Austin news

• Cornyn, Paxton skipped for leadership in Trump's Washington

  13-11-2024 23:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Among the Texans positioned to take on powerful posts in the new Trump era of Washington politics, few were seen as more likely ascendants than U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Neither are set to get there after Wednesday.Cornyn, for his part, hoped to succeed Mitch McConnell as Senate Majority Leader. He fell to South Dakota's John Thune by just three votes in the Senate GOP's secret ballot Wednesday morning."Congratulations to my colleagues who w
  
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• Texas lawmakers file first LGBTQ-related bills of 2025 session

  13-11-2024 23:05 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Bill filing for the Texas Legislature began Tuesday, and lawmakers have already filed proposals directed at gender and sexual orientation. Texas lawmakers file record number of bills ahead of 2025 sessionThe majority came from Senators Bob Hall and Jose Menéndez, who each filed more than 60 bills on Tuesday. But their 2025 gender-related bills are rewrites and resubmissions of ones filed in 2023 that didn't go far.
  KXAN reached out to Hall and Menéndez and req
  
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• Step your way to better health this holiday season: Unlock the benefits of walking

  13-11-2024 22:38 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (AP/KXAN) — You don't have to make daily trips to the gym and pump a lot of iron to stay fit. A simple walk in your neighborhood or making your way through a park can give your heart and mind the boost it needs.Medical experts agree that walking is an easy way to improve physical and mental health, bolster fitness and prevent disease. While it’s not the only sort of exercise people should do, it’s a great first step toward a healthy life.“You don’t need equip
  
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• Austin eateries dazzle in Texas' first MICHELIN Star list

  13-11-2024 21:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) --Seven Austin restaurants made history this week, crowned among the first One MICHELIN Star establishments to be awarded in the Lone Star State. The inaugural MICHELIN Guide Texas selection featured 15 One MICHELIN Star restaurants, among 117 restaurants named for various recognitions.The seven Austin restaurants listed as One MICHELIN Star establishments were:
  Barley Swine: contemporary cuisineCraft Omakase: Japanese cuisineHestia: American cuisineInterStellar BBQ: barbecue cuisi
  
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• Injured hawk rescued by Austin firefighters, now recovering

  13-11-2024 20:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A hawk is soaring toward recovery after she was caught in a kite string snagged in a tree along the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail Tuesday.A KXAN viewer reached out after witnessing the Austin Fire Department rescue the injured hawk. Austin Wildlife Rescue officials confirmed to KXAN the hawk is currently in their care, and that it doesn't appear to have any major injuries.Austin firefighters rescued a hawk caught in a kite string near the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bik
  
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• Austin Free Week returning in 2025; organizers credit city council financial support

  13-11-2024 20:39 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An annual music tradition is returning to downtown Austin early next year following a period of worry from organizers that it could be canceled after 20 years due to a lack of funding.
  Free Week -- a free, annual two-day music festival that takes over several venues on and near Red River Street -- will happen Jan. 3-4 in 2025.The Red River Cultural District, which organizes the fest, directly credited financial support from Austin City Council for Free Week's return next year. T
  
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• How to recycle election signs, materials in Austin

  13-11-2024 18:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With the November election season in the rearview mirror, the city of Austin is encouraging residents and local campaign organizers to help reduce election-related waste.Election waste encompasses campaign signs, printed materials, single-use promotional items and waste materials from campaign events, per the city of Austin.
  Where to recycle materials in AustinWhile yard signs aren't recyclable via city-issued blue recycling carts, residents can make an appointment with the Recy
  
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• New renderings for MoPac South Project released

  13-11-2024 18:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Another step forward in the plan to expand South MoPac from downtown to Southwest Austin.At an open house Tuesday night, the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) laid out its initial findings of an environmental study and presented a possible build-out of the road.
  It has been 11 years since CTRMA began discussing the Mopac South Project, but a roadblock, in the form of a 2016 environmental lawsuit, and its appeals, sidelined the project for years. Then the pro
  
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• 20-year-old dies 1 day after shooting in east Austin; police searching for multiple suspects

  13-11-2024 18:14 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said it was investigating a homicide that occurred last week in east Austin.APD said officers responded to a call and found a man, later identified as 20-year-old Matthew Escalante, with a gunshot wound. He was taken to the hospital for treatment but died Nov. 8, according to police.APD said an investigation showed Escalante arriv
  
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• What to know about this year's Texas Book Festival

  13-11-2024 17:49 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- More than 250 authors and 40,000 book lovers will flock to downtown Austin this weekend for the Texas Book Festival, a nearly 30-year tradition in the Lone Star State.This year's festival runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday near the Texas Capitol and downtown, with free admission to guests. Tents will be stationed along 11th Street and Congress A
  
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• 24th annual Mighty Texas Dog Walk set to happen at Camp Mabry on Saturday

  13-11-2024 17:41 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The transcript of this live Q&A has been edited for brevity and clarity.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Mighty Texas Dog Walk & Expo is set to take place on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Camp Mabry, located at 2200 W 35th Street.Mighty Texas Dog Walk & Expo organizers said it has 12 world records that include largest dog cake, largest dog bowl, most dogs walked and more. This year it will try to beat the world record for biggest pajama party with dogs.
  The event's websi
  
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• LIVE: Austin police chief to provide details on deadly shooting involving officers

  13-11-2024 17:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis is expected to share details Wednesday afternoon surrounding an incident that happened in northwest Austin last week and ended with police shooting and killing a man. PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Deadly police shooting began with suspect stealing cars at northwest Austin shopping centerAustin Police Department officers shot and killed a man at a northwest Austin apartment complex Nov. 7, after the man reportedly shot at APD first, according to Davis. It hap
  
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• Deadly northwest Austin police shooting began with traffic stop in Bee Cave

  13-11-2024 17:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis shared new details Wednesday afternoon surrounding a fatal shooting involving police that began in Bee Cave and ended in northwest Austin last week. PAST COVERAGE | Deadly police shooting began with suspect stealing cars at northwest Austin shopping centerAustin Police Department officers shot and killed a man -- later identified as 27-year-old Zachary Labrie -- at a northwest Austin apartment complex Nov. 7, after he shot at APD first, according t
  
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• Austin police chief to provide details on deadly shooting involving officers

  13-11-2024 17:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis is expected to share details Wednesday afternoon surrounding an incident that happened in northwest Austin last week and ended with police shooting and killing a man. PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Deadly police shooting began with suspect stealing cars at northwest Austin shopping centerAustin Police Department officers shot and killed a man at a northwest Austin apartment complex last Thursday morning, after the man reportedly shot at APD first, according t
  
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• APD provides details on deadly shooting involving officers

  13-11-2024 17:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis shared new details Wednesday afternoon surrounding a fatal shooting involving police that began in Bee Cave and ended in northwest Austin last week. PAST COVERAGE | Deadly police shooting began with suspect stealing cars at northwest Austin shopping centerAustin Police Department officers shot and killed a man -- later identified as 27-year-old Zachary Labrie -- at a northwest Austin apartment complex Nov. 7, after he shot at APD first, according t
  
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• TRAFFIC ALERT: AFD responds to 'hazardous materials incident' near Tesla Gigafactory

  13-11-2024 17:06 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday, the Austin Fire Department said it was responding to a hazardous materials incident at an address close to the Tesla Gigafactory.AFD said crews were responding to the 13000 block of Tesla Pvt E7 Road for reports of a possible crack in a pipeline.The department said traffic should be expected in the area while crews respond.KXAN has sent a crew to the
  
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• AFD responds to 'hazardous materials incident' near Tesla Gigafactory, precautionary evacuations issued

  13-11-2024 17:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday, the Austin Fire Department said it was responding to a hazardous materials incident at an address close to the Tesla Gigafactory.AFD said crews were responding to the 13000 block of Tesla Pvt E7 Road for reports of a possible crack in a pipeline, and Atmos Energy was working to shut off the valves and make the necessary repairs.The immediate area of the incident was evacuated as a precaution, according to AFD. The precautionary evacuation was for a cooling sta
  
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• Man sentenced in death of 'severely' beaten 65-year-old roommate

  13-11-2024 16:50 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was sentenced Oct. 10 on a first-degree murder charge following a plea deal, according to Travis County court documents.Records showed 27-year-old Cristo Jesus Rodriguez received a sentence of 25 years in prison related to the charge.Mugshot of Cristo Jesus Rodriguez (APD photo)
  Rodriguez’s charge was related to the 2022 death of 65-year-old Kenneth Ge
  
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• APD searches for suspect of south Austin aggravated robbery at Dollar General

  13-11-2024 16:11 via kxan.com
  
  Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said it was searching for a suspect in connection with a south Austin aggravated robbery that occurred Oct. 13.APD said the robbery occurred between 9:10 - 9:30 p.m. at a Dollar General, located at 9600 Menchaca Road.According to police, the suspect, who was described as a Black man in his 30s or 40s, entered the store and threatened t
  
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• Kristen's Classroom: How cold does it normally get in Austin?

  13-11-2024 15:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Has an out-of-towner ever asked you, "How cold does it actually get in Austin?" With Texas fairly far south in latitude, the answer may surprise some.January is typically our coldest month of the year with average high temperatures falling to the low 60s and average low temperatures falling to the low 40s.
  We typically average 12 freezes a season in Austin, which pales in comparison to the record of 57 freezes we set in the Winter of 1898 and 1899.The coldest temperature we've e
  
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• What Texas players know about Arkansas rivalry

  13-11-2024 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Steve Sarkisian was tasked with turning things around in his first season at the helm of the Texas football program. The 5-7 season that ensued was not what he expected and the reality check started with a defeat on the road to a rival in Week 2 of the 2021 season.The Longhorns went to Arkansas in 2021 and lost 41-20. Texas is set for another bout this year at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium with a new confidence. Texas, Arkansas rivalry is back, and it should get more
  
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• 'Burning wet feathers' and 'death' smell prompts complaints in Bastrop

  13-11-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) -- After a rainstorm and north wind, Terrie Lynn Bach braces for the smell that might hit her when she steps out the front door of her house on the northern edge of Bastrop.“It smells a lot like, I would think, burning wet feathers … and it smells like death,” Bach told KXAN in early November.It’s a pungent aroma. Sometimes it’s there, sometimes it isn’t, she said. Bach and others have submitted numerous odor complaints over the years to
  
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• Austin Energy to install underground duct bank on Rainey Street

  13-11-2024 12:45 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Starting next month, Austin Energy and Capital Delivery Services will work on installing a new, underground electrical duct bank on Rainey Street. Austin Energy said the bank will house electrical lines from the Rainey Street Substation.Capital Delivery Services hosted an online community meeting on Tuesday night to discuss how the construction will impact the area, and go over project details.Austin Energy and Capital Delivery Services said the project will include:
  Installatio
  
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• Turning colder as cold front #1 pushes through

  13-11-2024 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Our first of two expected cold fronts over the next week is arriving now.Wind gusts in the 20-30 mph range will help to usher in cooler air with temperatures dropping more quickly this evening. FRIENDSGIVING CHALLENGE: DONATE TO THE CENTRAL TEXAS FOOD BANKPlan on overnight lows in the 50s and 40s to start your Thursday morning with highs in the 70s instead of 80s during the afternoon. We won't have a cloud in the sky for the rest of the work week.Thursday's forecastOur coldest m
  
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• Several opportunities for cooler weather in Austin

  13-11-2024 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- High temperatures this afternoon will return to the mid to upper 80s in the Austin area. Our normal high temperature is 72°. Winds will gust up to 25 mph this afternoon as a dry cold front sweeps across our region. Sunset this evening will be at 5:35 p.m.
  Overnight lows tomorrow morning will drop to the mid 40s in the Hill Country and lower 50s in the Austin area. There may be a bit of a wind chill west of I-35.
  40s in the Hill Country and low 50s in the metro area FRIENDSGI
  
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• More fall-like temperatures behind today's cold front

  13-11-2024 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today brings our first of two cold fronts within the next 7-days. This front will be a dry one, but some scattered mid-level and high clouds may filter out the sun at times during the mid-morning through early afternoon.The afternoon arrival of the front for most areas should mean that temperatures manage to reach the low to mid 80s near and east of I-35, even if the numbers are noticeably cooler in the Hill Country. FRIENDSGIVING CHALLENGE: DONATE TO THE CENTRAL TEXAS FOOD BANK
  
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• Cooler to end the week with rain possible on Monday

  13-11-2024 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Our first of two expected cold fronts over the next week pushed through Central Texas this afternoon and temperatures continue to cool off tonight. FRIENDSGIVING CHALLENGE: DONATE TO THE CENTRAL TEXAS FOOD BANKPlan on overnight lows in the 50s and 40s to start your Thursday morning with highs in the 70s instead of 80s during the afternoon. We won't have a cloud in the sky for the rest of the work week.Thursday's forecastOur coldest morning *this week* will be Friday morning with
  
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• Coldest morning of the week comes Friday

  13-11-2024 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Grab the jacket this morning! Temperatures are running 10°-20° cooler compared to what we woke up to yesterday. FRIENDSGIVING CHALLENGE: DONATE TO THE CENTRAL TEXAS FOOD BANKWe kickoff our Thursday with temperatures in the 40s and 50s under mainly clear skies. High temperatures will warm to the mid-to upper 70s - more than 10° cooler than yesterday but still warmer than where we should be for this time of year. Sunshine will dominate our sky today (and tomorrow, for
  
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• Cold tonight with rain arriving late in the weekend

  13-11-2024 12:15 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- If you thought this morning was chilly...buckle up!Our coldest morning of the week and possibly of the fall season (so far) will be tomorrow morning with widespread middle and lower 40s and even a few 30s. Still, this should be a little too warm for frost, but a bundle up reminder to start your Friday!Friday morning lows FRIENDSGIVING CHALLENGE: DONATE TO THE CENTRAL TEXAS FOOD BANKWe'll start to see temperatures warming with Friday afternoon reaching upper 70s and low 80s retur
  
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• Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy named by President-elect Trump to 'dismantle government bureaucracy'

  13-11-2024 02:57 via kxan.com
  
  President-elect Trump has tapped tech entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead an advisory group focused on cutting federal spending and reducing the size of the government.Trump announced Tuesday that Musk and Ramaswamy would lead his “Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE), an initiative meant to “slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures” and restructure federal agencies.Trump said that DOGE would "provide advice and guidance from outside of governm
  
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• Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy land Trump administration roles

  13-11-2024 02:57 via kxan.com
  
  (The Hill) -- President-elect Trump has tapped tech entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead an advisory group focused on cutting federal spending and reducing the size of the government.Trump announced Tuesday that Musk and Ramaswamy would lead his “Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE), an initiative meant to “slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures” and restructure federal agencies.Trump said that DOGE would "provide advice and guidance from outs
  
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• Texas counties seek state EMS funding as costs rise

  13-11-2024 02:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Counties across Texas are using part of their budget to pay for their own fleet of ambulance services or they're contracting them out.These services require large portions of county budgets and, as costs for emergency services continue to rise, leaders are turning to the state for help.Terri Langford, the health and human services reporter at The Texas Tribune, joined KXAN's Will DuPree to discuss the reasons behind these rising costs and why there’s a growing need fo
  
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• Understanding the causes and recognizing the signs for holiday anxiety

  13-11-2024 01:26 via kxan.com
  
  WACO, Texas (FOX 44) -- "There's the constant visual reminders of the seasons changing. We are nearing the end of the year," says Counselor Specialist at Region 12, Jenipher Janek. "Stressors can come in the forms of financial worries about getting through the holidays. It might be past trauma of that individual or maybe a family strain".Coordinating family visits and travel plans can also cause an increase of stress during the holiday season."The biggest concern is the travel, making sure all o
  
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• Judge blocks Louisiana Ten Commandments law

  13-11-2024 01:19 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — A federal judge has temporarily halted a Louisiana law that mandates the Ten Commandments be displayed in public schools. U.S. District Judge John deGravelles granted a preliminary injunction Tuesday which stops the state from enforcing the law until the issue is sorted in the courts.
  The judge wrote in the ruling that the law had an “overtly religious” purpose.A coalition of civil liberties groups filed a lawsuit against the state after Gov. Jeff Landry sig
  
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• APD: Woman arrested in connection with crash involving pedestrian, food truck

  13-11-2024 01:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A woman wanted in connection with a southeast Austin crash into a food truck that injured multiple pedestrians was arrested last week, the Austin Police Department told KXAN Tuesday.Regina Rodela, 38, was arrested on Nov. 7 and was charged with three counts of aggravated assault -- a second-degree felony. She was booked into the Travis County Correctional Complex on a $225,000 bond, where she remained as of Tuesday, according to APD. APD looking for woman accused of crashin
  
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• Affidavit: Victims did not know woman arrested in connection with crash involving pedestrians, food truck

  13-11-2024 01:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A woman wanted in connection with a southeast Austin crash into a food truck that injured multiple pedestrians was arrested last week, the Austin Police Department told KXAN Tuesday.Regina Rodela, 38, was arrested on Nov. 7 and charged with three counts of aggravated assault — a second-degree felony. She was booked into the Travis County Correctional Complex on a $225,000 bond, where she remained as of Tuesday, according to APD. APD looking for woman accused of crashi
  
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• Homes of Kansas City Chiefs stars Mahomes, Kelce were burglarized in October: police reports

  13-11-2024 01:15 via kxan.com
  
  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) — The homes of Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were burglarized in October, Nexstar's WDAF has confirmed.According to two police reports obtained by WDAF, authorities responded to the incidents the day before and the day after the team's Oct. 7 game against the New Orleans Saints.Airlines pausing flights to Haiti after planes hit by gunfire
  WDAF has confirmed with the Cass County Sheriff's Office that a burglary report was taken on Sunday,
  
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• Texas lawmakers file record number of bills ahead of 2025 session

  13-11-2024 01:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Texas lawmakers submitted over 1,500 bills as the filing period opened on Tuesday, setting a new record for the most number of bills filed on the first day.Some staffers even camped out in the hallway behind the Senate chamber to secure their spot in line -- more of a symbolic move than a strategic one, as there is no real advantage to filing a bill early. Last year, fewer than 15% of bills filed became law — only 1,169 of the more than 8,000 filed.“A lot of pent-
  
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• Your paycheck may be larger in 2025, even if you don't get a raise

  13-11-2024 01:01 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — While there's plenty of time left in November, you may already have something exciting to look forward to in 2025: a slightly larger paycheck, even without a raise.
  Why? Thank the IRS.
  As it does every year, the agency recently announced roughly five dozen changes to various tax provisions that will impact 2025 (and when we file taxes in 2026). Among the notable changes were standard deductions rising by 2.7% and individual tax brackets shifting. Will you have a three-payday No
  
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• Report: Downtown Austin Community Court saw 261% increase in cases in FY24

  13-11-2024 00:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A missing person from Illinois previously living with debilitating mental illness on the streets of Austin, reconnected with family and was admitted to a residential treatment center back home. That's one of the success stories listed in a new Downtown Austin Alliance Community Court (DACC) annual report.Here's another: "The effort and dedication of DACC allowed me to get off the street, find a treatment center in my hometown and I have since celebrated over a year of unint
  
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• Texas' most senior senator looks ahead at upcoming legislative session

  13-11-2024 00:04 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas lawmakers broke a record Tuesday after they submitted more than 1,500 bills at the Capitol building on the first day of prefiling before the start of the 89th legislative session in January.As of 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the Texas Legislature's online database showed 1,506 bills have been filed by lawmakers. The first senator to file her bills was Sen. Judith Zaffirini, a tradition she has continued for years. Her staff said interns in her office waited in line for 20 ho
  
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