Austin news

• Pflugerville ISD approves new superintendent Monday

  29-04-2024 23:49 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) -- Dr. Quintin Shepherd is officially Pflugerville ISD's newest superintendent, following approval by the district's Board of Trustees Monday.Shepherd has worked nearly 30 years in public education, PfISD officials said in a Monday release. Prior to coming to Pflugerville, he's served as Victoria ISD's superintendent since July 2018.
  Before working in Texas, Shepherd also held leadership positions at schools in Iowa and Illinois. Shepherd has led as a superintendent at
  
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• What are prion diseases? Hunters died of fatal disorder after eating tainted deer meat, researchers say

  29-04-2024 23:46 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – A recent report published in the medical journal Neurology suggests that two hunters contracted Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a fatal neurological disorder, after eating venison obtained from deer infected with chronic wasting disease.For years, researchers have thought cross-species transmission of chronic wasting disease (CWD) to be plausible. But this latest report, describing what researchers call a “cluster” of cases, presents some of the strongest evidence yet of
  
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• Jason Kelce to join ESPN's NFL pregame show: reports

  29-04-2024 23:24 via kxan.com
  
  (WHTM) — Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce will join ESPN as part of its "Monday Night Football" pregame show, sources told The Athletic and Variety.Kelce has risen to fame outside of sports for his podcast "New Heights," which he does with his brother, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. The podcast, while already popular, drew in even more fans last year in light of Travis' relationship with pop star Taylor Swift.Jason Kelce's exposure on the podcast reportedly led to
  
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• 'I have been blessed': Man with cancer splits $1.3B Powerball jackpot with wife, friend

  29-04-2024 23:19 via kxan.com
  
  PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A man diagnosed with cancer says he'll be sharing the $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot he won earlier this month with his wife and his friend after they decided to buy a ticket together.Cheng "Charlie" Saephan, a Laos-born immigrant who has been fighting cancer for the past eight years, said the winning ticket was part of a batch he purchased with his wife, Duanpen Saephan, and a friend, Laiza Chao of Milwaukie.“I am grateful for the lottery and how I have been
  
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• Austin seeks input on amenities to go on I-35 highway coverings

  29-04-2024 23:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin community members will have opportunities this spring and summer to weigh in on the city's "Cap and Stitch" program, or highway coverings on top of the soon-to-be-expanded Interstate 35.Our Future 35 will host an open house event on Saturday, May 18 at Austin Community College's Highland campus, located at 6108 Wilhelmina Delco Drive, Bldg. 2000. The event is free and open to the public, running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. RELATED NEWS: Austin could seek $124M federal grant to
  
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• Mason ISD staff member accused of improper relationship with student

  29-04-2024 23:13 via kxan.com
  
  SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — A staff member of the Mason Independent School District was arrested Thursday on a felony charge after he was accused of having an improper relationship with a student.The public jail roster for the Mason County Sheriff's Office shows that 37-year-old Micah Walker was taken into custody on April 25 at 1:48 p.m. He was arrested on a charge of Improper Relationship Between Educator/Student.According to Mason ISD's website, Walker is listed as the
  
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• Texas inspections again snarl truck traffic at Mexican border

  29-04-2024 22:53 via kxan.com
  
  EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – Trucks carrying merchandise to the U.S. are sitting in line for hours at the El Paso-Juarez border, as the Texas Department of Public Safety has resumed enhanced inspections of commercial vehicles.The trucks are waiting 480 minutes (eight hours) or more to cross the border at the Ysleta port of entry, when the usual wait time is about an hour, according to the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.Border Patrol says it’s ready for new mi
  
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• Horns Report: What a record NFL Draft says about the state of the Longhorns football program

  29-04-2024 22:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With 11 players selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Texas Longhorns set a program record for most players taken in the modern-era draft format of seven rounds, and as they transition to the Southeastern Conference, those kinds of numbers need to become normal.Roger Wallace and Billy Gates discuss what exactly the big draft weekend means for the program and head coach Steve Sarkisian, as well as an update on the Texas baseball and softball teams. The baseball team is coming
  
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• Rare white bison born at Central Texas ranch

  29-04-2024 21:44 via kxan.com
  
  BURNET, Texas (KXAN) — A Burnet ranch's latest bundle of joy comes with an added twist, after welcoming a rare white bison calf last week.Wagon Springs Ranch's owner Carl Chambers told KXAN his ranch crossed two blonde-haired bison last year. This marked the mama's first calf, and it's made for a memorable experience, Chambers said."When me and my brother went into the brush, I saw her laying down and then I saw this big white thing next to her. And I was like 'what is that?'" Chambers rec
  
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• Austin teacher recognized at national STEM competition

  29-04-2024 20:55 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (KXAN) -- Students around the world gathered in Houston over the weekend to participate in the Conrad Challenge. The annual STEM competition invites thousands of students to Space Center Houston, where they can pitch innovative ideas to change the world.This year, Austin teacher Joel Schildwachter with the nonPareil Institute was awarded the Innovative Teacher Award. Schildwachter's class also participated in the challenge, submitting their idea for a health app.Students competed for sch
  
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• LIVE BLOG: Multiple arrests on UT campus during Monday protest

  29-04-2024 20:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- University of Texas at Austin Police issued a dispersal order Monday afternoon after a group of pro-Palestine protesters gathered on the South Mall and set up several tents in the area.
  UTPD sent a dispersal order shortly after 1 p.m. after protesters began gathering with pro-Palestine signage and formed a circle around tents they'd set up.
  The protest formed separately from one aimed at speaking out about the closing of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion offices on university camp
  
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• LIVE BLOG: Law enforcement on UT campus as pro-Palestine protesters gather Monday

  29-04-2024 20:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- University of Texas at Austin Police issued a dispersal order Monday afternoon after a group of pro-Palestine protesters gathered on the South Mall and set up several tents in the area.
  UTPD sent a dispersal order shortly after 1 p.m. after protesters began gathering with pro-Palestine signage and formed a circle around tents they'd set up.
  Several journalists in Austin began posting on X about the protest Monday afternoon, which formed separately from one aimed at speaking out
  
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• Law enforcement on UT campus as pro-Palestine protesters gather Monday

  29-04-2024 20:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- University of Texas at Austin Police issued a dispersal order Monday afternoon after a group of pro-Palestine protesters gathered on the South Mall and set up several tents in the area.
  UTPD sent a dispersal order shortly after 1 p.m. after protesters began gathering with pro-Palestine signage and formed a circle around tents they'd set up.
  Several journalists in Austin began posting on X about the protest Monday afternoon, which formed separately from one aimed at speaking out
  
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• 79 arrested on UT campus during Monday protest, sheriff's office says

  29-04-2024 20:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A total of 79 people were arrested Monday after a group of pro-Palestine protesters gathered on the South Mall at the University of Texas at Austin's campus in the afternoon and set up several tents in the area. The university issued a dispersal order, and law enforcement responded shortly after.
  UTPD sent a dispersal order shortly after 1 p.m. after protesters began gathering with pro-Palestine signage and formed a circle around tents they'd set up.
  The protest formed separatel
  
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• Medication storage program opens weekdays for homeless population

  29-04-2024 20:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A medication storage program for individuals experiencing homelessness has opened in Austin.
  The city's Downtown Austin Community Court (DACC) created the Medication Storage Program for prescription medications for people experiencing homelessness. It's available through the DACC's Walk-In Case Management Services, open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 505 Barton Springs Road.
  DACC said its Walk-in Case Management serves on average over 70 people per day, and provides a
  
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• Austin could seek $124M federal grant to add highway coverings on top of I-35

  29-04-2024 18:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, Austin City Council could authorize city leaders to submit a federal grant application for up to $124 million for work on the city's upcoming Our Future 35"Cap and Stitch" program.The Our Future 35 program is working to develop deck plazas on top of Interstate 35, amid the Texas Department of Transportation's planned expansion of the highway. Those deck plazas could support community resources like parkland and green space, public art, small buildings and other
  
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• Eminem, Sting to headline Formula 1 at Circuit of the Americas this fall

  29-04-2024 18:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Guess who's back, back again?
  Music icons Eminem and Sting will headline performances at the 2024 Formula 1 Pirelli United States Grand Prix in Austin this fall.Circuit of the Americas made the announcement on social media Monday, saying they'll perform on the Germania Insurance Super Stage.
  Tickets for the F1 races are available online. Attendees can choose between three-day and single-day tickets, and children ages three and under receive complimentary grounds passes for
  
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• Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ under investigation by US Department of Labor

  29-04-2024 18:52 via kxan.com
  
  BUDA, Texas (KXAN) — The U.S. Department of Labor confirmed its Wage and Hour Division is investigating Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ in Buda.
  The department said no other information will be available until the investigation is completed. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ permanently closes Austin location with Buda openingKXAN media partners at the Austin Business Journal reported that the owners have a roughly $2.3 million debt.
  The couple recently expanded their south Austin f
  
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• Paxton, Abbott challenge Title IX changes protecting LGBTQ+ students

  29-04-2024 18:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton announced separate challenges to federal rule changes extending protections to LGBTQ+ students.
  Abbott shared Monday afternoon he sent a letter to President Joe Biden, which detailed how he's instructing the Texas Education Agency "to ignore your illegal dictate" about Title IX. This is the federal policy prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities that get federal funds.Biden&rsqu
  
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• Ken Paxton files federal lawsuit to block Title IX changes protecting LGBTQ+ students

  29-04-2024 18:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit in federal court Monday morning that attempts to block rule changes extending protections to LGBTQ+ students from taking effect.
  The lawsuit against the U.S. government, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and two other Department of Education leaders takes aim at the Biden administration's recently-announced updates to Title IX, which is the federal policy prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs
  
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• 'Stop the purge': UT Austin DEI rally, outcry as employees laid off look for work

  29-04-2024 18:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After the firing of dozens of University of Texas at Austin employees, groups are speaking out about the closing of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion offices on university campuses statewide. Sources: At least 20 UT employees linked to DEI to lose their jobsSenate Bill 17 went into effect in January, banning DEI efforts on public university and college campuses across Texas.On Monday, students, staff and community leaders will hold an event called "Rally for Our UT: Stop the
  
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• Austin photojournalist faces felony charge after arrest during UT protest, affidavit says

  29-04-2024 18:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An Austin photojournalist who was arrested while covering a pro-Palestine protest on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin Wednesday, April 24, is facing a felony charge, according to Travis County court documents.Local photojournalist among 57 arrested at UT protestAccording to an active arrest warrant affidavit, Carlos Sanchez, 43, faces a charge of assault on a peace officer, a second-degree felony.
  The affidavit said Sanchez lunged toward a Texas Highway Patrol off
  
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• Austin to weigh extra $9M for Barton Springs Road Bridge design work

  29-04-2024 17:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council on Thursday will consider adding an additional $9 million to design work on the city's Barton Springs Road Bridge project.Council approved in December the recommended design alternative to replace the existing bridge crossing Barton Creek. That bridge — located near Azie Morton Road and Barton Springs Road — was first built in 1925 before a 1946 expansion. PAST COVERAGE: Austin OKs design work for Barton Springs bridge replacementCity officia
  
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• Austin Sunshine Run aims to raise $80,000 to send kids to camp

  29-04-2024 16:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As many as 3,000 runners are expected to fill Austin's Vic Mathias Auditorium Shores Sunday morning to help create a special opportunity for disadvantaged children.
  It's expected to raise $80,000, which will help send more than 500 kids to the Austin Sunshine Camps this summer.
  The camps were first founded by the Austin Young Men's Business League in 1928, and have run every year since.
  The goal is to provide the magic of overnight camps, without the barrier of cost.Maritza Lope
  
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• Jarrell police searching for 17-year-old girl last seen Saturday

  29-04-2024 16:30 via kxan.com
  
  JARRELL, Texas (KXAN) — The Jarrell Police Department is searching for a missing teenager who was last seen Saturday night.
  Jarrell Police posted on social media Sunday night asking for the public's help locating 17-year-old Brooke Lee Fancher.
  She is described as white, 5'7" in height and 110 lbs, and has black hair with bleached streaks throughout.
  Fancher was last seen wearing black wind pants, a black hoodie, white fuzzy slip-on house shoes and was carrying a shower bag with a towel an
  
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• Boil water notice issued for Thorndale

  29-04-2024 15:04 via kxan.com
  
  THORNDALE, Texas (KXAN) -- A boil water notice was issued for all City of Thorndale Water customers Monday morning.
  The city said a loss of pressure in the water distribution system caused by a mechanical issue at the City of Thorndale Water Treatment Plant was the reason behind the boil notice. The pressure loss happened around 5:15 a.m. Monday.Tips for boiling water with or without powerThe city said due to the loss of pressure, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the City o
  
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• One dead in North Austin shooting, APD says

  29-04-2024 08:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police launched a homicide investigation after a person was shot and killed at a North Austin apartment complex Sunday night.According to APD, officers got the call about the shooting at the Villas Del Sol apartment complex on Rutland Drive around 8:40 p.m.
  That is near Metric Boulevard and West Rundberg Lane. This is Austin's 18th homicide this year.APD said no one was in custody as of early Monday morning.
  This is a breaking story. Stay with KXAN and KXAN.com for m
  
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• Texas sweeps doubleheader at Oklahoma, clubs 6 homers in weather-shortened nightcap

  29-04-2024 06:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After a weather-shortened nightcap, the Texas Longhorns picked up a huge series win over conference-leading Oklahoma on Sunday in Norman.The Longhorns and Sooners p[laid a doubleheader Sunday due to storms in the Norman postponed Saturday's originally scheduled game, and even then they shouldn't get two 9-inning games in, but they did enough in the eyes of the Big 12. Texas won the opener 8-6 and tied a school record with six home runs in the finale to take a 12-10 win afte
  
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• Tornado in Milam County causes minor damage

  29-04-2024 03:06 via kxan.com
  
  BURLINGTON, Texas (KXAN) -- A tornado in Milam County Sunday afternoon is being blamed for minor damage in the area of Burlington, Texas. Burlington is located 68 miles northeast of Austin. Milam County is part of the 15-county KXAN viewing area.Shortly before 3 p.m. on Sunday, the National Weather Service office in Dallas/Fort Worth issued a Tornado Warning for northern Milam County for a Doppler radar-indicated rotation that could develop into a tornado.Radar just before the issuance of a torn
  
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• 2024 NFL Draft: What Texas Longhorns had to say after they were selected

  29-04-2024 01:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For 11 Texas Longhorns, their dreams came true over the weekend after their selections in the NFL Draft. It's an emotional roller coaster full of sacrifices to even get to the point of being eligible for the draft, let alone to have the opportunity to make a living playing the game.For the program, it was a modern-era (seven rounds) record with 11 selections highlighted by the two first-round picks, defensive lineman Byron Murphy II and wide receiver Xavier Worthy. Only the
  
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• This week, Austin City Council could send charter changes to you for a vote

  29-04-2024 00:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thursday, Austin City Council could vote to send city charter changes to your November ballot. Those possible changes include the number of signatures required for you to get a citizen-initiated petition or a city council member recall to voters.
  City council created a Charter Review Commission last year to look at city charter issues like petition signature requirements. The group presented its proposed changes to city council last week.
  The recommendations include ch
  
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• Hungry? Judges needed for high school BBQ state championships

  29-04-2024 00:36 via kxan.com
  
  BURNET, Texas (KXAN) -- If there's one thing Texas does better than the rest, it's barbecue. And it's not just a backyard pastime for us in these parts. For some high schoolers, it's the start of a career.Texas High School BBQ Association Awards, April 2023
  The Texas High School BBQ Association is hosting this year's state championships at Burnet High School on May 4. Teams from across the state will compete in these categories:
  Pork ChopSkirt Steak TacosChickenPork RibsMeat Chili
  Judges will ev
  
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• Hungry? BBQ judges needed for state championship

  29-04-2024 00:36 via kxan.com
  
  BURNET, Texas (KXAN) -- If there's one thing Texas does better than the rest, it's barbecue. And it's not just a backyard pastime for us in these parts. For some high schoolers, it's the start of a career.Texas High School BBQ Association Awards, April 2023
  The Texas High School BBQ Association is hosting this year's state championships at Burnet High School on May 4. Teams from across the state will compete in these categories:
  Pork ChopSkirt Steak TacosChickenPork RibsMeat Chili
  Judges will ev
  
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