Austin news

• TxDOT assessing damage after construction vehicle hits overpass in Bastrop County

  24-04-2024 23:47 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Officials are assessing damage after a bridge on U.S. Highway 290 was shut down due to "structural damage," Bastrop County Emergency Services District No. 2 said on social media on Wednesday.Around 3:45 p.m., the agency said U.S. Highway 290 is shut down on Texas 21 after the bridge was badly damaged by a construction vehicle that hit the overpass.Emergency officials in Bastrop have asked drivers to avoid the area until the Texas Department of Transportation
  
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• Home healthcare companies must spend 80% of Medicaid payments on workers' wages under new rule

  24-04-2024 19:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The federal government will require home healthcare companies to pay workers more.The "Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services” rule, finalized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services this week, requires at least 80% of Medicaid payments for home care services go to workers’ wages, as opposed to administrative overhead or other costs. According to the White House announcement on Monday, more than seven million seniors and people with disabilities rely o
  
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• Person dies after auto-ped crash on Westlake Drive

  24-04-2024 19:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A person died in west Austin Wednesday after being involved in a "vehicle-pedestrian" collision shortly after noon, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.
  ATCEMS said on social media at 12:12 p.m. that CPR was in progress for a person after an incident involving "heavy machinery" in the 3000 block of Westlake Drive, near Trailview Mesa Drive.
  In an update at 12:25 p.m., EMS said the person was pronounced dead on the scene after "extensive resuscitative efforts."ATCEMS said the W
  
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• Austin Police officer resigns after being charged with trespassing in ex's apartment

  24-04-2024 19:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin Police officer was arrested in March after allegedly entering his ex-girlfriend's apartment without permission, according to Travis County court records.Juan Asencio — who was an APD senior officer at the time, according to court documents — was charged with one misdemeanor count of criminal trespass. He was arrested March 25 after a Travis County Sheriff's Office investigation.
  According to an APD source and Asencio's attorney, he resigned from APD af
  
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• Longhorn runner Rhasidat Adeleke expected to compete in Paris Olympics

  24-04-2024 19:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — When a college student first moves from home and often becomes more independent, there can be some adjustments. For Rhasidat Adeleke, a major adjustment came when doing laundry."I called her on the phone and I was like 'What buttons do I press?'" Adeleke said about a conversation with her mother. "I was in Target and was like 'What detergent should I get?' And she realized how spoiled I was at that moment."Rhasidat Adeleke in an interview with KXANLike learning how to do la
  
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• 'Hire Local' initiative helps with skills gap, connects people with in-demand jobs

  24-04-2024 18:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- According to Workforce Solutions Capital Area, there are more than enough jobs but not enough skilled workers in Austin.
  The organization is trying to address the city's skills gap through its Hire Local initiative. It released its 2023 annual report highlighting the initiative's impacts.
  "That is designed to close the gap by connecting local people with the skills needed in high demand jobs, high paying jobs, so they can afford to stay here in Austin," said Chair for Workforce
  
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• Man missing in south Austin found dead, police say

  24-04-2024 18:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man reported missing in south Austin was found dead Friday, the Austin Police Department said in a press release.Cristian Rangel, 24, was last seen in a south Austin Walmart parking lot on April 8. APD sent a release on April 18, saying it was searching for him and was concerned for Rangel's well-being. APD searching for missing 24-year-old last seen in south AustinOfficers responded to reports of a dead person in a southeast Austin neighborhood around 7 p.m. on Friday, A
  
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• UT Austin students to protest in support of Gaza with class walk-out and campus sit-in

  24-04-2024 18:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Palestinian Solidarity Committee of Austin is organizing a protest in support of Gaza on Wednesday, directing students to walk out of class and "occupy" the South Lawn of UT's campus."In the footsteps of our comrades at Columbia SJP, Rutgers-New Brunswick, Yale, and countless others across the nation, we will be establishing THE POPULAR UNIVERSITY FOR GAZA and demanding our administration divest from death," a PSC social media post said.Students are scheduled to walk
  
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• UT Austin students gather to protest in support of Gaza with class walk-out and campus sit-in

  24-04-2024 18:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Palestinian Solidarity Committee of Austin organized a protest in support of Gaza on Wednesday, directing students to walk out of class and "occupy" the South Lawn of the University of Texas' campus."In the footsteps of our comrades at Columbia SJP, Rutgers-New Brunswick, Yale, and countless others across the nation, we will be establishing THE POPULAR UNIVERSITY FOR GAZA and demanding our administration divest from death," a PSC social media post said.Students were
  
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• LIVE UPDATES: Several detained during protest in support of Gaza at UT campus

  24-04-2024 18:10 via kxan.com
  
  This story is being continually updated in a live blog toward the bottom of the article. Check back for updates.
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — At least four people have been detained at the University of Texas at Austin's campus as people gathered at a protest Wednesday in support of Gaza.
  KXAN reached out to law enforcement and is working to get more information on the detainments. We will update this story when we receive a response.
  The Palestinian Solidarity Committee of Austin organized the prot
  
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• LIVE UPDATES: More than 50 people arrested, day 2 of protests begins

  24-04-2024 18:10 via kxan.com
  
  This story is being continually updated in a live blog toward the bottom of the article. Check back for updates.
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Crowds gathered for a second day of protest after dozens of people were arrested at the University of Texas at Austin’s campus Wednesday as people gathered at a protest in support of Gaza.The Travis County Sheriff’s Office confirmed 57 people were booked into the Travis County Jail following the protest.  Some of those people started being rel
  
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• LIVE UPDATES: More than 50 arrested during pro-Palestine protest at UT Austin

  24-04-2024 18:10 via kxan.com
  
  This story is being continually updated in a live blog toward the bottom of the article. Check back for updates.
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Dozens of people were arrested at the University of Texas at Austin's campus Wednesday as people gathered at a protest in support of Gaza.
  KXAN reached out to law enforcement to learn just how many arrests were made, and the Travis County Sheriff's Office confirmed 57 people were booked into the Travis County Jail following the protest.Some of those people sta
  
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• LIVE UPDATES: More than 20 arrested during pro-Palestine protest at UT Austin

  24-04-2024 18:10 via kxan.com
  
  This story is being continually updated in a live blog toward the bottom of the article. Check back for updates.
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Several people have been detained at the University of Texas at Austin's campus as people gathered at a protest Wednesday in support of Gaza.
  KXAN reached out to law enforcement and is working to get more information on the detainments. We will update this story when we receive a response.
  The Palestinian Solidarity Committee of Austin organized the protest, d
  
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• LIVE UPDATES: Day 2 of protests begins, 57 people arrested day 1

  24-04-2024 18:10 via kxan.com
  
  This story is being continually updated in a live blog toward the bottom of the article. Check back for updates.
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Crowds gathered for a second day of protest after dozens of people were arrested at the University of Texas at Austin’s campus Wednesday as people gathered at a protest in support of Gaza.The Travis County Sheriff’s Office confirmed 57 people were booked into the Travis County Jail following the protest.  Some of those people started being rel
  
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• LIVE UPDATES: 34 arrested during pro-Palestine protest at UT Austin

  24-04-2024 18:10 via kxan.com
  
  This story is being continually updated in a live blog toward the bottom of the article. Check back for updates.
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Several people have been detained at the University of Texas at Austin's campus as people gathered at a protest Wednesday in support of Gaza.
  KXAN reached out to law enforcement and is working to get more information on the detainments, which as of 5 p.m. included the arrest of more than 20 people, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.The Palesti
  
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• Day 2 of protests at UT more peaceful; 57 arrested day 1

  24-04-2024 18:10 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: the live blog below is no longer being updated.
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Crowds gathered for a second day of protest after dozens of people were arrested at the University of Texas at Austin’s campus Wednesday as people gathered at a protest in support of Gaza.The Travis County Sheriff’s Office confirmed 57 people were booked into the Travis County Jail following the protest.  Some of those people started being released early Thursday morning, as more demonstrator
  
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• Flight delayed or canceled? Airlines have to give you an automatic refund now

  24-04-2024 18:00 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) — The Biden administration finalized rules on Wednesday requiring airlines to automatically refund passengers for canceled or significantly delayed flights and to share baggage, change, or cancellation fees upfront.“Passengers deserve to know upfront what costs they are facing and should get their money back when an airline owes them - without having to ask,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. “Today’s announcement
  
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• 3 arrested in Georgetown drug bust; Drugs and guns confiscated at scene

  24-04-2024 17:20 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- Over the weekend, the Williamson County Sheriff's Office arrested three people and seized what it called a "significant amount" of suspected illegal drugs, weapons, and paraphernalia associated with drug trafficking.
  WCSO said it executed a search warrant on Pinnacle Drive on Saturday along with its Organized Crime Unit and SWAT, as well as K9 units.
  WCSO confiscated the following:Approximately 4.5 pounds of suspected marijuanaApproximately 3.7 grams of suspected coca
  
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• Austin Energy awarded grant to expand access to affordable renewable energy

  24-04-2024 15:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Energy is expected to receive tens of millions of dollars in federal grant money to help low-income households with access to affordable renewable energy.
  The money comes from a portion of $250 million spread across 60 Texas organizations, which is part of a $7 billion national grant from the Environmental Protection Agency called Solar For All, announced earlier this week in celebration of Earth Day.
  Austin Energy said the money will help "direct deployment of clean
  
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• Unsettled weather pattern, severe storms possible

  24-04-2024 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The seasonal West Texas dryline will throw a few rounds of storms our way the next few days, some of which could be strong to severe.Today will look and feel similar to Wednesday -- mainly cloudy, warm (80s) and humid. Spotty to scattered light rain/drizzle/sprinkles are possible through the morning and afternoon, but no meaningful rain is expected... yet.Breezy winds out of the south/southeast will gust up to 30 mph at times today, Friday and Saturday. These winds will keep our
  
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• Unsettled weather pattern may bring severe storms

  24-04-2024 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The West Texas dryline combined with the first in a series of upper level storm systems will bring a chance of rain, thunderstorms, and even some isolated severe weather to Central Texas from early Friday through the weekend.Only a few isolated showers or thunderstorms are forecast overnight, and mainly in the Hill Country, but there will be a a 40% chance across the area Friday. Rain chances will drop for your outdoor plans Saturday, but increase dramatically by early Sunday as
  
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• Occasional rain, strong storms this last week of April

  24-04-2024 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A few spots of light rain and drizzle will be all we'll get from the high humidity levels most of us are currently sitting in. But that begins changing Thursday.
  A slight chance of showers will begin Thursday as a series of storms systems move our way from the western U.S. An unsettled weather pattern will result, keeping chances for rain and thunderstorm in the forecast every day for the next week.Plenty of moisture to work with over the next several daysTwo upper level storm s
  
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• Junk fees growing in Texas apartments, according to recent study

  24-04-2024 12:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Sanford Garrett is a 59-year-old visually impaired veteran who lives off of what he calls a "broke income," but he makes it work.
  "Every dollar and cent counts," Garrett explained. He has lived in the same two-bedroom apartment for the past 13 years, and has seen his complex change ownership multiple times.
  Since the pandemic, though, he has noticed an increase in junk fees added on to his monthly rent payment. Things like valet trash and pest control fees. It used to be he had
  
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• Tornado Watch for parts of Central Texas today

  24-04-2024 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The West Texas dryline, combined with the first in a series of upper level storm systems, will bring rounds of storms and showers to our area today through the weekend.A Tornado Watch has been issued for Lampasas and Milam Counties until 6 p.m. today. A Tornado Watch means the atmosphere has the ingredients for the development of a tornado. If a Tornado Warning were issued, that's your cue to move to an interior room away from windows.Tornado Watch for Milam and Lampasas Countie
  
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• Threat of strong storms Friday into the weekend

  24-04-2024 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The West Texas dryline combined with the first in a series of upper level storm systems will bring a chance of rain, thunderstorms, and even some isolated severe weather to Central Texas from early Friday through the weekend.Only a few isolated showers or thunderstorms are forecast overnight, and mainly in the Hill Country, but there will be a a 40% chance across the area Friday. Rain chances will drop for your outdoor plans Saturday, but increase dramatically by early Sunday as
  
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• Severe storm, flood warnings issued, more rain coming

  24-04-2024 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A FLASH FLOOD WARNING is in effect until 6:45 PM for San Saba County.
  A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING was also in effect late Friday afternoon for San Saba County.Click here for the Warning details.The West Texas dryline, combined with the first in a series of upper level storm systems, will bring rounds of storms and showers to our area today through the weekend.A Tornado Watch has been issued for Lampasas and Milam Counties until 6 p.m. today. A Tornado Watch means the atmospher
  
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• Dry weather, but also a stormy period this weekend

  24-04-2024 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In a sign of what is possible over the coming week, a persistent area of thunderstorms dropped 5-6 inches of rain between San Saba and Cherokee Friday afternoon, prompting an hours-long Flash Flood Warning.An unsettled weather pattern including multiple upper level disturbances, the dry line and a cold front will keep chances for showers and storms in our forecast for the next week or more. The National Weather Service is projecting 1.5"-3" of rain across Central Texas over the
  
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• Travis County test runs counsel at first appearance

  24-04-2024 04:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Currently, arrestees in Travis County don't always have an attorney with them at their first court appearance.
  According to the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, ensuring attorneys early on can reduce jail populations and save taxpayers money by reducing criminal justice costs.
  Travis County supports the idea of this prospect - which is called "counsel at first appearance" or CAFA - but so far, staffing, infrastructure and procedural challenges have hindered its imple
  
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• Gov. Greg Abbott announces $34M mental health facility coming to Uvalde

  24-04-2024 03:15 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE, Texas (Nexstar) — Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Monday a $34 million initiative aimed at bolstering mental health services in Uvalde.Construction for a new behavioral health campus in Uvalde is expected to begin later this year, according to a press release from the governor's office. The project aims to help children and adults grappling with mental health crises in Uvalde and across 32 counties in the surrounding area.The proposed facility will include a 16-bed crisis unit for ad
  
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• Man indicted in UT West Campus stabbing of Palestinian American

  24-04-2024 01:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man accused of stabbing a 23-year-old Palestinian American in West Campus near the University of Texas at Austin was indicted by a grand jury on an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge, according to a Travis County District Attorney's Office press release.Bert James Baker, 36, was arrested in connection with the February incident at Nueces and 26th Street. The victim, who was visiting Austin from North Texas for a demonstration that called for a ceasefire in Gaz
  
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• Houston-area program to give $500 monthly payments to some residents on hold after Texas lawsuit

  24-04-2024 00:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (AP) — The Texas Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered Harris County, which includes Houston, to put on hold a guaranteed income program that would provide $500 monthly cash payments to roughly 2,000 residents.The program has become a target of Republican Texas Attorney General Paxton, who has accused local Democratic leaders of trying to “score political points” through the initiative and filed a lawsuit this month in an effort to block its implementation. The
  
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• Max Scherzer set for Round Rock rehab start Wednesday Night

  24-04-2024 00:22 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) - One of the biggest names in baseball is set to get game action at Dell Diamond Wednesday Night. Three-time Cy Young award winner Max Scherzer will make a rehab start for the Round Rock Express at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday against the Salt Lake Bees.The eight-time All-Star had back surgery during the off-season and started the season on the injured list. Scherzer is the MLB's active leader in strikeouts with over 3,300.
  Round Rock has been busy sending players up to the reign
  
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• 'I'm concerned': Hays County Homeless Coalition releases 2024 data

  24-04-2024 00:09 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY (KXAN) — Hays County leaders learned more about the number of people experiencing homelessness in their community at a recent Hays County Commissioner's Court meeting.The county's homeless coalition presented the results of its 'point in time' count from January 2024 on Monday.
  According to new data, there are more unhoused people now, compared to 2020. Most are living in shelters compared to just on the streets or maybe even cars. However, data shows majority of those individu
  
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• Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison tags Nashville as company's next world HQ

  24-04-2024 00:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) -- Oracle Corp. co-founder and Chairman Larry Ellison has indicated that Nashville, not Austin, will be the company's headquarters in the future.Ellison made the declaration April 23 during an on-stage interview at a health care industry summit Oracle hosted in Nashville. It marked Ellison's first public appearance in Nashville in the nearly three years since Oracle (NYSE: ORCL) – one of the world's 30 largest public companies — cemented a deal to cre
  
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