Austin news

• Dripping Springs ISD's response to playground sexual assault upsets parent

  02-03-2024 23:54 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: This story features an account of alleged sexual assault against minors. KXAN has withheld the names and identifying information for the privacy of those involved. If you are in distress or need someone to talk to, please call RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) — A Dripping Springs ISD mother describes an Oct. 20 family dinner with her elementary student in heart-breaking detail.During nightly family dinners, she, her hus
  
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• Here's how to donate to wildfire victims in Smokehouse Creek Fire

  02-03-2024 22:07 via kxan.com
  
  DALLAS (KDAF) — According to Texas A&M Forest Service, the Smokehouse Creek fire began Monday afternoon and spread from 100,000 to 500,000 acres in a single day.RELATED: ‘Smokehouse Creek’ Fire in Hutchinson, Roberts County burns 1,078,086 acres, 15% containedDonation sites have been set in place to help the different areas affected by the disaster:BorgerThe City of Borger/Hutchinson County OEM has confirmed places to donate:
  Pantex Federal Credit UnionAmarillo National Ban
  
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• 2nd-half run propels Texas to win over Oklahoma State, back to .500 in Big 12 play

  02-03-2024 22:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas went on a 14-0 run midway through the second half to fend off a pesky Oklahoma State squad 81-65 in Big 12 men's basketball action Saturday at Moody Center.The Cowboys erased an 11-point halftime deficit to tie the game 52-52 at the 12:20 mark, but over the next three minutes, the Longhorns went on a run of their own. Brock Cunningham sparked the run with a 3-pointer with 12:05 left, and from there Texas ran off 11 more points, culminating on a Dylan Disu 3-pointer wi
  
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• San Marcos man faces 2 indecent exposure charges

  02-03-2024 22:01 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — A man was arrested Wednesday in San Marcos in connection with two indecent exposure investigations, according to the San Marcos Police Department.SMPD said 27-year-old Ricky Hardeman, of San Marcos, faced two charges of indecent exposure and was booked into the Hays County jail on a $10,000 bond.Police said on Monday, officers responded to a call shortly after midnight to a restaurant located between Interstate 35 and Highway 123.SMPD said restaurant staff report
  
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• Texas physician suspended after groping patient, medical board says

  02-03-2024 21:40 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Texas Medical Board has suspended a San Antonio physician after he allegedly groped a patient.A panel decided to temporarily suspend the Texas medical license of Robert Gerard Jakubowski, M.D., on Tuesday, a news release from the TMB stated."The Board panel found Dr. Jakubowski touched a patient's breasts in a sexual manner and not in the manner of performing a breast exam, without the patient's consent and without any medical purpose," the release
  
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• 4 arrested on drug charges in Elgin following raid

  02-03-2024 20:10 via kxan.com
  
  ELGIN, Texas (KXAN) — Four people were arrested Friday during a raid in Elgin in connection with criminal activities, according to the Elgin Police Department.During the raid, Elgin PD said detectives also seized multiple firearms, various narcotics, U.S. currency and electronics in addition to the four arrests.Police said Angela Alvarado, Ivan Cook and Anthony Joiner face charges for the delivery of a controlled substance, and Jamaal Bradley was arrested on a charge of possession of a con
  
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• US begins delivering humanitarian aid into Gaza amid war

  02-03-2024 18:18 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) -- The United States military began delivering humanitarian aid into Gaza via C-130 cargo planes Saturday morning.Three planes from Air Forces Central dropped 66 bundles that contained about 38,000 meals into Gaza around 8:30 am ET, two officials told The Associated Press.The airdrop, expected to be the first of many, comes just days after more than 100 Palestinians in Gaza city were killed and more than 700 injured when Israeli soldiers opened fire on the people scrambling to access
  
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• These are 2024's top wedding dates, the Knot says

  02-03-2024 17:30 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — If you have a lot of weddings to attend this year, odds are there's a certain time of year you can expect to be really busy. Wedding resource The Knot recently released its 2023 Real Weddings Study, finding that October will be the most wedding-filled month in 2024.In addition to finding how much more, on average, weddings are costing these days ($5,000 more in 2023 than in 2022), the Knot also found the specific days many are choosing to walk the aisle this year. Walt Disney W
  
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• Firefighters face difficult weather conditions as they battle the largest wildfire in Texas history

  02-03-2024 16:25 via kxan.com
  
  STINNETT, Texas (AP) — Firefighters battling the largest wildfire in Texas history face increasingly difficult weather conditions on Saturday.The Smokehouse Creek Fire that began Monday has killed at least two people, left a charred landscape of scorched prairie, dead cattle and destroyed as many as 500 structures, including burned-out homes, in the Texas Panhandle.The National Weather Service in Amarillo has issued a red flag warning for the entire Panhandle from late Saturday m
  
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• Central Texas' March bird forecast

  02-03-2024 15:14 via kxan.com
  
  Bird ForecastWhat to watch for in March:  Migration – the early daysHere is the Central Texas bird forecast for the month, courtesy of Travis Audubon. Learn more about Central Texas birds and bird-related events for all ages at travisaudubon.org or by calling 512-300-BIRD. Follow us at www.facebook.com/travisaudubonMigrating American White Pelicans over Lake Travis
  COURTESY: Vincent O'Brien
  Many different species of birds will pass through Austin under the radar during March, with som
  
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• Why do we vote on Tuesdays?

  02-03-2024 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Americans have voted on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November in federal elections since 1845. That’s when a law was passed by Congress to set a single election day for the entire country.According to History.com, the reason Tuesday was chosen was because of convenience.In the 19th century, most Americans were farmers and needed time to travel to the polls. Sundays were not an option because that’s when most people went to church.Wednesdays w
  
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• Trump, Georgia attorneys clash in final Fani Willis disqualification arguments

  02-03-2024 14:42 via kxan.com
  
  Attorneys for former President Trump and his Georgia co-defendants made their final pitch Friday to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D), attacking her credibility and motives given her romantic relationship with a top prosecutor. After listening to three hours of legal arguments, Judge Scott McAfee indicated he hoped to issue a ruling in the next two weeks. “I think it has been very much made clear by the argument made today ... that there are several
  
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• Texas State Parks eclipse day pass reservations open soon

  02-03-2024 14:38 via kxan.com
  
  TYLER, Texas (KETK) - The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said day pass reservations to see the April 8 eclipse at Texas State Parks will open at 8 a.m. on March 8.Reservations for 31 state parks in the totality of the eclipse can be made online or by calling the Texas State Parks Reservations Center at 512-389-8900.RELATED: How much of the sun will be covered in your city during April’s solar eclipse?TPWD noted that reservations for Enchanted Rock State Natural Area can only be made o
  
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• No. 2 Texas pounds Northwestern State, Tarleton State in Longhorn Invitational

  02-03-2024 04:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — No. 2 Texas clobbered the softball Friday at McCombs Field, ringing up two mercy-rule victories as part of the Longhorn Invitational.Texas pounded Northwestern State 10-2 in its first game of the day then followed it up with a 17-0 drubbing of Tarleton State. The Longhorns clubbed six home runs on the day, two coming from Alyssa Washington against Tarleton State.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports
  
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• One person injured after shooting in central Austin

  02-03-2024 04:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person was injured in a shooting in central Austin on Friday night, according to the Austin Police Department.The shooting happened at 39th Street and Speedway. That's near Hyde Park.One person was transported to the hospital and the shooting remained under investigation Friday.
  
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• Gov. Abbott says Texas wildfires may have destroyed up to 500 structures

  02-03-2024 04:22 via kxan.com
  
  STINNETT, Texas (AP) — Wildfires may have destroyed as many as 500 structures in the Texas Panhandle, Gov. Greg Abbott said Friday, describing how the largest blaze in state history scorched everything in its path, leaving ashes in its wake.Texas officials warned that the threat was not yet over. Higher temperatures and stronger winds forecast for Saturday elevated worries that fires in the Panhandle could spread beyond the more than 1,700 square miles (4,400 square kilometers) already che
  
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• Semiconductor industry continues to grow in Central Texas

  02-03-2024 03:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin has continued to attract high tech companies from all over the world, and growth is not slowing down.Even surrounding communities like Taylor are seeing the impact with Samsung building a large facility in the community.Fueled by the CHIPS Act, which went into law in 2022, is seeing more and more semiconductor companies. Companies who are affiliated with semiconductor are coming to the United States and Texas.Friday In Elgin, Yerico Manufacturing broke ground on
  
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• Central Texas fire crews help fight million-acre Panhandle fire

  02-03-2024 03:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- The Texas A&M Forest Service reported that the "Smokehouse Creek" fire in Hutchinson County is considered the largest in Texas history.The fire covers more than one million acres, or 1,600 square miles, and is 15% contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service as of Friday night.Some firefighters from Central Texas answered the call to help out our neighbors in the Panhandle.
  Several departments deployed crews.
  'Things are still pretty crazy out there'Some Kyle fi
  
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• Education Department launching an investigation into death of Nex Benedict

  02-03-2024 03:03 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) — The Department of Education said Friday that it is opening an investigation into the death of Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old Oklahoma high school student who died one day after getting into a fight in the girls bathroom at school, where they were allegedly bullied for months over their gender identity.The department’s Office for Civil Rights notified the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) of the investigation, which it said was opened in response to a letter sent by the
  
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• No. 3 Longhorns looking to finish Big 12 regular season strong vs. BYU

  02-03-2024 02:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two seniors will be honored Saturday at Moody Center as the Texas women's basketball team will try to bounce back after a tough loss to Oklahoma. The Longhorns will face BYU in the Big 12 regular season finale, and for one of the seniors, it'll mean a little bit more.Shaylee Gonzales, who transferred to Texas after three seasons at BYU, will play her last regular season college basketball game against the school she started her career with. She was an All-American and West
  
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• District court blocks Texas AG's demand for documents on trans youth

  02-03-2024 01:29 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) — A Texas district court judge on Friday temporarily halted a demand from the state attorney general’s office for an LGBTQ advocacy group to hand over information related to its support of transgender children receiving gender-affirming medical care.PFLAG National, a nonprofit group that supports LGBTQ people and their families, sued Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) late Wednesday in Travis County District Court, arguing that the demand from Paxton’s office was
  
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• APD searching for suspect vehicle in hit-and-run

  02-03-2024 00:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said it was searching for a vehicle in connection with a hit-and-run that resulted in serious injuries.According to police, at approximately 4:20 a.m. Monday, officers responded to a crash that occurred between a vehicle and a pedestrian on Manor Road, just north of Rogge Lane. Austin-Travis County EMS and the Austin Fire Department also responded to the call.APD said a preliminary investigation revealed the driver of a pickup truck hit a pedest
  
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• Lago Vista ISD closing April 8 for solar eclipse

  02-03-2024 00:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As the celestial event of the April 2024 solar eclipse gets closer, more schools are announcing closures for that day, including Lago Vista Independent School District.Academic calendars across Central Texas show at least 10 districts in the area are canceling classes on April 8, 2024, due to the eclipse.In a letter sent out to parents, Lago Vista ISD Deputy Superintendent Suzy Lofton Bullis said the district will close school for staff and students on April 8. This day will not
  
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• Williamson County leaders to vote on praising Gov. Abbott border security efforts

  02-03-2024 00:15 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Texas governor could receive a formal show of support next week from some Central Texas leaders for his concentrated, aggressive efforts on the border.
  At their meeting Tuesday morning, the Williamson County commissioners will vote on a resolution to commend Gov. Greg Abbott "for his dedication to securing the Texas border and for his proactive efforts to address the complex issues associated with illegal immigration and border security." Gov. Abbott r
  
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• Looking to go pro? These are the top high schools for athletes in the country

  02-03-2024 00:13 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) -- For many students across the country, sports is their passion, which is why it’s always good to know where you can get the most out of your athletic ability and be able to showcase it at its finest.Thanks to Niche, which compiles data, reviews, and insights to rank schools across the country in specific categories, we were able to discover the top high schools for athletes across the United States. Check them out:SchoolLocationPrivate/PublicNumber of StudentsNumber of Spo
  
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• After big win in Lubbock, Longhorns turning up intensity in hopes of late-season surge

  02-03-2024 00:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Urgency is the keyword for the Texas Longhorns men's basketball team for the rest of the season.After an 81-69 win on the road against Texas Tech on Tuesday, one the Longhorns needed to help their NCAA tournament chances, both senior guard Max Abmas and head coach Rodney Terry mentioned how much urgency the team played with against the Red Raiders. It's one thing to have that level of intensity and focus for one game — now the Longhorns have to stay consistent with it
  
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