Austin news

• Harris County warns border bill could raise local taxes, overcrowd jails

  02-11-2023 23:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- As the state's largest county deals with already-overcrowded jails, some county leaders are concerned the legislature's latest proposal to prosecute illegal immigration could incarcerate even more nonviolent residents and increase the cost of housing inmates.House Bill 4 would create a new state crime for illegally entering Texas from a foreign nation, punishable by a Class B misdemeanor or state jail felony for repeat offenders. In a county of immigrants like Harris County,
  
  Read more

• Man sentenced after fatal Austin apartment complex shooting

  02-11-2023 23:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday, a man was convicted and sentenced in connection with a 2021 fatal shooting at a southeast Austin apartment.According to Travis County court documents, a judge sentenced 20-year-old Jeremiah Crayton to serve 18 years in state prison for murder. RELATED: 18-year-old arrested in connection with murder at southeast Austin apartmentThe murder charge was in connection with the death of 19-year-old Eshmell Mendez, which occurred in the 2000 block of East Slaughter La
  
  Read more

• What's going on with Texas' AI council?

  02-11-2023 23:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The surge in artificial intelligence (AI) in the past year influenced the Texas Legislature to establish the Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council in the 88th regular session.Set into motion through House Bill 2060, the council is tasked with studying and overseeing the use of AI by Texas state agencies. Its role includes suggesting administrative actions that can be implemented without additional legislative approval and providing recommendations for the 89
  
  Read more

• Why Mariah Carey nearly didn't record "All I Want for Christmas Is You"

  02-11-2023 23:14 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) -- The time of the year has arrived where it’s impossible to escape the sure-to-get-stuck-in-your-head tune that is Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You.”  Over the last decade, it’s skyrocketed into another stratosphere, taking its place among the list of all-time holiday classics like “White Christmas” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”  If you haven’t heard it yet in 2023, it’s only a
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Your perfect holiday flower centerpiece comes from… Lego?

  02-11-2023 23:08 via kxan.com
  
  BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details.Lego’s Dried Flower arrangement makes the perfect Thanksgiving centerpieceMany of us think of Lego sets as toys — great gifts for kids, but something you age out of. But if that’s how you feel, you haven’t been to a Lego Store lately. Lego sets get huge and complex — so big, in fact, that they’re perfectly suited for adult builders. And some designs are
  
  Read more

• Verdict reached in driveway shooting of Austin man

  02-11-2023 22:42 via kxan.com
  
  CALDWELL COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Jurors delivered a guilty verdict on a manslaughter charge in the trial of Martindale resident Terry Turner, who had originally been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Adil Dghoughi.In early October 2021, Turner shot and killed Dghoughi through his driver’s side window as he backed out of Turner’s driveway in Martindale, according to investigators. More than a week later, Turner turned himself in but bonded out of jail that same day
  
  Read more

• Suspect arrested in deadly Austin 'road rage' shooting after 'minor' I-35 crash

  02-11-2023 22:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department arrested a man they believe shot and killed a 46-year-old woman in a "road rage homicide" on Sept. 30.Justin Justice, 28, was charged in connection with the incident, according to police.PREVIOUS: Celebration of life for north Austin road rage victimHomicide Detective Israel Pina with the Austin Police Department said the victim, Teressa Gandy Ferguson was taking her usual route home on Interstate 35, when she was involved in a “minor crash&rdq
  
  Read more

• Infant mortality rate increases for first time in 20 years, up 8% in Texas

  02-11-2023 22:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The infant mortality rate increased by 3% from 2021 to 2022, the first increase in 20 years, according to provisional data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The rate showed a statistically significant increase in four states, including Texas, where there were 8% more deaths in 2022 than there were in 2021, per the CDC report. Infant mortality refers to the death of a child before they reach their first birthday, and the infant mortality rate is
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Hays County seeking donations, 'elf' volunteers for Brown Santa program

  02-11-2023 21:54 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Hays County Sheriff's Office is seeking volunteers and holiday elf volunteers as part of its Brown Santa program, the department shared in a Facebook post Thursday.The program's annual holiday drive collects money, food and toy donations to help families in need countywide. The program comprises both HCSO staff members along with community volunteers, per the post.More than 650 families received food and toy donations collected last year, officials noted. Fo
  
  Read more

• Hays County elementary school closed for one week due to mold discovery

  02-11-2023 21:41 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Hemphill Elementary School in Hays County is closed through Nov. 8 after mold was discovered in 13 classrooms, the Hays Consolidated Independent School District said in a news release.This comes after a "concern about a mold smell in a classroom" at the elementary, the district said. An air quality test was able to confirm the discovery of the mold, and mitigation crews began working to remove the mold from the classroom, according to Hays CISD.The air quality test "
  
  Read more

• Austin ISD debuting new online enrollment system

  02-11-2023 21:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Independent School District will roll out a new enrollment system to assist in the registration process ahead of the 2024-25 school year, according to a newsletter sent to district families Thursday."Enroll Austin" is slated to activate on Nov. 8, per the newsletter. The new system will combine online registration, online student transfer requests, common applications and prekindergarten applications into one platform.
  Through the new system, students who are eyeing
  
  Read more

• INSIGHT: St. David's team participates in clinical trials for blood cancers

  02-11-2023 21:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The area’s only blood and marrow transplant program team is participating in clinical trials to help patients with blood cancers.Kelly Clemmer from St. David’s Medical Center joined KXAN’s Jennifer Sanders to discuss the clinical trials.Read a transcription of the discussion below or watch the interview in the video player above.SANDERS: These clinical trials focus on cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, can you walk us through this process? And really
  
  Read more

• Warming trend ramps up by the weekend

  02-11-2023 20:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Warmer south winds are blowing into the area as the recent cold airmass exits Texas. A warming trend carries us into next week when temperatures approach record highs.Thursday morning, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport recorded their first freeze of the season nearly two weeks ahead of what is typical. This was a tie for the airport's fifth-earliest freeze on record. Some rural valleys were as cold as 29°.Southerly winds have replaced the cold northerly direction, warmi
  
  Read more

• UFC Fight Night returns to Austin's Moody Center

  02-11-2023 20:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Moody Center will be home to UFC Fight Night this December, the Austin venue said in a social media post Tuesday.UFC Fight Night will take place Dec. 2 and feature matchups between Beneil Dariush versus Arman Tsarukyan as well as Dan Hooker versus Bobby "King" Green. Presale tickets went on sale at noon on Thursday and will be available through Friday at 11 a.m. using the code "MONTOPOLIS."
  The general sale begins at noon Friday, per the Moody Center. More details, includin
  
  Read more

• Choosing to relocate an old house rather than demolishing just got easier in Austin

  02-11-2023 19:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin City Council approved on consent Thursday a resolution that will reduce barriers to relocating homes, increasing the potential for historical preservation and reducing waste associated with demolitions. District 5 Council Member Ryan Alter was behind the item, saying it will “promote preservation, affordability and sustainability throughout Austin,” Alter said at the council meeting Thursday. The resolution will raise awareness about the opt
  
  Read more

• New TDCJ webpage tracks A/C projects at state prison facilities

  02-11-2023 19:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new page on the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) website now tracks air conditioning construction projects at state jail facilities.According to the TDCJ, the mission of the projects was to help protect the public, its employees and the inmates in its custody. RELATED: Texas inmates ‘being cooked alive’ in heatwave with no air conditioning“During the 88th Texas Legislative session, TDCJ received a historic infusion of funding for major repair
  
  Read more

• CEO of The Trail Conservancy to step down

  02-11-2023 18:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Trail Conservancy, an Austin nonprofit dedicated to the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, announced Thursday its CEO, Heidi Anderson, will step down at the end of the year after serving in the position for seven years.
  Hanna Cofer, TTC’s current COO, will serve as interim CEO while TTC’s Board of Directors conducts a comprehensive national search to identify the next leader to steer the organization forward. The position will be officially posted on the TTC
  
  Read more

• Austin Public Works prepares for winter weather

  02-11-2023 18:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A large part of Central Texas experienced its freeze of fall Thursday morning.This could mean much more cold weather this winter—something that Austinites will try to properly prepare for following two major winter storms in recent years. How this ice storm compares to our February 2021 winter stormThis week, the City of Austin's Street and Bridge Operations division held a field training on a variety of topics to prepare for winter weather response.Crews participated
  
  Read more

• Third suspect sentenced in connection with 2020 death of Austin ice cream man

  02-11-2023 18:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The third and final man charged in connection with the death of an Austin ice cream man in 2020 was sentenced on a lesser charge for robbery Oct. 23.Court records showed 22-year-old Devlon Wardy was sentenced to serve 15 years in state prison related to the death of 68-year-old Adelaido Bernabe Urias. PAST COVERAGE: APD searching for getaway driver, identifies 3 arrested on murder charges in death of Austin ice cream manAccording to plea documents, Wardy agreed to have a ca
  
  Read more

• Texas State Parks Day is Nov. 5 — how to get free entry

  02-11-2023 17:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas State Parks Day will be celebrated on Nov. 5, and now visitors will have free day pass entrance to explore the great outdoors of the Lone Star State.All Texas state parks will have free daily entry available with more than 80 statewide parks. Day-use activities can include wildlife watching, walking, hiking, parks programming, camping, biking, swimming, paddleboarding and other activities, per the release. A complete list of activities and events is available online.
  
  Read more

• Austin Parks & Rec ends burning restrictions in all parklands

  02-11-2023 17:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) ended the burning restrictions for all city parks. Texas Burn Bans Map“PARD is committed to protecting the City’s parks and surrounding communities and will continue to evaluate the wildfire risk on an ongoing basis,” the department said in a release.According to the city, if conditions get worse and there was an increased risk of wildfires, the burning restriction would be reinstated.
  
  Read more

• Harmony Public Schools deliver 5% bonus to full-time staff

  02-11-2023 17:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Harmony Public Schools, a Texas-based public charter system, announced a 5% appreciation bonus for its full-time staff Thursday.The bonus will be paid the week before Thanksgiving, school officials said in a news release. Approximately 5,000 staff members statewide will receive the bonus, officials added, equating to a minimum of $2,700 added for Harmony teachers. RELATED: Harmony Public Schools finds success with teacher retention programAlongside the bonus given to full-t
  
  Read more

• AFD responds to fire in east Austin

  02-11-2023 17:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Fire Department said crews were working on a fire in a boarded-up apartment complex in east Austin.The Austin Fire Department said crews were working on a fire in a boarded-up apartment complex in east Austin. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)The Austin Fire Department said crews were working on a fire in a boarded-up apartment complex in east Austin. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)The Austin Fire Department said crews were working on a fire in a boarded-up apartment compl
  
  Read more

• Tesla’s economic impact on Central Texas is growing exponentially

  02-11-2023 15:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) -- Tesla Inc.'s economic impact on the Austin area continues to grow as the electric vehicle maker and its partners ramp up production.The at-times elusive company that has called Central Texas its headquarters for almost two years — and now stands as one of the region’s largest employers with a staff of more than 20,000 — offered a unique glimpse into the economic activity generated by the company’s presence in Central Texas. Th
  
  Read more

• Defense takes over in APD officer's murder trial

  02-11-2023 14:55 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video is KXAN's coverage of this trial from Wednesday (Nov. 1, 2023).
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Thursday, attorneys representing Austin Police Officer Christopher Taylor will continue presenting their case after the state rested Wednesday. Taylor is on trial for murder in the death of Michael Ramos.Prosecutors expect to wrap mid-week in APD officer’s murder trialTaylor shot and killed Ramos, 42, during an incident with police back in April 2020 at a south Austin apartment c
  
  Read more

• Kaitlin Armstrong Day 2: Testimony surrounds gathering evidence at murder scene

  02-11-2023 14:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Prosecutors will call more witnesses Thursday in the murder trial for Kaitlin Armstrong, who's accused of shooting and killing pro cyclist Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson in May 2022.Both sides delivered opening statements Wednesday morning. The state outlined a timeline of evidence gathered from phone and GPS records of Armstrong and Wilson's actions leading up to the shooting. Prosecutors also discussed the relationship between Armstrong, Wilson and Armstrong's then-boyfriend Colin St
  
  Read more

• Kaitlin Armstrong Day 2: State plays doorbell video where gunshots are heard

  02-11-2023 14:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Prosecutors will call more witnesses Thursday in the murder trial for Kaitlin Armstrong, who's accused of shooting and killing pro cyclist Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson in May 2022.Both sides delivered opening statements Wednesday morning. The state outlined a timeline of evidence gathered from phone and GPS records of Armstrong and Wilson's actions leading up to the shooting. Prosecutors also discussed the relationship between Armstrong, Wilson and Armstrong's then-boyfriend Colin St
  
  Read more

• Kaitlin Armstrong Day 2: Prosecutors to call more witnesses during murder trial

  02-11-2023 14:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Prosecutors will call more witnesses Thursday in the murder trial for Kaitlin Armstrong, who's accused of shooting and killing pro cyclist Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson in May 2022.Both sides delivered opening statements Wednesday morning. The state outlined a timeline of evidence gathered from phone and GPS records of Armstrong and Wilson's actions leading up to the shooting. Prosecutors also discussed the relationship between Armstrong, Wilson and Armstrong's then-boyfriend Colin St
  
  Read more

• Gov. Abbott travels to Israel amid ongoing war with Hamas

  02-11-2023 14:48 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News Today's top morning headlines for Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Gov. Greg Abbott arrived Thursday morning in Israel, where his office shared he went to "reaffirm Texas’ enduring and unwavering support of the State of Israel" during its ongoing war with Hamas.
  The governor's office released a photo showing Abbott along with Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister. The two Republican leaders ma
  
  Read more

• Pedestrian hit, killed near Powell Lane and I-35 Service Road

  02-11-2023 14:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A person has died after being hit by a vehicle near the intersection of Powell Lane and North I-35 Service Road Southbound.
  Austin-Travis County EMS pronounced the adult patient dead on the scene.
  Drivers should expect traffic delays in the area or choose alternate routes.
  
  Read more

• UTMB researchers to use AI to study cultural barriers and cancer treatment

  02-11-2023 13:48 via kxan.com
  
  GALVESTON, Texas (KXAN) – The University of Texas Medical Branch said Monday its researchers will study the social and cultural barriers patients face when getting cancer treatment.
  According to the UTMB announcement, its researchers along with those from Texas Southern University in Houston got a $1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to use human-centered artificial intelligence to study those barriers to diagnoses and treatment in the United States.
  Many Americans have
  
  Read more

• No. 4 Westlake goes for another perfect regular season Thursday vs. Buda Johnson

  02-11-2023 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The No. 4 Westlake Chaparrals are one win away from a fourth consecutive perfect regular season, and they'll try to complete the feat Thursday against Buda Johnson at Bob Shelton Stadium in the KBVO Game of the Week.The Chaps will advance to the Class 6A-Division I playoffs as the district's top seed regardless of Thursday's result against the Jaguars, but a Jags upset and a Bowie loss to Lake Travis would put Johnson in the postseason. Johnson and Bowie are tied for the fo
  
  Read more

• No. 3 Westlake goes for another perfect regular season Thursday vs. Buda Johnson

  02-11-2023 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The No. 3 Westlake Chaparrals put the finishing touches on another dominant 6A-District 26 season with a 34-0 win Thursday over Buda Johnson at Bob Shelton Stadium.It's Westlake's 42nd consecutive district win and it caps a fourth consecutive perfect regular season and district title.
  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 website"It wasn't
  
  Read more

• No. 3 Westlake captures 4th consecutive perfect regular season with 34-0 win over Buda Johnson

  02-11-2023 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The No. 3 Westlake Chaparrals put the finishing touches on another dominant 6A-District 26 season with a 34-0 win Thursday over Buda Johnson at Bob Shelton Stadium.It's Westlake's 42nd consecutive district win and it caps a fourth consecutive perfect regular season and fourth consecutive district title.
  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 ou
  
  Read more

• Hundreds of Austin ISD students caught between a backlog and getting help

  02-11-2023 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Madalyn Betts has spent most of her life in special education classrooms, working through the challenges of having dyslexia, a speech impairment, and being on the autism spectrum. At 12, her aunt passed from a medical condition, and her grandmother died from coronavirus during the pandemic. Their deaths had a huge impact on Maddie. Her psychologist diagnosed her with social phobia and depression. She stopped going to Covington Middle School. Instead, she learned from her ho
  
  Read more

• At 15, she needs special education and homebound services to learn. For weeks, she got neither

  02-11-2023 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Madalyn Betts has spent most of her life in special education classrooms, working through the challenges of having dyslexia, a speech impairment, and being on the autism spectrum. At 12, her aunt passed from a medical condition, and her grandmother died from coronavirus during the pandemic. Their deaths had a huge impact on Maddie. Her psychologist diagnosed her with social phobia and depression. She stopped going to Covington Middle School. Instead, she learned from her ho
  
  Read more

• ERCOT raises emergency alert thresholds

  02-11-2023 12:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) said Wednesday it increased the threshold it uses to initiate energy emergency alerts.ERCOT triggers these alerts when the megawatt amount in operating reserves drop below certain levels.According to ERCOT, it increased the minimum operating reserves requirements for emergency operations for each of its three Energy Emergency Alert (EEA) levels.“The generation resource mix that powers the grid has changed, and how we o
  
  Read more

• Temperature climb leads to near-record warmth

  02-11-2023 10:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Colder than the flip side of the pillow this morning, but a nice temperature recovery is on the way.A shift in our winds will help kick off the warming trend today. Afternoon highs will climb well into the 60s -- still below normal for this time of year but warmer than what we felt yesterday.The temperature climb continues each day through the weekend, with temps approaching the upper 80s by next Tuesday.Daylight Saving Time comes to an end early Sunday morning, so don't forget
  
  Read more

• Texas Rangers win first World Series title with 5-0 victory over Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 5

  02-11-2023 10:01 via kxan.com
  
  PHOENIX (AP) — Corey Seager took a mighty swing and barely connected, sending a squibber through an open area on the left side of the infield for his team's first hit in the seventh inning.
  The Texas Rangers shortstop and World Series MVP provided plenty of power throughout a stellar October run. But it was a little good fortune that finally sparked the offense Wednesday night and sent the Rangers to their first title.Considering the heartache this club endured 12 years ago in one of the a
  
  Read more

• Fire burns southeast Austin home

  02-11-2023 09:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin Fire Department said a fire burned a home in southeast Austin early Thursday morning. The home is a total loss, AFD said.
  Firefighters were called to the fire on Bucks Run near East William Cannon Drive and South Pleasant Valley Road around 2:25 a.m., AFD said. Neighbors were the ones that notified 911.
  AFD said the home's owner and his dog were the only ones there at the time of the fire and were outside when crews arrived.According to AFD, crews had to help the
  
  Read more

• Texas Rangers win first World Series title with 5-0 win over Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 5

  02-11-2023 04:51 via kxan.com
  
  PHOENIX (AP) — Nathan Eovaldi pitched six gutsy innings, Mitch Garver broke a scoreless tie with an RBI single in the seventh and the Texas Rangers are World Series champions for the first time in their 63-season franchise history after beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-0 in Game 5 on Wednesday night.
  Marcus Semien homered late and the Rangers, held hitless for six innings by Zac Gallen, finished a record 11-0 on the road this postseason by capping the Fall Classic with three straight win
  
  Read more

• Texas Rangers win first World Series title with 5-0 win over Diamondbacks in Game 5

  02-11-2023 04:17 via kxan.com
  
  PHOENIX (AP) — Nathan Eovaldi pitched six gutsy innings, Mitch Garver broke a scoreless tie with an RBI single in the seventh and the Texas Rangers are World Series champions for the first time in their 63-year franchise history after beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-0 in Game 5 on Wednesday night.
  Marcus Semien homered late and the Rangers, held hitless for six innings by Zac Gallen, finished a record 11-0 on the road this postseason by capping the Fall Classic with three straight wins
  
  Read more

• Will Del Valle get an H-E-B? Some say they need one

  02-11-2023 02:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A lack of grocery stores in Del Valle has pushed some people in the community to reach out for help.On Monday Austin City Council Member Vanessa Fuentes sent a letter to H-E-B, asking them to build a store in Del Valle."We want to see H-E-B, set up shop and break ground on their property," Fuentes said.Fuentes said she has been talking with the company for a while, but the need for a store is evident with all the growth and lack of options."There are a few grocery store opt
  
  Read more

• Man accused of driving shooter to southeast Austin homicide faces murder charge

  02-11-2023 02:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was arrested and charged with murder following a shooting that killed a person in southeast Austin in late September.According to an arrest affidavit, 22-year-old Moses Wangobe Mohinga was charged with murder in connection with the Sept. 26 death of 40-year-old Keith Bedford.As of Wednesday, jail records showed Mohinga remained booked in the Travis County jail on a $750,000 bond. PAST COVERAGE: No arrest made in southeast Austin homicide, police identify victimOn
  
  Read more

Follow @Austin_News_US on Twitter!