Austin news

• Austin couple shares their list of local Halloween haunts

  18-10-2023 23:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Halloween season has many of the usual events: haunted houses, costume parties, ghost tours. But in a large city like Austin, there can be too many to track.
  Leila Sales and Brian Pennington started tracking Austin-area Halloween events in 2019, a year after the couple moved to the city. The list took a pandemic pause in 2020 and 2021 and returned for 2022 and 2023."I have always loved Halloween; I feel like what we do with the newsletter and what we're interested in is
  
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• Could Austin tap into public-private funding collaboration on I-35 caps?

  18-10-2023 23:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With hundreds of millions of dollars needed to support the City of Austin's Interstate 35 Cap and Stitch program, Council Member Mackenzie Kelly submitted a memo Wednesday urging city leadership to evaluate possible public-private partnerships to support funding the initiative.Kelly shared a copy of her memo in a social media post Wednesday afternoon. The memo, addressed to Interim City Manager Jesús Garza, requested looking into those partnerships "as a potential avenue
  
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• Why did the City of Austin send you a Land Development Code notice in the mail?

  18-10-2023 23:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- If you got a public notice in the mail from the City of Austin warning of proposed Land Development Code changes, you're one of more than 725,000 people and yes, they are new.
  Austin City Council is working to better notify land owners of zoning changes that may impact them after the City ended up in court over just that.
  "We’re working to provide the public ample notice about upcoming hearings and Council action, something that was lacking the last time. The process chang
  
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• Paxton impeachment defense lawyer to launch bid for Texas House

  18-10-2023 22:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — As acquitted-Attorney General Ken Paxton seeks political revenge against the Republican representatives who voted to impeach him, one of his lead lawyers in the Senate impeachment trial is setting the stage to run for office in the lower chamber.
  On Tuesday, Paxton impeachment lawyer Mitch Little filed a campaign treasurer appointment for House District 65 — officially allowing him to start fundraising as a candidate. Freshman Rep. Kronda Thimesch, R-Lewisville, cu
  
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• Hottest late-October temperatures ever observed possible on Friday

  18-10-2023 22:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Temperatures remain the big weather story this week with a significant warming trend expected to last through the weekend.Afternoon highs will return to the mid-80s today, courtesy of abundant sunshine, dry air and southerly winds.
  Today is likely to be the coolest day of the next 7 with daytime highs jumping a few degrees each afternoon. Eventually, temperatures will approach daily records with Austin soaring to 94° Friday and 93º on Saturday. Saturday's previous recor
  
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• TIMELINE: Ahead of Kaitlin Armstrong's trial, a look back at pro-cyclist murder case

  18-10-2023 21:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Nearly a year and a half after professional cyclist Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson was shot and killed at an Austin home in May 2022, the trial of the woman accused of murdering Wilson is set to begin Oct. 30.Kaitlin Armstrong originally pleaded not guilty in July 2022. Her arrest and plea came after a 43-day fugitive hunt, where she was ultimately arrested and detained in Costa Rica before being transported back to Austin.Here's a look back at Wilson's death, the ongoing murder case a
  
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• LIVE: Driverless car complaints in Austin describe collisions, near misses and confusion

  18-10-2023 20:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin has received more than 40 complaints related to driverless cars since July, according to city data.Complaints range from the self-driving cars blocking traffic or being a nuisance to near misses and even collisions.The Austin Transportation and Public Works department collected 43 complaints between July and Oct. 16, about half of which came from the public.Fourteen complaints were submitted by employees of the Austin Fire Department, while seven came fro
  
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• Driverless car complaints in Austin describe collisions, near misses and confusion

  18-10-2023 20:52 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s note: The above video shows KXAN Live’s top morning headlines for Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin has received more than 40 complaints related to driverless cars since July, according to city data.Complaints range from the self-driving cars blocking traffic or being a nuisance to near misses and even collisions.The Austin Transportation and Public Works department collected 41 complaints between July 8 and Oct. 1, about half of which came fr
  
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• Travis County deputy accused of indecency with a child: Affidavit

  18-10-2023 20:41 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A Travis County Sheriff's Office senior deputy is accused of indecency with a child and faces a felony charge, according to court documents obtained by KXAN.
  Kyle Sass, 39, is accused of indecency with a child, which is a second-degree felony, according to an affidavit. Sass has been employed with TCSO since 2006.
  Sass is on administrative assignment at TCSO and had not been arrested as of noon Wednesday.
  Sheriff Sally Hernandez released the following statemen
  
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• How Texas is supporting Israel

  18-10-2023 20:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- As President Biden visits Israel Wednesday, Texas' state and federal leaders have changed state policy, invested state money, and signaled unwavering support for the U.S. ally as they enter the second week of war with Hamas.Financial supportTexas' top accountant Glenn Hegar announced Friday the state will purchase $20 million in Israeli bonds, allowing Israel to free up cash to support the war effort.“Texas has long had a deep spiritual, political and economic connectio
  
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• P. Terry's opens burger stand in Bastrop

  18-10-2023 19:54 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) -- P. Terry's celebrated the launch of its 31st location in Central Texas this week with its newest burger stand in Bastrop.The drive-thru only location opened at 484 W. State Highway 71 for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night offerings, company officials said in the release. The Bastrop P. Terry's Burger Stand officially opened Wednesday, officials added. What’s the secret sauce behind P. Terry’s Texas growth?“We’re thrilled to be a part of this
  
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• Artificial turf business 'doubles' after dry summer

  18-10-2023 19:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Coming off of a hot and dry summer that won't be our last, people are looking for new ways to save water and at the same time keep their grass green.Coming after a very hot and dry summer with tight water restrictions. The idea of artificial turf that you don't have to water might sound appealing.That idea seems to be spreading."Over double from last year to this year is what we've done in business so far," said Patrick Walthall, owner and operator of Lone Star Turf."Typically,
  
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• Longhorns culture tested after loss to Oklahoma

  18-10-2023 19:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Texas started the season with an impressive 5-0 record that had them ranked No. 3 in the country. The Longhorns attributed their success in large part to an improved culture.That hot start and the ensuing momentum were stopped with a crushing defeat at the Cotton Bowl against Oklahoma. Now, after a bye week following the loss, that culture really gets tested. Bye week ahead of Houston game comes at right time for No. 8 Texas"That's when a lot more eyes - if they weren't on you at
  
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• San Marcos settles lawsuit over law enforcement response to 2020 'Trump Train' incident

  18-10-2023 18:20 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (The Texas Tribune) -- San Marcos police officers and professional staff must receive training on responding to political violence and voter intimidation and ways to develop community trust as part of a legal settlement approved Tuesday over a 2020 incident in which a caravan of Trump supporters were accused of harassing a Biden campaign bus as it drove on Interstate 35.The city will also pay $175,000 to four individuals on the bus: former state Sen. Wendy Davis, who was r
  
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• Hays County Sheriff's Office able to recruit civilians to hire more deputies

  18-10-2023 17:37 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s note: The above video shows KXAN Live’s top morning headlines for Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023.HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) --- The Hays County Sheriff's Office can now hire candidates that are not licensed peace officers and send them to a peace officer academy.
  It was a change approved by the Hays County Commissioners Court at its Oct. 10 meeting.
  “Right now for our recruiting, all we can do is recruit licensed peace officers,” Chief Deputy Mike Davenport said to
  
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• Body of missing Round Rock shooting victim found in Milam County

  18-10-2023 16:42 via kxan.com
  
  The above video shows KXAN Live's morning headlines for Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023.
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- The body of a missing Round Rock shooting victim has been located, 12 days after he was shot, according to the Round Rock Police Department.
  RRPD said in a social media post the body of Cedar Park resident Shawn Joseph, 30, was found in rural Milam County on Tuesday, Oct. 17.PREVIOUS: Round Rock police look for missing shooting victim; suspect in custodyJoseph had been shot in the parkin
  
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• LIVE: Inside the Investigations: ACC student pandemic aid

  18-10-2023 15:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Each week the in-depth reporting from the KXAN Investigates team will get a spotlight on KXAN Live.A conversation will happen Wednesday morning with investigative reporter Kelly Wiley and KXAN Live anchor Will DuPree to break down one of this week’s top stories. Catch the live stream at 10:30 a.m. in this story or on the KXAN Facebook page.Inside the Investigations: Judge to decide on A-F school rating lawsuitThe story they'll discuss this week is:
  Amid a KX
  
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• Inside the Investigations: ACC student pandemic aid

  18-10-2023 15:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Each week the in-depth reporting from the KXAN Investigates team will get a spotlight on KXAN Live.A conversation will happen Wednesday morning with investigative reporter Kelly Wiley and KXAN Live anchor Will DuPree to break down one of this week’s top stories. Catch the live stream at 9 a.m. in this story or on the KXAN Facebook page.Inside the Investigations: Judge to decide on A-F school rating lawsuitThe story they'll discuss this week is:
  Amid a KXAN i
  
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• ABJ: Sprouts grocery chain plans for Georgetown store

  18-10-2023 15:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — Sprouts Farmers Market Inc. has secured a 15-year lease for a property north of Austin as it continues on a quest to double its footprint in Central Texas amid a nationwide expansion.The Phoenix-based grocery store chain plans to open its first store in Georgetown at the northwest corner of Williams Drive and Cedar Lake Boulevard, Dan Croce, Sprouts' senior vice president of real estate, said in an email. Sprouts, which is known for its fresh and organic
  
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• APD identifies victim in fatal crash on Bastrop Highway

  18-10-2023 15:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department has identified the victim of a deadly crash in September in southeast Austin.On Sept. 30, first responders were called to a single-vehicle crash on Bastrop Highway around 5:30 a.m.MAP: Where have Austin’s fatal crashes occurred in 2023?APD said the driver, 22-year-old Angel Parra, was taken to the hospital where Parra died.
  Police said this was investigated as Austin's 69th fatal crash of 2023.
  
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• High-tech tattoo startup in Austin launches automated device

  18-10-2023 14:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin startup could totally transform the tattoo industry.Blackdot launched last week, unveiling the world’s first automatic tattooing device and opened up bookings at its flagship studio in east Austin.When it comes to tattoos, getting a highly detailed design from a well-known artist can be a tough task and can involve trips to New York, Los Angeles or abroad while waiting many months on a long waiting list.Yet, Blackdot has changed the name of the game, blendin
  
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• Opportunistic Leander erases 26-point deficit to beat Hendrickson 41-40

  18-10-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Leander took advantage of shoddy special teams by Hendrickson to pull off a 26-point come-from-behind victory 41-40 on Thursday at Bible Memorial Stadium.The Lions recovered two muffed kick returns by the Hawks and cashed them in for touchdowns, the latter of the two was the go-ahead score with 5:23 left in the game. Lions quarterback Logan Mitchell, who accounted for six touchdowns on the night, zipped a pass to Joseph Marro for a 7-yard score and the ensuing PAT gave the
  
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• Hendrickson, Leander aim for district win in KBVO Game of the Week

  18-10-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The KBVO Game of the Week heads north to Leander's Bible Memorial Stadium for a 5A-District 11 game between Hendrickson and Leander on Thursday.Hendrickson is currently tied for fifth place in the district with Glenn and East View at 1-3 while Leander is still looking for its first district win. The Hawks lost a tough one last week 46-45 to Cedar Park and the Lions were blasted by A&M Consolidated 72-0.REPORT YOUR SCORE: We'd love to post your team's score on our websit
  
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• Nearing record heat late week into weekend

  18-10-2023 12:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Temperatures remain the big weather story this week with a significant warming trend expected to last through the weekend.Afternoon highs will return to the low to mid-80s today, courtesy of abundant sunshine, dry skies and southerly winds. Not only will daytime highs jump a few degrees each day, but so will our nighttime lows.Temperatures climb above average this afternoon... and for the following 6+ daysTemperatures will approach daily records Friday and Saturday as Austin soa
  
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• WATCH LIVE: President Biden comments on the Israel-Hamas War from Israel

  18-10-2023 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  President Biden is expected to provide further remarks from Israel, however the timing is fluid. We will carry those remarks live in the video player above.TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — President Joe Biden opened his visit to Israel on Wednesday vowing to show the world that the U.S. stands in solidarity with the Jewish people and offering an assessment that the deadly explosion at a Gaza Strip hospital appeared to have been carried out “by the other team” and not the Israeli militar
  
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• Biden says Gaza hospital blast 'appears as though it was done by the other team', not Israel

  18-10-2023 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — President Joe Biden opened his visit to Israel on Wednesday vowing to show the world that the U.S. stands in solidarity with the Jewish people and offering an assessment that the deadly explosion at a Gaza Strip hospital appeared to have been carried out “by the other team” and not the Israeli military.“Based on what I’ve seen, it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you,” Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netan
  
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• SMPD: Apartment complex filled with crime, health code violations

  18-10-2023 04:35 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) --- There's an apartment complex in San Marcos that's caught the attention of law enforcement, the city's code department and the fire marshal.It's in the Blanco Gardens neighborhood, an area KXAN recently reported on that's seen an increase in high priority calls to the San Marcos Police Department. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: People concerned about crime, lack of streetlights in San Marcos neighborhoodSpecifically at the Sutton Apartments, SMPD said there's been 82 calls for se
  
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• Police investigating east Austin deadly crash

  18-10-2023 04:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is investigating a deadly crash that occurred in east Austin last week, the agency said in a news release Tuesday.At approximately 6:20 a.m., Oct. 12, officers responded to a crash involving a pickup truck, a sedan and a pedestrian in the 1100 block of Airport Boulevard, the release said. Both drivers remained on the scene and cooperated with police.The pedestrian, who was not identified Tuesday, was pronounced dead by Austin-Travis County EMS, accor
  
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• AG's office reverses ruling that would have given more power to Austin Police Oversight Act

  18-10-2023 03:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Attorney General's Office updated a September a ruling related to the release of officer personnel information, according to the ruling which KXAN received from a police source.The original ruling - which was on a public information request for certain contents of an officer’s personnel file, according to Austin Police Association President Thomas Villarreal - came down during a September city council meeting. City council was discussing the Austin Police Oversight Act
  
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• Old but more than old-school, Dusty Baker and Bruce Bochy are shining as MLB's oldest managers

  18-10-2023 03:28 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (AP) — When Texas rookie Evan Carter was born in 2002, Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker had been managing in the big leagues for a decade and Rangers skipper Bruce Bochy was in his eighth season.The ages of MLB managers have been declining in the last few years, with 22 under 60 at the start of the 2023 season. But in the AL Championship Series, the two oldest managers in the majors, 74-year-old Baker and 68-year-old Bochy, are leading the way.“I can brag, because I&rs
  
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• Celebration of life for north Austin road rage victim

  18-10-2023 02:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The family for Teressa Gandy Ferguson, 46, who police say died in a road rage homicide on Sept. 30, held a Celebration of Life for her Tuesday.
  Police are still searching for the suspect.Homicide Detective Israel Pina with the Austin Police Department said Ferguson was taking her usual route home on Interstate 35, when she was involved in a "minor crash" between the Runberg and Anderson Lane exits. According to APD, she was on the phone with a friend and told them she pulled ove
  
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