Austin news

• Student charged in goat's death at Vista Ridge High School

  05-12-2024 23:56 via kxan.com
  
  CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) -- A Cedar Park Police arrest affidavit details how a 17-year-old Vista Ridge High School student allegedly killed a goat that belonged to another student.
  The incident happened Oct. 23 at Vista Ridge's Future Farmers of America (FFA) agricultural facility, which is about half of a mile away from the school. Both students were part of the FFA club.According to arrest records, the suspect was seen on security footage at 9 a.m. that day walking up to the goat's pen with a
  
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• Crash sparks demand for safety changes to SH 29

  05-12-2024 21:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Transportation confirmed Thursday it's developing improvements along portions of State Highway 29, after a woman and her two-year-old daughter died in a crash on the highway earlier this week.The Bertram Police Department joined several other public safety agencies in responding to a crash around 8:20 p.m. Tuesday, near the 1400 block of West SH 29 in Bertram.
  In a Facebook post, BPD said preliminary investigation details noted a Toyota passenger car
  
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• Bevo to miss Texas Longhorns' debut in SEC Championship game

  05-12-2024 20:44 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas Longhorns mascot Bevo will not be in the building Saturday when No. 2 Texas takes on No. 5 Georgia in UT's Southeastern Conference Championship debut.SEC officials cited space constraints as the reason why Bevo won't be on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium sidelines in Atlanta, Silver Spur Alumni Association Executive Director Ricky Brennes said. Texas fans caught, punished for throwing bottles in Georgia game: ZeroUga XI, the University of Georgia's bulldog mascot will be in
  
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• Austin created a warning system after 1981 Memorial Day flood, here's how it works

  05-12-2024 20:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin has experienced regular flooding, but the 1981 Memorial Day flood, where more than a foot of water fell in less than three hours, killing 13 people and causing extensive damage, is the most devastating in our lifetime.Since that flood, the city of Austin has made changes to how it prepares for severe flooding -- including the creation of the Flood Early Warning System (FEWS). RELATED | 40 year anniversary of the Memorial Day Flood of 1981That system includes a team of exp
  
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• Tsunami warning issued after strong California earthquake

  05-12-2024 20:22 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – The National Weather Service issued a tsunami warning Thursday for a large stretch of California coastline following a strong earthquake near Eureka.The tsunami warning, which blared on many California residents' phones at 10:50 a.m., warned people to move away from coasts. The affected area stretched from southern Oregon through the Bay Area and down to Davenport, just north of Santa Cruz.
  "You are in danger. Get away from coastal waters. Move to high ground or inland now. Kee
  
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• Tsunami warning canceled after strong California earthquake

  05-12-2024 20:22 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – The National Weather Service canceled a tsunami warning Thursday for a large stretch of California coastline, saying the threat had passed following a strong earthquake near Eureka.The tsunami warning, which blared on many California residents' phones at 10:50 a.m., warned people to move away from coasts. The affected area stretched from southern Oregon through the Bay Area and down to Davenport, just north of Santa Cruz.
  "You are in danger. Get away from coastal waters. Move t
  
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• APD: 1 arrested, 1 at large in March hit-and-run that injured 6

  05-12-2024 20:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin police announced on Thursday they identified two drivers who were allegedly responsible for a hit-and-run in the spring that injured six people. One of the drivers was arrested and another is still at large, according to police.
  According to the Austin Police Department, the incident happened shortly before 3 a.m. on March 24 in the 4600 block of North Interstate Highway 35 northbound.
  APD said a red Hyundai was stalled in the roadway, and a black Ford F-150 stopped behin
  
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• TCSO's Brown Santa program enters home stretch of the holiday season

  05-12-2024 20:10 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Travis County Sheriff's Office Brown Santa program is in full swing ahead of the holidays.The program, which takes its name from the brown uniforms of the sheriff's office, is a community-based operation that helps provide food for families and gifts to children in the Travis County area during the holiday season.Within the program, volunteers are utilized for gift wrapping, book/toy sorting, packing food boxes and other duties as needed, according to organizers. Volunt
  
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• Build starts on Caldwell County evacuation center, will house evacuees from across the state

  05-12-2024 20:05 via kxan.com
  
  CALDWELL COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – State, county and local officials attended a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for a new evacuation center in Caldwell County, which eventually will provide a refuge to people from all over the state during disasters. The 45,000-square-foot evacuation center is being built in Lulling, around 15 miles south of Lockhart, and is expected to be completed by 2026. The project costs around $22 million and will be paid for by a Texas General Land Office grant.&
  
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• Hopdoddy Burger Bar aims to nearly double its restaurant count within 5 years

  05-12-2024 19:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (ABJ) — In the wake of its first expansion several years ago, Austin-based Hopdoddy Burger Bar is gearing up for another big growth spurt — with the goal this time of doubling its restaurant count within five years.The 14-year-old chain of burger joints is on a trajectory to have 45 new stores by 2030 — from just under 50 now — and plans to get there by opening between eight and 10 locations annually, CEO Jeff Chandler said. Debt and capital partner Evolu
  
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• Austin startup teams with home builder to boost Texas grid reliability

  05-12-2024 19:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin-based electricity startup company announced this week its partnership with home construction company Lennar amid efforts to offer stronger grid reliability to Texans.Base Power launched in May and centers its work around installing batteries that offer on-site storage capacity for customers. When the electrical grid is up and running, the batteries are designed to support that power grid; when the grid goes down, the battery kicks in and provides electricity to th
  
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• How to watch Texas GameDay

  05-12-2024 18:32 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Gameday is the official pregame show of Texas football.Viewers can watch the one-hour coverage on KBVO before every Longhorn football game. It features analysis, coach interviews and player features.Jonathan Thomas hosts the show alongside Longhorn legends Dan Neil and Alex Okafor. This week, starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, the crew will preview the SEC Championship game between Texas and the Georgia Bulldogs.KBVO channel listings
  AT&T U-Verse: Channel 1007
  
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• Manor man sentenced to 40 years in $12 million fraud, money laundering scheme

  05-12-2024 17:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A Manor man must serve 40 years in prison and pay more than $12 million in restitution for wire fraud and money laundering charges.
  According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Saint Jovite Youngblood, aka Kota Youngblood, 52, was convicted in April of four counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering.
  Youngblood was also ordered to pay a full restitution of $12,766,384.The DOJ said in a press release that court documents showed Youngblood committed wire fra
  
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• Fort Cavazos soldiers arrested on human smuggling conspiracy charges

  05-12-2024 17:41 via kxan.com
  
  ALPINE, Texas (FOX 44) - Three Fort Cavazos soldiers were arrested and accused of being involved in a conspiracy to smuggle undocumented noncitizens, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.The DOJ said a U.S. Border Patrol Agent stopped a vehicle in Presidio on Nov. 27, but the vehicle quickly left as the agent approached the passenger side and struck a second USBP vehicle, injuring an agent inside.Presidio County deputies and Presidio police officers eventually stopped the vehicle and appr
  
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• Texas fans caught, punished for throwing bottles in Georgia game: Zero

  05-12-2024 17:35 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (AP) — The University of Texas investigation into the bottle-throwing incident that disrupted the Texas-Georgia game in October — and drew a harsh rebuke and fine from the Southeastern Conference — resulted in no one being caught or punished.In a report to the league sent last month, Texas officials said a video review did not identify any of the culprits. UT President reprimands ‘profoundly disappointing moment’ at Georgia gameTexas and Georgia meet again Sa
  
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• Man accused of murder after giving someone 'a little bit' of fentanyl, affidavit says

  05-12-2024 17:27 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A 35-year-old man is facing a murder charge after allegedly giving a 59-year-old man fentanyl that led to his death on Sept. 6, 2023, according to an affidavit.The Austin Police Department identified the man it believes to be responsible as Christopher Michael Mcdermott, and the victim was identified as Troy Cernosek.KXAN has reached out to Mcdermott's attorney for a comment regarding the case. This story will be updated if we receive a response.According to the affidavit, a wom
  
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• How Texans can avoid parking lot crashes, thefts this holiday season

  05-12-2024 17:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With holiday shopping in full swing, experts with AAA Texas are cautioning drivers on best practices to avoid parking lot crashes or thefts from vehicles this time of year.The influx of holiday shoppers is also coupled by earlier sunset times, AAA Texas officials said, which can add to heightened crash risks. AAA Texas' analysis found the bulk of crashes are a result of distractions while driving, including cell phone use, fiddling with the radio, talking to passengers or s
  
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• What's the difference: 'Cold front' vs 'Cool front'

  05-12-2024 17:07 via kxan.com
  
  Cold Front vs Cool FrontAUSTIN (KXAN) -- As we get closer to the end of the year and are just a few weeks away from the coldest time of the year. You may have heard your favorite local meteorologist say, "a cold front is on the way" but when you look at the map, you may only see a 1 or 2 degree drop. Does that mean that it's still classified as a cold front or more of a "cool front?"Winter SolsticeAs meteorologists we've heard it before. "That's not a cold front!", "Where is the actual cold weat
  
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• Weekend Watch: ZACH Theatre's 10th year of 'A Christmas Carol'

  05-12-2024 15:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Get in the Christmas spirit by enjoying this year’s production of A Christmas Carol at ZACH Theatre.This 2-hour 20-minute production is running until Dec. 29. This is the theatre's 10th year of performing this show, and it said this year holds new experiences and surprises.
  Photo: Zach TheatreThe story follows Ebenezer Scrooge (played by two-time Tony Award nominee Peter Frechette) as he digs into his past and present and learns the true meaning of Christmas and redem
  
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• Winter weather outlook: What's new, what to expect in Central Texas as La Niña returns

  05-12-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Between a warming climate, the return of La Niña and a worsening drought — this winter could have a lot in store for Central Texas.New Winter Weather AlertsFirst, let's start with what's new this winter. Winter weather alerts will be familiar to anyone who's lived in Texas the last few years, but this year there will be some changes.The National Weather Service is looking to simplify its products to improve messaging.Freeze Watches and Freeze WarningsPreviously
  
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• Texas Senate to pursue ban on THC products next year, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says

  05-12-2024 05:43 via kxan.com
  
  (The Texas Tribune) -- Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced Wednesday that lawmakers in the state Senate would move to ban all forms of consumable tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, in Texas.Patrick, who presides over the Senate and largely controls the flow of legislation in the chamber, said the THC ban would be designated as Senate Bill 3 — a low bill number that signals it is among his top priorities for the upcoming legislative session.The Republican-controlled Legislature was widely expected to
  
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• Ohio school to offer new religious release program through Satanic Temple

  05-12-2024 05:02 via kxan.com
  
  MARYSVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) -- A new religious release program for students is entering public schools in Marysville, Ohio, and this one emphasizes Satanic studies.The Hellion Academy of Independent Learning (HAIL) program will begin in Marysville's Edgewood Elementary School in December as a part of the district's permitted release time for religious instruction. The program is put on by the Satanic Temple, the only Satanic religious organization recognized as a church by the IRS and Federal Court
  
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• Searchers don't expect to find woman in sinkhole alive: Pennsylvania police

  05-12-2024 04:52 via kxan.com
  
  UNITY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) — The search for a woman who is believed to have fallen into a sinkhole in western Pennsylvania is moving into a recovery effort after two days of searching produced no signs of life, authorities said Wednesday.Pennsylvania State Police spokesperson Trooper Steve Limani said during a news conference that authorities no longer believe they will find 64-year-old Elizabeth Pollard alive, but that the search for her remains continues.“We’ve had no signs of
  
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• Get free Frostys for the entire year with $3 Wendy's Key Tag

  05-12-2024 04:37 via kxan.com
  
  SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — Need a stocking stuffer idea? Starting on Monday, you can secure free Frostys for all of 2025 by getting a Wendy's Key Tag.Customer can purchase physical key tags for $3 at participating Wendy's locations across the country from Dec. 9, 2024, through Feb. 16, 2025. Digital key tags can also be ordered via the Wendy's mobile app or website during that same period.Popular Mexican restaurant set to return, 20 years after closing all US locationsWith the key tag, yo
  
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• City adds hotline to aid homeless looking for shelter

  05-12-2024 04:26 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As more and more people struggle with homelessness the city is using a new hotline to help people get off the streets and into shelter."In Austin any given night there are 5 to 6,000 people experiencing homelessness in our streets and we only have about 1,000 beds," said Mark Hibelink, executive director at Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center.You will find many of people who are un-housed turning to places like Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center for help."We are trying to mo
  
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• Austin massage business temporarily closed for suspected human trafficking

  05-12-2024 04:19 via kxan.com
  
  AUSITN (KXAN) -- A massage business in Austin just got shut down for suspected human trafficking. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation issued a six-month emergency closure order effective Dec. 2, 2024.The owner of JT Spa, located at 11416 N. Ranch Road, was ordered to stop operating this massage business and is prohibited from operating a different massage establishment at this location."The person who runs the establishment is not allowed to be involved in any massage establishment
  
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• Texas could pass 'universal school choice' in 2025

  05-12-2024 01:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- After a year of legislative impasses leading to a primary season of vengeance, Gov. Greg Abbott's top priority of "education savings accounts" could be coming to fruition.The idea of using state money to subsidize part of families' private school expenses has been a political lightning rod in Texas for years, but the legislature is friendlier to it than ever before. Abbott utilized his pulpit and campaign war chest to wage electoral war on skeptical Republicans, successfully
  
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• Police union says APD should 'stop responding to mental health calls' after officer's sentence

  05-12-2024 00:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Association released a statement Wednesday, the day after a judge sentenced Christopher Taylor to two years in prison on a deadly conduct charge, calling on officers to stop responding to mental health calls. Austin police officer sentenced to 2 years in prisonTaylor's sentence stems from the 2019 police shooting of Mauris DeSilva. Police responded to 911 calls reporting DeSilva walking around his downtown condo complex with a knife to his throat. When police c
  
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• APD will not stop responding to mental health calls, will work toward 'holistic' response, chief says

  05-12-2024 00:46 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Association released a statement Wednesday, the day after a judge sentenced Christopher Taylor to two years in prison on a deadly conduct charge, calling on officers to stop responding to mental health calls.Chief Lisa Davis said in a statement Thursday that the department "will continue to respond to community calls for police service, including calls involving people experiencing behavior and mental health crises."Davis added that she understands "concerns ex
  
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• Recognizing dementia, Alzheimer's signs in loved ones

  05-12-2024 00:37 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the holiday season begins and families gather to spend time together, it's a good opportunity to check in on elderly relatives for signs indicating an onset of dementia or Alzheimer's."The holidays bring us closer together with sometimes our family, our loved ones that we haven't seen in a while," said Karina Franco with Seniors Helping Seniors, an in-home care service. "They might start noticing changes that they haven't seen before." READ MORE: Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patri
  
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• Dripping Springs sees several auto thefts in recent weeks

  05-12-2024 00:17 via kxan.com
  
  DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) – Gwen Varnes said a few days after Thanksgiving she woke up to a disheartening text from her neighbor. “My neighbor said ‘Hey, my forerunner's missing. Did you hear anything last night?’,” Varnes recalled.  “I had just walked out to let my dogs out front, and I looked over and my [Ford] Bronco was also missing.”Varnes lives with her son on eight acres of gated land in Dripping Springs. She said her neighbor lives
  
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• West Austin homeowner finds empty, dumped Amazon boxes behind home

  05-12-2024 00:02 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It is expected UPS and FedEx will deliver and return roughly 2.2 billion packages between now and New Year's Eve. Crooks know it and are watching your doorstep closely.
  "There were a bunch of boxes dumped over the fence," Corrin Gani said.The west Austin homeowner was not the victim of porch pirates. Instead, she found other people's deliveries ripped wide open behind her home."It's frustrating, but it's also a little unnerving because this is your street. This is your neighborh
  
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• Study finds fast-food delivery comes with an extreme markup

  05-12-2024 00:00 via kxan.com
  
  (KTLA) - The cost of convenience is adding up for millions of fast-food customers in the United States.Online food delivery has become a trillion — yes, trillion — dollar business. But with each order comes a slew of fees that can quickly take the cost of an otherwise quick, affordable meal and make it ... less quick and less affordable.According to Chowhound, delivery services often include fees that aren't immediately obvious. They can range from service fees to small order fees an
  
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• $10,000 reward offered for information on UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting: NYPD

  05-12-2024 00:00 via kxan.com
  
  MIDTOWN, Manhattan (WPIX) – The NYPD is offering up to $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest of the gunman who shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown, Manhattan, on Wednesday morning.Thompson, 50, was shot outside of a Hilton hotel near 54th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues just before 7 a.m., according to authorities.“This does not appear to be a random act of violence,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. “Every indication is that
  
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