Austin news

• Texans to vote on funding to increase electric grid’s ‘reliability’

  19-10-2023 23:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Texans will soon vote on a proposition that would create funding to increase "reliability" for Texas' electric grid in the upcoming election.Texas Proposition 7, originating from S.J.R. 93, would create the Texas Energy Fund, which would support and finance the "construction, maintenance, and modernization of electric generating facilities."This proposition comes after power grid challenges experienced most notably during winter storms in the past years.Pablo Vegas, pres
  
  Read more

• Texans to vote on funding that increases electric grid’s ‘reliability’

  19-10-2023 23:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Texans will soon vote on a proposition that would create funding to increase "reliability" for Texas' electric grid in the upcoming election.Texas Proposition 7, originating from S.J.R. 93, would create the Texas Energy Fund, which would support and finance the "construction, maintenance, and modernization of electric generating facilities."This proposition comes after power grid challenges experienced most notably during winter storms in the past years.Pablo Vegas, pres
  
  Read more

• Taco Ranch's last location in south Austin permanently closing on Nov. 3

  19-10-2023 23:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, Terry Taco Enterprises, LLC announced it is permanently closing its remaining Taco Ranch location in south Austin on Nov. 3, according to a news release from P. Terry's.The company said it wants to focus on burger stand growth as it prepares to expand to Houston. The company said it also is thankful to its dedicated employees and the people in south Austin for supporting Taco Ranch since its opening in 2018.“It’s with mixed emotions we announce the
  
  Read more

• MAP: Which Austin metro zip codes had the most apartments built in recent years?

  19-10-2023 22:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the Austin metro area's population continues to expand rapidly, it's perhaps no surprise that several local zip codes are among those with the most new apartments nationwide.Five Austin-area zip codes feature in the country's top 50 that saw the highest number of apartments built between 2018 and 2022, according to a new study by RentCafe.Pflugerville's 78660 ranks highest locally, with 3,879 new apartments constructed in the four-year span. The zip code ranks 20th natio
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• APD searches for aggravated assault suspect

  19-10-2023 22:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Friday, the Austin Police Department said it was searching for a man in connection with an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon that occurred Sept. 4 in downtown Austin.APD said the assault occurred at approximately 9:15 p.m. in the 300 block of Brazos Street.Aggravated assault suspect seen on surveillance video (APD photo)
  According to police, the suspect was seen on surveillance video near San Jacinto Boulevard minutes before trying to get the attention of two peopl
  
  Read more

• Record heat, then wet weather returns

  19-10-2023 22:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- High temperatures on Friday may surge to the upper 90s -- Austin's hottest temperatures on record this late in the year. But this weekend, clouds increase at Formula One races ahead of wetter weather coming to Texas next week. BLOG: NOAA releases winter forecastSunshine, light winds and very dry air should warm Friday afternoon temperatures to record levels -- in the middle to upper 90s in most areas. Very dry air means we won't have a 'heat index' piling on to these hot tempera
  
  Read more

• APD says scene 'still active' after juvenile shot in northeast Austin

  19-10-2023 21:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred in northeast Austin that left one juvenile injured. The scene is still active at this time, according to police.Shortly after 1 p.m., officers responded to an urgent call in the 1100 block of Fairfield Drive, APD said. That location is near Navarro High School. When officers arrived on the scene, they found a juvenile with gunshot wounds.The juvenile was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening inj
  
  Read more

• APD says scene 'still active' after juvenile shot in north Austin

  19-10-2023 21:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is investigating a shooting Thursday that happened in north Austin and left one juvenile injured. The scene is still active at this time, according to police.Shortly after 1 p.m., police said officers responded to an urgent call in the 1100 block of Fairfield Drive, which is near Navarro High School. When officers arrived, they said they found a juvenile with gunshot wounds.The juvenile was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• APD investigating after juvenile shot in north Austin near high school

  19-10-2023 21:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is investigating a shooting Thursday that happened in north Austin and left one juvenile injured. The scene is still active at this time, according to police.Shortly after 1 p.m., police said officers responded to an urgent call in the 1100 block of Fairfield Drive, which is near Navarro High School. When officers arrived, they said they found a juvenile with gunshot wounds.The juvenile was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries
  
  Read more

• Texas land being wrestled away from cities, thrown to where rural rules roam free

  19-10-2023 20:08 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (Austin Business Journal) -- When representatives from MileStone Community Builders LLC arrived in the city of Hays early in the morning on Sept. 1, legal documents in hand, the doors of the modest one-story brick building that serves as City Hall were closed — and would be through the long Labor Day weekend.Companies — first Walters Southwest, then MileStone — have for nearly two decades tried to build a neighborhood called Hays Commons on 500-plus acres, wh
  
  Read more

• $59 million bond proposition on the ballot for Williamson County parks

  19-10-2023 19:55 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — One part of a two-proposition bond election for Williamson County voters will determine if $59 million will be allocated for improvements to the county's parks, expo centers, and shared-use path projects.Proposition B of the November 7 bond election would fund the purchase of parkland for the county, facility developments to Berry Springs Park and Preserve, Twin Lakes Park, and the Williamson County Expo Center.The bond election will also bring a $825 mill
  
  Read more

• Giant puppet to visit Austin on cross-country journey raising awareness about immigration

  19-10-2023 19:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A giant, 12-foot puppet known as "Little Amal" is making a stop in Austin Friday as part of a cross-country journey.
  Little Amal is a puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee. She has been journeying across the United States this fall, visiting key places in America’s history to raise awareness about immigration and migration, the Associated Press reported.Little Amal, a 12-foot puppet of a Syrian refugee, will travel the USLittle Amal has become a global symbol of human rig
  
  Read more

• Rep. McCaul: 'We have to prepare for' U.S. troops on ground in Middle East

  19-10-2023 19:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul told Nexstar on Wednesday his committee has been asked to consider an Authorization for Use of Military Force relating to the Israel-Hamas war, opening the possibility that American troops may again fight in the Middle East if the war attracts more adversaries through the region."I would not want to see that at all," Rep. McCaul said. "I prefer not see any of our troops on the ground. However, if it escalates to out of control, th
  
  Read more

• WATCH: Red Bull flies F1 car with new Texas-inspired design above Austin

  19-10-2023 18:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you spotted an F1 car flying high above Austin's skyline and Lady Bird Lake Wednesday afternoon — your eyes were not deceiving you.
  Oracle's Red Bull Racing team unveiled its new Texas-inspired car design ahead of this weekend's Austin F1 Grand Prix by helicoptering it above the capital city.
  According to Red Bull Racing, Franco Cavallone's winning design based on the Lone Star Flag of Texas beat out 2,000 other fan submissions. Top designs were also put to a vote
  
  Read more

• Austin City Council votes to increase funding for cemetery operations

  19-10-2023 18:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin City Council voted Thursday to amend a contract to increase funding for city cemetery operations at the five city-owed cemeteries in Austin. The amended contract will give up to $11 million to the Parks Department and a burial services contractor to provide cemetery services for the next decade. The additional money will help the department overcome lingering economic issues from the COVID-19 pandemic. “A lot of folks have been facing [similar cha
  
  Read more

• NOAA's winter forecast released: What to expect

  19-10-2023 18:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Meteorological winter begins Dec. 1 and continues through the end of February, but we’re already getting a look at what type of weather we can expect for our coldest season.We already told you that an El Niño weather pattern has developed and the impacts that usually have for us in Central Texas. But not every El Niño is the same; therefore, we rely on these outlooks and longer-range computer models to give us the specifics unique to each winter. El Ni&n
  
  Read more

• Houston man arrested in Kyle after attempted kidnapping, police say

  19-10-2023 17:00 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) -- A Houston man was arrested in Kyle last week after an attempted kidnapping, according to a press release from the Kyle Police Department.
  Police said they received a call about a suspicious person on Waterloo Drive around 10:24 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11 and were informed that a man was trying to get a 15-year-old girl into his vehicle.
  The girl ran to a nearby house where the homeowner was able to get her safely inside, lock the house and call 911, the release said. The 
  
  Read more

• Texas House Democrats unveil new school finance plan

  19-10-2023 15:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Several Democratic members of the Texas House of Representatives will unveil what they're calling a "transformative school finance plan."
  They're set to hold a news conference Thursday morning to discuss the details of the Fully Fund Our Future Act, according to a news release. This is happening during the third special legislative session focused primarily on Gov. Greg Abbott's call to create an education savings account system in the state, which would allow families to u
  
  Read more

• LIVE: Texas House Democrats unveil new school finance plan

  19-10-2023 15:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Several Democratic members of the Texas House of Representatives will unveil what they're calling a "transformative school finance plan."
  They're set to hold a news conference Thursday morning to discuss the details of the Fully Fund Our Future Act, according to a news release. This is happening during the third special legislative session focused primarily on Gov. Greg Abbott's call to create an education savings account system in the state, which would allow families to u
  
  Read more

• Police searching for suspect in vehicle, package thefts at central Austin apartments

  19-10-2023 15:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police are asking for help identifying a woman they say was involved in "multiple crimes" at a central Austin apartment complex.
  According to police, the suspect entered the pool area at The Pearl Apartments, located on West Koenig Lane, with a 7-year-old child on Sept. 24. Police said she used the child as a decoy while scouting out the residents' belongings.
  The suspect stole a purse that included keys and several credit cards then left the area with the child.
  Police s
  
  Read more

• Austin graffiti shows need to respond to sexual assault victims in new ways

  19-10-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  The SAFE Alliance encourages anyone who is a survivor of sexual violence to seek help. You can call their 24-hour hotline at 512-267-SAFE (7233), text 737-888-7233, or call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4573) for help.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After KXAN found more than 60 spray-painted tags across Austin restaurants, buildings, and bridges that said, "even though I was raped, I am OK,", we put out a call for the person responsible to contact us to better understand why i
  
  Read more

• Austin City Council to consider next steps in city manager search, Austin Convention Center funding

  19-10-2023 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin City Council has its meeting Thursday, and we are keeping track of some key agenda items. Here are some of the things we are watching:Council to vote on city manager search next stepAustin City Council is expected to vote Thursday on whether to move forward with a search firm that will help the City recruit and hire its next city manager.City of Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said Tuesday that the City received 12 applications from search firms but ultimately decided to mov
  
  Read more

• Austin Convention Center employees will help fill city vacancies during expansion

  19-10-2023 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The 300 employees who work at the Austin Convention Center will keep their jobs during the four-year expansion project, with some employees being shifted to fill vacancies in other city departments, the center's director told council members this week.
  Trisha Tatro, the director of the Austin Convention Center, said a core team will remain under her department to operate the Palmer event center, the Marshalling Yard, and three parking garages. The remaining employees will be rea
  
  Read more

• Recovery efforts underway following wildfires at University of Texas lab

  19-10-2023 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, TX (KXAN) -- University of Texas field crews are hard at work recovering over a centuries worth of data that was lost last year. The Pine Pond Fire destroyed more than 300-acres of the Stengl Lost Pines Biological Station in August of last year.READ MORE: Bastrop wildfire destroys centuries worth of data at University of Texas facility"They're really just trying to take a snapshot of what we have here," said Steven Gibson, Site Manager at the Stengl Lab.The forest provided resear
  
  Read more

• Altuve and Javier lead Astros to 8-5 win at Rangers as Houston closes to 2-1 in ALCS

  19-10-2023 07:15 via kxan.com
  
  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jose Altuve homered, Cristian Javier worked into the sixth inning of another solid postseason start and the Houston Astros beat the Texas Rangers 8-5 on Wednesday night, closing to 2-1 in the AL Championship Series.Texas lost for the first time this postseason after a 7-0 start. Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer was gone after four innings in his first outing in more than a month after recovering from a strained shoulder muscle.Javier set a fra
  
  Read more

• One dead in northeast Austin vehicle-pedestrian crash

  19-10-2023 05:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person is dead after a vehicle-pedestrian crash in northeast Austin Wednesday, Austin-Travis County EMS said on social media.Shortly before 8 p.m., medics and the Austin Fire Department responded to 12100 N MoPac Expressway service road southbound for a report of a vehicle that struck a pedestrian.One person was pronounced dead on the scene, medics said.No other information was available Wednesday, and the crash remained under investigation.
  
  Read more

• Texas, Austin area receive more than $16M in grants to support law enforcement

  19-10-2023 04:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas and Austin-area law enforcement agencies were awarded more than $16 million from the U.S. Department of Justice via the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program, according to a news release from Sen. John Cornyn's office.The recipients were announced as the Texas Office of the Governor, the City of Austin, Williamson County and Hays County. The awarded federal grants totaled $16,950,427, the release said.RecipientAward AmountTexas Office of the Governor$16,45
  
  Read more

• Amazon expands drone delivery service in College Station, reveals new plans

  19-10-2023 03:50 via kxan.com
  
  COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KXAN) – Amazon announced Wednesday it would expand its drone program – called Prime Air – to start delivering pharmaceutical products to customers in College Station by drone. Customers in College Station can now choose more than 500 prescription medications to be delivered by drone in less than an hour, according to Amazon. Amazon so far has piloted Prime Air in College Station and Lockeford, California. Stakeholders told KXAN that the drones
  
  Read more

• Record heat ahead of wetter weather pattern

  19-10-2023 03:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Mother Nature will turn up the autumn heat heading into the weekend, likely to break a few daily records along the way.Today's afternoon highs will soar well into the upper 80s under a dry and sunny sky. A weak cold front will quietly slip in from the north, but will do nothing more than turn our winds northerly.The heat becomes more noticeable Friday and Saturday as afternoon highs climb into the 90s - both afternoons expected to break the current daily records. Clouds will slo
  
  Read more

• Elgin ISD adds required armed security guards to district schools

  19-10-2023 01:27 via kxan.com
  
  ELGIN, Texas (KXAN) — Elgin ISD schools now have armed security guards, after a Texas law required districts across the state to improve security.
  The law, House Bill 3, mandates the presence of at least one armed security officer on every school campus during regular school hours. The exact number is left up to the districts. KXAN INVESTIGATES: Multiple Texas school districts claim exemption to armed officer requirementThe Elgin ISD Board of Trustees contracted with security firm Texas Pu
  
  Read more

• Williamson County opens first segment of East Wilco Highway

  19-10-2023 00:42 via kxan.com
  
  HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) — Williamson County leaders hosted a ribbon cutting to mark the debut of Segment 1 of the East Wilco Highway. The stretch of road will eventually become a main thoroughfare for communities like Hutto and Taylor.The roadway is a two lane road with a turning lane in the middle from County Road 138 at Dana Drive to County Road 137. This project also widened CR 138 to add a dedicated right-turn lane to northbound State Highway 130.Williamson County Precinct 4 Commissioner R
  
  Read more

• Austin joins international campaign to help find missing, kidnapped Israelis

  19-10-2023 00:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)—You may have seen flyers, with pictures of missing or kidnapped Israelis around the Austin area.
  They're going up all over the world, since the war overseas began. It's a campaign started by a couple, who are both artists Nitzan Mintz and Dede Bandaid.They currently live in New York but are from Israel.
  "We didn't know what to do, we felt so helpless," Bandaid said. "And we wanted to do something to support the country and make people aware of what's going on."Their movement
  
  Read more

• Limited flights home keeping some Americans in Israel as conflict heats up

  19-10-2023 00:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the war wages on in Israel some Americans are still working to get home.Shortly after the conflict started, many airlines cancelled flights going in and out of Israel, making it more challenging for some travelers to get home."The first week the beaches were full, packed, a lot of people, a lot of families." said Chris Dunbaugh, who is on vacation in Israel with his wife.Chris and his wife Faye are staying in Bat Yam, which is about 35 miles north of Gaza. Chris said a w
  
  Read more

• How much did Austin spend on Barton Springs tree 'Flo' before removal?

  19-10-2023 00:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin spent a couple thousand dollars extra and contracted with four different tree companies before cutting down Barton Springs tree "Flo," public information records obtained by KXAN show.
  The City says it has "several certified arborists on staff, including several who are tree risk assessment qualified and one board certified master arborist." One of those certified arborists was the one who spotted Flo's infection, the City told KXAN.Group pitches last-chance p
  
  Read more

Follow @Austin_News_US on Twitter!