Austin news

• 'We are swamped': Auto repair shops in Marble Falls busy after hail storm 

  10-04-2024 23:38 via kxan.com
  
  MARBLE FALLS, Texas (KXAN) – Brianna Martinez said she was at her kid’s soccer game Tuesday night when severe weather rolled in. Her family packed up and went home. They settled in the living room for only a few minutes before hearing some concerning noises.“All of a sudden, we heard the rain and then started hearing glass shatter. And we were like 'Oh no,’” Martinez said. The hail, which Martinez recalled being the size of baseballs, crashed through windo
  
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• When will Austin upgrade sidewalks along North Lamar Boulevard?

  10-04-2024 23:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Many Muslims in Austin are bidding farewell to the holy month of Ramadan and celebrating the festival of Eid al-Fitr at the North Austin Muslim Community Center Tuesday evening — but work awaits to improve sidewalk conditions near the mosque.The City of Austin's Transportation and Public Works Department confirmed Wednesday no road closures or traffic signal changes are planned in the area surrounding the mosque ahead of Wednesday night's celebrations. However, a
  
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• Texas AG sues Harris County for 'guaranteed income' program

  10-04-2024 23:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Tuesday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced he is suing Harris County over its "guaranteed income" program.The program in Harris County randomly selected residents in the county "by lottery to receive $500 cash payments for 18 months with 'no strings attached,'" according to a news release from Paxton's office.The program was announced in 2023 by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, the release said. The funds came from 2021 American Rescue Plan Act, and Harris Cou
  
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• New Buc-ee's opening north of Waco later this month

  10-04-2024 22:58 via kxan.com
  
  HILLSBORO, Texas (FOX 44) — Buc-ee’s will unveil its newest travel center in Hillsboro, which is along Interstate 35 north of Waco, on Sunday, April 21.Doors will open to the public at 6 a.m., followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1 p.m. The new travel center is located at 165 State Highway 77.New San Marcos Buc-ee’s seems likely after city council voteThe Hillsboro travel center will occupy 74,000 square feet and offer 120 fueling pos
  
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• Search underway for missing Austin man who attended eclipse festival

  10-04-2024 22:57 via kxan.com
  
  BURNET COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Burnet County Sheriff's Office said it is working to find a missing man from Austin after he attended the Texas Eclipse Festival in Burnet.According to BCSO, the person, Ty Swails of Austin, was last seen on April 7 at the festival by his friends. Burnet Eclipse Festival canceled early due to possible severe weatherAnyone with any information on Swail's whereabouts are urged to contact BCSO at (512) 756-8080.
  
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• Kyle PD hosts community open house, discuss public safety issues and policing

  10-04-2024 21:49 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) --- On Wednesday night, the Kyle community has a chance to participate in a collaborative discussion surrounding public safety concerns and expectations of the Kyle Police Department.The meeting is from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 pm at Kyle City Hall. It will also be live streamed, with the ability to ask questions and engage virtually.
  According to the City of Kyle's website, the topics of discussion will include:Public safety issuesCommunity presenceResponsivenessProactive policing
  "
  
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• ATCEMS: 1 seriously injured in north Austin rollover

  10-04-2024 21:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person was seriously injured after a rollover crash in north Austin on Wednesday, Austin-Travis County EMS said on social media.Around 1:31 p.m., medics responded to the rollover at Dessau Road and Brighton Lane. The Austin Fire Department also responded to assist with a vehicle rescue and extrication, medics said.One person was removed from the vehicle and was reported unconscious. That person was taken to Dell Seton with "critical life threatening injuries," medics said.Ad
  
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• Report: 40% of top Texas election officials resign each presidential cycle

  10-04-2024 20:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — As election officials in Texas and nationwide face increased pressure and harassment, a new report shows a steady increase in the turnover rate of top administrators.
  A Tuesday report from the Bipartisan Policy Center shows nationwide, turnover grew from 28% in 2004 to 39% in 2022. The report looked at turnover rate data from the years 2000 to 2024 amongst election officials, which it defines as a "change in a jurisdiction's chief election administrator since the Novembe
  
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• PHOTOS: Damaging hail falls across Central Texas on April 9

  10-04-2024 20:22 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above was submitted by a KXAN viewer in Marble Falls. It shows hail falling on April 9, 2024.
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Severe storms on Tuesday produced damaging hail in parts of Central Texas, some up to softball size.
  Burnet County was one of the areas impacted, including the Marble Falls and Lake Victor areas. Marble Falls police told KXAN that the storm passed over 90% of the town, hitting the middle of town the most severely.RELATED: Marble Falls assessing damage follo
  
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• Man 'confronted officers with weapon' before he was shot in southwest Austin

  10-04-2024 19:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man is dead after he "confronted officers with a weapon" at an apartment complex in southwest Austin on Wednesday, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.The Austin Police Department said the shooting happened in the 6600 block of West William Cannon Drive, which is near Vega Avenue. Austin-Travis County EMS said it responded to a call in the area as part of an assistance request.According to officials, the suspect was in an apartment complex when a warrant was ser
  
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• APD responding to officer shooting in southwest Austin

  10-04-2024 19:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police Department officers are responding to a shooting involving at least one officer in southwest Austin on Wednesday.APD said it happened in the 6600 block of West William Cannon Drive, which is near Vega Avenue.
  Officials have not confirmed how many officers were involved, if anyone was hurt or what led to the shooting. A police spokesperson is headed to the scene.Austin police responded to a shooting involving officers April 10, 2024 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Austin
  
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• Did it snow in Austin yesterday? Technically, yes!

  10-04-2024 18:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin's official high temperature on Tuesday was 84° and the low was 64° — well above freezing. So you might be surprised to learn that it officially "snowed" in the city.A trace of snow was recorded at Camp Mabry, Austin's official reporting site. The catch — it didn't fall as snow, but as hail.Hail is officially counted toward snowfall totals by the National Weather Service because it is frozen precipitation, and parts of Austin saw a lot of hail yest
  
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• Marble Falls assessing damage following massive hail storm

  10-04-2024 18:38 via kxan.com
  
  MARBLE FALLS, Texas (KXAN) -- Broken windows, shattered windshields, and fallen branches -- just some of the things people in Marble Falls woke up to Wednesday morning following a hail storm.
  One of many vehicles that lost its back windshield (Photo Courtesy: KXAN).
  "They say a tornado sounds like a freight train. It sounded like a freight train," Ronald Martin, who lives in Marble Falls and watched the storm pass over him, said about his experience.
  Martin said the hail was falling so hard it l
  
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• Austin park voted as 'hidden gem' for dogs in Texas

  10-04-2024 16:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Houston, Austin and Dallas have new bragging rights in the Lone Star State following a survey searching for hidden gem dog parks in the United States.Technobark, a company that writes about pet technology and gadgets, surveyed 3,000 dog owners across the country and released a list of the top 120 Hidden Gem Dog Parks. On that list were three Texas dog parks that were voted the best “hidden gems” in the state.“Each park to make our ranking is a paw-printed
  
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• A Georgetown duck is missing her bill. A 3D printer could change that.

  10-04-2024 16:41 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — You'd be forgiven if you mistook the inside of All Things Wild Rehabilitation for the set of "Doctor Dolittle".
  A skunk named Daffodil roams the hallways freely, weaving in and out of the careful feet of people walking by.
  There's a tortoise named Speedy who's also free to explore at his own pace. They're joined by a raccoon, rabbits, squirrels, and several opossums.
  However, for the moment, it's a duck named Polly who's stealing the show.
  Polly came to the cente
  
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• 'Get things done': Austin Mayor Kirk Watson officially announces run for reelection

  10-04-2024 15:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Mayor Kirk Watson is officially running for reelection, he announced Wednesday. The mayor had previously told KXAN that was his intent.
  "It was always the plan to run for reelection. It's just that I also wanted to get some things done that needed to be done -- in my view -- to keep up our momentum at city hall," Watson said in an interview with KXAN prior to the announcement. One of those things, finding a permanent city manager. "We landed that plane and taxied it to th
  
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• Leander water restrictions reduced after underwater pipe replacement

  10-04-2024 15:10 via kxan.com
  
  LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — A pipe replacement that started in February wrapped up on schedule, according to Leander's mayor, Christine DeLisle. The fix improved the reliability of a pipeline that's been repaired three times in recent history. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Leander water restrictions to tighten in preparation for pipeline replacementThe city is now under Phase Two water restrictions which permit outdoor watering with irrigation systems and sprinklers once per week.The Brushy Creek Regiona
  
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• When is the next total lunar eclipse in Austin?

  10-04-2024 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin has to wait over 300 years for its next total solar eclipse.But a total lunar eclipse will happen well before then.RELATED: When is the next total solar eclipse in Austin?Austin will see a partial lunar eclipse this year on Sept. 18. The eclipse will be visible in the Americas, Europe and Africa, according to NASA.The next total lunar eclipse in Austin will be next year on March 14. This total eclipse will be seen in the Pacific, the Americas, western Europe and west
  
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• 1 in critical condition after vehicle crashes into building overnight

  10-04-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One person was critically injured overnight after a vehicle crashed into a building in southeast Austin, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.ATCEMS said the incident occurred at approximately 1:05 a.m. near the 4500 block of Freidrich Lane.At the scene, medics performed CPR on a patient, who was then taken to an area hospital with critical life-threatening injuries, according to ATCEMS.There was no further information available.
  
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• School enrollment in Central Texas: How have the numbers changed in recent years?

  10-04-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than 430,000 students are enrolled in school districts and open charters across the KXAN viewing area.KXAN is keeping track of enrollment data from the Texas Education Agency in 58 school districts and more than 20 open charter schools across the area.Over the past decade, the number of students enrolled areawide in traditional school districts increased by 34,482 between the 2013-14 and 2023-24 school years. Charter school enrollment increased by 42,785 during the sam
  
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• Texas will use computers to grade written answers on this year’s STAAR tests

  10-04-2024 13:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — Students sitting for their STAAR exams this week will be part of a new method of evaluating Texas schools: Their written answers on the state’s standardized tests will be graded automatically by computers.The Texas Education Agency is rolling out an “automated scoring engine” for open-ended questions on the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness for reading, writing, science and social studies. The technology, which uses natural language
  
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• San Marcos accepting donations for annual summer fan drive

  10-04-2024 13:01 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — The Salvation Army of San Marcos partnered with the city to begin donations for the sixth annual summer fan drive.Now through May 10, the city said it was asking for donations of new 12-inch or larger multi-purpose pedestal fans and 20-inch box fans to be donated to the communities that do not have or cannot afford air conditioning.
  “It’s always an exciting time of year when we begin accepting fans for our community members in need,” Director of
  
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• Wind slowly settles as quiet weather sets up

  10-04-2024 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As the low-pressure responsible for the storms last night pulls away, we're still getting the wrap-around winds and clouds after a cold front pushed through this morning.As you know, hail was the big story on Tuesday with up to 4 inch diameter hail reported in Burnet County.
  Hail ... and plenty of it Tuesday
  Rain was beneficial, with some of our heavier rainfall reports falling where we need it most. Check out these area rain totalsGusty winds will slowly back off as we head int
  
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• Weekend weather looking breezy, warm, rain-free

  10-04-2024 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Whether marveling at motorbikes racing at 200 mph at COTA's Grand Prix of the Americas, lacing up for the Longhorn Run at UT, or flying kites at ABC Kite Fest, the weekend weather will cooperate.Southerly winds will bring higher moisture levels to our area this weekend, resulting in increasing cloud cover and humidity levels but no rain is anticipated. Those winds could gust to 30 mph Saturday, but only about 20 mph on Sunday, which is good news for the ABC Kite Fest in Zilker P
  
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• Stretch of 80s the next 7+ days

  10-04-2024 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After a tumultuous start to the work week, our weather quiets down today through the weekend.Plenty of sunshine will stretch areawide today with afternoon highs warming to near seasonal averages -- upper 70s to low 80s. Winds will be lighter than what we felt yesterday with afternoon breezes out of the north/northeast at 5-15 mph.Afternoon highs in the low to mid-80sMainly sunny skies and warm temperatures continue on Friday. Southerly winds will begin to take hold, setting us u
  
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• Increasing clouds, warmth and humidity this weekend

  10-04-2024 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Favorable weather to finish the work week... and not too shabby over the weekend either.Mainly sunny, warm and dry across all of Central Texas today! Afternoon highs will climb into the low 80s -- fairly seasonable for this time of year.Southerly winds will bring higher moisture levels to our area this weekend, resulting in increasing cloud cover and humidity levels but no rain is anticipated.Partly cloudy, warm and dry for the 96th ABC Kite Fest this SundayOur next chance for r
  
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• A tranquil midweek forecast

  10-04-2024 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A calm day continues over the area. Gone are the large hailstones reported Tuesday late-afternoon and evening. There were at least 48 reports of hail ranging from pea-size up to two reports of hail the size of softballs. It was verified that softball-sized hail was reported at Briggs and twelve miles north of Burnet.Hail ... and plenty of it Tuesday
  Some one- to two-inch rain totals were reported at various locations but there were a few gauges that went over two inches, topped
  
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• Visitors, residents to see increase in San Marcos parking fines

  10-04-2024 04:52 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) –  Starting April 19, both residents and visitors of San Marcos will see an increase in parking fines. These changes will be implemented in order help reduce traffic congestion and ensure compliance with parking regulations, the City of San Marcos said in a news release Tuesday.“Effective parking enforcement ensures reduced traffic congestion, improved visibility and accessibility, enhanced pedestrian safety, and mitigates the likelihood of accidents whi
  
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• 'Better than expected': Texas counties reflect on solar eclipse

  10-04-2024 02:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- For many Central Texas counties, the eclipse experience went "better than expected.""We didn't have any issues," said Lampasas County Judge Randal Hoyer. "It was a magnificent eclipse."KXAN Investigates checked in with nearly 20 county judges. More than a dozen, and Austin 311, reported zero formal complaints filed following the eclipse. While we previously found sky-high hotel prices, the main concern Monday was traffic.
  "It's a lot of people all leaving at the same time," said
  
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• 'Peaker plant' near San Marcos to provide more power to ERCOT

  10-04-2024 00:55 via kxan.com
  
  CALDWELL COUNTY, Texas (Nexstar) -- Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday commemorated the groundbreaking of a new natural gas plant underway in Maxwell, just east of San Marcos. The plant is designed to switch on when the grid hits peak demand and will provide enough power for about 38,000 homes."To keep the Texas economy booming, we need more affordable, reliable power," Abbott said at the groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday. "That's why plants like these here in Central Texas are so incredibly important. W
  
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