Austin news

• Kelvin Banks Jr. won't play for Texas in SEC title game

  07-12-2024 20:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Longhorns junior left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. won't play in the Southeastern Conference championship game Saturday against Georgia.Banks suffered an ankle injury against Texas A&M early in the first quarter and hobbled off the field, returning to the sideline with a walking boot on. His status on the official SEC availability report was changed to game-time decision 90 minutes before the 3 p.m. kickoff, but he wasn't in full uniform during pregame warmups. He had
  
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• Kelvin Banks Jr. is a game-time decision for Texas in SEC title game

  07-12-2024 20:52 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Longhorns junior left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. will be a game-time decision for the Southeastern Conference championship game Saturday against Georgia.Banks suffered an ankle injury against Texas A&M early in the first quarter and hobbled off the field, returning to the sideline with a walking boot on. He's been listed as questionable on the official SEC availability report all week. Quinn or Arch? Georgia head coach said his team can’t ‘chase ghosts&rs
  
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• Texans: Is Austin or Houston more 'fun'?

  07-12-2024 19:00 via kxan.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — If you were given $500 plus lodging to go out in any Texas city for one night — which would you pick? While the Lone Star State is no slouch in the "fun" department, some Texas cities are a little more prepped for a night on the town than others.Recently, personal finance resource WalletHub compared 182 cities across 65 different metrics, including entertainment/recreation, nightlife/parties and costs. Which was the most fun city in America? ‘Childless Cat Lady&rsqu
  
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• Busy, costly 2024 Atlantic Basin hurricane season

  07-12-2024 18:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It was predicted to be a busy Atlantic Basin hurricane season. The final numbers certainly reflect that. The season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, had 18 named storms. Eleven of the storms were hurricanes. Five of those intensified to major hurricanes with winds reaching 111 miles per hour or greater.The continental United States had five of those hurricanes make landfall, two of which made landfall as major hurricanes. Their names? Beryl, Debbie, Francine, Helene, and Milt
  
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• Texas organization captures lives, stories of children living in foster care

  07-12-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A Texas organization is working to put a face and a name to the thousands of children living in the state's foster care system -- one portrait at a time.Heart Galleries of Texas has been active for the past decade, beginning as a grassroot effort centered around photographic exhibits. These portraits are designed to help tell the stories of children living in Texas' foster care system and who are awaiting adoption, said Cara Fox, program director of Heart Galleries of Texas.Work
  
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• 3 Central Texas cities among those with largest population growth in Texas

  07-12-2024 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Three cities in Central Texas saw some of the largest population growth in the Lone Star State.SmartAsset, a financial technology company, used census data to show which U.S. cities had the largest one-year change in population.“The magnitude of the population change can affect demand for businesses and services, which in turn may impact costs – or even the availability of such amenities. Similarly, the relative age of the population can determine the strength o
  
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• Texas sweeps Southern Cal, advances to 19th consecutive volleyball Sweet 16

  07-12-2024 06:11 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas volleyball team is again headed to the NCAA regional semifinals.The Longhorns swept Southern California in the second round of the NCAA tournament Friday at Gregory Gym, making it volleyball's version of the Sweet 16 for the 19th consecutive season. That's the longest active streak in the country.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersSet scores were 26-24,
  
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• Texas high school football playoffs: Scores from regional finals on Friday, Dec. 6

  07-12-2024 05:50 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Vandegrift got five passing touchdowns from Miles Teodecki and three interceptions from its defense to thump San Antonio Harlan 47-14 in the 6A Division II Region IV final at UFCU Stadium in San Marcos.Brendan Fournier scored twice on the ground for the Vipers. Vandegrift led 25-7 at halftime and then poured it on the second half to complete the blowout win.REPORT YOUR SCORE: We'd love to post your team's score in this scoreboard, but we need your help to do it. Email the s
  
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• Who is Lamb Chop, America's most popular dog toy?

  07-12-2024 05:46 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — Lamb chops aren't just a meaty delicacy in the U.S.; they're also a dog's best friend.America's most popular dog toy this year has been "Lamb Chop," a small plush lamb that millions of dog owners buy annually.The squeaky toy got its name from a puppet with curly hair that starred in "The Shari Lewis Show" in the 1960s and again in a 1990s revival in "Lamb Chop's Play-Along" on PBS.Lamb Chop gained popularity among children decades ago, and now, a new generation of kids &mdas
  
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• Recordings: Woman says slain Kentucky judge was involved in alleged sextortion scandal

  07-12-2024 05:44 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — Exclusively-obtained audio recordings purportedly tie a now-dead Kentucky judge to an alleged sex-for-favors scandal one week after the suspect, a former sheriff, pleaded not guilty to killing him.District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, was in his chambers at a courthouse in Whitesburg, Kentucky, on Sept. 19 when Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. “Mickey” Stines, 43, allegedly shot and killed him.The recordings, obtained by Nexstar's NewsNation, are from the crimina
  
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• Viral 'Hawk Tuah' girl accused of crypto scam

  07-12-2024 05:41 via kxan.com
  
  (NewsNation) — A woman known as the "Hawk Tuah Girl" is now facing accusations that her cryptocurrency, which launched Wednesday, was part of a so-called pump and dump scam.Haliey Welch went viral after a social media video containing an off-the-cuff sex tip boosted her to internet fame. Welch quit her job at a spring factory after the video took off, launched a podcast and made endorsement deals off her viral image.Welch has also become involved in the world of cryptocurrency, including B
  
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• Westlake wins another Battle of the Lakes over Lake Travis in the 6A Division I Region IV title game

  07-12-2024 05:14 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — George Jones III must love playing against Lake Travis.The Westlake defensive back had two interceptions against the Cavaliers in their district matchup in October, and then he came up with the biggest pick of them all late in the fourth quarter Friday in the 6A Division I Region IV championship game at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex. Westlake held on to beat their arch-rivals 24-17 and advance to the state semifinals.
  Westlake picked off Cavs quarterback Chaston Ditta three
  
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• Taylor seeks community input on downtown growth plan

  07-12-2024 04:46 via kxan.com
  
  TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) -- The city of Taylor is looking for input on what the future of its downtown could look like. A new downtown master plan is in the works and the city is looking for residents to offer feedback on what they'd like to see.It comes as the city is facing explosive growth with the new Samsung factory plan in the city's shadow."We thought [the growth] would come like a garden hose and it came like a fire hose," Jan Harris, the city's Main Street Manager, joked.The growth was some
  
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• Austin's Diagon Alley says this is 'final year' for holiday displays

  07-12-2024 04:20 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Diagon Alley Austin announced Friday this will be the final year for the holiday displays outside the south Austin home, according to a social media post."Everything has a beginning and an end. After years of putting our hearts into this display, we have made the bittersweet decision to put down our wands, and move on to our next adventure," the organization said. "We have thoroughly enjoyed sharing the holidays with all our friends, family, neighbors and our community—bot
  
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• Bruce Elfant retires after serving Travis County for nearly 32 years

  07-12-2024 03:59 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Travis County's Tax Assessor-Collector and Voter Registrar Bruce Elfant will retire from public service on Dec. 31. The press release said Elfant originally took office on Jan 1, 2013, and previously served the county as a constable for 20 years.“It’s been an honor to serve the residents of Travis County,” Elfant said. “I’m proud to have
  participated in many initiatives and collaborations that have improved people’s lives.”In Elfant's ro
  
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• TxDOT: Northbound lanes shut down after major crash on North US 183

  07-12-2024 03:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) said a major crash has shut down all northbound lanes on North U.S. 183, the agency said on social media Friday.ATCEMS medics said on social media they responded to the crash around 7 p.m. in the 13000 block of North U.S. 183 northbound. Medics transported one adult to St. David's Round Rock with "critical injuries."The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) said the crash has shut down all lanes. Traffic will be diverted to the
  
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• TxDOT: Lanes back open after major crash on North US 183

  07-12-2024 03:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) said northbound lanes are now back open after a major crash on North U.S. 183, according to the agency's website.ATCEMS medics said on social media they responded to the crash around 7 p.m. in the 13000 block of North U.S. 183 northbound. Medics transported one adult to St. David's Round Rock with "critical injuries."No other details were available Friday.
  
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• TxDOT: All lanes shut down after major crash on North US 183

  07-12-2024 03:08 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) said a major crash has shut down all lanes on North U.S. 183, the agency said on social media Friday.ATCEMS medics said on social media they responded to the crash around 7 p.m. in the 13000 block of North U.S. 183 northbound. Medics transported one adult to St. David's Round Rock with "critical injuries."The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) said the crash has shut down all lanes. Traffic will be diverted to the frontage r
  
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• TXST locks up head coach GJ Kinne through 2031 season with extension

  07-12-2024 02:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas State University wants to invest in the football program's future, and they'll do so with GJ Kinne as its head coach.School officials announced Friday a 7-year contract extension with Kinne, and TXST president Kelly Damphousse said he has confidence that Kinne can make the program a consistent winner.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersTexas State head coach
  
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• TXST locks down head coach GJ Kinne through 2031 season with extension

  07-12-2024 02:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas State University wants to invest in the football program's future, and they'll do so with GJ Kinne as its head coach.School officials announced Friday a 7-year contract extension with Kinne, and TXST president Kelly Damphousse said he has confidence that Kinne can make the program a consistent winner.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersTexas State head coach
  
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• Quinn or Arch? Georgia head coach said his team can't 'chase ghosts' on defense

  07-12-2024 02:21 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Legendary football coach John Madden once said, "If you have two quarterbacks, you have none." He meant a team has to commit to one guy calling the signals and using two won't work in the long run. As far as Saturday goes for the Southeastern Conference championship game, Georgia coach Kirby Smart doesn't necessarily believe that.Smart has seen both Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning in action. Manning entered the Oct. 19 game against the Bulldogs in the second quarter and finish
  
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• UT Austin sees record number of freshman applications for Fall 2025

  07-12-2024 01:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The University of Texas at Austin marked its third consecutive year of receiving a record-breaking number of freshman applications, according to a news release from UT.UT said the applications increased nearly 25% for the Fall 2025 term receiving 90,562 applications from Aug. 1 to Dec. 1, the release said. For Fall 2024 admission, 72,885 applications were received, according to UT."Applications from Texas residents increased by 12%, while out-of-state applications soared by 48%,
  
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• Police found a backpack carried by gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO

  07-12-2024 01:12 via kxan.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — New York City police say they have found a backpack carried by the gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
  The backpack was found in Central Park on Friday, three days after the shooting.Police officials said Friday that they believe the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after the brazen ambush that has shaken corporate America.Officials still do not know the gunman's whereabouts or a motive for the killing. Investigators were looking at whether
  
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• Burnet PD using forensic software in investigations

  07-12-2024 00:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) —  Burnet Police are using new software to help them in investigations.Burnet PD and the Marble Falls Police recently purchased Cellebrite, a program that can help extract important data from phones."Cellphones," said Officer Joshua Day, an investigator with Burnet PD. "Tied to everyone and we do everything on them."Day said cellphones play a critical role in solving crimes and can store much needed data."A lot of criminal activity that we have seen, such as drug cases a
  
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