Austin news

• 7-Eleven to close over 400 'underperforming' locations in North America

  11-10-2024 23:51 via kxan.com
  
  (KTLA) – Hundreds of “underperforming” 7-Eleven stores across North America are closing, the convenience store announced Thursday.Seven & I Holdings, 7-Eleven’s Japan-based parent company, revealed in its earnings report that 444 7-Eleven locations are closing. The company cited slow sales, declining traffic, inflationary pressures, and a decrease in cigarette purchases among the reasons why some stores are closing.A specific list of stores slated for closure wasn&rsq
  
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• 3 in 5 millennials want full access to abortion: Study

  11-10-2024 23:51 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — A Redfin-Ipsos study has revealed the living preferences of Americans surveyed regarding access to abortion.
  While all states in America have access to abortion, the degrees vary drastically. Alabama is among several states which consider abortion illegal except for when the mother's life is in danger. In some cases, there are exceptions for rape and incest.On the other end, some states have no limits. Under Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz, Minnesota has gran
  
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• Celebrating the 50th anniversary of 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre'

  11-10-2024 23:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On the 50th anniversary of "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre," the film remains a significant influence on the Texas film industry, particularly in Central Texas. Oct. 11 designated as ‘Texas Chain Saw Massacre’ Day in Austin as film turns 50"'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre' put Central Texas on the map for filmmakers," said Brian Gannon, senior director of marketing and Certified Film Commissioner for the Austin Film Commission. "It proved that with creativity and de
  
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• Temporary flight restriction in effect near Zilker Park during ACL

  11-10-2024 22:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Federal Aviation Association issued a temporary flight restriction starting Friday through Monday, Oct. 14, according to a post on X from Austin-Travis County EMS.The post said all unmanned aircraft system (UAS) drone flights were prohibited within a 1 nautical mile radius of Zilker Park between 9 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. A view of the mapped area can be seen here.ACL festival-goers must leave their drones at home. However, the post said drone teams with ATCEMS, the Austin F
  
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• Oct. 11 designated as 'Texas Chain Saw Massacre' Day in Austin as film turns 50

  11-10-2024 21:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Friday marked exactly 50 years since the United States release of a famous horror film with close ties to the Austin area.
  "Texas Chain Saw Massacre" was released in October 1974 after being filmed in Central Texas towns including Bastrop, Round Rock, Leander and Watterson, according to the film's IMDb page. Bastrop’s ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ site a haven for horror enthusiastsThe horror cult classic is about a group of friends who attempt to escape a serial k
  
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• Texas students can now see which state public universities would accept them before they apply

  11-10-2024 20:49 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — Texas high school students will now be able to see which of the state’s public universities would accept them based on their credentials before they fill out a college application, state leaders announced Friday.The new tool, called Direct Admissions, is meant to streamline the college application process and remove some of the challenges that can make students hesitant to apply, higher education officials say.“Direct Admissions has the potent
  
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• Bastrop Museum to mark Indigenous Peoples' Day with celebration

  11-10-2024 20:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Saturday, the Bastrop Museum and Visitor Center will host a day of events to mark Indigenous Peoples' Day.The museum announced it was fully reopened Friday after being closed for renovations.The celebration will center on the native people and tribes in Central Texas, according to organizers.The event, which runs from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., will feature cultural demonstrations, musical performances, storytelling and more.KXAN’s Will DuPree and Jala Washington sat do
  
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• Fidelity data breach exposed info from 77,000 customers: Was your account compromised?

  11-10-2024 20:04 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – Thousands of Fidelity Investments customers may have had their personal information stolen amid a data breach that occurred in August of this year, according to the financial firm.The breach took place between August 17–19, with Fidelity becoming aware of the activity on Aug. 19, according to a spokesperson for the company. Fidelity stopped access to the “third party” who had breached the accounts on the 19th, and subsequently launched an investigation “
  
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• Man to serve 60 years in prison related to 2023 sexual abuse cases

  11-10-2024 19:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was sentenced Sept. 26 in connection with three 2023 charges related to sexual abuse. PAST COVERAGE | Car in downtown rape arrest linked to additional incident: AffidavitAccording to the Travis County District Attorney’s Office (DA), a jury found 25-year-old Dublas Vasquez guilty of aggravated kidnapping - sexual abuse and two counts of sexual assault.The DA said testimony for Vasquez’s trial began Sept. 25, and the following day, the jury deliberated for
  
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• Texas lawmaker wants 'clean water' right added to state constitution

  11-10-2024 19:26 via kxan.com
  
  Representative Vikki Goodwin attempted to add a green amendment to the state constitution last legislative session. She's making plans to bring it back in January. (Credit: Eric Henrikson/KXAN)
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas lawmakers are joining the push to add a new "green amendment" to the state constitution. The movement aims to protect people's rights to "clean air, clean water, healthy soil, fauna, etc..." said State Representative Vikki Goodwin (D).On October 17, Rep. Goodwin is hosting a town h
  
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• Police, fire, EMS may move to joint headquarters in south Austin

  11-10-2024 18:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- City leaders are working to acquire a building off of South Mopac Expressway and Barton Skyway to house headquarters for Austin's police, fire and EMS departments."The official term that gets used is that these buildings are suboptimal," said Mayor Kirk Watson about the existing headquarters buildings. "Well, Kirk Watson would refer to them as crummy, pathetic and dirt sorry. They're buildings that need to be replaced."Chiefs with each public safety department addressed the stru
  
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• Overwhelmed with your long ballot? League of Women Voters guide is out

  11-10-2024 18:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As municipalities work to get more on the ballot concurrent with the presidential election to improve voter turnout, your ballot is quite long. With less than a month away from the election, the time to educate yourself is now. Constable? Justice of the Peace? Here’s what all the down-ballot positions in Texas are"There's a lot of information out there, but we have to be active in seeking it," said Brian Smith, a political science professor at St. Edward's University. "Esp
  
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• Border Report Live: How Mexico water woes impact the US border

  11-10-2024 17:49 via kxan.com
  
  McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) -- From contamination on the west coast to a drying up Rio Grande in Texas, water woes stretch across and along the U.S.-Mexico border.Widespread sewage spills south of the border are affecting the health and well-being of southern California residents living in the contaminated Tijuana River Valley. And South Texas is being threatened from a lack of water – due to drought, population growth and Mexico not paying the water it owes the United States under an i
  
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• 'Suspicious item' reported at airport Thursday night did not impact terminal activities, flights, AUS says

  11-10-2024 17:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Some employees at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport were evacuated and others sheltered in place temporarily Thursday night while police investigated what airport officials called a "suspicious item."The Austin Police Department's Explosive Ordinance Disposal responded to the cargo area at AUS to investigate a suspicious item Thursday around 8 p.m., according to a memo sent to city council and the mayor, which was obtained by KXAN.AUS posted on X that the item was in the Be
  
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• Austin Opera unveils future plans, needs more funding

  11-10-2024 17:12 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Tuesday, Austin Opera unveiled the site of its new home at 5811 Trade Center Drive, located in southeast Austin near Montopolis Drive and Burleson Road.The company also kicked off the public phase of its capital campaign to reach its future goals. Austin Opera said it has, so far, secured $3.67 million of its $7.5 million campaign goal to purchase and retrofit its new home.The new space will include a 195-seat performance theater, rehearsal spaces, administrative offices and
  
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• Constable? Justice of the Peace? Here's what all the down-ballot positions in Texas are

  11-10-2024 16:53 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — When you show up to the polls to cast a vote, some races on the ballot will be obvious. President, senator and governor, for example, are all pretty self-explanatory.But several of the down-ballot races may not be so clear, particularly if you're not sure what that position actually does.Here's a look at some of those races, to help you make informed decisions before casting your vote. The information comes from the Texas Association of Counties.County attorneyA county atto
  
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• Tropical tracker: Tropical Storm Leslie continues to weaken in Atlantic

  11-10-2024 16:49 via kxan.com
  
  Editor's Note: The video above shows the latest from the KXAN First Warning Weather team.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Each year, the Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. This year is expected to be very active, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicting an 85% chance of an above-average season.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 topic
  
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• New RSV vaccine guidelines: Adults 75+ urged to vaccinate

  11-10-2024 16:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended adults 65 years and older get a single dose of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine.“It's a very common infectious respiratory virus that causes cold-like symptoms and often times they're a little bit more severe than your average cold,” explained Sue Peschin, the CEO and President of Alliance for Aging Research.“Some populations, l
  
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• How to help the recovery from Milton, Helene

  11-10-2024 15:57 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Just weeks after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of the Florida coast, many of the same areas now face damage from the impact of Hurricane Milton.
  The Category 3 storm made landfall late Wednesday in Siesta Key, about 70 miles south of Tampa.Donate now toRed Cross hurricane reliefNexstar, the parent company of this website, is teaming up to help support Red Cross efforts to offer critical resources. We’re asking readers to consider a donation to the non-profit as a way
  
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• Police looking for man they say stole Rolex from locker at downtown Austin gym

  11-10-2024 15:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is asking for the public's help identifying a man who allegedly stole a Rolex watch from a gym locker.
  Police said the man took the watch, worth around $15,000, from its owner's locker in the Lifetime Fitness on West Fifth Street. The theft happened on Sept. 27 around 11:40 a.m., according to APD.
  APD described the suspect as a white man around 50-60 years old, 5'8" to 6'0" tall, 160-180 lbs, and "very fit." He has a short grey beard and brown eyes,
  
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• Look north: Northern lights seen in Central Texas

  11-10-2024 05:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Did you look north? If so, you might get a nice view of the northern lights outside city limits in Central Texas, which could be seen by multiple viewers on Thursday."If you go away from city lights, and point your phone cameras north with a longer exposure, you may pick up the northern lights in South-Central Texas," the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio said on social media.Some might even be able to see them with the naked eye!
  A severe geomagnetic storm caused by a
  
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• Prosecutors reviewing 'new evidence' in Marilyn Manson sexual abuse probe

  11-10-2024 05:06 via kxan.com
  
  (KTLA) – The sex crimes division of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing new leads and evidence in the investigation into shock-rocker Marilyn Manson, who has been accused by multiple women, including “Westworld” actor Evan Rachel Wood, of sexual abuse, officials announced Wednesday.  The musician and artist, whose real name is Brian Warner, has vehemently denied the allegations, though he has settled at least two related lawsuits.   12
  
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• Mario Lopez honored with Walk of Fame star

  11-10-2024 05:01 via kxan.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (KTLA) — It was a big day in Hollywood for Mario Lopez.The actor who rose to fame as A.C. Slater on the hit teen sitcom "Saved By the Bell" received a star on the illustrious Walk of Fame.
  "How proud am I of my son?" exclaimed Lopez's mom who spoke during the ceremony. ‘The View’ co-hosts come out swinging at Donald Trump a day after he insulted themElvia revealed that Lopez was "very hyper" growing up. Because he was "prone to getting in trouble" by having "too muc
  
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• ‘Gators, stingrays, snakes’: Floridians urged to avoid floodwaters

  11-10-2024 04:34 via kxan.com
  
  TAMPA, Fla. (NewsNation) — Florida officials are warning the public to avoid floodwaters caused by Hurricane Milton, saying a myriad of dangers are lurking in murky water.Frank Robb, an alligator expert and founder of the nonprofit group Environmental Education Awareness Research Support and Services (EEARSS), told NewsNation the dangers you face largely depend on where you live.“If you're coastal, you have to worry about everything from stingrays to alligators, you know. If you're i
  
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• Home builder joins lawsuit against warehouse facility in Bee Cave

  11-10-2024 03:43 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --- A legal battle against a warehouse facility continues with another group joining the lawsuit. The facility under construction is near the intersection of State Highway 71 and Serene Hills Drive in the city of Bee Cave's extra-territorial jurisdiction. Two Central Texas cities file lawsuit to stop development near residential neighborhoodOnline plans show the property would have three buildings with 80 docking bays that could hold big rigs, warehouse space and offices. Howe
  
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• APD releases crime statistics after Austin City Limits Weekend one

  11-10-2024 01:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department released crime statistics Thursday following Weekend One of the Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL) at Zilker Park.APD said officers worked tirelessly to prevent criminal activity, stop crimes in progress and catch offenders.According to the department, two people were arrested—one accused of evading on foot and the other was a request to apprehend. Here’s what was lost—and found—at ACL Weekend OneIn total for weekend
  
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• APD releases crime statistics after 2024 ACL Weekend 1, Weekend 2

  11-10-2024 01:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department released crime statistics following Weekends One and Two of the Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL) at Zilker Park.According to the department, the music festival ended with three arrests, 373 calls for service and a total of 125 offense reports taken by officers. Here’s what was lost—and found—at ACL Weekend OneAPD said officers worked tirelessly to prevent criminal activity, stop crimes in progress and catch offenders."La
  
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• A 'Hail Mary' attempt to undo Texas' new paper tag law? Some police think so

  11-10-2024 00:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- More than a year after Texas lawmakers passed a bill phasing out paper license plates -- amid widespread and rampant nationwide fraud -- a trade association representing more than 1,200 franchised car dealerships is raising concerns to lawmakers.Now, some law enforcement fear industry groups are trying to chip away at the law before it even takes effect."I would encourage you to look at these issues as to whether we've gone forward and not backwards," Texas Automobile Dealers As
  
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• Retail theft a 'growing crisis' in Texas law enforcement tells lawmakers

  11-10-2024 00:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Texas lawmakers on Thursday considered new ways to combat retail theft, a growing and often organized, destructive threat facing stores across Texas.Law enforcement experts described the trend as a "crisis," claiming current laws are inadequate to prosecute and deter the crime."The escalation of organized retail crime, organized cargo theft, and attacks on our entire supply chain" are "threatening our economy as a state and the stability of our communities," Chief Special Age
  
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