Austin news

• Waiting on Texas car registration renewal wastes time, money

  05-09-2024 23:51 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Viewers continue to ask KXAN if, in order to avoid a vehicle safety inspection, they can just wait until January 2025 to renew their car's inspection.
  Short answer: No. Answering your questions about Texas ending state vehicle inspectionsA longer answer is no, and waiting means spending the same for less.The cost of a state inspection is fixed by state law at $7.50. The end of mandatory inspections to renew a car's registration isn't the end of that cost -- in 2025, a $7.50
  
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• Texas high schools now have the most active NFL players

  05-09-2024 23:41 via kxan.com
  
  AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — Texas is known for many things, from cowboys to delicious BBQ, but at the top of the list for most Texans is high school football. Almost every Texan was raised in a community with a high school football team that was the town's hot spot on Friday nights.Texas football is well-respected around the nation, leading with the most NFL players in history to make it to the NFL. Texas has a total of 2,614 followed by California with 2,602 and Florida with 1,690 accor
  
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• Bars around Austin still carrying SEC football games amongst DirecTV ESPN blackout

  05-09-2024 23:22 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - If you plan on watching the Longhorns take to the football field at your favorite bar, you may need to call ahead of time.A carriage dispute between media giant Disney Entertainment and TV provider DirecTV has left DirecTV customers without access to ESPN, and in turn, without access to SEC football games. That's the conference that the Longhorns are in.
  This isn't the first time this has happened. This year's dispute mirror's a dispute from last year, when ESPN went dark on Dire
  
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• When will TxDOT kick off I-35 expansion project in downtown Austin?

  05-09-2024 22:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin drivers traveling across Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard will soon notice some changes along their commute, as the Texas Department of Transportation inches toward the start of its Interstate 35 expansion project near downtown.The I-35 Capital Express Central project will kick off with the reconstruction of the MLK Bridge. TxDOT said barriers will be placed later this month, with drivers likely to notice more robust construction activity later this year or in early
  
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• KBVO Game of the Week: Bowie visits Vista Ridge

  05-09-2024 22:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Coming off opening week victories, the Bowie Bulldogs and Vista Ridge Rangers clash in a Week 2 non-district tilt at 7 p.m., Thursday at John Gupton Stadium, and it's the KBVO Game of the Week.The Rangers won on the road over Killeen 31-21 in their season opener behind big nights from running back J.D. Jackson and defensive back Luke Berry. Jackson rushed for 123 yards on 27 carries with a touchdown while Berry had two interceptions, returning one 90 yards for a touchdown.M
  
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• KBVO Game of the Week: Bowie leads Vista Ridge 17-6 at halftime

  05-09-2024 22:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Bowie scored in all three phases to take a 17-6 halftime leader over Vista Ridge in the KBVO Game of the Week on Thursday at John Gupton Stadium.The Bulldogs opened the scoring with a field goal, and then quarterback Cruz Tello found Owen Ball for a 16-yard touchdown with 2:50 left in the opening frame.
  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/newslettersAeden Solis provided the
  
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• KBVO Game of the Week: Bowie hangs on to beat Vista Ridge 37-28

  05-09-2024 22:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Vista Ridge mounted a second-half comeback, but it fell short against Bowie on Thursday at Gupton Stadium.Bowie hung on for a 37-28 victory, getting a late 18-yard touchdown pass from Cruz Tello to Rowen Wells to seal the win. Tello found Wells on an out-breaking route and fired it toward the sideline. Wells corraled the pass near the goal line and then fell in the end zone with 5:22 remaining.
  Vista Ridge cut Bowie's lead to two points twice in the second half but could ne
  
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• UT launches 'nation's first' undergrad robotics program that allows freshman applicants

  05-09-2024 20:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The University of Texas at Austin has introduced a new honors program, believed by the school to be the first of its kind.
  UT said in a press release Thursday that it introduced what is "believed to be the first undergraduate robotics program in the country that allows high school students to apply directly as part of their freshman admissions application."It's an honors program with an "immersive and interdisciplinary curriculum" that includes hands-on research, engineering and
  
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• All Texas police officer licenses now searchable online

  05-09-2024 20:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – In a major change for police transparency, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) has released its online license lookup tool allowing the public to search and view the status of current and former licensed Texas peace officers, jailers or telecommunicators.Now, police officer licenses can be checked like most other licensed jobs in the state with public lookups – such as doctors, nurses, plumbers, electricians, midwives and dozens of others. Getting the reco
  
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• Texas awarded $59M in federal grants for roadway safety improvements

  05-09-2024 20:30 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024.TEXAS (KXAN) — The U.S. Department of Transportation is allocating more than $59 million in grant funding to improve road safety in Texas.The grant funding came from President Joe Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, with a total $1 billion in grant dollars allocated to the Safe Streets and Roads for All program. Nineteen communities in Texas will receive grant money to upgrade
  
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• 2024 Float Fest abruptly canceled days before concert

  05-09-2024 18:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Days before Lil Wayne, The Kid LAROI and Jessie Murph were poised to play Float Fest 2024 in Austin, Ticketmaster confirmed the event had been canceled.The event had been scheduled for Saturday at Circuit of the Americas' Germania Insurance Amphitheater. Ticketmaster said the event organizer canceled the event, adding ticketholders would receive a refund within 14 to 21 days.Beyond Ticketmaster's acknowledgement, organizers haven't shared any statement or announcement on th
  
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• Whataburger CEO to retire at end of the year

  05-09-2024 17:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Whataburger announced earlier this week its Chief Executive Officer will retire at the end of the year.
  The Texas-based fast food chain issued a press release earlier this week announcing CEO Ed Nelson will retire at the end of 2024 after spending 20 years with the company.Nelson has been with Whataburger since 2004, joining the company as Controller, and has worked his way through various leadership positions since then, according to the release. He was named Chief Financi
  
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• Man sentenced to 2.5 years in 2022 deadly shooting

  05-09-2024 15:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A 38-year-old man was sentenced to two years and six months in jail for his involvement in a deadly June 2022 shooting, according to Travis County court documents.Osiel Nunez-Lopez was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the shooting, which left one person dead and two injured.
  The shooting happened at a motel in the 7100 block of North Interstate 35 on June 18, 2022.According to the Austin Police Department, the shooting happened after an altercation be
  
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• Scattered showers; 'Fall feel' low temperatures soon

  05-09-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Spotty to scattered rain potential continues on Thursday but our need for the rain gear is limited in the coming days.NEW BLOG: September forecast updated. Will rain continue? CENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL TOTALSThe greatest chance for a shower or storm is east of I-35. Cloud cover will keep temperatures 3-5 degrees cooler-than-average. Our forecasted high on Austin is 89° with mostly cloudy skies. The Hill Country is expected to clear out toward the evening hours. A vibrant sunset
  
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• Rain potential through Friday ahead of cooler, drier weekend

  05-09-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Spotty to scattered rain potential continues today but our need for the rain gear is limited in the coming days. NEW BLOG: September forecast updated. Will rain continue? CENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL TOTALSPartly to mainly cloudy skies can be expected from start to finish today. Scattered storms and showers are likely to return to parts of our area this afternoon/evening. The anticipated rain and cloud cover will help keep temperatures below average in the upper 80s.Spotty to scattere
  
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• Drier air settles in this weekend bringing "fall" mornings

  05-09-2024 12:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Thursday night and Friday bring last chances of rain for a few days leading to a sunny weekend with fresh mornings.Rain chances for Friday NEW BLOG: September forecast updated. Will rain continue? CENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL TOTALSThursday night could still bring a few isolated showers with only a 10% chance of a few showers by Friday afternoon. Much more sunshine is expected as we move through Friday. By the weekend, a frontal boundary is expected to arrive and drive in drier air an
  
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• Austin hosts city council candidate panels ahead of November election

  05-09-2024 12:28 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin voters can learn more about the 23 people running for a city council position ahead of the November election at multiple candidate forums in the next month.
  There are open seats in districts 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, and an open seat for the mayoral position. We have a detailed list about who is running for each position.Tonight the forums will kick-off in district 7. It is the most crowded race with seven people vying for a spot. The current council member, Leslie Pool, has reache
  
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• Doctor warns parents after kids get burned by 'Jolly Rancher grapes' social media trend

  05-09-2024 05:08 via kxan.com
  
  Related video: Surgeon general recommends warning labels for social media.RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A doctor in Richmond, Virginia is warning families about the dangers of a hot new social media trend that has sent several children to his office with severe burns.Some local kids looking for a sweet treat have recently ended up in the hospital after following videos posted to social media showing how to make "Jolly Rancher candy grapes."The videos encourage viewers to melt the hard candies on
  
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• Man sentenced to 4 years in prison for deadly July 2022 crash

  05-09-2024 04:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years in prison in connection with a deadly crash that happened near the Austin airport back in July 2022, according to Travis County court documents.Randall Cavazos, 22 at the time of the crash, was sentenced on June 4 to four years in prison for intoxicated manslaughter with a vehicle. He will serve his sentence consecutively, with probation related to an assault charge arising from the accident, court documents said.Driver faces
  
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• Pineapple ‘trick’ for romance-seekers at Spanish supermarket chain becomes viral TikTok trend

  05-09-2024 04:32 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Forget the dating apps: If you really want to meet other eligible singles, just head to the Spanish supermarket chain Mercadona between 7 and 8 p.m. and grab a pineapple.The idea behind this trend, which has been spreading on TikTok in recent days, was discussed as early as 2017 after a contestant on the Spanish reality show “First Dates” claimed she went shopping at Mercadona between 7 and 8 p.m. to flirt and find romance, as noted by the SER (Sociedad Españ
  
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• Texas police department using autonomous drones to respond to emergency calls

  05-09-2024 03:20 via kxan.com
  
  BEE CAVE, Texas (KXAN) —The Bee Cave Police Department will soon be working with autonomous drones.The department partnered with Austin start-up, Eve Vehicles Corporation, which will allow for enhanced first responder capabilities.When an emergency call comes in, an officer or dispatcher puts in the coordinates, and the drone takes off. No one will be flying the drones.Bee Cave Police Chief Brian Jones said the drones can respond to an any emergency and serve as the eyes and ears for first
  
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• License plate reader cameras operating in Austin under new, updated policy

  05-09-2024 02:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- It's been a few years in the making, but the city of Austin now has license plate readers up and running. The Austin Police Department reinstated its Flock camera program with updates to its policy.Just last week, Interim Police Chief Robin Henderson addressed in a city memo that cameras are operating.
  The memo said there are 40 license plate readers across Austin. The pilot program went live back in March. The updated policy includes changes requested by city council.
  What is
  
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• Man dies after doctor removes the wrong organ during surgery, widow says 

  05-09-2024 01:17 via kxan.com
  
  SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) — A widow says a Florida doctor removed the wrong organ while performing surgery on her husband, leading to his death and prompting an investigation.William 'Bill' Bryan, 70, and his wife Beverly were visiting their rental property in Destin, Florida, on Aug. 19 when Bill felt pain on his left side. "He started having some pain in his left shoulder, his neck and his left side. So we went to Ascension Sacred Heart on the Emerald Coast and he was admitted,"
  
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• Illinois to soon ban mini shampoo bottles in hotel rooms

  05-09-2024 01:17 via kxan.com
  
  SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WGN) — When staying in a hotel room, you may find yourself collecting a complimentary "souvenir" for your next vacation: the mini soap bottles.
  Whether it's the soap, shampoo, conditioner, or maybe even lotion, it can be hard to resist tucking those into your suitcase.If you're staying in an Illinois hotel in the coming year, though, you may not find any of those mini bottles waiting for you.Can TSA stop you for marijuana in your luggage?A new law, signed by Gov. JB Prit
  
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• Abbott: Texas Music Rebate Program receives $20M to support live music industry

  05-09-2024 00:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Music Office announced in a Wednesday news release that $20.2 million is on offer to the state's live music industry.Abbott said in the release that the funds were approved during the 88th legislative session in 2023. The funds are part of the Texas Music Incubator Rebate Program (TMIR), which gives qualifying venues and festival promoters a full or partial refund on particular taxes.“Texas is where live music lives,” said Abbott in the
  
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• Salamanders could slow repairs to reopen Barton Springs Pool

  05-09-2024 00:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An exact timeline isn't known for how long it will take to reopen Barton Springs Pool, as city leaders now have to weigh more than just repairing large holes in a pipe that put the safety of swimmers at risk.The city announced Tuesday it's working on a plan to fix an abandoned pipe, which is more than 80 years old and once captured debris in the pool. The old pipe apparently developed two large holes, raising concerns it could suck in swimmers. Barton Springs Pool likely cl
  
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• 'Start over in life': ACC job certification program to help homeless at ARCH

  05-09-2024 00:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)—Precious Hicks doesn't have a home, so she knows the streets around downtown Austin well."I stay under the bridge...it's been very difficult," Hicks said.Now, for the first time in a long time, she's hoping to turn her life around. Hicks is one of 25 people experiencing homelessness, now a part of a new job training certification program through the Austin Community College (ACC).Precious Hicks to be one of 25 people experiencing homelessness to be a part of new HVAC job cert
  
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