Austin news

• 12 included in 2024 Texas Athletics Hall of Honor class

  20-08-2024 23:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Six men and six women are headed to Longhorns immortality with their inductions into the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor.The men's selections are headlined by five of the best athletes to put on burnt orange and one legendary coach. Reggie Freeman, Marquise Goodwin, Colt McCoy, Alex Okafor and Omar Quintanilla earned their way in as athletes this year, along with a special selection for men's golf coach John Fields.
  Full biographies of 2024 Hall of Honor inductees at TexasLon
  
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• Bee Cave City Council OKs ban on door-to-door solicitations after dark

  20-08-2024 21:58 via kxan.com
  
  BEE CAVE, Texas (KXAN) — Bee Cave City Council voted last week to update the city's solicitation ordinance, including changes banning door-to-door solicitations after dark.Under the updated ordinance, solicitation permits will now be handled under Bee Cave's Planning and Development Department, as opposed to the Bee Cave Police Department.The approved changes include:
  Ability to run background checks on solicitors via the Bee Cave Planning and Development Department, instead of police.Refu
  
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• Burn ban in effect for Travis County

  20-08-2024 21:33 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Travis County commissioners voted to issue a burn ban for unincorporated areas of the county.
  On Tuesday, Travis County Commissioners Court voted to implement a burn ban for the county. The burn ban went into effect right away, and commissioners voted that it remain in effect for the next 14 days, unless said otherwise by the Travis County judge and or fire marshal. RELATED: What are burn bans and who issues them?“This week, we’re experiencing dangerous levels o
  
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• Texas readies crews, equipment to deal with growing wildfire threat

  20-08-2024 20:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Across Texas, 64 wildfires burned more than 10,000 acres in the last week, so Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday he's getting crews and equipment ready to respond of the threat of more happening.
  “As the state continues to endure triple-digit temperatures and dry vegetation, Texas is deploying additional firefighting resources to assist communities that have increased wildfire activity," Abbott said. “Texans are strongly urged to take all necessary precaut
  
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• With deannexation complete, Bastrop film studio targets 2025 opening

  20-08-2024 19:57 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (Austin Business Journal) -- The future site of a 546-acre film studio east of Austin has cleared its deannexation from the city of Bastrop. Its owner, Alton Butler, said that's set the stage for his team to break ground by the end of this year, with the first studios coming online next year. RELATED: Bastrop film studios expected to fully open in 2025The owner of Southern California-based Line 204 studios said on Aug. 19 that the project — which is now known as&
  
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• Mayor Watson at the DNC, says Harris-Walz ticket could help with affordability in Austin

  20-08-2024 19:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Democratic National Convention, or DNC, kicked off Monday in Chicago. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson is at the convention, and he says he's hopeful for what the future of the country could look like and for the impacts the potential Harris-Walz administration could have on Austin.
  Watson spoke to a Nexstar reporter at the convention Monday.
  "This is a very exciting time," Watson said. "It's great to be here, in part because there's such a joyous feel to it. There's such happiness
  
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• $25K's worth of bikes stolen from Austin recreation center

  20-08-2024 19:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin recreation center is grappling with thousands of dollars' worth of stolen property after thieves targeted the building early Sunday.Numerous bikes were stolen from the Lorraine "Grandma" Camacho Activity Center Sunday morning, the recreation center shared in a Monday Instagram post. The bikes taken were used in the center's youth cycling education programs year-round.A spokesperson for the Austin Parks and Recreation Department confirmed 16 bikes were stolen durin
  
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• $25K worth of bikes stolen from Austin recreation center

  20-08-2024 19:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin recreation center is grappling with thousands of dollars' worth of stolen property after thieves targeted the building early Sunday.Numerous bikes were stolen from the Lorraine "Grandma" Camacho Activity Center Sunday morning, the recreation center shared in a Monday Instagram post. The bikes taken were used in the center's youth cycling education programs year-round.A spokesperson for the Austin Parks and Recreation Department confirmed 16 bikes were stolen durin
  
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• New rodeo practice facility coming to Taylor in 2026

  20-08-2024 19:34 via kxan.com
  
  TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) -- A new rodeo arena and practice facility is headed to the Williamson County Expo Center.The site is expected to be around 85,000 square feet and will be next to the current pavilions on site. RELATED: ‘Whole new level’: Taylor Center to be hub for semiconductors, latest technologyThe project was paid for by Williamson County voters who approved park bonds several years ago.Construction is expected to begin in the next few months. The arena is expected to open i
  
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• Pap smears uncomfortable? Self-collection expected by fall

  20-08-2024 19:26 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — Cervical cancer screenings may feel less daunting for some by fall, as two companies roll out self-collection kits for use in professional medical settings.The kits will allow patients to swab their own cervixes during screenings for primary human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes almost all cases of cervical cancer. The process involves patients inserting a swab about 3 inches into their vagina and handing it off to a medical professional for testing.
  The U.S. Food and Dru
  
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• LIVE: Second gentleman Doug Emhoff takes stage on Day 2 of DNC

  20-08-2024 18:54 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: Beginning at noon CT, the video player above will feature live views and interviews from the DNC, leading into tonight's prime-time coverage.
  (NEXSTAR) – After celebrating President Joe Biden's achievements and Hillary Clinton's historic campaign on the first night of the Democratic National Convention, Democrats on Tuesday are bringing out another lineup of familiar faces to support Kamala Harris' presidential campaign.Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama,
  
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• LIVE: Michelle Obama speaks on Day 2 of Democratic National Convention

  20-08-2024 18:54 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: Beginning at noon CT, the video player above will feature live views and interviews from the DNC, leading into tonight's prime-time coverage.
  (NEXSTAR) – After celebrating President Joe Biden's achievements and Hillary Clinton's historic campaign on the first night of the Democratic National Convention, Democrats on Tuesday are bringing out another lineup of familiar faces to support Kamala Harris' presidential campaign.Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama,
  
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• LIVE: DNC Day 2 kicks off with Obamas and swing state Democrats set to speak

  20-08-2024 18:54 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: Beginning at noon CT, the video player above will feature live views and interviews from the DNC, leading into tonight's prime-time coverage.
  (NEXSTAR) – After focusing on the family life and accomplishments of President Joe Biden as well as the historic campaign of Hillary Clinton on the first night of the Democratic National Convention, Democrats will again send out a roster of familiar faces in support of the Kamala Harris presidential campaign on Tuesday.
  The Harris camp
  
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• LIVE: Barack Obama speaks on Day 2 of Democratic National Convention

  20-08-2024 18:54 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: Beginning at noon CT, the video player above will feature live views and interviews from the DNC, leading into tonight's prime-time coverage.
  (NEXSTAR) – After celebrating President Joe Biden's achievements and Hillary Clinton's historic campaign on the first night of the Democratic National Convention, Democrats on Tuesday are bringing out another lineup of familiar faces to support Kamala Harris' presidential campaign.Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama,
  
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• DNC's second night to feature Obamas, swing state Democrats

  20-08-2024 18:54 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: Beginning at noon CT, the video player above will feature live views and interviews from the DNC, leading into tonight's prime-time coverage.
  (NEXSTAR) – After focusing on the family life and accomplishments of President Joe Biden as well as the historic campaign of Hillary Clinton on the first night of the Democratic National Convention, Democrats will again send out a roster of familiar faces in support of the Kamala Harris presidential campaign on Tuesday.
  The Harris camp
  
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• Barack and Michelle Obama close DNC's second night with 'fired up' speeches

  20-08-2024 18:54 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's note: Beginning at noon CT, the video player above will feature live views and interviews from the DNC, leading into tonight's prime-time coverage.
  (NEXSTAR) – After celebrating President Joe Biden's achievements and Hillary Clinton's historic campaign on the first night of the Democratic National Convention, Democrats on Tuesday brought out another lineup of familiar faces to support Kamala Harris' presidential campaign.Former President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, and seco
  
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• Austin seeking artists for 'Cap and Stitch' highway coverings

  20-08-2024 16:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin is putting out its final call for prospective artists to help add their artistic flair to the city's upcoming "Cap and Stitch" program adding highway covers to Interstate 35.Interested artists can apply by end of day Tuesday for the position. The resident artist selected for the program will receive a $70,000 budget for their time, materials and project expenses, with a project timeline running from October 2024 through June 2026.The focus of the Our Future 35
  
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• Preschool in Pflugerville temporarily locked down Tuesday morning

  20-08-2024 16:31 via kxan.com
  
  PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) -- A preschool was temporarily placed on lockdown Tuesday morning after a former employee gained access to the school.
  The Pflugerville Police Department said it responded shortly after 8 a.m. to a 911 call reporting that a former employee of Primrose School of Pflugerville at Falcon Pointe had shown up and gained access to the school.
  Police said the person "appeared to be having a mental health crisis." The person was unarmed, and officers detained them and provided
  
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• Austin ISD superintendent talks budget, staffing for school year

  20-08-2024 14:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- For the first time in years, the Austin Independent School District is nearly fully staffed for the school year.“I’m happy to report that we are 96% staffed. This is an incredible number,” said Superintendent Matias Segura. “We haven’t had this number since back to about 2015 at this point.”AISD recruited teachers and then pre-hired them to strategically to help staff certain schools, according to Segura.“We allowed those schools who hav
  
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• Austin ISD Superintendent talks budget and staffing for school year

  20-08-2024 14:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- For the first time in years, the Austin Independent School District is nearly fully staffed for the school year.“I’m happy to report that we are 96 percent staffed. This is an incredible number,” said superintendent Matias Segura. “ We haven’t had this number since back to about 2015 at this point.”AISD recruited teachers and then pre-hired them to strategically to help staff certain schools, according to Segura.“We allowed those schools
  
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• Today was the hottest day of the year

  20-08-2024 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today was the hottest recorded day of the year so far. Camp Mabry topped out at 106° this evening, surpassing yesterday's high temperature by 2 degrees.
  Travis County officials this morning issues a Burn Ban for Travis County. Travis is the fifth county in the KXAN viewing area with a Burn Ban, joining Caldwell, Lampasas, Llano, and San Saba Counties.Tomorrow will be a very similar story to today, near record breaking high temperatures during the late afternoon hours.
  Near r
  
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• Possible heat records this afternoon and Wednesday afternoon

  20-08-2024 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Travis County officials this morning issues a Burn Ban for Travis County. Travis is the fifth county in the KXAN viewing area with a Burn Ban, joining Caldwell, Lampasas, Llano, and San Saba Counties.The normal high temperatures for August 20th is 98°. Every one of our reporting stations will top that this afternoon.
  Stifling heat today and tomorrowThe record high today is 107° set in 1925. The record high for August 21st (tomorrow) is 105° first set in 1917, tied in
  
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• Flirting with record heat next two days

  20-08-2024 13:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Hotter than it should be- even by August standards!Afternoon highs will soar well above average today, topping out in the low 100s nearly areawide. Austin's forecast high of 106° will feel more like 108° with humidity.Tuesday's back-to-the-classroom forecastAn Excessive Heat Warning is in effect beginning 1 p.m. today for temperatures up to 108° and heat index values up to 116°. This heat alert continues until 9 p.m. Wednesday.Heat alerts in effect Tuesday &
  
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• Today's double gravity fly-by gives JUICE the juice to reach Jupiter

  20-08-2024 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  On 19–20 August 2024, ESA's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) will achieve a world first: using the gravity of the Moon and then Earth to bend its path through space, bringing it one step closer to Jupiter. (ESA)
  SPACE (KXAN) -- A spacecraft is attempting something unusual and groundbreaking this week. It will harness the gravity of the Earth and Moon to slingshot its way to the other side of the solar system.The Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer mission (JUICE) was launched into space last yea
  
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• Live: Today's double gravity fly-by gives JUICE the juice to reach Jupiter

  20-08-2024 12:00 via kxan.com
  
  On 19–20 August 2024, ESA's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) will achieve a world first: using the gravity of the Moon and then Earth to bend its path through space, bringing it one step closer to Jupiter. (ESA)
  SPACE (KXAN) -- A spacecraft is attempting something unusual and groundbreaking this week. It will harness the gravity of the Earth and Moon to slingshot its way to the other side of the solar system.The Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer mission (JUICE) was launched into space last yea
  
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• Kealing Middle School closed Tuesday after fire damages campus

  20-08-2024 06:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Kealing Middle School will not have classes Tuesday after a fire on campus caused damage late Monday night.
  The Austin Fire Department responded to the school around 10:40 p.m. for a report of "smoke on the second floor with electrical burning smell," the agency said on social media.
  AFD later said it was a two-alarm fire, but said in another update the fire was "under control" and crews were investigating the cause.The Austin Independent School District said in an email the fir
  
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• Kealing Middle School closed for 2nd day after fire damages campus

  20-08-2024 06:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Kealing Middle School will be closed Wednesday after a fire on campus caused damage late Monday night.
  Tuesday was set to be the first day of classes for the middle school. However, the school was closed so crews could work on repairs.The Austin Fire Department responded to the school around 10:40 p.m. for a report of "smoke on the second floor with electrical burning smell," the agency said on social media.
  AFD later said it was a two-alarm fire, but said in another update the
  
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• First day of class for Austin ISD middle school delayed until next week

  20-08-2024 06:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Kealing Middle School will be closed for the remainder of the week and will start its first day of school is scheduled to start Aug. 26. This is due to "significant damage" to the school's "HVAC ductwork" caused by a fire Monday night, Kealing Middle School's principal said in an email sent to parents Wednesday.The email said it expect "the temporary HVAC replacement solution to be complete by this Saturday."The Austin Fire Department responded to the school around 10:40 p.m. Mo
  
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• AFD investigating fire at Kealing Middle School, fire 'under control'

  20-08-2024 06:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Fire Department is investigating a fire at Kealing Middle School Monday night.Around 10:40 p.m., AFD responded to the east Austin middle school for a report of "smoke on the second floor with electrical burning smell," the agency said on social media. The agency later said it was a two-alarm fire, but then updated saying the fire was "under control" and crews were investigating the cause.KXAN sent a crew to Kealing to find out more information. This is a developing st
  
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• Protesters break through security fence near site of Democratic National Convention

  20-08-2024 05:23 via kxan.com
  
  CHICAGO (AP) — Dozens of protesters broke through a security fence near the site of the Democratic National Convention on its opening day Monday as thousands took to the streets to voice their opposition to the war in Gaza.Families with babies in strollers, students, elected leaders and others holding signs and flags joined the march to the United Center, where the convention is being held, to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. As the larger group marched peacefully, a
  
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• UAW president quotes rapper Nelly while touting Harris: ‘It’s getting hot in here’

  20-08-2024 05:18 via kxan.com
  
  United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain invoked rapper Nelly at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on Monday night while firing up a raucous crowd celebrating Vice President Harris’s nomination for the White House.Fain, who said he was “honored” to endorse Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, drew an energetic response from the crowd, who had gathered in Chicago on the first night of the four-day confab.The union leader acknowledged the energy of th
  
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• Bee Cave City Council votes to file lawsuit to stop development near residential area

  20-08-2024 04:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Bee Cave City Council voted Monday morning to file a lawsuit to stop the development of the KBC Service Center Distribution Facility, Bee Cave Mayor Kara King told KXAN Monday.The center is near the intersection of Highway 71 and Serene Hills Drive. Leaders with the city council told KXAN the property is actually in Bee Cave's extra-territorial jurisdiction, despite the proximity to the city of Lakeway.The lawsuit voted on Monday morning seeks an injunction, and by Monday ev
  
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• Boerne Little League wins again in Williamsport, advances to US semifinals Wednesday

  20-08-2024 03:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Boerne Little League is one win away from playing for the United States bracket championship at the Little League World Series.The Southwest region champions topped Lake Mary, Florida, 4-1 Monday at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and now face off against Henderson, Nevada, at 2 p.m. CDT Wednesday for a berth in the U.S. title game. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Little League World Series: Boerne LL slams to 9-0 win in opening gameBoerne had plenty of rest since it
  
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• Jury finds parents of Texas student accused in 2018 deadly school shooting not negligent

  20-08-2024 02:15 via kxan.com
  
  GALVESTON, Texas (AP) — The parents of a former student accused of killing 10 people in a 2018 school shooting near Houston cannot be held responsible for what happened, a jury decided Monday.
  The victims’ lawsuit sought to hold Dimitrios Pagourtzis and his parents, Antonios Pagourtzis and Rose Marie Kosmetatos, financially liable for the shooting at Santa Fe High School on May 18, 2018. The lawsuit alleged the parents failed to provide necessary support for their son’s mental
  
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• Facing budget deficit, Austin ISD board approves tax rate election

  20-08-2024 01:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Monday, the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees approved a voter-authorized tax rate election (VATRE) to help reduce the district's multi-million dollar deficit going into the 2024-25 school year.
  According to Austin ISD, the district has a $119 million deficit. The district estimates that if voters approve the tax rate increase, the shortfall will be reduced to $78 million before budget cuts. The money, according to district officials, would be used to incre
  
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• A man was losing hope his sister's 1980 murder would be solved, now there's a break in the case

  20-08-2024 00:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Charles Wolfe was only 15 years old when his sister, Susan, was murdered.“Susan was always a surrogate mom to me,” Charles said. “She was 10 years older, and when I look back at the family videos and movies, I'm always in her care.” On the night of Jan. 9, 1980, Susan Leigh Wolfe, who was only 25 at the time and a nursing student at the University of Texas, was kidnapped while walking to a friend’s house, according to Austin Police.A witne
  
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• US says Israel accepts latest Gaza cease-fire deal, putting onus on Hamas

  20-08-2024 00:36 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) - Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had accepted a final, bridging proposal to conclude a cease-fire deal in the Gaza Strip, and put the onus on Hamas to bring the agreement to a close.“In a very constructive meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu today, he confirmed to me that Israel accepts the bridging proposal, that he supports it,” Blinken said during a press conference from the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.&ld
  
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