Austin news

• PHOTOS: Celebrities seen at SXSW 2024 in Austin

  11-03-2024 23:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Nicholas Cage, Jake Gyllenhaal and Selena Gomez were just a few of the celebrities who descended upon Austin for South by Southwest 2024.
  Many were out celebrating their current film or television projects or speaking on a panel.
  Meghan Markle, The Duchess of Sussex, helped kickstart this year's festival by taking part in a discussion alongside Katie Couric, Errin Haines, Brooke Shields, and Nancy Wang Yuen. Prince Harry also attended the keynote and was in the audience.
  Ni
  
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• Al Pacino says Oscars producers asked him to omit reading best picture nominees

  11-03-2024 23:30 via kxan.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Al Pacino says he was following the instructions of the Oscars producers when he omitted the names of the best picture nominees while announcing the winner of the show's biggest category.The Oscar-winning actor was Sunday night's final presenter and announced “Oppenheimer” as the best picture winner without naming the full slate of nominees.
  “I just want to be clear it was not my intention to omit them, rather a choice by the producers not to have them
  
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• Max Belyeu, Texas Longhorns outfielder, named Big 12 co-player of the week

  11-03-2024 23:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas outfielder Max Belyeu knocked the cover off the ball during the opening Big 12 series in Lubbock, and for that, he earned Big 12 co-player of the week honors.Belyeu hit .500, 7 for 14, against the Red Raiders with three home runs and seven RBIs, pushing his batting average to .341 and a team-leading six homers. In a 9-7 Texas win to clinch the series victory, Belyeu was a one-man wrecking crew with a home run and two doubles to finish the day 4 for 5 with three RBIs.N
  
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• SXSW panel addresses violence intervention efforts

  11-03-2024 23:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On a day primarily dominated by talks about things like tech and transportation, Ingrid Archie and Aswad Thomas shared their experience as crime victims during a South by Southwest panel."That's unique for SXSW, to have a conversation is about safety," Thomas said.He and Archie work for the Alliance for Safety and Justice, a group that advocates for wraparound services for crime victims as well as people with criminal records who are trying to get back on track. The goal is to s
  
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• How an advocacy group addressed crime solutions in Austin

  11-03-2024 23:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On a day primarily dominated by talks about things like tech and transportation, Ingrid Archie and Aswad Thomas shared their experience as crime victims during a South by Southwest panel."That's unique for SXSW, to have a conversation is about safety," Thomas said.He and Archie work for the Alliance for Safety and Justice, a group that advocates for wraparound services for crime victims as well as people with criminal records who are trying to get back on track. The goal is to s
  
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• Austin City Council to move forward with two candidates in city manager search

  11-03-2024 22:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Brian Platt, one of the finalists for Austin's city manager hiring process, dropped out, according to a Sunday post from Mayor Kirk Watson’s office.The mayor's office confirmed to KXAN that it will not pull in additional applicants and will move forward with the two candidates still in the process.
  KXAN’s NBC affiliate in Kansas City received council documents which showed Platt had agreed to remove himself from consideration in order to negotiate an extended co
  
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• Texas head volleyball coach Jerritt Elliott gets 4-year contract extension

  11-03-2024 22:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Coming off back-to-back national championships, Texas Longhorns head volleyball coach Jerritt Elliott is getting a contract extension.Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte announced Monday that Elliott will get four years added to his contract, making him the program's leader through 2029. Elliott's previous contract was through 2025 and he was making $557,500 per year, according to university documents. Financial terms for the extension aren't publically available yet bu
  
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• New system sent thousands of alerts during recent Texas Panhandle wildfires

  11-03-2024 22:06 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The above KXAN video explains how wildfires get their name.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Thousands of emergency alerts went out to Texans in the Panhandle as major wildfires sparked to life on Feb. 26 and 27.Those notifications are part of new wildfire alert systems developed in part by the Texas A&M Forest Service. Xcel Energy company acknowledges role in Texas wildfireInfrared satellites allow the National Weather Service (NWS) and A&M Forest Service to monitor areas on days when the
  
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• CapMetro surveying Austinites on future MetroBike expansion

  11-03-2024 21:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — CapMetro is seeking Austinites' input on where future MetroBike stations and services could expand to down the road.The transit authority rolled out a community survey to learn more about how users currently interact with MetroBikes, what services or features would make them want to use the electric bikes more, where they'd like to see future expansion sites and if there are any barriers or issues preventing use of the service. RELATED: CapMetro rolling out $21M MetroBike e
  
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• Austin Energy exploring power plant involvement; pauses current plan

  11-03-2024 21:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Energy will take up City of Austin Mayor Kirk Watson's charge to get out of a coal-fired power plant sooner rather than later. However, a new memo from the city indicates it may not happen as quickly as the mayor wants.Austin Energy announced it would pause the current process of working with the Electric Utility Commission on the 2030 Climate Protection Plan. ‘Concerned’: Mayor calls for shut down of Austin’s involvement in Fayette Power PlantKXAN previ
  
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• Airbnb to ban hosts from using indoor security cameras

  11-03-2024 21:43 via kxan.com
  
  Video above from 5/26/23: Airbnb announces anti-party crackdown in Florida ahead of holiday weekendsTAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Airbnb is set to ban its hosts from having indoor security cameras in their properties beginning next month, the company announced Monday.Airbnb currently allows indoor security cameras in common areas of a home, such as a living room or a hallway, provided that the camera is easily visible and is disclosed in the listing before booking.
  However, starting April 30, secur
  
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• Austin mayor, Uber brainstorm how to expand accessible, sustainable transit systems

  11-03-2024 21:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Mayor Kirk Watson joined Uber's CEO Dara Khosrowshahi Monday to talk about the future of accessible and sustainable transit access in Austin and beyond.The featured session was part of the 2024 South by Southwest Conference and Festivals. During it, both Watson and Khosrowshahi discussed city-led and company-based initiatives to promote cleaner mass transit use, while also addressing pinch points in need of remedy.In Austin, that attention on public transit
  
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• Disu named Big 12's most improved player, Abmas tabbed to second team

  11-03-2024 20:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — He was shooting shots from a chair while recovering from offseason foot surgery and didn't participate in on-court drills before the season began, but that didn't stop Dylan Disu from becoming one of the Big 12 Conference's most impactful players this season.Disu was named to the All-Big 12 first team and the conference's most improved player after leading the Longhorns to a 9-9 conference record and No. 7 seed in the conference tournament. He led the Longhorns in scoring d
  
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• Why there's new barbed wire fencing below south Austin highway

  11-03-2024 20:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Drivers in south Austin may notice a new secure perimeter surrounding an area below a busy highway.
  The city recently installed chain link fencing topped with rows of barbed wire underneath U.S. 290 between South Lamar Boulevard and Pack Saddle Pass. According to the Austin Transportation Department, this is part of what's known as a "placemaking project" that will also involve the Texas Department of Transportation.
  A city spokesperson clarified in an email that placemakin
  
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• 1 killed, 3 injured in crash between motorcycle, car late Sunday

  11-03-2024 18:19 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Monday, March 11, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person was killed and three were injured in a crash in Mustang Ridge late Sunday night, according to police.
  The Mustang Ridge Police Department said in a Facebook post Sunday night that officers were dispatched to a crash involving a car and a motorcycle in the 18500 block of Camino Real (State Highway 21) around 9:20 p.m.
  One patient was pronounced dead on the scene and three
  
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• Austin receives $105M in federal dollars for Cap and Stitch program

  11-03-2024 16:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin's Cap and Stitch program received more than $105 million from the federal government, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) announced Monday.The federal dollars will go toward cap and stitch work at Cesar Chavez Street. The project aims to reconnect the eastside with downtown Austin while enhancing access and mobility, the release said.The funding came via the Inflation Reduction Act, with the total awarded amount listed at $105.2 million. PAST COVERAGE: Aust
  
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• NASCAR is coming to Austin. Are drivers prepared to turn right at COTA?

  11-03-2024 16:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A race series known for straightaways and long left-hand turns will mix it up next week when NASCAR returns to Austin.
  The race at Circuit of the Americas will highlight the tight twists of the 3.41-mile track, along with a 130-foot change in elevation, 11 left turns, and nine right turns. The event dates are March 22-24.
  Tickets range from $220 for the full weekend experience in the Grandstand Club Seats to just $25 to watch Friday's practice.
  Race fan Taylor Angstadt, 7,
  
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• UT Austin to reinstate standardized test scores in admissions starting next year

  11-03-2024 16:19 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Monday, March 11, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After doing away with a standardized test score requirement for undergraduate applicants during the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Texas at Austin announced Monday it will reinstate test scores beginning with applicants for the Fall 2025 semester.
  The University suspended the standardized score requirement in Spring 2020 due to limited testing availability during the COVID-19
  
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• You need a reservation for these 3 Travis County parks to watch the April solar eclipse

  11-03-2024 14:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Travis County Parks announced Monday that visitors wanting to watch the solar eclipse on April 8 from certain county parks will need to make a day-use reservation.
  The department opened the day-use reservations on Monday at 8 a.m. for Arkansas Bend Park, Pace Bend Park, and Reimers Ranch Park.
  Other Travis County Parks that won’t have day-use reservations will be first come first serve. When they reach capacity, they will close.There is no fee to make a reservation, b
  
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• University of Texas plans to 'break the universe' at upcoming event

  11-03-2024 14:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Space is slowly revealing its secrets. The James Webb Space Telescope launched in 2021, beginning operations a few months later. Since then, it has revealed images of black holes and ultramassive galaxies.Later this month, these images will be put on display as part of the University of Texas' Hot Science - Cool Talks lecture series. Dr. Caitlin Casey will lead the lecture called "Breaking the Universe: Discoveries from the Beginning of Time.""JWST has given us these surprises.
  
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• How ATCEMS is speeding emergency response during SXSW

  11-03-2024 13:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thousands of people are visiting downtown Austin for South by Southwest.With plenty of people jammed in one concentrated area, emergencies are expected."With the amount of road closures and the increase in pedestrian traffic, it makes it challenging to get around downtown to folks that need help,” Austin-Travis County EMS Commander Eric Gordon said. View more South by Southwest coverageTo speed up response times, paramedics are transforming downtown Austin into its ow
  
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• Strong storms possible late week into the weekend

  11-03-2024 11:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Spring breakers and SXSW attendees will have two more days of mainly dry weather before the rain and storms return.Today will feature mostly to partly sunny skies, dry conditions and warm temperatures (70s). Winds out of the southeast will become breezy at times (10-15 mph) and will continue to increase the humidity over the area.Noticeable humidity mid- to late weekClouds will thicken up overnight with potential for dense fog and patch drizzle developing by Wednesday morning. M
  
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• Enjoy the calm before the storms

  11-03-2024 11:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Spring breakers and SXSW attendees will have three more days of dry weather before the rain and storms return.Sunrise clouds cleared nicely during the morning to a mainly sunny sky that will continue into the afternoon. Highs will be around the normal this afternoon with further warming tomorrow and Wednesday.Today's normal high is 72°After a couple of morning without it, the fog will return tomorrow morning and again Wednesday morning.Reduced visibility both Tuesday and Wed
  
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• The latest from the Oscars: Memorable moments and notable quotes

  11-03-2024 02:54 via kxan.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Welcome to the 96th Oscars. The Associated Press is bringing you the most memorable moments and notable quotes from Sunday's Academy Awards.___Follow the 2024 Oscars liveSee this year's best red carpet looksFind the full list of winnersWatch on the AP's YouTube channel___Pink, pink, pinkNeon pink lights shone on Ryan Gosling as he performed “I’m Just Ken," a huge 80s power ballad, in a glittering pink suit. Perhaps tired of the all-pink wardrobe required of h
  
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• Three US mayors, including Austin's, discuss workforce development at SXSW

  11-03-2024 02:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Three mayors, including Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, attended South by Southwest Sunday afternoon to talk to attendees about strides they’ve made with workforce development in their growing cities. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg joined Watson to discuss not only the importance of workforce development for a municipality’s economic development but also the economic mobility of its constituents. “We're seeing workf
  
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• No. 1 Texas softball bounces back to win Big 12 series 2-1 over Houston

  11-03-2024 02:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After a hiccup to start the series, the No. 1 Texas softball team claimed a series win 2-1 over the Houston Cougars following an 8-6 victory Sunday in Houston.Following Oklahoma's loss to Louisiana last week, the Longhorns jumped the Sooners in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 rankings by a point to claim the top spot. After the Longhorns beat UT Arlington 8-1 in their first game as the top-ranked team in the country, they lost the second game to Houston 12-10 in the series
  
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• No. 24 Texas baseball takes series from No. 17 Texas Tech in Lubbock

  11-03-2024 01:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns claimed Sunday's rubber match against the Texas Tech Red Raiders 9-7 to win the opening series of Big 12 Conference play in Lubbock.The Longhorns clubbed their way to a 22-8 win in the series opener Friday then lost 7-2 Saturday before picking up the final game.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/newslettersTexas outfielder Max Belyeu hit a home run in ev
  
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• Gold Stirrup Horse Show held at Rodeo Austin, Matthew Wright wins gold belt buckle

  11-03-2024 00:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Dozens of riders took part in the Gold Stirrup Horse Show on Sunday out at the Travis County Expo Center.
  Riders took part in Trail, Showmanship at Halter, Western Pleasure/Equitation, English Pleasure/Equitation and Barrels, all competing for fun and a Golden Belt Buckle."It means a lot for me to be out here and also be competing in the Special Olympics Texas Gold Stirrup Rodeo this morning and I love riding horses and I encourage people to be involved in it," said rider M
  
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