Austin news

• 40 cats rescued from single home, Williamson County Animal Shelter asking for help

  14-03-2024 23:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS) rescued 40 cats from a single location on Wednesday and Thursday. The shelter is asking for support from the community to either adopt or foster any animal.
  The healthy cats will be available for adoption and can be found on the shelter's website, according to a WCRAS press release.
  The amount of cats coming into the shelter puts an extra strain on the resources available so WCRAS is asking for help in all areas, including wi
  
  Read more

• SXSW drop-out bands perform at pro-Palestine rally instead

  14-03-2024 23:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (NEXSTAR) — After more than 80 bands and speakers dropped out of the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival due to the U.S. Army’s “super sponsorship” of the event, a pro-Palestinian group calling for a ceasefire is hosting the bands outside Austin City Hall on Thursday.Earlier this week, several bands started announcing they would pull out of the nine-day festival in protest of the United State's ongoing support of Israel as its war with Hamas rages on.
  The U.S. is Is
  
  Read more

• Lockhart approves incentives for $10M hotel project

  14-03-2024 23:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (ABJ) -- A four-story hotel with meeting room space is planned in Lockhart that officials hope will extend visitors' stays in what's known as the Barbecue Capital of Texas.The Lockhart City Council on March 7 approved up to $1.8 million in financial incentives for Lockhart Hospitality LLC to build a $10 million Holiday Inn Express & Suites at the corner of City Line Road and San Antonio Street. The project is expected to create at least 14 full-time jobs.The incentive agreement calls
  
  Read more

• Man sentenced to 12 years in prison for January 2022 deadly southeast Austin shooting

  14-03-2024 23:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man charged with murder in a southeast January 2022 shooting pleaded guilty March 7 and was sentenced to 12 years in prison, according to court records.John Paul Aguirre will also receive a jail credit of 799 days, per court records.Aguirre, 22 at the time of the deadly shooting, was previously accused of shooting and killing Rony Adaly Hernandez, 30, at an apartment complex in the 4500 block of East Riverside Drive. PAST COVERAGE: 22-year-old charged with murder after man fou
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• New P. Terry's location opens in east Austin

  14-03-2024 23:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)-- P. Terry's just opened its 32nd location in east Austin, located at 2425 E. Seventh St.This location has a double drive-thru with a walk up service and patio, the restaurant said in a news release Thursday.“Having a presence in East Austin is something we’ve been working on for literally several years,” Patrick Terry, CEO of P. Terry’s, said in the release.KXAN has previously looked at how P. Terry's is growing in the Central Texas area.
  When it comes to e
  
  Read more

• Historic Treaty Oak tree vandalized in downtown Austin

  14-03-2024 22:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is investigating after someone damaged a hundreds-year-old tree with historic ties in downtown Austin.The Treaty Oak is the sole remaining tree from the "Council Oaks," according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. The Council Oaks were a set of trees recognized as the place where Stephen F. Austin — dubbed by some as the "founder" of Texas — signed a boundary line agreement with area Native Americans.
  The Austin Parks and Recreatio
  
  Read more

• Incoming weather: SXSW moving free outdoor Saturday concerts to inside venue

  14-03-2024 22:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The end-of-the-week threat for severe weather is hitting just as South by Southwest's outdoor concerts ramp up.Because of this, SXSW's free Saturday concerts - part of the SXSW Community Concerts series -originally planned at Auditorium Shores, will now move to Palm Door on Sixth, an indoor venue, according to a Thursday afternoon email from organizers. The email did not mention any changes to Friday's concerts at Auditorium Shores.Damp weather at times today, increasing severe
  
  Read more

• How is UT Austin preparing for the solar eclipse?

  14-03-2024 22:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's less than a month until the total solar eclipse and astronomy experts at the University of Texas at Austin are helping community members prepare for the once-in-a-lifetime event.The total eclipse will be visible across Central Texas on April 8. The duration of the eclipse is poised to run from 12:17 p.m. to 2:58 p.m. April 8, with its peak totality — or the moment the moon fully the eclipses the sun — slated to happen between 1:36 p.m. and 1:38 p.m. in Aust
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Pornhub cuts off access to site in Texas over age verification law

  14-03-2024 21:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — People living in Texas can no longer log into and watch videos on Pornhub because the popular adult entertainment website cut off access to the state over an objection to its age verification law.
  In a lengthy message posted on Thursday, the site explained its decision to "completely disable access" to Texas and slammed the law in question as "ineffective, haphazard, and dangerous." House Bill 1181, which went into effect on Sept. 1 last year, requires age verification meas
  
  Read more

• Austin’s animal shelter launches new foster program

  14-03-2024 21:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, Austin Animal Center (AAC) announced it was launching its new Finder to Foster program.The program would allow community members who find a lost pet to register them with the shelter, receive medical care and a microchip, as well as be listed as a found pet in the shelter database.“The pet will not have to stay at the shelter for the length of the 72-hour stray hold; the hold will still occur while in the finder’s home. If an owner does not come for
  
  Read more

• Groups want more money for homeless services, but Austin faces a possible budget deficit

  14-03-2024 20:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As the City of Austin approaches its midyear budget review, advocacy groups like Vocal Texas and the Texas Harm Reduction Alliance, were outside City Hall Thursday asking for additional funding for homelessness services.
  "I was homeless. I never thought in a million years I would be homeless but I ended up finding myself homeless at a point. I was homeless for two years," said Vernon Jarmon, who participated in Thursday's rally.
  Austin City Council approved a record-large $
  
  Read more

• Texas Medical Board to consider issuing guidance on abortion laws’ medical exceptions

  14-03-2024 20:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — The Texas Medical Board will consider language to clarify what qualifies as a medical exception to the state’s abortion laws at an upcoming March 22 board meeting. The meeting agenda was published in the Texas Register Thursday morning.According to the medical board’s agenda, it will consider and take “possible action on rules regarding exceptions to the ban on abortions” at their upcoming meeting.This comes after Texas attorneys and lobbyis
  
  Read more

• Austin students collab with Hollywood director on 'Spy Kids' music video project

  14-03-2024 19:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Some Austin students recently got to collaborate with a Hollywood director known for his work on the movie "Spy Kids," which was also filmed mostly in Austin.
  Robert Rodriguez collaborated with classical guitar students at McCallum High School on an audio recording and music video for the Spy Kids film. Rodriguez donated the music, his time and a film crew during the collaboration process.
  He also shared the musical arrangement with Austin Classical Guitar, which
  
  Read more

• Governor Abbott signs mutual co-operation with the United Kingdom

  14-03-2024 19:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas Governor Greg Abbott was in London on an economic development trip to build on the partnership between Texas and the United Kingdom.On Wednesday, Abbott signed a Statement of Mutual Cooperation (SMC) with Kemi Badenoch, the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, according to a statement from the governor's office.
  Abbott said he was working to deepen the partnership with the UK by building efforts to encourage expanded trade in critical industries and attract new jo
  
  Read more

• Round Rock drivers adapt to new roundabout

  14-03-2024 18:11 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — City, county and transportation leaders celebrated the grand opening of a $27.4 million roundabout project at RM620 and Chisholm Trail this week.The City of Round Rock, Texas Department of Transportation and Williamson County team up to build the project.Along with a roundabout at RM 620, overpasses have been added at Chisholm Trail and Lake Creek Drive.In a social media post, the City of Round Rock said the overpasses will allow drivers to avoid railroad crossin
  
  Read more

• Man deemed incompetent in June 2023 West Campus stabbing

  14-03-2024 17:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was deemed incompetent to stand trial related to a June stabbing that occurred in West Campus near the University of Texas at Austin.According to Travis County court documents, 45-year-old Brian Baca was ordered to be committed to a mental health facility or residential care facility in September for observation and treatment for no more than 120 days. PAST COVERAGE: Adult in critical condition after reported UT West Campus stabbingBaca was previously arrested June 12
  
  Read more

• Arsonist sentenced after 111-year-old Mason County Courthouse destroyed

  14-03-2024 16:48 via kxan.com
  
  MASON, Texas (KXAN) — A man was convicted and sentenced Feb. 28 on two first-degree felony arson-related charges and three others in connection with a February 2021 fire that destroyed a 111-year-old courthouse in Mason County.Nicholas Miller (McLennan County Sheriff's Office)
  Documents showed Nicholas Jarret Miller would serve 75 years in state prison related to the charges, which all run concurrently. PAST COVERAGE | ‘The heartbeat of our community’: What’s next for the
  
  Read more

• Gas services shut off, State Highway 71 now open after reported cut gas line

  14-03-2024 16:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Gas has been shut off after a gas line was hit, and traffic is now open at State Highway 71.The Austin Fire Department previously responded to the incident near the Oak Hill area Thursday morning. AFD said a six-inch gas main was struck while crews were digging for storm drainage in the 7100 block of State Highway 71.Around 2:14 p.m., AFD said roads on the highway were back open. No other details were available Thursday.
  
  Read more

• Gas line hit on State Highway 71 near Oak Hill, drivers advised to avoid area

  14-03-2024 16:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Fire Department is responding to a broken gas main near the Oak Hill area Thursday morning.
  AFD said on social media it got reports of a six-inch gas main struck while crews were digging for storm drainage in the 7100 block of State Highway 71.
  The equipment was shut off and crews cleared the area.
  AFD is warning drivers to avoid the area.
  
  Read more

• Outdoor Voices to close all retail stores, take business online

  14-03-2024 14:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — Austin-based athleisure outfitter Outdoor Voices Inc. will be closing all of its stores on March 17, a local store employee confirmed.Customers flocked to the retailer's South Congress store on March 13, where items were discounted 50% and a line to get in wrapped around the building. A report by The New York Times points to executive turnover and a declining valuation in recent years.Outdoor Voices, which moved its headquarters to Aus
  
  Read more

• Another lawsuit challenges Texas' SB4 immigration law

  14-03-2024 14:37 via kxan.com
  
  McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) — Another civil rights organization has filed a lawsuit challenging Texas' controversial new immigration law SB4 from taking effect.La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), which is based in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas on Tuesday sued Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, alleging the new law violates the Constitution and is a breach of the state's role regarding immigration.Nonprofits vow to ‘intensify’ work with migrants in response to Texas lawsuit
  SB4--
  
  Read more

• Why one Central Texas owl is getting views nationwide

  14-03-2024 14:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- You can now watch a famous Central Texas owl raise her family live online thanks to a new Owl Cam at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
  KXAN Meteorologist Nick Bannin spoke with Dr. Sean Griffin, Director of Science and Conservation at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center about the camera and the owl that makes it worth a watch. Live nest cam launches in Austin as owl Athena makes her return to nesting siteKXAN Meteorologist Nick Bannin: You just shared some pretty excit
  
  Read more

• AUS updating wayfinding signs around airport campus

  14-03-2024 14:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A study at Austin's airport found there are a variety of issues with the current wayfinding signs inside the terminal that will be addressed as the airport continues with its expansion project.
  The wayfinding signs are those yellow signs that direct passengers where to go inside the airport for gate location, baggage claim, and ground transportation. The purpose of the study was to provide consistent standards for signage that will show clear messaging for passengers, according
  
  Read more

• Crews working to repair water main break in Cedar Park

  14-03-2024 13:46 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) -- An apartment complex in Cedar Park will be without water for several hours as crews work to repair a nearby water main break.
  The city posted on social media that crews were working to repair a water main break near 183A and Brushy Creek Road, near the Camden Brushy Creek Apartments.
  The city estimated the repair would take several hours.Water main break repair in Cedar Park near 183A and Brushy Creek Road (Photo: City of Cedar Park)
  Water main break repair in Cedar P
  
  Read more

• These were the fastest-growing counties in Texas in 2023, according to new Census Bureau estimates

  14-03-2024 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas added more people than any other state between July 2022 and July 2023, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.Texas' population grew by almost 475,000 during that time period, but some counties grew at much faster rates than others. The Census Bureau published its 2023 county population estimates Thursday.Of the 254 counties in Texas, 177 saw an increase in population since July 1, 2022, while 75 had a population decline. Two counties, Hall and Stonewall,
  
  Read more

• Starship enters Earth's orbit from Boca Chica Beach

  14-03-2024 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  BOCA CHICA, Texas (ValleyCentral) — SpaceX launched its third test of the most powerful rocket ever built - Starship from Boca Chica Beach. The rocket made it past stage separation on Thursday morning and into Earth's orbit.The third test flight was targeted for Thursday morning, with a 110-minute test window opening at 7 a.m., SpaceX announced in a news release.The rocket took off at 8:25 a.m. CT.
  "The Starship team is go for prop load but keeping an eye on winds," it announced on X.Space
  
  Read more

• SpaceX attempts third Starship launch

  14-03-2024 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  BOCA CHICA, Texas (ValleyCentral) — SpaceX announced that it aims to launch its third Starship Thursday morning.The third test flight is targeted for Thursday morning, with a 110-minute test window opening at 7 a.m., SpaceX announced in a news release.At 7 a.m., SpaceX announced its target liftoff time is 8:02 a.m. The team is clearing boats from the "keep out" area in the Gulf of Mexico.
  "The third flight test aims to build on what we’ve learned from previous flights while
  
  Read more

• 'Furthest and fastest': SpaceX successfully launches third Starship

  14-03-2024 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  BOCA CHICA, Texas (ValleyCentral) — SpaceX launched its third test of the most powerful rocket ever built - Starship from Boca Chica Beach. The rocket made it past stage separation on Thursday morning and into Earth's orbit, but was lost during reentry.The third test flight was targeted for Thursday morning, with a 110-minute test window opening at 7 a.m., SpaceX announced in a news release.The rocket took off at 8:25 a.m. CT.
  After Starship took flight, the Super Heavy booster completed i
  
  Read more

• 'Furthest and fastest' SpaceX loses Starship during reentry

  14-03-2024 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  BOCA CHICA, Texas (ValleyCentral) — SpaceX launched its third test of the most powerful rocket ever built - Starship from Boca Chica Beach. The rocket made it past stage separation on Thursday morning and into Earth's orbit.
  The third test flight was targeted for Thursday morning, with a 110-minute test window opening at 7 a.m., SpaceX announced in a news release.The rocket took off at 8:25 a.m. CT.
  After Starship took flight, the Super Heavy booster completed its ascent and ignited all 33
  
  Read more

• Austin tutor's arrest reveals 'cracks' in how Texas vets school employees

  14-03-2024 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The email came in late on a Friday.The Austin Independent School District message on Dec. 8 was for parents with children at Akins High School — the subject line: Arrest of former Akins Tutor. Earlier that day, Austin ISD police arrested Isaiah Xavier Smith, a man hired by the local nonprofit Austin Partners in Education to tutor at Austin ISD schools. The district told parents Smith had been arrested on a felony charge of indecency with a child by contact tied to a r
  
  Read more

• Wet weather pattern getting underway now

  14-03-2024 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A turn to a wet weather pattern is underway now--a pattern that is expected to continue through the weekend. The first scattered showers in association with this pattern change began developing Thursday afternoon.This evening will feature pockets of showers/drizzle/sprinkles on & off. Whether or not we see strong thunderstorms will be dependent on whether the "cap" (stable layer up above) holds over Central Texas. If it does, like most computer data is showing, thunderstorms
  
  Read more

• Damp weather at times today, increasing severe risk tomorrow

  14-03-2024 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A turn to wetter weather begins today with a risk of severe storms increasing over the next 48 hours.Today will feature pockets of light rain/drizzle/sprinkles on & off through the afternoon. Whether or not we see strong thunderstorms will be dependent on whether the "cap" (stable layer up above) holds over Central Texas. If it does, like most computer data is showing, thunderstorms will have a hard time developing. Better dynamics for severe weather will be north of our are
  
  Read more

• How ATCEMS reaches any venue during SXSW

  14-03-2024 04:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Wednesday, Austin-Travis County EMS gave KXAN access to emergency resources it uses at any given moment to reach any South by Southwest venue.Medics have field operations blocks away from the Austin Convention Center and in the heart of all the action.On Wednesday, Austin-Travis County EMS gave KXAN access to emergency resources it uses at any given moment to reach any South by Southwest venue | Andy Way/KXAN NewsOn Wednesday, Austin-Travis County EMS gave KXAN access to emer
  
  Read more

• With new state funds in hand, community colleges waive tuition for some high school students

  14-03-2024 03:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (The Texas Tribune) -- Texas community colleges know many high schoolers are skeptical of higher education because of the price tag. Some want to change that conversation by using new state dollars to waive tuition for some of their youngest students.Austin Community College, one of the most populous junior colleges in the state, is set to waive tuition for this year’s graduating high school seniors through 2027. ACC’s Board of Trustees will vote on the proposal in April. If t
  
  Read more

• Will Artificial Intelligence help or will it harm?

  14-03-2024 02:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —What are your thoughts about Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
  Will it help? Or will it cause harm?As AI continues to become a part of many peoples lives, discussions on how to manage this technology is ongoing.KXAN asked South by Southwest participants how they felt about AI."There are positives and negatives," said Vincent Guerrero who was in town for SXSW.There have been concerns over deep fakes and people's identities being stolen.Fake AI generated nude photo's of Taylor Swi
  
  Read more

• Ways Texans can prepare for extreme wildfire danger

  14-03-2024 02:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As extreme wildfire conditions are expected across the Panhandle Thursday, Texas A&M Forest Services want Texans to be prepared and have an evacuation plan in place in case of a wildfire or other disaster.Extreme critical fire weather is expected near Amarillo, Borger, Canadian, Childress, Lubbock, Pampa and Perryton, the agency said in a news release Wednesday. The extreme weather includes high winds, above normal temperatures, along with low humidity, that "will align with
  
  Read more

Follow @Austin_News_US on Twitter!