Austin news

• CapMetro is pausing purchases of new electric buses — here's why

  26-07-2024 23:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — CapMetro is putting a temporary pause on purchases of new electric vehicles for its fleet amid battery technology hiccups at the industry level.The CapMetro Board of Directors discussed the pause during a sustainability update at a June 24 board meeting. The transit authority confirmed it won't be making any new purchases of EV buses while CapMetro continues to build out its own infrastructure to support electric buses and as battery technology matures within the industry.R
  
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• June shooting involving 13-year-old now being investigated as homicide

  26-07-2024 22:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said it was now investigating a June shooting as a homicide following a preliminary investigation.According to APD, on June 25, officers responded to the call of a shooting in the 12200 block of Kelton Drive where the caller said a family member had been shot.APD said medics arrived and found the victim, later identified as 13-year-old Julian Hernandez, on a bed and attempted life-saving measures. Hernandez was taken to the hospital, where he la
  
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• West Nile virus detected in Georgetown mosquito traps, city to spray 2 parks

  26-07-2024 22:03 via kxan.com
  
  GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — There were two positive West Nile virus mosquito samples collected in Georgetown in July, according to the city.A Health District contractor is expected to spray Friday and Saturday evening in the areas surrounding Geneva Park in southeast Georgetown and Edwards Park in Old Town.The city said the insecticide would reduce the adult mosquito population in those areas.“Although the mosquito control product poses no significant health risk, if possible, people
  
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• FBI says Austin teen charged in sextortion scheme, allegedly targeted teen boys

  26-07-2024 21:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- The Federal Bureau of Investigation said a 19-year-old in Austin is at the center of an alleged sextortion scheme.
  According to the FBI's San Antonio Division, Tre Von Harris was recently indicted by a federal grand jury on two counts of sexual exploitation of children and one count of interstate communication of a threat/extortion.The indictment alleged Harris engaged in a sextortion scheme from as early as November 2022 until his arrest in May 2024. KXAN reached out to H
  
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• City provides update on search for new APD chief

  26-07-2024 21:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Friday, Austin's city manager provided an update on the search for a new chief of police, saying a hiring decision will take "additional time." Shortlist for new Austin police chief released — here are the finalistsCity Manager T. C. Broadnax said he was still reviewing feedback, as well as input from stakeholder interview panels and the Austin City Council.Broadnax said for the reasons above, he decided not to request a meeting for Tuesday, which would have been u
  
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• Austin parks board recommends $2.6M extra for parks maintenance, homeless response

  26-07-2024 20:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's the thick of budget season for the City of Austin, and the Austin Parks and Recreation Board is calling on city leaders to allocate an additional $2.62 million into the Parks and Recreation Department's budget for the upcoming fiscal year.The parks board voted 8-0 in favor of the extra funding request. Both public speakers and board members said it doesn't address the totality of department needs but is a start. Additional needs flagged by speakers included requests fo
  
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• Downtown Austin Alliance CEO to retire in early 2025, hiring process begins

  26-07-2024 20:31 via kxan.com
  
  KXAN (AUSTIN) -- The Downtown Austin Alliance announced it's current President and CEO, Dewitt "De" Peart would retire in the first quarter of 2025 after a decade of leading the Downtown Alliance.
  The DAA said it began the search process for a new CEO back in May with more than 75 community and organizational stakeholder interviews to help shape the needs and responsibilities of the CEO job description.
  “This opportunity to lead one of Austin’s most important community organizations
  
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• Austin athletes ready to cheer on Olympics competitors

  26-07-2024 20:17 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) — Local Austin athletic groups say they're ready to see the sports they love on the world's largest stage during the 2024 Summer Olympics.The Austin Archery Club said it aims to cheer on those competing in the Olympics' archery competitions.Clint Miller, AAC secretary and treasurer, said he first got into the sports 10 years ago and has since immersed himself in the community. He said the sport combines the peace and quiet of nature with practical hunting skills, all while br
  
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• Austin cancer survivor conquers disease, mental health struggles that came with it

  26-07-2024 20:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- For Jackson Helling, growing up in Austin was filled with weekend trips to the fields and surrounded with friends who shared his passion for sports.“Fitness has always been a huge part of my life,” said the 29-year-old about his upbringing. “I played little league baseball, soccer with my friends, football in high school, track and ultimate frisbee.”The passion turned into a career - Helling is a fitness entrepreneur - and is the founder of Hybrid Athleti
  
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• Boar's Head recalls deli meats over listeria concerns

  26-07-2024 19:49 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) - Boar's Head is recalling more than 200,000 pounds of its deli products that may be contaminated with the bacteria that causes listeria infections.The Virginia-based company is recalling its ready-to-eat liverwurst and other deli meats that were processed on the same day, according to an announcement from the USDA.(USDA)The liverwurst products were produced between June 11, 2024, and July 17, 2024, and have a 44-day shelf life. Labels of the recalled products can be viewed at
  
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• Insight: Exploring the idea of a public bank

  26-07-2024 19:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — How would you feel about putting your money in a bank operated by the City of Austin? It could eventually be an option. RELATED | Should the City of Austin run a bank? City Council eying itThe city council recently gave the OK for a study examining the legality of a public bank in Texas and the pros and cons. North Dakota is the only state in the U.S. with an operating public bank.David Flynn, an economics and finance professor at the University of North Dakota, spoke with
  
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• Live view from Paris: The world gathers for Olympic opening ceremonies

  26-07-2024 18:44 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) - The River Seine has become the center of the sports world this Friday as an estimated 6,800 athletes board 90 boats in a Parade of Nations to kick off the 2024 Olympic games.
  These games signal the return of crowds following two COVID-dampened Olympics. About 220,000 invited and security-screened spectators are expected to fill the upper tiers of the Seine's banks, and an additional 104,000 paying spectators will watch from the lower riverside and around the Trocadér
  
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• 'Pretty devastated': Austin's Blue Starlite drive-in victim of theft

  26-07-2024 17:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin drive-in movie theater chain Blue Starlite confirmed its newest location had thousands in materials stolen this week.The theft happened at their location at 500 VFW Road, the business said in an Instagram post. Blue Starlite added all of their locations have now been stolen from over the years -- and this latest attack also targeted a fellow small, local business at the property."We are pretty devastated that we took another hit and, to be honest, we can't really take any
  
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• 'Pretty devastated': Austin's Blue Starlite drive-in robbed

  26-07-2024 17:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin drive-in movie theater chain Blue Starlite confirmed its newest location was robbed this week.The theft happened at their location at 500 VFW Road, the business said in an Instagram post. Blue Starlite added all of their locations have now been robbed over the years -- and this latest attack also targeted a fellow small, local business at the property.Just last January, Blue Starlite's owner Josh Frank told KXAN approximately 80% of the downtown location's equipment was s
  
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• Another sizeable earthquake recorded in West Texas

  26-07-2024 17:49 via kxan.com
  
  SCURRY COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) — Another sizeable earthquake has been recorded in West Texas this week.
  The earthquake, which the United States Geological Survey says was magnitude 4.8, happened in Scurry County about 9 miles northeast of Hermleigh, which is about 15 miles east of Snyder and 24 miles northwest of Sweetwater, around 9:28 a.m. Friday. Three earthquakes shake West Texas, felt in Dallas-Fort WorthEarlier this week, a series of earthquakes, including one that was magnitude 4.
  
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• New 'safety officers' working downtown Austin

  26-07-2024 17:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Downtown Austin Alliance (DAA) has some new faces on its street team. They're called "safety officers.""We have an elevated safety team that’s a facet of downtown ambassadors program, they’re higher level qualified, trained individuals, basically the same the same level as a building security officer," said the DAA's Bill Brice.
  While they don't have the authority to make arrests, they can assist in getting people off of private property if issues arise, and brid
  
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• Petition could lead to parts of South Austin released from city

  26-07-2024 16:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An area in south Austin could soon no longer be part of the city after a petition was filed for the release from extraterritorial jurisdiction on Menchaca Road south of Slaughter Lane.
  The petition, filed June 7, would mean that this location would still be partially under the city's control, but will not get all of the services offered by the City of Austin.The area in the petition's request consists of 96 acres of mostly commercial properties with a few single-family homes and
  
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• Chunk of south Austin could cut ties with city after petition filed

  26-07-2024 16:36 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An area in south Austin could cut ties with the city after a petition was filed for the release from extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) on Menchaca Road south of Slaughter Lane.
  ETJs receive some city services and oversight from the City of Austin but not all. The city doesn't tax ETJs and mostly regulates health and safety within those areas. There are nearly 170,000 acres of ETJ in Austin, according to the Austin Planning Department.
  The petition, filed June 7, requests 96 ac
  
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• July bird forecast

  26-07-2024 16:16 via kxan.com
  
  TEXAS — Here’s the Central Texas bird forecast for the month, courtesy of Travis Audubon. Learn more about Central Texas birds and bird-related events for all ages at travisaudubon.org or by calling 512-300-BIRD. Follow Travis Audubon on Facebook.It would be fun if we had a single bird species that sported all three colors of the American flag, but we don’t. However, there are some birds that wear patriotic colors, and two of them might even be present at the many neighborhood
  
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• PHOTOS: What did the Olympics look like 100 years ago?

  26-07-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  (KXAN) — As excitement builds around the 2024 Paris Olympics, we're taking a look back in time, 100 years ago to the 1924 Olympics, which were also held in Paris.The 1924 Summer Olympics were the seventh in modern history, and the second hosted by Paris. The city also played host to the 1900 Olympics.How many athletes competed?A total of 3,089 athletes took part in the 1924 Olympics, from 44 competing teams — up from 29 four years prior. The International Olympic Committee said, "The
  
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• LIVE: Few hate crimes are prosecuted in Texas. Attack against Austin gay man could be one of them

  26-07-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  Investigative Summary:Three University of Texas at Austin fraternity brothers are facing misdemeanor assault charges after police say they attacked a man while at least one of them shouted homophobic slurs. The case is one of thousands of suspected hate crimes Texas law enforcement agencies have reported since 2001, but very few of those incidents are ever prosecuted as such. AUSTIN (KXAN) – Joshua Ybarra was walking to his Uber on Austin’s Sixth Street when he says he heard a voice
  
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• Few hate crimes are prosecuted in Texas. Attack against Austin gay man could be one of them

  26-07-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  Investigative Summary:Three University of Texas at Austin fraternity brothers are facing misdemeanor assault charges after police say they attacked a man while at least one of them shouted homophobic slurs. The case is one of thousands of suspected hate crimes Texas law enforcement agencies have reported since 2001, but very few of those incidents are ever prosecuted as such. AUSTIN (KXAN) – Joshua Ybarra was walking to his Uber on Austin’s Sixth Street when he says he heard a voice
  
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• Athletes with Texas ties heading to the Paris 2024 Olympics

  26-07-2024 13:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — For the last year, KXAN has followed Texas athletes on their journey to the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games. 2024 Olympics: How to watch the opening ceremony on KXAN live from ParisAthletes with ties to the Lone State State will represent Team USA and at least 16 countries in the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.Here's a list of the Texans preparing to compete in Paris.Get the latest on how our Texans are doing in the Olympics by signing up for push alerts on the KXAN News
  
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• Richard Simmons’ team reveals final message he wanted to share with fans

  26-07-2024 05:35 via kxan.com
  
  (WJW) – Richard Simmons' team recently revealed a social media post that he drafted but never got a chance to share with fans before his death.The eccentric fitness icon passed away on July 13 at his home in Los Angeles, just one day after his 76th birthday. Police said no foul play was suspected, per TMZ, which first reported his death.In a Facebook post on Saturday, his staff shared a bittersweet message that Simmons had planned for July 14.Jennifer Aniston knocks Vance over ‘child
  
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• Trump campaign won't commit to debates with Harris yet

  26-07-2024 04:42 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) — The Trump campaign said Thursday it would not agree to a general election debate with Vice President Harris "until Democrats formally decide on their nominee" after Harris said she was ready to debate the former president."Given the continued political chaos surrounding Crooked Joe Biden and the Democrat Party, general election debate details cannot be finalized until Democrats formally decide on their nominee," Trump communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement.C
  
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• Supporter backlash may leave some seats empty at Q2 Stadium for Leagues Cup

  26-07-2024 03:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Coming off a spirited 2-2 home draw against Charlotte, Austin FC heads into the 2024 Leagues Cup with a little momentum and hope that this year's tournament result will be better than the last.Austin was bounced in the group stage with 3-1 losses to Liga MX sides Mazatlan and Juarez, and with a no-ties policy in the tournament, Verde has to win games outright or in a penalty shootout to advance to the knockout round. Austin takes on Pumas at 8 p.m. Saturday inside Q2 Stadiu
  
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• Drug kingpin 'El Mayo' arrested in El Paso

  26-07-2024 03:31 via kxan.com
  
  ELPASO, Texas (KTSM) -- Mexican drug kingpin Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, the co-founder of the notorious Sinaloa drug cartel, and the reported son of incarcerated drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman are in U.S. custody and the arrests were made in El Paso on Thursday, July 25, according to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney General's Office.
  Santa Teresa International Jetport. Photos taken by KTSMMultiple sources have told KTSM that the arrests were made at the Santa Teresa International Je
  
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• First responders to conduct active shooter training at Dripping Springs ISD campus

  26-07-2024 03:28 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) -- On Friday, first responders from various agencies in Hays County will conduct an active shooter response exercise at a Dripping Springs Independent School District campus.The exercise, which is happening at Cypress Springs Elementary, is a coordinated event between Hays County officials like the Hays County Sheriff's Office, Hay's County Constable's Office, North Hays County Fire Department and DSISD security personnel, according to the district.Those in the are
  
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• First responders conduct active shooter training at Dripping Springs ISD campus

  26-07-2024 03:28 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) -- On Friday, first responders from various agencies in Hays County conducted an active shooter response exercise at Cypress Springs Elementary in Dripping Springs Independent School District.The exercise is a coordinated event between Hays County officials like the Hays County Sheriff's Office, Hay's County Constable's Office, North Hays County Fire Department and DSISD security personnel, according to the district.Hays County first responders conducted an active
  
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• Manor Police looking for 'drive-by' shooting suspects

  26-07-2024 02:41 via kxan.com
  
  MANOR, Texas (KXAN) — Manor Police are on the search for at least two suspects that could be linked to a recent "drive-by" shooting.The shooting happened on July 21 at around 5:56 a.m., according to police.Multiple bullets were shot into a home on Almodine Road in the Stone Water Neighborhood.Manor Police are on the search for at least two suspects that could be linked to a recent "drive-by" shooting. (Courtesy Manor Police Department)A spokesperson with the department said the vehicle inv
  
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• Texas Music Museum discusses proposal to expand its location

  26-07-2024 00:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- From photos to rare recordings and videos, the Texas Music Museum has been archiving, preserving and highlighting the contributions of Texas musicians for 40 years now.The Austin Chronicle once dubbed it the best roving museum for its exhibit at local museums and other venues. It does have a headquarters in east Austin, but the museum needs more room, and it's hoping to have an even bigger presence in the area.Jay Stanley with the Texas Music Museum spoke with KXAN on Thursday t
  
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• 'So on board': Austin fliers react to Southwest assigned seating

  26-07-2024 00:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It will soon get a lot easier to pick out a seat on the airline that fliers take at Austin's airport more than any other.
  Southwest Airlines announced Thursday it will drop its open seating policy after more than 50 years and instead move to one where people can select their seats in advance. The change to assigned seating excited Rebekah Sauer, who boarded her first Southwest flight in years from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport for a trip to the Florida Panhandle.AU
  
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• VIDEO: US women's soccer rolls by Zambia to open Olympic play; men's rugby bows out in quarterfinals

  26-07-2024 00:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A redemption tour of sorts for the United States women's soccer team got off on the right foot at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a 3-0 win over Zambia to open Group B play at Nice Stadium on Thursday.Following a disappointing bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the U.S. scored all their goals in the first half with two from Mallory Swanson a minute apart from each other. Swanson put the U.S. up 2-0 in the 24th minute and netted a brace in the 25th as they cruised to vict
  
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