Austin news

• Texas Education Association launches new system designed to enhance safety across schools

  25-07-2024 23:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday a new system called Sentinel designed to be a “one-stop shop” for school safety and security needs across all Texas school districts.The Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) Office of School Safety provides the new system. The office said it will improve threat assessment processes and enable monitoring of a school district’s adherence to safety and security policies across the more than 1,000 school districts in t
  
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• Texas Education Agency launches new system designed to enhance safety across schools

  25-07-2024 23:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday a new system called Sentinel designed to be a “one-stop shop” for school safety and security needs across all Texas school districts.The Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) Office of School Safety provides the new system. The office said it will improve threat assessment processes and enable monitoring of a school district’s adherence to safety and security policies across the more than 1,000 school districts in t
  
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• Austin voters likely to see 13 proposed city charter changes on November ballot

  25-07-2024 23:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- When you go to vote for president in November, you're also likely to see roughly a dozen proposed city charter changes. Austin City Council worked through ballot language on those proposed changes last week.
  "The city charter is the Constitution for Austin, it's the thing that sets up how our government works," explained Brian Smith, a professor of political science at St. Edward's University.
  Some of the changes are procedural, aligning the city of Austin with state and federal
  
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• Austin voters likely to see 13 proposed charter changes on November ballot

  25-07-2024 23:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- When you go to vote for president in November, you're also likely to see roughly a dozen proposed city charter changes. Austin City Council worked through ballot language on those proposed changes last week.
  "The city charter is the Constitution for Austin, it's the thing that sets up how our government works," explained Brian Smith, a professor of political science at St. Edward's University.
  Some of the changes are procedural, aligning the city of Austin with state and federal
  
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• Elon Musk's X actively searching for Austin office space, sources say

  25-07-2024 22:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — After announcing plans to relocate its headquarters from San Francisco to Austin, Elon Musk's X is now trying to lock down office space in the Texas capital. Musk says he’s not donating $45 million a month to TrumpMultiple sources unconnected to the social media platform's office search have said that Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. (NYSE: JLL) and Jake Ragusa, an executive vice president at the firm, are helping it in the search. JLL is already workin
  
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• Beyoncé, Megan Thee Stallion, Michael Jordan: Support from megastars has Jordan Chiles’ parents in awe

  25-07-2024 22:06 via kxan.com
  
  PARIS (NEXSTAR) – After stepping in due to Simone Biles’ unexpected withdrawal, Jordan Chiles helped Team USA Gymnastics secure a Silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Her journey back to the big stage at the Paris 2024 Olympics has earned her a few notable fans.“There’s been a few moments this last couple of weeks that have been just outrageous,” Gina Chiles, Jordan’s mother, told Nexstar’s Jala Washington.Gina said that some of the world’s big
  
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• When will Southwest begin assigning seats?

  25-07-2024 21:21 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Southwest Airlines on Thursday announced plans to begin assigning seats to passengers — abandoning the open-seating policy that’s been a trademark of the carrier for half a century.“The airline has been known for its unique open seating model for more than 50 years, but preferences have evolved with more Customers taking longer flights where a seat assignment is preferred,” reads a media release from Southwest.In defending the change, the airline cited &
  
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• Second suspect facing capital murder charge related to 2023 homicide investigation

  25-07-2024 20:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A second suspect was arrested Monday and charged in connection with a 2023 north Austin homicide investigation, according to Travis County court documents.An arrest affidavit showed 28-year-old Treyvon Rondale James Vance faced one count of capital murder by terror threat related to the incident; however, there were 10 other charges listed in his Travis County jail booking information.KXAN searched for Vance's attorney information, but it was unavailable. This story will be
  
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• Austin petition calls for banning aerosol sunscreen at Barton Springs

  25-07-2024 20:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An Austin resident is advocating for a ban on aerosol sunscreen at one of the city's most popular water recreation sites.Native Austinite Melissa Barber launched the petition to ban aerosol sunscreen at Barton Springs back in May, and it's picked up momentum as the summer months have rolled in. More than 1,400 signatures have been added to the petition, with 50 names signed this week alone.The motivation behind the petition came out of exasperation, Barber said: As a new mother,
  
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• Police: 'Drive-by' shootings reported on same Elgin street

  25-07-2024 20:24 via kxan.com
  
  ELGIN, Texas (KXAN) — The City of Elgin will hold a press conference Thursday after three reported "deadly conduct" incidents happened on the same street in July.Elgin Police said the "drive-by" shootings happened on Elgin's East Alamo Street in July, causing damage to homes and vehicles, Elgin Police said in a release. No one has been injured in the shootings, police said.Police said two incidents happened on July 8 and another happened Wednesday, July 24, around 3:27 a.m.EPD said it is "
  
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• 'Whole new level': Taylor Center to be hub for semiconductors, latest technology

  25-07-2024 20:05 via kxan.com
  
  TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) — Taylor will soon have a new hub for technology training — and it will be just about a mile away from Taylor's Samsung semiconductor facility.The future University of Texas at Austin - Taylor Center will focus on training and research in the semiconductor field. The nearly 70 acres is located next to Taylor High School off Highway 79."[The Taylor Center] is going to bring higher education to a whole new level to our community," President and CEO of Taylor Econom
  
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• 'The future is now': Taylor Center to be hub for semiconductors, latest technology

  25-07-2024 20:05 via kxan.com
  
  TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) — Taylor will soon have a new hub for technology training — and it will be just about a mile away from Taylor's Samsung semiconductor facility.The future University of Texas at Austin - Taylor Center will focus on training and research in the semiconductor field.According to the school, "UT will work with the Taylor community and industry partners to determine the highest-impact uses of the Taylor Center to grow and support Central Texas’ semiconductor work
  
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• Part-time job opportunity in Austin helping kids cross the street safely

  25-07-2024 18:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Over the next month, students will trickle back into school, and the City of Austin hopes to fill open positions for school crossing guards.KXAN Traffic Anchor met up with one of the crossing guard supervisors to learn more about this special role that helps kids stay safe on their way to and from school."You can imagine how chaotic it can get when we have motorists that do not pay attention to my guard, or even pay attention to the school zone flashers and signs that we ha
  
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• Texas, majority of U.S. reporting spiked COVID-19 levels this summer

  25-07-2024 17:46 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Thursday, July 25, 2024.TEXAS (KXAN) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Wastewater Surveillance System is detecting high concentrations of COVID-19 nationally -- including here in Texas.The CDC program monitors wastewater systems for COVID-19 viral activity to get a better understanding of how much viral load is in a given community. Nationwide, only one state -- New York -- is report
  
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• Hays County resident tests positive for West Nile virus

  25-07-2024 17:26 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Thursday, July 25, 2024.HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A person in Hays County tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV), according to the Hays County Health Department (HCHD).HCHD said this was the first reported human case for the 2024 season in the county.According to the health department, the patient was a resident of the 78610 ZIP code and was diagnosed with West Nile Fever.The county said it would co
  
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• What's Hot in Paris? The family of Olympian Jordan Chiles speaks live from Paris ahead of 2024 games

  25-07-2024 16:24 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The 2024 Paris Olympics begin tomorrow, with thousands flocking to the City of Light to enjoy the games and cheer on their nation's best athletes.
  For some, their reason for making the trip isn't just patriotism, but to cheer on their sons and daughters competing on the world's biggest stage.
  Jala Washington of Nexstar's KXAN is sitting down with one such family preparing to support American Olympian Jordan Chiles. The Vancouver, Washington native looks to help Team US
  
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• What's Hot in Paris? Daily interactive livestream will cover the happenings of France 2024

  25-07-2024 16:24 via kxan.com
  
  NEXSTAR — The 2024 Paris Olympics officially kick-off Friday, with thousands flocking to the City of Light to enjoy the games and cheer on their nation's best athletes, but Monday is when the daily online action starts across Nexstar Media.
  Each weekday starting at 11 a.m. ET, the stream center at Nexstar's Tampa, FL station, WFLA, will host "What's Hot in Paris?". Gold Medalist Brooke Bennett joins the livestream team to discuss the biggest storylines of the Games and dissect the major ha
  
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• UT receives funding for Alzheimer's study on speech impairment in Mexican Americans

  25-07-2024 16:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Alzheimer's Association said it is currently funding $1.2 million in research projects across Central Texas, which includes research at the University of Texas.
  The grant awarded by the Alzheimer's Association to Dr. Stephanie Grasso, an associate professor at the University of Texas, and her team allows them to study evidence-based speech-language impairment in Mexican Americans.KXAN's Mike Rush spoke to the Executive Director of the Alzheimer's Association Capital of Texas
  
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• 2024 Olympics: Where in the world is that? A guide to some lesser known nations represented in Paris

  25-07-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the world unites for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, athletes from all corners of the globe are set to go for gold on the biggest stage.It's a unique event that pits competitors from highly populated, massive countries against qualifiers from the tiniest of nations. There are 206 recognized national Olympic committees, and when the representatives come down the Seine River in downtown Paris during the opening ceremony July 26, some will be from places you've never hea
  
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• Southwest Airlines to start assigning seats, breaking 50-year tradition

  25-07-2024 13:41 via kxan.com
  
  Southwest Airlines plans to drop its tradition of more than 50 years and start assigning seats and selling premium seating for customers who want more legroom.The airline said Thursday that it has been studying seating options and is making the changes because passenger preferences have shifted. The moves could also generate revenue and boost financial performance.Southwest made the announcement on the same day that both it and American Airlines reported a steep drop in second-quarter profi
  
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• City of Austin hosts Fair Chance Job Fair on Thursday

  25-07-2024 10:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin is set to host the Fair Chance Hiring Job Fair on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Delco Activity Center located at 4601 Pecan Brook Drive.
  The opening ceremony will start at 10:00 a.m. to welcome employers and job seekers, according to the City of Austin.
  The job and resource fair will provide individuals with multiple opportunities to meet face-to-face with representatives from public agencies, private employers, temporary staffing agencies, and
  
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• One person injured after shooting involving Pflugerville Police officer

  25-07-2024 04:27 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) -- Officials are investigating after an officer with the Pflugerville Police Department was involved in a shooting that sent one person to the hospital.According to a city of Pflugerville spokesperson, the shooting happened near the intersection of Loyola Lane and Wentworth Drive. That's near Lake Walter E. Long.Officials are investigating after an officer with the Pflugerville Police Department was involved in a shooting.Around 6:15 p.m., narcotics officers with PPD w
  
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• Gas line in Pflugerville shut off after leak, evacuations; city says it's safe to return

  25-07-2024 04:27 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) -- The gas line leak that caused evacuations in Pflugerville on Wednesday evening was safely shut off, the City of Pflugerville said on social media."It is now safe for residents to return to their homes," the city said.The initial affected area was from Mallard Pond Trail to Hanging Rock Drive. However, the city said the roadway would remain closed until repairs could be completed.Map of area impacted by gas leak in Pflugerville
  "The emergency crews worked dilige
  
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• Evacuations underway after reported gas leak in Pflugerville, city says

  25-07-2024 04:27 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) -- Evacuations are currently underway after a reported gas leak in Pflugerville, the city of Pflugerville said on social media Wednesday.Evacuations are currently underway after a reported gas leak in Pflugerville, the city of Pflugerville said on social media Wednesday.The city said around 8:30 p.m. the gas leak is between Kelly Lane and Kennemer Drive. Atmos Energy is working to fix the issue, the city said.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
  
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• VP Harris visits Houston's emergency operations center ahead of AFT convention Thursday

  25-07-2024 03:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Vice President Kamala Harris made a visit to the city of Houston's Emergency Operations Center on Wednesday and received a briefing on the ongoing recovery efforts following Hurricane Beryl.The vice president's return to Harris County marks her second trip to Texas this month. She will continue her visit with a scheduled keynote speech at the American Federation of Teachers' (AFT) 88th National Convention on Thursday.More than 3,500 members and leaders of the AFT union -- which
  
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• VP Harris makes pitch for presidency in Houston speech to teachers' union

  25-07-2024 03:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN/Nexstar) -- In the first few days as her party's presumptive nominee for president, Vice President Kamala Harris made a stop in Texas, a state that hasn't sent a Democrat to the White House since 1976.In Houston Thursday, Harris delivered the key note address at the American Federation of Teachers National Convention — the nation's largest teachers union — and made her pitch to thousands in a key voting block for Democrats.
  Harris kicked off her speech praising President
  
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• APD arrests jugging suspect within hours of incident

  25-07-2024 01:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said a man was arrested Tuesday in connection with a jugging incident in east Austin.According to APD, 22-year-old Christopher Phillips “surveilled bank customers and targeted an 80-year-old, Austin community member.” RELATED: What is ‘jugging’? Austin police see uptick in casesAPD said Phillips followed the victim to the 7300 block of Inspiration Drive and attacked him as he attempted to go inside his home.“Believi
  
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• 2024 Olympics: US men's rugby claims surprise draw over France, men's soccer falls on 1st day

  25-07-2024 01:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two days before the 2024 Paris Olympics officially open, men's soccer and men's rugby sevens hit the pitch for group-stage matches with mixed results for the United States on Wednesday.
  In rugby at Stade de France, the U.S. pulled off perhaps the most surprising result of the first day with a 12-12 draw against the host nation. France entered the tournament No. 4 in the World Rugby rankings while the U.S. at No. 19 so that alone made the tie feel like a win for the Eagles.
  
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• Round Rock Police searching for missing 40-year-old

  25-07-2024 00:32 via kxan.com
  
  ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- The Round Rock Police Department is seeking the public's help to find a 40-year-old woman who has not been seen since June 9, the agency said on social media.Brandi Nicole Iglesias was last seen at her home in Round Rock, according to police. Iglesias is self-employed, and police said she does not own a vehicle.The Round Rock Police Department is searching for 44-year-old Brandi Nicole Iglesias who was last seen June 9. (Courtesy RRPD)
  Iglesias is described as a white
  
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• Texas targets Chinese land ownership

  25-07-2024 00:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Texas lawmakers on Wednesday convened to consider legislation to limit "hostile foreign organizations" from owning Texas land and assets, pointing to security threats that national security experts testified could stem from Chinese-affiliated companies operating in Texas."The United States is under a pervasive threat from the Chinese Communist Party, from Russia, from Iran, and from North Korea," Brian Cavanaugh with American Global Strategies said. "It's not a conflict where
  
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• Where to see 1000s of North America's largest swallow species in flight

  25-07-2024 00:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Many residents around the Austin area may be well aware of the city's large bat population, with nightly viewings near the South Congress Bridge, but the city is also home to another flying animal -- the Purple Martin.A roost with thousands of the birds is in Round Rock, in the 2600 block of La Frontera Blvd. The birds are out every morning and night, but the Travis County Audubon has hosted watch parties for decades.Shelia Hargis, a Travis County Audubon volunteer since 1997, s
  
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