Austin news

• How the Billboard Charts have evolved throughout the decades

  15-03-2024 23:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- From The Beatles to Beyoncé, the Billboard Charts have everything to offer when it comes to music.Various speakers participated in a panel during South by Southwest (SXSW) Friday morning to discuss the featured session "Behind The Billboard Charts."Launching more than 80 years ago, the Billboards remain "the definitive measurement of success in music, tracking the world's most popular songs, albums, and artists," a description of the event said on the SXSW website.In the
  
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• Man sentenced to 10 years in connection with deadly Waffle House shooting

  15-03-2024 23:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The 390th District Court in Travis County sentenced a man to 10 years in prison in connection to a deadly shooting at a Waffle House that happened in November 2020.Jalen Highsmith entered his guilty plea and was sentenced Feb. 13, according to court documents. Waffle House shooting suspects caught in Tennessee, charged with capital murderHighsmith was one of two men involved in the shooting after they both attempted to rob a vehicle in the Waffle House parking lot, located at 88
  
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• Giant troll in Pease Park unveiled, named in presentation ceremony

  15-03-2024 23:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Pease Park troll was officially unveiled Friday, and its name is Malin.The full name of the artwork, which was created by artist Thomas Dambo, is ‘Malin's Fountain." The name was selected based on the large bowl in Malin’s hands, which trail and troll visitors alike can fill with water as a way to keep the park’s wildlife hydrated. PHOTOS: Assembly of the Pease Park troll beginsMalin stands at about 18 feet tall and 15 feet wide and was made with recyc
  
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• The biggest engagement ring trends of 2024

  15-03-2024 23:07 via kxan.com
  
  BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details.From lab-grown to traditional gems, here are all the trends you’ll see in 2024If you plan on getting engaged in 2024, listen up: The biggest engagement ring trends for the year are in, and you’ll want to consider these options if you’re in the market for a diamond ring. To fill us in on the biggest engagement ring trends for 2024, we consulted a jewelry pro, Jean Dou
  
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• Pollutants, syringes just a few items ending up in Lady Bird Lake after heavy rain

  15-03-2024 22:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With the chance of severe weather moving through Austin, city crews have been preparing."We do monitor the weather regularly," said Ramesh Swaminathan, Assistant Director of the Watershed Protection DepartmentCrews go out and make sure debris and trash are cleared out, but they also rely on reports from people in the community."We always encourage residents to call 311 to respond to any kind of blockages or anything that they see that could cause blockages," said Swaminatha
  
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• Matt Rinaldi will step down as Texas GOP chairman

  15-03-2024 22:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Someone new will have to take the reins at the Republican Party of Texas after its current chairman announced Friday he'll step down from the post.Matt Rinaldi put out a statement on X sharing that he will not seek another term as chairman of the state party. The former state representative from Irving became the party's leader in July 2021 after Allen West resigned as chairman and unsuccessfully challenged Gov. Greg Abbott in the Republican gubernatorial primary in 2022.
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• Texas sweeps Big 12 doubleheader over BYU, eyes ranked Florida State next

  15-03-2024 22:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — No. 3 Texas and BYU played a doubleheader Friday to quickly end a Big 12 softball series due to potential severe weather in the Austin area, but the only thunder in the area came from the Longhorns' offense.Texas won the first game 7-3 and capped it with a 10-0 mercy-rule victory in five innings to move to 5-1 in conference play.THURSDAY'S GAME: No. 3 Texas softball takes series opener via mercy rule 13-0 over BYUFreshman Kayden Henry went 3-for-3 in the second game with tw
  
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• 'Austin Against Hate' dashboard now active, tracking hate crime statistics

  15-03-2024 22:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin said it launched a new dashboard aimed at bringing attention to hate crime numbers in the city.The city said the 'Austin Against Hate Community Data Dashboard' would keep track of when and where reported hate crimes have happened around Austin since 2017.The dashboard is part of the We All Belong anti-hate campaign, an initiative focused on education and outreach. RELATED: City of Austin launches ‘We All Belong’ anti-hate campaignAccording to
  
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• For first time in more than a decade, Austin is not the nation's fastest-growing metro

  15-03-2024 22:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin is no longer the fastest-growing large metro area in the country, according to new population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.The Austin metro includes Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties. The region as a whole added 50,105 new residents between July 2022 and July 2023, a growth rate of 2.07%.Among metros with more than one million people, only Jacksonville, Fla., grew at a faster pace, at 2.20%.The Dallas/Fort Worth metro added more people
  
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• Severe Thunderstorm Watch in effect for some tonight

  15-03-2024 22:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Rounds of storms are expected today through the weekend, some of which could be severe.'Round 1' came through earlier this morning with frequent lightning and pockets of heavy rain. A lull in storm activity is expected around midday ahead of 'Round 2' likely to begin bubbling up by the early afternoon. Isolated to scattered strong to severe storms are possible this afternoon through mid-evening.A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for counties south and southeast of Austi
  
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• Severe threat over for tonight, but more storms this weekend

  15-03-2024 22:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Periods of wet weather are expected through the weekend, some of which could bring strong to severe storms to our area.'Round 1' came through earlier this morning with frequent lightning and pockets of heavy rain. A couple severe storms fired up early afternoon before clearing a few hours later. The severe storm threat has come down significantly this evening as the cold front has now pushed south of us, taking most of the severe weather threat with it.
  There will be dry periods
  
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• Despite the lull, more rain and storms this weekend

  15-03-2024 22:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Periods of wet weather are expected through the weekend, some of which could bring strong to severe storms to our area.'Round 1' came through early Friday morning with frequent lightning and pockets of heavy rain. A couple severe storms fired up early afternoon before clearing a few hours later. The severe storm threat will remain very low overnight as the cold front has now pushed south of us, taking most of the severe weather threat with it.
  There will be dry periods this week
  
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• Why are Texas school districts adopting the four-day week?

  15-03-2024 21:49 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) —The lingering effects of the pandemic have caused many Texas school districts to struggle with attendance rates and funding, leading many to adopt a four-day school week model to help. In Texas, there are currently 83 districts that have approved a four-day school week, affecting almost 96,000 students, according to a KXAN analysis. Lometa ISD, about 100 miles north of Austin, is one of the districts that adopted a four-day school week, and Superintendent Rob Moore said
  
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• Deadly hit-and-run suspect had previous DWI dismissed, court docs say

  15-03-2024 20:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tyrone Thompson, 23, who police arrested in a deadly hit-and-run crash that happened at 7th and Red River Streets early Tuesday morning, previously faced a DWI charge in 2022 that was ultimately dismissed, according to online Travis County court records.Police charged him with DWI, among other charges, in Tuesday's incident.
  Those same court records show the DWI was dismissed because "the evidence was insufficient."In Texas, a person's first two DWI's are misdemeanors unless agg
  
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• City asks for feedback on what could be a new skyline south of Lady Bird Lake

  15-03-2024 20:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In the future, the properties south of Lady Bird Lake, across from downtown Austin, could be their very own skyline. Think hotels, apartment buildings and shops.
  The City of Austin is asking for public feedback after releasing draft regulations for that 118-acre space called the South Central Waterfront District.
  Rendering of what the South Central Waterfront District could look like (Courtesy City of Austin)There are several ways you can give feedback:In-person Monday, March 18
  
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• Data: Searches for ‘VPN’ increase after PornHub shuts down in Texas

  15-03-2024 20:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, PornHub, a popular adult entertainment website, cut off access to Texas over an objection to the state’s age verification law, which requires online pornography distributors to use age verification methods to ensure all users are 18 or older.Texans who attempted to access the site were shown a message explaining why the content was unavailable.Following the announcement, SlashGear, a company covering the tech industry, collected data to show how Google se
  
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• How much do Spurs games at Moody impact Austin?

  15-03-2024 19:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The San Antonio Spurs ventured north to play this weekend in Austin for the second year in a row at the Moody Center — but they're also making an impact on the community in other ways.During last year's Inaugural I-35 series, the games set an attendance record at Moody with 16,023 fans in attendance. Since then, there's been a "tremendous" growth in ticket sales, fan and social engagement, and viewership from local networks also doubled in Austin zip codes, according
  
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• PHOTOS: Hutto building sustains wind damage during Friday morning storms

  15-03-2024 18:39 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The video above shows the latest from the KXAN First Warning Weather team.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Strong storms developed Friday morning, bringing wind and hail to parts of Central Texas.
  The First Warning Weather team said more strong to severe storms are on the way, expected to pop up by early Friday afternoon.KXAN First Warning Weather forecastA building in Hutto off Highway 79 had its roof completely blown off because of the wind.Tony Thompson is the service mana
  
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• TX Supreme Court denies Nate Paul relief on contempt of court

  15-03-2024 18:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Texas Supreme Court on Friday denied a petition for relief filed last year by embattled real estate investor Nate Paul in his multimillion-dollar legal saga against an Austin-based charitable foundation. The denial lifts a stay on a Travis County district court’s order of contempt against Paul, which carried a 10-day jail sentence, according to court documents.Paul, 37, and companies under his real estate investment business World Class Holdings, have been in a le
  
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• Man sentenced related to St. David's parking garage explosion

  15-03-2024 18:07 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above features coverage from when Garner entered a guilty plea.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The man arrested in connection with an explosion at an Austin hospital Aug. 9 was sentenced Thursday to serve 30 months in federal prison related to the incident.According to court documents, Raymond Luke Garner, 39, of Jonestown, was sentenced on a count involving the possession of an unregistered destructive device, which detonated in a hospital parking garage in August
  
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• WATCH: Willie Nelson, Kermit the Frog perform together at Luck Reunion

  15-03-2024 17:22 via kxan.com
  
  SPICEWOOD, Texas (KXAN) — Willie Nelson had a surprise guest join him on stage Thursday for a few songs at the Luck Reunion festival in Spicewood.
  Kermit the Frog wowed the crowd during Nelson's headlining set, singing "Rainbow Connection" and a Gospel medley alongside the country music star.
  Nelson also sang quite a few of his own songs. Check out some highlights using the video player below.Luck Reunion is an annual festival hosted at Nelson's "Luck Ranch." In addition to music acts, the
  
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• Lightning strike causes fire at northeast Austin residence

  15-03-2024 16:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A lightning strike caused a fire at a northeast Austin residence Friday morning, according to the Austin Fire Department.At 6:16 a.m., AFD said crews responded to a structure fire in the 11800 block of Gaelic Drive.According to AFD, the roof of the residence was on fire from the lightning strike, but crews extinguished the roof fire and began checking for fire extension into the attic.Fire crews respond to structure fire caused by lightning strike in northeast Austin (AFD p
  
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• Social Media expert weighs in on possible TikTok ban

  15-03-2024 15:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Concerns are growing after House lawmakers passed a bill that could force the sale of the app or lead to a nationwide ban of TikTok. Read more: House passes a bill that could lead to a TikTok ban if Chinese owner refuses to sellSome caution an outright ban could hurt small businesses on the app.“Tiktok Shop is kind of like the modern day QVC, or shop NBC, where you can shop directly from what you're seeing on your social media, which is awesome,” said Giselle Ugarte
  
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• Amber Alert mom: 'He was going to murder us'

  15-03-2024 14:11 via kxan.com
  
  EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -- An Amber Alert issued for a 2-year-old El Paso boy Thursday triggered a manhunt and hours-long SWAT standoff with the boy's father in East El Paso.
  El Paso Police took the boy's father, Miguel Montoya, into custody at Studio 6, located along the 11000 block of Gateway Blvd West at Lomaland, just before 9 p.m. Thursday evening. The boy was located, reportedly unharmed, and later returned to his mother.
  Cheyenne Roman, the mother of missing Kenji Montoya, detailed the trau
  
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• 1 dead, 1 hurt after crash on Hwy 290

  15-03-2024 13:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person is dead and at least one other person is injured after a crash on Highway 290 westbound Friday morning.
  Austin-Travis County EMS said in a thread on X the crash happened around 6:15 a.m. near 8700-9114 East U.S. 290 and possibly involved multiple vehicles. That area is east of Hwy 183.
  One person was pronounced dead on the scene of the crash and another was declared a trauma alert and taken to Dell Seton with potentially serious injuries, according to ATCEMS.
  Drivers
  
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• Severe t-storm watch until 8 pm south of Austin

  15-03-2024 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Rounds of storms are expected today through the weekend, some of which could be severe.'Round 1' came through earlier this morning with frequent lightning and pockets of heavy rain. A lull in storm activity is expected around midday ahead of 'Round 2' likely to begin bubbling up by the early afternoon. Isolated to scattered strong to severe storms are possible this afternoon through mid-evening.A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for counties south and southeast of Austi
  
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• Rounds of storms, some severe, next 3 days

  15-03-2024 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Rounds of storms are expected today through the weekend, some of which could be severe.Showers and storms look to increase in coverage today into Saturday, possibly Sunday too, with widespread rain possible at times. There is a risk of strong to severe storms in addition to localized flash flooding. 1" to 2.5" of rain may fall with some isolated higher totals.Strong to severe storms possible Friday afternoon/eveningPrimary threat will be large hail with any well-developed storm
  
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• 1 dead, 1 critically injured in overnight crash on SH 71

  15-03-2024 11:59 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY (KXAN) -- One person died and another was critically injured in a crash on State Highway 71 near the Travis and Bastrop County line overnight, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.
  ATCEMS posted on X at 12:36 a.m. that medics were responding to a vehicle rollover on the eastbound side of the highway, between the 5546-5552 blocks. The post said CPR was in progress for one person and another person was trapped in the vehicle.
  In an update, ATCEMS said the trapped person was taken ou
  
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• No. 3 Texas softball takes series opener via mercy rule 13-0 over BYU

  15-03-2024 04:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — No. 3 Texas scored seven runs in the second inning to clobber BYU 13-0 in a Big 12 softball series opener Thursday at McCombs Field. The game ended after five innings due to the 8-run mercy rule.The Longhorns built an 8-0 lead after two innings and then started hitting the ball out of the park. Joley Mitchell, Katie Stewart and Katie Cimusz all hit homers with Mitchell's driving in three runs in the third inning. Stewart and Cimusz each hit solo home runs with Cimusz's comi
  
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• As Spurs come to Austin, star rookie Wembanyama wants to see Longhorns play

  15-03-2024 04:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — What impresses Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama most about the NBA? The consistency of the league's stars, he said. And by how things are currently going, he'll join those ranks sooner rather than later.Ahead of San Antonio's "home game" against the Denver Nuggets on Friday at Moody Center in the I-35 Series opener, Wembanyama was asked what the most "eye-opening" thing he's learned in his first year in the world's top professional basketball league. He was frank, saying the
  
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• Artificial intelligence, drones to help fight wildfires

  15-03-2024 02:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- Robots, improved satellite maps and artificial intelligence (AI) are just a few of the tools firefighters may have at their disposal.
  On Thursday, a South by Southwest (SXSW) panel discussed the future of wildfire detection and response.
  Former firefighter and the panel moderator Jay Stalnacker said this new technology is the future of firefighting.
  "We'll see a lot of innovative technology around AI, taking data, bring it in, making good maps," Stalnacker said. "Then making it
  
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• APD responding to fatal crash on North MoPac Expressway

  15-03-2024 02:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is responding to a fatal crash in north Austin.Around 8:37 p.m., APD said on social media it responded to the 9600 block of North MoPac Expressway. All northbound lanes of MoPac proper are closed down at this time, according to police.Officials responded to a fatal crash on North MoPac Expressway Thursday | Courtesy Central Texas Mobility AuthorityTraffic is being diverted to the Capital of Texas and Braker Lane ramp. Drivers should expect delays or
  
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• 1 dead after vehicle-pedestrian crash on N. MoPac Expressway

  15-03-2024 02:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Officials are responding to a fatal vehicle-pedestrian crash in north Austin that happened Thursday night.Around 8:37 p.m., APD said on social media it responded to the 9600 block of North MoPac Expressway. All northbound lanes of MoPac proper are closed down at this time, according to police.Officials responded to a fatal crash on North MoPac Expressway Thursday | Courtesy Central Texas Mobility AuthorityAustin-Travis County EMS confirmed on social media it was a vehicle-pedest
  
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• APD responding to report of suspicious package in downtown Austin

  15-03-2024 02:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department Bomb Squad is responding to a report of a suspicious package in downtown Austin.Around 8:01 p.m., APD said on social media its bomb squad responded to the 500 block of East Sixth Street.At this time, people should avoid the area while officers continue to investigate.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
  
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• APD: Area reopened after report of suspicious package downtown

  15-03-2024 02:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An area in downtown Austin is now reopened after a report of a suspicious package, according to the Austin Police Department.An investigation by APD Bomb Squad "revealed the item was not an explosive device," which was reported in the 500 block of East Sixth Street, the agency said on social media.
  "Remember, if you see something suspicious, say something by calling 911 or contacting an officer," APD said.No other details were released Thursday.
  
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• With 'heartbeat of this team' still sidelined, Austin FC looking for 1st win of 2024

  15-03-2024 00:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC is still hunting for its first win after three matches this season, and there's one thing everybody can agree on.The team needs Sebastian Driussi. PREVIOUS MATCH: Late goal by St. Louis City FC steals win from Austin FC in 2-2 drawThe captain and midfield maestro, runner-up for Major League Soccer MVP in 2022, has been sidelined with a hamstring injury all season. Head coach Josh Wolff didn't think the injury would keep Driussi out this long, and even though he wa
  
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