Austin news

• The YMCA Summer Challenge encourages you to be a champion

  30-07-2024 23:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Local nonprofit We Are Blood (WRB), partnered with Greater Austin YMCAs, are encouraging residents to compete in a Summer Challenge and donate blood during a time where donations are low, according to a news release from We Are Blood.This summer, WRB has seen a drop in blood donations. WRB is one of the sole blood providers to 50 hospitals in the Central Texas area, the release said. In the spirit of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, WRB and YMCA have organized a summer challenge w
  
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• Effort underway to bring Major League Baseball team to Austin -- is it possible?

  30-07-2024 23:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On a muggy Texas Tuesday afternoon, one where most people found refuge in air conditioning, I found myself standing in the sun near first base at Krieg Fields talking to Carlos Valdez, one of Austin's parks workers who was painting the first base line.
  Saying Valdez likes sports would be a tragic understatement. Within five minutes of knowing him, I found out he had been on the news before: he was once a professional boxer.
  Carlos Valdez, one of Austin's parks workers, paints th
  
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• Man arrested, accused of arson at southeast Austin apartment

  30-07-2024 23:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man accused of arson at a southeast Austin apartment on July 26 was arrested by Austin Police and Austin Fire arson investigators, according to an AFD release.
  APD officers responded to a 911 call of a man damaging walls and attempting to light an apartment on fire in the 1700 block of Burton Drive on Friday around 4 p.m., AFD said.
  Officers noticed a burnt smell in the apartment and found singed paper. They also spoke with a witness on the scene who confirmed the initial repo
  
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• Travis County looks for solutions to clean up growing public nuisances

  30-07-2024 22:56 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — County leaders are looking at how to clean up a growing public nuisance.
  On Tuesday, Travis County commissioners approved initial funding for a public nuisance abatement pilot program. The goal is to help clean up and remove some public nuisances for property owners who cannot financially do it themselves, according to county documents.
  The initial cost is about $300,000 which will be a fiscal year 2025 budget request. This includes costs for an outside contra
  
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• Online searches for voter registration highest in Austin: analysis

  30-07-2024 21:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's less than 100 days until Election Day, and Texas voters have until Oct. 7 to register to vote.A new Google Trends analysis shows the Austin metro searched the most for voter registration in the last week when compared to other metros in the county, according to QR Code Generator.More local election newsThe analysis found the Dallas-Fort Worth and Waco-Temple-Bryan metros ranked in the top 10 for voter registration searches between July 23 and July 30.
  Texas ranked as t
  
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• Man dies after fight at Kingsland home, LCSO says

  30-07-2024 20:46 via kxan.com
  
  LLANO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Two men were arrested after another man died following a fight at a Kingsland home, the Llano County Sheriff's Office said in a release.LCSO said the fight happened July 14. When deputies made it to the home, they found a man, identified by authorities as David Justus, unresponsive. He was taken to the hospital where he later died.Justus died on July 23 "from injuries he suffered from the fight," LCSO said in the release.Two men have been arrested and charged w
  
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• LIVE: Team USA wins gold in gymnastics finals

  30-07-2024 20:32 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR/AP) — Simone Biles and Team USA won gold Tuesday in the women's team final inside Bercy Arena in Paris. Biles is competed after tweaking her left calf during qualifying on Sunday. She showed no serious signs of injury while leading the team to victory.The five-woman U.S. squad of Biles, Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey and Hezly Rivera were heavily favored win after finishing second to Russia at the Tokyo Games three years ago.The U.S. takes the gold with 171.2
  
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• Golden again! Team USA wins gold in gymnastics finals

  30-07-2024 20:32 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR/AP) — Simone Biles and Team USA won gold Tuesday in the women's team final inside Bercy Arena in Paris. Biles competed after tweaking her left calf during qualifying on Sunday. She showed no serious signs of injury while leading the team to victory.The five-woman U.S. squad of Biles, Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey and Hezly Rivera were heavily favored win after finishing second to Russia at the Tokyo Games three years ago.The U.S. takes the gold with 171.296
  
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• TreeFolks offices burglarized; recovery expected to cost nearly $100,000

  30-07-2024 20:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- TreeFolks, an Austin nonprofit aimed at restoring forests, expanding tree coverage, and caring for trees in Central Texas, is out nearly $100,000 after being burglarized more than once in recent weeks.
  TreeFolks posted on social media Monday and said in a press release that its office had been broken into over the weekend, and several pieces of equipment were stolen along with a Ford F250 pickup truck. There was also damage to two Subarus that belong to the nonprofit.
  The organi
  
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• US women's rugby wins first-ever medal after late heroics at Paris Olympics

  30-07-2024 20:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With time ticking away in the second half and medal aspirations dwindling, the U.S. women's rugby team wouldn't be denied Tuesday.Trailing 12-7 with 1:35 remaining, the U.S.' Alex Sedrick dashed nearly the length of the field as time expired for the match-tying try, and then she knocked the short conversion attempt through the uprights for a historic 14-12 victory over Australia for the bronze medal. It's the first-ever medal for the U.S. in women's rugby.Get the latest on
  
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• Meta agrees to $1.4B settlement with Texas for biometric data usage in Facebook images

  30-07-2024 19:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Meta has agreed to pay Texas a record $1.4 billion in settlement funds over the state's lawsuit claiming the tech giant used biometric data of users without their permission, Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Tuesday.Paxton said the settlement is the largest secured by a single state.
  The lawsuit said that Meta violated a Texas law that prohibits capturing or selling a resident’s biometric information — which includes facial recognition technology or
  
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• Bastrop voters to decide on marijuana decriminalization measure

  30-07-2024 19:26 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — Bastrop voters will decide in November whether to approve a measure that changes how misdemeanor marijuana possession offenses are enforced in the city.
  A petition was certified July 23 to put a marijuana decriminalization charter amendment on the Nov. 5 ballot, according to the city.PREVIOUS: Bastrop could be the next Texas town to decriminalize low-level marijuana offensesThe petition had 438 verified signatures of the 613 signatures on the petition, according to
  
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• Four Longhorns named to preseason award watch lists ahead of 1st SEC season

  30-07-2024 19:24 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — College football season is closing in and several Texas Longhorns have been named to preseason watch lists for national awards.Quinn Ewers, Kelvin Banks Jr., Anthony Hill Jr., and Jahdae Barron are all on respective award lists for their positions as the season nears. Ewers was named to the Maxwell Award watch list, Banks landed on the Outland Trophy watch list while Hill and Barron were named to the Nagurski Trophy watch list.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports
  
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• Tropical depression could form this week, NHC says

  30-07-2024 18:39 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- The National Hurricane Center is tracking a tropical wave that now has a 60% chance of development over the next seven days.Although it's battling dry air right now, the system has the chance to develop into a tropical depression near the Bahamas or Greater Antilles late this week, according to NHC forecasters.Tracking the Tropics – in space: NASA astronaut talks life in orbit, observing hurricanesIt is currently located several hundred miles east of the Leeward Islan
  
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• LIVE: Tracking the Tropics | Tropical depression could form this week, NHC says

  30-07-2024 18:39 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- The National Hurricane Center is tracking a tropical wave that now has a 60% chance of development over the next seven days.Although it's battling dry air right now, the system has the chance to develop into a tropical depression near the Bahamas or Greater Antilles late this week, according to NHC forecasters. Tracking the Tropics – in space: NASA astronaut talks life in orbit, observing hurricanes
  It is currently located several hundred miles east of the Leeward Isl
  
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• New poll shows most Texas voters support private school subsidies

  30-07-2024 18:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new survey of Texas voters revealed seemingly contradictory feelings about a contentious issue that could dominate next year's legislative session. Majorities told pollsters recently they not only agree with arguments against private school subsidies, but in the end they also still support the state creating these programs for families.
  These results came out Monday from the University of Houston's Hobby School of Public Affairs and the Executive Master of Public Administ
  
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• H-E-B piloting tap-to-pay at Texas store, planning to expand payment option

  30-07-2024 17:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Have you tried to pay with your phone at H-E-B all to learn it doesn't take tap-to-pay? You're not alone, and the grocery chain is looking to change that.
  H-E-B is piloting digital tap-to-pay systems at its Central Market store on Lovers Lane in Dallas, a spokesperson confirmed. This includes digital payments with Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay.
  The Texas-based grocer is planning to expand tap-to-pay at more stores in the future. An expansion timeline was not shared.
  
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• What’s Hot in Paris | Medals will be won today in women's gymnastics, and the weather continues to have impacts

  30-07-2024 16:20 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Simone Biles leads the United States women into the gymnastics team final as part of an action-packed slate Tuesday at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
  Biles is in the lineup to compete in all four events of the team final despite a calf injury. The U.S. women will begin defense of their 2021 Olympic title in 3x3 basketball when the sport begins Tuesday. Katie Ledecky is back in the pool to compete in the women’s 1,500 freestyle, one of her signature events. And Bobby Finke is lo
  
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• VIDEO: Families, gymnasts react after US men's gymnastics team secures first Olympic medal in 16 years

  30-07-2024 16:15 via kxan.com
  
  PARIS (Nexstar) -- The U.S. men's gymnastics team ended a 16-year Olympic medal drought Monday, securing bronze in the team final.
  KXAN's Jala Washington was there for the high-pressure competition and caught the moment the team was reunited and celebrated with their families and friends right after.
  The moment was full of cheers, hugs and kisses, and palpable pride. All for a team that earned its first Olympic medal since 2008.READ MORE | Japan takes advantage of China’s fall for gold; US
  
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• Families, gymnasts react after US men's gymnastics team secures first Olympic medal in 16 years

  30-07-2024 16:15 via kxan.com
  
  PARIS (Nexstar) -- The U.S. men's gymnastics team ended a 16-year Olympic medal drought Monday, securing bronze in the team final.
  KXAN's Jala Washington was there for the high-pressure competition and caught the moment the team was reunited and celebrated with their families and friends right after.
  The moment was full of cheers, hugs and kisses, and palpable pride. All for a team that earned its first Olympic medal since 2008.READ MORE | Japan takes advantage of China’s fall for gold; US
  
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• City council members discuss funding for APD as city budget talks continue

  30-07-2024 15:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Budget season continues for City of Austin leaders with another budget workshop session Tuesday morning. The council is considering a record-high budget that could give a big boost to the Austin Police Department. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Austin City Council members share budget prioritiesWhat's currently being proposed could cost taxpayers an extra $22 per month.At the last budget workshop, a major sticking point for council members was funding for the Austin Police Department.T
  
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• 'He's not stopping!' KXAN investigation leads to new look at crosswalk crash, Texas law

  30-07-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  Investigative Summary:A KXAN investigation tracks the enforcement of a new crosswalk law. The Lisa Torry Smith Act went into effect in September 2021, making it a crime to kill or hurt a person in a crosswalk. Statewide data shows more drivers are being arrested and prosecuted for breaking the law, but some worry challenges are impacting enforcement.
  DALLAS (KXAN) — She grabbed Rudy's leash. He knew instantly it was time for their morning walk — something Krystal Morris di
  
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• Temperatures on the rise with heat indices reaching triple digits

  30-07-2024 12:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After a long period of rainfall and plenty of clouds, temperatures continue to rise once again with us topping out in the upper 90s. Feels like temperatures are around 102° to 106°.Milam County under a Heat AdvisoryMilam County will be under a Heat Advisory until 8:00 this evening for potential heat index values reaching 106°.The high dominates our weatherThe upper-high continues to make its way to the state. It's the system that will keep the area hot and dry for at
  
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• Temperatures creep up through the week

  30-07-2024 12:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Afternoon highs return to the upper 90s today... and they only get hotter through the rest of the work week.A large ridge of high pressure will rule our weather pattern for the next several days. Morning clouds will give way to sunshine each afternoon through Thursday. Temperatures should reach the upper 90s, but high humidity in the air with dew points well into the 70s should make it feel like 100-105º in most areas.A thick plume of Saharan dust will move overhead beginni
  
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• Saharan Dust thickens Wednesday as temperatures climb

  30-07-2024 12:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Saharan Dust is arriving into Central Texas with some very hazy periods expected on Wednesday and Thursday. Some sensitive groups may be bothered by the lower air quality, but most of us will just notice the haze that could make for more vibrant sunrises and sunsets.A thicker dose of Saharan dust Wednesday and ThursdayHigh pressure will continue to strengthen over the coming days as it repositions itself over the western states.
  The high dominates our weatherTemperatures will sl
  
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• Adding a degree or two each day

  30-07-2024 12:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The area will see a little more clearing during the afternoon with highs reaching a range of 93° to 97°. Humidity readings this afternoon will drop to the 40s in most locations. The result will be heat index readings, on the high side, of 102° to 106°.Milam County under a Heat AdvisoryMilam County will be under a Heat Advisory until 8:00 this evening for potential heat index values reaching 106°.The high dominates our weatherThe upper-high continues to make i
  
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• One killed in South Austin pedestrian crash Tuesday morning, APD says

  30-07-2024 09:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person is dead after being struck by a vehicle in the 1000 block of W William Cannon Drive, according to the Austin Police Department.
  Austin Police said the call came in at 12:52 a.m.Westbound lanes are shut down as police investigate, according to APD.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
  
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• LIVE: One killed in south Austin pedestrian crash Tuesday morning, APD says

  30-07-2024 09:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person died after being struck by a vehicle in the 1000 block of W William Cannon Drive overnight, according to the Austin Police Department.
  Austin Police said the call came in at 12:52 a.m.Part of William Cannon was closed in the area during an investigation, but the roadway wasback open as of 5:35 a.m., according to APD.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
  
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• Austin FC can punch ticket to next round of Leagues Cup, but they have a tall task ahead

  30-07-2024 04:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC is flying high after Saturday's 3-2 win over Pumas of Liga MX in Leagues Cup group play, but head coach Josh Wolff knows the next Mexican team Verde and Black takes on Tuesday is going to be even better.CF Monterrey, the highest-seeded team in Leagues Cup group stage play, produced the second-highest point total across Liga MX play last season and returns nearly the entire roster. Wolff said the Rayados "have many ways they can go about the game." LEAGUES CUP: Aus
  
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• President Biden calls for major Supreme Court reforms in Austin LBJ library speech

  30-07-2024 04:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — President Joe Biden commemorated the 60th anniversary of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin Monday, calling for major reforms to the justice system as his solution for preserving those liberties.It was Biden's first major speech since addressing the nation from the Oval Office last week, in which he explained to Americans his decision to bow out of the 2024 race.The president touted his administration's efforts to preserve civ
  
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• Pro-Palestinian car caravan protest against President Joe Biden's visit to Austin

  30-07-2024 03:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- On Monday, President Joe Biden was in Austin to give his first public speech since announcing he would not seek a second term in office.President Biden visits Austin to commemorate Civil Rights Act anniversaryThis was for a pre-scheduled commencement ceremony for the 60th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
  However, not everyone welcomed the president's visit with open arms.
  Car caravan protestThe Austin for Palestine Coalition hosted a car caravan protest to express t
  
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• Lockhart residents could vote on decriminalizing marijuana this November

  30-07-2024 02:47 via kxan.com
  
  LOCKHART, Texas (KXAN) -- Lockhart city voters could soon have a say as to whether or not to decriminalize low-level possession of marijuana within city limits, following a petition effort earlier this year.Lockhart City Secretary Julie Bowerman sent a memo on July 23 to Lockhart City Council, verifying the Lockhart Freedom Act ballot petition. Mano Amiga Responsible Implementation (MARI) collected more than 900 signatures from city voters supporting the proposition before submitting them to the
  
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• KXAN speaks to US gymnast Jordan Chiles' family amid 2nd Olympics appearance

  30-07-2024 01:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The U.S. women's gymnastics team dominated Saturday, finishing at the top after the first day of Olympic competition in Paris — and competing in her second Olympics this year is Jordan Chiles.KXAN's Jala Washington sat down with Chiles' family to talk about the two-time Olympian's rise to the international stage. She'll compete with her team in the finals on Tuesday.Get the latest on how our Texans are doing in the Olympics by signing up for push alerts on the KXAN News Ap
  
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• Luke Hobson, Texas Longhorns senior, captures bronze in 200-meter freestyle in Paris

  30-07-2024 01:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Longhorns senior Luke Hobson claimed the bronze medal in the 200-meter freestyle in a crowded finish Monday at the Paris Olympics.Just 0.17 seconds separated the gold medal winner from the fourth-place finisher, and thankfully for Hobson, he found his way onto the podium despite having the worst start of the eight finalists.Gold medalist David Popovici, of Romania, center, poses with silver medalist Matthew Richards, of Britain, left, as bronze medalist Luke Hobson, o
  
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• 'We were blindsided': City of Kyle purchases downtown businesses as part of revitalization efforts

  30-07-2024 00:47 via kxan.com
  
  KYLE, Texas (KXAN) – The City of Kyle has purchased five downtown businesses for more than  $4 million as part of its continued efforts to revitalize its downtown.While the city said it came to terms with the owners to purchase the properties at a “fair and reasonable” price, some were not expecting the news. Lemonade business, the Main Squeeze, posted to Facebook, saying it was “blindsided” by the city’s actions. “To say I’m not bum
  
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