Austin news

• Texas state Senator Bettencourt calls for new criminal statute against squatting

  22-05-2024 23:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, estimates that up to 10,000 squatting cases have happened in Texas, according to a Wednesday press release.On May 15, Bettencourt chaired a hearing of the Texas Senate's Local Government Committee focused on the issue. Testimony included families and landlords who had encountered serious problems with squatters. Texas Senate holds hearing on squatters“The one thing that stood out to me was the hearts of the people this has happened t
  
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• Texas Sen. Bettencourt calls for new criminal statute against squatting

  22-05-2024 23:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, estimates that up to 10,000 squatting cases have happened in Texas, according to a Wednesday press release.On May 15, Bettencourt chaired a hearing of the Texas Senate's Local Government Committee focused on the issue. Testimony included families and landlords who had encountered serious problems with squatters. Texas Senate holds hearing on squatters“The one thing that stood out to me was the hearts of the people this has happened t
  
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• Man accused of kidnapping woman from north Austin bus stop, sexually assaulting her

  22-05-2024 22:40 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Wednesday, May 22, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man faces two felony charges after reports he kidnapped a woman from a north Austin bus stop and sexually assaulted her at a nearby motel on Saturday, according to Travis County court documents.Records showed 42-year-old Lance Donnell Benford was charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault in connection with the incident.KXAN reached out to Benford&rsquo
  
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• TCSO: Man shot multiple times, killed during early morning burglary

  22-05-2024 22:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Travis County Sherriff's Office (TCSO) released the identity of the victim in a May 20 homicide, as well as additional information about the early morning shooting.In an arrest affidavit, TCSO identified the victim as Stephen Mark Peterman, 49.
  A TCSO deputy found Peterman around 4 a.m. in the middle of Amarillo Avenue with several gunshot wounds, according to the affidavit. Life-saving measures were attempted but unsuccessful.
  The TCSO detective who submitted the affid
  
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• Memorial Day watercraft ban starts Friday on Lake Austin

  22-05-2024 21:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A personal watercraft ban starts Friday on Lake Austin for Memorial Day weekend.The ban starts at sunset Friday. It will lift Tuesday at sunrise.The ban applies to personal watercraft, wet bikes, motorized surfboards and similar vessels. Kayaks, canoes and paddleboards are not affected.Austin Police Department’s Lake Patrol Unit will enforce the ordinance.
  The city’s annual ordinance, which aims to enforce public safety, also goes into effect for periods around
  
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• Lago Vista High School releases students early after lockdown, cancels after school events

  22-05-2024 21:32 via kxan.com
  
  This story includes mention of self-harm. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Lago Vista High School went on lockdown Wednesday after what Lago Vista ISD called a "student self-harm situation."The district said there was no threat to other students at the school.The campus went to an early dismissal plan, the district said.
  Other Lago Vista ISD schools were not released early; however, all after school
  
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• Lago Vista High School releases students early after lockdown, attendance optional for Thursday

  22-05-2024 21:32 via kxan.com
  
  This story includes mention of self-harm. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Lago Vista High School was placed on lockdown Wednesday after what Lago Vista ISD called a "student self-harm situation."In a statement, the district said the high school was placed on lockdown after an "incident of student self harm involving a handgun."
  "We are deeply saddened to share that the student did not survive. Our t
  
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• ATCEMS partners with local tech company ESO to help 911 dispatchers

  22-05-2024 21:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – With an increasing number of 911 calls and staff shortages affecting many emergency medical services departments, Austin-based ESO published a study using data from seven EMS Systems, including Austin’s, to determine an improved approach to emergency response. The emergency and crisis management software company said the current EMS system was designed in the 1970s to respond to traumatic injuries on interstate highways. Since then, it has become a tool that not
  
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• 'Error' made in American Airlines filing over child filmed in airplane bathroom

  22-05-2024 20:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KAXN) — American Airlines said its legal counsel made an "error" in a filing that blamed a 9-year-old girl following an incident where a former employee secretly recorded her while using a plane bathroom.The family of the victim filed a civil lawsuit in February against American Airlines and 36-year-old flight attendant Estes Thompson III.In a filing this week, attorneys for the airline said the harm to her was caused by her "own fault and negligence" and by her using a bathroom "w
  
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• Uber expanding pilot of driver safety feature into Austin

  22-05-2024 20:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Rideshare company Uber said it was expanding the pilot version of a driver safety feature of its app into Austin.
  The company launched the pilot program "Record My Ride" in October 2022 across select U.S. cities. It's a safety feature that allows drivers to record video and audio of trips using their smartphone camera.
  The feature will now be available for Uber drivers in Austin, where it was previously unavailable.
  How it works:Drivers can set up Record My Ride in the Safety To
  
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• March 2024: Which local restaurants received a perfect health inspection score?

  22-05-2024 19:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Public Health inspected 622 locations in March, with a 12.9% rate of perfect scores for the month.So far for 2024, the agency has issued perfect scores in 10% of its inspections. At the same time in 2023, it averaged 14.7% for perfect scores. However, it had completed 2,101 inspections by that time. As of April 1, APH has completed 1,975 inspections in 2024.The following restaurants received perfect scores in March:
  Poke House, located at 3652 Bee Caves Road, AustinPoke F
  
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• 15-year-old driver dies following crash in east Austin

  22-05-2024 18:07 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Wednesday, May 22, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department identified a 15-year-old girl who died two days after a single-vehicle crash in east Austin.According to APD, the crash happened around 1:30 a.m. Friday at the intersection of Farm to Market Road 969 and Ed Bluestein Boulevard Service Road heading north. MAP: Where have Austin’s fatal crashes occurred in 2024?APD said one adult and four juven
  
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• Summer outlook: Will Central Texas lakes fill with rain?

  22-05-2024 17:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As Central Texas' wettest month of the year (May) draws to a close, some will see this as a missed opportunity for beneficial rain leading into the summer months. This May, though, has brought significant positives with drought improvement throughout much of the area, as well as significant rises in Lake Buchanan.However, Lake Travis continues to experience "one of its record low periods," according to Vice President of Water for the Lower Colorado River Authority John Hofmann.L
  
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• Man reunites with off-duty Austin firefighter who saved his life

  22-05-2024 17:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Dom Fusco hopes to inspire others to take a CPR class after his near-death experience last summer.In August 2023, the 24 year old and his friends were timing out their fastest mile on the track at Austin High School when things suddenly changed. Fusco collapsed on the track."You were mumbling, you were talking to us. But it wasn't super coherent. And then we lost you. And we couldn't get any response from you," Gus Manke, Fusco's friend, recounted about that Saturday mornin
  
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• LIVE: Man reunites with off-duty Austin firefighter who saved his life

  22-05-2024 17:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Dom Fusco hopes to inspire others to take a CPR class after his near-death experience last summer.In August 2023, the 24 year old and his friends were timing out their fastest mile on the track at Austin High School when things suddenly changed. Fusco collapsed on the track."You were mumbling, you were talking to us. But it wasn't super coherent. And then we lost you. And we couldn't get any response from you," Gus Manke, Fusco's friend, recounted about that Saturday mornin
  
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• Preliminary report: Deadly plane crash at Spicewood Airport happened during second landing attempt

  22-05-2024 17:32 via kxan.com
  
  SPICEWOOD, Texas (KXAN) -- The National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report revealing some details about what could have caused a deadly plane crash in Spicewood last month.
  The crash happened April 22 around 6:30 p.m. at the Spicewood Airport in Burnet County. Destroyed in the crash was a Lancair Legacy FG airplane, which according to Lancair’s website, is a two-seat single-engine light aircraft.Wesley Perkins, 74, of Lakeway, died in the incident, accordin
  
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• Uvalde families to announce new effort days before shooting's two-year mark

  22-05-2024 16:27 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE (Nexstar) -- Nineteen families of those killed and injured at Robb Elementary on May 24, 2022 are gathering in Uvalde on Wednesday to make an "important announcement" alongside attorneys specializing in suing gun makers.Attorneys Josh Koskoff and Erin Rogiers will lead the families in a noon press conference at the Uvalde Civic Center.It is not yet known what they will announce, but Koskoff is known for leading lawsuits against manufacturers of weapons used in mass shootings. In 2022, he
  
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• Uvalde families sue Texas DPS officers, reach settlement with city

  22-05-2024 16:27 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE (Nexstar) -- Nineteen families of those killed and injured in the 2022 Robb Elementary school shooting announced a new lawsuit against 92 individual officers with the Texas Department of Public Safety. The families made their announced Wednesday from Uvalde led by Connecticut-based attorney Josh Koskoff, who is renowned for representing victims of mass shootings in high-profile civil lawsuits. In 2022, he secured a $73 million settlement from Remington on behalf of Sandy Hook victims
  
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• Uvalde families announce new effort days before shooting's two-year mark

  22-05-2024 16:27 via kxan.com
  
  UVALDE (Nexstar) -- Nineteen families of those killed and injured in the 2022 Robb Elementary school shooting are announcing a new lawsuit against 92 individual officers with the Texas Department of Public Safety, sources tell NBC News. The families will make the announcement from Uvalde led by Connecticut-based attorney Josh Koskoff, who is renowned for representing victims of mass shootings in high-profile civil lawsuits. In 2022, he secured a $73 million settlement from Remington on beha
  
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• Concerns grow over homeless activity near south Austin elementary school

  22-05-2024 15:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Joann Sisson has two kids at Joslin Elementary School in south Austin.
  "A pre-K and a fourth grader," she said.
  She worries about what's across the road.
  "Kids seeing things they just shouldn't be seeing so young," Sisson said.
  Any given day, you'll see crowds of people experiencing homelessness outside of the Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center, which sits in view of Joslin Elementary on the other side of Redd Street. The center officers mental health and addiction services as w
  
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• City looks at solutions as concerns grow over homeless activity near elementary school

  22-05-2024 15:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Joann Sisson has two kids at Joslin Elementary School in south Austin.
  "A pre-K and a fourth grader," she said.
  She worries about what's across the road.
  "Kids seeing things they just shouldn't be seeing so young," Sisson said.
  Any given day, you'll see crowds of people experiencing homelessness outside of the Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center, which sits in view of Joslin Elementary on the other side of Redd Street. The center officers mental health and addiction services, as
  
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• LIVE: Inside the Investigations: Austin hospital crash

  22-05-2024 15:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Each week the in-depth reporting from the KXAN Investigates team will get a spotlight on KXAN Live.A conversation will happen Wednesday morning with investigative reporter Kelly Wiley and KXAN Live anchor Will DuPree to break down one of this week’s top stories. Watch the live stream starting at about 9 a.m. in this story or on the KXAN News Facebook page.Inside the Investigations: Status of Texas LGBTQ+ policiesThe story they’re talking about this wee
  
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• Inside the Investigations: Austin hospital crash

  22-05-2024 15:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Each week the in-depth reporting from the KXAN Investigates team will get a spotlight on KXAN Live.A conversation will happen Wednesday morning with investigative reporter Kelly Wiley and KXAN Live anchor Will DuPree to break down one of this week’s top stories. Watch the live stream starting at about 9 a.m. in this story or on the KXAN News Facebook page.Inside the Investigations: Status of Texas LGBTQ+ policiesThe story they’re talking about this wee
  
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• Austin breaks back into top 10 on list of best places to live in the U.S.

  22-05-2024 15:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas' capital city rose back to the top 10 on a list ranking 150 major cities as the "best places to live."The U.S. News and World Report 2024-2025 survey ranked Austin No. 9 on its annual list of Best Places to Live in the U.S.
  Last year, Austin fell to the unusually low spot of No. 40 in the nation. In every other year since 2020, Austin was listed in at least the top 20. The survey ranked Austin at No. 13 in 2022, No. 5 in 2021, and No. 3 in 2020.PREVIOUS STORY: Au
  
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• Emotional promises from Austin leaders after KXAN hospital safety report

  22-05-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: KXAN Investigator Matt Grant discusses our team’s initiative sharing hospital security barrier findings with Texas lawmakers.Project Summary:
  This story is part of KXAN’s “Preventing Disaster” investigation, which initially published on May 15, 2024. The project follows a fatal car crash into an Austin hospital’s emergency room earlier that year. Our team took a broader look at safety concerns with that crash and hundreds of others across the na
  
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• DeWitt County boys at center of Amber Alert found safe

  22-05-2024 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  YORKTOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- Two boys from Yorktown, Texas were found safe Wednesday after an Amber Alert was issued for them earlier in the morning, according to the DeWitt County Sheriff's Office.
  The boys were initially reported missing from Yorktown, which is in DeWitt County about 110 miles south of Austin.
  Law enforcement officials originally reported they were searching for Julian Ribera, 24, in connection to their abduction, but it's not clear if he is still at large or if police found him
  
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• Amber Alert issued for 4-year-old and 5-year-old from DeWitt County

  22-05-2024 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  YORKTOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- An Amber Alert was issued for two children who went missing from Yorktown, Texas in DeWitt County Tuesday night, according to law enforcement officials.
  The DeWitt County Sheriff's Office issued the alert for Aiydann Ribera, 4, and Angel Ribera, 5. They were last seen around 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 21 in the 120 block of East 5th Street in Yorktown.
  Yorktown is in DeWitt County about 110 miles south of Austin.
  Police are searching for Julian Ribera, 24, in connection to the
  
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• WATCH LIVE: Tornado Warning issued for Lampasas County

  22-05-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Tornado Warning was issued Lampasas County at 5:35 p.m. Wednesday.When a Tornado Warning is issued, people in the area of the warning should seek shelter indoors in the lowest interior room away from windows.San Saba County is under a Tornado Watch until 8 p.m. A Tornado Watch means that conditions are favorable for the development of severe storms capable of producing a tornado.
  Storm coverage will be slow to ramp up with only isolated storms in northern areas from late
  
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• Tornado Watch for northern counties as storms arrive this evening

  22-05-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Lampasas and San Saba Counties are under a Tornado Watch until 8 p.m. A Tornado Watch means that conditions are favorable for the development of severe storms capable of producing a tornado. If a Tornado Warning is issued, seek shelter indoors in the lowest interior room away from windows.Two counties under a Tornado Watch until 8 p.m.Storm coverage will be slow to ramp up with only isolated storms in northern areas from late afternoon through early evening.Higher chances f
  
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• Tornado Watch for northern counties as storm threat continues

  22-05-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Tornado Watch is in effect for most of our northern counties until midnight. A Tornado Watch means that conditions are favorable for the development of severe storms capable of producing a tornado. When a Tornado Warning is issued, you should seek shelter indoors in the lowest interior room away from windows.Tornado Watch in effect until midnight for northern countiesHigher chances for storms starts to arrive for more areas around late evening, which may include parts of
  
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• Tornado Watch continues, but severe risk fading

  22-05-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Tornado Watch is in effect for most of our northern counties until midnight. A Tornado Watch means that conditions are favorable for the development of severe storms capable of producing a tornado. When a Tornado Warning is issued, you should seek shelter indoors in the lowest interior room away from windows.Tornado Watch in effect until midnight for Williamson, Lee and Milam CountiesAs we head through mid-evening our severe weather risk is fading as the largest cluster o
  
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• Tornado Warning in Milam County

  22-05-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The National Weather Service issued a Tornado Warning for Milam County.Severe storms continue to move through Lampasas County with large hail and damaging winds at 6 p.m. Wednesday.San Saba County is under a Tornado Watch until 8 p.m. A Tornado Watch means that conditions are favorable for the development of severe storms capable of producing a tornado. When a Tornado Warning is issued, you should seek shelter indoors in the lowest interior room away from windows.
  Storm cov
  
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• Storm threat fading ahead of first triple digit heat

  22-05-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Tornado Watch has been cancelled early as the severe weather threat has ended.Still, a low shower or storm chance will continue for now as there are still enough ingredients in place for some stray activity.Storm coverage should fade by midnight as the atmosphere becomes more stable.Thursday's forecastA very isolated storm or shower remains possible Thursday morning, mainly in the Hill Country. Generally speaking we should see morning clouds giving way to increasing after
  
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• Some thunderstorms tonight may be severe

  22-05-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Lampasas and San Saba Counties are under a Tornado Watch until 8 p.m. Severe thunderstorms are forecast into these two counties between 6 and 8 p.m.Two counties under a Tornado Watch until 8 p.m.Uncomfortable air is gripping our area today. Dew points in the mid 70s won't drop much this afternoon. We anticipate that several heat index readings will top out between 102° and 106° with a higher reading in parts of Fayette and Lee Counties.Hot and humid this afternoonCi
  
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• Some thunderstorms may be severe tonight

  22-05-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Lampasas and San Saba Counties are under a Tornado Watch until 8 p.m. Severe thunderstorms are forecast into these two counties between 6 and 8 p.m.Uncomfortable air is gripping our area today. Dew points in the mid 70s in most of the area won't drop much this afternoon. We anticipate that several heat index readings will top out between 102° and 106° with a higher reading in parts of Fayette and Lee Counties.Circling back to our storm threat, a cold front will sink
  
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• Severe storm threat continues tonight

  22-05-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Severe storms continue to move through Lampasas County with large hail and damaging winds at 6 p.m. Wednesday.San Saba County is under a Tornado Watch until 8 p.m. A Tornado Watch means that conditions are favorable for the development of severe storms capable of producing a tornado. When a Tornado Warning is issued, you should seek shelter indoors in the lowest interior room away from windows.Storm coverage will be slow to ramp up with only isolated storms in northern area
  
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• Increasing severe risk this evening and overnight

  22-05-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In addition to the uncomfortable heat, a risk of strong to severe storms exists for parts of our area later this evening and continues into the overnight hours.A weakening cold front will get closer to us Wednesday evening and night to bring a higher rain and storm chance to the Hill Country and possibly even the Austin Metro. Still, while most of us will stay dry tomorrow night too, it'll be our highest chance of rain for the next week.Severe risk: 2 to 3 out of 5 Wednesda
  
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• 9th-inning homer sinks Longhorns in opening round of Big 12 baseball tourney

  22-05-2024 07:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Tech's Cade McGee blasted a 2-run home run off the fair pole in the top of the ninth to lift the 10th-seeded Red Raiders past third-seeded Texas 6-4 in the opening round of the Big 12 Conference baseball tournament Tuesday at Globe Life Field in Arlington.McGee's towering fly ball off Longhorns reliever Andre Duplantier with Gavin Kash on first base glanced off the top of the pole in left field, breaking a 4-4 tie. Kash singled to lead off the inning.MORE THAN THE SCO
  
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• Hays County group alleges water supplier has over pumped millions of gallons

  22-05-2024 04:54 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – Conservation advocates filed a formal complaint with the Public Utility Commission of Texas against Aqua Texas, a Central Texas water supplier, for “serving customers with illegal groundwater supply,” according to a press release from Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association, or TESPA.  PREVIOUS: Hays groundwater district says water company overused 89M gallons in 2022, impacting Jacob’s Well zoneTESPA alleges Aqua Texas, which provi
  
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• Millions of dollars flooding Texas Speaker Dade Phelan's runoff election

  22-05-2024 02:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Early voting for the May 28 runoff election in Texas is underway, with millions of dollars flooding into races between incumbent Republicans and their challengers in the Texas House.
  This influx of money is particularly notable in the closely-watched race for House Speaker Dade Phelan's seat. The speaker's runoff is emblematic of a power struggle within the Texas Republican Party from the old guard versus the new, representative of a broader fight nationally.IN-DEPTH: Re
  
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• APD interim chief drafted letter in support of pardon for Daniel Perry

  22-05-2024 02:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Interim Police Chief Robin Henderson drafted a letter to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles asking the board to pardon a man convicted of shooting and killing a protester in downtown Austin in 2020.The letter was "ultimately" not submitted to the board, Henderson said in a quote provided to KXAN by a spokesperson.
  "Ultimately the drafted letter was not submitted. After discussions with City leadership, as is the standard in certain situations, I decided not
  
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• Texas State, UFCU ink multi-million dollar football stadium naming rights deal

  22-05-2024 02:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For the next 15 years, Texas State won't play football at Bobcat Stadium.Texas State and University Federal Credit Union signed a 15-year, $23 million naming rights deal to rebrand the Bobcats' home stadium in San Marcos as UFCU Stadium. It's the largest corporate naming rights sponsorship in the Sun Belt Conference, according to the university.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 kxa
  
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• City investigating after report says APD officers used facial recognition against policy

  22-05-2024 00:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin said it is investigating after documents obtained by The Washington Post showed at least 13 instances of outside police departments providing results of facial recognition searches to Austin Police Department officers since the city banned the use of facial recognition nearly four years ago.The Washington Post first reported on the documents in a May 18 article. Previous: Austin Council unanimously backs 5 items on police reform and racial justice“W
  
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