrid Lizarraga.
  “And we know
  
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• New updated guidelines for breast cancer screenings — here's what to know

  03-10-2023 16:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and according to health officials, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.This year, two new guidelines were issued in hopes of detecting breast cancer early.“Breast cancer is the most common cancer that is detected in women, it doesn't matter if you don't have risk factors for breast cancer, just being a woman is enough of a risk factor,” said breast surgeon Dr. Ingrid Lizarraga.
  “And
  
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• Austin doctor changing children’s lives in Kenya

  03-10-2023 15:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin doctor is saving lives across Africa.Dr. Karen Keough recently returned from a medical mission trip to Kenya where she delivered lifesaving neurological care to children in need. This marked the pediatric neurologist’s sixth mission trip."It's an incredible opportunity to provide care in an area that is sorely lacking with medical care at all,” she said.Over the years, the medical director of Pediatrix Specialty Care of Austin has helped hundreds of ki
  
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• LIVE: APD investigating possible in-custody death

  03-10-2023 14:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)– Austin Police are investigating what they call a possible in-custody death Tuesday morning in northwest Austin.
  According to Austin Police, officers were called at 3:07 a.m. to the 12300 block of Research Boulevard for a report of a pedestrian on a high-speed roadway.
  Austin police investigate a possible in-custody death on the 12300 block of Research Boulevard Oct. 3, 2023 (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey)Austin police investigate a possible in-custody death on the 12300 block of Re
  
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• Death investigation: Officer stunned man who hit himself with metal object, APD says

  03-10-2023 14:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An officer stunned a man early Tuesday morning after police said he kept striking himself with a metal object. The man later died at a local hospital.
  Police said they began receiving multiple 911 calls at about 3:05 a.m. about a pedestrian on U.S. 183 near the 12300 block of Research Blvd. The callers told police the man had obvious injuries to his body.
  Police said they arrived on scene at about 3:09 a.m. and attempted to speak with the man and de-escalate the situation.
  
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• Blood-covered man hitting himself walked Highway 183, stunned by APD, dies

  03-10-2023 14:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An officer stunned a man early Tuesday morning after police said he kept striking himself with a metal object. The man later died at a local hospital.Looks like he's got a pipe on him…he's got blood all over him…he's carrying a pipe."
  Broadcastify AudioPolice said they began receiving multiple 911 calls at about 3:05 a.m. about a pedestrian on U.S. 183 near the 12300 block of Research Blvd. The callers told police the man had obvious injuries to his body.
  Poli
  
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• APD investigating possible in-custody death

  03-10-2023 14:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)– Austin Police are investigating what they call a possible in-custody death Tuesday morning in northwest Austin.
  According to Austin Police, officers were called at 3:07 a.m. to the 12300 block of Research Boulevard for a report of a pedestrian on a high-speed roadway.
  Police told KXAN the death did not involve a shooting. Interim Chief of Police Robin Henderson was informed of the incident, according to APD.
  This is a breaking story and KXAN will update you as we get more in
  
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• APD looking for two armed robbery suspects

  03-10-2023 13:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police said Monday they were looking for two men suspected of stealing from a vehicle and then shooting at the vehicle's owner.
  Police said the crime happened on Tuesday, Sept. 26 between 5 and 7 a.m. at Glenhill Road and Shelbourne Drive. That is in the Coronado Hills neighborhood in East Austin near US 290 and US 183.
  Police said the two men were stealing items from the vehicle when the owner caught them. Both men fired several gunshots at the owner before leaving
  
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• Texas Rep. Cuellar unharmed in armed carjacking in DC

  03-10-2023 12:10 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) - Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) was carjacked in Washington, D.C. on Monday night, according to a staffer from his office.
  Cuellar was parking his car outside of his apartment in Navy Yard, D.C. when three armed individuals approached the congressman and stole his car, Cuellar's chief of staff confirmed to The Hill.
  Rep. Henry Cuellar (Associated Press/Eric Gay)Cuellar's chief of staff said the Texas Democrat was not harmed in the incident and authorities later recovered the car.
  When
  
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• One dead after reported hit-and-run in far north Austin

  03-10-2023 10:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police said one person died Tuesday morning after a reported hit-and-run in far north Austin.
  According to APD, officers got the call at 1:33 a.m. of a person who was bleeding after being hit by a vehicle in the southbound lanes of the MoPac Expressway Service Road. The location is between Parmer Lane and Duval Road.
  Police said that person's injuries were "incompatible with life."According to APD, no vehicles or suspects were found at the scene.
  The southbound MoPac
  
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• No arrest made in southeast Austin homicide, police identify victim

  03-10-2023 04:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Monday, the Austin Police Department said no arrests were made in a southeast Austin homicide that occurred last week, and the victim was also identified, according to a APD news release. One person dead, police investigating as homicide at southeast Austin apartment complexShortly before 11 a.m., Sept. 26, 911 dispatch received several calls about a man who was shot in the parking lot at 2319 Greenfield Parkway, according to police. Officers arrived on the scene and found Ke
  
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• Two more days in the 90s ahead of autumn-like change

  03-10-2023 04:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Although unseasonably hot weather continues Tuesday and Wednesday, these may be some of Austin's last 90-degree days of the year as we track an autumn-like change in the weather late this week.A broad western storm is approaching Texas, bringing mostly cloudy skies and a small rain chance early this week. As the powerful storm clips Texas and sends a cold front our way on Thursday, storms become likely and temperatures drop. BLOG: Fall storm coming: Rainfall, timing and the temp
  
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• Two more afternoons of above-normal highs

  03-10-2023 04:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's another afternoon of summertime heat with daytime highs for most of the area heading to the upper 80s to low 90s. Moist air is in place with a southeast wind bringing in Gulf moisture.
  There will be a slim chance of a few mid- tolate-afternoon showers and isolated thunderstorms today. A slightly higher 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms will be in tomorrow's forecast.A broad western storm arrives early Thursday along with a cold front. BLOG: Fall storm coming: Rainfall
  
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• Suspect in Austin hospital explosion enters guilty plea

  03-10-2023 03:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man suspected in an explosion in an Austin hospital parking garage that occurred in August entered a guilty plea on Monday, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release.Raymond Luke Garner, 38, of Jonestown, pleaded guilty to possessing an unregistered destructive device, which officials referred to as a pipe bomb, that detonated in a parking garage at St. David's Medical Center, the release said. 1 arrested after St. David’s parking garage explosionOn. Aug. 9,
  
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• Austin police, safety commission discuss communication with families after police shootings

  03-10-2023 03:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Monday, the Austin Public Safety Commission asked the Austin Police Department questions about protocols and procedures surrounding the department's communication with families after officer-involved shootings.Assistant Chief James Mason said the department gets members of the Victims Services Department to family members of those hurt or killed by police officers as soon as possible.
  The goal of these representatives isto "respond to crime victim's psychological and emotiona
  
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• Border security debate looming in Texas legislature

  03-10-2023 01:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Texas lawmakers will return to the capitol on Oct. 9 for the third special session amid a record surge of migrants in Eagle Pass, setting the stage for a renewed debate over how the state should respond.Gov. Greg Abbott said last week he intends to ask lawmakers to consider legislation relating to immigration and border security. The governor has the sole authority to set the agenda during special sessions, and some lawmakers are urging him to include their own ideas on the c
  
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• UIL, TASO reverse player's ejection, issue suspension after official rips helmet off during game

  03-10-2023 01:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A high school football official has been suspended and a player's eligibility has been restored following an on-field incident Sept. 29 during a varsity football game in Seagoville.Video taken during the 3A-District 7 game between Whitney and Dallas Madison shows the official, who hasn't been publically identified, ripping the helmet off Whitney player Trey Haynes. Haynes bumped into the official twice while backpedaling and reading the play, and after the second bump, the
  
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• Hays CISD can remove students from school after 5 straight absences without notice

  03-10-2023 01:38 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for Oct. 2, 2023.HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Fewer students showing up to school prompted Hays CISD to change its attendance policy.
  This school year, the district decreased the number of consecutive days a student can be absent without giving notice to the district.
  "Anyone who sort of disappears, if you will, on us for five days, and they're gone, we can un-enroll them," Hays CISD spokesperson Tim Savoy said
  
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• More Texas Black mothers die while giving birth, so an HBCU looked for solutions

  03-10-2023 00:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin's historically Black university is launching a new doula-midwife training program.Huston-Tillotson is partnering with Black Mamas ATX and Blue Cross Blue Shield. The university set out to add more culturally competent people to the maternal health workforce through Boldly B.L.U.E. BCBSTX, Huston-Tillotson announce collaboration for culturally-aligned maternal, infant healthcare in TexasState data shows Black women die while giving birth at a higher rate compared to o
  
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