Austin news

• Where do Trump, Harris stand on housing affordability?

  11-09-2024 23:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump met Tuesday night for their first debate of the 2024 campaign. A question about housing policy was asked of both, but experts tell KXAN that they hope for more details from the candidates. Texas short on housing: What a new study says about local challengesVice President Harris briefly spoke in broad strokes about her housing plans, but former President Trump did not answer the housing question or mention his housing po
  
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• Trump, Harris agree: Construction regulations need work

  11-09-2024 23:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump met Tuesday night for their first debate of the 2024 campaign. A question about housing policy was asked of both, but experts tell KXAN that they hope for more details from the candidates. Texas short on housing: What a new study says about local challengesVice President Harris briefly spoke in broad strokes about her housing plans, but former President Trump did not answer the housing question or mention his housing po
  
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• Austin Fire Department commemorates fallen 9/11 firefighters

  11-09-2024 23:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Fire Department (AFD) held and participated in a series of events Wednesday to commemorate the 343 firefighters who died during the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.“It is a bittersweet anniversary that celebrates the heroic actions of first responders and mourns the tremendous loss brought about by the terrorist attacks,” AFD said.Following the attack, 10 Austin firefighters were deployed to New York.“It is for those 10 and the thousands of others who se
  
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• Austin's Georgian Acres mobility hub project recognized by US Department of Energy

  11-09-2024 22:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A clean energy and mobility project that opened in the city of Austin nearly two years ago received recognition from the U.S. Department of Energy last month, the Austin Transportation and Public Works Department shared in a newsletter Monday.The federal department shed light on Austin's Georgian Acres Mobility Hub project, a solar-powered initiative created to aid residents in need of transit access. Project features include a bus solar shelter, wireless internet access, L
  
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• Williamson County judge appointed to Texas indigent defense board

  11-09-2024 22:25 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell has been appointed to the Indigent Defense Commission Governing Board, Gov. Greg Abbott announced in a news release earlier this week.In an interview with KXAN's Mike Rush Tuesday, Gravell gave insight into how the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) plays a vital role in helping Texans receive fair representation.Gravell said one of the biggest challenges in Texas is more than 500 attorneys were removed from indigent defense in rur
  
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• 'I could have been better': Dolphins' Tyreek Hill says of Florida traffic stop

  11-09-2024 22:18 via kxan.com
  
  MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill acknowledged Wednesday that he could have handled himself better in the initial moments of a weekend traffic stop that left him handcuffed and pulled out of his car by police officers near the team's stadium.Hill also said he wants one of the officers involved in the incident dismissed from the police force.Hill said he wishes he did some things “a bit differently” on Sunday, including leaving the window of his
  
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• Justin Timberlake reaches plea deal in drunken driving case: AP source

  11-09-2024 22:17 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Justin Timberlake is scheduled to enter a new plea Friday in his drunken driving case in New York's Hamptons, prosecutors said. Details of the plea weren't disclosed, but a person with knowledge of the deal said Timberlake has agreed to plead guilty to a less serious offense than the original charge of driving while intoxicated.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the case.Timbe
  
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• Did your grocery store carry recalled Boar's Head deli meat? How you can check

  11-09-2024 22:16 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — Target, Kroger, Safeway, and Jewel are among the numerous retailers that carried deli meat linked to the largest listeria outbreak in more than a decade.Health officials confirmed the Boar's Head deli meat was contaminated with listeria — a bacteria that can cause severe illness. The products were recalled, but supermarkets and businesses that had received the meats were urged to clean and sanitize their deli areas to prevent further contamination.An 825-page list from
  
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• After pushback, city of Austin rolls out new termination policy for homeless shelters

  11-09-2024 21:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — After feedback from people interacting with Austin's homelessness response system, the city rolled out a new policy this month that lays out universal rules for when people will be removed from the city's homeless shelters.That new policy is mandatory at the city's Marshalling Yard, Northbridge, Southbridge, ARCH and Eighth Street shelters. The city's Homeless Strategy Office (HSO) also asked other non-city-run shelters within city limits to voluntarily comply.
  The new poli
  
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• College survey ranks UT Austin among worst for free speech

  11-09-2024 21:03 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The University of Texas at Austin ranked among the worst in the country for its free speech policymaking and environment, according to an analysis from survey research company College Pulse and the nonprofit Foundation for Individual Rights and
  Expression (FIRE).
  The two organizations surveyed nearly 59,000 student respondents from 257 colleges and universities nationally between January and June of this year. Of those surveyed, 47% identified as liberal, 21% as conservativ
  
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• Hays County seeing 'concerning' tire theft trend; thieves targeting Toyota vehicles

  11-09-2024 20:28 via kxan.com
  
  HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Hays County Sheriff's Office said it observed a "concerning trend" of thieves stealing tires from cars parked in apartment complexes over the last several weeks.The office said, recently, people have been specifically targeting tires on Toyota Corollas."It's a low-risk, high-reward type of enterprise," said Lieutenant Clint Pulpan. "The tires usually aren't traceable, so even if we find them, we won't know who they belong to."Regarding why Toyota Corollas ar
  
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• Central Market officially declared to have 'largest charcuterie board in the world'

  11-09-2024 20:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Central Market's giant charcuterie board was officially declared "the largest charcuterie board in the world to be created and consumed,” the GUINNESS WORLD RECORD said in a news release Thursday.Central Market made the giant charcuterie as a way to celebrate turning 30 in a unique way.The H-E-B off-shoot is entering its 30s in the most millennial way possible -- a giant charcuterie board.
  Central Market attempted to break the Guinness World Record in the process, hoping t
  
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• Central Market attempting Guinness Record for largest charcuterie board in the world

  11-09-2024 20:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Central Market is celebrating turning 30 in a unique way this week.
  The H-E-B off-shoot is entering its 30s in the most millennial way possible -- a giant charcuterie board.
  Central Market is attempting to break a Guinness World Record in the process, hoping to take home the title of Largest Charcuterie in the World. The grocer said over 1,000 pounds of meat and cheeses will be part of the smear.
  The record is currently held by West Palm Beach, Florida's Boarderie. The cheese an
  
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• Study shows COVID-19 lockdown prematurely aged teenagers' brains by up to four years

  11-09-2024 20:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Students still struggling with learning loss or other negative mental health effects from the COVID-19 pandemic could be linked to their brains prematurely aging.In 2018, scientists at the University of Washington started studying the brain structure of 160 teenagers through brain scans, but the pandemic put their original plans on hold. In 2021, when they resumed scanning, they pivoted to studying how the pandemic and isolation of lockdown impacted the teens' brains.Resear
  
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• $7.5M in grants awarded to several Texas veterans’ assistance organizations

  11-09-2024 19:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than $7.5 million in Veterans’ Assistance grants were recently awarded to several organizations in the Alamo and Hill Country areas, according to the Texas Office of the Governor.Gov. Greg Abbott said the funding was expected to provide services to more than 7,200 veterans and their families across 35 counties. New ‘first of its kind’ veteran resource hub to open soon in Dripping Springs“Texas is proud to be home to the largest veteran populatio
  
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• Fraudulent texts are targeting TxTag customers, TxDOT say

  11-09-2024 19:01 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — TxTag customers, beware: the Texas Department of Transportation said fraudulent texts are targeting system users.There have been numerous reports from TxTag customers receiving text messages that allege the customer has a balance due or past due, TxDOT officials said in a release Wednesday. State agency leaders added the texting phishing efforts have been detected since April but "appear to have increased recently."Example of a fraudulent TxTag text phishing attempt (Courte
  
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• 2 affordable housing projects to move forward in Austin with $2 million investment

  11-09-2024 18:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two projects geared toward offering 300 new affordable apartment options in Austin received a sizable investment Wednesday that could help them move forward.
  The Austin Community Foundation announced that its Housing Accelerator Loan Fund invested $2 million in two affordable housing developments — one in southwest Austin and the other in north Austin. Almost every Texan considers housing affordability a problem, new survey findsOne million will go toward pre-developm
  
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• Affidavit: Man facing murder charge in southeast Austin shooting had outstanding warrant

  11-09-2024 18:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man facing a murder charge in connection with a southeast Austin shooting that left one person dead had an aggravated assault warrant out for his arrest at the time of the shooting, according to City of Austin court documents.Steve Gonzalez, 25, died in the shooting, which happened just before 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8. The suspect was identified by Austin police as Martin Tovar, 26.Martin Tovar, 26 | Courtesy Austin Police Department
  KXAN reached out to Tovar's attorney to as
  
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• $800M Mega Millions jackpot won; 4 other ticketholders earn $1 million each

  11-09-2024 18:26 via kxan.com
  
  Correction: This story has been edited to reflect the correct number of $1 million winners.
  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A winner has been announced for the $800 Mega Millions jackpot, according to the game's website.The winning numbers for Tuesday's Mega Millions drawing were 1, 2, 16, 26, 66, and Mega Ball 6.Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: Is your state ‘due’ for a win?
  The Texas Lottery said the winning jackpot ticket was purchased at a Murphy USA gas station at 7520 Highway 90 A
  
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• TxDOT hosting public meeting on potential U.S. Hwy. 183 widening project

  11-09-2024 18:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Members of the public can weigh in on possible improvements to a stretch of U.S. Hwy. 183 at a public meeting next week.The Texas Department of Transportation is bringing back an environmental study analyzing U.S. Hwy. 183 from SH 71 to SH 130, outlining potential enhancements to the highway. Currently, the four-lane highway is a divided road between SH 71 and FM 812 before becoming an undivided road between FM 812 and SH 130.
  TxDOT noted the corridor is home to numerous ne
  
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• City searching for 5 local artists for $2M public art program

  11-09-2024 17:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Calling all local artists: The city of Austin is looking for several creative minds to work on its next round of public artwork projects.The city said it was searching for five local, professional, visual artists or artist-led teams to create public art at seven locations across Austin.The following are the art locations and budgets available:
  Elisabet Ney Museum Grounds: Artwork budget: $100,000  Armadillo Water Tank Mural: Artwork budget: $133,000 Walter E.
  
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• Memo: APD interim chief to resume chief of staff role as Lisa Davis starts as chief

  11-09-2024 16:47 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Chief Lisa Davis officially started as Austin's newest top cop this week. She comes to Texas following a long tenure with the Cincinnati Police Department, where she last held an assistant chief role.According to an internal memo sent from Davis to members of the Austin Police Department, Robin Henderson - who has served as interim chief since former chief Joseph Chacon retired last year - will resume her prior role as chief of staff to assist with Davis' transition. She will ta
  
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• The play that embodies Texas football's mentality

  11-09-2024 16:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Texas football program is rolling right now. The mojo around the program continues to rise as the Longhorns just took control of the game against Michigan to move to 2-0.All coaches will mention how important it is to win in the trenches with offensive and defensive lineman. For Texas, they've had a focus on recruiting 'Big Humans' as they like to call them to sure up the line.That physicality the Longhorns play with up front has improved under head coach Steve Sarkisian. But
  
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• Families gather at WTC to honor 9/11 victims, 23 years later

  11-09-2024 16:03 via kxan.com
  
  LOWER MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) – Twenty-three years after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, families of the victims are honoring their loved ones Wednesday morning during a private ceremony in Lower Manhattan. The program at Memorial Plaza started at 8:40 a.m. and will conclude by 1:30 p.m. While it is not open to the public, the ceremony is being broadcast on the PIX11 Morning News and livestreamed on PIX11.com.9/11 Tribute in Light to light up NYC sky: When and how to watch
  During the cer
  
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• Why did flood gates need to be open on the Highland Lakes despite the drought?

  11-09-2024 14:46 via kxan.com
  
  MARBLE FALLS, TX (KXAN) -- On Wednesday, September 4, thousands of gallons of water poured through the flood gates at Max Starcke and Wirtz Dams. It was the second time in six weeks the dams had to open their gates.Max Starcke Dam floodgates partially opened Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey)While this summer has been dry, flood gates having to be open during this time period isn't unusual, according to the LCRA."Because Lake LBJ is a hydroelectric (dam) and a source of cooling w
  
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• LIST: Here are the Texas semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program

  11-09-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than 1,700 high school students in Texas have been named semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.The scholarship program announced Wednesday more than 16,000 semifinalists nationwide. Of those, 1,719 are from Texas, roughly 10% of the nationwide total.Scholarships worth nearly $26 million combined will be awarded to 6,870 students in the spring.To be considered, students must take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT
  
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• Safety concerns frustrate residents in an East Austin area

  11-09-2024 11:31 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — In East Austin, residents who live around Parque Zaragoza expressed that they don't feel safe due to rampant drug use, graffiti, trash, and people illegally camping in the area.Raquel Ortega is one of the residents who has expressed concerns, as she has experienced repeated unsafe activity in the area."The bike group that I've been part of meets at this park two to three times a week, and there have been different situations where there's either hostile individual on the st
  
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• Suspect dead after officer involved shooting in north Austin

  11-09-2024 09:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A suspect is dead after an officer involved shooting Tuesday night at West Anderson Lane and Wooten Park Drive, according to the Austin Police Department.
  APD said no officers were injured in the shooting. The initial call came in at 10:59 p.m.Austin Police said the area of West Anderson Lane, near Burnet Road, will continue to be shut down as the investigation continues into Wednesday morning. They said to plan your route accordingly and to expect delays.A media briefing will b
  
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• Man dead after being shot by officers in north Austin

  11-09-2024 09:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man died after he was shot by officers Tuesday night near West Anderson Lane and Wooten Park Drive, according to the Austin Police Department.APD said no officers were injured in the shooting. The initial call came in at 10:59 p.m.Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said the man was "attempting to gain access" into a nail salon and convenience store, with a gun in his hand.A suspect is dead after an officer involved shooting Tuesday night at West Anderson Lane and Wooten Park Drive
  
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• LIVE: Man dead after being shot by officers in north Austin

  11-09-2024 09:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man died after he was shot by officers Tuesday night near West Anderson Lane and Wooten Park Drive, according to the Austin Police Department.APD said no officers were injured in the shooting. The initial call came in at 10:59 p.m.Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said the man was "attempting to gain access" into a nail salon and convenience store, with a gun in his hand.
  A suspect is dead after an officer involved shooting Tuesday night at West Anderson Lane and Wooten Park Driv
  
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• Who won the Trump-Harris presidential debate?

  11-09-2024 05:31 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) - The emergence of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee presented a re-set in an election that appeared to be tilting in favor of former President Donald Trump earlier this summer.Heading into Tuesday's debate, polls showed Harris pulling narrowly ahead in the likely popular vote, but surveys conducted in key swing states showed virtually no daylight between the two candidates in the states most likely to tip the Electoral College.For weeks, pundits pointed to Tuesday
  
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• Taylor Swift endorses Harris

  11-09-2024 05:13 via kxan.com
  
  Taylor Swift is endorsing Kamala Harris's presidential run, saying she's backing the vice president because "she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them."The singing superstar — who called herself a "childless cat lady" in a reference to past remarks from GOP vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance (Ohio) — issued a surprise endorsement of Harris immediately following the first presidential debate between the vice president and former President Trum
  
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• A Texan's guide to the presidential debate

  11-09-2024 03:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- From the southern border, to the energy economy, to abortion, Texas is the center of some of the most contentious issues in the country that voters say are their most important priorities in the 2024 election.According to polling from Emerson College and The Hill, immigration is top issue for a plurality of Texas voters at 29%. Twenty-two percent prioritize the economy, followed by 12% caring most about abortion and 10% about threats to democracy.Texas is sure to tie in close
  
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• Austin F.C. gets new tech to head toward net zero status

  11-09-2024 02:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin F.C. has ramped up its waste diversion game at Q2 Stadium as it attempts to reach net zero and gain TRUE certification.They recently announced the development of a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) within Q2 Stadium that should mean less trash in the landfill and more compost and recyclables instead.KXAN Chief Meteorologist Nick Bannin spoke with Jordan Enke, V.P of Stadium Operations for Austin F.C. and Adam Gregory with Texas Disposal Systems about the new technology an
  
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• Austin's own Andrew Mukuba celebrates homecoming season against UM

  11-09-2024 01:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Texas defensive back Andrew Mukuba recorded his first career interception Saturday in the Longhorns' big win over the reigning national champion Michigan Wolverines.On third down with two yards to go for Michigan in the second quarter, Mukuba snagged a tipped pass from QB Davis Warren and took it to the 37 yard line. The interception set up a Bert Auburn field goal, putting Texas up 17-3 at the time.Mukuba would also record four tackles, two pass break-ups and earned the Paycom J
  
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• APD: 911 'consistently' answering 90% of calls within 15 seconds

  11-09-2024 01:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austinites are still finding themselves on hold with 911.
  Anthony Paramo said it happened to him when he called to report dangerous debris on the highway."I dialed 911 and then it was like, no one answered at first, then all of a sudden I was put on hold," he said. "I literally looked at my car and I was like 'wait, what?'" IN-DEPTH: AI answering 911 calls? It could help streamline the systemStaffing struggles over the past four years contributed to situations like this, but the
  
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• Lawmakers craft fixes to crime victims fund, after KXAN investigations

  11-09-2024 01:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Lawmakers announced reforms to the Office of Attorney General's Crime Victims' Compensation program and new performance measurements that would give lawmakers a more accurate picture of how fast -- or slow -- victims receive assistance, according to testimony at a House Appropriations Committee hearing Tuesday.State officials are crafting the changes after multiple KXAN investigations into the CVC program. KXAN was the first to expose how skewed measurements of victim payme
  
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• New iPhone 16 will have 2 more buttons: Here's what they do

  11-09-2024 00:59 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Seven years after controversially ditching the home button, Apple is adding buttons back to its newest iPhone models.
  The iPhone 16 (as well as the 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max) will have two new buttons that unlock new features, Apple announced Monday.
  The first is called the "Action button." It's small and will be located on the side of the phone, above the buttons you use to turn the volume up and down. When can customers expect the next Costco price hike?What does the Act
  
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• Some presidential debate watch parties targeting young Austin voters? Where Gen Z will be tuning in

  11-09-2024 00:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN)— Parties at a sports bar, speakeasy and on a college campus are where some Gen Z voters in Austin will be watching the first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.
  UT students Tisha Chaudhuri (l), Adelaide Secott (c) and Sofia Westmoreland sit down with KXAN's Jala Washington. They helped organized Moody College presidential debate watch party. (KXAN Photos/Morganne Bailey).There's been an apparent shift, as these parties i
  
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• How to calculate a mortgage payment within your budget

  11-09-2024 00:54 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — Homeownership feels out of reach for many Americans, but an anticipated interest rate cut this month could encourage a slow return to the market.For those who already have a monthly mortgage payment, it’s unlikely their savings will be immediate. However, homeowners may feel longer-term benefits if mortgage rates continue to trend downward, according to the personal finance outlet Money.Meanwhile, Americans owe $12.14 trillion on their homes, and mortgage debt accounts
  
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• Texas House committee on hostile foreign organizations hacked, displays Russian propaganda

  11-09-2024 00:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- A panel of state lawmakers was forced to end a committee livestream early Tuesday after the Zoom meeting was hacked, displaying what appeared to be Russian military training videos and offensive slurs under the username "RUSSIAN GOD."The hack occurred during a field hearing of the House Select Committee on Securing Texas from Hostile Foreign Organizations -- the panel tasked with countering cyberthreats from adversaries like Russia."F--- you, to all those connected," a hacker
  
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• APD seeking public help finding 2 suspects connected to aggravated assault at east Austin H-E-B

  11-09-2024 00:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is seeking the public's help to find two suspects wanted in connection with an aggravated assault that happened in August at an east Austin H-E-B, the agency said in a news release Tuesday.On Aug. 17, officers responded to the H-E-B, located at 1801 E. 51st St., around 9:50 p.m. for the assault.The two suspects were in a white vehicle, and they "fired multiple gunshots at victims as they walked out of H-E-B, into the parking lot," the release said. T
  
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• Dave Grohl reveals he fathered a 'new baby daughter' outside his marriage

  11-09-2024 00:07 via kxan.com
  
  (KTLA) – Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl posted a personal message to Instagram on Tuesday, revealing that he welcomed a child conceived outside of his marriage."I've recently become the father of a new baby daughter, born outside of my marriage," the 55-year-old rocker wrote. "I plan to be a loving and supportive parent to her." Linkin Park debuts new vocalist Emily Armstrong during live-stream concertThe former Nirvana drummer then acknowledged how this development has affected his wife
  
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