Austin news

• Georgetown, Pflugerville men arrested on charges of dealing firearms

  16-08-2024 23:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two Central Texas men were indicted and arrested in August on charges related to the unlawful dealing of firearms, according to the Justice Department (DOJ).According to the DOJ, 24-year-old Ronin Michael Rhoades, of Georgetown, and 42-year-old Tristan James Banda, of Pflugerville, were allegedly involved in dealing firearms, despite being unlicensed.KXAN has reached out to Rhoades’ attorney. This story will be updated if a statement is received. An attorney was not y
  
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• Golden-cheeked Warbler's endangered status subject of legal battle

  16-08-2024 22:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A federal court heard arguments Wednesday in a lawsuit brought by the Texas General Land Office (GLO) against the U.S. Department of the Interior over the conservation status assigned to the Golden-cheeked Warbler.The GLO, represented in the case by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, said that the bird species' endangered status was supposed to have been re-evaluated following a 90-day period that ended almost a decade ago."We're not anywhere near the stage of determining wheth
  
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• Application process for 'HOME' part two opens Friday

  16-08-2024 22:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Scott Turner, the owner of Riverside Homes, is one of the more than 100 people who has been approved to utilize HOME part one -- one of the recent land development code changes made by the city of Austin aimed at housing affordability.
  With it, he's going to build a 260-square-foot detached home or tiny home in Austin. Before the land development code change went into place earlier this year, that build would have been prohibited in the city.Austin City Council to vote on HOME p
  
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• Texas football teams hit the field as temperatures rise

  16-08-2024 21:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- August temperatures have only heated up as many students are now back in the classroom.The start of school also means athletics are back in action, and that means practicing outside for some."You have to have all 11 guys doing what they are supposed to be doing," said Four Points Middle School Athletics Director Glen Bridgewaters.Bridgewaters has been coaching for more than a decade and paying close attention to the heat is always a top priority."We are moving our practices to t
  
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• Austin detectives reviewing Treysuhr Carter scooter death case

  16-08-2024 21:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Following a KXAN investigation, the Austin Police Department says it is reviewing the case of Treysuhr Carter, a 14-year-old girl who died in early January days after being found unresponsive with catastrophic injuries on a northeast Austin residential street.APD closed the case in March and classified it as an accidental death caused by a fall from a non-motorized push scooter. The decision to suspend the case was based, police said, largely on the Travis County Medical Ex
  
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• What to know about Clear the Shelters, how to help

  16-08-2024 21:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Clear the Shelters, a pet adoption and donation campaign, helps find homes for animals in need, and here in Central Texas, the 2024 event is underway.KXAN anchors Will DuPree and Erica Brennes spoke with Luis Sanchez from Austin Pets Alive! about the event and how you can help.Read an edited transcript of the conversation below or use the video player above to listen.ERICA BRENNES: Let's talk about the pet population in our area. There are so many animals that need homes. W
  
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• How to nominate someone to become the next Texas Poet Laureate, State Artist or State Musician

  16-08-2024 20:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Nominations are open for who will be next to represent the arts in Texas.
  The Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) is taking nominations for the 2025 and 2026 Texas Poet Laureates, Texas State Musicians (classical and nonclassical genres), and Texas State Artists in 2D and 3D visual art.
  Nominations are open through Oct. 15 and any Texas citizen can submit a nomination. Self-nominations are accepted, and people can nominate more than one artist.
  The nomination form and more inform
  
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• Southwest to start seasonal service on Austin route that Allegiant is cutting

  16-08-2024 20:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Southwest Airlines will begin seasonal nonstop service between Austin and Omaha, Nebraska, in November, an airline spokesperson told KXAN.The AUS-OMA route is currently operated by Allegiant Air, but that service is being cut, along with six other routes, as Allegiant trims options from Austin as part of a base closure. The airline has not said when flights will last operate, but the employee and aircraft base is set to close in January.Southwest will fly the route on selec
  
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• Zillow: Austin home market shifts in buyer's favor as sellers lose edge

  16-08-2024 20:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Zillow said in a Thursday report that while the Austin metropolitan area is one of the "coolest markets in the nation for competition," it is now one of seven metros it considers to in the buyer's favor.
  The real estate company isn't ready to call Austin a buyers market just yet. According to Zillow's market heat index, a composite score of for-sale inventory and demand in the market, Austin is 0.9 points above the threshold.But it indicated that falling mortgage rates could spu
  
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• How Zilker Park is kept green during, after Austin City Limits

  16-08-2024 19:29 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thousands will soon gather at Zilker Park for the Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL), but as bands take the stage, volunteers are behind the scenes making sure everything goes smoothly—including keeping the festival grounds green.Austin Parks Foundation (APF) said it has volunteer opportunities available for its greening programs, and applications are now open for both weekends of the festival, which runs Oct. 4-6 and 11-13.APF said it would lead volunteer operat
  
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• Repeat auto theft suspect set for probation revocation hearing next week

  16-08-2024 19:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Amilcar Gonzalez was most recently arrested in July in connection with an auto theft that happened in May.
  Digging through court records, KXAN discovered his criminal history dates back to 2017. It includes additional auto theft charges, as well as drug and property theft charges.
  His records show he served spurts of jail time in some cases, and received probation in others. He now has a hearing set for next week to discuss revoking the option for probation and not allowing him
  
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• 5 killed in Wednesday Lampasas County crash

  16-08-2024 18:02 via kxan.com
  
  LAMPASAS, Texas (FOX 44) — The Department of Public Safety confirms all five people in two cars involved in a Wednesday morning crash near Lampasas were killed.DPS Sgt. Bryan Washko said the crash occurred about 5:45 a.m. on U.S. Highway 281, about six miles north of the city of Lampasas.Investigating troopers reported a 2004 Cadillac CTS driven by 31-year-old Jacinto Gudino Duran, of Copperas Cove, was going south on U.S. 281. A 2024 Kia Telluride driven by 45-year-old Mani Arvind, of Lea
  
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• Lockhart PD investigates first homicide of 2024

  16-08-2024 17:22 via kxan.com
  
  LOCKHART, Texas (KXAN) -- The Lockhart Police Department said it was investigating its first homicide case of 2024. The case involved the death of a 20-year-old.
  Lockhart Police said the homicide occurred Friday just before 3 a.m. at a home located near S. Colorado and Prairie Lea Streets. The initial call, however, came in from a different location for a firearm being discharged at a home near Rosewood and Trinity Streets.
  When LPD and Lockhart EMS arrived at the scene, they found Carlos Sanche
  
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• Lockhart PD investigate first homicide of 2024

  16-08-2024 17:22 via kxan.com
  
  LOCKHART, Texas (KXAN) -- The Lockhart Police Department said it was investigating its first homicide case of 2024. The case involved the death of a 20-year-old.
  Lockhart Police said the homicide occurred Friday just before 3 a.m. at a home located near S. Colorado and Prairie Lea Streets. The initial call, however, came in from a different location for a firearm being discharged at a home near Rosewood and Trinity Streets.
  When LPD and Lockhart EMS arrived at the scene, they found Carlos Sanche
  
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• Austin Police identify suspect in 1980 cold case; arrest warrant issued

  16-08-2024 17:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department identified a suspect in a 1980 Austin cold case homicide and said an arrest warrant was issued for him.
  APD said in a release Friday morning an arrest warrant was issued for Deck Brewer Jr., 78, in connection with the death of Susan Leigh Wolfe. Brewer Jr. is currently in a Massachusetts prison, according to APD's release and Travis County court documents. DNA match possibly linked to 1980 Austin cold case, search warrant saysOn Jan. 9, 1980, Wolfe,
  
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• 'It just can't be turned on': Lake Travis ISD debuts phone ban on first week of school

  16-08-2024 16:26 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) — While Lake Travis ISD students returned to the classroom this week, their cell phones did not. The district's new policy went into effect on the first day of school and requires phones to be turned off and put away during class. Lake Travis ISD cracking down on cellphones in the classroomThe district's board of trustees adopted the new smart device policy at its meeting in June. Grades prekindergarten through eighth grade are now no longer allowed to use cellphones during t
  
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• Texas sues Biden again to block federal protections for transgender workers

  16-08-2024 14:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (The Texas Tribune) -- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton returned to court on Thursday to press his case against the Biden administration’s workforce protections for transgender employees.Texas’s lawsuit, filed in federal court on Thursday against the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the U.S. Justice Department, argued that the agency’s guidelines were unlawful and asked that the court permanently block them.The EEOC’s guidance, 
  
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• Austin Pets Alive! kicks off donation drive, in need of 'critical' supplies

  16-08-2024 14:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Pets Alive! said it is accepting donations throughout August at all Ally Medical Emergency Rooms located across Central Texas. The nonprofit said it performs about 50 surgeries on animals a day, with a need for supplies that are critical to its work.
  The supplies that are needed include flat sheets, blankets, martingale collars, five-foot or six-foot flat leashes, crates and carriers."Since 2008, Austin Pets Alive! has saved the lives of more than 120,000 pets,” sai
  
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• Professional slap fighting events can soon happen in Texas

  16-08-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Professional fighting events where two competitors take turns forcefully slapping each other with an open hand can now happen in Texas after a vote last month by state regulators.
  The seven members appointed by the governor to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation agreed unanimously at their July 23 meeting to officially recognize and license slap fighting in the state. This comes after similar moves in Nevada, Florida and California and despite some doctors rais
  
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• Highest temps of the year are still ahead

  16-08-2024 12:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Temperatures today reached 100º+ for the 23rd time this year in Austin. Our stretch of triple digit heat is now at 5 days and counting.NEW BLOG: September forecast released. When will triple digits end?Tonight will be much like the last few nights with mostly clear skies and some patchy low clouds by morning. Overnight lows drop into the upper 70s.Hottest weekend of 2024Temperatures this weekend will be as hot and then hotter with highs pushing up to 103º by Sunday. Bo
  
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• Another 7+ days above 100 degrees

  16-08-2024 12:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Our broken record forecast continues with another 7+ days of triple digit heat ahead. NEW BLOG: September forecast released. When will triple digits end?Today will look and feel similar to yesterday with mainly sunny skies, dry conditions and hot afternoon temperatures (98°-103°). Heat index values will reach towards 102°-109° across the area.Friday forecastThis weekend will not feature any noticeable differences other than one degree or so.Weekend forecastTemper
  
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• Coral reefs in 'bit of a pickle'; experts push for continued effort to save them

  16-08-2024 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Coral reefs around the world are facing some tough times. Between disease, warming oceans and human involvement, many reefs are dying off.This month, scientists reported that the ocean surrounding the great barrier reef was the hottest it has been in 400 years over the past decade, jeopardizing the species that live there.
  Fish use coral reefs for shelter and food, unfortunately the species is saying off. Experts say it can be saved. (Credit: Todd Bailey/KXAN)
  "Now is the time t
  
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• East Travis County neighborhood waiting years for new road with no progress in sight

  16-08-2024 04:17 via kxan.com
  
  HORNSBY BEND, Texas (KXAN) --- People in an east Travis County neighborhood have had to wait hours and hours in traffic just to drive a few miles.
  They said if their only road to the highway shuts down, it can take hours to get out of the area.
  It happened just last week when Farm to Market Road 969 was closed in both directions near State Highway 130 Wednesday morning after a fatal crash. Crash closes FM 969 in both directions Wednesday morning; 1 dead, 4 injured'That road is actually our lifel
  
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• Little League World Series: Boerne LL slams to 9-0 win in opening game

  16-08-2024 03:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Boerne Little League made quite a statement in its opening game at the Little League World Series on Thursday in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania.Boerne, Texas' Kole Newson (13) follows through on a grand slam off Newtown, Pa.'s Will Siveter during the fifth inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
  Representing the Southwest region in the tournament, Boerne exploded for six run
  
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• Charge dropped against Austin ISD Chief Financial Officer after insurance fraud arrest

  16-08-2024 02:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Williamson County prosecutors dropped the charge against Austin Independent School District's Chief Financial Officer Eduardo Ramos, according to the Austin Independent School District. Austin ISD officials said Superintendent Matias Segura approved Ramos’s return from administrative leave on Thursday.Ramos, 51, was arrested by the Austin Independent School District Police Department on July 31 on an insurance fraud charge unrelated to his work at the district. The Round R
  
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• Kevin Durant coming back to Austin when Spurs host Suns in I-35 Series

  16-08-2024 02:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The I-35 Series is getting a little extra juice next season.The NBA released its league-wide schedule Thursday with the San Antonio Spurs playing back-to-back nights Feb. 20-21 in Austin at Moody Center. The opening night will feature a familiar face for Texas Longhorns fans — Kevin Durant.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.com/newslettersDurant and the Phoenix Suns will
  
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• Emissions fraud not slowing in Travis County, authorities say

  16-08-2024 00:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- More than a year after KXAN began investigating fraudulent emissions inspections, and just months after we joined law enforcement as they went undercover for a sting at the Travis County Tax Office, authorities say the polluting problem is only getting worse."Every day in Travis County, the tax office receives fraudulent vehicle inspection reports," said Sgt. Jose Escribano with the Travis County Constable Office Pct. 3 Clean Air Task Force, who said bogus inspections can be bou
  
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• US representatives demand more protections for postal workers amid extreme heat

  16-08-2024 00:07 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Over 70 members of Congress, led by U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Austin, sent a letter to the United States Postal Service (USPS), calling on them to make changes to protect workers from extreme heat. The group of representatives pointed out that at least five postal workers have died from heat-related illnesses while on the job since 2018. This includes Eugene Gates, who died on June 20, 2023, while delivering mail in Dallas when there was a heat index of 116 degrees. 
  
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• People continue to doubt Dripping Springs even after back-to-back regional finals. Why?

  16-08-2024 00:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Despite the success Dripping Springs has had since moving up to Class 6A two seasons ago, people continue to doubt them for some reason. That's OK with the players, though. They prefer it that way.Off another trip to the Region IV championship game in 6A-Division II last season, the Tigers have made a seamless transition into one of 6A's most competitive districts with back-to-back postseason runs. Senior cornerback Jackson Mills said now the class he's part of gets a chanc
  
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