Austin news

• 23 Texas state parks in path of totality fully reserved, only 6 parks show availability for April eclipse

  22-03-2024 22:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As of Thursday, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) said only six state parks in the path of totality had day passes still available for the April 8 eclipse.The parks with availability include:
  Atlanta State ParkCedar Hill State ParkDaingerfield State ParkLake Bob Sandlin State ParkPurtis Creek State ParkTyler State Park
  The department recommended visiting the Texas State Parks reservation system online for the latest information. ECLIPSE 2024: Billion dollars co
  
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• Texas blows out Drexel by 40 points in opening round of March Madness

  22-03-2024 22:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Top-seeded Texas made its first six shots and dominated the paint to run away with an 82-42 win over No. 16 Drexel in the opening round of the NCAA women's basketball tournament Friday at Moody Center.The Longhorns (31-4) will take on the winner of No. 8 Alabama and No. 9 Florida State in the second round Sunday. The Crimson Tide and Seminoles face off at 5:30 p.m. CT at Moody Center.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More
  
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• Officials responding to bus rollover with more than 40 people involved near Mustang Ridge

  22-03-2024 21:04 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Officials are responding to a bus rollover with more than 40 patients involved in Bastrop County near Mustang Ridge, Austin-Travis County EMS said on social media Friday.Around 2:17 p.m., Mutual Aid in Bastrop County responded to 2751 W. SH 21. That is near Caldwell Road, medics said.A spokesperson for Bastrop Independent School District told KXAN it was not a school bus with the district.Drivers should expect closures, as a "large amount" of first responders are
  
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• LIVE: 2 dead, more than 40 people involved in school bus rollover crash, officials say

  22-03-2024 21:04 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- A Hays Consolidated Independent School District bus carrying Tom Green Elementary preschool students was involved in a serious crash on Friday, which resulted in at least two dead, according to officials.The crash happened between the bus and a concrete truck near Mustang Ridge, the Texas Department of Public Safety told KXAN.
  In a news release from Hays CISD, the students were returning from a field trip to the Bastrop Zoo. A total of 44 students and 11 adults we
  
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• 2 dead, more than 50 people involved in school bus rollover crash, officials say

  22-03-2024 21:04 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- A Hays CISD bus carrying Tom Green Elementary preschool students was involved in a serious crash Friday. The crash resulted in at least two deaths, according to officials.One of the deaths was a child on the bus, and the other was a man from a vehicle traveling behind the bus, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.The crash happened between the bus and a concrete truck near Mustang Ridge, the Texas DPS told KXAN. Officials said it appeared the concret
  
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• 2 dead, more than 40 people involved in school bus rollover crash, officials say

  22-03-2024 21:04 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Two people died after a school bus and concrete truck crashed in Bastrop County near Mustang Ridge Friday afternoon, the Texas Department of Public Safety told KXAN.A DPS spokesperson said a Hays Consolidated Independent School district bus was involved in the crash near SH 21 and Caldwell Road. More than 40 people were involved in the crash, according to an Austin-Travis County EMS social media post Friday.On Friday afternoon, the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office
  
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• Man faces murder charge in Williamson County related to fentanyl overdose death

  22-03-2024 20:55 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A man was arrested Thursday on a murder charge in connection with a December fentanyl overdose death.According to law enforcement officials, Kreli Haynes was arrested by U.S. Marshals and the Cedar Park Police Department on a warrant out of Williamson County.The warrant was issued in connection with an incident where a 16-year-old boy in Leander was found dead from an alleged fentanyl overdose.Court records didn't list an attorney for Haynes. This story wi
  
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• City to recommend demolition of abandoned building, Wed. fire latest of neighbors' concerns

  22-03-2024 19:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Wednesday, the Austin Fire Department battled a fire at an abandoned commercial building on Old Koenig Lane, a small street just off North Lamar Boulevard in Central Austin.
  According to AFD, a person experiencing homelessness started the fire, and crews had to evacuate several people experiencing homelessness from the building.A fence was around the abandoned property that caught fire Wednesday. (Courtesy: Austin Fire Department)According to AFD, several people experiencing
  
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• What to do if a traumatic event happens to your kid

  22-03-2024 18:54 via kxan.com
  
  If you are in distress or need someone to talk to, please call RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.AUSTIN (KXAN) — A sexual assault between two children on a Dripping Springs ISD playground led to an unexpected challenge for the child's parents; What do should parents do in that situation? How can they handle things in a way that doesn't further traumatize their kid?Related: Dripping Springs ISD’s response to playground sexual assault upsets parentChelsea
  
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• Commission makes recommendations on petition requirements, conflicting ballot initiatives

  22-03-2024 18:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After Austin City Council created a Charter Review Commission, the group has its first round of recommendations for city council members which could eventually change how difficult it for citizens to get something on a ballot.
  The commission, made up of community members appointed by city council, is looking at City Charter, including possible changes to petition requirements.The recommendations include changing the number of signatures required for a citizen-initiated petition
  
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• A TED Talk on bat conservation

  22-03-2024 17:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Dr. Merlin Tuttle is Austin's bat expert, and his study of bats and those he has photographed have led to a greater appreciation of the species globally.
  KXAN Meteorologist Rich Segal spoke with Tuttle about when he first became interested in bats.Tuttle said his study of bats became more involved when he was 17 years old.One of the many messages he wanted to continue spreading was that bats were safe, they provide an ecological benefit, and they do make good neighbors.
  Tut
  
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• Austin ISD explains why schools will remain open during April total solar eclipse

  22-03-2024 17:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin ISD released a statement regarding why the district would remain open April 8 during the total solar eclipse.According to the district, the celestial event provides a front-row learning opportunity for the district’s students and staff alike. The next total eclipse visible in the U.S. won’t be for another 20 years.“We’re keeping schools open so we can embrace this historic moment and ensure all students have the opportunity to see the eclipse.
  
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• What is the ecological benefit of bluebonnets, other Texas wildflowers?

  22-03-2024 16:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The beauty of Texas is enhanced every spring when the wildflowers bloom. It was nice to see the Lupinus Texensis come a little early this year, even before the spring season started.Lupinus Texensis? If you have lived in Texas for any amount of time you do know what they are. They're the Texas Bluebonnets. Where to road trip for the best Texas bluebonnet fieldsRich Segal spoke with Hanna Cofer, the Interim Chief Executive Office of the Trail Conservancy. This organization's miss
  
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• Texas Medical Board discussing clarification for abortion exceptions

  22-03-2024 15:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Texas Medical Board is meeting Friday to discuss proposed rules that would help clarify when doctors can perform an emergency abortion under Texas law. The meeting began at 8 a.m. and the public can find a livestream online by looking at the meeting agenda. Dr. Sherif Zaafran, Texas Medical Board president, said the proposed rules would “help define” existing definitions in Texas’ abortion ban and how the board considers complaints ag
  
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• Texas Medical Board discusses clarification for abortion exceptions

  22-03-2024 15:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Texas Medical Board published new language aimed at clarifying medical exceptions for abortion on Friday. The rule can’t be adopted until a 30-day public comment period and will most likely be voted on in June. There is a plan for at least one “stakeholder meeting” in the meantime. Overall, the board emphasized that the decision to perform an abortion under medical exception is up to a physician, not a judge.The proposal included a series
  
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• Eclipse preps: Central Texas judges issuing disaster declarations

  22-03-2024 15:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – As the moon casts its shadow across Central Texas in a once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse, county officials expect every city, town and hamlet to be brimming with visitors on April 8, and many are preemptively issuing disaster declarations to prepare.County judges in and around the Hill Country told KXAN they are issuing the declarations to give themselves additional power to handle the consequences of the tourism tidal wave expected to accompany the celestial event.Among man
  
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• Pediatrician teams up with Mahomes family to help kids with severe food allergies

  22-03-2024 14:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Doctors say the number of people with food allergies has doubled in the last decade.Six million children in the U.S. have at least one food allergy.“That's one in 13 kids,” said Dr. Ruchi Gupta. "Two in every classroom. So it's definitely a lot of people.”Dr. Gupta is helping parents like the Mahomes family come up with a game plan to raise awareness.“Brittany and Patrick have two young children, Sterling and Bronze and they both have food allergies,&rdqu
  
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• Billion dollars could be spent during April 8 eclipse, experts say

  22-03-2024 13:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The tourism industry is expected to see one of -- if not the biggest -- economic events of the year during the April 8 eclipse. Experts say more than a billion dollars will likely be spent on hotels, travel and dining in cities along the eclipse path. This includes major cities like Austin and Dallas, but also in smaller towns throughout the Texas Hill Country and the Midwest."It's such a big event for the travel industry. And there are so many different sectors that are able to
  
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• Fastball guitarist talks about longevity ahead of 30th anniversary tour, ever-changing Austin scene

  22-03-2024 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin band Fastball is about to hit the road for their 30th anniversary tour. The band will kick off the tour at a solar eclipse festival in Fredericksburg next month before traveling to several different cities and doing a hometown show at Parish in May.
  Ahead of the tour, Miles Zuniga, the band's guitarist, talked about their key to longevity, the ever-changing scene of Austin, and what's next for the group.
  Fastball is an Austin hallmark and a staple in the city called
  
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• Hundreds of migrants gather at border wall as court debates SB4

  22-03-2024 12:54 via kxan.com
  
  EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) -- Hundreds of migrants crossed illegally into El Paso, Texas, on Thursday morning, and forced their way past the National Guard's concertina wire to gather at the border wall, where U.S. Border Patrol agents began processing them at the gate. WATCH: Altercation between migrants, National Guard caught on camera
  Video taken from Juarez, Mexico, shows National Guard members looking on as the migrants crowded the gate at International Marker No. 36.Border Patrol agent
  
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• Next chance for severe storms: Sunday night

  22-03-2024 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Fog has cleared and this afternoon will be mostly sunny aside from some scattered clouds in our northeastern sky. It will be a bit breezy as the area of low pressure responsible for Thursday's rain continues to pull away.It will be a warm second half of the day with most highs in the upper half of the 70s. Afternoon winds out of the north will gust to as high as 20 to 25+ mph.Today's normal high is 75° Central Texas rain totalsSaturday is our pick of the weekend with plenty
  
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• Great Saturday weather, changes begin Sunday

  22-03-2024 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A weak, but windy dry cold front has blown in with gusty northerly winds. The winds will gust between 20-30 mph Friday evening, but diminish quickly overnight. Texas Eclipse: Here are the odds of clouds on April 8 during the eventSaturday will be chilly early with lows in the 40s and 50s but it will turn out to be a beautiful day with highs in the 70s, under mostly sunny skies.The weekend's normal high is 75°, exactly what we are forecasting both Saturday and Sunday Central
  
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• From dense fog to sunshine to end the week

  22-03-2024 12:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A Dense Fog Advisory will be in effect until 9 a.m. for nearly all of Central Texas. Fog has visibility reduced to under one mile at several locations.Morning clouds and this thick fog will give way to sunshine for the afternoon with most highs in the upper half of the 70s. Afternoon winds out of the north will gust to as high as 20 to 25+ mph.Today's normal high is 75°One of the rain gauges at La Grange picked up 2.42" Thursday and Thursday night. There were a few measureme
  
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• Princess Kate reveals she has cancer, is undergoing chemotherapy

  22-03-2024 11:10 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Catherine, Princess of Wales, revealed Friday that she has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy.
  In a recorded video message, Princess Kate addressed the public directly after months of rumors about her condition. Kate, 42, was admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery in January. Since then, she has largely been out of the public eye.
  At the time of the surgery, Kate said Friday, her condition was thought to be non-cancerous, but tests after the
  
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• Person dies in Pflugerville house fire, downed wires spotted nearby

  22-03-2024 04:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Travis County Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of a fire that killed one person overnight at a home in Pflugerville.Travis County ESD No. 2 said it responded to a single-family residential fire on Central Commerce Drive on Thursday evening. The department said crews searched the structure and found a fire victim dead when they arrived.
  (Pflugerville Fire Department photo)(Pflugerville Fire Department photo)(Pflugerville Fire Department photo)Fire crews a
  
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• Home near Pflugerville catches fire, downed wires spotted nearby

  22-03-2024 04:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Travis County ESD No. 2 said it responded to a single-family residential fire on Central Commerce Drive on Thursday evening.Fire crews arrived to moderate to heavy fire conditions and went defensive after active downed wires were found outside the residence.(Pflugerville Fire Department photo)(Pflugerville Fire Department photo)(Pflugerville Fire Department photo)ESD2 said to avoid the area near Central Commerce at Foothill Farms while units work to control the fire.“
  
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• Crossbody bags are trending for spring, and Amazon has tons at affordable prices

  22-03-2024 03:48 via kxan.com
  
  BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details.There’s a crossbody bag for every occasionCrossbody bags are the new must-have spring accessory. But, before you go spending a fortune, you should know that you can pick up some gorgeous crossbody bags on Amazon for an affordable price. Not sure whether a crossbody bag will suit your vibe? Well, there are options for all occasions. From casual sling backpacks to stylish crossbody pur
  
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• Man receives 20 years for January 2021 murder

  22-03-2024 03:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was sentenced Jan. 23 in connection with a January 2021 homicide investigation. RELATED: Murder suspect arrested outside of Chicago in connection with January Austin shootingAccording to court documents, 22-year-old Anthony Scott pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to serve 20 years in prison.The sentence was in connection with the death of 19-year-old Jose Rodriguez, who was found shot in a car in north Austin.Toward his sentence, Scott will
  
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• Attempted traffic stop leads to SWAT callout in San Marcos

  22-03-2024 02:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The San Marcos Police Department said an incident Thursday afternoon led to a SWAT callout in the area of Interstate 35 and Davis Lane.According to police, at approximately 12:30 p.m. officers with SMPD initiated a traffic stop, but when officers attempted to make the stop, a passenger from the vehicle ran to the nearby roof of a building.Police said the passenger was a man armed with a knife, and SWAT responded to assist with taking the suspect into custody. SMPD said the
  
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• APD searching for woman related to south Austin robbery

  22-03-2024 02:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Detectives with the Austin Police Department asked for assistance identifying a woman suspected of robbing a Dollar General store Sunday in south Austin.APD said the incident occurred at approximately 10 p.m. in the 9600 block of Menchaca Road.According to police, the suspect pointed a handgun at the clerk and stole an undisclosed amount of cash from the register.Police described the suspect as a 5’0” to 5’4” Black woman between the ages of 25 to 35
  
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• Council members weigh in on 911 special report

  22-03-2024 02:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is now reviewing how to implement measures outlined in a special report aimed at exploring strategies to improve the city's 911 operations."We saw some instances where Austinites were on hold for even a couple of minutes before they got to someone," said Council Member Vanessa Fuentes.She and Council Member Allison Alter requested a special report from the auditor's office to get a better look at how Austin's 911 system compares to other cities.
  "How
  
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• Texas pushes past shooting woes to top Colorado State 56-44 in first round of March Madness

  22-03-2024 01:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — What's become a cliché every March couldn't have rang more true for the Texas men's basketball team Thursday night in Charlotte.Survive and advance.
  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/newslettersThe Longhorns, seeded No. 7 in the Midwest Region in the NCAA tournament, held off a pesky 10th-seeded Colorado State squad 56-44 to win the opening round of March Madness.Ne
  
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• Nearly 50 firearms seized, 150+ arrests made during SXSW

  22-03-2024 01:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, the Austin Police Department released information related to its efforts to combat violent crimes during the 2024 South by Southwest festival.During SXSW, APD launched a Violent Crimes Initiative in the downtown Austin area. The initiative ran from March 8 through March 17.Throughout the operation, APD said it seized 46 firearms and made 153 arrests.The arrests were related to charges of unlawfully carrying a weapon, possession of a controlled substance, warran
  
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• Veterinarian shortage: What it means for your pets

  22-03-2024 01:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — When our pets get sick or hurt we take them to the vet, but with a nationwide veterinarian shortage you could be facing a wait for an appointment.It's an issue that is only getting worse as experts say more people are getting pets and fewer people are going into the veterinary field.John Dascanio with Texas Tech's School of Veterinary Medicine, which started in 2021, says there are about 1000 applicants to veterinary schools in Texas each year but only about 300 spots."Ther
  
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• Appeals court upholds decision in favor of City; dismissal of homeless housing lawsuit

  22-03-2024 01:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Texas appeals court denied an Austin business owner's request to block the sale of a northwest Austin hotel that the City of Austin plans to convert into housing for people experiencing homelessness.The City bought the former Candlewood Suites hotel, near U.S. Highway 183 and Texas 45 toll road, and renamed it Pecan Gardens. The facility will serve as permanent supportive housing for more than 70 homeless, elderly and disabled people under the eye of Family Eldercare.Chau
  
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• Police searching for east Austin robbery suspect

  22-03-2024 00:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said it was searching for a suspect in connection to a robbery at a Dollar General store in east Austin.APD said the incident occurred at approximately 1:30 p.m. Feb. 7 in the 5000 block of Springdale Road.Austin police requested public assistance in identifying the suspect involved in the robbery.According to APD, the suspect assaulted an employee who attempted to stop the shoplifting.Police described the suspect as a 6’0” or taller
  
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