Austin news

• How Austin's using new video technology to minimize crashes

  19-02-2024 23:02 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Monday, Feb. 19, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin's Vision Zero program is tapping into a burgeoning field of video technology to help evaluate and mitigate traffic safety concerns at city intersections.Vision Zero staff evaluate video analytics, which can distinguish between different moving objects on roadways such as cars, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists or other parts of the city's transit system.
  From th
  
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• Austin nonprofit rescues bats from sticky bird traps, warns of danger to wildlife

  19-02-2024 23:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An Austin nonprofit is warning about the impacts that widely available bird repellents can have on wildlife -- including Austin's bat population.
  The Austin Bat Refuge rescued four bats that appeared to be covered in a sticky substance intended as a bird repellent outside a local business. Videos from the nonprofit show a bat unable to move with leaves stuck to its body.
  ABR's Executive Director Dianne Odegard said they were alerted to bats on the sidewalk that were encased in a
  
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• 'Concerned': Mayor calls for shut down of Austin's involvement in Fayette Power Plant

  19-02-2024 22:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — When looking at the future of Austin's energy generation, Mayor Kirk Watson says he's looking at three prongs: sustainability and climate, affordability and reliability.
  Those prongs are elements Austin Energy is looking at right now as part of its 2030 Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan, which is slated to come back to Austin City Council next month. Austin Mayor takes aim at ‘city’s biggest greenhouse gas emitter’But late Friday, Watson ann
  
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• 'Concerned': Mayor calls for shut down of Austin's Fayette Power Plant

  19-02-2024 22:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — When looking at the future of Austin's energy generation, Mayor Kirk Watson says he's looking at three prongs: sustainability and climate, affordability and reliability.
  Those prongs are elements Austin Energy is looking at right now as part of its 2030 Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan, which is slated to come back to Austin City Council next month. Austin Mayor takes aim at ‘city’s biggest greenhouse gas emitter’But late Friday, Watson ann
  
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• How Austin's small businesses are using Artificial Intelligence

  19-02-2024 22:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- Creating a small business can be costly; from paying for marketing to bookkeeping.
  It has some small business owners turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI).
  According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, about 25% of small businesses said they are using or testing AI so they can outpace competitors.
  AI lessons in Austin
  Distance Learning Media partnered with the City of Austin and Texas Veterans Commission to teach small business owners different ways to grow their business and co
  
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• Which Austin streets are named after historic Black figures?

  19-02-2024 22:31 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Monday, Feb. 19, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In recent years, several Austin streets have taken on new names to honor prolific Black figures who have had influence here in Austin and beyond.
  Some of those figures are internationally renowned, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Others, like Azie Taylor Morton, are remembered as educators and racial equality advocates.Here's a look at some of the roadways named in their honor, and ho
  
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• Texas needs wins if they want to stay out of Big 12 tourney 1st round, get into NCAAs

  19-02-2024 21:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — About three weeks from the Big 12 Conference tournament, the Texas Longhorns need to grab a couple more wins in the regular season or else they may be watching the NCAA tournament from the couch.Heading into Monday night's game against Kansas State, the Longhorns are in a precarious spot. At 5-7, Texas and K-State are tied for ninth place in the conference. This is incredibly important in the conference tournament because if they end up in 11th place or lower, they'll have
  
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• LIVE: Texas needs wins if they want to stay out of Big 12 tourney 1st round, get into NCAAs

  19-02-2024 21:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — About three weeks from the Big 12 Conference tournament, the Texas Longhorns need to grab a couple more wins in the regular season or else they may be watching the NCAA tournament from the couch.Heading into Monday night's game against Kansas State, the Longhorns are in a precarious spot. At 5-7, Texas and K-State are tied for ninth place in the conference. This is incredibly important in the conference tournament because if they end up in 11th place or lower, they'll have
  
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• Buc-ee's up for incentives to build big travel center in San Marcos

  19-02-2024 19:52 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (Austin Business Journal) -- Buc-ee's Ltd. is eyeing a 74,000-square-foot family travel center in San Marcos, which would be as big as some grocery stores.The Lake Jackson-based company — known for its highway food, rows of gas pumps, clean bathrooms and Texas-sized footprints — on Feb. 20 will be considered by the San Marcos City Council for incentives to open on the southbound frontage of I-35 south of Yarrington Road, according to Council documents.The
  
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• Armed student prompts officer-involved shooting at Dallas area charter school

  19-02-2024 19:28 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Monday, Feb. 19, 2024.MESQUITE, Texas (KXAN) — A Dallas area officer was involved in a shooting after a student showed up to a charter school armed Monday morning, according to school officials and police.
  Officers with the Mesquite Police Department responded to the Pioneer Technology and Arts Oates campus shortly before 9 a.m. after reports of a person with a gun, according to a post from the police department. Th
  
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• Presidents Day 2024: What's open and closed?

  19-02-2024 19:19 via kxan.com
  
  (WPHL) - Monday, Feb. 19, is Presidents Day, and whether you are spending the day at home enjoying the day off from work or school, or just treating it like any other day, the holiday is a great opportunity to snag some deals and savings.
  The holiday commemorates the birthdays of America's 16th President, Abraham Lincoln, who was born on Feb. 12, and America's first president, George Washington, who was born on Feb. 22.
  Check below to find out which businesses and services are open or closed on
  
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• Martians wanted: Think you have what it takes to apply to NASA?

  19-02-2024 19:01 via kxan.com
  
  (WTAJ) - Move over, Matt Damon. It's someone else's turn to be "The Martian" in a new NASA mission.Applications are open for NASA's next one-year simulated Mars surface mission to help the agency plan for human exploration of the red planet. The second of three planned ground-based missions, CHAPEA (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog), is set to kick off in spring 2025.The mission involved a four-person volunteer crew living and working inside a 1,700-square-foot, 3D-printed habitat
  
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• 10 sickened with E. coli infections linked to raw milk cheeses sold nationwide, CDC says

  19-02-2024 18:00 via kxan.com
  
  SALT LAKE CITY (KTVX) – A multi-state outbreak of E. coli linked to raw milk cheese products has infected at least 10 people in four states, according to the latest numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Raw Farms LLC issued a voluntary recall for its Raw Farm cheddar cheeses after officials with the CDC and Food & Drug Administration (FDA) were alerted to illnesses in four states — California, Colorado, Texas and Utah — that appeared to be linked. The
  
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• Mosquito eater? Texas-sized mosquito? This bug popping up now is neither

  19-02-2024 16:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With spring-like temperatures being enjoyed across Central Texas, crane flies are mating and popping up on trails, on your porch, and all too often in your house.Typically referred to as a mosquito eater, mosquito hawk, or giant mosquito, Entomologist Wizzie Brown with Texas A&M Agrilife Extension said the crane fly (its actual name) does not eat mosquitos and is its own species of insect.Tipula paludosa, crane fly, Cornwall, UK. (Photo by: Nik Taylor/Education Images/Univer
  
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• Gas prices on the rise across Austin region, country

  19-02-2024 15:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Prices are rising at the pump and drivers across the country, state, and metro area are feeling it.AAA said over the last week, the average price of a gallon of regular gas rose eight cents nationally and nine cents statewide as well as in the Austin-San Marcos metro area.  According to a Feb. 15 AAA press release, one factor in the price rise is the Feb. 1 shutdown at the BP-Whiting refinery in Indiana.The refinery is the biggest in the Midwest and the sixth largest n
  
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• Georgetown MLK march happening Monday after being rescheduled

  19-02-2024 14:21 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) – A program honoring a civil rights icon will occur on Presidents Day in Georgetown.The Georgetown Fellowship of Churches said it will host a march and program Monday afternoon in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.The group will meet at noon on the north side of the Williamson County Courthouse on Seventh Street, organizers said.Marchers will head seven blocks to Macedonia Baptist Church at 206 Martin Luther King Jr., St., for a program beginning at noon featuring key
  
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• What are all the down-ballot races in the Texas March primaries?

  19-02-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — When you show up to the polls to cast a vote, some races on the ballot will be obvious. President, senator and governor, for example, are all pretty self-explanatory.But several of the down-ballot races may not be so clear, particularly if you're not sure what that position actually does.Here's a look at some of those races, to help you make informed decisions before casting your vote. The information comes from the Texas Association of Counties.County attorneyA county atto
  
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• City of Austin closings for Presidents' Day

  19-02-2024 13:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The city of Austin said most of its facilities and offices are closed on Monday for Presidents' Day. Normal business hours resume Tuesday, the city said.Parks and RecreationMost Austin Parks and Recreation facilities close on Monday. City parks, golf courses, cemeteries and some pools will open. Call ahead or check online for hours.Austin Resource RecoveryThe curbside collection follow a regular schedule on Monday. The Recycle and Reuse Drop-off Center​ and
  
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• Temperature climb ends in 80s this week

  19-02-2024 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- High pressure building over the area will lock dry weather in place for most of the week. And temperatures? Oh, you'll want to hear this...Despite a cold start, temperatures will warm nicely today with afternoon highs in the upper 60s - seasonable for this time of year.
  Monday afternoon forecast highsWe'll get even warmer as the days go on with temperatures topping 80° in Austin Wednesday and Thursday.IN-DEPTH: Midweek temperatures in the 80s come about 2-3 weeks late as our
  
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• A week of warmth even with a cold front

  19-02-2024 12:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Central Texas is bright again today as high pressure aloft is giving the area a sunny sky. The sunshine and a south wind gusting to the upper teens to low 20s will send highs to the upper 60s. More of a southwest wind in the Hill Country will contribute to some highs there reaching the low 70s.IN-DEPTH: Midweek temperatures in the 80s come about 2-3 weeks late as our average first 80° day typically falls around January 31st.High pressure in the upper atmosphere is centered o
  
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• Teenager with Down syndrome completes Austin half marathon

  19-02-2024 04:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – With the help of a friend, 18-year-old Owen Rawl completed the Austin Half Marathon Sunday morning. “I feel amazing,” Rawl told KXAN. Rawl has Down syndrome, which makes it difficult for him to run long distances, according to his mom, Lisa Owen. But Rawl participates with Ainsley’s Angels in Texas, which pairs endurance athletes with people who have disabilities that might preclude them from participation in race events. On Sunday, Rawl was
  
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• No. 16 Longhorns win season-opening series over San Diego, take Game 3 9-4

  19-02-2024 01:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — No. 16 Texas came alive in the middle innings to beat San Diego 9-4 on Sunday and take the season-opening series 2-1 at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.The Longhorns scored seven runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings combined to turn an early deficit into a resounding win. Texas connected on seven of their nine hits in the frames and took advantage of some erratic San Diego pitching. The Toreros walked two and hit two batters in the fifth which led to a pair of runs. For the g
  
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