Austin news

• Barton Springs Pool likely closed for several weeks after holes found

  03-09-2024 22:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Barton Springs Pool will likely be closed for several weeks as crews fix two large holes in the pool, the city said Tuesday.
  The repairs started over Labor Day weekend after two holes were found in a 1940s pipe, the city said. Water was pulled into an abandoned pipe below the pool's dam and created a safety hazard for swimmers.PREVIOUS: Why Barton Springs Pool is closedCity engineers are creating a long-term solution that ensures public safety and endangered species protect
  
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• Audit finds Texas vet board has fixed some issues, but there's more work to be done

  03-09-2024 21:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new state audit published Tuesday showed the Texas board that oversees licensing and regulating veterinarians has fixed some—but not all—issues highlighted by a state commission.
  The audit found the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners has added safeguards and processes to fix issues with data management and enforcement. But the board has more steps to take to address problems the Sunset Advisory Commission found, according to the state auditor report.
  
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• How many driverless vehicle companies are operating in Austin?

  03-09-2024 21:45 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As autonomous vehicle technology continues to evolve, the city of Austin is giving further insight into roughly how many AV rideshare companies are operating in the city.Austin has become a focal testing ground for companies in recent years that are crafting their driverless vehicle technology. City transportation officials classify AV rideshare operations under three ti
  
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• Number of Texans receiving abortions out of state quadrupled between 2021 and 2023

  03-09-2024 21:02 via kxan.com
  
  This story is part of the KXAN Data Hub, where numbers help tell the whole story.
  We've created several data-driven stories and databases on topics including weather and climate, politics, education, sports and growth in Texas. Each story in the KXAN Data Hub is updated as new data becomes available.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The number of Texans seeking an abortion out of state more than quadrupled between 2021 and 2023, after a state law went into effect that bans the procedure in almost all cases
  
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• CapMetro outage over after 'significant service delays' for Access ridesharing

  03-09-2024 20:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Service operations have been restored after a technology and scheduling system outage caused "significant service delays" for one of CapMetro's service operations earlier on Tuesday.Transit authority officials said on social media the outage impacted CapMetro Access, the shared-ride service offered to people with disabilities who cannot use CapMetro's other bus and rail services. Access is designed to offer paratransit services as an extension of its fixed route systems, with se
  
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• CapMetro outage causing 'significant service delays' for Access ridesharing

  03-09-2024 20:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A technology and scheduling system outage is causing "significant service delays" for one of CapMetro's service operations Tuesday.Transit authority officials said on social media the outage is impacting CapMetro Access, the shared-ride service offered to people with disabilities who cannot use CapMetro's other bus and rail services. Access is designed to offer paratransit services as an extension of its fixed route systems, with service typically provided within three-quarters
  
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• Florida State drops out of AP Top 25 after 0-2 start; Texas up to No. 3 behind Georgia, Ohio State

  03-09-2024 20:08 via kxan.com
  
  Florida State fell out of The Associated Press college football poll on Tuesday after starting the season 0-2,becoming just the third team to go from preseason top-10 to unranked in the first regular-season poll since the rankings expanded to 25 in 1989.Georgia remained No. 1, receiving 57 first-place votes after starting the season with a blowout of then-No. 14 Clemson. The Tigers hung on at No. 25. Showdown at Michigan draws parallels with 2023’s game in TuscaloosaOhio State is No. 2 wit
  
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• NHC monitoring 3 tropical disturbances in the Atlantic

  03-09-2024 19:49 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The tropics are mostly quiet as we near what's historically known as "peak" hurricane season.This afternoon on Tracking the Tropics, our team explains what's behind the lack of activity, and will have the latest on three tropical waves we're keeping an eye on in the Atlantic.
  A wave located over the eastern Caribbean could become a tropical depression this weekend as it moves northwestward toward the Gulf, where conditions become more favorable for development, accordi
  
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• DirecTV offers $20 credit amid Disney dispute: How to claim yours

  03-09-2024 19:48 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — More than 11 million DirecTV subscribers suddenly lost access to Disney Entertainment channels over the weekend, disrupting their viewing of major sporting events on ESPN like college football and the U.S. Open tennis tournament.
  The major carrier and the entertainment company are in a dispute over a new carriage agreement. After failing to reach an agreement, Disney channels went dark on DirecTV on Sunday night. One of those channels, ESPN, was carrying the fourth round of the
  
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• September forecast updated: Wet weather back again?

  03-09-2024 19:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The newest outlook for September’s weather from the Climate Prediction Center paints an optimistic picture in the rainfall department after a drier than normal August, despite some showers on the final days of the month.The temperature outlook for September is warmer than normal for almost all of Texas and about half of the Continental United States.September temperature forecast (CPC)Odds of wetter than normal weather returning in September are looking more
  
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• LIVE: September forecast updated: Wet weather back again?

  03-09-2024 19:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The newest outlook for September’s weather from the Climate Prediction Center paints an optimistic picture in the rainfall department after a drier than normal August, despite some showers on the final days of the month.The temperature outlook for September is warmer than normal for almost all of Texas and about half of the Continental United States.September temperature forecast (CPC)Odds of wetter than normal weather returning in September are looking more
  
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• Pitch-A-Friend singles event coming to Austin to promote in-person connections

  03-09-2024 19:18 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Calling all wingmen and wingwomen of Austin: There's a new way to boast about your single friends.Pitch-A-Friend Austin will host its first event Wednesday evening, where people can give presentations to pitch their single friends for prospective dates. The inaugural event will be held at Central Machine Works from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, where participants have bet
  
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• Texans can't change gender on birth certificates with court order, state agency says

  03-09-2024 19:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texans will "no longer" be able to use a court order to change the sex on a birth certificate, the Department of State Health Services, or DSHS, said Tuesday.In August, an internal Texas Department of Public Safety email, obtained by KXAN, said it wouldn't accept court orders or amended birth certificates that change a person’s sex if it differs from the documentation the department already has on file. DPS ending ID gender changes could spur legislation, lawsuitsIn i
  
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• Which Texas city had the most reported laser attacks this year?

  03-09-2024 18:09 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's illegal to point lasers at aircraft, yet nearly 700 incidents were reported in Texas this year.New data from the Federal Aviation Administration shows the number of laser attacks in Texas is "consistently high," the agency said. Pointing lasers at aircraft is a danger to both people aboard the plane and people on the ground.PREVIOUS: Record number of aircraft l
  
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• 107 Texas school districts have moved to four-day weeks, affecting more than 117,000 students

  03-09-2024 18:00 via kxan.com
  
  This story is part of the KXAN Data Hub, where numbers help tell the whole story.
  We've created several data-driven stories and databases on topics including weather and climate, politics, education, sports and growth in Texas. Each story in the KXAN Data Hub is updated as new data becomes available.Editor's Note: The video above is from March 6, 2023, when this story was first published.AUSTIN (KXAN) — At least 107 school districts across Texas have now switched to four-day school weeks,
  
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• Texas national parks raked in $323M from tourism in 2023

  03-09-2024 17:25 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024.TEXAS (KXAN) — Visitor spending to the national parks system in 2023 resulted in a $55.6 billion boost to the national economy, with guests to Texas' national parks contributing roughly $323 million to local economies, according to a new report from the National Park Service released last week.Nationally, the analysis found approximately 325.5 million people visited and spent money
  
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• Use of cannabis, hallucinogen at 'historically high levels': Research

  03-09-2024 14:50 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) -- The use of cannabis and hallucinogens remained at “historically high levels” last year among adults between 19 and 30 and between 35 and 50, according to a survey released Thursday. The survey found that 42 percent of adults 19-30 reported using cannabis in 2023, and 10 percent said they used it daily. Nearly 30 percent of adults between 30 and 50 reported using it last year. Women between 19 and 30 reported higher cannabis use than their male counterparts, ac
  
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• Only 10 percent in new survey say homeownership is easy to achieve

  03-09-2024 14:45 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) - Just 10 percent of Americans in a new survey say homeownership is easy to achieve, even as 89 percent see owning a home as essential or important to their vision of the future.According to a Wall Street Journal/NORC poll taken in July, U.S. adults have a difference between their wishes and their expectations on various longer term economic issues.
  Financial security and comfortable retirement also ranked as important but difficult to achieve.The outlet noted that 12 years ago, the P
  
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• Two seriously hurt in 2-alarm apartment fire in north Austin

  03-09-2024 14:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Two people are seriously hurt after a 2-alarm apartment fire Tuesday morning in north Austin located in the 500 block of W Longspur Boulevard, according to the Austin Fire Department.Austin-Travis County EMS said the two hurt were transported to Dell Seton Medical Center.AFD said the fire has been knocked down, however several apartments were involved in the fire.AFD did not say how many people were displaced as a result of the fire.
  
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• What Texas’ top 1% pay in taxes

  03-09-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Just because Texas doesn’t have a state income tax doesn’t mean the top 1% aren’t already paying millions in taxes.SmartAsset, a financial technology company, said the top 1% of earners typically pay much more in taxes than many other Americans. Texas ranks No. 2 for where high-earning households are moving, study showsIn the Lone Star State, the top 1% have the fourth highest tax payments in the United States.According to the company’s study, the to
  
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• Sarkisian likes Michigan matchup 'a lot more' with expanded CFP field

  03-09-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Under the old College Football Playoff format, the team on the wrong end of high-profile nonconference games was at risk of being left out even if they finished without another loss.
  Now, with the expanded format, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said he likes Saturday's matchup against defending national champ Michigan a lot more. Showdown at Michigan draws parallels with 2023’s game in TuscaloosaThe Longhorns and Wolverines face off in Week 2 (11 a.m. CDT, FOX) and
  
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• Roads back open after deadly downtown I-35 crash

  03-09-2024 13:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A crash turned deadly in downtown Austin Tuesday morning after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle at northbound I-35 near Eighth Street, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.TxDOT previously said on a social media post that all lanes were closed due to a crash. Traffic was being diverted to exit 234C.Roads are now back open as of Tuesday afternoon. No other details were available.
  
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• Northbound I-35 is closed in downtown Austin after deadly crash

  03-09-2024 13:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A crash has turned deadly in downtown Austin after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle at northbound I-35 near 8th Street, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.
  TxDOT said on a social media post that all lanes are closed due to a crash. Traffic is diverting to exit 234C.Plan accordingly for significant delays, and use an alternate route.This is a developing story. Check back to KXAN.com for updates.
  
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• APD investigating deadly downtown I-35 vehicle-pedestrian crash

  03-09-2024 13:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is investigating a deadly crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian, which left one person dead, the agency said in a news release Tuesday.Officers responded to the crash around 5:37 a.m. in the 900 block of the North Interstate 35 northbound. Police said the pedestrian was pronounced dead on the scene and was not identified Tuesday.Police said the driver was not injured, remained on the scene and was cooperation with law enforcement. MAP: Where hav
  
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• Scattered downpours continue, but drier days ahead

  03-09-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Scattered downpours and very isolated thunderstorms continue to move through the area from southeast to northwest. Highest rain coverage will be in the Hill Country, but the Austin Metro and our eastern counties are already seeing more rain than many of us did on Monday. CENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL TOTALSWhile most of us end up with less than a quarter of an inch of rain, some localized 1-2" amounts will be possible, especially in the Hill Country.A Flood Watch continues for San Saba
  
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• Rain chances gradually fade, cooler mornings follow

  03-09-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Don't put away the rain gear yet! We're coming off the holiday weekend with another day of scattered showers and storms. CENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL TOTALSNot everyone will see wet weather today, but those who do, could pick up 0.1"-0.25" of rainfall. Isolated pockets of 0.5"+ will be possible, particularly in the Hill Country.A Flood Watch continues for San Saba and Mason Counties and more rain falling on top of already saturated soils could result in ponding/localized flooding.Floo
  
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• Rain chances continue through Thursday; Sunny skies return

  03-09-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Dark clouds cover the sky for Tuesday as we've seen rainfall picking up in many parts of Central Texas today. Keep the umbrella handy as we move into the afternoon as chances do increase towards midday.GRAF model of rain chances this afternoon CENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL TOTALSNot everyone will see wet weather today, but those who do, could pick up 0.1"-0.25" of rainfall. Isolated pockets of 1"-2" will be possible, particularly in the Hill Country.A Flood Watch continues for San Saba
  
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• Flooding concerns fading as rainfall rates drop overnight

  03-09-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Rain intensity is starting to fade and rain coverage will slowly taper off overnight. Still, many areas picked up several inches of rain with more than 6 inches in parts of the Hill Country! CENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL TOTALSA FLASH FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR WESTERN TRAVIS, SOUTHERN BURNET, NORTHERN BLANCO, SOUTHERN LLANO AND NORTHEASTERN GILLESPIE COUNTY UNTIL 12:30AM.Remember, "turn around, don't drown" if you see roads covered in water and never ignore closed low-water crossings
  
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• Flash flooding reaches the western Austin Metro

  03-09-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Scattered to widespread downpours and isolated thunderstorms continue to move through the area from southeast to northwest. Highest rain coverage will be in the Hill Country, but the Austin Metro and our eastern counties are already seeing more rain than many of us did on Monday. NEW BLOG: September forecast updated. Will rain continue?FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR CENTRAL/NORTHERN LLANO COUNTY WHERE MORE THAN 6" OF RAIN HAS FALLEN OVER THE LAST FEW HOURS.
  A SEPARATE
  
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• Flash flooding in the Hill Country as rain continues

  03-09-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Scattered downpours and very isolated thunderstorms continue to move through the area from southeast to northwest. Highest rain coverage will be in the Hill Country, but the Austin Metro and our eastern counties are already seeing more rain than many of us did on Monday.FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR SOUTHERN SAN SABA AND CENTRAL/NORTHERN LLANO COUNTY WHERE MORE THAN 2" OF RAIN HAS FALLEN WITHIN TWO HOURS. Remember, "turn around, don't drown" if you see roads covered
  
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• Shortlist for where the Texas Water Fund's $1 billion could go first

  03-09-2024 03:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Voters went to the polls last November and overwhelmingly supported creation of the Texas Water Fund, a pot of money totaling $1 billion meant for water infrastructure improvements across the state. In the months since then, the state's water agency has worked to narrow down who could dip into it first.
  Last month the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) agreed on a shortlist of 66 projects in smaller, more rural systems that could get the initial awards for projects aimed
  
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• Will Social Security be around when I retire?

  03-09-2024 01:48 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — Social Security recipients could see their benefits slashed in roughly a decade if Congress doesn't take action but that doesn't mean you won't get a monthly check when you retire.As long as workers and employers continue to pay payroll taxes — the program's primary source of income — Social Security will have money to pay benefits. But without reforms, those benefits could be reduced.Social Security uses two separate trust funds to pay out benefits. If those tru
  
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• Louisiana's connections to ancient Greece might surprise you

  03-09-2024 01:13 via kxan.com
  
  SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) - Those who study Greek mythology may have noticed similarities between towns like Homer, Castor, Alexandria, Athens, Eros, Sparta, Urania, and Arcadia, Louisiana, and the people, places, and things of ancient Greece.
  Wesley Harris, the historian of Lincoln Parish and the Claiborne Parish Library, says it's no accident these historic northern Louisiana settlements have names straight out of Greek legend.
  “Not everything in Louisiana is Cajun land,” Harris
  
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• Stray kitten hitches 15-mile ride inside the wheel well of truck in Oregon

  03-09-2024 01:04 via kxan.com
  
  PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A search and rescue team in Oregon has a new mascot: a kitten who hitched a ride inside the wheel well of one of their trucks last month.
  Lindsey Lohr and Greg Wood, who are volunteers for the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue team, found the tiny feline after hearing a faint meow on Aug. 12.
  "I've been volunteering with the county for 20 years, and this is the first time this has happened," Wood told Nexstar's KOIN.Man says sex life ruined after b
  
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• NASCAR Playoffs: Don't look for surprises in the postseason as power programs dominate field

  03-09-2024 00:13 via kxan.com
  
  DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) — NASCAR's regular season finished with a pair of surprises in winless drivers Harrison Burton and Chase Briscoe pulling off unexpected victories at Daytona and Darlington.Don't look for more stunners when the playoffs start next week and NASCAR's power programs, Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing and Team Penske, dominate the grid with 11 of the 16 drivers who will chase the championship next Sunday in Atlanta.Throw in Burton and owner Wood Brothers' connection w
  
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• First full school year for Eanes ISD police department

  03-09-2024 00:02 via kxan.com
  
  Austin (KXAN) — As students and teachers return to the classroom, Eanes Independent School District police officers are reporting for their first full school year since the department was formed in 2023.Chief of Police Matt Greer said 11 officers are on the force -- enough for each campus to have one officer on site and more than one at Westlake High School.Greer retired from the Austin Police Department before coming to Eanes ISD. He said it's a different experience patrolling the halls t
  
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