Austin news

• Women's prison holds a graduation for inmates earning high school diploma

  21-06-2024 23:54 via kxan.com
  
  LOCKHART, Texas (KXAN) — More than 70 state prison inmates earned their high school diplomas on Friday at the Gregory S. Coleman Unit.
  The Coleman Unit is home to a unique program hosted by the Goodwill Excel Center that empowers inmates to pursue their education through an accelerated learning program for adults. This unit's justice education campus is one of four located in Texas prisons that offers inmates the chance to earn their high school diploma and is the only one in a women's fac
  
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• Workers frustrated with South Congress paid parking

  21-06-2024 23:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In March, the Austin City Council approved a measure that would convert over 100 parking spaces on and near South Congress into paid spots. More recently, new paid parking signs have popped up as a result, and it's a change that has frustrated some workers. PAST COVERAGE: Austin installing paid parking along South CongressIsabell Quinn, a server at restaurant Two Hands on South Congress, is displeased with the current parking situation. Two Hands doesn't provide parking per
  
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• Gov. Abbott deploys resources to support New Mexico with wildfires, flash flooding

  21-06-2024 22:36 via kxan.com
  
  EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) - Texas Governor Greg Abbott has deployed Texas emergency management resources to New Mexico in response to the wildfires surrounding Ruidoso and flash flooding impacting the state, his office announced on Thursday, June 20."As we continue to move through hurricane season, Texans are no strangers to the devastating effects of severe weather," said Governor Abbott. "While the initial force of Tropical Storm Alberto dissipates, Texas was able to swiftly and effectively respon
  
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• 30 puppies available for free adoptions at Williamson County shelter

  21-06-2024 22:30 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS) announced a special free adoption weekend, starting Friday and running through Sunday.According to WCRAS, the adoption event aims to find homes for 30 puppies.“The need to place these 30 puppies in loving homes is urgent. Puppies bring joy and companionship and thrive in stable environments,” the shelter said. “We urge anyone considering adoption to visit WCRAS and meet these delightful pups.&rdq
  
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• Fires burning near Ruidoso total more than 24K acres

  21-06-2024 22:14 via kxan.com
  
  EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) —The South Fork Fire and the Salt Fire, burning near Ruidoso, New Mexico, continue to grow and together are estimated to be over 24,000 acres as of Friday morning, June 21, according to Watch Duty.The South Fork Fire is estimated at 16,542 acres with 0 containment. The Salt Fire is estimated at 7,652.3 acres with 0 containment, according to Watch Duty.President Joe Biden issued a Major Disaster Declaration in response to the fires on Thursday, June 20. Federal funds w
  
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• Beloved Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek honored with US Postal Service Forever Stamp

  21-06-2024 22:14 via kxan.com
  
  SALT LAKE CITY (KTVU) -- QUESTION: This long-time host of "Jeopardy" is now honored with a United States Postal Service 'Forever Stamp.'ANSWER: Who is Alex Trebek?That's right, the beloved "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek will be honored with a "Forever Stamp" to celebrate his legacy and the show's 60th Diamond Celebration.
  The sheet of 20 identical stamps resembles the array of video monitors that make up the "Jeopardy!" game board. Written on each stamp is the prompt "This naturalized U.S. citizen
  
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• Watch: Southwest jet buzzes Oklahoma neighborhood

  21-06-2024 22:13 via kxan.com
  
  OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is looking into what caused a Southwest Airlines plane to drop within several hundred feet of an Oklahoma neighborhood earlier this week.Flight data shows Southwest Airlines Flight 4069, a Boeing 737-800 en route to Oklahoma City from Las Vegas, flew as low as 400 feet above the City of Yukon just after 12 a.m. Wednesday morning while on a final approach to Will Rogers World Airport. Boeing given 90 days by FAA to come up wit
  
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• 'Horrific': Woman shot, injured at Round Rock Juneteenth ceremony speaks

  21-06-2024 21:06 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- LaTonya Ray has two wounds on her upper thigh, one where the bullet went in, and another where it went out.
  "It was actually very horrific," she said. "It stung."She said she was at Round Rock's Juneteenth ceremony Saturday, walking to the other side of the crowd to find her husband when gunfire erupted. Two women - Ara Duke and Lyndsey Vicknair - died in the shooting and a total of 14 people were injured.RELATED: Police announce arrest of 17-year-old suspect related
  
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• 'Horrific': Woman shot, injured at Round Rock Juneteenth celebration speaks

  21-06-2024 21:06 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- LaTonya Ray has two wounds on her upper thigh, one where the bullet went in, and another where it went out.
  "It was actually very horrific," she said. "It stung."She said she was at Round Rock's Juneteenth ceremony Saturday, walking to the other side of the crowd to find her husband when gunfire erupted. Two women - Ara Duke and Lyndsey Vicknair - died in the shooting and a total of 14 people were injured.RELATED: Police announce arrest of 17-year-old suspect related
  
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• Traffic Alert: Vehicle fire causes delays in northwest Austin

  21-06-2024 20:47 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Friday, June 21, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said officers were responding to a vehicle on fire in northwest Austin Friday afternoon.According to APD, the scene was on Research Boulevard heading north at the Braker exit ramp.Police said drivers should expect closures and delays, as well as find alternate routes.
  
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• IKEA opens new store at the Domain, with a twist

  21-06-2024 20:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Global home furnishing retailer IKEA has officially opened the doors of its new location at the Domain.In January, IKEA unveiled its plans to open up its second store within Austin; however, this store differs from the original retail stores due to its new "Plan & Order" format.The new format gives customers the unique experience of sitting down with an IKEA expert to design, plan and quote products. While products cannot be purchased within the store at 3306 Esperanza
  
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• ACC sees increase in enrollments after offering free tuition

  21-06-2024 19:51 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Friday, June 21, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Community College District (ACC) said it saw an increase in fall enrollment one month after registration opened.“Preliminary data indicate a significant increase in enrollment, especially among new students,” ACC said.The community college said enrollments were up nearly 23% from last year and up more than 29% compared to two years ago.New student registration
  
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• Austin's Kirk Watson puts focus on transportation at annual mayor meeting

  21-06-2024 19:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Mayor Kirk Watson is in Kansas City this week for the 92nd U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting, serving as the vice chair of the Standing Committee on Transportation.At the meeting, Watson said cities should be more focused on localism when investing in the transportation system in the United States. KXAN Traffic Anchor Erica Brennes spoke with Watson to learn more about what this meeting means for Austin.Q&A with Mayor Kirk WatsonThis Q&A has been edited for clarit
  
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• Dan Patrick laments Texas not enacting Ten Commandments law first

  21-06-2024 19:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — This week Louisiana became the first state in the country to require schools to display the Ten Commandments in their classrooms, which struck a nerve with one prominent Republican in Texas.
  On his personal X account, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick posted a screenshot Thursday of a headline noting this milestone for Texas' neighbor, and he expressed his disappointment in a similar proposal failing to become law here in the state.
  "Texas WOULD have been and SHOULD have been the first
  
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• GPA discrepancies resolved after software updates, Austin ISD says

  21-06-2024 18:58 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Friday, June 21, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin ISD provided an update Thursday on the district’s rank GPA calculations after discovering discrepancies.“We are happy to report that we have completed the software updates required to resolve the inconsistencies and have verified that the software is now working as intended,” the district said. RELATED | Austin ISD recalculating high school sen
  
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• Austin police officer arrested, accused of child abuse

  21-06-2024 16:43 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) – Police in Cedar Park have arrested an Austin police officer for two charges of Injury to a Child, the Cedar Park Police Department confirmed with KXAN.According to online jail records, Caldwell was booked into the Williamson County Jail as of Friday morning.
  “The Austin Police Department is aware of a criminal investigation involving Officer Cameron Caldwell. Our Department is cooperating with the investigating agency, the Cedar Park Police Depart
  
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• SWAT team called to scene in northeast Austin

  21-06-2024 14:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The SWAT team is responding to a scene in northeast Austin Friday morning, according to an X post from the Austin Police Department.
  APD said patrol and SWAT officers are working a call with a "barricaded subject" in the 1100 block of Ash Cove. That's in northeast Austin just north of East Braker Lane and west of Dessau Road.
  Police did not give further details but said it is an active scene and they will provide details as they're available.
  APD also asked people to avoid the a
  
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• Suspect's whereabouts unknown after northeast Austin SWAT situation, police said

  21-06-2024 14:53 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News Today's morning headlines for Friday, June 21.
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The whereabouts of a suspect connected with a SWAT situation Friday morning in northeast Austin are unknown, the Austin Police Department said.At a press conference Friday, police said there was a warrant for his arrest and a search warrant for the house.APD said patrol and SWAT officers were working a call with a "barricaded subject" in the 1100 block of Ash Cove, according to an X pos
  
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• Arrested Travis County assistant district attorney resigns, lawyer says

  21-06-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Travis County Assistant District Attorney facing criminal charges has resigned from his position after nearly 20 years with the DA's office. His attorney, Charlie Baird, says the resignation is partly due to concerns that possible termination would impact his much-needed health benefits.Joseph Frederick's resignation came shortly after he was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon on June 8, Baird said. Frederick is accused of pointing a firearm
  
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• San Marcos invites community to participate in Make Music Day

  21-06-2024 13:26 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) -- The City of San Marcos for the first time will be participating in Make Music Day on Friday.
  City of San Marcos residents are invited to participate and celebrate Make Music Day by visiting locations and listening to performances.The City of San Marcos said any musician, amateur or professional is invited to take part. Businesses, buildings, schools, and other institutions are encouraged to offer their spaces as concert locations. On the sign-up form, artists and venu
  
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• Last day of scattered rain before heat takes over

  21-06-2024 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today will be our last day of notable rain chances before our pattern turns hotter and drier this weekend. NEW BLOG: July forecast released. What to expect in Central TexasDaytime heating interacting with the tropical airmass still in place over Central Texas will give us one more afternoon of scattered rain. Like yesterday, a few of these showers will come in the form of tropical downpours releasing 0.1"-0.5" of rain.Scattered rain lingers Friday afternoonAlthough not everyone
  
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• Heat turns up for the first weekend of summer

  21-06-2024 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today will be our last day with a few quick downpours, but rain chances will fade with the loss of daytime heating after sunset. NEW BLOG: July forecast released. What to expect in Central TexasThis evening and overnight plan on a partly cloudy to mostly clear sky with lows dropping into the mid 70s.Rain chances almost shut down over the weekend as the ridge of high pressure that's been baking the eastern half of the nation this week will push west over our area. We're looking a
  
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• Arthritis and breast cancer may soon be detectable decades in advance

  21-06-2024 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — One of the most common medical issues in the country, osteoarthritis, could soon be diagnosed years before it becomes problematic. Affecting one in 10 Americans, preventing osteoarthritis has been nearly impossible. However, new developments with artificial intelligence (AI) may change this."It's impossible to tell at age 20, when everyone is everything is fine and dandy, and you're young, to know what's going to happen in your 40s and your 50s," said Vagheesh Narasimhan Ph
  
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• Insight: 'A Juneteenth Rodeo' Exhibit happening this weekend

  21-06-2024 05:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As festivities and celebrations continue into this weekend, the Neill-Cochran House Museum will provide tours of the newly-restored slave quarters-- the only thing like it left in Austin. It will also open a brand new exhibit called "A Juneteenth Rodeo." KXAN spoke with the creator and photographer of the exhibit, Sarah Bird.
  Read the full transcript of the interview below or watch it in the video player above. Some responses have been edited for clarityJala Washington: Sarah, l
  
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• Austin ISD talks 2024-2025 budget

  21-06-2024 04:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees met on Thursday night to go over next year's budget."Without an increase in funding for public education, without an increase to the basic allotment not only will you see additional reductions that will impact the classroom you will see that state wide," said Austin ISD CFO Ed Ramos.Ramos said with the district facing a deficit for the next school year, they had to make cuts. But the district also wanted to make sure
  
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• Austin ISD approves 2024-2025 budget

  21-06-2024 04:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees signed off on the budget for the next school year, the district now facing a multi-million dollar deficit. With that looming, the district is considering turning to voters for help.Thursday's meeting was lengthy, with trustees approving the budget just before midnight. The district is set to be $41 million in the hole in the 2024-2025 academic year.During the meeting, district leaders heard presentations from AISD fin
  
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• SCOTUS to rule on a Texas man's second amendment challenge of law protecting domestic violence victims

  21-06-2024 03:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) - A man from North Texas is awaiting the Supreme Court's ruling on his challenge of a law prohibiting individuals under certain domestic violence restraining orders from possessing firearms. A decision is expected from the court within the next week.
  The case revolves around whether 18 USC 922(g)(8) -- a federal statute enacted in 1994 that disarms individuals subject to domestic-violence protective orders -- is still constitutional, following the Supreme Court's 2022 decision i
  
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• SCOTUS rejects Texas man's 2nd amendment challenge of law protecting domestic violence victims

  21-06-2024 03:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) - The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a Texas man's challenge of a law prohibiting individuals under certain domestic violence restraining orders from possessing firearms.The vote was 8-1.The case revolved around whether 18 USC 922(g)(8) -- a federal statute enacted in 1994 that disarms individuals subject to domestic-violence protective orders -- is still constitutional, following the Supreme Court's 2022 decision in NYSRPA v. Bruen.Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the opinion."Sin
  
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• Central Texas woman says her mom's cancer test is delayed due to Ascension cyberattack

  21-06-2024 03:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- It's been almost a week since Ascension said all of its electronic health record systems were up and running after a ransomware attack took it offline.
  Still, some said they're dealing with impacts from the cyberattack.
  Angela Pereira said it is preventing her mother from getting a test to help determine if her cancer spread.
  "That is a problem when you're delaying medical care for someone," Pereira said. "Especially, you know, you've got a 70 year old woman waiting for care."'
  
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• Olympic track and field trials: How to watch, top athletes, who makes the team

  21-06-2024 01:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The best track and field athletes in the country will meet June 21-30 in Eugene, Oregon to see who will represent the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and you can see it all unfold on the NBC network of channels.From historic Hayward Field, USA Track and Field will build its team to send to Paris to bring as many medals stateside as possible when the Summer Olympics begin July 26. If you don't have a ticket, NBC, USA and Peacock have you covered with all the covera
  
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• Texas Medical Board to discuss exceptions to state's abortion ban

  21-06-2024 01:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The Texas Medical Board will meet Friday morning to discuss exceptions doctors can use to perform abortions legally in the state.In May, the Texas Supreme Court upheld that the medical exceptions in Texas’ abortion ban are sufficiently broad, and do not require doctors to allow their patients to approach death before intervening.The TMB published new language in late March to clarify possible exceptions. The rule couldn't be adopted until after a 30-day public comment p
  
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• Texas Medical Board adopts rules clarifying exceptions to state's abortion ban

  21-06-2024 01:52 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Friday, June 21, 2024.AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Texas Medical Board unanimously approved new rules Friday morning providing additional guidance for the circumstances in which doctors can perform emergency abortions legally in the state.The new rules will require physicians to complete documentation explaining how and when they decided to perform an abortion, within 7 days after giving a patient an emergency abortion un
  
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• Texas State to add Aviation Sciences program this fall

  21-06-2024 00:36 via kxan.com
  
  SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN)— The Bobcats are taking learning to the sky. Texas State University will offer a new Aviation Science degree program through a partnership with Coast Flight Training, the City of San Marcos and Texas Aviation partners, according to a Texas State news release.The new program was inspired by the increasing national demand for commercial pilots. The degree will be a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences with a concentration of Aviation Science, the release said.Studen
  
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• Austin Police: Scene still active after body found near Wildflower Center

  21-06-2024 00:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department said it was investigating after a body was found near the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center on Thursday.Around 3:34 p.m., Austin-Travis County EMSand the Austin Fire Department responded to 4801 La Crosse Ave. after a 911 caller said "a person was down along a fence line," ATCEMS medics said on social media.Around 4 p.m., medics said hasty teams found the person and pronounced them dead on the scene.Then, around 4:41 p.m., APD said it was investiga
  
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• Austin Police: Body found near Wildflower Center not considered a homicide

  21-06-2024 00:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department said a body found near the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center on Thursday was not considered a homicide.Around 3:34 p.m., Austin-Travis County EMS and the Austin Fire Department responded to 4801 La Crosse Ave. after a 911 caller said "a person was down along a fence line," ATCEMS medics said on social media.In an update Friday, APD said officers found a body that showed signs of decomposition."At this time, there is no foul play suspected and this
  
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• Austin Police: Body found near Wildflower Center

  21-06-2024 00:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department said it was investigating after a body was found near the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center on Thursday.Around 3:34 p.m., Austin-Travis County EMSand the Austin Fire Department responded to 4801 La Crosse Ave. after a 911 caller said "a person was down along a fence line," ATCEMS medics said on social media.Around 4 p.m., medics said hasty teams found the person and pronounced them dead on the scene.Then, around 4:41 p.m., APD said it was investiga
  
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