Austin news

• Six Flags Fiesta Texas announces new ride: 'Kid Flash Cosmic Coaster'

  24-10-2023 23:48 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KXAN) -- Six Flags Fiesta Texas announced Monday a kids cosmic rollercoaster will be ready with "special preview opportunities."Six Flags Fiesta Texas announced its 'Kid Flash Cosmic Coaster' has preview opportunities coming soon | Courtesy Six Flags Fiesta Texas promotional videoSix Flags showed a video of the 'Kid Flash Cosmic Coaster,' which has a vibrant red light on the track and a symbol of The Flash superhero on the front of the roller coaster.Six Flags said "special p
  
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• Nonprofit offers free breast reconstructive surgeries to cancer survivors in Austin

  24-10-2023 23:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – A nonprofit is offering free breast reconstructive surgeries to uninsured or underinsured breast cancer survivors in Austin. Mission Plasticos has provided free reconstructive surgical care to medically underserved communities around the world for the last 25 years. The Southern California-based nonprofit began in 2022 its Reshaping Lives: Full Circle initiative, which helps post-mastectomy women from underserved communities around the U.S. access breast reconstructive
  
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• Families seeking public's help following hit-and-run crash on E. 6th Street Sunday

  24-10-2023 22:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Families in town for the Formula 1 race this weekend are seeking the public's help after a driver ran a red light and hit two young men on scooters before fleeing from the scene.Jacob Caldwell and Wesley McArthur were in Austin this past weekend, along with their families, to experience the Formula 1 Lenovo United States Grand Prix at Austin's Circuit of the Americas race track. After Sunday's races, Caldwell said their families went out to dinner on Sixth Street, where they had
  
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• Climate change leading to earlier formation of intense hurricanes

  24-10-2023 22:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A new University of Hawaii study found that intense category four and five hurricanes are forming earlier each decade as the climate changes.The research was co-authored by University of Hawaii professor of atmospheric sciences Pao-Shin Chu, who also serves as the Hawaii State Climatologist. Chu and his team found that since the 1980s, hurricanes with wind speeds of 131+ miles per hour are developing three to four days earlier each decade as the climate warms. That means intense
  
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• From periods of heavy rain to a chilly, wet Halloween

  24-10-2023 22:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Periods of on-and-off rain continue much of the week. Our best chance of heavy rain, and even a minor risk of flash flooding and severe storms, comes late Wednesday night into the day Thursday. Live, updated rain totalsAn upper-level low pressure system is approaching the state from the west coast, pumping moisture over Texas. This is leading to periods of passing showers and even a few heavy thunderstorms. Much of the area has already tallied 1-2 inches of beneficial rain over
  
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• Flesh-eating parasite linked to international travel may be endemic to Texas, US, per the CDC

  24-10-2023 21:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believes a flesh-eating parasitic disease caused by a sand fly bite may be endemic in Texas and other southern states, according to a new analysis. Leishmaniasis occurs through a bite of an infected female sand fly, which consumes blood to produce eggs. The infection is most common in parts of Africa, Brazil and the eastern Mediterranean region, like Iraq, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, according to the World Health Organ
  
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• State employee recounts Good Samaritans' efforts to save victim in fatal SH 130 crash

  24-10-2023 21:19 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Two fatal crashes were reported at the intersection of State Highway 130 and Gregg Manor Road within 24 hours this weekend, continuing a trend of documented crashes on and near the Travis County intersection over the past several years.Just before 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Austin-Travis County EMS responded to the first of those crashes, before medics returned to the same site just after 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Three patients were accounted for in Saturday's two-vehicle crash
  
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• AFD Station 1 to temporarily use downtown Travis County space

  24-10-2023 21:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Fire Department will temporarily move some firefighters into a Travis County office building while Fire Station 1 renovations continue.
  Fire Station 1, located at Fifth and Trinity streets, closed Oct. 13 because of renovations and some construction complications. Crews were moved to other stations in the city. PREVIOUS REPORTING: Downtown fire station closes — is it a dangerous move?Travis County commissioners approved an agreement to let AFD use space in
  
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• Turnout tracker: How many people have voted in the November 2023 election?

  24-10-2023 20:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With early voting underway, KXAN is keeping track of how many Texans have voted in the Nov. 7 constitutional amendment election.Every voter who shows up to the polls in Texas will get to vote on 14 proposed amendments to the state constitution, from lowering property taxes to increasing the mandatory retirement age for state judges and justices. KXAN Voter Guide: What you need to know ahead of the November 2023 electionIn addition, several local cities, counties a
  
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• Monday was the busiest day ever at Austin airport, smashing previous record

  24-10-2023 19:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In a year of records falling left and right, another all-time high was toppled at the Austin airport. Monday was officially the busiest day ever recorded.A total of 43,243 passengers were screened through security at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Monday, Oct. 24., the day after F1 weekend at the Circuit of the Americas.The total is 1,002 more than the previous record, set after F1 weekend in 2022. It's the first time more than 43,000 passengers were recorded in
  
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• Airbnb using AI to deter party rentals in Austin ahead of Halloween

  24-10-2023 18:23 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s note: The above video shows KXAN Live’s top morning headlines for Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Ahead of Halloween, vacation rental company Airbnb started a new system to stop party house rentals over the spooky holiday weekend.
  The company said its new system, which uses artificial intelligence and machine learning, aims to restrict some one-night and two-night bookings for entire homes.RELATED: Is an Airbnb ‘collapse’ happening in Austin?Airbnb's
  
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• Report: Politics drives school district leaders away

  24-10-2023 18:12 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s note: The above video shows KXAN Live’s top morning headlines for Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Politics is the top reason superintendents are stressed out, according to a recent report by the RAND Corporation, a non-partisan research group.“The RAND Corporation did a pretty comprehensive study showing that we're having the highest turnover rate that we've ever had in district leaders,” Doug Roberts, the CEO of the Institute for Education Innovation, sa
  
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• Z'Tejas opening restaurant in Kyle

  24-10-2023 18:08 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) — Austin-based restaurant chain Z'Tejas officially opens its newest location in Kyle at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
  Z'Tejas originated off Sixth Street in Austin in 1989, before that location ultimately closed April 1.The restaurant specializes in Tex-Mex cuisine with southern influence.“What better way to celebrate 35 years of being in business than marking off another first. We look forward to being a staple in this vibrant community and providing guests with an
  
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• Pedestrian killed in Oct. 18 crash on MoPac service road

  24-10-2023 17:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin Police Department said a person died at the scene on Oct. 18 after they were hit by a vehicle in north Austin.
  Police said the crash happened around 7:30 p.m. in the 12200 block of the MoPac Expressway southbound service road near Parmer Lane.According to the APD, the driver remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.Police did not identify the person who died.
  APD said the crash is being investigated as Austin's 73rd fatal crash of 2023, resulti
  
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• 2 men indicted for allegedly robbing postal carriers in Round Rock

  24-10-2023 17:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – A federal grand jury in Austin indicted two men who allegedly robbed two postal carriers in Round Rock on Sept. 30, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas said Tuesday.The U.S. Attorney's Office said Camren Hamilton, 22, of St. Louis, and Jonathan Rangel, 26, of Austin, face multiple charges. Feds arrest suspect in Austin postal robberies
  According to the office, the affidavit alleges Rangel also assaulted multiple letter carriers with the intent to ro
  
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• Travis County Commissioners to consider permit for Seismic Dance Event 6.0

  24-10-2023 16:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Travis County Commissioners meet Tuesday to hear public comment before voting on a permit for a techno music festival happening in mid-November in southeast Travis County near the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.The sixth edition of the Seismic Dance Event takes place from Friday, Nov. 10 to Sunday, Nov. 12 at the The Concourse Project, located on 8509 Burleson Road.
  
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• Second day of APD officer murder trial begins Tuesday

  24-10-2023 16:03 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News Today's top morning headlines for Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023.
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Opening statements wrapped up Monday in the trial of Austin Police Officer Christopher Taylor, who was charged with murder in the death of Mike Ramos. Prosecutors will continue to present witnesses Tuesday in the second day of the APD officer's trial.
  Taylor shot and killed Ramos, 42, during a confrontation with police back in April 2020 at a south Austin apartment complex pa
  
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• 'I would take that back': Woman who called 911 testifies in APD officer's murder trial

  24-10-2023 16:03 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News Today's top morning headlines for Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023.
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Opening statements wrapped up Monday in the trial of Austin Police Officer Christopher Taylor, who was charged with murder in the death of Mike Ramos. Prosecutors continued to present witnesses Tuesday in the second day of the APD officer's trial.
  Taylor shot and killed Ramos, 42, during a confrontation with police back in April 2020 at a south Austin apartment complex parkin
  
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• City of Austin looks to update water lines during I-35 expansion

  24-10-2023 15:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- There are plans to update and increase the water resilience for south Austin residents as part of the I-35 expansion project.
  As part of the plans to widen the interstate that cuts through Austin, the Texas Department of Transportation, which is heading the project, will have to relocate current water and wastewater lines placed along I-35 between Holly Street and Ben White Boulevard.
  TXDOT is responsible for funding the relocation effort, but the city of Austin is asking that w
  
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• Travis County to collect old over the counter and prescription drugs on Saturday

  24-10-2023 14:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Travis County said Monday county constables would collect expired, unused or unwanted over-the-counter and prescription drugs from the public as part of a national program to prevent drug misuse.According to the county press release, residents can drop off their medications at any of the five Travis County Constable Precincts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday which is National Prescription Drug Take Bac
  
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• How has Texas voter registration changed since the last constitutional amendment election?

  24-10-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Voting is underway ahead of the statewide constitutional amendment election in Texas on Nov. 7.Fourteen proposed amendments to the Texas constitution are on the ballot, along with several local and school elections. KXAN Voter Guide: What you need to know ahead of the November 2023 electionNovember's election comes two years after the last constitutional amendment election, in November 2021. Since then, more than 760,000 Texans have registered to vote across the state.Accor
  
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• How has Texas voter registration changed in recent years?

  24-10-2023 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Voting is underway ahead of the statewide constitutional amendment election in Texas on Nov. 7.Fourteen proposed amendments to the Texas constitution are on the ballot, along with several local and school elections. KXAN Voter Guide: What you need to know ahead of the November 2023 electionThe last constitutional amendment election in the state was May 2022, but a more significant election, with eight propositions, was held in November 2021. Since then, more than 760,000 Te
  
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• Insight: Supporters walk to Texas Capitol to raise awareness for Burundi clean water

  24-10-2023 13:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As a way to raise awareness for clean water in Burundi -- a country in Africa -- Central Texans carried heavy jugs of water from Town Lake to the Texas State Capitol on Friday. Gilbert Tuhabonye joined KXAN News at 4 p.m. for a live interview.Read a transcription of the discussion below or watch the interview in the video player above. Some responses have been edited for clarity.Sanders: Well, a truly transformational day here in Central Texas for Central Texans as they carried
  
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• Seager, Garcia slug Rangers to World Series in 11-4 Game 7 win over Astros in ALCS

  24-10-2023 05:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Adolis Garcia and Corey Seager were the Texas version of the Bash Brothers in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series on Monday.The duo combined for seven hits and six RBIs in an 11-4 rout of defending champion Houston to win the series 4-3 and send the Rangers to their third World Series in team history.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersSeager was hit
  
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• City of Kyle Mayor candidates discuss growth, infrastructure

  24-10-2023 04:47 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) --- There are four candidates vying for the position as mayor of the City of Kyle.
  It's a place that's listed as the third fastest growing city in the country according to the U.S. census. RELATED COVERAGE: Texas continues to top the charts with fastest-growing citiesThe current mayor is challenged by a current city council member, a former city council member and a retired engineer.On the ballot are:Yvonne Flores-CaleTravis Mitchell
  Robert FergusonLinda Tenorio
  Dealing with g
  
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• A wonderful wet week

  24-10-2023 04:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The rest of this afternoon and early evening will be wet at times. Much of the precipitation will be widely scattered. Highs will rise to mostly the low to mid 80s.Much of this morning's rain fell in the western Hill Country where several gauges in Gillespie, Mason, Llano, and San Saba Counties measured more than one inch. Two gauges measured more than 1.5" ... one 6 miles northwest of Harper and another one outside of Mason. Live, updated rain totalsAn upper-level low moved fro
  
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• Two St. David's HealthCare facilities ranked in nation's top 100 hospitals

  24-10-2023 04:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Among several St. David's HealthCare facilities, two Austin locations were ranked in the nation's 100 top hospitals, according to analysis provided by PINC AI.St. David's Medical Center, which also includes the Heart Hospital of Austin and St. David's Georgetown Hospital, ranked at No. 1, according to a news release from St. David's. St. David's North Austin Medical Center ranked No. 2.Two St. David's Medical Center Hospitals were ranked in the nation's top 100 hospitals in an a
  
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• Texas moves to spend $1.5B on border wall expansion

  24-10-2023 02:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Lawmakers on the Texas House Appropriations Committee gave initial approval Monday to a $1.5 billion expenditure for border wall construction, expanding the governor's budget for Operation Lone Star.
  Texas has spent nearly $10 billion on border security efforts during Gov. Greg Abbott's tenure as the state moves to repel and detain migrants in tandem with the federal government. The governor's office argued Monday that additional border wall will help the Department of Public
  
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• Lubbock Co. abortion ordinance passes, commissioners 'reaffirm' sanctuary county

  24-10-2023 01:01 via kxan.com
  
  LUBBOCK, Texas -- During a regular meeting on Monday, commissioners voted to "reaffirm" Lubbock County as "sanctuary county for the unborn." The ordinance outlawed abortion, abortion pills and traveling for the purpose of abortion in Lubbock County.
  The item was approved 3-0 with Judge Curtis Parrish and Commissioner for Precinct 3 Gilbert Flores abstaining. Early voting locations, Lubbock and Lubbock County, November 7, 2023, election
  The ordinance stated, in part, "It shall be unlawful for any
  
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• Dan Patrick to use $3 million from Defend Texas Liberty to buy Israeli bonds

  24-10-2023 00:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (The Texas Tribune) -- Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick strongly condemned antisemitism in the Texas GOP on Monday and announced that his campaign is purchasing $3 million in Israel bonds — the same amount that he received this summer from a group that recently hosted prominent white supremacist Nick Fuentes.Patrick’s statement comes more than two weeks after The Texas Tribune first reported Fuentes’ meeting with the president of Defend Texas Liberty, a major donor to Texas Republic
  
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• TEA gives schools, parents extra resources related to Israel-Hamas war

  24-10-2023 00:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Amid the Israel-Hamas war, the Texas Education Agency shared optional resources with Texas school systems "to help students talk about war and violence and better understand the conflict in Israel," the state agency said Friday.The TEA said the four optional resources can be used by parents and educators to support lessons and conversations with students about the conflict. "Parents and educators should determine which resources, if any, best fit the needs of their families
  
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• 'It was chaotic': Community rallies around burn victims after freak accident

  24-10-2023 00:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The community at Austin High School is rallying around three people who were injured in a freak accident Saturday.According to a post from Austin Travis County EMS, three adult patients were burned "after fuel tanks reportedly caught fire.""It was an accidental explosion that happened at the Austin High School Monster Concert," said Lucy Herrera, who's brother and nephew were injured.Herrera said both her brother, Sam, and nephew Gabriel were big supporters of the event, wh
  
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• Texas music festivalgoers see hourslong traffic, water shortage

  24-10-2023 00:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Texas music festival turned sour for some Saturday after traffic issues caused backups for hours and some performances had to be paused for ill festivalgoers.The inaugural Live at the Station Festival was in Burleson County at the Snook Rodeo Grounds—about 18 miles away from College Station. "Something in the Orange" singer Zach Bryan headlined the festival, joined by other country artists like Flatland Cavalry and Treaty Oak Revival.
  Some social media commenters an
  
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