Austin news

• Natural gas line being repaired on Loop 360, official says

  06-10-2023 23:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Friday, the Texas Gas Service responded to a gas line hit on Loop 360, and there is no word on when the repairs will be complete, according to a Texas Gas Service spokesperson.Crews are on-site working to shut off the gas and make repairs, the spokesperson said. The agency is taking steps to prevent customers from losing service in the area.The spokesperson said to call 811 or submit a line locate request to Texas811.org at least 48 hours in advance before any digging project
  
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• Some key stats that could help decide the 119th edition of the Red River Rivalry

  06-10-2023 23:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — This is how the Red River Rivalry (Showdown, Shootout, etc.) is supposed to be.
  Texas and Oklahoma enter the game undefeated and playing at extremely high levels. The Sooners offense scores like they're playing a video game and the Longhorns defense plays out of its mind when opponents get in the red zone. It's a matchup of clashing styles and teams that are ready to leave the Big 12 Conference with the best parting gift possible, the conference championship trophy.Red Rive
  
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• It's not allergies: Seasonal changes, weather could trigger migraines

  06-10-2023 23:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thursday's storm may have been the cause of migraines for people in the Austin area due to a combination of environmental triggers, according to a local doctor.
  Dr. Samantha Irwin, a pediatric neurologist at Dell Children's who specializes in headache disorders, said that there's a wide range of precipitants or triggers that can lead to a migraine. These can include changes in sleep patterns, stress, and changes in hydration or eating patterns."We've been able to use electr
  
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• Austin Animal Center director addresses audit, council criticism

  06-10-2023 22:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After an audit and external review of the Austin Animal Center were released last week, KXAN sat down with Chief Animal Services Officer and director, Don Bland, to respond to the concerns found in it.
  Bland pointed to overcrowding at the shelter as a major issue and said he wants the City of Austin to lean on public feedback to form next steps. He also responded to harsh criticism from Austin City Council members.
  The conversation is edited for conciseness.KXAN's Grace Reader:
  
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• St. Mark's Medical Center in La Grange to cease operations Oct. 12

  06-10-2023 20:40 via kxan.com
  
  LA GRANGE, Texas (KXAN) -- St. Mark's Medical Center in La Grange announced it is closing its doors and ceasing all operations next week.
  St. Mark's said in a press release, dated Oct. 4, that it will cease all operations effective 7 a.m., Oct. 12.
  The release said the closure results from St. Mark's "ongoing inability to meet its financial obligations."Earlier this year, St. Mark's transitioned to Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation that preserved emergency department services and most o
  
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• Victim identified, suspect arrested in south Austin homicide investigation

  06-10-2023 20:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Court documents filed Thursday provided additional details surrounding a Tuesday homicide investigation in south Austin.According to court documents, police responded shortly before midnight for a call regarding a possible dead person in the 1100 block of Cumberland Road.When police arrived, a man’s body was found inside a vehicle, and Austin Police identified the man as 20-year-old Rickye Henderson. PAST COVERAGE: Police investigating homicide in south Austin; City&r
  
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• Search warrant: Police believe woman found in west Austin fire burned alive

  06-10-2023 20:01 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The above video is KXAN's previous coverage of the homicide investigation.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Police believe a woman firefighters found dead in the Northwest Hills area of west Austin last month was burned alive, according to a search warrant issued by the Austin Police Department.Earlier this week, the police department identified that woman as Melissa Davis, 33. Police are investigating her death as a homicide. Police identify body found while AFD responded to northwest Austin gras
  
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• East Austin coffee shop announces end-of-year permanent closure after 17 years

  06-10-2023 19:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A long-standing east Austin coffee shop announced its impending closure on Friday.
  Thunderbird Coffee, which has sat at 2200 Manor Road since 2006, announced on its Instagram page the shop would be permanently closing by Dec. 17.
  Thunderbird Coffee, which has sat at 2200 Manor Road since 2006, announced Friday the shop would be permanently closing by December 17, 2023. (KXAN Photo/Kate Winkle) Thunderbird Coffee, which has sat at 2200 Manor Road since 2006, announced Friday the
  
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• Medics on Austin's lakes help response times, EMS says: A review of the pilot program

  06-10-2023 18:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In March, Austin-Travis County EMS launched a pilot program where medics joined Austin lake patrol police officers on patrol boats on Lady Bird Lake and Lake Austin.The pilot is currently over because it's no longer busy season for Austin's waterways, and now ATCEMS is reviewing the results of the pilot to determine whether - and in what capacity - to bring it back next year. EMS’ pilot program speeds up water rescues on Lake Austin, Lady Bird Lake"What we know about water
  
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• Bertram on its way to becoming a 'Music Friendly Texas Community'

  06-10-2023 18:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A virtual Music Friendly Texas Community workshop is taking place on Wednesday, Oct. 11. The program is designed to help promote music business-related endeavors within Texas communities.The workshop is hosted by the Texas Music Office (TMO), the City of Bertram and Globe Theatre Bertram.On Wednesday, Gov. Greg Abbott said music was key to the Texas brand as well as its local economies."With support from the Texas Music Office, the Texas music industry accounted for more th
  
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• Texas lawmakers to reconsider banning private employers from requiring COVID-19 vaccine

  06-10-2023 18:08 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN Live’s top headlines for Oct. 6, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — When Texas lawmakers return for the third special legislative session Monday, they're set to reconsider an effort to ban private employers from requiring their workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
  During an announcement Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott included that as part of the four agenda items that he set to guide the legislators' work once they return to the Capitol. In addition to p
  
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• Teachers hope for long-awaited pay raise in special session

  06-10-2023 17:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- When lawmakers convened for Texas' 88th legislative session in January, teachers and public schools across the state were eagerly anticipating a bigger slice of the state budget -- to combat inflation, a mass exodus of teachers, and challenges still lingering from the pandemic, they conveyed at the time. Ten months later, they are still waiting to see any change to their bottom line.Gov. Abbott's call for the third special session, which begins at 1 p.m. Monday, puts educatio
  
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• PHOTOS: Removal of Barton Springs tree 'Flo'

  06-10-2023 16:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The removal process for a beloved landmark at Barton Springs Pool began this week.
  The Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) said a leaning tree known as "Flo" needed to be removed due to ongoing structural defects combined with a confirmed diagnosis of brittle cinder fungus. PARD said the fungus has no cure and would cause the tree to fail, creating "a life safety hazard." PAST STORY | Group pitches last-chance plan to save historic Barton Springs tree FloRemoval w
  
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• With opioid use on the rise, experts warn so is Hepatitis C, stress need for testing

  06-10-2023 16:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One recovering addict is hoping the Austin advocates handing out the Narcan at the Austin City Limit Music Festival will ask one important question, “have you been tested for hepatitis C?”Devin Lyall is stressing the importance of hepatitis testing after contracting the disease.“I encourage anyone who's providing services to individuals seeking recovery, or people who use drugs to encourage testing for every single person that walks through the door," Lyall sai
  
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• Why Ascension Seton hospitals are glowing pink

  06-10-2023 15:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Every night in October, Ascension Seton said its hospitals would be glowing pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.Ascension Seton said it would serve as a reminder for women to get regular mammograms.The hospitals that will glow pink this month include:
  Ascension Seton Medical Center AustinDell Seton Medical Center at the University of TexasAscension Seton HaysAscension Seton WilliamsonAscension Seton BastropAscension Seton Edgar B DavisAscension Seton Smithville.
  “O
  
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• Eanes ISD to purchase 9 Tesla vehicles for district police department

  06-10-2023 14:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — During Tuesday evening’s special meeting, the Eanes Independent School District board of trustees voted to approve a proposal to add Tesla vehicles to its district police car fleet.The district said it would buy nine Model Y cars, which was a part of a proposal brought forward by Tesla.“The basic Tesla Model Y has been successfully utilized as a police vehicle in over 50 agencies throughout the U.S. The vehicle will require very little maintenance and no fuel an
  
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• CMT Music Awards return to Austin in 2024

  06-10-2023 13:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The CMT Music Awards will return to Austin in 2024 for a second year, organizers revealed on Thursday.
  The show will again be held at the Moody Center on Sunday April 7, starting at 7 p.m.
  “As the ‘Live Music Capital of the World,’ Austin is no stranger to celebrating its vibrant music community and showcasing an eclectic array of musical talents. We’re proud that the CMT Music Awards are returning to Austin, and we can’t wait to welcome artist
  
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• Hays County lifts burn ban

  06-10-2023 13:18 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – Hays County authorities lifted a burn ban in the county Thursday.
  According to a social media post Thursday night, authorities asked everyone to use caution with any outdoor burning and to have a water source nearby.
  Hays was the latest county to lift its ban. Williamson County lifted the burn ban for unincorporated areas within the county's jurisdiction on Monday.KXAN has a map of burn bans statewide.
  
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• Leander ISD Board votes to oppose vouchers ahead of special session

  06-10-2023 13:11 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) – Days before the Texas Legislature meets to consider Gov. Greg Abbott's call for education savings accounts (ESA), the Leander Independent School District Board of Trustees voted Thursday night to oppose any type of voucher, including ESAs."We want to make sure we are focusing all of our attention on meeting the needs of each students that is living in our boundaries that wants to come to public school. I don't mind school choice but I do mind when public dollars are
  
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• Warmer today ahead of the coolest highs since May

  06-10-2023 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Just in time for the thousands of visitors flocking to Austin for ACL Weekend One, our weather turns gorgeous... like it didn't just throw out 80 days of triple digit heat at us this summer.Afternoon highs will return to the low to mid-80s today -- right at average for this time of year.A mix of sun and clouds will stretch overhead with dry skies areawide. Later today, a dry cold front will push through bringing breezy winds and cooler temperatures, but no rain.
  This front will
  
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• Gorgeous fall weather this weekend

  06-10-2023 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Just in time for the thousands of visitors flocking to Austin for ACL Weekend One, our weather turns gorgeous... like it didn't just throw out 80 days of triple digit heat at us this summer.Afternoon highs will return to the low to mid-80s today -- right at average for this time of year.A mix of sun and clouds will stretch overhead with dry skies areawide. Later today, a dry cold front will push through bringing breezy winds and cooler temperatures, but no rain.
  This front will
  
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• Breezy cold front brings coolest highs since April

  06-10-2023 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --Friday was a noticeably warmer day across Central Texas thanks to some extra sunshine that pushed temperatures into the middle and upper 80s, however a second cold front is just hours away.That cold front, currently working into North Texas, will arrive for most of us just before midnight and bring increasing winds and the coolest air in months.Tonight skies will range from partly to mostly cloudy. Wind gusts 20-25 mph will be possible after the front slides south.
  Breezy Saturda
  
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• Austin weather history: The hottest, coolest and wettest ACL festivals

  06-10-2023 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows the latest from the KXAN First Warning Weather team.AUSTIN (KXAN) — From the triple digits to the 60s, and from drought to deluge, the Austin City Limits music festival has seen a variety of wild weather since its inception in 2002.KXAN dug through the archives to find the hottest, coolest and wettest ACL festivals in history.FIRST WARNING WEATHER: Stay up to date with your Central Texas forecast, sign up for our weather newsletter at kx
  
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• Texas high school football scores for Thursday, Oct. 5

  06-10-2023 06:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Pflugerville scored a late touchdown to lift them to their first win of the season 30-26 over Waco University on Thursday in action around the KXAN viewing area.Buda Johnson edged Austin High in a district showdown 20-19 and the Westlake Chaparrals scored 53 unanswered points after trailing Anderson 14-13 to win 67-14.
  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
  
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• Two Liberty Hill students get perfect ACT scores

  06-10-2023 05:41 via kxan.com
  
  LIBERTY HILL, Texas (KXAN) — Two students in Liberty Hill ISD are celebrating after getting perfect scores on the ACT.Conrad Gerten and Abbie Parsons are both seniors at Liberty Hill High school, both students told KXAN they thought they would do well on the test, but were surprised when they saw a perfect "36" on their test results."I wasn't expecting a perfect score," said Conrad Gerten. "I was expecting somewhere in the 30's because of my SAT score, but it was definitely very unexpected
  
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• Liberty Hill ISD will soon have multiple high schools

  06-10-2023 05:17 via kxan.com
  
  LIBERTY HILL, Texas (KXAN) — Liberty Hill has seen significant growth over the years with the population tripling from 2010 to 2020.The school district currently has plans for up to four high schools, with the second high school opening in 2026."We are up over 1,000 kids this year," said Liberty Hill ISD Superintendent Steve Snell.Snell showed KXAN a map of the district where he highlighted new developments and possible locations for future schools."1,600 homes here," Snell said as he poin
  
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• GoFundMes set up for businesses impacted by Marble Falls fire

  06-10-2023 04:20 via kxan.com
  
  MARBLE FALLS, Texas (KXAN) -- Three GoFundMes were set up for businesses affected by a fire in Marble Falls on Wednesday, according to a GoFundMe spokesperson.At approximately 6 p.m., the Marble Falls Police Department said officials responded to the fire, located on U.S. 281 and 1st Street, according to the agency's social media. Fire in Marble Falls 90% contained, officials sayThe GoFundMe spokesperson said the fire occurred at a strip mall in Marble Falls.Although it was not immediately clear
  
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• APD opens homicide investigation after crash in north Austin

  06-10-2023 02:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, the Austin Police Department identified a man killed during an apparent homicide that occurred Tuesday in north Austin.APD identified 53-year-old John Walker Oden as the victim. MAP: Where have Austin’s homicides occurred in 2023?Police responded to a call at approximately 1:30 a.m. after several callers reported a man was hit by a vehicle in the 12100 block of North MoPac Expressway service road.Oden was found with “significant trauma to his body,&
  
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• Hutto PD gets $500K boost for officer salaries

  06-10-2023 01:37 via kxan.com
  
  HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) — The Hutto Police Department was allocated an additional $500,000 which it will put toward raising pay for its officers and civilian staff.Hutto Police Chief Jeffrey Yarbrough said the raise has now made officer pay more comparable to salaries seen in other Central Texas cities. He also said this will help the department's recruitment efforts.This raise also comes with a nightside differential for officers, which provides an additional 15% per shift for officers who wo
  
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• Earthquake-detecting AI algorithm finds success in early trial

  06-10-2023 01:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed an artificial intelligence algorithm which aims to one day predict earthquakes before they happen, according to a press release by UT’s Jackson School of Geosciences.  Using real-time seismic data paired with previous earthquakes, the release said researchers trained the AI algorithm to identify statistical bumps which it used over a seven-month trial period in China to forecast 70% of earthquakes a
  
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• New Texas law aims to give Black, Latino students better access to advanced math classes

  06-10-2023 01:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — There's a new state law requiring all middle school students who test in a certain percentile to automatically be put in advanced math classes.The goal? Eliminating the equity gap. And it's already made an impact on Central Texas school districts.There was high energy in Mr. Kevin Taylor's 8th grade pre-algebra advanced math class on Thursday."Regular math is boring!" a student shouted from the group eager to learn. This was in response to Reporter Jala Washington asking wh
  
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• KBVO Game of the Week: Anderson trying for huge upset vs. Westlake at Nelson Field

  06-10-2023 00:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Westlake and Anderson are meeting a day earlier than normal in a 6A-District 26 matchup at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Nelson Field in the KBVO Game of the Week.Both squads are coming off wins last week — the Chaparrals took care of Del Valle 58-0 and the Trojans thumped Akins 50-13 — and if the Trojans pulled off an upset, it would put them in an excellent position to grab the fourth playoff spot out of the district. Anderson is tied with Bowie and Buda Johnson for f
  
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• After trailing early, No. 4 Westlake roars back for 67-14 win over upset-minded Anderson

  06-10-2023 00:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Eyebrows were presumably raised by statewide scoreboard watchers and fans at Nelson Field after Anderson took a 14-13 lead over Westlake with 3:14 left in the first quarter Thursday.Then, the Chaps came alive.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 websiteWestlake used a pair of defensive touchdowns to help jumpstart their scoring and the Ch
  
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