Austin news

• Road closures planned for CMT Music Awards in Austin

  04-04-2024 23:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For the second year, Austin's Moody Center will be home to the 2024 CMT Music Awards.
  The show begins at 7 p.m. this Sunday, and there will be a handful of road closures planned as part of the event. Here's a look at some of those roadway impacts:
  Robert Dedman Drive: Closed from DeLoss Dodds Way to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard from 1 p.m. April 7 through 11 p.m. April 7Clyde Littlefield Drive: Closed to Robert Dedman Drive from 1 p.m. April 7 through 11 p.m. April 7Mar
  
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• Cornyn raises awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month

  04-04-2024 23:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.On Thursday, a roundtable was held to raise awareness about online child exploitation and to discuss ways to combat it.Child abuse survivors spoke on their own personal experiences. Additionally, law enforcement officials discussed what they've done to find and prosecute perpetrators of online child exploitations.Sen. John Cornyn participated in a roundtable on Thursday to raise awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month | Frank Mar
  
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• 'Not Our Texas' notes placed near UT campus appear to protest DEI law, firings

  04-04-2024 23:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — No one can miss seeing the dozens of small notes with the words "Not Our Texas" written on them placed on buildings, fences, signs and even tree trunks all throughout the West Campus neighborhood. Some even reference an Instagram account with this same name, which is tied to a movement opposing a law banning diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) on Texas college campuses.
  The appearance of these slips of paper coincides with the announcement this week that the University of
  
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• Victim's family: APD admits to 'error' in DNA handling of 2019 murder case tied to 'serial killer' Raul Meza

  04-04-2024 22:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In a phone conversation with family members of Gloria Lofton, a woman killed in 2019, the Austin Police Department (APD) said an "error was made" regarding the communication of a DNA hit during the investigation, according to the family members who received the call.
  When police arrested Raul Meza in the death of 80-year-old Pflugerville man Jesse Fraga about four years after Lofton died, investigators said Meza also implicated himself in Lofton's murder. Meza was also previousl
  
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• APD 'deeply sorry' about DNA 'oversight' in 2019 murder case tied to suspected 'serial killer' Raul Meza

  04-04-2024 22:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In a phone conversation with family members of Gloria Lofton, a woman killed in 2019, the Austin Police Department (APD) said an "error was made" regarding the communication of a DNA hit during the investigation, according to the family members who received the call.
  When police arrested Raul Meza in the death of 80-year-old Pflugerville man Jesse Fraga about four years after Lofton died, investigators said Meza also implicated himself in Lofton's murder. Meza was also previousl
  
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• Uvalde appoints permanent police chief

  04-04-2024 22:17 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas (KXAN) — The City of Uvalde announced it would appoint Homer Delgado, who has served as the interim chief of police, as the permanent chief of the Uvalde Police Department.Delgado is set to step into the new role Saturday, according to a release.“Chief Delgado brings more than 28 years of experience in law enforcement, including more than 20 years in supervisory and leadership roles, to the position,” the city said. Uvalde police chief resigns, city names interim
  
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• Austin cycling 'beer hop' spotlights local breweries, nonprofits

  04-04-2024 21:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new kind of beer crawl is taking to the streets of Austin — and it's all centered around blending the city's cycling and brewery communities.ATX Beer Party held its inaugural "beer hop" event back in November, in partnership with Breakfast Club, the Austin-based cycling group. This Sunday, new and seasoned bikers alike will hit up a three-taproom route, beginning at noon at Central Machine Works before heading to Hold Out Brewing, Draught House Pub & Brewery and
  
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• Austin kickstarts code changes to crack down on illegal parking in bike lanes

  04-04-2024 20:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, Austin City Council approved beginning the process to help crack down on drivers parking in city bike lanes.Council greenlit initiating a code amendment change process that'll come back to council Oct. 24 for full consideration. The resolution is designed to restrict parking in bike lanes across the city, with a six-month grace period planned where the city will issue warnings and education information before citations roll out.The only exceptions to the code c
  
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• Judge gives man 45 years for murder, aggravated assault charges

  04-04-2024 20:55 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Wednesday, April 3, 2024.WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A man was convicted and sentenced March 19 after pleading guilty to murder in connection with a June 2022 offense, according to Williamson County court documents.Records showed 21-year-old Stephen Sanchez, Jr. was sentenced to serve 45 years in state prison. The sentence was in connection with the death of 16-year-old Adrian Curiel. PAST COVERAGE | Austin Po
  
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• 2 Texas restaurants nominated for most 'outstanding' in the country

  04-04-2024 20:44 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — The foundation behind one of the most prestigious awards in the culinary world has released its finalists for this year's most "outstanding" restaurant in the country -- and a couple of Texas restaurants made the cut.The James Beard Foundation announced the nominees for its 33rd annual James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards. Considered one of the highest honors in the food world, the foundation recognizes exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts. Solar eclipse pa
  
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• Which roads will be closed for the Cap10K race Sunday?

  04-04-2024 20:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Approximately 20,000 runners and walkers will take to the streets of Austin Sunday morning for the 47th annual Statesman Capitol 10,000 race. Participants will venture across 6.2 miles through and near several downtown and central Austin neighborhoods.With that much foot traffic expected, road closures will begin the evening before or the early morning of race day ahead of the Cap10K's 8 a.m. start. Roads are poised to reopen as early as 9 a.m., following a rolling schedule
  
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• $4.1M federal grant to help fund new bridge across Lady Bird Lake in east Austin

  04-04-2024 19:01 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Wednesday, April 3, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin received more than $4.1 million to fund the construction of a new bicycle and pedestrian bridge across Lady Bird Lake in east Austin.Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas) presented a celebratory big check to city leaders Thursday morning during an event near Longhorn Dam at Town Lake Metropolitan Park. The federal investment totaled $4,116,279.Check presentation
  
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• Austin Pets Alive! workers file to become nation’s largest animal shelter union

  04-04-2024 18:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, Austin Pets Alive! (APA) animal shelter employees filed to become the largest animal shelter union in the country, according to a news release.
  The release said APA employees filed a representation petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) requesting recognition of their union, Austin Pets Allied Workers (APAW).The release said approximately 200 APA workers signed union cards with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers,
  
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• Austin's new city manager will make roughly $470k, according to documents

  04-04-2024 17:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- T.C. Broadnax, the man Austin City Council has picked to be the next city manager, will make $470,017.60, according to council documents. The council will vote on that contract Thursday.
  It's more than Austin's former city manager, Spencer Cronk, made. In late 2022, City Council voted to give Cronk a $38,000 raise (or just under 11%), putting him at a base salary of $388,190.40, as we previously reported.PREVIOUS: How much would Austin have to pay to part ways with its city mana
  
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• Solar Eclipse Traffic: What to expect in the Austin area

  04-04-2024 17:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One of the most common questions about the solar eclipse is about traffic expectations. KXAN Traffic Anchor Erica Brennes has details on where you can expect solar eclipse traffic to be heaviest.Let's start in Austin where you'll have lots of people staying put to view the eclipse, but you'll also have folks coming through Austin from the east, headed west. You can expect people driving in from cities east of Austin, like Bastrop, Manor, La Grange, and Houston.Many will pas
  
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• Solar eclipse traffic: What to expect in Austin, Central Texas

  04-04-2024 17:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One of the most common questions about the total solar eclipse is about traffic expectations. KXAN Traffic Anchor Erica Brennes has details on where you can expect solar eclipse traffic to be heaviest on April 8.Let's start in Austin where you'll have lots of people staying put to view the eclipse, but you'll also have folks coming through Austin from the east, headed west. You can expect people driving in from cities east of Austin, like Bastrop, Manor, La Grange, and Hous
  
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• Pedernales Fire crews rescue kitten from storm drain

  04-04-2024 17:00 via kxan.com
  
  SPICEWOOD, Texas (KXAN) — Move over, cat in a tree trope: The Pedernales Fire Department recently spent hours rescuing Rosie the cat after she crawled down a storm drain.Spicewood resident Tiffany Spizzo said crews spent more than two hours crawling through the sewer to rescue her daughter Izabele's kitten. She added some of the male crew members spent two hours attempting to secure Rosie, before the sewer drains became too narrow for them to continue. A female crew member stepped in to go
  
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• McAllen mother arrested after toddler eats THC gummy, docs show

  04-04-2024 16:11 via kxan.com
  
  EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A McAllen woman was arrested in Edinburg after her 2-year-old ate a THC gummy that was in her purse, documents revealed.Sariah Garza was arrested by Edinburg police on a charge of injury to a child criminal negligence, according to Hidalgo County Jail records.Sariah Garza (Hidalgo County Jail)
  At 3:48 p.m., March 27, an Edinburg police officer was dispatched to the Edinburg Children's Hospital on W. Trenton Road in reference to a child who digested a THC g
  
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• Austin to officially rename bathhouse at Barton Springs for civil rights leader

  04-04-2024 15:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- City council members will vote Thursday to officially change the name of Barton Springs' bathhouse, gracing it with the name of the woman who led the movement to desegregate the public pool in the 1960s.
  Joan Means Khabele was part of the first groups of black students to integrate into Austin High School in the 50s. Flipping through the Austin High yearbooks from 1958 to 1960 at the Austin History Center you will find a student who was actively involved in her school.
  Means Kha
  
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• Austin Code busy with illegal dumping as trash piles up outside wildlife sanctuary

  04-04-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Doug Ballew has been pushing pedals for a long time.“I’ve been a recreational and competitive cyclist,” Ballew said. “I raced for about 20 years.”He knows how to pick his playground and the hilly roads framing the east side of Lake Walter E. Long in east Austin have an appeal.“In the mornings, there’s hardly any cars at all,” he said. “So that’s one of the reasons I love riding out here.”Cyclist Doug Ballew l
  
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• New technology helps grow trees around Jacob's Well

  04-04-2024 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The environment for growing trees in Central Texas can be a difficult one. TreeFolks, a nonprofit from Austin, is testing out new technology to help give trees a better chance at survival, all while helping an area troubled by drought. Thanks to recent rain, water flowing at Jacob’s Well againKXAN Meteorologist Nick Bannin spoke with Marina Weikel, carbon and GIS coordinator for TreeFolks, about the technology and how it works.Q&A with TreeFolksThis interview has
  
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• TCSO deputy shoots, kills man in eastern Travis County

  04-04-2024 07:03 via kxan.com
  
  EASTERN TRAVIS COUNTY (KXAN) – The Travis County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday night it was at the scene of a shooting involving an officer on Hog Eye Road.TCSO said deputies responded to 9301 Hog Eye Road at 9:36 p.m. after a 911 call requesting a welfare check. When they arrived, TCSO said they encountered a man who was "behaving erratically."
  KXAN's Nabil Remadna was at the scene late Wednesday and said it was in the Mobile Loaves & Fishes community on Hog Eye Road just East of Au
  
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• TCSO at the scene of shooting involving officer

  04-04-2024 07:03 via kxan.com
  
  EASTERN TRAVIS COUNTY (KXAN) – The Travis County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday night it was at the scene of a shooting involving an officer on Hog Eye Road.According to KXAN's Nabil Remadna, this is happening inside the Mobile Loaves & Fishes community just east of Austin.TCSO said it would brief the media about the shooting at 12:15 a.m.
  This is a breaking story.
  Please stay with KXAN and KXAN.com for more developments.
  
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• Marble Falls prepares for influx of people ahead of eclipse

  04-04-2024 04:26 via kxan.com
  
  MARBLE FALLS, Texas (KXAN) -- Preparations are underway in the Hill Country as thousands of people are expected to arrive for the eclipse.At the Bluebonnet Cafe they are expecting more business and more pie orders with more people coming to Marble Falls.”Lemon Meringue, coconut meringue , chocolate meringue,” said owner Dave Plante. ”Getting ready for this weekend. It is going to be pretty crazy in town with the eclipse.”The Bluebonnet Cafe in Marble Falls is preparing fo
  
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• Round Rock Fire Department investigating structure fire at high school

  04-04-2024 03:38 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- The Round Rock Fire Department is investigating the cause of a structure fire that happened at a high school in Round Rock on Wednesday.Around 5:27 p.m., RRFD responded to Stony Point High School, 1801 Tiger Trail, for a report of a portable that was "fully engulfed," the agency said on social media.The Round Rock Fire Department responded to a structure fire at Stony Point High School on Wednesday | Courtesy Round Rock Fire DepartmentThe Round Rock Fire Department re
  
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• UT group advocates for students facing rental problems near campus

  04-04-2024 01:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Some University of Texas Austin students said they feel more vulnerable to being taken advantage of when it comes to renting in Austin.This led a group to launch a new union to shed light on what was happening. KXAN's Jala Washington spoke with these students about their work so far.UT students Isabell Webb Carrie and Numratha Thrikutam said they dealt with campus-area apartments not being ready for move-in at the start of their leases, which led them to take action and deal wit
  
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• Man accused of starting multiple dumpster fires arrested

  04-04-2024 01:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said arson investigators arrested a man Tuesday in connection with a string of dumpster fires in north Austin.According to police, 60-year-old Richard Dale Price was charged in connection with two of the fires and was a person of interest in at least five others. According to APD, the investigation into the additional cases was ongoing.The first fire was reported around 9:20 a.m. Tuesday, and several more were reported throughout the day. APD sa
  
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• Multiple volunteers come together to build home for a Texas family in need

  04-04-2024 01:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Onlookers passing by the Texas Capitol earlier Wednesday, might have seen something odd—a partially-built home.This was for Habitat for Humanity Texas' Day at the Dome Capitol Build, which is a way to spotlight critical issues of housing affordability, as well as the influence of state-level housing policies, the organization said in a news release.A group of volunteers, including firefighters, middle school students, legislative staff, and even legislators, got together t
  
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• 'Maybe Texas went too far': 3 takeaways from SB 4's big day in court

  04-04-2024 00:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Texas was back in court Wednesday as the state's controversial new immigration enforcement law tries to come back to life, awaiting action in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals after the court blocked it pending further litigation last week.If allowed to go into effect, Senate Bill 4 would empower state and local police to arrest suspected illegal immigrants and allow Texas judges to order them into Mexico. The Biden administration, civil rights groups, and immigrant advocate
  
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