Austin news

• Longhorns Kevin Durant, Royal Ivey make early mark on Paris Olympics

  28-07-2024 23:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Kevin Durant came off the bench for the United States in their first group game against Serbia at the Paris Olympics, but he was the best player on the floor.Durant connected on his first eight shots, five coming from 3-point range, to lead the Americans with 23 points in a 110-84 victory Sunday at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.Get the latest on how our Texans are doing in the Olympics by signing up for push alerts on the KXAN News App and our More Than The Score newsletter.
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• How sentimental items were thrown away during deep clean of Llano cemetery

  28-07-2024 19:56 via kxan.com
  
  LLANO, Texas (KXAN) — Some Llano residents were upset when the city began removing flowers and other mementos from grave sites and piling them into dumpsters.
  The City of Llano said that during a deep clean of the cemetery, city crews removed many items around the gravestones; however, some were sentimental items families did not want to be removed.“It appears most of our problem was due to two factors. First, we believe there was a lack of communication on the city’s part in i
  
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• US men's basketball team rolls past Serbia in opening game at the Paris Olympics

  28-07-2024 19:20 via kxan.com
  
  VILLENEUVE-D'ASCQ, France (AP) — LeBron James made his Olympic return after a 12-year absence. Kevin Durant played for the first time this summer.And the two most-experienced Olympians on this U.S. team opened the Paris Games — not to mention a bid for a fifth consecutive gold medal for the Americans — with a near-perfect show.Durant made his first eight shots on the way to 23 points in less than 17 minutes, James added 21 points, nine rebounds and seven assists and t
  
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• What factors make up the U.S. Drought Monitor?

  28-07-2024 18:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The United States Drought Monitor is a map released every Thursday morning showing the different levels of drought in the area.
  The lowest level of the six tells us that conditions are normal. The next level down is considered abnormally dry, areas that may be going into or are coming out of drought.From there we go to the next four levels of drought beginning with moderate, then severe, followed by extreme and capped by exceptional.A MODERATE drought can trigger voluntary water
  
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• Two meteor showers will soon flash across the sky: What to know

  28-07-2024 18:48 via kxan.com
  
  (AP) — Get ready for a meteor shower doubleheader.The Southern Delta Aquariid meteor shower peaks in late July. And this year, it will coincide with a second smaller meteor shower, the Alpha Capricornids.The Delta Aquariids occur every year in North America's late summer. This year’s peak activity happens early Tuesday morning, with an expected 15 to 20 meteors visible per hour in the Northern Hemisphere, under dark skies. Viewing should be even better in the Sout
  
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• ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ smashes R-rated record with $205 million debut, 8th biggest opening ever

  28-07-2024 18:46 via kxan.com
  
  Marvel is back on top with “ Deadpool & Wolverine.” The comic-book movie made a staggering $205 million in its first weekend in North American theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday. It shattered the opening record for R-rated films previously held by the first “Deadpool” ($132 million) and notched a spot in the top 10 openings of all time.Including international showings, where it’s racked up an additional $233.3 million from 52 markets, “Deadpool
  
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• Tropical disturbance has 40% chance of developing in Atlantic this week: NHC

  28-07-2024 18:44 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The tropical disturbance sitting in the Atlantic now has a 40% chance of development over the next seven days, according to the National Hurricane Center.
  The area of disturbed weather is currently near the Leeward Islands and the Greater Antilles.The NHC said within the next day or two, it's expected to develop into a tropical depression.On Saturday, the chances of development rose from 20% to 40% by late afternoon, as the disturbance first began being tracked on Frid
  
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• Biles, Team USA mix grit and glamour to surge to the lead at Olympic gymnastics qualifying

  28-07-2024 18:10 via kxan.com
  
  PARIS (AP) — Simone Biles and the rest of the U.S. women's gymnastics team walked onto the floor at Bercy Arena on Sunday in leotards adorned with thousands of crystals, the kind designed to attract as much attention as possible.Don't mistake all that glamour — both on the floor and in the stands, where Tom Cruise and Ariana Grande were among those who took in the spectacle — for a lack of grit.The oldest team the Americans have ever brought to the Games has
  
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• Blood tests for Alzheimer's may be coming to your doctor's office. Here's what to know

  28-07-2024 16:43 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — New blood tests could help doctors diagnose Alzheimer’s disease faster and more accurately, researchers reported Sunday – but some appear to work far better than others.
  It’s tricky to tell if memory problems are caused by Alzheimer’s. That requires confirming one of the disease’s hallmark signs — buildup of a sticky protein called beta-amyloid — with a hard-to-get brain scan or uncomfortable spinal tap. Many patients instead are
  
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• Olympic history: A look back at the times the US has hosted the games

  28-07-2024 15:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Olympic fans in the United States have a lot to look forward to over the next few years. Los Angeles will host the Summer Olympics in 2028, and on Wednesday, Salt Lake City was awarded the 2034 Winter Olympics.The announcement means that by 2034, the U.S. will have hosted the Olympics 10 times — more than any other nation.Here's a look back in history at the previous times the Olympics came to American soil.1904 Summer Olympics: St. Louis, MissouriThe 1904 Olympics we
  
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• Tom Cruise, more stars attend Simone Biles' Olympic return

  28-07-2024 14:45 via kxan.com
  
  PARIS (AP) — The Palais Omnisports was the place to be on the second day of the Paris Olympics. To watch Simone Biles, of course, and to be seen.A star-studded crowd attended the return to the Olympics of Biles, the most decorated athlete in the history of gymnastics.Among the high-profile fans were Hollywood star Tom Cruise and Oscar-winning actor Jessica Chastain sitting under the roof of the packed Bercy Arena on Sunday.Lady Gaga, who delivered a dazzling performance as the&nb
  
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• Simone Biles shakes off calf injury to dominate during Olympic gymnastics qualifying

  28-07-2024 14:43 via kxan.com
  
  PARIS (AP) — The similarities were striking. Maybe fitting in the birth place of déjà vu.Simone Biles sitting off to the side at the Olympics. USA gymnastics team doctor Marcia Faustin by her side. A look of concern on both their faces.Three years ago in Tokyo, the scene ended with Biles removing herself from multiple finals to protect her safety — prompting an international discussion about mental health.Yet Biles is determined to write a different endin
  
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• Simone Biles returns: 'I'm grown, I'm 27 years old'

  28-07-2024 14:31 via kxan.com
  (AP) — It still happens to Simone Biles. Even now, after two Olympics, six world championships, and a decade-plus in the spotlight.The most decorated gymnast of all time and the face of the U.S. Olympic movement will be chatting with someone when her age comes up.“They're like ‘Oh my god, you’re so cute, you’re a kid’" Biles told The Associated Press with a somewhat exasperated laugh. “Like I want to say ’I’m grown. I’m a
  
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• 2024 Olympics: What is the modern pentathlon?

  28-07-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — If Zorro carried a pistol, he probably would have been an Olympic gold medalist at the modern pentathlon.The obscure event that combines five disciplines — horse jumping, fencing, swimming, running and shooting — has been part of the Olympics since 1912, but due in part to its traditional days-long format making it not spectator-friendly, casual Olympics fans probably shrug their shoulders when asked what it actually is.Get the latest on how our Texans are doing
  
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• The wet weather week ends today

  28-07-2024 14:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We hope you've been enjoying the Olympics on NBC. Coverage of the events this morning is the reason we have no morning newscasts.
  The area has one more day where showers and thunderstorms are forecast. Today's overall rain chance will be 40%. Rain chances are at 50% in an area stretching from Blanco through San Marcos over to Bastrop and up to Lexington (northern Lee County). Lower rain chances are 20% for much of the Hill Country.
  One more day of scattered showers and thunderst
  
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• More rain falls Sunday, but pattern changing quickly

  28-07-2024 14:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Numerous rain showers and thunderstorms moved through much of the area Sunday afternoon, dropping as much as 1.5" in the Blanco area.
  This unusual July weather pattern is about to change. We have enjoyed much more rain than normal, and lower temperatures on many afternoons, however a more typical summertime ridge of high pressure is about to return us to a dry and very hot weather pattern.
  Heat Heat Heat
  The upper-level high that has kept the weather oppressively hot in the west
  
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• Why Paris is called the 'City of Light'

  28-07-2024 14:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France, in full swing, some may have wondered why the extravagant city has been nicknamed the “City of Light,” and not the “City of Lights.”The answer is simple and can be found in the city’s history.Paris was named the “City of Light,” or “Ville Lumière” in French, during the Enlightenment era—a European intellectual movement of the 17th and 18th centuries. MEDAL C
  
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• Lakehouse eviction reveals underwater property questions

  28-07-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  Investigative Summary:The state of Texas owns the water on the Highland Lakes, and the Lower Colorado River Authority manages it, but what about the land under the water? KXAN investigators discovered landowners in Central Texas may not always own their waterfront. As more people eye lake properties, and as our lake levels continue to change, we dug into what property owners or potential buyers need to know about submerged land.BURNET COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – As he walked down steps made of
  
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• Justice Department says TikTok collected US user views on issues like abortion and gun control

  28-07-2024 13:21 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — In a fresh broadside against one of the world’s most popular technology companies, the Justice Department late Friday accused TikTok of harnessing the capability to gather bulk information on users based on views on divisive social issues like gun control, abortion and religion.Government lawyers wrote in documents filed to the federal appeals court in Washington that TikTok and its Beijing-based parent company ByteDance used an internal web-suite system called Lark
  
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• Naomi Osaka loses to Angelique Kerber in first round of Paris Olympics

  28-07-2024 13:20 via kxan.com
  
  PARIS (AP) — Naomi Osaka smiled as she spoke to reporters after a 7-5, 6-3 first-round loss to Angelique Kerber at the Paris Olympics on Saturday night, disappointed in the result but hopeful she eventually will return to being the once-dominant player who earned four Grand Slam titles and reached No. 1 in the rankings.“I guess I need to learn how to win again. Maybe that’s something I forgot how to do," Osaka said. "Maybe I have to keep playing matches agai
  
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• National Chicken Wing Day deals for July 29

  28-07-2024 13:19 via kxan.com
  
  (WJET/WFXP) — National Chicken Wing Day is Monday, July 29, and dozens of national chain restaurants are offering deals to celebrate. In case you've never heard of it, it first began in 1977, with a proclamation by then-mayor of Buffalo, New York (the believed birthplace of chicken wings), Stan Makowski.Did you know that's how "buffalo wings" got their name, too? Find out more about the hot and saucy holiday at the official website for National Chicken Wing Day.Here are some of the partici
  
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• Olympic triathletes await water quality results for Seine swim

  28-07-2024 12:31 via kxan.com
  
  PARIS (AP) — Days before they're set to plunge into the Seine River during the Paris Olympics, triathletes held out hope that the famous waterway's bacteria levels would be safe enough for swimming.The swimming portion of the triathlon and the marathon swimming event are both expected to be held in the river that flows through the heart of Paris. The men's triathlon is set for Tuesday, while the women are scheduled to compete Wednesday and a mixed relay event is to take place Aug
  
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• 100 days out from Election Day: Here's what to watch

  28-07-2024 12:02 via kxan.com
  
  Sunday marks 100 days until voters head to the polls for what has already been a tumultuous election, raising questions about what the next several months will hold in store. In a span of less than a month, the presidential race has already been rocked by a series of head-spinning twists, including President Biden’s dismal debate performance, the assassination attempt against Donald Trump and Biden’s decision to withdraw and endorse Vice President Harris. Now all eyes will
  
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• GOP pollster: Trump talking about Harris as ‘DEI candidate’ would ‘backfire’

  28-07-2024 05:34 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) — Republican pollster Whit Ayres said in a new interview it would be a mistake for former President Trump to join some fellow Republicans in calling Vice President Harris a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) candidate.Ayres told The Washington Post he is watching for Trump's reaction when asked if Harris’s presidential candidacy, launched after President Biden bowed out of the race last Sunday, exacerbates or highlights weaknesses in the former president.“If he fo
  
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• Speaker Johnson claims Olympics mocked Christians, Last Supper

  28-07-2024 05:21 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) — Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Saturday blasted the opening ceremonies of the Olympics for what he considered mocking the Last Supper with a recreation that featured performers in drag."Last night’s mockery of the Last Supper was shocking and insulting to Christian people around the world who watched the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games," Johnson wrote in a post on X.
  "The war on our faith and traditional values knows no bounds today. But we know that truth and vir
  
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• Bregman walk-off homer lifts Astros over Dodgers 7-6 after Ohtani hits NL-high 32nd home run

  28-07-2024 05:00 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (AP) — Alex Bregman hit a game-ending homer off Blake Treinen in the ninth inning that sailed over the left-field train tracks, and the Houston Astros overcame Shohei Ohtani’s National League-leading 32nd home run to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-6 on Saturday night.Houston trailed 5-0 in the sixth and 6-4 in the eighth before Yainer Diaz tripled off Daniel Hudson, and Jeremy Peña and Jon Singleton hit RBI singles.Bregman drove a 1-0 sinker from Treinen (5-3) that wen
  
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• McMichael honored in Austin ahead of HOF induction

  28-07-2024 04:55 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) - The University of Texas and Longhorn Legends honored Steve "Bam Bam" McMichael Saturday at Scholz Garten on being inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame at Scholz Garten.
  Originally from Freer, Texas, McMichael played for the 'Horns from 1976-1979 as a Defensive Tackle. Fellow defensive lineman in the 1970s Brad Shearer talked highly on his two-year teammate.
  "Guy is an icon, totally deserving of this award... kudos to him," said Shearer. "He's brought great honor to the Unive
  
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• What is Teflon flu? The illness caused by non-stick pans

  28-07-2024 04:49 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — Toxic fumes from non-stick pans have resulted in a record number of Americans falling ill from "Teflon flu."The illness, known as polymer fume fever, had 267 suspected cases reported since 2000, per America's Poison Centers.
  Symptoms can include a fever, fatigue, headaches, nausea or a cough. The nickname of polymer fume fever is derived from non-stick pans, including Teflon, made with polytetrafluoroethylene.
  It is known as a "forever chemical", referring to its capacity to
  
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• Person injured after jumping into water at McKinney Falls

  28-07-2024 03:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person was transported to the hospital after an accident at McKinney Falls State Park, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.Around 7 p.m., the Austin Fire Department and ATCEMS medics responded to the call after an adult was injured while jumping into the lower falls, according to officials. Top 10 countdown: These are the most popular Texas state parks each springAFD tells us the person jumped from a height of 20 feet and landed on a rock. ATCEMS medics said they transport
  
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• Move out day brings headaches for UT students in West Campus

  28-07-2024 03:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Apartment leases are coming to an end for some students in West Campus and that means students will have to find somewhere else to move."I have a lot of boxes and bags mostly," said Tyler Hom, a student at the University of Texas.Hom and his roommate Youssef Bakr spent Saturday packing up boxes and getting things ready to move into another apartment."The dumpsters are kind of a mess," Bakr said. "If you walk in any alley way in West Campus you will see trash everywhere."Whi
  
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• Dressel, Ledecky lead U.S. to medals in Paris

  28-07-2024 02:06 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR/AP) — The United States has its first gold medal, earned at Paris' La Défense Arena. The men's 4x100 relay team, headlined by Caeleb Dressel, delivered an outstanding performance, nearly breaking the world record by just four-hundredths of a second.It was a banner day for Team USA in the swimming pool, with a total of three medals.Caeleb Dressel and his teammates set the tone for the day, earning gold in the men's 4x100 relay.The women's 4x100 relay team secured a silver me
  
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• VP Harris returning to Houston for Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee's 'Celebration of Life' service

  28-07-2024 01:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Vice President Kamala Harris will be back in Houston next week to attend a service to celebrate the life of Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, according to a news release from the Office of the Vice President.Jackson Lee died on July 20, according to The Hill. She announced earlier in June that she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.Jackson Lee served in Congress for nearly three decades, according to the Hill. Congress mourns Rep. Sheila Jackson LeeIn the release from Harris,
  
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• State of Texas: Harris sends a message in Houston, amid criticism from state leaders

  28-07-2024 01:00 via kxan.com
  
  HOUSTON (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 keynote address at the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) National Convention — the nation's largest teachers union — and made her pitch to thousands in a key voting block for Democrats.
  The vice president received standing ovations a
  
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