Austin news

• Texas looks to other states for ideas about private school subsidy legislation

  12-08-2024 23:58 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A brainstorming session happened for hours Monday at the Texas Capitol so that state lawmakers could find out where to look for ideas on crafting private school subsidy legislation, a policy goal that has eluded top Republican leaders.
  The Texas House of Representatives Committee on Public Education held a hearing to discuss how to move forward with possibly implementing education savings accounts (ESAs) during next year's regular legislative session. The panel heard first
  
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• REPORT: Nearly half of Austin residents rent. Here's why

  12-08-2024 22:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Nearly half of Austin residents rent their homes, amounting to one of the highest rentership rates nationwide, according to a new report from rent.com released last week.The market research study found a nearly 50/50 split between renters and homeowners in the Texas capital, with just over 46% of residents classified as renters and nearly 54% designated as homeowners. Austin's rentership rate far outpaces the national rate of 34%, per rent.com's analysis.One of the biggest reaso
  
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• Texas Longhorns earn highest ranking in AP preseason poll since 2009

  12-08-2024 22:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns will open their first season in the Southeastern Conference in the top five.The Associated Press released its preseason Top 25 poll Monday with the Longhorns at No. 4, the second-highest ranked SEC school behind No. 1 Georgia. Ohio State and Oregon represent the Big 10 at Nos. 2 and 3.
  Full preseason AP Top 25 football poll
  It's Texas' highest preseason ranking since they began the year No. 2 in 2009. Texas lost in the BCS National Championship Game that
  
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• Baby formula sold in CVS, H-E-B stores in Texas is recalled

  12-08-2024 21:35 via kxan.com
  
  (WHTM) -- Thousands of cans of powdered baby formula sold at CVS and H-E-B grocery stores across 12 states are under recall, the Food and Drug Administration announced Thursday.According to the recall, Perrigo Company has issued a voluntary recall of 16,500 cans of store brand Premium Infant Formula with Iron Milk-Based Powder, due to the increased levels of Vitamin D, which is above the maximum level permitted.The recalled product was shipped to H-E-B Grocery Company, LP in Texas and to CVS in
  
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• CapMetro eyes new Pickup zone in this northeast Austin area

  12-08-2024 21:25 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Monday, Aug. 12, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- CapMetro officials are considering the addition of a Pickup zone in a northeast Austin neighborhood as a means of building out transit access in the community.A proposed Pickup zone in the Decker Lane and Colony Park area is being considered, with partial funding community from Travis County, awaiting approval of an agreement between the county and CapMetro in the upcomin
  
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• Austin mayor gives tips on energy conservation as thick of summer heat blankets city

  12-08-2024 20:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Mayor Kirk Watson on Monday held a press conference to update the public on electric grid conditions and provide tips on how to conserve energy as the thick of the summer heat is impacting Central Texas.
  Austin saw an unseasonably cool and wet July, with the average temperature for the month being cooler than June's -- for the first time since 2008.READ MORE | Austin’s weather just did something it hasn’t for 16 years — June was hotter than JulyHowever,
  
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• CapMetro tees up spring 2025 launch for 2 new rapid bus lines

  12-08-2024 20:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In less than a year's time, Austin transit users will have two new rapid bus lines available for use in the city.CapMetro's upcoming Pleasant Valley and Expo Center MetroRapid lines are expected to launch in spring 2025, marking another completed step in the Project Connect mass transit expansion program.RELATED: CapMetro is pausing purchases of new electric buses — here’s whyThe Pleasant Valley line is set to run from Goodnight Ranch up to Barbara Jordan, with key d
  
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• ERs have turned away dozens of ailing pregnant women despite law; some in Texas

  12-08-2024 18:56 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Bleeding and in pain, Kyleigh Thurman didn’t know her doomed pregnancy could kill her.Emergency room doctors at Ascension Seton Williamson in Texas handed her a pamphlet on miscarriage and told her to “let nature take its course" before discharging her without treatment for her ectopic pregnancy. New abortion exception guidelines face criticism from attorneysWhen the 25-year-old returned three days later, still bleeding, doctors finally agreed to give her an i
  
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• How Austin Animal Center works to reduce city's feral cat population size

  12-08-2024 18:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An Austin Animal Center-led effort is helping minimize local feral cat populations, with teammates and volunteers recently offering trap-neuter-return, or TNR, services within a north Austin community.TNR services involve trapping a free-roaming cat to be spayed or neutered before returning it to the same community where it was found, per AAC.City memo: Austin Animal Center to continue off-site dog boarding over capacity issuesIn the Dessau Estates neighborhood in north Austin,
  
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• Texas attorney general opens investigation into CenterPoint's response to Hurricane Beryl

  12-08-2024 16:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said his office opened an investigation into CenterPoint Energy over its conduct during Hurricane Beryl.
  The investigation will look into "potential violations of Texas law relating to its conduct during Hurricane Beryl," and "examine allegations of fraud, waste, and improper use of taxpayer-provided funds," according to a press release issued by the AG's office Monday morning.
  KXAN has reached out to CenterPoint Energy for comment and will upda
  
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• How to listen to KXAN podcasts

  12-08-2024 16:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Listen to the latest from KXAN News wherever you go with our podcasts.Get caught up in the morning and evening throughout the week with in-depth, investigative reports, plus listen to our State of Texas show each week giving you a greater perspective on Texas politics.You can also listen to our award-winning investigative podcast, Catalyst, which exposes societal problems in Texas and shortfalls in systems that affect people who live here. Past stories explored missing
  
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• Texas Lottery Commission 'stuck between a rock and a hard place,' Sunset Advisory Commission says

  12-08-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – A recent report looking into the Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) found deficiencies in oversight, procedural shortcomings, licensing inefficiencies, and state dependency on the agency, but also acknowledged the TLC was "stuck between a rock and a hard place" with its competing goals of generating revenue and regulating the industry.
  In advance of its meeting on Aug. 14, the Sunset Advisory Commission released its reports on several agencies under review, including the TLC, b
  
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• Why does it feel hotter when it is humid outside?

  12-08-2024 14:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We've all heard the phrase, "It's not the heat, it's the humidity." As it turns out, it's both — and it's called the heat index.The heat index is a crucial concept when it comes to understanding how our bodies respond to hot weather. It all boils down to sweat.In this First Warning Weather University lesson, Chief Meteorologist Nick Bannin takes a closer look at the heat index and how it impacts us every day.Other lessons from First Warning Weather University:
  What exactly
  
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• LIVE: How Latinas are redefining Austin's entrepreneurial scene

  12-08-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Latina entrepreneurs are changing the narrative of Austin's entrepreneurial success despite receiving less than 0.1% of all venture capital funding, according to the State Science & Technology Institute (SSTI).
  Venture capitalists offer financing to early-stage businesses in exchange for an equity stake. Bessy Martinez, CEO and founder of The Latina Foundation suggests more funding should go into Latina businesses.
  “Because of the lack of diversity that Austin unfortun
  
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• How Latinas are redefining Austin's entrepreneurial scene

  12-08-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Latina entrepreneurs are changing the narrative of Austin's entrepreneurial success despite receiving less than 0.1% of all venture capital funding, according to the State Science & Technology Institute (SSTI).
  Venture capitalists offer financing to early-stage businesses in exchange for an equity stake. Bessy Martinez, CEO and founder of The Latina Foundation suggests more funding should go into Latina businesses.
  “Because of the lack of diversity that Austin unfortun
  
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• Disney World announces 'Cars,' 'Monsters, Inc.' expansions at parks

  12-08-2024 13:34 via kxan.com
  
  ORLANDO, Fla. (WFLA) — Disney has made a huge announcement regarding several expansion plans coming to three of their four theme parks in the coming years.
  As part of D23, the company's three-day fan festival, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro unveiled plans on Saturday for Orlando's Disney World, along with other Disney parks around the world.Tampa Bay family upset after son can’t get disability accommodations at DisneyMagic KingdomThe park, home to Cinderella's castle,
  
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• One dead in State Highway 45 crash Monday morning, DPS says

  12-08-2024 12:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person is dead after a one-vehicle crash on eastbound State Highway 45 Southeast near State Highway 130, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.DPS said the crash involved a pickup truck that was occupied by only the driver.
  The Texas Department of Transportation said in a social media post at around 4:30 a.m. that all lanes were closed due to the crash.This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.
  
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• Even with 4 INTs, Cowboys lose preseason opener to Rams on last-second TD

  12-08-2024 05:09 via kxan.com
  
  INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — For 57 minutes on Sunday afternoon, Stetson Bennett very much looked like a quarterback who had not seen the field in nearly a year.In the last 3 minutes, though, Bennett led the Los Angeles Rams on a game-winning drive that might have brought back memories of him leading the University of Georgia to two consecutive national titles.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.co
  
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• Family of teen who died of fentanyl overdose warns of the dangers of drugs

  12-08-2024 04:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) –  On the night of April 12, Carlos Contreras hugged his daughter, Sienna Rae, kissed her on the forehead and said goodnight. “I told her I would see her in the morning,” Carlos said. They planned to go on a road trip at noon the next day. As it grew later in the morning and Sienna still wasn’t awake, Carlos went to check on her. He saw her dog whimpering in her closet. “I could just tell that my baby wasn't wasn't there anymore,&rd
  
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• Travis Sykora, top Nationals prospect, makes history with Single-A Fredericksburg

  12-08-2024 04:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Former Round Rock Dragons ace Travis Sykora helped the Single-A Fredericksburg Nationals do something they've never done before.Sykora threw six perfect innings to propel the FredNats to the franchise's first nine-inning no-hitter Aug. 9. Sykora mowed down 10 hitters in a 7-1 win over the Carolina Mudcats in the Carolina League.Rummel picks up save in title game, helps US win baseball World Cup qualifierSykora has been unhittable in his past two starts, going 11 innings wit
  
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• Rummel picks up save in title game, helps US win baseball World Cup qualifier

  12-08-2024 03:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Dripping Springs senior Cooper Rummel was one of the key bullpen pieces in Team USA's championship run at the U18 World Baseball Softball Confederation Americas World Cup qualifying tournament.
  Rummel worked the seventh inning to earn the save in a 4-2 win over host Panama at Estadio Nacional Rod Carew in Panama City, Panama on Sunday, completing an 8-0 tournament and wrapping up the seventh consecutive World Cup qualifier win for the US.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date
  
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• 'Oasis' offers relief for people experiencing homelessness

  12-08-2024 01:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The summer temperatures are only heating up, making life increasingly harder for many people experiencing homelessness.That's why Urban Alchemy has set up a place to offer resources and a little shade in this summer heat.Chaz Roberts, who works for Urban Alchemy, spent his day forming relationships with people at the "Oasis.""He's (Roberts) like an angel in disguise," said a person who stopped by.Roberts said making sure everyone is taken care of is important, no matter the
  
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• Get ready for the 2028 Summer Olympics in...Oklahoma City?

  12-08-2024 00:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the 2024 Paris Olympics wrap up Sunday, the closing ceremony marks the official handoff from the City of Light to Los Angeles — and for some sports — Oklahoma City.Competitions for softball and the canoe slalom program will be held more than 1,300 miles from the host city in OKC because the Los Angeles area lacks proper facilities, LA28 organizers said.Devon Park will host softball's return to the Olympics while the McClendon Whitewater Center is the site for
  
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• Get ready for the 2028 Summer Olympics in ... Oklahoma City?

  12-08-2024 00:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the 2024 Paris Olympics wrap up Sunday, the closing ceremony marks the official handoff from the City of Light to Los Angeles — and for some sports — Oklahoma City.Competitions for softball and the canoe slalom program will be held more than 1,300 miles from the host city in OKC because the Los Angeles area lacks proper facilities, LA28 organizers said. US women hold off France to win eighth straight Olympic basketball gold medalDevon Park will host softball'
  
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